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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

A soldier stands at a fence bordering the demilitarised zone (DMZ) separating North and South Korea in 2017. Photo: AFP

North Korea

North Korea to turn southern border into ‘impregnable fortress’

Experts say the plans reflect awareness of drone and other types of hi-tech warfare amid the Russia-Ukraine and Iran conflicts.

18 May 2026 - 11:37AMvideocam

China-Russia relations

After China-US reset, Putin heads to Beijing for Sino-Russian strategic refresh

16 May 2026 - 7:16PMvideocam

US-China relations

AI supremacy, ‘secret police station’, Taiwan propaganda: 7 US-China relations reads

16 May 2026 - 4:00AM

Ukraine war

36 nations approve tribunal creation to prosecute Russia over Ukraine

The move came on the same day the WHO said Ukraine’s mental health crisis is growing, with ‘work to do until the end of the century’.

15 May 2026 - 9:44PMvideocam

A neighbour hugs a crying woman at the site of a fatal Russian missile attack on a residential building in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Thursday. Photo: AP

Ukraine war

‘Stay inside’: Finland warns of drone scare near capital Helsinki

The early hours warning – the first for the capital city – said a drone could be heading towards an area on the south coast.

15 May 2026 - 5:00PMvideocam

China-Russia relations

Exclusive | Russia’s Putin is heading to China next week, days after Xi-Trump summit

The Russian leader’s one-day visit, tipped for May 20, is unlikely to feature the pomp and elaborate details of the US president’s trip.

15 May 2026 - 8:08PMvideocam

Ukraine war

Ukraine arrests Zelensky’s ex-top aide as corruption probe widens

Andriy Yermak was named as an official suspect in a sprawling, multi-episode money-laundering case that has gripped Ukraine for months.

14 May 2026 - 7:11PM

Former head of the Presidential Office Andriy Yermak appears at court in Kyiv for a hearing on Tuesday. Photo: Reuters

Ukraine war

Russia unleashes 1,500 attack drones on Ukraine, shattering prospects for peace

Kyiv bears brunt of deadly two-day attack, days after Putin said that he ‌thought the Ukraine war was coming to an end.

15 May 2026 - 9:03AM

Science

‘Basically a Chinese racket’: how China streaked ahead at a global AI conference

Mainland China accounted for 44 per cent of the top 50 institutions contributing to the ICLR in Rio de Janeiro, according to analysis.

14 May 2026 - 9:00AMvideocam

China-EU relations

In a bind over rare earths, Europe watches US-China tussle from the sidelines

As Xi Jinping and Donald Trump prepare to meet in Beijing, one European diplomat says the bloc is aware ‘we have little leverage here’.

12 May 2026 - 8:30PMvideocam

China’s rare earth controls have kept a chokehold on European industry. Photo: AP

Ukraine war

Zelensky’s ex-chief of staff named as suspect in money-laundering probe

Andriy Yermak was Ukraine’s lead negotiator in talks with the US and left during the scandal.

12 May 2026 - 6:32PMvideocam

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky (left) and former head of the presidential office Andriy Yermak in Kyiv in 2024. Photo: Reuters

European Union

EU rejects Putin’s idea of role for ex-German leader in future security talks

EU ministers dismiss proposed role for Gerhard Schroeder, who has cultivated a close relationship with Russia’s president.

12 May 2026 - 1:00PM

Britain

UK targets Russian ‘information warfare’ with new sanctions

Sanctions package hits 85 people and entities, two-thirds of them related to alleged Russian propaganda operations.

12 May 2026 - 11:54AM

Ukraine war

Ukraine and Russia trade blame for breaking US-brokered ceasefire

Attacks reported on the second day of what was supposed to have been a three-day truce announced by Trump.

11 May 2026 - 10:08AMvideocam

Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a ceremony to lay flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in central Moscow on Saturday. Photo: AFP

China-EU relations

Could Spain’s ‘compliment sandwich’ approach to China work for the EU?

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s recent visit to Beijing illustrates ‘delicate equilibrium’, analyst says as others voice scepticism.

10 May 2026 - 5:00PMvideocam

Chinese President Xi Jinping (right) and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez (left) arrive at the Diaoyutai Guest House in Beijing on April 11. Photo: Reuters

Ukraine war

Putin says he thinks Ukraine conflict is coming to an end

The Russian leader added that a meeting with Ukraine’s Zelensky was possible only once a lasting peace deal was reached.

10 May 2026 - 8:55AMvideocam

Russia

Putin criticises Nato at Victory Day parade in Moscow

At this year’s event, marking WWII victory, troops were told that in Ukraine they face ‘an aggressive force’ armed by the military alliance.

9 May 2026 - 9:12PMvideocam

Singapore

Singapore shines as a stable investment oasis in a global storm

Wealthy families are trading global uncertainty for Singapore’s regulatory rigour, driving record inflows and a revitalised stock exchange.

9 May 2026 - 8:00AMvideocam

Ukraine war

Beginning of the end? Trump announces 3-day Russia-Ukraine ceasefire deal

US president says ceasefire will include suspension of all ‘kinetic activity’ and an exchange of prisoners.

9 May 2026 - 6:20AMvideocam

China-Russia relations

China-Russia ties can withstand any US containment efforts: Chinese policy adviser

Beijing-Moscow relationship described as having ‘inherent stability’, with a ‘stable mechanism’ able to withstand outside pressures.

8 May 2026 - 8:00PMvideocam

Fashion

4 luxury pyjama sets for cosy nights in, from Ralph Lauren to LoveShackFancy

From Olivia von Halle’s Italian-print silk satin to LoveShackFancy’s pima cotton, these jammie sets will make bedtime feel truly indulgent.

8 May 2026 - 11:00AM

Pyjamas are a key trend for 2026. Photo: Ralph Lauren

Ukraine war

Russia and Ukraine trade attacks ahead of Moscow war parade

Russia has threatened a massive strike on the heart of Kyiv if Ukraine disrupts the Victory Day parade on Saturday.

8 May 2026 - 4:26PM

Russian service members rehearsing for Saturday’s parade. Photo: Reuters

US-China relations

China’s study of Ukraine, Iran wars could sharpen Taiwan propaganda tactics

Beijing’s study of Iran, Ukraine wars could help hone its ability to wage information warfare against the US during a Taiwan Strait crisis.

8 May 2026 - 5:06AMvideocam

Ukraine war

Russia urges foreigners to leave Ukraine capital over Victory Day threat

Moscow says it will respond to any attempt by Ukraine to disrupt Saturday’s commemorations.

7 May 2026 - 7:16PM

US-China relations

Will warming Arctic trigger further chill in US-China relations?

The prospect of opening up new sea lanes presents both challenges and opportunities for the rival powers, analysts say.

8 May 2026 - 11:20AMvideocam

Ukraine war

Russian attacks kill 27 in Ukraine before proposed rival ceasefires

Zelensky slams Russia’s ‘utter cynicism’ as strikes shatter ceasefire hopes and underscore war’s deepening impasse.

6 May 2026 - 10:30AM

A site in the southeastern city of ⁠Zaporizhzhia that was attacked on Tuesday. Photo: Reuters

North Korea

North Korea’s own-brand phone is sleek, colourful – and possibly watching you

Reports suggest North Korean-produced phones periodically capture screenshots that are stored in hidden folders accessible to authorities.

6 May 2026 - 10:18AMvideocam

Ukraine war

Sweden to form new spy agency in Ukraine war reset

The foreign intelligence service would start operations in January 2027.

5 May 2026 - 5:43PM

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Ukraine

North Korea to turn southern border into ‘impregnable fortress’

Experts say the plans reflect awareness of drone and other types of hi-tech warfare amid the Russia-Ukraine and Iran conflicts.

After China-US reset, Putin heads to Beijing for Sino-Russian strategic refresh

AI supremacy, ‘secret police station’, Taiwan propaganda: 7 US-China relations reads

36 nations approve tribunal creation to prosecute Russia over Ukraine

The move came on the same day the WHO said Ukraine’s mental health crisis is growing, with ‘work to do until the end of the century’.

‘Stay inside’: Finland warns of drone scare near capital Helsinki

The early hours warning – the first for the capital city – said a drone could be heading towards an area on the south coast.

.css-19im5qg{color:#c79a00;}Exclusive | Russia’s Putin is heading to China next week, days after Xi-Trump summit

The Russian leader’s one-day visit, tipped for May 20, is unlikely to feature the pomp and elaborate details of the US president’s trip.

Ukraine arrests Zelensky’s ex-top aide as corruption probe widens

Andriy Yermak was named as an official suspect in a sprawling, multi-episode money-laundering case that has gripped Ukraine for months.

Russia unleashes 1,500 attack drones on Ukraine, shattering prospects for peace

Kyiv bears brunt of deadly two-day attack, days after Putin said that he ‌thought the Ukraine war was coming to an end.

‘Basically a Chinese racket’: how China streaked ahead at a global AI conference

Mainland China accounted for 44 per cent of the top 50 institutions contributing to the ICLR in Rio de Janeiro, according to analysis.

In a bind over rare earths, Europe watches US-China tussle from the sidelines

As Xi Jinping and Donald Trump prepare to meet in Beijing, one European diplomat says the bloc is aware ‘we have little leverage here’.

Zelensky’s ex-chief of staff named as suspect in money-laundering probe

Andriy Yermak was Ukraine’s lead negotiator in talks with the US and left during the scandal.

EU rejects Putin’s idea of role for ex-German leader in future security talks

EU ministers dismiss proposed role for Gerhard Schroeder, who has cultivated a close relationship with Russia’s president.

UK targets Russian ‘information warfare’ with new sanctions

Sanctions package hits 85 people and entities, two-thirds of them related to alleged Russian propaganda operations.

Ukraine and Russia trade blame for breaking US-brokered ceasefire

Attacks reported on the second day of what was supposed to have been a three-day truce announced by Trump.

Could Spain’s ‘compliment sandwich’ approach to China work for the EU?

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s recent visit to Beijing illustrates ‘delicate equilibrium’, analyst says as others voice scepticism.

Putin says he thinks Ukraine conflict is coming to an end

The Russian leader added that a meeting with Ukraine’s Zelensky was possible only once a lasting peace deal was reached.

Putin criticises Nato at Victory Day parade in Moscow

At this year’s event, marking WWII victory, troops were told that in Ukraine they face ‘an aggressive force’ armed by the military alliance.

Singapore shines as a stable investment oasis in a global storm

Wealthy families are trading global uncertainty for Singapore’s regulatory rigour, driving record inflows and a revitalised stock exchange.

Beginning of the end? Trump announces 3-day Russia-Ukraine ceasefire deal

US president says ceasefire will include suspension of all ‘kinetic activity’ and an exchange of prisoners.

China-Russia ties can withstand any US containment efforts: Chinese policy adviser

Beijing-Moscow relationship described as having ‘inherent stability’, with a ‘stable mechanism’ able to withstand outside pressures.

4 luxury pyjama sets for cosy nights in, from Ralph Lauren to LoveShackFancy

From Olivia von Halle’s Italian-print silk satin to LoveShackFancy’s pima cotton, these jammie sets will make bedtime feel truly indulgent.

Russia and Ukraine trade attacks ahead of Moscow war parade

Russia has threatened a massive strike on the heart of Kyiv if Ukraine disrupts the Victory Day parade on Saturday.

China’s study of Ukraine, Iran wars could sharpen Taiwan propaganda tactics

Beijing’s study of Iran, Ukraine wars could help hone its ability to wage information warfare against the US during a Taiwan Strait crisis.

Russia urges foreigners to leave Ukraine capital over Victory Day threat

Moscow says it will respond to any attempt by Ukraine to disrupt Saturday’s commemorations.

Will warming Arctic trigger further chill in US-China relations?

The prospect of opening up new sea lanes presents both challenges and opportunities for the rival powers, analysts say.

Russian attacks kill 27 in Ukraine before proposed rival ceasefires

Zelensky slams Russia’s ‘utter cynicism’ as strikes shatter ceasefire hopes and underscore war’s deepening impasse.

North Korea’s own-brand phone is sleek, colourful – and possibly watching you

Reports suggest North Korean-produced phones periodically capture screenshots that are stored in hidden folders accessible to authorities.

Sweden to form new spy agency in Ukraine war reset

The foreign intelligence service would start operations in January 2027.

Exclusive | Russia’s Putin is heading to China next week, days after Xi-Trump summit