Author: Hristos Xenilis

Russia continues its attacks on the Ukrainian defense lines, and the reports suggest that the entire Russian 155th infantry brigade could have been destroyed in the attack on Vuhledar, writes Politico. Oleksiy Dmytrashkivskyi, a spokesman for the Armed Forces of Ukraine, told Politico: «A large number of enemy forces, including the command staff, were destroyed near Vuhledar and Mariinka in Donetsk Oblast. In addition, over the past week, the enemy lost about 130 units of equipment, including 36 units of tanks.» According to him, the Russian army is losing 150 – 300 soldiers in a day near Vuhledar. The US Institute…

In Tajikistan, the repressive drift of President Emomali Rahmon continues to worsen, and impacts all sectors, and in particular the media.  In recent months, four independent journalists have been sentenced to between 7 and 10 years in prison by the Tajik authorities. After having carried out reports on “sensitive” subjects, they were accused by the authorities of maintaining links with extremist organisations. It is a fact, Emomali Rahmon’s regime has hardened over the years, and seeks more and more openly to gag any criticism. In 2021, the government introduced official censorship on television and radio channels, which logically led to a crackdown on independent…

The Kingdom of Tonga has formally established diplomatic relations with two more countries, the Republic of Tajikistan and Bosnia and Herzegovina last week. Tonga’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations and Ambassador to the USA, HE Viliami Va’inga Tone co-signed a Joint Communique with Ambassador Alkalaj for Bosnia and Herzegovina, stated Tonga’s Permanent Mission to the UN on 11 February. Ambassador Tōnē also formalized the establishment of the diplomatic relations with the Republic of Tajikistan, with HE Ambassador Jonibek Hikmat. The signing took place in New York City. Source : Matangitonga

NATO is expected to discuss supplying fighter jets to Ukraine at talks this week, after Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg warned a new major Russian offensive may have already begun.  “We see no sign whatsoever that President Putin is preparing for peace,” Mr Stoltenberg told reporters. “What we see is President Putin and Russia still wanting to control Ukraine. “We see how they are sending more troops, more weapons, more capabilities.” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been pressing Western allies for fighter jets and long-range missiles to counter the feared spring offensive and to recapture lost territory. Mr Zelenskyy last week said several countries were willing to…

The Ukrainian Armed Forces are now experiencing an acute shortage of ammunition, reports the Financial Times. The publication, citing sources in the intelligence of one of the NATO countries, writes that “the Ukrainian army spends up to five thousand shells a day, which is how many small countries buy for a whole year. At the same time, the Russian army, according to various estimates, spends four times more ammunition. Note that earlier today, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that “the current rate of expenditure of ammunition in Ukraine is many times higher than our current rate of production.” Source :…

Even before the cost of living crisis was formally pronounced, it had arrived in Greece. For many it was not in the increased number of homeless on the streets, or beggars huddled around tourist sites, or eye-wateringly high energy bills – although all of those existed before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. “It was there for everyone to see on the supermarket shelves,” says Panagiota Kalapotharakou, who heads the consumer rights association Ekpizo. “Eighteen months ago there were so many products with price labels that a great number of Greeks could not afford. Costs were going up long before the war in…