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Ukraine

Ukraine is the second largest country in Europe after Russia, gaining independence from the Soviet Union and declaring neutrality in 1991. In February 2022, Russia's President Vladimir Putin ordered an invasion of Ukraine under the auspices of a "special military operation" to "de-nazify" the country. The move turned Moscow into a global pariah, and the Ukrainian army - backed financially and militarily by the US and western European countries - continues to fight off the invading forces. Nuclear-armed Russia has warned of consequences if Nato interferes in the war, while strategic ally China urges a peaceful, diplomatic solution.

Capital

Kyiv

Head of State

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy

Head of Government

Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal

French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte accompany Pope Leo after their meeting in the Elysee Palace in Paris on Friday. Photo: via AP

France

In Paris, Pope warns against losing humanity in ‘paradise of machines’

Pope Leo is in France on a four-day trip, the first official papal trip in 18 years to France.

25 Sep 2026 - 9:17PM

Ukraine war

EU to release US$7.5 billion linked to Ukraine military aid

25 Sep 2026 - 8:57PM

2026 Xi-Trump summits

How was dinner? Takeaways from Xi and Trump’s evening at the White House

25 Sep 2026 - 9:15AM

North Korea

Ukraine’s POW transfer reveal deals propaganda blow to North Korea

Zelensky’s UN disclosure punctures Pyongyang’s soldier-loyalty narrative, but risks damaging ties with Seoul and endangering POW families.

25 Sep 2026 - 3:48PM

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks at the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Wednesday. Photo: EPA

Crime

Knife attack at Polish abbey leaves priest dead and 4 injured

Ukrainian suspect arrested after stabbing victims during assault at Benedictine monastery in Jaroslaw.

25 Sep 2026 - 12:00PM

Ukraine war

Croatia clears extradition of Nord Stream blast suspect to Germany

German prosecutors have accused Ukrainian scuba diver of planting explosives on Baltic pipelines in 2022.

25 Sep 2026 - 12:14PM

2026 Xi-Trump summits

Xi-Trump summit ends with modest deals, promises of more meetings

The two leaders extend their trade truce and signal progress on tariffs while striking a warmer tone on AI, security and bilateral ties.

4 hours agovideocam

From left: Peng Liyuan, Chinese President Xi Jinping, US President Donald Trump and Melania Trump arrive at the National Archives Museum in Washington on Friday. Photo: Reuters

Ukraine war

8 killed in Russian strikes on Ukraine, maternity clinic damaged

Moscow has stepped up its air ‌war in recent months, deploying more of its faster and harder-to-stop drones.

24 Sep 2026 - 6:08PM

Italy

Italy greenlights return of nuclear power after decades-long ban

Parliament clears legal framework for next-generation reactors nearly 40 years after the Chernobyl disaster.

24 Sep 2026 - 12:44PM

Artificial intelligence

AI leaders to UN: for the sake of humanity, regulate tech we created

Tech bosses urge caution in AI development following growing warnings of uncontrollable systems and catastrophic risks.

24 Sep 2026 - 12:17PMvideocam

Hugging Face CEO Clement Delangue appears by video link. Photo: AFP

Ukraine war

Zelensky warns of painful winter for Russia if energy truce talks fail

The leader described Russia’s Putin as the ‘patient zero’ from whom the idea of war keeps spreading further.

24 Sep 2026 - 5:06AM

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks during the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Photo: Getty Images via AFP

2026 Xi-Trump summits

Rubio defends Xi’s US visit as essential despite deep disagreements

US secretary of state says Taiwan arms sales must be weighed against America’s military needs and voices hope Vladimir Putin will attend G20.

24 Sep 2026 - 5:42AMvideocam

Ukraine war

Zelensky meets Trump, says Ukraine ready for energy truce with Russia

The US president announced such a truce last week, but Russia ‌hit petrol stations in Kyiv the next day and Ukraine bombed an oil refinery.

23 Sep 2026 - 9:42AM

China-Latin America relations

Lula backs China peace push at UN, tells US that Brazil is ‘no one’s backyard’

Brazilian leader criticises tariffs and military pressure while demanding domestic benefits from foreign access to critical minerals.

23 Sep 2026 - 2:56AMvideocam

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva addresses the UN General Assembly in New York on Tuesday. Photo: AFP

UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles)

Eyeing Ukraine, China’s military doctors voice progress on drone-caused injuries

Head, face and neck injuries are becoming a big problem in armed conflicts dominated by uncrewed aerial vehicles.

22 Sep 2026 - 11:00PMvideocam

The rising number of cranio-maxillofacial injuries has prompted changes to military medical treatment protocols around the world. Photo: Shutterstock

Ukraine war

4 dead in Ukraine after Russian attacks on industrial cities

As Russia says metals, chemicals, energy and arms areas were hit, Ukraine warns of mass starvation in frontline town of Oleshky.

22 Sep 2026 - 7:15PMvideocam

China-Germany relations

China seeks German help to stave off EU trade sanctions before Xi-Trump summit

Phone call between Wang Yi and Johann Wadephul underlines Beijing’s push to protect European partnerships alongside US relations.

22 Sep 2026 - 4:02PMvideocam

Indonesia

Can Indonesia speak for the Global South in its UN Security Council bid?

Jakarta wants a fifth term on the council, but faces accusations of hypocrisy and being a ‘fence-sitter’, analysts say.

22 Sep 2026 - 4:01PM

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto addresses the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York in September 2025. Photo: Xinhua

Japan

Russia targets ‘unfriendly nations’ as asset seizures spook Japanese firms

The takeover of Swiss and French brands raises the spectre of retaliation against some 230 Japanese businesses still in Russia.

22 Sep 2026 - 9:27AMvideocam

2026 Xi-Trump summits

Top US Democrat warns Trump not to waver on Taiwan as Xi heads to Washington

Jeanne Shaheen also said new law allowing tariffs on buyers of Russian oil ‘sends Beijing a message’ before this week’s summit in Washington.

22 Sep 2026 - 5:58AMvideocam

Ukraine war

Zelensky and CIA chief meet during refuelling stop in Ireland

Sources say the pair met at Shannon Airport as the Ukrainian leader travelled to the UN meetings in New York.

22 Sep 2026 - 11:00AM

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Photo: EPA

2026 Xi-Trump summits

Air China makes special New York flight over objections of US aviation group

Major American carriers protested to US Transport Department, saying Chinese rivals gain an unfair edge from access to Russian airspace.

22 Sep 2026 - 10:37AM

An Air China passenger plane at Beijing Capital International Airport. Photo: AP

United Nations

Burning questions: world leaders meet at UN amid climate, war and AI worries

As we face ‘three existential threats,’ says the UN chief, ‘international cooperation is more necessary than ever’.

21 Sep 2026 - 9:54PM

Science

Some of China’s 11,000 mega bridges could be at risk from small drones: study

Chinese researchers simulate attacks on a typical suspension bridge and find a precisely targeted small strike could trigger collapse.

21 Sep 2026 - 4:58PMvideocam

Ukraine war

Ukraine’s Zelensky to meet Trump in New York

Planned meeting comes as Washington pushes for fresh, face-to-face peace talks between Moscow and Kyiv.

21 Sep 2026 - 2:30PM

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky talking on the phone to US President Donald Trump on Sunday. Photo: Ukrainian Presidential Press Service via AFP

Russia

Putin’s party retains power in Russian vote marked by massive drone attack

Electoral chief says results show United Russia – dominating for 25 years – won 355 of the Duma’s 450 seats, the party’s highest ever.

22 Sep 2026 - 8:40AM

A gaping hole in a multi-storey residential building on the outskirts of Moscow. Photo: Reuters

Greenland

UK’s Burnham congratulates Trump and Danish PM on Greenland deal

British prime minister praises deal to bolster Arctic defence after Trump threatened to take island by force.

21 Sep 2026 - 11:57AM

China-North Korea relations

Opinion | New North Korea-Russia bridge delivers a powerful message to China

The Yalu bridge remains unused years after completion – a reminder that despite economic reliance on Beijing, Pyongyang still decides where to invest its political attention.

20 Sep 2026 - 8:30PMvideocam

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Ukraine

In Paris, Pope warns against losing humanity in ‘paradise of machines’

Pope Leo is in France on a four-day trip, the first official papal trip in 18 years to France.

EU to release US$7.5 billion linked to Ukraine military aid

How was dinner? Takeaways from Xi and Trump’s evening at the White House

Ukraine’s POW transfer reveal deals propaganda blow to North Korea

Zelensky’s UN disclosure punctures Pyongyang’s soldier-loyalty narrative, but risks damaging ties with Seoul and endangering POW families.

Knife attack at Polish abbey leaves priest dead and 4 injured

Ukrainian suspect arrested after stabbing victims during assault at Benedictine monastery in Jaroslaw.

Croatia clears extradition of Nord Stream blast suspect to Germany

German prosecutors have accused Ukrainian scuba diver of planting explosives on Baltic pipelines in 2022.

Xi-Trump summit ends with modest deals, promises of more meetings

The two leaders extend their trade truce and signal progress on tariffs while striking a warmer tone on AI, security and bilateral ties.

8 killed in Russian strikes on Ukraine, maternity clinic damaged

Moscow has stepped up its air ‌war in recent months, deploying more of its faster and harder-to-stop drones.

Italy greenlights return of nuclear power after decades-long ban

Parliament clears legal framework for next-generation reactors nearly 40 years after the Chernobyl disaster.

AI leaders to UN: for the sake of humanity, regulate tech we created

Tech bosses urge caution in AI development following growing warnings of uncontrollable systems and catastrophic risks.

Zelensky warns of painful winter for Russia if energy truce talks fail

The leader described Russia’s Putin as the ‘patient zero’ from whom the idea of war keeps spreading further.

Rubio defends Xi’s US visit as essential despite deep disagreements

US secretary of state says Taiwan arms sales must be weighed against America’s military needs and voices hope Vladimir Putin will attend G20.

Zelensky meets Trump, says Ukraine ready for energy truce with Russia

The US president announced such a truce last week, but Russia ‌hit petrol stations in Kyiv the next day and Ukraine bombed an oil refinery.

Lula backs China peace push at UN, tells US that Brazil is ‘no one’s backyard’

Brazilian leader criticises tariffs and military pressure while demanding domestic benefits from foreign access to critical minerals.

Eyeing Ukraine, China’s military doctors voice progress on drone-caused injuries

Head, face and neck injuries are becoming a big problem in armed conflicts dominated by uncrewed aerial vehicles.

4 dead in Ukraine after Russian attacks on industrial cities

As Russia says metals, chemicals, energy and arms areas were hit, Ukraine warns of mass starvation in frontline town of Oleshky.

China seeks German help to stave off EU trade sanctions before Xi-Trump summit

Phone call between Wang Yi and Johann Wadephul underlines Beijing’s push to protect European partnerships alongside US relations.

Can Indonesia speak for the Global South in its UN Security Council bid?

Jakarta wants a fifth term on the council, but faces accusations of hypocrisy and being a ‘fence-sitter’, analysts say.

Russia targets ‘unfriendly nations’ as asset seizures spook Japanese firms

The takeover of Swiss and French brands raises the spectre of retaliation against some 230 Japanese businesses still in Russia.

Top US Democrat warns Trump not to waver on Taiwan as Xi heads to Washington

Jeanne Shaheen also said new law allowing tariffs on buyers of Russian oil ‘sends Beijing a message’ before this week’s summit in Washington.

Zelensky and CIA chief meet during refuelling stop in Ireland

Sources say the pair met at Shannon Airport as the Ukrainian leader travelled to the UN meetings in New York.

Air China makes special New York flight over objections of US aviation group

Major American carriers protested to US Transport Department, saying Chinese rivals gain an unfair edge from access to Russian airspace.

Burning questions: world leaders meet at UN amid climate, war and AI worries

As we face ‘three existential threats,’ says the UN chief, ‘international cooperation is more necessary than ever’.

Some of China’s 11,000 mega bridges could be at risk from small drones: study

Chinese researchers simulate attacks on a typical suspension bridge and find a precisely targeted small strike could trigger collapse.

Ukraine’s Zelensky to meet Trump in New York

Planned meeting comes as Washington pushes for fresh, face-to-face peace talks between Moscow and Kyiv.

Putin’s party retains power in Russian vote marked by massive drone attack

Electoral chief says results show United Russia – dominating for 25 years – won 355 of the Duma’s 450 seats, the party’s highest ever.

UK’s Burnham congratulates Trump and Danish PM on Greenland deal

British prime minister praises deal to bolster Arctic defence after Trump threatened to take island by force.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | New North Korea-Russia bridge delivers a powerful message to China

The Yalu bridge remains unused years after completion – a reminder that despite economic reliance on Beijing, Pyongyang still decides where to invest its political attention.

Opinion | New North Korea-Russia bridge delivers a powerful message to China