Russia
Sanctions have created opportunities for Chinese tech companies in Russia
Chinese IT companies are rapidly expanding their footprint in Russia, capitalising on new opportunities created by the ongoing war and extreme Western sanctions that have banned tech exports to Russia.
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Trump issues anti-wind executive order
President Donald Trump quickly issued an unexpectedly sweeping executive order that prevents federal government involvement in permitting of all offshore and onshore wind projects, including on private onshore land.
Trump warns Putin of severe economic measures without swift Ukraine peace deal
US President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning to Russian President Vladimir Putin, threatening severe economic measures unless a peace agreement is reached to end the conflict in Ukraine.
Lukashenko mulls building a second nuclear power plant
Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko is mulling the idea of building a second nuclear power plant (NPP) to improve the country’s energy security and earn more money from exports to Russia.
India on the brink of a new oil shock
India is facing the very real threat of an oil shock as new US sanctions targeting Russian crude come into force.
Trump withdraws US from Paris Agreement
President Donald Trump wasted no time withdrawing the US from the Paris Agreement merely hours after being sworn-in on January 20.
Putin and Xi reaffirm partnership just hours after Trump’s inauguration
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping publicly reaffirmed their nations’ “no limits” partnership during a phone call on January 20, shortly after Donald Trump’s inauguration as the 47th president of the US.
Russia and Armenia seek to ease strained relations
Foreign ministers meet in Moscow after Yerevan announced plans to join EU and signed strategic partnership with the US.
Bali shuts down "Russian Village"
The Gianyar Regency Government of Bali officially closed PARQ Ubud, also referred to as "The Russian Village," on January 20 for breaching local regulations.
Cocaine smuggling into Russia has risen TENFOLD since invasion of Ukraine
The volume of cocaine seized by Russian authorities has surged since the country launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, reflecting a significant shift in international smuggling routes and techniques.
COMMENT: Trump demands Europe import more US LNG, as the EU proposes banning Russian LNG completely. Neither will happen.
US President Donald Trump wants Europe to buy more US gas or face tariffs, and ten EU member states have again called for an end to all Russian imports. Neither of these things are going to happen. Europe remains hooked on Russian gas.
Russia’s 2024 harvest comes in below expectations on bad weather and supply chain woes
Russia’s agricultural harvest came in below expectations in 2024, due to poor weather conditions and supply chain problems, reports the Bank of Finland institute for Emerging Economies (BOFIT).
Saving the Caspian Sea for Central Asia and Kazakhstan
The Caspian Sea has long been a cornerstone of life for Central Asia, especially for Kazakhstan, where it plays a critical role in supporting local economies, biodiversity and communities.
Putin congratulates Trump, signals hope for improved US-Russia relations
Russian President Vladimir Putin has congratulated Donald Trump on his inauguration as the 45th president of the United States, expressing hope for a more constructive relationship than with the outgoing administration led by Joe Biden.
The world reacts to Trump 2.0
Donald Trump's return to the White House has drawn sharply contrasting reactions worldwide, with traditional US allies expressing deep concern while rivals and emerging powers show marked optimism, according to a major new survey.
Antidepressant sales in Russia hit record high amidst growing war stress
Sales of antidepressants in Russia soared to an unprecedented 16.1mn packages from January to November 2024, a year-on-year increase of 16.8%, according to data from DSM Group.
COMMENT: No, Russia is not facing a banking crisis
No, Russia is not on the cusp of a banking credit crisis. That was the conclusion of a paper by Alexandra Prokopenko, a political economy analyst.
Iran seeks to expand nuclear power cooperation with Russia's Rosatom
Iran has expressed interest in building a new nuclear power plant in cooperation with Russia's state nuclear corporation Rosatom, the company's CEO Alexei Likhachev said.
Moldovagaz’s head says $709mn debt to Gazprom close to being settled
Gazprom cited a $709mn outstanding debt when it cut gas supplies to Moldova on January 1, but Chisinau says the debt is only $8.7mn.
War in Ukraine started as punishment for masturbation, says Russian Orthodox Church
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was caused by societal moral decay, including a widespread indulgence in sinful behaviour such as masturbation, a senior figure in the Russian Orthodox Church has claimed.