MOSCOW (Sputnik) - A Soyuz-2.1b rocket launched military satellites into their target orbit, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement. The ministry previously reported that the Russian Space Forces launched a Soyuz-2.1b rocket carrying military satellites from the Plesetsk space center in t»»»

President Vladimir Putin is ready for a call from his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron for “serious” discussions, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Thursday, while describing the French leader's statements on a possible resumption of dialogue with Moscow as “pathetic diplomacy”. Follow »»»

The International ‍Olympic Committee has called on attendees at the Winter Olympics opening ceremony in Milan on Friday to "be respectful to each other", amid fears that US athletes and politicians could face jeers as the controversial presence of US ICE agents at the games has sparked anger i»»»

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer apologised on Thursday to victims of Jeffrey Epstein for naming Peter Mandelson as the UK's ambassador to Washington despite his ties to the disgraced financier, saying he was sorry ​he had believed his "lies" before appointing him. British ​Prime Minister ⁠Keir »»»

Genie Godula is pleased to welcome Stefan Wolff, Professor of International Security at the University of Birmingham. He offers a frank assessment of where the Ukraine-Russia peace talks stand. Does the mere fact both sides are talking signal hope? There is some progress, yes, but there are no brea»»»

Ukraine and Russia have conducted their first prisoner exchange in months, each releasing 157 captured soldiers, Russia's defence ministry said Thursday, amid US-brokered talks in Abu Dhabi aimed at ending the war. FRANCE 24's Emerald Maxwell reports.»»»

The U.S. and Russia agreed Thursday to reestablish high-level military dialogue for the first time in more than four years in another sign of warming relations between the two countries since President Donald Trump returned to office and sought to end the war in Ukraine. High-level military communi»»»

Starlink internet terminals used by Russian troops in Ukraine have been deactivated, Kyiv said on Thursday, dealing what one official said was a big battlefield setback for Moscow that had disrupted assault operations. Russian forces ​have made unauthorised use of thousands of satellite-based Starl»»»

The Trump administration has put aside its tariff threats, and is calling for a new trade bloc to focus on critical minerals. Ministers from 55 countries attended talks in Washington aimed at reducing their reliance on China, which dominates the production and processing of the elements. Meanwhile,»»»

Artificial intelligence is the next frontier – but is it also the next bubble? That's the question investors have been asking since tech giants began investing billions of dollars in AI and driving stock market gains. We put the question to an expert. Professor Jon Danielsson, Director of the »»»

Taiwanese chipmaker TSMC, Asia's most valuable company, has announced plans to produce 3-nanometre cutting-edge chips in Japan. Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi lauded the announcement as "the missing piece for the country" since she's looked to bolster domestic chipmaking ahead of lower house»»»

Businesses across Italy could see a windfall of some $6 billion, as spectators head to the Alps for the Winter Olympics. The Milano-Cortina 2026 Games have run over-budget, although by a smaller amount than previous competitions. Giulia Wedam, Co-Founder & CEO of the tourism agency Cortina»»»

The Libyan Business Council (LBC) informed that the Libyan French Forum 2026, organized by Business France, in cooperation and coordination with the French Embassy in Libya, will be held on 14 April 2026, in Marseille, France. The LBC said the forum is part of joint efforts to strengthen economic t»»»

Drive carefully this morning, advises UAE’s National Center of Meteorology (NCM) on social media, as the country is expected to see fog drowning visibility in some areas. Some coastal and internal areas are expected to be affected until 9.30am. If you are on the road, make sure you: • Clean your wi»»»

In recent years, New Delhi has used free-trade agreements (FTAs) and bilateral trade deals as an important tool to increase its geo-economic influence. This marks a major shift for a country dependent on domestic consumption. »»»

In recent years, New Delhi has used free-trade agreements (FTAs) and bilateral trade deals as an important tool to increase its geo-economic influence. This marks a major shift for a country dependent on domestic consumption. »»»

In recent years, New Delhi has used free-trade agreements (FTAs) and bilateral trade deals as an important tool to increase its geo-economic influence. This marks a major shift for a country dependent on domestic consumption. »»»

China marked a series of landmark achievements in 2025 that cemented its growing lead in global innovation and technology governance, as the country deepens investment in artificial intelligence, deep-space exploration, and industrial modernisation. »»»

Turkey’s Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacir has said that the government is closely monitoring the progress of Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker BYD’s planned $1bn factory investment in the western province of Manisa. »»»

In recent years, New Delhi has used free-trade agreements (FTAs) and bilateral trade deals as an important tool to increase its geo-economic influence. This marks a major shift for a country dependent on domestic consumption. »»»

China has granted the world’s first commercial licences for autonomous flying taxis, marking a significant milestone in the global push for urban air mobility. »»»

China marked a series of landmark achievements in 2025 that cemented its growing lead in global innovation and technology governance, as the country deepens investment in artificial intelligence, deep-space exploration, and industrial modernisation. »»»

China is reshaping Central Asia’s nuclear energy sector, challenging Russia’s long-standing dominance in the region. In September 2025, Uzbekistan explored a contingency agreement with China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC), amid concerns that the contract signed in June with Russia’s »»»

Venezuelan intelligence agents have detained Alex Saab, a Colombian businessman who served as industry minister under Nicolás Maduro and allegedly functioned as the regime's primary financial operator, in what could expose simmering fissures within the country's ruling establishment as interim pres»»»

Turkey’s Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacir has said that the government is closely monitoring the progress of Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker BYD’s planned $1bn factory investment in the western province of Manisa. »»»

Colombian President Gustavo Petro emerged from approximately two hours of closed-door White House talks with US President Donald Trump on February 3, focused on counter-narcotics cooperation and regional security, paving the way for a thaw after months of diplomatic tensions. »»»

Uruguayan President Yamandú Orsi and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping signed more than a dozen cooperation agreements on February 3 in Beijing, deepening their comprehensive strategic partnership as Washington seeks to curb Chinese influence in Latin America. »»»

Cuba experienced its coldest temperature on record on February 3 when the mercury dropped to zero degrees Celsius, an unprecedented event for the Caribbean island nation that comes as it faces an acute energy crisis triggered by dwindling oil supplies and mounting US pressure following the capture »»»

Venezuelan intelligence agents have detained Alex Saab, a Colombian businessman who served as industry minister under Nicolás Maduro and allegedly functioned as the regime's primary financial operator, in what could expose simmering fissures within the country's ruling establishment as interim pres»»»

Africa’s accelerating digital transformation is placing data centres at the heart of its future power strategy. Surging demand for cloud services and digital connectivity is redefining the continent’s energy and infrastructure landscape, the African Energy Chamber (AEC) said in an emailed note. »»»

African tech funding rebounded strongly in 2025, with startups raising $3.42bn across 502 disclosed deals, marking a 53% increase over 2024 even as deal volume fell to a four-year low, according to the State of Tech in Africa (SOTIA) report by TechCabal. »»»

The rand-backed stablecoin ZAR Universal (ZARU) has been launched with the aim of linking South Africa’s currency to the global digital economy, although it will initially be limited to institutional users, News24 reports. »»»

The United States has renewed the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), extending duty-free access for eligible African exports to the US market until December 31, 2026, with retroactive effect from September 30, 2025, when the Trump administration allowed it to lapse. »»»

India's Welspun Corp has secured a contract worth just over $200mn to supply pipes for Argentina's Vaca Muerta liquefied natural gas (LNG) project, defeating local steel giant Tenaris in a contentious decision that has sparked a row between President Javier Milei and one of the country's most power»»»

Panama’s Supreme Court decision to void the concession allowing Panama Ports Company (PPC), a subsidiary of Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison, to operate the ports of Balboa and Cristóbal marks one of the most consequential legal interventions in global maritime infrastructure in decades.  »»»

India's Welspun Corp has secured a contract worth just over $200mn to supply pipes for Argentina's Vaca Muerta liquefied natural gas (LNG) project, defeating local steel giant Tenaris in a contentious decision that has sparked a row between President Javier Milei and one of the country's most power»»»

Venezuela's interim government has fast-tracked sweeping changes to the country's hydrocarbon law in a bid to attract foreign capital to its battered oil industry, but major US producers remain reluctant to commit billions of dollars amid persistent legal uncertainties and the absence of security g»»»

US President Donald Trump announced on social media that he was slashing tariffs on India from 50% to 18%, after cutting a new trade agreement that will see New Delhi reduce its imports of Russian crude oil dramatically. T»»»

Venezuela's National Assembly has backed a fundamental restructuring of the country's oil sector, driving the final nail into more than two decades of socialist policies that prioritised state control over the industry. Le»»»

Argentina’s government does not plan to return to international debt markets despite a sharp fall in country risk, Economy Minister Luis Caputo revealed, signalling a continued strategy of avoiding sovereign bond issuance even as financing conditions improve, MDZ reported. »»»

In recent years, New Delhi has used free-trade agreements (FTAs) and bilateral trade deals as an important tool to increase its geo-economic influence. This marks a major shift for a country dependent on domestic consumption. »»»

As Abu Dhabi hosts the latest round of negotiations involving Russia, Ukraine, and the United States, the United Arab Emirates once again distinguishes itself as an effective diplomatic platform in one of the most complex international crises since the end of the Cold War. But Abu Dhabi's positioni»»»

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy's Second Imam Hassan Mojtaba Region said it seized two "fuel-smuggling vessels" near Farsi Island in the Persian Gulf on February 5. The seizure of the boats and cr»»»

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy's Second Imam Hassan Mojtaba Region said it seized two "fuel-smuggling vessels" near Farsi Island in the Persian Gulf on February 5. The seizure of the boats and cr»»»

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy's Second Imam Hassan Mojtaba Region said it seized two "fuel-smuggling vessels" near Farsi Island in the Persian Gulf on February 5. The seizure of the boats and cr»»»

Saudi Arabia has announced plans to issue passports for millions of camels in an effort to document ownership and bring transparency to a market valued at around SR50bn ($13bn) annually, Bawabat al-Wasat reported on February 4. »»»

Turkey’s Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacir has said that the government is closely monitoring the progress of Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker BYD’s planned $1bn factory investment in the western province of Manisa. »»»

Turkey’s Treasury sold a €2bn eurobond (XS3293834662) due 2034 at a coupon rate of 5.15% and a yield-to-investor of 5.20% (priced at 99.667), the finance ministry said on February 4. Deutsche Bank, HSBC, JP Morgan and»»»

Turkey’s Treasury sold a €2bn eurobond (XS3293834662) due 2034 at a coupon rate of 5.15% and a yield-to-investor of 5.20% (priced at 99.667), the finance ministry said on February 4. Deutsche Bank, HSBC, JP Morgan and»»»

Turkey’s Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacir has said that the government is closely monitoring the progress of Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker BYD’s planned $1bn factory investment in the western province of Manisa. »»»