Russia & Central Asia

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Russia's alleged election meddling

Afghan women and girls face a lot of discrimination under the Taliban. File photo: AFP

‘Injustice’: Taliban deputy urges group to scrap female education ban

Sher Abbas Stanikzai urged the group’s leaders ‘to open the doors of education … we are committing an injustice’.

19 Jan 2025 - 8:58PMvideocam

‘Heinous’ Russian strike kills 6 across Ukraine in ‘retaliation’ attack

19 Jan 2025 - 12:53PM

Russia’s Kyiv strike payback for Ukrainian ATACMS attack, defence ministry says

18 Jan 2025 - 8:10PM

Russia, Iran to boost military and trade ties in ‘real breakthrough’ pact

Both countries signed a broad cooperation pact in the face of stinging Western sanctions.

18 Jan 2025 - 1:19AMvideocam

Russian President Vladimir Putin (left) and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian as they attend a signing ceremony at the Kremlin. Photo: AP

Germany plans to let military shoot down unidentified drones

A series of drone sightings over military and industrial sites in Germany has sparked alarm in recent months.

16 Jan 2025 - 12:54PM

US sanctions Chinese firms supporting Russia’s war in Ukraine

The move puts additional pressure on Moscow days before Biden steps down and Trump takes over.

16 Jan 2025 - 3:20AMvideocam

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Ukraine war: Moscow, Kyiv exchange 50 POWs in first return of 2025

Thousands of fighters have been returned in dozens of exchanges since the start of the war in February 2022.

16 Jan 2025 - 12:48AMvideocam

A child attends a Kyiv rally of relatives of Ukrainian Marines who defended the Azovstal and are currently prisoners of war. Photo: Reuters

Russia faces ‘strongest action possible’ from Australia if POW confirmed dead

Oscar Jenkins, an Australian teacher fighting for Ukraine, was reportedly captured and interrogated by Russian soldiers. His status and whereabouts are unknown.

15 Jan 2025 - 7:13PM

Ukraine carries out ‘most massive strike’ on Russian territory in 3 years

The Russian military accused Kyiv of using US-and British-supplied missiles for one of the strikes and promised it would ‘not go unanswered’.

15 Jan 2025 - 12:39AM

Nato launches ‘Baltic sentry’ mission after suspected cable sabotage

The mission, involving frigates and maritime patrol aircraft, aims to enhance vigilance in the region and deter further attacks on critical infrastructure.

14 Jan 2025 - 8:18PM

Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte speaks during the Baltic Sea Nato Allies Summit in Helsinki, Finland. Photo: EPA-EFE

China-EU relations

Turkish railway, with Chinese upgrades, could bypass Russia on route to Europe

Improvements to Turkey’s railway network – which a Turkish official says China could provide – would create a new, quicker path for Europe-bound freight.

14 Jan 2025 - 5:00PMvideocam

A railway path through Turkey would make for a faster freight route between China and Europe. Photo: Xinhua

Russia accuses Ukraine of ‘energy terrorism’ over alleged pipeline attack

Moscow says Ukraine tried to attack TurkStream pipeline infrastructure in Russia with drones.

14 Jan 2025 - 3:24PM

Explainer | ‘Very dangerous’: the North Koreans fighting and dying in Russia’s war

Neither Moscow nor Pyongyang has publicly confirmed the presence of North Korean troops. Washington and its allies say otherwise.

14 Jan 2025 - 12:17PMvideocam

China-Russia relations

How Western sanctions are driving a surge in China-Russia trade

Trade between the two powers continued to grow across a range of categories in 2024, but may face greater headwinds this year.

13 Jan 2025 - 6:00PMvideocam

Trade between China and Russia continues to rise amid mounting Western sanctions. Photo: Shutterstock

Zelensky ‘ready’ to exchange North Korean soldiers for Ukrainians held in Russia

Around 300 North Korean soldiers have been killed fighting against Ukraine, a South Korean lawmaker says.

13 Jan 2025 - 6:32PMvideocam

An alleged North Korean soldier detained by Ukrainian authorities. Photo: Telegram/V_Zelenskiy_official via AFP

Ukraine’s captured North Korean soldiers reveal DPRK’s role in Russia’s war

Investigators said the two soldiers provided ‘indisputable evidence’ that North Koreans were fighting for Moscow.

11 Jan 2025 - 10:26PM

Ukraine steps up campaign to stop young men fleeing military draft

The departure of hundreds of thousands of men has been a major problem as Kyiv seeks new recruits to ward off the Russian invasion.

10 Jan 2025 - 9:36PMvideocam

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Trump says Putin ‘wants to meet ... we are setting it up’

US president-elect says have to get the Ukraine-Russia war over with, calls it ‘a bloody mess’.

10 Jan 2025 - 1:46PM

Russian President Vladimir Putin and then-President Donald Trump in 2019. File photo: AP

China-Russia relations

Can China’s consumers bear a glut of phoney Russian goods?

Spurred by stronger trade relations, stores selling Russian products have popped up in China – but many are doubting their authenticity.

9 Jan 2025 - 6:00PMvideocam

Ukraine fighting helps North Korea prepare to wage war in Asia, US warns

Pyongyang’s troops are gaining experience and Russian equipment that could be used against neighbouring countries, a US envoy told the UN.

9 Jan 2025 - 6:49AMvideocam

Finland bars tanker suspected of cutting Baltic Sea cables from sailing

The Eagle S, thought to be part of Russia’s “shadow fleet,” was detained in December following suspected sabotage.

8 Jan 2025 - 7:26PM

An alleged Russian “shadow fleet” tanker suspected of damaging Baltic Sea cables has been found unseaworthy. Photo: AFP

Open Questions series

Obama-era diplomat Daniel Russel on Trump 2.0’s potential effects on China

19 Jan 2025 - 2:22PMvideocam

Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

China’s rise, potential recession, no WWIII yet: 11 key interviews from 2024

23 Dec 2024 - 2:30PM

Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

Why eco-warrior Ma Jun sees hope for China’s role in Cop29 amid US uncertainty

22 Nov 2024 - 12:38PMvideocam

Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

Historian on why we aren’t heading towards WWIII yet and how wars have changed

8 Nov 2024 - 12:01AMvideocam

Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

China’s evolving role in Middle East conflicts, according to an academic

29 Aug 2024 - 10:09AMvideocam

Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

This economist says China’s property oversupply is far from over. Here’s why

6 Aug 2024 - 9:19AMvideocam

Illustration: Victor Sanjinez Garcia

Obama-era diplomat Daniel Russel on Trump 2.0’s potential effects on China

19 Jan 2025 - 2:22PMvideocam

Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

China’s rise, potential recession, no WWIII yet: 11 key interviews from 2024

23 Dec 2024 - 2:30PM

Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

Why eco-warrior Ma Jun sees hope for China’s role in Cop29 amid US uncertainty

22 Nov 2024 - 12:38PMvideocam

Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

Historian on why we aren’t heading towards WWIII yet and how wars have changed

8 Nov 2024 - 12:01AMvideocam

Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

China’s evolving role in Middle East conflicts, according to an academic

29 Aug 2024 - 10:09AMvideocam

Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

This economist says China’s property oversupply is far from over. Here’s why

6 Aug 2024 - 9:19AMvideocam

Illustration: Victor Sanjinez Garcia

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