News
Russia withdraws equipment from Syrian bases, but will not abandon them, in new deal talks with HTS
Russia began to withdraw substantial amounts of equipment from its two bases in Syria on December 13, but it has not abandoning the country and is now in talks with the new Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) government on a new deal.
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Syria reopens schools for first time since fall of Assad regime
Students returned to largely undamaged facilities in Damascus and other cities where educational administrators oversaw the raising of the new Syrian flag at several hundred schools.
US expected to impose sanctions on Serbia's NIS over Russian ownership
Serbia president says US sanctions targeting Gazprom-owned NIS will take effect in the coming days, with the UK likely to follow.
New Syrian authorities accuse Israel of unlawful attack on country
A representative of the Syrian leadership that came to power after the overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad said that the Israeli authorities unlawfully attacked Syria
Turkish embassy reopens in Damascus after 12-year hiatus
Turkey’s embassy in Damascus resumed operations on December 14.
Ex-footballer Mikheil Kavelashvili voted in as Georgia’s next president in single candidate election
Crowds gathered outside the parliament to protest against the election of far-right Georgian Dream loyalist Kavelashvili.
South Korean president impeached, Constitutional Court to sit December 16
South Korea's National Assembly has voted to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol over his highly controversial imposition of martial law, in the process suspending him from all duties associated with the office of president.
UPDATE: South Korean government impeaches President Yoon Suk Yeol
The South Korean government has impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol.
Freedom Holding Corp brings FIDE world rapid & blitz chess championships to Wall Street
The worlds of finance and chess may seem very different. However, there are some surprising similarities between chess and business when it comes to strategic planning, decision-making and adapting to ever-changing circumstances.
EU launches air bridge to Syria, boosts humanitarian funding to €163mn
The European Commission announced a new humanitarian air bridge operation in Syria and an increase in aid funding to €163mn ($177mn) for 2024 on December 13.
Tbilisi paralysed by protests ahead of presidential election
Tens of thousands of Georgians took to the streets across Tbilisi on the eve of the country’s presidential election.
Key Donbas coal mine shuts down that will impact on metal production and exports, as Russian forces advance on Pokrovsk
Ukraine's largest steel producer, Metinvest, has suspended operations at its Pischane coal plant near the frontline town of Pokrovsk in Donetsk Oblast. Without its coking coal, Ukraine's metallurgical sector is in trouble.
Russia’s economic woes starting to overflow into Kazakhstan
Kazakh currency takes a plunge.
Orban continues freelance peace mission with visit to Ankara
Orban's solo diplomacy at the start of his rotating EU presidency almost led to Hungary being stripped of its presidency.
Moldova enters state of emergency, Transnistria stockpiles firewood
The separatist Transnistria region will stockpile firewood and introduce rolling blackouts after the expected end of Russian gas supplies via Ukraine.
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China eyes yuan depreciation to tackle Trump’s tariff threat in 2025
China is reportedly considering allowing the yuan to weaken in 2025 as part of its response to the looming threat of higher US tariffs under a second term for former President Donald Trump
Slovakia will continue supplying Czechia with processed Russian oil for another six months
Slovakia prolongs exemption from EU sanctions on oil products from imported Russian oil.
China slams South Korean president's espionage accusations
China has expressed its "deep surprise and dissatisfaction" with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol’s recent remarks that appeared to implicate Chinese nationals in espionage activities
€685mn action plan launched to tackle Croatia’s population crisis
Zagreb aims to ease the financial burden of starting a family and encourage more people to stay in Croatia.
Russia spent €69mn on propaganda and interference in Bulgaria and Romania, Bulgarian cybersecurity group reveals
Funds were used to spread Russian influence and promote far-right discourse in both Bulgaria and Romania.