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Russia Enters Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine Disputes
Russian forces have reportedly approached the administrative border of Ukraine’s Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, raising concerns over a possible advance westward. Moscow claims its troops have entered the area, while Ukrainian military officials deny any such incursion has occurred. In recent days, the Russian Ministry of Defense released videos suggesting that its units have crossed into the…
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Timor-Leste: Revisiting a Forgotten War Ahead of ASEAN Entry
As Timor-Leste is et to join ASEAN in October 2025, we dive back into the country’s recent conflicts. CREDIT: Regio Da Cruz Salu.As Timor-Leste prepares for full accession to ASEAN in late 2025, its troubled path to independence raises renewed interest in its historical trajectory. This report revisits the conflict that led to one of the most violent decolonization processes in recent history. Following Portugal’s withdrawal in 1975, Indonesia occupied the territory, triggering decades of armed resistance,…
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Russia Seeks Buffer Zone in Ukraine Border Areas
Russian military operations have intensified along Ukraine’s northeastern border, where Moscow is reportedly aiming to establish a 10-kilometer-deep buffer zone in the Sumy and Kharkiv regions. According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on May 28, approximately 50,000 Russian troops have been deployed for this purpose. Ukrainian intelligence estimates that a total of 125,000 Russian personnel…
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Germany Confirms End of Range Limits on Arms Supplied to Ukraine
Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced on May 26 that Western allies have lifted range restrictions on weapons supplied to Ukraine, enabling strikes on military targets within Russia. Merz stated that the United Kingdom (UK), France, the United States (US), and Germany now permit such use and affirmed continued military support for Ukraine. He added that…
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IDF Fires Warning Shots Near Diplomatic Delegation in Jenin
On May 21, Israeli soldiers fired warning shots as a foreign diplomatic delegation visited the Jenin refugee camp in the West Bank. The delegation, comprising representatives from more than 20 countries including France, the UK, Canada, Italy, Japan, and China, was on an official visit coordinated in advance with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to…
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Proposed Ukraine-Russia Peace Talks in Istanbul
Russia has proposed holding direct negotiations with Ukraine in Istanbul on May 15, though the meeting has not been confirmed. The initiative, put forward by President Vladimir Putin on May 11, was discussed in a recent phone call between Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. Moscow has called for talks…
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Parade and Pressure: Russia’s Victory Day Celebrations
As Russia prepares for its May 9 Victory Day parade amid the ongoing war in Ukraine, tensions rise following Ukrainian drone strikes on Moscow, the participation of foreign troops, and the visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping.Ukraine launched a major drone attack on Russia, including Moscow, days before the Victory Day parade. The strike heightened security concerns as foreign leaders and troops prepared to attend. The incident underscores rising tensions and the broader geopolitical stakes surrounding Russia’s wartime commemorations and alliances. Key Takes Major Drone Strike: On May 6, 2025, Ukraine…
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Serbia’s Passport Loophole: The Backdoor to Europe for Russian Elites
The Russian investigative outlet Vazhnye Istorii has uncovered a citizenship scheme that allows Russian nationals—many with ties to the Kremlin or defense sector—to travel freely across Europe despite sanctions. Since the large-scale invasion of Ukraine, the European Union has imposed extensive sanctions on Russia, including travel bans targeting hundreds of government officials, military personnel, and…
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Trump and Zelensky Meet at Vatican During Pope’s Funeral
US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met briefly inside St. Peter’s Basilica on April 26, during the funeral of Pope Francis in Rome. It was their first meeting since their tense encounter at the White House earlier this year. Both leaders described the exchange as positive and productive, and agreed to pursue…
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Zelensky: 150+ Chinese Citizens Fighting for Russia
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has stated that more than 150 Chinese nationals are participating in the war in Ukraine on the side of Russia, with Ukrainian authorities having identified 155 individuals by name and passport number. On April 8, Ukrainian forces captured two Chinese nationals fighting in Donetsk. The individuals are currently held by Ukraine’s…