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Thailand and Cambodia agree ceasefire after weeks of deadly clashes
27 December 2025
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Stories in this section cover various issues and stories from all around the world.
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Zelensky to meet Trump on Sunday for crucial Ukraine talks
27 December 2025
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky will meet with US president, Donald Trump, in Florida on Sunday (28 December) at 3.00 p.m. local time, in what many see as crucial talks on the future of Ukraine.
Over the weekend, Russia has continued its attacks on Ukraine, with the Ukranian air force warning that a drone and missile threat is in force for the entire country.
Moscow currently controls about 75% of the Donetsk region, and some 99% of the neighbouring Luhansk.
Ukraine's president last met President Donald Trump at the White House in October
Ukraine has sought to secure guarantees from the US as part of a peace deal, and Zelensky has suggested that a demilitarised "free economic zone" is a potential option for areas of Donbas that Russia has failed to take by force.
On Friday, Zelensky told reporters that the 20-point plan was 90% complete: "Our task is to make sure everything is 100% ready."
He wrote on social media: "We are not losing a single day. We have agreed on a meeting at the highest level – with President Trump in the near future. A lot can be decided before the new year."
But in an interview with Politico, published on Friday, Trump said his Ukrainian counterpart "doesn't have anything until I approve it".
"I think it's going to go good with him. I think it's going to go good with [Vladimir] Putin," Trump said.
He also said he expects to speak with the Russian president "soon".
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In the name of God, stop this massacre!
13 March 2022
Pope Francis, the leader of the Roman Catholic Church, has made an passionate appeal for an end to the war in Ukraine.
At the conclusion of the Sunday Angelus, Pope Francis recalled that the city that bears the name of the Virgin Mary, Mariupol, has become a city of martyrs in the terrible war ravaging Ukraine. He expressed horror over the barbarity of the killing of children, innocents and unarmed civilians, and called for an end to the unacceptable armed aggression, before it reduces cities to cemeteries. "With pain in my heart I join my voice to that of the common people, who implore an end to the war.
In the name of God, let the cries of those who suffer be heard and let the bombings and attacks cease! Let there be a real and decisive focus on negotiation, and let the humanitarian corridors be effective and safe. In the name of God, I ask you: stop this massacre!"
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IMF Head warns of economic impact of Ukraine Crisis on Africa
11 March 2022
African economies are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of war in Ukraine, says IMF Chief Kristalina Georgieva. The remarks come two weeks after the Russian invasion of Ukraine sent financial markets into steady decline, leaving African economies with high food and fuel prices.
“The war and the unprecedented sanctions imposed on Russia are having far-reaching consequences. They come at a delicate time for Africa.”, she stated at a closed virtual press briefing on Thursday.
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Russian Banks look east for salvation
9 March 2022
In addition to the moves towards UnionPay, some Russian companies are now accepting payments in Yuan, and there is talk of Russia turning to CIPS, the Chinese equivalent of SWIFT. The Russian pivot towards the Yuan and Chinese financial systems could reduce the dominance of the US Dollar in global transactions. In addition to the moves towards UnionPay, some Russian companies are now accepting payments in Yuan, and there is talk of Russia turning to CIPS, the Chinese equivalent of SWIFT. The Russian pivot towards the Yuan and Chinese financial systems could reduce the dominance of the US Dollar in global transactions.
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Isolated
3 March 2022
In a historic vote in the United Nations General Assembly condemning Russian aggression against Ukraine on Wednesday (2 March), Putin's Russia found itself isolated from the rest of the international community, with only North Korea, Belarus, Eritrea and Syria supporting its position in the 193 member world body. 141 countries voted for the resolution, 5 voted against and 35 abstained. 12 countries were absent.
The vote was a stark revelation of Russia's isolation in the international community as it pursues its aggression against Ukraine. In a similar situation in 2014, when Russia annexed Crimea, a UN General Assembly resolution condemning the move received the support of 100 countries. This time the number was up by 41 countries, sending a resounding diplomatic message. The number of abstentions in 2014 was 58, compared to 35 this time. 24 countries were absent in 2014, this time only 12. Those supporting the Russian position in 2014 were 11, this time the number is down to 5.
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A bad day for UN as Russia vetoes Security Council resolution; China, India and UAE abstain
26 February 2022
For those who are believers in multilateralism and a rules based international system last night's developments in the UN Security Council were a dark and disappointing moment. The Council considered a resolution put forward by more than sixty UN member states, which strongly condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and called on Moscow to withdraw its troops immediately and provide safe access for humanitarian relief work. Russia, which has veto power as one of five permanent members of the council, voted against it and vetoed it as was expected. Eleven countries voted in favour. There was disappointment that three countries - China, India and UAE - abstained.