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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 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

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.

5 hours agovideocam

Japan

Japan ditches decades of arm export curbs as US reliability wavers

18 Apr 2026 - 9:00AM

US, Israel war on Iran

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

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

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

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

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

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 Vice-President J.D. Vance arrives for talks about Iran with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad, Pakistan, on April 11. Photo: AP

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

US-China relations

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

Chinese readout warns of rising turmoil in veiled swipe at Washington and Trump as Beijing strengthens ties with Moscow.

15 Apr 2026 - 4:46AMvideocam

Ukraine war

‘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

Britain’s former Prime Minister Boris Johnson stands surrounded by Ukrainian national flags and flags of military units as he visits the frontline town of Orikhiv in the Zaporizhzhia region of Ukraine. Photo: via AP

Japan

‘Not a reliable ally’: Japan eyes Nato as Trump erodes faith in US guarantees

Tokyo and the transatlantic security alliance have a shared problem: what happens if the US walks away?

13 Apr 2026 - 9:16AM

Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte stands in front of Japanese and Nato flags during a visit to Tokyo in April last year. Photo: AFP

Ukraine war

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

Hungary

Viktor Orban concedes defeat as Hungarian voters end his 16-year rule

Record turnout hands opposition Tisza Party a decisive victory in Hungary.

13 Apr 2026 - 8:42AM

Ukraine war

Russia and Ukraine begin 32-hour ceasefire for Orthodox Easter

Kyiv says it will reciprocate the Kremlin-ordered truce from Saturday afternoon until the end of Sunday.

11 Apr 2026 - 9:25PMvideocam

Beams of light illuminate the sky over the graves of fallen Ukrainian soldiers as friends and relatives take part in a joint prayer and candlelight vigil at Lychakiv Military Cemetery in Lviv, western Ukraine, on February 23. Photo: EPA

2026 Trump-Xi summit

High fertiliser prices mean more soybeans for farmers – and greater reliance on China

Analysts question the cost of China deploying ‘fertiliser diplomacy’ and boosting soybean purchases ahead of the Trump-Xi summit.

11 Apr 2026 - 4:55AMvideocam

Fertiliser prices have surged amid global supply disruptions and export curbs, squeezing farmers and reshaping crop decisions. Photo: Shutterstock

Ukraine war

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

Japan

Why Japanese firm’s tie-up with Ukrainian drone maker sparks concerns in Russia

The two firms plan to develop drones that can be ‘deployed quickly and at low cost in the real combat conditions of Ukraine’.

10 Apr 2026 - 9:12PMvideocam

United States

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

Russia

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

China exports

As Iran war jolts global oil, can China’s energy storage tech blunt the impact?

Strong overseas demand, fuelled by the rise of AI-powered systems, could continue amid Iran war pressures, analysts say.

9 Apr 2026 - 10:48PMvideocam

United States

The US could be moving away from precision strikes in the Iran war. Here’s why

As the conflict has intensified, more energy and civilian sites have been targeted in what is seen as a broader approach.

9 Apr 2026 - 9:26AMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

What is the war on Iran teaching China about the United States’ resilience?

Washington is providing a real-time laboratory of modern warfare and Beijing is paying close attention to the lessons.

8 Apr 2026 - 11:10AMvideocam

US-EU relations

‘Paper tiger’: what’s behind Trump’s renewed Greenland threat?

Europe is likely to stay neutral in the Iran war and could even benefit if America fares poorly in its military campaign, analyst says.

7 Apr 2026 - 11:02PMvideocam

Hungary

Vance visits Hungary to boost Orban re-election bid

Orban, a Eurosceptic nationalist in power since 2010, is facing the toughest re-election bid of his career, with polls indicating his party will lose.

8 Apr 2026 - 9:25AM

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 war

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

Ukraine war

Ukraine and Syria pledge security cooperation as Zelensky expands Middle East tour

Zelensky and Sharaa discuss drone defence and food security as Kyiv seeks to export its military expertise.

6 Apr 2026 - 9:50AM

Ukraine war

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

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Ukraine

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

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

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.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}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.

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

Chinese readout warns of rising turmoil in veiled swipe at Washington and Trump as Beijing strengthens ties with Moscow.

‘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’.

‘Not a reliable ally’: Japan eyes Nato as Trump erodes faith in US guarantees

Tokyo and the transatlantic security alliance have a shared problem: what happens if the US walks away?

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.

Viktor Orban concedes defeat as Hungarian voters end his 16-year rule

Record turnout hands opposition Tisza Party a decisive victory in Hungary.

Russia and Ukraine begin 32-hour ceasefire for Orthodox Easter

Kyiv says it will reciprocate the Kremlin-ordered truce from Saturday afternoon until the end of Sunday.

High fertiliser prices mean more soybeans for farmers – and greater reliance on China

Analysts question the cost of China deploying ‘fertiliser diplomacy’ and boosting soybean purchases ahead of the Trump-Xi summit.

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.

Why Japanese firm’s tie-up with Ukrainian drone maker sparks concerns in Russia

The two firms plan to develop drones that can be ‘deployed quickly and at low cost in the real combat conditions of Ukraine’.

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.

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.

As Iran war jolts global oil, can China’s energy storage tech blunt the impact?

Strong overseas demand, fuelled by the rise of AI-powered systems, could continue amid Iran war pressures, analysts say.

The US could be moving away from precision strikes in the Iran war. Here’s why

As the conflict has intensified, more energy and civilian sites have been targeted in what is seen as a broader approach.

What is the war on Iran teaching China about the United States’ resilience?

Washington is providing a real-time laboratory of modern warfare and Beijing is paying close attention to the lessons.

‘Paper tiger’: what’s behind Trump’s renewed Greenland threat?

Europe is likely to stay neutral in the Iran war and could even benefit if America fares poorly in its military campaign, analyst says.

Vance visits Hungary to boost Orban re-election bid

Orban, a Eurosceptic nationalist in power since 2010, is facing the toughest re-election bid of his career, with polls indicating his party will lose.

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.

Ukraine proposes ceasefire on striking energy targets to Russia

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

Ukraine and Syria pledge security cooperation as Zelensky expands Middle East tour

Zelensky and Sharaa discuss drone defence and food security as Kyiv seeks to export its military expertise.

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.

Opinion | Why ceasefires struggle and fail