Category: Global
Coverage of geopolitics, international relations, and current affairs from a global perspective, including international organisations, cross-border cooperation, climate summits, and worldwide security trends.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin has accused “certain Western elites” of deliberately destabilising the “world energy architecture” on Thursday (Oct. 16), speaking at the Russian Energy Week forum in Moscow, Putin said the world’s energy structure is undergoing a “natural” shift as new economic centres emerge in the Asia-Pacific, Africa, and Latin America. He criticised European…
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Kirill Dmitriev, head of Russia’s RDIF sovereign wealth fund and investment envoy to President Vladimir Putin, has proposed building a “Putin–Trump Tunnel” under the Bering Strait to link Russia and the United States. Dmitriev said the $8 billion project — potentially involving Elon Musk’s The Boring Company — could be completed within eight years and…
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The UK government is facing scrutiny after prosecutors dropped charges against two men accused of spying for China, just weeks before trial. Key details:• Christopher Cash, a former parliamentary researcher, and Christopher Berry, an academic, were charged under the Official Secrets Act in April 2024.• Both denied claims they passed sensitive information to a Chinese…
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Beijing has criticised evidence released by Keir Starmer from a collapsed espionage case, denouncing “British politicians’ attempts to smear and defame China.” The Chinese embassy in London warned the UK government to “stop undermining China–UK relations” after witness statements from deputy national security adviser Matthew Collins were made public. Key developments:• Crown Prosecution Service withdrew…
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Donald Trump has announced plans to meet Vladimir Putin in Hungary to discuss ending the war in Ukraine, following a “very productive” phone call. He said high-level advisers, led on the US side by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, will hold further talks next week. The announcement comes ahead of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit…
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China’s dominance in rare earth elements — crucial for global technology and defence — is tightening as Beijing expands export controls. China currently supplies around 90% of the world’s processed rare earths, giving it vast leverage over industries that rely on them — from electric vehicles and wind turbines to missile guidance systems and smartphones.…
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Beijing has reaffirmed its commitment to closer ties with France and Spain, highlighting shared interests in trade, technology, and global governance during high-level diplomatic meetings this week. In talks with Emmanuel Bonne, diplomatic adviser to French President Emmanuel Macron, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Beijing is ready to strengthen strategic mutual trust and expand…
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NATO Defence Ministers concluded their first meeting since the Hague Summit on Wednesday (Oct. 15), focusing on bolstering deterrence and defence amid recent airspace incursions by Russian drones and jets. Key developments:• Secretary General Mark Rutte reaffirmed NATO’s readiness, calling it a “defensive Alliance” committed to protecting “one billion people.”• Ministers approved expanded counter-drone measures…
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Syria’s President Ahmed al-Sharaa met Russia’s President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Wednesday (Oct. 15), marking his first state visit since taking power after the ousting of Bashar al-Assad ten months ago. Al-Sharaa said his government aims to “restore and redefine” relations with Moscow on a “sovereign and independent” basis, while ensuring Syria’s territorial integrity…
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The US Justice Department (DOJ) and UK government have charged and sanctioned Chen Zhi, a dual UK–Cambodian national and founder of Prince Group, over an alleged transnational cyber-fraud and money laundering network operating across Cambodia. US prosecutors accused Chen of running one of Asia’s largest scam operations, involving forced labour compounds and large-scale cryptocurrency fraud.…
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