German opposition politicians are calling for Defence Minister Christine Lambrecht’s resignation over what they say is a series of blunders, the latest of which was a New Year’s Eve speech they describe as an embarrassment. Lambrecht drew heavy criticism for a video address released on social media and filmed on the streets of Berlin during … Read moreGermany’s defence minister in hot water over New Year’s video
Russia has said that 63 of its troops were killed during a Ukrainian New Year’s Eve attack on a makeshift barracks in the partly-occupied Donetsk region. The ministry said in a statement on Monday that Ukraine’s military had launched six projectiles at the “provisional base” in the eastern city of Makiivka using the HIMARS guided … Read moreRussia says 63 troops killed in Ukrainian attack on Makiivka
Russia is planning a protracted campaign of attacks with Iranian drones to “exhaust” Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said. “We have information that Russia is planning a protracted attack using Shahed drones,” Zelenskyy said in his nightly video address. “It is probably banking on exhaustion. Exhausting our people, our anti-aircraft defences, our energy.” Ukraine, he … Read moreRussia-Ukraine updates: Kyiv claims deadly hit on Moscow’s troops
This year will be tougher than 2022 for most of the global economy as the United States, European Union and China see slowing growth, the head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned. IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said 2023 will be a “tough year”, with one-third of the world’s economies expected to be … Read more2023 to be tougher for global economy than 2022, IMF chief says
Serb protesters have agreed to start removing barricades and end their blockade of roads in northern Kosovo, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has said. Vucic, who met Serbs from northern Kosovo in the Serbian town of Raska, said the process of removing the barricades, which have blocked roads for 19 days, will begin on Thursday morning. … Read moreProtesting Serbs in northern Kosovo agree to remove barricades
Russia has called for peace even as it executes its war in Ukraine for a 44th week. Moscow has rejected Ukraine’s peace terms and threatened a worse military fate if it does not accept Russia’s terms instead. “Our goal is not to spin the flywheel of military conflict but, on the contrary, to end this war,” … Read moreLittle prospect of peace as Ukraine war passes 10-month mark
The administration of United States President Joe Biden is marking the four-year anniversary of American businessman Paul Whelan‘s detention in Russia, an imprisonment that remains a major irritant in relations between Washington and Moscow. Whelan is currently serving a 16-year sentence in a prison colony in Russia’s Mordovia region. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken … Read moreUS marks four year anniversary of Paul Whelan detention in Russia
Defence ministers of Russia, Turkey and Syria have held talks in Moscow in a clear sign of normalisation between Ankara and Damascus in the decade-long Syrian war. Turkish defence minister Hulusi Akar and the head of its National Intelligence Organisation (MIT), Hakan Fidan, met Syrian defence minister Ali Mahmoud Abbas and Syrian intelligence chief Ali … Read moreTurkey, Syria, Russia defence ministers hold talks in Moscow