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EXPLAINER-Is it legal for foreigners to fight for Ukraine?

As thousands of would-be fighters from outside the country volunteer to help Ukraine defend itself against Russia's invasion, some may also face legal consequences in their home countries. Citizens of…

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FACTBOX-Global fuel subsidies ramped up to counter energy price spike

SINGAPORE, March 17 (Reuters) - Countries have announced fuel subsidies to cushion consumers from the impact of soaring energy prices after oil skyrocketed last week to 14-year highs. Here are the measures…

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Factbox: Sweden or Austria as military model for Ukraine neutrality

Ukraine could become a non-aligned or neutral state like Sweden or Austria, Russia said on Wednesday, as it seeks a compromise with Kyiv to end three weeks of war. Here…

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EXPLAINER – Can Russia pay its creditors, and what happens if not?

Russia is due to pay $117 million in interest on two dollar-denominated sovereign bonds on Wednesday - the first such payments since its invasion of Ukraine which sparked a raft…

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Explainer: Massive risks keep talk of Ukraine no-fly zone firmly grounded

Russia's invasion of Ukraine has prompted repeated calls from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy for an international no-fly zone to protect his country, but these have been roundly rejected by the…

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FACTBOX-U.S. banks in Russia by the numbers

NEW YORK, (Reuters) - Major U.S. banks have started announcing plans to wind down operations in Russia in the wake of its invasion of Ukraine and retaliatory sanctions. On Thursday, Goldman Sachs…

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FACTBOX-European and U.S. companies mobilise to help Ukrainians fleeing war

(Reuters) - Companies across Europe and North America have begun offering aid to Ukrainian authorities and people fleeing war following Russia's invasion, as over two million leave their homes and head to safety in…

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FACTBOX-Airline hedging and surcharges offset some oil price pain

March 11 (Reuters) - The price of oil this week surged to its highest point since 2008 after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, adding to airline costs at a time when carriers have been…

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FACTBOX-What assets do UK-sanctioned Russian oligarchs have?

LONDON, March 10 (Reuters) - Britain imposed sanctions on Chelsea soccer club owner Roman Abramovich and Igor Sechin, the chief executive of Russian oil giant Rosneft, hitting them with asset freezes and…

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FACTBOX-Seized or sailing away: What we know about oligarchs and their assets

March 10 (Reuters) - What we know about Russia's oligarchs and their assets: ALISHER USMANOV Alisher Usmanov, 68, metals and telecoms tycoon with an estimated $16.2 billion net worth has been sanctioned…

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FACTBOX-Harsh words, tough action: how companies have rebuffed Russia

March 6 (Reuters) - Corporate actions to censure Russia after its invasion of Ukraine vary widely and include some measures required by law and some voluntary, with comments ranging from harsh condemnations…

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Factbox: The chain of command for potential Russian nuclear strikes

Russian President Vladimir Putin said that his nation's nuclear forces should be put on high alert, raising fears that Russia's invasion of Ukraine could lead to nuclear escalation. Here is…

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Explainer: Which international banks are exposed to Russia?

The latest wave of sanctions on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine has thrown the global banking industry deeper into turmoil, as Western countries try to squeeze Moscow's access to…

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Dramatic Zelenskiy call prompted EU move to provide arms

Early on Saturday morning, some 48 hours after Russian military forces had pushed into his country, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy put in a call from Kyiv to Brussels with a…

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FACTBOX-Stranded assets: How many billions are stuck in Russia?

NEW YORK (Reuters) - So far global companies, banks and investors have announced that they have exposure in some form to Russia of more than $110 billion. That number could rise. Data from research…

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FACTBOX-European and U.S. companies mobilize to help Ukrainians fleeing war

March 4 (Reuters) - Companies across Europe and North America have begun offering aid to Ukrainian authorities and people fleeing war following Russia's invasion, as over a million leave their homes and…

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FACTBOX-European and U.S. companies mobilise to help Ukrainians fleeing war

Companies across Europe and North America have begun offering aid to Ukrainian authorities and people fleeing war following Russia's invasion, as over a million leave their homes and head to…

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Five facts about Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant

VIENNA, March 4 (Reuters) - Below are five facts about the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine, the biggest in Europe by capacity, which Russian troops have seized, according to the regional…

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FACTBOX-Emergency measures announced by Russia’s central bank

MOSCOW, Feb 28 (Reuters) - The Russian Central Bank Governor Elvira Nabiullina spoke at an online news conference after the central bank hiked its key rate to 20% in an emergency move…

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Why the Chernobyl disaster site is important for Russia

Russian and Ukrainian forces fought on Thursday for control of Chernobyl, the still radioactive site of the world's worst nuclear accident and a factor in the collapse of the Soviet…

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EXPLAINER-How Western sanctions target Russia

Feb 25 (Reuters) - The United States, Britain and other Western nations have hit Russia with new sanctions following Russian's invasion of Ukraine on Thursday. The European Union broadly agreed new measures,…

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Factbox – Russian gas pipeline leading to Europe

(Reuters) - Europe’s gas market remains volatile amid tensions between Moscow and the West over Ukraine, a key route for Russian gas, as Gazprom, source for 40% of Europe’s needs,…

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How a Russia-Ukraine conflict might hit global markets

A potential invasion of Ukraine by neighbouring Russia would be felt across a number of markets, from wheat and energy prices and the region's sovereign dollar bonds to safe-haven assets…

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Why has France been at war for a decade in the West African desert?

France and military allies are leaving Mali after using it for almost a decade as a base for fighting Islamist insurgents who continue to wreak havoc and control swathes of…

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FACTBOX – Commodity supplies at risk if Russia hit by sanctions

MOSCOW, Feb 18 (Reuters) - Escalating tensions between Moscow and Western countries over Ukraine and the possibility of sanctions against Russia have fuelled fears supplies of key commodities produced and exported by…

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FACTBOX – UK inflation at 30-year high – what’s changed since 1992?

LONDON, Feb 16 (Reuters) - Britain's inflation rate hit its highest since March 1992 in January when it rose to 5.5% and is expected to extend its climb to above 7% in…

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Why Putin is so preoccupied with Ukraine and why he has chosen to bring the crisis to a head now

Ukraine has become the main flashpoint in Moscow's relations with the West, with Russian troops massed near its border and NATO's forces on standby in case Russia attacks its neighbour.…

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Explainer: Why Europe faces climbing energy bills

LONDON (Reuters) - Households across Europe are facing much higher energy bills this year and beyond due to a global surge in wholesale power and gas prices, with consumer groups…

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The military balance: How Ukraine’s armed forces shape up against Russia’s

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has signed a decree on increasing the size of Ukraine's armed forces by about 100,000 troops over three years and raising soldiers' pay. Ukraine's armed forces are…

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A look at the Ottawa protests: What you need to know about the anti-vaccine convoys

Horn-blaring demonstrations demanding an end to Canadian COVID-19 vaccine mandates have caused gridlock in the capital Ottawa since late January. The protests by truckers and others are now spilling to…

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EXPLAINER – Europe’s banks fear payment system could be casualty of Russia-Ukraine crisis

FRANKFURT (Reuters) - Amid fears of a Russian invasion of Ukraine, Italy's UniCredit has backed out of a potential acquisition in Russia and Austria's Raiffeisen Bank International has set aside…

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Factbox: Key nominations for 94th Academy Awards

Nominations for the 94th Academy Awards, the highest honors in the film industry, were announced this week. The awards will be presented on March 27. Following is the list of…

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FACTBOX – From sleaze scandal to lockdown parties: trying times for UK PM Johnson

LONDON, Feb 9 (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's leadership credentials have been badly tarnished by controversies and missteps in recent months, leading to calls from some of his…

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Factbox: NATO troops and possible reinforcements in Eastern Europe, Baltics

PRAGUE (Reuters) - The United States has announced plans to send nearly 3,000 extra troops to Poland and Romania to shield NATO allies in Eastern Europe from a potential spillover…

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What is the EU’s sustainable finance taxonomy?

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Supporters say it's the world's most ambitious green investment rulebook and could direct huge sums of money into fighting climate change. Critics say it's a "greenwashing" exercise…

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EXPLAINER-Why Europe faces climbing energy bills

(Reuters) - Households across Europe are facing much higher energy bills this year and beyond due to a global surge in wholesale power and gas prices, with consumer groups warning…

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Islamic State’s status in Iraq and Syria after the loss of second leader in two years

ISTANBUL (Reuters) - The death of its second leader in just over two years has dealt another blow to Islamic State, the extremist jihadist group which once ruled large parts…

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FACTBOX – Europe’s efforts to shield households from soaring energy costs

LONDON - Energy prices for millions of British households are set to soar from April after the country's regulator Ofgem said on Thursday that it would raise its cap on…

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FACTBOX-Which UK Conservative lawmakers have called for confidence vote in PM Johnson?

LONDON, Feb 4 (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is fighting to shore up his authority after five aides quit his administration, including one of his closest advisers who…

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Factbox: Five potential flashpoints between Russia and Ukraine

MOSCOW/KYIV (Reuters) - Are Russian forces getting ready for war in Ukraine? That is certainly the fear among Western leaders and in Ukraine as Russia and the West prepare for…

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EXPLAINER-Flurry of missile tests displays N.Korea’s increasingly diverse arsenal

This January has been one of the busiest months ever for North Korea's missile testing, with launches displaying a dizzying array of weapon types, launch locations, and increasing sophistication. From…

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EXPLAINER – Could more LNG supplies get to Europe in the event of a crisis?

The United States, the world's top natural gas producer, is in talks with major energy-producing countries and companies over a potential diversion of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Europe if…

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FACTBOX-What are Europe’s options in case of Russian gas disruption?

Tensions between Russia and Ukraine have heightened concerns about Russian gas flows, prompting the United States to assure European allies it will help them find alternative supplies. The U.S. administration…

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How a Russian-Ukraine conflict might hit global markets

A potential invasion of Ukraine by neighbouring Russia would be felt across a number of markets, from wheat and energy prices and the region's sovereign dollar bonds to safe have…

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FACTBOX- How the complex vote for the Italian President takes place

ROME (Reuters) - The Italian parliament will convene on Jan. 24 to begin voting for a new head of state to replace the outgoing Sergio Mattarella. The voting procedure is…

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EXPLAINER-How Western sanctions might target Russia

Growing tensions between Moscow and Western powers have raised the prospect of new sanctions being imposed on Russia, possibly the severest yet, if it attacks neighbouring Ukraine. U.S. Senate Democrats…

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Factbox: Russian military drills in Belarus create new threats for Ukraine

Joint military exercises between Russia and Belarus in the coming weeks will provide Russian President Vladimir Putin with new options if he decides to attack Ukraine and will further stretch…

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SCENARIOS-Italian parties look to solve presidential conundrum, avoid political chaos

ROME (Reuters) - The Italian parliament will convene on Jan. 24 to begin voting for a new head of state to replace the outgoing Sergio Mattarella. The president is highly…

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FACTBOX-How could UK PM Johnson be ousted by unhappy lawmakers?

LONDON, Jan 12 (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is facing increasing anger among his lawmakers, many of whom believe he is squandering his Conservative Party's successes by self-inflicted…

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EXPLAINER-Do 5G telecoms pose a threat to airline safety?

Major international airlines rushed to rejig or cancel flights to the United States ahead of a 5G wireless rollout on Wednesday that has triggered safety concerns, despite wireless carriers saying…

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FACTBOX-Who could be Britain’s next prime minister if Johnson is ousted?

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is fighting a rebellion among his own lawmakers over revelations of lockdown-breaching parties at his official residence, putting his future as leader into question. Below…

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Factbox: Former Kazakh leader’s family wealth in spotlight after unrest

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev hinted on Tuesday that associates of his predecessor and former patron Nursultan Nazarbayev needed to share their wealth with the public to help alleviate discontent after…

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Lockdown party allegations facing UK PM Johnson

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has apologised for attending a "bring your own booze" gathering at his official residence during Britain's first coronavirus lockdown, and an internal inquiry is being carried…

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Factbox: How Americans can get free COVID-19 tests promised by Biden

Americans will be able to order free COVID-19 tests online beginning Jan. 19, part of a plan by President Joe Biden to distribute 1 billion at-home rapid kits to fight…

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‘Keep the defender guessing’: Russia’s military options on Ukraine

Russia's deployment of tens of thousands of troops to the north, east and south of Ukraine is fuelling fears in Kyiv and Western capitals that Moscow is planning a new…

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Ukraine crisis: what next after a week of talks and tension?

A burst of East-West diplomacy this week produced no breakthrough on the Ukraine crisis and tensions are arguably higher than before, with Ukraine suffering a massive cyberattack and Russia rehearsing…

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What military titles and patronages has Prince Andrew lost?

Prince Andrew has been effectively removed from all his connections as a working royal as he faces a civil sexual assault case in the United States. The 61-year-old, who is the…

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