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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

Starlink was rolled out in Ukraine in 2022 to replace internet and communication networks damaged by Russia’s invasion of the country, quickly becoming a critical tool for both civilian and military connectivity. Photo: Shutterstock

Science

Will the future world order be determined by who controls low Earth orbit?

Amid Starlink’s ability to service conflict zones, Chinese article warns of ‘new form of power’ to allow or cut connectivity in real time.

51 minutes agovideocam

Ukraine war

At least 6 die in Ukraine, over 30 wounded, in massive Russian attack

2 hours agovideocam

Russia

Russia says US using coups, kidnappings to ‘defend its well-being’ at any cost

25 Apr 2026 - 9:29AMvideocam

G7 ‘concerned’ at Russia and China’s nuclear build-up

The remarks come ahead of a month-long conference to revise the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.

25 Apr 2026 - 3:48AMvideocam

A Yars intercontinental ballistic missile is seen at Russia’s Plesetsk testing field in footage released in October 2025. Photo: Russian Defence Ministry via AFP

European Union

Germany’s Merz says no ‘immediate’ Ukraine EU membership

There is little appetite to fast track Kyiv to full membership in the EU – causing some to pitch possible interim benefits in the meantime.

24 Apr 2026 - 11:48PMvideocam

Food and agriculture

Outside In | The Iran war is brewing a food crisis we must avert

The world’s focus has been on energy shortages but famine and widening food insecurity are faces of the same coin.

24 Apr 2026 - 4:30PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Opinion | Iran war ship seizures show how dual-use claims are being weaponised

In an increasingly fractured world, elastic dual-use claims could become not just a security tool but a new sticking point in global trade.

24 Apr 2026 - 8:29AMvideocam

US forces patrol near the Iranian-flagged cargo ship Touska after they boarded and seized the vessel in the Arabian Sea on April 19. Photo: Reuters

Ukraine war

EU approves US$106 billion loan to Ukraine after Hungary lifts veto

The loan will help Ukraine meet its economic and military needs for the next two years.

23 Apr 2026 - 8:41PMvideocam

China-EU relations

Exclusive | China’s Russia ties mean EU trade deal is off the table, Finland says

Tough talk from foreign minister shows the nation could provide a de facto veto on China’s efforts to launch a deal.

23 Apr 2026 - 7:20PMvideocam

Britain

UK PM insists he won’t resign over Mandelson scandal

Starmer’s remarks in parliament came as he faced fresh calls to step down over his admitted error of judgment in appointing Mandelson.

22 Apr 2026 - 9:31PMvideocam

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer walks outside 10 Downing Street in Britain on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters

Taiwan

Trump effect? Taiwan poll reveals deep doubts about US military protection

Results also suggest a more pragmatic public mood on cross-strait relations, with many respondents favouring dialogue over confrontation.

22 Apr 2026 - 10:00AMvideocam

Taiwanese military tanks are stationed along a roadside on Beigan Island, Matsu archipelago, on March 16, amid combat readiness drills. Photo: Reuters

US, Israel war on Iran

Beyond Panama and Hormuz: 8 critical waterways under the global microscope

Amid US actions in the two major shipping channels, attention has shifted to the strategic importance and potential risks elsewhere.

21 Apr 2026 - 1:12AMvideocam

European Union

Bulgaria’s pro-Kremlin ex-president wins election, Russia and EU welcome victory

Rumen Radev has criticised military support for Ukraine’s war effort and the European Union’s heavy reliance on renewable energy.

20 Apr 2026 - 9:25PM

Russia

Russia arrests German woman over bomb plot it says is linked to Ukraine

There have been arrests of Western citizens by Russia amid the Ukraine war, typically on espionage charges that are widely seen as baseless.

20 Apr 2026 - 6:29PMvideocam

Russia

Patrol chief quits over ‘shameful’ police response to deadly Kyiv shooting

General steps down after video showed officers abandoning a child to flee the scene when gunfire erupted.

20 Apr 2026 - 12:07PM

A special team police officer outside a supermarket following a shooting in Kyiv on Saturday. Photo: AFP

China's military weapons

How the PLA may use stealth drones in a swarming boat attack from Taiwan

Beijing could send in GJ-21s – which have long endurance and high manoeuvrability – to counter uncrewed combat boats, military magazine says.

19 Apr 2026 - 8:00PMvideocam

European Union

Bulgaria’s pro-Russian former president set for strong election win: exit polls

In his campaign, Rumen Radev talked about improving relations with Moscow and resuming the free flow of ‌Russian oil and gas into Europe.

20 Apr 2026 - 5:12AM

Crime

Kyiv gunman kills 6, takes hostages before being shot dead by Ukraine police

Special tactical units stormed the supermarket where the attacker had barricaded himself.

19 Apr 2026 - 2:04AM

A Rapid Operational Response Unit member stands by an armoured vehicle outside a supermarket where the gunman barricaded himself in Kyiv on Saturday. Photo: Reuters

Donald Trump

Russia’s Lavrov says balance of power shifting to emerging economies

At the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Turkey, Lavrov said the foundations of globalisation powered primarily by the US had ‘come to an end’.

18 Apr 2026 - 11:42PMvideocam

Focus

The rupture: how Europe fell out of love with America

Many believed the transatlantic alliance could weather another term of Trump, but a year and a half on those hopes have largely faded.

19 Apr 2026 - 1:32AMvideocam

Ukraine war

Inside Ukraine’s desperate race to track cultural artefacts looted by Russia

Russia has moved to formalise control over seized collections by adding 77 Ukrainian museums in occupied regions into its national catalogue.

18 Apr 2026 - 4:01PMvideocam

A Ukrainian artifact is 3D scanned in The Archa III (Ark Project) truck on March 24 in Prague, Czech Republic.Prague’s National Museum will send the truck with equipment across Ukraine to help preserve the country’s cultural heritage. Photo: AFP

Japan

Japan ditches decades of arm export curbs as US reliability wavers

From drones for Ukraine to warships for Australia, ‘peace-loving’ Japan is fast pivoting towards arming the world.

18 Apr 2026 - 9:00AM

Japanese Type 10 battle tanks operate during a military drill in Funabashi, east of Tokyo, in January. Photo: Reuters

US, Israel war on Iran

Turkey’s Erdogan urges Iran, US to use ceasefire to push for lasting peace

At the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Turkey, Erdogan also stressed the importance of acting with ‘prudent understanding’ to end the Iran war.

17 Apr 2026 - 11:20PM

Ukraine war

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

United States

US envoy Waltz touts ‘America first’ policy, budget cuts in Senate swipe at UN

US ambassador to UN joined other Washington envoys hailing US-led cost-cutting, efficiency drive and streamlining of UN’s cumulative ‘bloat’.

16 Apr 2026 - 2:12PMvideocam

US ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz speaks after a United Nations Security Council meeting earlier this month. Photo: AFP

Ukraine war

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

President Zelensky says the ground drones – used in place of human infantry – have helped capture a Russian position.

16 Apr 2026 - 1:11PM

A Ukrainian serviceman prepares a machine gun on a combat ground drone during training. Ukrainian Armed Forces via AFP

War and conflict

Opinion | Why ceasefires struggle and fail

From Ukraine to Gaza and the Middle East, the lesson of history is that ceasefires rarely hold.

16 Apr 2026 - 7:00AMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

China cements Russia ties as both win from US war

Russia is boosting oil exports, including to China, as the Iran war upends Middle East supplies, while Chinese renewables companies will benefit from efforts to diversify away from fossil fuels.

15 Apr 2026 - 5:49PM

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Ukraine

Will the future world order be determined by who controls low Earth orbit?

Amid Starlink’s ability to service conflict zones, Chinese article warns of ‘new form of power’ to allow or cut connectivity in real time.

At least 6 die in Ukraine, over 30 wounded, in massive Russian attack

Russia says US using coups, kidnappings to ‘defend its well-being’ at any cost

G7 ‘concerned’ at Russia and China’s nuclear build-up

The remarks come ahead of a month-long conference to revise the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.

Germany’s Merz says no ‘immediate’ Ukraine EU membership

There is little appetite to fast track Kyiv to full membership in the EU – causing some to pitch possible interim benefits in the meantime.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Outside In | The Iran war is brewing a food crisis we must avert

The world’s focus has been on energy shortages but famine and widening food insecurity are faces of the same coin.

Opinion | Iran war ship seizures show how dual-use claims are being weaponised

In an increasingly fractured world, elastic dual-use claims could become not just a security tool but a new sticking point in global trade.

EU approves US$106 billion loan to Ukraine after Hungary lifts veto

The loan will help Ukraine meet its economic and military needs for the next two years.

.css-19im5qg{color:#c79a00;}Exclusive | China’s Russia ties mean EU trade deal is off the table, Finland says

Tough talk from foreign minister shows the nation could provide a de facto veto on China’s efforts to launch a deal.

UK PM insists he won’t resign over Mandelson scandal

Starmer’s remarks in parliament came as he faced fresh calls to step down over his admitted error of judgment in appointing Mandelson.

Trump effect? Taiwan poll reveals deep doubts about US military protection

Results also suggest a more pragmatic public mood on cross-strait relations, with many respondents favouring dialogue over confrontation.

Beyond Panama and Hormuz: 8 critical waterways under the global microscope

Amid US actions in the two major shipping channels, attention has shifted to the strategic importance and potential risks elsewhere.

Bulgaria’s pro-Kremlin ex-president wins election, Russia and EU welcome victory

Rumen Radev has criticised military support for Ukraine’s war effort and the European Union’s heavy reliance on renewable energy.

Russia arrests German woman over bomb plot it says is linked to Ukraine

There have been arrests of Western citizens by Russia amid the Ukraine war, typically on espionage charges that are widely seen as baseless.

Patrol chief quits over ‘shameful’ police response to deadly Kyiv shooting

General steps down after video showed officers abandoning a child to flee the scene when gunfire erupted.

How the PLA may use stealth drones in a swarming boat attack from Taiwan

Beijing could send in GJ-21s – which have long endurance and high manoeuvrability – to counter uncrewed combat boats, military magazine says.

Bulgaria’s pro-Russian former president set for strong election win: exit polls

In his campaign, Rumen Radev talked about improving relations with Moscow and resuming the free flow of ‌Russian oil and gas into Europe.

Kyiv gunman kills 6, takes hostages before being shot dead by Ukraine police

Special tactical units stormed the supermarket where the attacker had barricaded himself.

Russia’s Lavrov says balance of power shifting to emerging economies

At the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Turkey, Lavrov said the foundations of globalisation powered primarily by the US had ‘come to an end’.

The rupture: how Europe fell out of love with America

Many believed the transatlantic alliance could weather another term of Trump, but a year and a half on those hopes have largely faded.

Inside Ukraine’s desperate race to track cultural artefacts looted by Russia

Russia has moved to formalise control over seized collections by adding 77 Ukrainian museums in occupied regions into its national catalogue.

Japan ditches decades of arm export curbs as US reliability wavers

From drones for Ukraine to warships for Australia, ‘peace-loving’ Japan is fast pivoting towards arming the world.

Turkey’s Erdogan urges Iran, US to use ceasefire to push for lasting peace

At the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Turkey, Erdogan also stressed the importance of acting with ‘prudent understanding’ to end the Iran war.

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.

US envoy Waltz touts ‘America first’ policy, budget cuts in Senate swipe at UN

US ambassador to UN joined other Washington envoys hailing US-led cost-cutting, efficiency drive and streamlining of UN’s cumulative ‘bloat’.

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

President Zelensky says the ground drones – used in place of human infantry – have helped capture a Russian position.

Opinion | Why ceasefires struggle and fail

From Ukraine to Gaza and the Middle East, the lesson of history is that ceasefires rarely hold.

China cements Russia ties as both win from US war

Russia is boosting oil exports, including to China, as the Iran war upends Middle East supplies, while Chinese renewables companies will benefit from efforts to diversify away from fossil fuels.

Outside In | The Iran war is brewing a food crisis we must avert

Exclusive | China’s Russia ties mean EU trade deal is off the table, Finland says