Ukraine conflict: Is Putin’s nuclear escalation hot air or a genuine threat?



Russian President Vladimir Putin has put his country's nuclear forces on heightened alert, citing "aggressive statements" by NATO leaders on Ukraine. While some analysts caution that Putin would be willing to do whatever it takes to achieve his aims, others say the chilling warning does not necessarily indicate his intention to press the nuclear button.



Russia, home to the world’s largest… Doorgaan

Belarus approves hosting nuclear weapons, Russian forces permanently

Belarusians voted Monday to allow the country to host nuclear weapons and Russian forces permanently, results showed, part of a package of constitutional reforms that also extended the rule of leader Alexander Lukashenko.

The referendum was held Sunday as the ex-Soviet country's neighbour Ukraine is under attack from Russian troops and delegations from Moscow and Kyiv are expected to meet for talks on the…

Doorgaan

Candidates shift gears as Ukraine conflict overshadows France’s beleaguered presidential race



With just six weeks to go before France's presidential election, the outbreak of war in Ukraine is shaking up an already bizarre campaign, with candidates forced to roll with the punches and adjust, or even justify, their schedules on the stump.



No presidential campaign in French history has ever seemed so captive to world events and yet so subsidiary as the race ticks forward.… Doorgaan

France seizes cargo vessel targeted by US sanctions on Russia



France on Saturday seized a car cargo ship in the English Channel that Washington says was linked to the son of a former Russian spy chief, in one of the first visible displays of the West enforcing sanctions on Moscow over its Ukraine invasion.



The “Baltic Leader” was headed for St. Petersburg but was diverted to the port of Boulogne-sur-Mer in northern France between 3 am and 4 am (0200-0300 GMT), Captain… Doorgaan