Ukraine drone attack on Luhansk dorm kills six: Russia Russian President Vladimir Putin says Ukrainian forces have deliberately struck a student dormitory in the Russian-controlled Luhansk region. AAP · May 22
Donald Trump Branded 'Severely Mentally Ill', Claims He Could Run For Prime Minister Of Israel After Presidency Donald Trump's claim about running for Israel's prime minister has led to accusations of mental instability, intensifying scrutiny over his health and judgment amid his eccentric public statements. International Business Times UK · May 22
Nato tests ‘deep strike’ missile operations from London Tube station to prepare for Russian attack Nato’s UK-run command centre took over Charing Cross Tube station to test its ability to fight off a Russian attack, amid continued criticism that Britain isn’t war-ready The Independent UK · May 22
Lukashenka offers to meet Zelenskyy as Ukraine warns of Russia's new offensive through Belarus Zelenskyy earlier warned Belarus of “consequences” over possible deeper involvement in Russia’s all-out war amid growing concerns that Moscow is seeking to open a new front against Ukraine from Belarus, as it did in early 2022. Euronews · May 22
First Trump, now Putin – all roads lead to Xi Jinping The red carpet at Beijing Capital International Airport has had something of a workout in recent months. In addition to Donald Trump’s visit from May 13-15 and Vladimir Putin over the past couple of days, a parade of world leaders, including five out of seven G7 leaders, has made the… The Conversation · May 22
Ukraine-Russia war latest: Kyiv hit by hypersonic ballistic missile as allies condemn ‘reckless escalation’ At least four people were killed in the attacks on Ukraine’s capital The Independent UK · May 22
China President Xi Jinping to visit North Korea next week: Report Chinese president Xi Jinping is expected to travel to North Korea as early as next week to meet leader Kim Jong-un, following a tightly sequenced round of high-profile summits in Beijing that included visits by US president Donald Trump and Russian president Vladimir Putin. The Times of India · May 22
Russia flexes nuclear muscles as Ukraine tensions rise Russia has commenced large-scale nuclear military exercises with Belarus, involving missile systems and submarines. AAP · May 22
The far right is surging in France, Germany and parts of Europe. What will this mean for Ukraine? In recent local elections in the United Kingdom and Australia, right-wing populism has appeared to be on the march. Support has surged for the Reform UK and One Nation parties. The Conversation · May 22
A fluid global geostrategic chessboard More geostrategic roads are undeniably leading to Beijing. Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to the Chinese capital this week and his summit meeting with President Xi Jinping should be viewed both in conjunction with and in contrast to American President Donald Trump's similar outing less than a week earlier. Bangkok Post · May 21
Ukraine war briefing: Fears as Russia deploys nuclear weapons to Belarus IN FULL The Independent UK · May 21
Russia flexes nuclear muscles as tensions rise with NATO Russia is conducting large-scale nuclear drills involving thousands of personnel. These exercises include missile tests and the issuance of nuclear munitions to units. President Putin stated these weapons are an extreme measure of last resort. The drills occur amidst rising global tensions and concerns over drone activity in the Baltic… The Economic Times · May 21
Faultlines & Frontlines: First Trump, then Putin — Xi's China sheds world's factory tag, now global powerbroker Since US President Donald Trump began his second administration, there has been a noticeable shift in the White House’s diplomatic posture. World leaders have made the now familiar walk into the Oval Office for meetings that often turned heated. Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy was publicly berated. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa… The Times of India · May 21
The Conversation · May 21 Putin and Xi: Russian president’s China trip shows for the second time in a week how rapidly the world order is changing Hot on the heels of his summit with US president Donald Trump, China’s Xi Jinping hosted his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Beijing on May 19 and 20.
The Economic Times · May 21 Vladimir Putin sends nuclear warning. Here is the message for Donald Trump, other world leaders Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly reminded the world about Moscow’s nuclear arsenals after sending troops into Ukraine in February 2022 to try to deter the West from ramping up support for Kyiv.
The Independent UK · May 21 Putin says using nuclear weapons would be ‘last resort’ after massive joint drills with Belarus Europe condemned the drills as provocative and accused Putin of ‘irresponsible’ rhetoric
The Conversation · May 21 The war in Iran – again – points to the strategic shortcomings of assassination as policy of foreign affairs The coordinated U.S.-Israeli strikes at the outset of the war in Iran killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, along with other key regime figures. In doing so, the United States and Israel crossed what The New York Times and others described as “a new Rubicon”: the deliberate, overt killing of a…
The Independent UK · May 21 Germany urges the EU to offer Ukraine 'associate membership' and boost talks with Russia German Chancellor Friedrich Merz wants the EU to consider offering “associate membership” to Ukraine
The Economic Times · May 21 How different were Trump and Putin's visits to China Chinese leader Xi Jinping met with US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump's visit focused on stabilizing ties with the US. Putin's trip deepened China's strategic partnership with Russia. Agreements were signed with Russia, while US deals were announced later. Both leaders discussed Taiwan, with Russia supporting…
The Independent UK · May 21 Xi Jinping set to visit North Korea and ‘act as mediator between Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un’, South Korea says Chinese president is reportedly travelling to neighbouring country after back-to-back meetings with Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin
The Guardian - AU · May 21 Afternoon Update: Penny Wong condemns Israeli minister; unemployment rate jumps; and taking a Tesla for a swim Far-right Israeli minister posts a video of himself abusing bound activists captured while trying to sail an aid flotilla to Gaza
The Independent UK · May 21 Ukraine-Russia war latest: Trump dispatches 5,000 troops to Poland as Nato jets scrambled over Baltics Trump had threatened to withdraw troops from Europe earlier this month
The Conversation · May 21 Playing host to Putin and Trump, China sends a message – it’s now in the driver’s seat It’s been quite a week for Beijing, with back-to-back visits by the leaders of the United States and Russia. Chinese President Xi Jinping has had his hands full with hosting duties, gun salutes, photo opportunities and high-level talks.
International Business Times UK · May 21 China and Russia Move Toward 40 Agreements After Trump-Xi Summit Produced Limited Commitments Russian President Putin visits Beijing to strengthen ties with China, signing 40 agreements amid global tensions. The visit follows Trump's summit with Xi, which yielded limited concrete outcomes.