Articles
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 Dimitry Safronov, the…
Greece: orange dust from Sahara envelops Athens
25 Apr 2024
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 late March and…
Joe Biden has signed a $95 billion aid package for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, emphasising its importance in enhancing global security. He promised to send the military assistance for Ukraine ‘right away’, with $61 billion allocated…
India: world’s biggest election explained
25 Apr 2024
On 19 April Indians commenced voting for their next parliament, with Narendra Modi seeking a third term. Opinion polls favour his BJP party and its allies over an opposition alliance of over two dozen parties including…
Niger / Benin: oil starts to flow along pipeline
25 Apr 2024
Despite strained diplomatic ties, Benin is hoping for revenue from transit duties and taxes on Nigerien oil passing through Sémè Kraké. The site marks the terminus of a 1,980km pipeline from Niger's Agadem oil fields; oil…
Climate change: Asia most affected
25 Apr 2024
The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) has reported that Asia bore the brunt of climate change and weather-related disasters in 2023. Floods and storms caused significant casualties and economic damage, while heatwaves intensified. Asia's temperature rose almost…