13 h. ago Leaders of Russia and China snub Brics summit in sign group’s value may be waning

Rapid expansion of Brics has diluted its coherence as a body offering an ideological alternative to western capitalismRussia and China are not sending their leaders to a Brics summit starting in Brazil on Sunday in what may be a sign that the group’s recent expansion has reduced its ideological value to the two founding members.China’s 72-year-old leader, Xi Jinping, has attended Brics summits for the past 12 years. No official reason has been given for sending the premier, Li Qiang, other than scheduling conflicts. Continue reading...

Politics

15 h. ago What links The Birds, Working Girl and Fifty Shades of Grey? The Saturday quiz

From Jane Goodall, Steve Jobs and Immanuel Kant to Erik Satie and Mark Zuckerberg, test your knowledge with the Saturday quiz1 Whose big mistake was to believe Sinon?2 The Hungarian Mudi has been recognised as the 225th what?3 What space station was launched by Nasa in 1973?4 Claudia Jones and Rhaune Laslett were founders of which annual celebration?5 What is Steven Spielberg’s only film musical?6 What stands on the top of Mount Corcovado?7 Which religion is based on the teachings of the 24 Tirthankara?8 What County Durham town is named after a miners’ leader?What links: 9 British empire, 1833; Russia, 1861; US, 1865; Brazil, 1888?10 Mbappé (4); Vavá, Pelé, Hurst, Zidane (3); Breitner, Messi et al (2)?11 Jane Goodall; Steve Jobs; Immanuel Kant; Erik Satie; Mark Zuckerberg?12 An Mhumhain; Connachta; Laighin; Ulaidh?13 Udo Jürgens; Conchita Wurst; JJ?14 The Birds; Working Girl; Fifty Shades of Grey?15 Anguilla; Colombia; Libya; Montenegro; Tuvalu (online)? Continue reading...

Politics

8 d. ago Ukraine war briefing: Soldiers captured by Russia in Mariupol among those released in prisoner swap

EU extends Russia sanctions but new package blocked by Slovakia. What we know on day 1,220Ukraine and Russia exchanged a new group of captured soldiers on Thursday, the latest in a series of prisoner swaps agreed at peace talks in Istanbul earlier this month. Neither side said how many prisoners were released in the latest exchange. The majority had been held captive for more than three years, according to Ukraine’s coordination headquarters for the treatment of prisoners of war. Many of them were taken prisoner in Mariupol, a Ukrainian port city that fell to Russian forces in 2022 after a nearly three-month siege, it said. Russian officials said its soldiers had been transferred to Belarus and were receiving “psychological and medical care”.The EU’s 27 leaders on Thursday agreed to extend sanctions on Russia for another six months, resolving fears that Kremlin-friendly Hungary would let the measures lapse, officials said. The decision at a summit in Brussels means that the EU’s swe...

Events

1 week ago Xi Jinping to skip Brics summit in Brazil after India’s Modi offered state dinner

Chinese president has never missed a Brics summit before

Politics

1 week ago Putin ramps up production of hypersonic missiles as World War 3 threat looms

With Iran now striking American military bases in Qatar, and tensions in the Middle East spiralling, Russia's leader has said he is upping the number of warheads Russia holds

Events

2 w. ago G7 leaders struggle for unity: Trump warns kicking Russia out was a mistake and sparked Putin's invasion of Ukraine

Tensions erupted at the G7 summit after Donald Trump sensationally claimed that expelling Russia from the group in 2014 was a 'big mistake' and even blamed it for Vladimir Putin 's invasion of Ukraine.

Events

3 w. ago Elon Musk's dad praises Mad Vlad Putin as 'impressive and resilient man’

In yet another bold statement, dad of tech billionaire Elon, Errol Musk, praised Russia and it's leader who says 'logical things' while on a trip to the former Soviet state

Politics