Europe
Ukraine: Russia accused of using chemical weapons
US officials have accused Russia of using chemical weapons in Ukraine, violating international laws. They claim that the choking agent chloropicrin was used to make ‘battlefield gains’. The Kremlin has yet to respond…
Germany: ICJ rules against halting arms sales to Israel
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has denied Nicaragua's request for emergency measures to halt Germany's arms sales to Israel, claiming that this violated the UN genocide convention. Germany is a key ally…
Russia: minister arrested on charges of taking bribes
A deputy defence minister, Timur Ivanov, has been detained in Moscow, accused of accepting large-scale bribes. Ivanov, who denies the charges, has been overseeing military infrastructure projects since his appointment in 2016. There…
Russia: priest demoted for taking part in Navalny’s funeral
The head of the Russian Orthodox Church has sanctioned a priest who conducted a memorial service for Alexei Navalny, the late opposition leader. Patriarch Kirill, a close ally of Vladimir Putin, has banned…
Greece: orange dust from Sahara envelops Athens
A dense orange haze has enveloped Athens as clouds of Sahara desert dust swept across Greece, marking one of the worst episodes since 2018. Similar clouds hit Greece, Switzerland, and southern France in…
Germany / China: Scholz’s balancing act
German chancellor Olaf Scholz has tried to strike a delicate balance on a trip to China. He wanted to promote business ties but also to raise concerns over China's export surge to Europe…
Germany / Austria: three alleged Russian spies arrested
Two alleged spies, dual German-Russian nationals, have been arrested in Bavaria for suspected espionage related to sabotaging German military aid for Ukraine. The main suspect, Dieter S, is accused of various offences, including…
Russia: worst flooding in decades causes mass evacuations
The southern Orenburg region in Russia is facing its worst flooding in decades, with 55 cities and towns affected and thousands evacuated. Entire neighbourhoods have been submerged, with volunteers and emergency workers rescuing…
France: security beefed up as Olympics approach
With the Olympic Games due to begin in Paris in just over a hundred days, France faces the challenge of balancing security preparations with public reassurance. While concerns about potential threats from groups…
Ukraine: Russia’s neighbours urge NATO allies to bring back military service
Toivo Saabas, a young Estonian conscript, has been undergoing rigorous military training in the country's icy forests. Conscription, mandatory for men over 18 and voluntary for women, remains vital in Estonia, conscious of…
