Eastern Europe / News
India highlights legal reforms at BRICS justice ministers meeting
India’s Ministry of Law and Justice participated in the BRICS Ministers of Justice meeting on 18 September 2024, with the Indian delegation led by Anju Rathi Rana, Additional Secretary in the Department of Legal Affairs
Kremlin defies Kadyrov-backed Wildberries raid and charges Bakalchuk
Russian law enforcement agencies have detained and pressed charges against Vladislav Bakalchuk, estranged husband of Russia’s richest woman Tatiana Bakalchuk and majority owner of Wildberries.
Mexico’s President-elect Sheinbaum turns down Zelensky’s invitation to Ukraine
Mexican President-elect Claudia Sheinbaum has declined an invitation from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to visit Ukraine, reaffirming Mexico’s commitment to neutrality in international conflicts.
A tearful Wildberries CEO Tatiana Bakalchuk appeals to husband, as Russian press ignores deadly corporate shoot out in central Moscow
Russia’s richest women and founder and owner of the most successful e-commerce firm Wildberries Tatiana Bakalchuk released a tearful video on September 18 after two people were killed in a shootout at the company's office.
Ukrainian lawmaker calls for strike on Iran after Lebanon explosions
Ukrainian lawmaker Oleksiy Goncharenko has called for Ukraine to strike Iran following a series of explosions affecting electronic devices in Lebanon.
Venezuelan President Maduro backs Russia's stance on Ukraine war, lauds Putin
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has expressed strong support for Russia in the ongoing Ukraine conflict and lauded President Putin, according to statements made on his weekly programme on state TV.
Doctors Without Borders leaves Russia after 32 years
Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has announced that it will be closing its operations in Russia after 32 years, following a directive from the Russian Ministry of Justice.
At least one killed in Moscow as Wildberries business dispute turns violent
Two people were killed during a shootout at the main office of Russia’s largest online retailer, Wildberries, in Moscow, in the latest development in the ongoing dispute between CEO and founder Tatiana Bakalchuk and her husband.
_1726667086.jpg)
US accuses Russian state media of destabilising Argentina
The US State Department has issued a factsheet alleging that RT conducted "destabilising actions" on a global scale. Among the countries affected, the document claims the network is engaged in efforts to weaken Argentine President Milei's government.
Former Lithuanian premier Andrius Kubilius appointed first EU defence commissioner
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has appointed former Lithuanian premier Andrius Kubilius to coordinate Brussels' military stand on Ukraine.
_1726612372.jpg)
Belarus and Russia strengthen security ties amid rising tensions
As the talk turns to possible conflict between Russia and Nato, Belarus and Russia are tightening their mutual security agreements, with negotiations expected to conclude ahead of the annual joint military exercises Zapod 2025 later this year.
Russia can’t be defeated militarily, Kazakh president tells visiting German chancellor
Argues for consideration of China, Brazil peace plans that envisage Kremlin holding on to some captured Ukrainian land.
Russia's central bank demands foreign banks continue making forex transfers
CBR head Nabiullina piles pressure on RBI, which has been told by ECB to refuse to allow customers to make money transfers in foreign currencies.
Claims of missile exports to Russia as "baseless," Iran says
Iran's parliamentary Commission on National Security and Foreign Policy has strongly refuted Western allegations regarding Iranian arms exports to Russia, labelling them as "unfounded and empty claims."
Ivanishvili blames opposition for 2008 war, calls for Georgia to apologise
Ruling party's founder promises a “Georgian Nuremberg” trial to bring those responsible to justice, calling it a crucial step towards healing.
White House in “standby mode” despite AFU gains in Donbas until frustrated Zelenskiy presents detailed "victory plan"
The US is in “standby mode” while it waits for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to get together a detailed target list of Russian military assets he wants to strike with Nato-supplied long-range missiles.
Russia, Bangladesh navigate stresses over nuclear power plant loan payments
Russia has demanded that Bangladesh pay over $630mn to settle accrued interest payments for a loan used to fund the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant
Russia mulls uranium export ban to US as latter considers Ukraine missile use permission
Russia is considering whether to impose a ban on uranium exports to the US as tensions between the two adversaries continue to mount, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said on September 14, adding the decision would not be taken lightly.
Shocking findings show Kazakh company keeps Russian warplanes in air by sourcing French avionics, investigations NGO says
Without Thales and Safran high-tech products delivered by sanctions-busting operation, SU-30SM pilot is effectively flying blind, adds research outfit.
_Cropped_1726235944.jpg)
Bolivia inks $976mn deal with Russia to tap world’s largest lithium reserves
Bolivia has signed a significant deal with Russia’s Uranium One Group to establish a lithium carbonate production facility in the Salar de Uyuni, one of the world's largest lithium-bearing salt flats.