Russia
Putin gifts over 70 animals to North Korean zoo after Pyongyang sends troops to Russian Army
Russian President Vladimir Putin has gifted more than 70 animals from Moscow Zoo, including an African lion and brown bears, to Pyongyang Central Zoo in North Korea.
Russia funding war in Ukraine via illegal gold mining in Africa – WGC report
"It is noteworthy how little concerted political will there has been to halt the illicit flow of profits from the exploitation of gold resources in Africa into the Russian war machine," the World Gold Council report says.
Russia ready to start peace talks in January, willing to make some “limited” concessions – Reuters
The Kremlin is ready to start ceasefire talks and is willing to make some “limited” territorial concessions, Reuters reported on November 20, citing five senior current and former Kremlin sources.
Carbon Brief releases sixth version of extreme weather event interactive map
As the planet warms and the Climate Crisis accelerates faster than scientists predicted, extreme weather events from floods to fires have turned into an annual disaster season that is only going to get worse.
Czechia has sent military materiel worth €300mn to Ukraine since Russia’s 2022 invasion
But government faces criticism for not doing enough to cut the amount of Russian energy imports since the invasion.
Russian carmaker AvtoVAZ delays Iran market entry to 2025
Russian automaker AvtoVAZ has pushed back its planned entry into the Iranian market to 2025, the company's chief executive Maxim Sokolov announced on November 19, marking a significant delay from the previously targeted 2024 launch.
Russia blocks UN Security Council resolution on Sudan humanitarian crisis
Russia vetoed a United Nations Security Council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Sudan on November 18 as the country continues to grapple with a deadly war that has displaced millions and spurred a desperate humanitarian crisis.
G20 summit wraps up with a joint statement strong on sentiment, but short on specifics
The G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro wrapped up with a joint declaration condemning war and calling for climate change action, but short on specifics.
Xi lays out the new rules of Global South Consensus to Biden
What has been portrayed as an economic clash between East and West is taking on an increasingly ideological nature. Chinese President Xi Jinping laid out new rules of the game for Sino-US relations in blunt terms to US President Joe Biden.
Russian quality of life and confidence in the future reaches new all-time highs in November – Levada
Perceptions of the quality of life and confidence in the future have reached new all-time highs, according to a poll by the independent pollster, the Levada Centre.
War for citizenship: Why Uzbeks fight for Russia
The Uzbek government is actively discouraging citizens from becoming mercenaries.
Colombia seeks BRICS membership, deepens Russia ties during Moscow talks
Colombia has expressed interest in joining the BRICS as part of its effort to expand international alliances and access new funding opportunities.
Biden gives Ukraine long-range missile permission, Putin threatens direct clash with Nato
US President Joe Biden finally granted Ukraine permission to use long-range Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) missiles in strikes deeper into Russian territory, but has imposed restrictions on their use, according to reports on November 17.
Poland’s Tusk says 'telephone diplomacy' won’t work with Putin
Polish premier roasts German Chancellor Olaf Scholz for his call with Russian dictator.
The East-West clash will fuel nuclear weapons proliferation
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy shocked his Western allies last month at the EU summit by suggesting Ukraine needs to become a nuclear power again if it is not granted Nato membership soon.
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Putin’s best weapon to pay for the Ukraine war is not oil; it's VAT
Sanctions on Russia are barking up the wrong tree. The Kremlin’s Achilles’ heel is not its dependence on oil export revenue. Russian President Vladimir Putin has a far more powerful tool to fund his war in Ukraine: VAT.
Bank of China said to block Russia-suspected transactions
The Bank of China, ranked fourth in terms of assets in China, has started blocking more transfers in yuan from countries that, according to the bank's compliance service, may be linked to supplies to Russia.
North Korea ready to send 100,000 troops to support Russia’s war in Ukraine
North Korea is reportedly prepared to dispatch as many as 100,000 troops to assist Russia in its war against Ukraine, according to sources familiar with assessments by some Group of 20 (G20) nations.
Russia cuts off gas supply to Austria's OMV
Russian gas giant's cut off of supplies to Austria's biggest oil and gas company triggers a spike in European gas prices.
COP29: Report reveals just 1% of 1,200 UNEP methane alerts triggered action
Governments and companies unresponsive even though emissions of the gas represent “low-hanging fruit” in climate crisis fight.