ADB predicts accelerated growth for Central Asia, Caucasus economies
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has revised its outlook for the economies of Central Asia and the Caucasus by raising its growth forecast for 2026...
Russia and Ukraine accused each other on Wednesday of violating a U.S.-brokered moratorium on attacks against energy infrastructure, raising fresh concerns over the durability of the limited truce agreed last month as a potential stepping stone toward a full ceasefire.
According to Russia's defence ministry, Ukrainian forces launched drone and shelling attacks in the western Kursk region that disrupted power to more than 1,500 households.
In a separate incident, a state gas company in the Russian-held part of Ukraine’s Luhansk region reported that a Ukrainian drone strike on a gas distribution station left over 11,000 customers near the town of Svatove with limited access to gas.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, however, contended that Russian forces were responsible for breaches of the energy truce. He said a Russian drone struck an energy substation in the Sumy region while artillery fire damaged a power line in Dnipropetrovsk, cutting electricity for nearly 4,000 consumers.
Both sides have indicated that they are sharing details of the alleged violations with the United States - a key mediator in brokering the truce. The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed impatience with the slow progress toward ending the three-year conflict.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov defended the truce by noting that President Vladimir Putin’s agreement to the energy moratorium was a clear signal of his willingness to engage in a peace process, a view disputed by Kyiv and some of its European allies. Peskov also criticized what he described as “daily Ukrainian strikes” on Russian energy assets and affirmed that Moscow would continue working with American officials.
In response, President Zelenskyy accused Russia of breaking the energy truce and urged the United States to intensify sanctions against Moscow. He recalled that Ukraine had been willing to accept a full 30-day ceasefire last month, but that President Putin had declined the proposal amid concerns that Ukraine might use the respite to mobilize additional forces and secure more Western arms.
The latest exchange of accusations underscores the fragile state of the truce and the continuing challenges in achieving a lasting resolution to the conflict.
Scores of demonstrators gathered outside the Norwegian Nobel Institute in Oslo Tuesday (9 December) to protest against the awarding of this year’s Nobel Peace Prize to Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado.
Iran and Saudi Arabia reiterated their commitment to enhance ties following a joint meeting with China in Tehran on Tuesday to follow up on implementation of the 2023 Beijing Agreement which resulted in resumption of their diplomatic relations after eight years.
The world’s leading minds and voices will be honoured on Wednesday, 10 December, the anniversary of Alfred Nobel’s death, as Nobel Prizes are presented in Stockholm and Oslo.
In a dramatic Champions League clash at Baku’s Tofiq Bahramov Stadium, Qarabağ grabbed an early lead, but Ajax staged a thrilling comeback to win 4-2.
Ukraine "deeply appreciates" the humanitarian support of Pope Leo XIV. This was stated by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy after a meeting between the two at the papal residence of Castel Gandolfo, on Tuesday, 9 December.
Ukraine has handed the United States a revised 20-point peace proposal aimed at ending the war with Russia, a Ukrainian official said on Thursday, 11 December.
Putin’s visit to India has put the spotlight on New Delhi’s evolving defence strategy as it seeks to modernise Russian-made systems with domestic production. At the same time, India is carefully navigating its ties with the U.S. and Europe ahead of key diplomatic visits.
Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy has released his book, "Diary of a Prisoner" ("Le Journal d’un Prisonnier"), on his time in jail following his conviction. .
U.S. President Donald Trump has formally launched a scheme offering fast-tracked U.S. visas to foreigners who can pay at least $1 million — or companies willing to spend $2 million to sponsor a worker they want to bring into the country.
The U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday advanced the National Defense Authorization Act, the NDAA, for the next fiscal year, with broad bipartisan support.
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