Explore

Olympics-Alpine skiing-No short cuts to downhill gold on brutish Stelvio

Olympics-Alpine skiing-No short cuts to downhill gold on brutish Stelvio

By Martyn Herman BORMIO, Italy, Feb 5 (Reuters) - One thing is certain about the winner of Saturday's men's Olympic downhill: the champion won't have lucked out.

Israel’s first ever Olympic bobsled team heads to Milan in bid dubbed ‘Shul runnings’

Israel’s first ever Olympic bobsled team heads to Milan in bid dubbed ‘Shul runnings’

Israel's first bobsled team is set to compete in the Milan Cortina Winter Games

Kremlin says Russia will stay a responsible nuclear power despite New START's expiry

Kremlin says Russia will stay a responsible nuclear power despite New START's expiry

MOSCOW, Feb 5 (Reuters) - The Kremlin said on Thursday that Russia would continue taking a responsible approach to strategic nuclear stability, despite the expiry of the last nuclear arms control treaty between Moscow and Washington.

Estonia Detains Container Ship in Gulf of Finland Over Smuggling Suspicions

Estonia Detains Container Ship in Gulf of Finland Over Smuggling Suspicions

Estonia has conducted a significant maritime security operation in the Gulf of Finland, detaining a Bahamas-flagged container ship named Baltic Spirit. The operation, which took place on February 3, involved multiple Estonian agencies, including police special forces, naval vessels, and aerial support. The ship was intercepted while en route to St. Petersburg, Russia, and all 23 crew members, identified as Russian citizens, were detained. The Estonian authorities, including the Police and Border Guard Board, the Transport Administration, the State Fleet, and the Tax and Customs Board, participated in the operation. The Estonian Navy provided support with vessels Raju and Admiral Cowan, and a rescue helicopter offered aerial cover. The detention was based on suspicions of smuggling, not due to any European Union sanctions, as the ship is not part of Russia's 'shadow fleet.' An investigation is underway to determine the nature of the suspected violations.

The last US-Russia nuclear pact expires, prompting fears of a new arms race

The last US-Russia nuclear pact expires, prompting fears of a new arms race

The last remaining nuclear arms pact between Russia and the United States has expired, removing caps on their atomic arsenals for the first time in over 50 years

UN Secretary-General Urges US and Russia to Negotiate New Nuclear Arms Deal Amid New START Expiration

UN Secretary-General Urges US and Russia to Negotiate New Nuclear Arms Deal Amid New START Expiration

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for immediate negotiations between the United States and Russia following the expiration of the New START Treaty. This treaty, which expired at midnight on Wednesday, was a pivotal arms control agreement that limited the number of strategic nuclear warheads and delivery systems that both nations could deploy. Guterres emphasized the gravity of the situation, noting that for the first time in over fifty years, there are no binding limits on the nuclear arsenals of the two countries that hold the majority of the world's nuclear weapons. He highlighted the increased risk of nuclear weapon use, which he described as the highest in decades. Guterres also pointed out the opportunity to establish a new arms control framework that is suitable for the current global context, urging both nations to act swiftly to prevent a return to unchecked nuclear proliferation.

Russia Proposes to Export Iranian Uranium Amid U.S. Tensions

Russia Proposes to Export Iranian Uranium Amid U.S. Tensions

Russia has reiterated its offer to assist Iran in exporting its enriched uranium reserves, a move aimed at addressing concerns from the United States. According to Maria Zakharova, the spokeswoman for Russia's Foreign Ministry, the proposal remains available, but the decision ultimately rests with Iran. This initiative is part of ongoing efforts to manage the geopolitical tensions surrounding Iran's nuclear program. The U.S. has been particularly concerned about Iran's uranium enrichment activities, which have been a point of contention in international relations. The offer from Russia is seen as a potential step towards de-escalating these tensions by providing a mechanism for Iran to reduce its uranium stockpile, thereby addressing one of the key issues in the nuclear talks.

Polish Authorities to Investigate Epstein Files for Potential Polish Victims

Polish Authorities to Investigate Epstein Files for Potential Polish Victims

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced that Polish authorities will examine the recently released Jeffrey Epstein documents to identify any potential Polish victims. The documents, published by the U.S. Department of Justice, include over 3 million pages of materials such as documents, videos, and photos. Tusk emphasized the importance of not taking lightly any cases involving the abuse of Polish children by Epstein's network. Although no explicit cases involving Polish victims have been identified, references to Poland appear in the files. Tusk mentioned leads involving individuals in Krakow who allegedly offered a group of 'women or girls' to Epstein. A team led by the minister of justice and the minister in charge of secret services will analyze the documents, and a formal investigation may be initiated if necessary. Tusk also expressed interest in investigating potential links between Epstein and Russian secret services, although no specific evidence was provided.

Envoys push a US plan for ending Russia's war in Ukraine

Envoys push a US plan for ending Russia's war in Ukraine

The U.S.-led push to end Russia’s nearly 4-year-old war in Ukraine gained momentum late last year and is moving ahead in 2026, with leaders, diplomats and envoys working on trying to reach a deal

President Trump and Xi Jinping Discuss U.S.-China Relations Amid Tensions

President Trump and Xi Jinping Discuss U.S.-China Relations Amid Tensions

President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping held a phone call, marking their first public interaction in months. The discussion covered various topics, including Chinese purchases of U.S. goods, the Russia-Ukraine war, and Iran. Trump described the call as 'very positive' and announced plans to visit China in April. However, Beijing's statement on the call highlighted ongoing tensions, particularly regarding U.S. arms sales to Taiwan. China reiterated its stance that Taiwan should not be allowed to separate from China and urged the U.S. to handle the issue with caution.

Ukraine Accuses Russia of Illegally Targeting Power Grid Amid Ongoing Conflict

Ukraine Accuses Russia of Illegally Targeting Power Grid Amid Ongoing Conflict

Ukraine has accused Russia of illegally targeting its power grid, causing widespread power outages during one of the country's coldest winters. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy claims that Russia's attacks on energy infrastructure are intended to terrorize civilians by depriving them of essential services like heating and electricity. Russia, however, maintains that its military operations are legitimate and target facilities supporting Ukraine's military efforts. The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for top Russian military officials, alleging that the attacks on civilian infrastructure violate international law.

Expiration of US-Russia Nuclear Treaty Raises Concerns of Arms Race Involving China

Expiration of US-Russia Nuclear Treaty Raises Concerns of Arms Race Involving China

The New START treaty, a pivotal arms control agreement between the United States and Russia, expired on February 5, 2026. This treaty, which had been in place since 2011, limited both nations to 1,550 deployed nuclear warheads and set caps on various delivery systems. With its expiration, there are no longer any constraints on the nuclear arsenals of the two largest nuclear powers. The treaty's lapse has sparked fears of a potential arms race, particularly as China continues to expand its nuclear capabilities. Critics of the treaty, including President Trump, have pointed out that it did not include China, which is projected to significantly increase its nuclear stockpile by 2035. The absence of a new agreement raises concerns about a three-way arms race among the U.S., Russia, and China.