Switzerland is a global hub for precious metals with the country’s handful of refineries handling about two-thirds of the world’s gold. Swiss customs authorities are tracking three tonnes of gold of Russian origin that entered Switzerland from the UK last month to watch for potential violations of economic sanctions against Russia following President Vladimir Putin’s … Read more
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has pledged to fight for the safe return of two Americans who were captured by Russian forces in Ukraine, praising them as “heroes.” Military veterans Alexander Drueke, 39, and Andy Huynh, 27, were taken prisoner last week during a battle in a village outside Kharkiv in the northeast. Days later, the … Read more
Residents of a remote community in the Northern Territory are paying as much as $ 74 for a jar of coffee and the price of fresh milk has reached an all-time high of more than $ 8 for two liters. Key points: Increases in fuel and freight costs are significantly impacting remote communities In one … Read more
Last Saturday, Lithuania banned the transit of goods subject to European Union sanctions through its territory to the Russian exclave Kaliningrad, which is on the Baltic Sea and about 1,300km (800 miles) from Moscow. Lithuania said the move was in line with European sanctions. Infuriated, Moscow called it a “blockade” and promised to respond. The … Read more
MOSCOW – A Russian military cargo plane crashed Friday on a training flight after refueling about 124 miles (200 kms) southeast of Moscow, killing five crew members and leaving several others injured, officials said. The heavy-lift Il-76 cargo plane went down in the Ryazan region after suffering an engine problem that forced the crew of … Read more
BRUSSELS – European leaders are growing increasingly concerned about the possibility of a full shutdown of gas supplies from Russia, with Italy asking for a new meeting to debate the matter. Gazprom, Russia’s state-backed energy supplier, has reduced its gas flows to Europe by about 60% over the past few weeks, prompting Germany, Italy, Austria … Read more
European Union leaders agreed Thursday to make Ukraine an official candidate to join the bloc, opening the door to possible membership in the years to come. The decision was agreed to by EU leaders at a summit in Brussels and fulfills one of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky‘s biggest requests of European countries. It also is … Read more
Chinese President Xi Jinping said the world should oppose unilateral sanctions and efforts by some countries to maintain their political and military power – a veiled shot at the United States and its allies over opposition to the war in Ukraine. Xi’s remarks on Thursday at the virtual meeting of the leaders of Brazil, Russia, … Read more
The Russian ruble has rebounded from crippling economic sanctions imposed on Moscow following the invasion of Ukraine and is now at its strongest in more than seven years – earning it the distinction of being the best-performing currency in the world so far this year. The ruble was trading at 54.47 to the US dollar … Read more
The anti-American atmosphere in Russia is off the charts and now, the Americans who had the misfortune of ending up in Russian captivity are being used as pawns in the Kremlin’s cruel game. Basketball star Brittney Griner, detained in Russia on alleged drug charges, as well as two US veterans captured by Russian troops in … Read more