Be informed. Be challenged. Be inspired.

Shadow of Ukraine war hangs over Putin’s BRICS summit in Russia

Kazan, Russia Reuters Russia wants the BRICS summit to showcase the rising clout of the non-Western world, but Moscow’s partners from China, India, Brazil and the Arab world are urging President Vladimir Putin to find a way to end the war in Ukraine. The BRICS group now accounts for 45 per cent of the world’s […]

Russia, Ukraine exchange 206 prisoners in second swap in two days

Kyiv, Ukraine Reuters Russia and Ukraine conducted a major exchange of 206 prisoners on Saturday, 103 apiece, in their second such swap in two days, following negotiations mediated by the United Arab Emirates, officials said. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy credited the release of the prisoners to his forces’ recent incursion into Russia. The released Ukrainians – […]

Russia, Ukraine swap 115 prisoners each

Dubai, United Arab Emirates/Moscow, Russia/Kyiv, Ukraine Reuters Russia and Ukraine exchanged 115 prisoners of war from each side on Saturday after the United Arab Emirates acted as an intermediary. It is the first such exchange since Ukraine launched a surprise attack into Russia’s Kursk region on 6th August, the biggest attack inside Russian territory by […]

Russia, Ukraine exchange 190 prisoners in third swap in weeks

Moscow, Russia/Kyiv, Ukraine Reuters Russia and Ukraine conducted a major exchange of prisoners on Wednesday, 190 in all, in their third such swap over the past seven weeks, following negotiations mediated by the United Arab Emirates. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said all 95 Ukrainians who were freed were from the military, and thanked the UAE for […]

Stranded aid trucks in Egypt deepen Gaza’s humanitarian crisis

Al-Arish, Egypt Reuters Hundreds of trucks loaded with food and water have been stranded on a scorching Egyptian road, some for nearly two months, awaiting permission to deliver the much needed humanitarian supplies to war-torn Gaza. About 50 kilometres from the Gaza border, trucks carrying flour, water and other aid line a dusty road in […]

Sudan and UAE clash at UN Security Council over Sudan civil war

United Nations Reuters Sudan and the United Arab Emirates clashed at the UN Security Council on Tuesday over accusations by the army-aligned Sudanese Government that the UAE is providing weapons and support to a rival warring party in the country’s 14-month long conflict. Sitting next to each other at the Security Council table, UAE UN […]

Ukraine and Russia announce major prisoner swap

Kyiv, Ukraine Reuters Ukraine and Russia announced their first exchange of prisoners of war in nearly four months on Friday, with 150 people freed after negotiations mediated by the United Arab Emirates. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said 75 Ukrainian prisoners had been returned from Russia. They included four civilians while the rest were members of […]

Gold worth tens of billions smuggled to the UAE each year, report says

Reuters Gold smuggling out of Africa, mainly to the United Arab Emirates, has surged over the last decade, with hundreds of tonnes of gold worth tens of billions of dollars illegally leaving the continent every year, according to a report published on Thursday.   Analysis by Swissaid, an organisation that focuses on development aid and advocacy, […]