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Russia's alleged election meddling
Ukraine
Russia
Vladimir Putin
Espionage
Russian soldiers fire a grenade launcher towards Ukrainian positions in an image released on Tuesday. Photo: Russian Defence Ministry Press Service via AP
Ukraine war

Russia says it has taken full control of Ukraine’s Luhansk region

A small sliver of land in the area has remained beyond Moscow’s reach since 2022, and Kyiv denies that the situation has changed.

US-China trade war

US lawmakers call for major crackdown on China’s alleged sanctioned oil imports

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Russia

Russian military plane crashes into Crimea cliff, killing 29 people

Crime

France convicts Chinese captain of oil tanker linked to Russian shadow fleet

Chen Zhangjie, who is currently at sea, was jailed for a year in absentia. The Borocay was thought to be transporting Russian oil to India.

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The tanker Borocay, believed to be part of Russia’s shadow fleet, off the coast of the French port of Saint-Nazaire in October. Photo: AFP
The tanker Borocay, believed to be part of Russia’s shadow fleet, off the coast of the French port of Saint-Nazaire in October. Photo: AFP
Americas and the Caribbean

US to allow Russian oil tanker to reach Cuba in lifeline for the island

Cuba has not received an oil tanker in three months, according to its president, leading to strict petrol rationing and blackouts.

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Ukraine war

Ukraine strikes Russian Baltic port, hundreds of drones shot down

Ukraine has intensified attacks on Russian refineries, oil depots and ports justified as part of the effort to cut revenues funding the war.

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US, Israel war on Iran

How Ukraine turned Iranian drone swarms in Gulf into a money-spinner

Zelensky’s Gulf tour secures defence agreements, offering Ukraine’s drone tech to Middle East nations facing Iranian threats.

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Fire and plumes of smoke rise after a drone struck a fuel tank near Dubai airport in the UAE on March 16. Photo: AP
Fire and plumes of smoke rise after a drone struck a fuel tank near Dubai airport in the UAE on March 16. Photo: AP
2026 Trump-Xi summit

Exclusive | What does it mean for China if Trump and Putin visit back to back?

Expected trips in close succession highlight Beijing’s strategic effort to manage relations with the two in turbulent times, analysts say.

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US, Israel war on Iran

‘Ukraine’s not America’s war, Iran not our war’: US, G7 diplomats trade barbs

The US secretary of state chided allies for rebuffing Trump’s demand for military help in the Gulf.

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China trade

From chips to MRIs, Iran war puts helium users on edge

Fitch Ratings says helium prices have roughly doubled since conflict began.

A radiologist gives instructions to a patient about to undergo an MRI scan. Photo: Shutterstock
Ukraine war

Iran war deflects attention from Ukraine as Russia starts spring offensive

US redirects air defences and eases oil sanctions on Moscow, leaving Kyiv to face Russian assaults with dwindling resources.

Russian soldiers carry ammunition for a self-propelled cannon to fire towards a Ukrainian position. Photo: Russian Defence Ministry via AP
Russian soldiers carry ammunition for a self-propelled cannon to fire towards a Ukrainian position. Photo: Russian Defence Ministry via AP
Ukraine war

Russia fires hundreds of drones at Ukraine in deadly massive attack

Swarms of drones rock Ukrainian cities, killing at least six and injuring dozens.

Extreme weather

‘Flashing red’: UN alarmed as heat trapped by Earth hits record high

UN chief warns of a state of emergency as 2015–2025 is confirmed as the hottest decade on record.

US, Israel war on Iran

‘No immunity’: Iran war threatens energy crisis worse than 1970s oil shocks

The boss of the International Energy Agency, Fatih Birol, spoke out as the war grinds into its fourth week.

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Smoke and flames rise at the site of air strikes on an oil depot in Tehran on March 7. Photo: via TNS
Ukraine war

Ukraine and US conclude talks as Zelensky urges sanctions pressure on Russia

Washington has temporarily lifted some sanctions ‌on ‌Russian oil to help cope with supply shortages caused by war in Iran.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Photo: dpa
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Photo: dpa
Ukraine war

Most of Ukraine’s Chernihiv region has no power after Russian attack

Meanwhile, although Putin’s regime has thwarted protests over the blocking of the popular messaging app, Telegram, there is still discontent.

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China energy security

China’s Russian oil imports spike in early 2026, but Iran war changes outlook

China’s need to bolster crude stockpiles amid rising geopolitical risks likely to have been a factor behind pre-war import surge, analyst says.

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Ukraine war

EU leaders clash with Hungary’s Orban for blocking Ukraine loan

A vital US$103 billion lifeline is being held up by Budapest over a dispute involving a war-damaged oil pipeline.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban in Brussels, Belgium on Thursday. Photo: Reuters
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban in Brussels, Belgium on Thursday. Photo: Reuters
US, Israel war on Iran

Iran’s exiled prince Reza Pahlavi plans to flip the script on Beijing

Pahlavi camp plays down China’s mediation, outlines plans to recalibrate ties with Beijing and Moscow in the event of a regime change.

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Russia

Pro-Kremlin Russian blogger who turned on Putin sent to psychiatric unit

Ilya Remeslo made a career calling out Putin’s critics until an abrupt about-turn saw him denouncing the Russian leader as a ‘war criminal’.

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Ukraine war

Kremlin says Ukraine peace talks on ‘situational pause’ amid Iran war

The Kremlin confirms halt as Russian newspaper claims the Middle East crisis could force Ukraine towards territorial compromise.

A man walks past portraits of Russian soldiers in a St Petersburg street exhibition. Photo: AP
Pakistan

Pakistan announces 5-day pause on Afghan strikes for Eid

The temporary ceasefire comes after Monday’s hospital strike, the deadliest in an escalating conflict between the two neighbours.

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An Afghan man walks next to the site where a drug rehabilitation centre was destroyed in an air strike in Kabul on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters
An Afghan man walks next to the site where a drug rehabilitation centre was destroyed in an air strike in Kabul on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters
Ukraine war

Ukraine’s Zelensky warns of ‘brothers in hatred’ as Iran war steals focus

Ukrainian leader visits London as the Middle East conflict overshadows the four-year war against Russia.

China-Russia relations

China, Russia look to boost transport links amid Middle East disruption

Increased use of Arctic shipping route among topics covered at inaugural China-Russia Logistics Business Forum.

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Ukraine war

Zelensky to visit UK as Starmer says it is ‘vital’ to support Ukraine

‘We cannot allow the war in the Gulf to turn into a windfall for Putin,’ Starmer said ahead of Tuesday’s meeting in London.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will visit the UK on Tuesday. Photo: AFP
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