By Brenda Goh and Hallie Gu SHANGHAI/BEIJING (Reuters) – Some of Shanghai’s 25 million people came out for brief walks and grocery shopping on Tuesday after enduring more than a month under a COVID lockdown, while China’s capital Beijing embarked on another round of mass testing to control a nascent outbreak. Social media posts showed …
Some in Shanghai come out for air as Beijing resumes mass COVID tests Read More »
By Steve Holland, Trevor Hunnicutt and David Brunnstrom WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Two months after warning that Beijing appeared poised to help Russia in its fight against Ukraine, senior U.S. officials say they have not detected overt Chinese military and economic support, a welcome development in the tense U.S.-China relationship. U.S. officials told Reuters in recent …
U.S. relieved as China appears to heed warnings on Russia Read More »
(Reuters) – Russia’s foreign ministry accused Israel on Tuesday of supporting neo-Nazis in Ukraine, further escalating a row which began when Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov claimed Adolf Hitler had Jewish origins. Israel lambasted Lavrov on Monday, saying his claim – made when talking about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy who is Jewish – was an …
Russia says Israel supports neo-Nazis in row over Ukraine Read More »
By Anne Kauranen and Johan Ahlander HELSINKI/STOCKHOLM (Reuters) – Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Finland and Sweden have been considering applying for membership of the NATO military alliance, which would mark a major policy shift for the Nordic region. Here is the latest about the process and the key points under discussion: WHAT ARE THE …
Explainer-What you need to know about Finland’s and Sweden’s path to NATO membership Read More »
By Tom Balmforth KYIV (Reuters) – Germany said on Monday it was prepared to back an immediate European Union embargo on Russian oil, a major shift from Moscow’s biggest energy customer that could let Europe impose such a ban within days. Russia’s energy exports – by far its biggest source of income – have so …
In shift, Germany gets behind immediate EU ban on Russian oil Read More »
KYIV (Reuters) – Ukraine has formally closed its four Black and Azov sea ports, which Russian forces have captured, the Ukrainian agriculture ministry said on Monday. The Azov Sea ports of Mariupol, Berdiansk and Skadovsk and the Black Sea port of Kherson were closed “until the restoration of control”, the ministry said in a statement. …
Ukraine formally closes seaports captured by Russia Read More »
By Brenda Goh and Sophie Yu SHANGHAI/BEIJING (Reuters) -China’s commercial capital of Shanghai was dealt a blow on Monday as authorities reported 58 new COVID-19 cases outside areas under lockdown, while Beijing pressed on with testing millions of people on a May Day holiday few were celebrating. Tough coronavirus measures in Shanghai have stirred rare …
Setback for Shanghai’s COVID battle; Beijing focuses on mass testing Read More »
HELSINKI (Reuters) – Finland will decide to apply for NATO membership on May 12, Finnish newspaper Iltalehti reported late on Sunday, citing anonymous government sources. The decision to join will come in two steps on that day, with Finnish President Sauli Niinisto first announcing his approval for the Nordic neighbour of Russia to join the …
Finland will decide to apply for NATO membership on May 12, says Iltalehti newspaper Read More »
By Lucy Craymer WELLINGTON (Reuters) – New Zealand welcomed thousands of travellers from around the globe on Monday as the country opened its borders to visitors from around 60 nations including the United States, Britain and Singapore for the first time since COVID-19 hit in early 2020. Maori cultural performers sang songs at the arrivals …
Tears and chocolate as New Zealand opens its borders to 60 more countries Read More »
By Rodrigo Campos and Davide Barbuscia NEW YORK (Reuters) – Russia may have averted default as it announced it had made several overdue payments in dollars on its overseas bonds, shifting the market’s focus to upcoming payments and whether it would stave off a historic default. Russia’s $40 billion in international bonds and the chance …
