Kenya and Russia to sign trade pact, President Ruto says

Kenya will sign a trade pact with Russia aimed at boosting cooperation between businesses, President William Ruto’s office said on Monday, after hosting Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Nairobi. Russia has stepped up its drive to boost economic ties with Africa to help offset a big chill in relations with the West prompted by […]
South Korea, US to share nuclear planning to deter North Korean threat

The United States on Wednesday pledged to give South Korea more insight into its nuclear planning over any conflict with North Korea amid anxiety over Pyongyang’s growing arsenal of missiles and bombs. The announcement, which included a renewed pledge by Seoul not to pursue a nuclear bomb of its own, emerged from White House talks […]
Taiwan to buy 400 US anti-ship missiles to face China threat

Taiwan will buy as many as 400 U.S. land-launched Harpoon missiles in the face of rising threat from China, Bloomberg News reported on Monday, citing a trade group’s leader and people familiar with the issue. The Pentagon announced a $1.17 billion contract for 400 of the anti-ship missiles on April 7 without naming the buyer, saying production […]
Israeli police attack worshippers in Jerusalem’s Al Aqsa, Gaza launches rockets at Israel

Israeli police attacked dozens of worshippers in Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque compound before dawn on Wednesday, witnesses said, in what Israeli police said was a response to rioting. The incident sparked protests across the occupied West Bank and the Israeli military said nine rockets were fired from Gaza toward Israel after sirens blared in southern towns. […]
UK approves increased submarine-related exports to Taiwan, risking angering China

Britain approved a sharp increase in exports of submarine parts and technology last year to Taiwan as it upgrades its naval forces, a move that could impact British ties with China. The value of licences granted by the British government to companies for the export of submarine-related components and technology to Taiwan totalled a record […]
Canada police probe media reports on alleged Chinese election interference

Canadian police are investigating media reports that cited secret intelligence on alleged Chinese attempts to influence elections for potential violations of information security laws, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) said on Monday. Canadian media have recently published detailed reports, citing anonymous intelligence sources, alleging schemes run by Beijing to interfere in Canada’s elections in […]
Moldova and Romania vow to boost ties amid war in Ukraine

Moldova and Romania pledged on Wednesday to boost economic ties following Russia’s invasion of neighbouring Ukraine, and Bucharest reiterated support for Chisinau’s bid to join the European Union. On his first trip abroad since taking office last month, Moldovan Prime Minister Dorin Recean held talks with Romanian President Klaus Iohannis and Prime Minister Nicolae Cuica. Moldova has […]
China, Russia deepen ties as Biden rallies NATO’s ‘frontline’ over Ukraine

China pledged a deeper partnership with Russia on Wednesday as U.S. President Joe Biden reaffirmed security assurances for NATO’s “frontline” eastern members, highlighting global tensions as the anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine approaches. However, a day after President Vladimir Putin said Moscow was suspending participation in a nuclear arms reduction treaty with Washington, his […]
Australia orders checks on Chinese-made cameras in defence offices

The Australian government will examine surveillance technology used in offices of the defence department, Defence Minister Richard Marles said on Thursday, amid reports that Chinese-made cameras installed there posed a security risk. The checks come after Britain in November asked its government departments to stop installing Chinese-linked surveillance cameras at sensitive buildings, citing security risks. […]
Spain, Morocco forge economic ties as Western Sahara policy reversal eases tensions

Spain and Morocco will hold their first bilateral summit in eight years on Thursday as they seek to strengthen economic ties and build on a diplomatic truce reached last year after disputes over migration and territory. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and 12 members of his cabinet will meet their counterparts in Rabat to sign as […]