Afghanistan’s de facto authorities are seeking political proximity to Russia amid international isolation. At a meeting with Russian Islamic scholars in the capital Kabul, a senior Taliban leader called on Moscow to officially recognise their government. The delegation was received…
One of Russia’s most active volcanoes just erupted and covered villages in piles of ash
One of Russia’s most active volcanoes erupted on the far eastern Kamchatka Peninsula on Tuesday, shooting a vast cloud of ash far into the sky that smothered villages in drifts of volcanic dust and triggered an aviation warning. The Shiveluch volcano…
Ukraine to export electricity again after months of Russian attacks
Ukraine is able to export electricity for the first time in six months as its energy infrastructure recovers from months of repeated Russian attacks. Russia began its lengthy and deliberate assault on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure last October. It led to…
US national security documents with Ukraine, China secrets turn up in ‘‘nightmare’’ leak
Classified documents that seem to detail US national security secrets related to Ukraine, the Middle East and China have emerged online in what one intelligence official called a “nightmare” sequence of events. The latest leak, revealed by the New York…
Russian rouble falls to lowest value for a year
The Russian rouble has fallen to its lowest value for a year, since shortly after Russia invaded Ukraine. The currency slid to 82 roubles against the US dollar on Friday morning on the Moscow Stock Exchange (MOEX). Russia has been…
Darya Trepova: Russia releases tape of suspect in cafe killing of Vladlen Tatarsky
Russian investigators have detained a woman in the hunt for the killers of pro-war blogger Vladlen Tatarsky in a blast at a St Petersburg cafe. In video released by authorities – most likely recorded under duress – Darya Trepova is…
Putin: Russia to station nuclear weapons in Belarus
Russia will station tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus, President Vladimir Putin has said. President Putin said the move would not violate nuclear non-proliferation agreements and compared it to the US stationing its weapons in Europe, according to Russian state media.…
Russia doping suspension lifted, but war ban keeps athletes out
World Athletics has voted to lift an eight-year doping ban on Russia, but the nation will remain excluded from international competition because of an ongoing separate ban over the invasion of Ukraine. The decision was announced on Thursday after a…
Putin to Xi: We will discuss your plan to end the war in Ukraine
Vladimir Putin has said he will discuss Xi Jinping’s 12-point plan to “settle the acute crisis in Ukraine”, during a highly anticipated visit to Moscow by the Chinese president. “We’re always open for a negotiation process,” Mr Putin said, as…
Young Georgians shun Moscow, push for EU dream
Georgia’s young protesters, having forced parliament into a U-turn on controversial new legislation, are determined to maintain the pressure on the government, which they believe is steering the country away from Europe. Thousands of young and mainly peaceful protesters flooded…