News
Damage of key infrastructure on the seabed of the Baltic raises security concerns, calls for Nato involvement
Estonia’s Elisa Eesti AS and CITIC Telecom CPC reported late on December 25 outages in three submarine communication cables between Estonia and Finland, the EstLink2.
Korean lawmakers move to impeach Prime Minister Han
South Korea's opposition lawmakers have submitted a motion to impeach Prime Minister and acting leader Han Duck-soo, following the recent impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol.
Did Russia shoot down the Azal passenger plane that crashed in Kazakhstan?
Confusion reigns over what on December 25 brought down the Azal passenger plane, killing 38 of 72 people on board. Some evidence points to a bird strike, other evidence to a Russian missile.
Plane crashes in Kazakhstan on Baku-Grozny flight with nearly 70 onboard
An Azerbaijan Airlines flight traveling from Baku to Grozny crashed in Kazakhstan with nearly 70 passengers onboard on December 25. Two dozen survivors are in a critical condition, according to reports.
Kosovo bans main Serb party from running in general election
Decision to further hinder efforts by the international community to normalise relations between Kosovo and Serbia, and add to tensions in the volatile north of the country.
Romania's ruling coalition survives elections
Lawmakers back PSD-PNL grand coalition, but 2025 presidential election is likely to alter the balance of power and prompt a reshuffle.
Turkey advances Syria engagement with energy plans and refugee return
Turkey has announced multiple initiatives to engage with Syria's new government, including planned energy cooperation and a framework for refugee returns.
Russia sentences dual US-Russian citizen to 15 years on espionage charges
A Moscow court has sentenced US citizen Gene Spector to 15 years in prison on espionage charges.
Sanctioned Russian cargo ship sinks in Mediterranean after explosion
A sanctioned Russian cargo vessel, Ursa Major, has sunk in the Mediterranean Sea between Spain and Algeria.
Christmas tree set on fire in Syrian city by masked gunmen
Masked militants have burned a Christmas tree in Al-Suqaylabiyah, one of Syria's largest Christian communities.
Israel claims responsibility for Hamas leader Haniyeh's July death in Iran
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has publicly claimed responsibility for the July killing of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Iran.
Iran's former foreign minister proposes new MWADA regional security framework
Former Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and current presidential advisor has proposed a new regional security framework for West Asia.
Qatar joins regional powers in Damascus diplomatic outreach
Qatar has dispatched a high-level diplomatic mission to Damascus as it moves to engage with Syria's new administration.
Iran and European powers to resume nuclear talks in January
Iran will begin a fresh round of nuclear negotiations with European powers in late January 2025, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ismail Baghaei announced.
Slovakia’s Fico in surprise visit to Putin in Moscow
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico made a surprise trip to Moscow on December 22 to hold rare face-to-face talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, as he seeks to secure gas deliveries ahead of the end of the Ukrainian gas transit deal next week.
Almost two-thirds of Malaysians favourable towards China
A recent survey by the Merdeka Centre in Malaysia has revealed that almost two-thirds of Malaysians view the People’s Republic of China (PRC) positively
Russian Muslims allowed to have four wives, religious council rules
Muslim men in Russia will be allowed to take up to four wives in religious marriages, the Council of Ulema – part of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims – has decreed.
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Kyrgyzstan’s President Japarov demotes liberal democracy in favour of a “traditionalist” ideology
Kyrgyzstan’s President Sadyr Japarov has approved a new national doctrine titled “National Spirit – Global Heights”, signalling a sharp pivot from liberal governance towards a collectivist and traditionalist framework.
Tens of thousands rally in Belgrade demanding accountability over Novi Sad railway station disaster
The canopy collapse at Novi Sad railway station on November 1 has become a rallying point for public dissatisfaction with President Aleksandar Vucic and his ruling Serbian Progressive Party.
Israel's Mossad chief calls for direct Iran strike after missile hits Tel Aviv
Mossad Director David Barnea has recommended Israel launch direct strikes against Iran in response to a Houthi missile attack that hit Tel Aviv