President Aliyev highlights security, unity and peace in New Year address
President Ilham Aliyev said Azerbaijan ended 2025 as a year of peace, security and stability, stressing that unity between the people and the governme...
The Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) has disclosed the full impact of UK sanctions on Russia, reporting that more than £25 billion in Russian assets have been frozen.
"We will continue to robustly enforce our financial sanctions as part of our wider response to Russia’s barbaric invasion of Ukraine," - said UK Economic Secretary to the Treasury, Emma Reynolds.
Together with its allies, the UK has enforced the toughest sanctions Russia has ever faced. These sanctions have had a significant impact on Russia’s economy, stripping it of over $400 billion since February 2022—an amount equivalent to four years of the country's military spending.
The UK government has designated 2,001 individuals and entities under its Russia sanctions regime.
"Russia’s overall financial standing has weakened, with the federal budget expected to remain in deficit until at least 2026. The rouble has depreciated significantly, and Russia is experiencing a shortage of skilled workers, further straining the economy. Inflation is rising, with rates far exceeding targets, while high interest rates and economic isolation have made borrowing costly," - OFSI's Annual Review stated.
As a result of UK sanctions, Russia’s military has been forced to turn to rogue states like North Korea and Iran for critical supplies.
The £25 billion figure is based on OFSI’s Russian Frozen Assets In-Year Reporting. This is where relevant firms are obliged to report to OFSI as soon as practicable, information concerning funds or economic resources belonging to, held, or controlled by a designated person.
An asset freeze prevents any UK citizen, or any business in the UK, from dealing with any funds or economic resources which are owned, held, or controlled by the designated person. UK financial sanctions apply to all persons within the territory and territorial sea of the UK and to all UK persons, wherever they are in the world. It also prevents funds or economic resources being provided to or for the benefit of the designated person
The Russian radio station known as 'Doomsday Radio' (or UVB-76) unexpectedly began playing ‘Swan Lake’, music from a ballet composition. The last time this was done was during the deaths of Soviet-era leaders and the 1991 coup.
Protests in Iran over soaring prices and a plunging rial have spread to universities in Tehran, as students join shopkeepers and bazaar merchants in demanding government action. With inflation above 42% and the rial at record lows, unrest continues to grow across the country.
As Russia’s war in Ukraine enters its fourth year, rising casualties, economic struggles, and mounting unrest expose cracks in society. Despite Kremlin propaganda, frustration is growing as more Russians question the government’s narrative, according to The Washington Post.
The head of Yemen’s Presidential Council, Rashad al-Alimi, has ordered all forces linked to the United Arab Emirates to leave Yemen within 24 hours.
European leaders held talks on Ukraine after Russia said it would revise its negotiating position, citing an alleged Ukrainian drone attack that Kyiv has firmly denied.
India’s largest oil refiner, Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), has taken a significant step towards diversifying its crude oil supply by purchasing Colombian crude, from state oil company Ecopetrol, for the first time.
China has given the nod for car makers to sell Level 3 self-driving vehicles from as early as next year after it approved two electric sedans from Changan Auto and BAIC Motors.
Warner Bros Discovery’s board rejected Paramount Skydance’s $108.4 billion hostile bid on Wednesday (17 December), citing insufficient financing guarantees.
Ford Motor Company said on Monday it will take a $19.5 billion writedown and scrap several electric vehicle (EV) models, marking a major retreat from its battery-powered ambitions amid declining EV demand and changes under the Trump administration.
Iran has rolled out changes to how fuel is priced at the pump. The move is aimed at managing demand without triggering public anger.
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