Tag: Russia

The Council of Europe has expelled Russia from its human rights body in an unprecedented move, symbolically removing the Russian flag from its Strasbourg headquarters. The 47-nation organization cited Moscow's invasion of Ukraine as the reason for terminating Russia's membership after over two decades.

Asian stock markets rose moderately on Wednesday as investors await the Federal Reserve's anticipated interest rate increase. Japan's Nikkei 225 jumped 1.7%, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng rose 2.1%. The Fed is expected to raise rates by 0.25 percentage points, marking the first increase since 2018 and potentially signaling a series of future hikes to combat high inflation.

President Joe Biden will visit Europe next week to meet with NATO and European leaders, focusing on discussing the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, assessing the current conflict status, and coordinating international sanctions and humanitarian efforts.

The European Union and United Kingdom have expanded sanctions against Russia, focusing on blocking oligarchs' access to luxury items like pure-bred horses and truffles. The measures also aim to limit Russia's global market engagement by preventing EU rating agencies from working with Russian clients and restricting steel export revenues.

Asian stocks fell on Tuesday as COVID-19 cases in China and ongoing Ukraine war concerns weighed on markets. MSCI's Asia-Pacific index dropped 1.97%, with Chinese stocks leading losses, reflecting broader economic uncertainties and potential demand disruptions.

During the Ukraine war, Western tech companies' withdrawal risks isolating Russians from independent information sources, potentially strengthening Kremlin propaganda and internet control strategies.

Russian strikes near Poland's border have driven thousands of refugees into eastern Europe, marking the fastest-growing refugee crisis since World War II. UN data shows over 2.8 million Ukrainians have fled, with millions more internally displaced as conflict continues.

Approximately 30,000 people gathered at Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, protesting the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Demonstrators carried Ukrainian flags and signs with slogans like "Stop Putin" and "Solidarity with Ukraine!", expressing strong support for Ukrainian people and calling for peace.

Russian airstrikes hit a Ukrainian military training base near the Polish border, killing 35 people. The attack targeted a facility less than 25 kilometers from NATO member Poland, following threats to intercept Western weapon shipments supporting Ukrainian defense efforts.

The UN Food and Agriculture Organization alerts that the war in Ukraine could severely impact food security in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. Ukraine and Russia, responsible for one-third of global grain exports, face potential agricultural disruptions that may escalate international food prices and shortages.