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Russia & Central Asia

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Russia's alleged election meddling

A Russian Geran 2 kamikaze drone during an attack on Kyiv. Photo: Reuters

Russian strikes kill at least 17 across Ukraine in worst attack this year

Officials warn the toll could rise after Russia unleashed missiles and hundreds of drones at Ukrainian cities.

16 Apr 2026 - 8:08PM

Ukraine unit says it has launched over 100 robot attacks on Russia’s forces

16 Apr 2026 - 1:11PM

US-China relations

Russian and Chinese envoys meet in Beijing to discuss Iran, Ukraine and Taiwan

15 Apr 2026 - 4:46AMvideocam

Banking & finance

Kazakh sovereign fund issues Central Asia’s first panda bond in ‘milestone’ sale

Samruk-Kazyna chairman says issuance marks ‘an important milestone in strengthening the strategic partnership between Kazakhstan and China’.

14 Apr 2026 - 6:00PM

By the middle of last month, 78 billion yuan of panda bonds had been issued this year. Photo: Shutterstock

Why Indonesia’s Prabowo is in Russia – and what he needs from Putin

The visit aims to secure discounted crude as global prices soar, even as Jakarta holds high-level defence talks with Washington.

14 Apr 2026 - 2:54PM

‘Failing to help’: Ex-UK PM Boris Johnson criticises ‘timidity’ over Ukraine

Johnson’s three-day trip to Ukraine is the subject of a feature-length documentary called ‘Into The Kill Zone’.

14 Apr 2026 - 2:37AMvideocam

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Easter truce between Ukraine and Russia ends after thousands of violations

A brief 32-hour lull in the war is shattered as Kyiv and Moscow trade accusations of drone strikes, artillery and tank fire.

13 Apr 2026 - 1:50PM

An Orthodox priest blesses Russian conscripts during a ceremony in Bataysk, in the Rostov region of Russia on Friday. Photo: Reuters

China-Latin America relations

China, Russia rally behind Cuba as US squeezes Havana in deepening crisis

‘China is willing to work with the international community to firmly support Cuba,’ said a Beijing spokesperson.

11 Apr 2026 - 4:30AMvideocam

Ukrainians sceptical as Russia’s Putin orders Easter truce

The Kremlin says its forces will stop fighting ‘in all directions’ for 32 hours, and Zelensky says Kyiv is willing to reciprocate.

11 Apr 2026 - 1:06AM

Russian special envoy in US to meet Trump administration officials: sources

Kirill Dmitriev’s reported trip comes before a US decision on ⁠whether to extend sanctions relief on Russian oil, ‌which expires on Saturday.

10 Apr 2026 - 4:57AM

Kirill Dmitriev, the Russian presidential envoy, speaks to the media in Moscow on March 26. Photo: Reuters

Russia criminalises denial of ‘Soviet genocide’ by Nazis during World War II

Under the law, anyone who damages monuments to victims of the Soviet occupation – in Russia and abroad – will be jailed for up to 4 years.

10 Apr 2026 - 3:10AM

Visitors at the Soviet war memorial in Tiergarten park, Berlin, Germany. Photo: EPA-EFE

UK tracked Russian submarines in alleged Atlantic ‘covert’ op: defence secretary

John Healey said warships and military aircraft forced Russia to halt activity in UK waters near vital undersea cables and pipelines.

10 Apr 2026 - 4:23AM

Russia tempts energy-starved South Asia with 40% discounts on US-sanctioned LNG

China- and Russia-based intermediaries are reportedly also providing paperwork to make it appear that the fuel comes from legitimate sources.

9 Apr 2026 - 1:37PMvideocam

China food security

Beyond Russian oil, China also increases appetite for Ukrainian wheat flour

Chinese and Ukrainian officials sign a protocol in Kyiv on inspection, quarantine and sanitary requirements for exports.

7 Apr 2026 - 6:00PM

Harvesters gather wheat in Zghurivka, Ukraine, in August 2022. Photo: AP

Ukraine proposes ceasefire on striking energy targets to Russia

Ukraine’s president says the proposal has been conveyed to Moscow through the US.

7 Apr 2026 - 11:40AM

A satellite near-infrared image shows smoke rising from Russia’s Baltic port of Ust-Luga after a Ukrainian attack on March 27. Photo: Vantor via Reuters

Floods kill 5 in Russia, thousands evacuated after dam wall breaks

Social media videos showed villages and highways engulfed by water as the emergencies ministry said further heavy downpours are expected.

7 Apr 2026 - 6:13AM

Afghan mother demands answers after son dies in Pakistani hospital bombing

Human rights groups have called for an independent investigation into the March 16 strike on a drug treatment centre that killed 411.

6 Apr 2026 - 9:14AMvideocam

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Russian wheat freighter sinks after attack by Ukrainian drones

At least one sailor has died and two are still missing in the Sea of Azov after attack.

6 Apr 2026 - 10:19AM

Rescued crew of the Volgo-Balt on Sunday. Photo: Vladimir Saldo/Telegram via Reuters

Orban appears to blame Ukraine after explosives found on gas pipeline to Hungary

Discovery on Serbian border comes as the Hungarian leader faces a tight election and ‘false flag’ accusations from opposition.

6 Apr 2026 - 1:46PM

Afghanistan wants US$10 billion in trade deals with Central Asia

Central Asia’s typical trade routes through Russia are hampered by heavy sanctions, while the Taliban is trying to trade with the world despite international sanctions.

5 Apr 2026 - 9:26PM

Zelensky fears Ukraine may get less US support to fight Russia due to Iran war

Zelensky has offered to share Ukraine’s battlefield expertise with the US and allies to develop countermeasures against Iranian attacks.

5 Apr 2026 - 3:48PMvideocam

Ukrainian experts work at the site of a Russian drone strike on a residential area in Kharkiv, Ukraine, on Friday. Photo: EPA

Ukraine and Russia trade fatal strikes as Zelensky travels to Turkey

The war began in February 2022 after Russian President Vladimir Putin’s troops invaded Ukraine.

4 Apr 2026 - 11:48PMvideocam

Firefighters work at a market hit by a Russian drone strike in Nikopol, Ukraine, on Saturday. Photo: Handout via Reuters

Ukraine asks for Easter truce, 8 die in Russian strikes

President Zelensky has signalled his openness for a potential Easter ceasefire; his nation and Russia both mark the holiday on April 12.

3 Apr 2026 - 11:57PMvideocam

China energy security

Chinese airlines shed weight, add flights over Russia to trim fuel costs

Some carriers have even removed non-essential items like in-flight magazines from their planes.

3 Apr 2026 - 5:07PM

Russia is luring students with large financial packages to join drone units

Students are being offered attractive packages to sign up, with the prospect of ending their contracts after one year.

2 Apr 2026 - 3:42PM

A new billboard recruitment campaign which shows a young drone operator with glowing eyes in hi-tech glasses. Photo: EPA

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