Eastern Europe / News
Ukrainian parliament votes through reverse anti-corruption rollback law
Ukraine’s parliament voted overwhelmingly to pass Law 31533 that reverses Law 21414 passed a week earlier that gutted Ukraine’s anti-corruption reforms. The new bill restores the independence of the country’s key anti-corruption bodies.
Russian attack on Kyiv kills eight, injures 88
The death toll from a Russian combined attack on Ukraine's capital Kyiv has risen to eight people with 88 injured, according to official sources.
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Nicaragua recognises Russian annexation of four Ukrainian regions
Nicaragua has formally endorsed Russia's annexation of four Ukrainian regions, becoming one of the few countries to explicitly back Moscow's territorial claims as Putin seeks international legitimacy for his seizure of sovereign territory.
Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov calls Syria a 'good friend'
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that Russia considers Syria a long-standing and reliable friend during a meeting with his Syrian counterpart Asaad al-Shibani.
Ukrainian oligarch Kolomoisky found liable in $1.9bn UK PrivatBank fraud case
The long running PrivatBank saga passed an important milestone after a London court ruled that Ukrainian oligarchs Ihor Kolomoisky and Hennadiy Boholiubov are liable for damages after they stole billions of dollars from bank dispositors.
Trump to impose 25% tariffs on Indian imports, penalises Russian oil and arms purchases
US President Donald Trump has announced that a 25% tariff, along with an unspecified additional penalty, will be imposed on imports from India starting August 1, citing New Delhi’s continued purchases of Russian oil and military equipment
Russian forces close in on Pokrovsk, Ukrainian defences under growing pressure
Russian troops are steadily advancing on key logistical hub Pokrovsk in the Donbas from the north, east, and south, using small infantry groups and drone surveillance to stretch Ukrainian forces facing acute manpower and equipment shortages.
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Mexican cartels exploit Ukraine war to acquire military drone technology
Ukrainian counterintelligence has discovered that Mexican and Colombian criminal groups have infiltrated the country's volunteer programme to acquire advanced military drone capabilities for narcotics operations.
Russia quake triggers tsunami alerts along South America's Pacific coast
A powerful 8.7-magnitude earthquake struck off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula on 29 July, prompting a cascade of tsunami alerts across the Pacific, with varying responses across the region.
Ukraine's PrivatBank secures $1.9bn court victory against former owners
Ukraine's PrivatBank won its London lawsuit against its former owners for allegedly siphoning off nearly $2bn, in a landmark case.
Russia passes toothless “platform economy” law
The Russian State Duma passed the so-called “platform economy” bill regulating marketplaces and other digital platforms on July 26, according to The Bell citing Duma proceedings, but the final version watered down most proposed restrictions.
Strongest earthquake in Kamchatka since 1952 triggers tsunami alerts across Pacific
The strongest earthquake since 1952 hit Russia’s Kamchatka peninsula sending a 4m high tsunami towards Hawaii and triggering alarms across the Pacific on July 30.
Huge earthquake in Russia's Far East triggers Pacific-wide tsunami alerts
One of the most powerful earthquakes recorded this year struck Russia's Far East in the early hours of July 30, triggering tsunami warnings across the northern Pacific, including for Japan, Alaska, Hawaii and as far south as New Zealand.
EU suspends financial aid to Ukraine over Law 21414 attack on anti-corruption reforms
The European Union has suspended all financial aid to Ukraine after lawmakers voted through the controversial Law 21414 that strips the leading anti-corruption law enforcement agencies of their independence last week.
Israel's Netanyahu discusses Iran with Russia’s Putin
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed the Iranian issue during a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Russian media reported.
Trump sets new 10-12 day deadline for Russia to act on Ukraine
US President Donald Trump has set a new deadline of 10 to 12 days for Russia to make progress towards ending the war in Ukraine or face consequences.
Trump to shorten Russia’s 50-day ceasefire deadline to 10-12 days
US President Donald Trump he will greatly reduce a 50-day deadline for Russia to sign a ceasefire with Ukraine and end hostilities there, because he was “disappointed” with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Reuters reports on July 28.
Ukraine’s EU bid should remain linked to Moldova’s accession - Zelenskiy
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy told French President Emmanuel Macron that Ukraine’s EU accession bid should remain linked to Moldova’s in a wake of the passage of the controversial Law 21414 that guts Ukraine’s anti-corruption reforms.
Russian oil tanker diverts from India’s sanctioned Nayara Energy Terminal to Mundra Port
A tanker carrying Russian Urals crude oil, originally scheduled to dock at Nayara Energy’s Vadinar terminal on India’s western coast, has diverted to the nearby Mundra port, according to shipping data and industry sources.
Russia, China to set their own gold exchanges, cut ties with Western control
Russia and China are taking concrete steps to reduce Western influence over global gold markets, signalling a broader move towards monetary self-reliance and the redomiciliation of gold reserves away from traditional Western centres.