Mark Long

Ukraine has resumed its campaign of long-range drone attacks against Russian oil refineries, after a pause in recent weeks. The strikes target fuel production facilities deep inside Russia, aiming to cut into the revenues Moscow uses to fund its war effort and to disrupt domestic fuel supplies. Analysts say the resumption signals Kyiv's confidence in its drone capabilities and pressure on Russian energy infrastructure.

New figures show China surpassed the United States in 2024 as the world's largest spender on research and development for the first time. The shift marks a symbolic milestone in the two countries' long-running technological and industrial rivalry, with commentators debating what it means for future innovation leadership, semiconductor competition, and the balance of scientific power between the two economies.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Ukraine will resume strikes on Russian oil refineries. The statement signals a renewal of Kyiv's long-range campaign targeting Russia's fuel processing infrastructure, an effort aimed at cutting revenues funding Moscow's war and pressuring Russia's economy. Renewed attacks on energy facilities would be likely to further strain relations and affect global oil market sentiment.

Footage circulating online shows a missile striking the Borisoglebsk military airfield in Russia's Voronezh Oblast. Observers posting the clips stress the weapon was a missile rather than a drone, marking a notable escalation in long-range attacks on Russian military infrastructure. The extent of damage or casualties at the base has not been confirmed.

Ukraine has struck Russia's largest oil refinery in a strike reported to reach some 2,500 kilometres from Ukrainian territory, while Ukrainian forces also repelled a Russian offensive. Reports claim significant damage to refining capacity, with observers weighing the impact on Russia's fuel supplies and export revenues. Commentators are debating whether the deep strike marks a shift in Ukraine's long-range capabilities.

Ukraine has renewed its long-range drone attacks on Russian oil refineries after a pause observed during ceasefire negotiations, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed. The strikes target facilities key to Russia's war financing and energy exports. Commenters are weighing what the resumption means for fragile peace efforts and for global oil prices, with many calling it a signal that Kyiv will not hold back while talks stall.

Ukraine says a missile strike on a Russian airfield damaged six military aircraft. The claim, reported by U.S. News & World Report, has not been independently confirmed, and Russian officials have not publicly responded. The strike would represent a significant blow to Russian air capabilities if verified, as Ukraine continues long-range attacks on military targets deep behind the front line.

North Korea has carried out its first underwater-launched ballistic missile tests in nearly three years, according to major US news outlets reporting the development. The tests mark a resumption of a weapons category Pyongyang has previously used to demonstrate its ability to strike from submarines or submerged platforms. The launches are likely to draw international concern and possible discussion of a response at the UN.

Ukraine has resumed drone attacks on Russian oil refineries, renewing its campaign against facilities fueling Moscow's war effort. At the same time, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy voiced frustration with the United States, reportedly over pressure on Kyiv's strategy and delays in Western support. The strikes mark an escalation in long-range operations, while Zelenskyy's comments highlight growing friction between Ukraine and its key ally over how the war should be fought.

Ukraine has resumed long-range drone strikes on Russian oil refineries, according to a Reuters report. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy signalled a hardening stance, saying Ukraine is 'done', widely read as an end to hopes for immediate peace negotiations with Moscow. The strikes target Russia's refining capacity, a key source of war funding, and mark an escalation after a relative pause in attacks on Russian energy infrastructure.

Ukraine will resume attacks on Russian oil refineries, President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced. The strikes, which targeted Russia's refining capacity in earlier phases of the war, are being restarted as Kyiv seeks to pressure Moscow's economy and disrupt fuel supplies funding the Russian war effort. The announcement comes amid continued fighting and ongoing diplomatic efforts.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are dealing with unresolved questions over their security arrangements as the world marks the anniversary of Princess Diana's death. The timing draws attention to Harry's long-running dispute over police protection in Britain, a cause he links to his mother's death in a Paris car crash in 1997. Commentators are weighing the family's safety concerns against their life outside the royal fold.

Ukrainian drones struck a datacenter belonging to Russia's largest bank, Sberbank, in a facility reportedly worth around $1 billion. The attack marks an escalation in long-range strikes targeting Russian financial and digital infrastructure. Commentators are weighing the potential disruption to Sberbank's services and what it says about Ukraine's ability to hit high-value targets deep inside Russia.

Ukraine has resumed its campaign of attacks on Russian oil refineries, renewing a strategy aimed at cutting into Russia's fuel production and export revenues. The renewed strikes signal a return to long-range drone operations against energy infrastructure deep inside Russia, a tactic that previously disrupted fuel supplies and drew attention to Ukraine's growing strike capabilities.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, speaking to the Financial Times, said Ukraine will resume attacks on Russian oil refineries, declaring that a ban on such strikes has been lifted. He also expressed outrage over the halt of US intelligence sharing and degraded Starlink performance during intense Russian attacks, adding that Ukraine has had enough of the restrictions.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Ukraine is resuming attacks on Russian oil refineries, saying 'we're done' — apparently signalling the end of a pause on such strikes. The campaign has previously targeted Russian refining capacity, affecting fuel supplies. The announcement draws attention as energy infrastructure has become a central front in the war between the two countries.

Ukrainian forces reportedly struck Borisoglebsk airbase overnight with cruise missiles, destroying six Russian Su-34 fighter-bombers on the ground. If confirmed, the strike would be one of the heaviest single losses of Russian combat aviation in the war, deepening pressure on Moscow's air operations as the fighting continues.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Ukraine is done restraining its strikes on Russian oil refineries, signalling an escalation in its campaign against Russian energy infrastructure. Observers note frustration in Kyiv is driving the tougher stance, with refineries among the first targets hit as Ukraine intensifies long-range attacks.

Bank of England chief economist Huw Pill said that raising interest rates would not necessarily mark the beginning of a long sequence of hikes, signalling a more measured approach to future monetary policy. His remarks come as markets and businesses watch closely for clues on how far and how fast the BoE may move to curb inflation.

Ukrainian drones have struck a data center belonging to Sberbank, Russia's largest bank, according to Politico. The attack marks an escalation in Kyiv's campaign of long-range drone strikes targeting Russian infrastructure, hitting the technology backbone of the country's biggest financial institution. Details on damage or disruption to banking services were not immediately clear.

Ukraine is resuming attacks on Russian oil refineries while making ground gains under what is being called 'Operation Vivaldi', even as Russia continues intense drone and missile strikes. Observers note the shift signals Ukraine is pairing long-range strikes on energy infrastructure with territorial advances, rather than relying only on aerial and missile warfare.

The Justice Department has seized Representative Ilhan Omar's phone and issued subpoenas to members of her family as part of an investigation into her immigration status, according to NBC News. The Minnesota Democrat, who came to the United States as a refugee from Somalia, has faced repeated scrutiny from political opponents over her naturalization and asylum claims. The reported seizure and subpoenas mark a significant escalation in that long-running dispute.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has issued a list of demands directed at the World Bank. According to the claims, these include ending the bank's prohibition on financing upstream oil and gas projects, putting resources into deep-sea critical minerals mining, and reforming its procurement policies. The demands signal a push to steer the institution toward fossil fuel and mining finance.

Apple has announced its first foldable iPhone, priced from $1,999. The device marks the company's entry into the foldable phone market, a segment long dominated by Samsung and other Android manufacturers. Reactions are focusing on the premium price point and what the design means for the future of the iPhone line.

Metrologists are preparing to vote on abolishing the leap second, the occasional one-second adjustment added to Coordinated Universal Time since 1972 to keep clocks aligned with Earth's slowing rotation. The change would end a practice long criticised by tech companies and engineers, who say irregular adjustments cause glitches in software and satellite systems.

Chad and France have signed a new declaration covering military training and technology cooperation, months after N'Djamena ended the decades-long defence pact that had governed their security relationship. The arrangement marks a shift from a permanent French military presence toward a partnership based on training and equipment. Observers see it as Chad redefining its ties with Paris while keeping practical defence links intact.

A Norwegian government commission has recommended that the country's sovereign wealth fund, the world's largest, be allowed to invest in leading arms manufacturers as part of an overhaul of its ethics rules. The proposal would mark a significant shift for the fund, which has long excluded weapons producers under strict ethical guidelines.

Apple is preparing to roll out the first set of Apple Intelligence features in China in December, ending a long delay caused by years of regulatory scrutiny. The move marks the first time the company's AI capabilities will be available to Chinese users, a key market where the features have so far been unavailable despite launches elsewhere.

Norway's $2.3 trillion sovereign wealth fund, the world's largest, is being urged to loosen its ban on investing in companies linked to nuclear weapons. The proposal would mark a significant shift in the fund's ethical investment rules, which currently exclude defence contractors involved in nuclear arms. The Financial Times reported the call, prompting debate over how far responsible investment policies should stretch.

Portugal has moved to limit immigration, and Spain may soon adopt a similar approach. The shift marks a notable change for two countries that had long welcomed newcomers to offset ageing populations and labour shortages. Commenters are watching whether Spain's government follows suit and what the changes mean for migrants and employers in southern Europe.

Apple is preparing to roll out its first artificial intelligence features in China as soon as December, according to Bloomberg. The launch would mark the company's first step into the Chinese AI market, where it has faced regulatory hurdles and stiff local competition. The report gives no further detail on which features or devices will be included.

The eastern Pacific hurricane region has set a record for the number of large, long-lasting storms, and forecasters credit El Niño conditions. The climate pattern, marked by warmer-than-usual ocean waters, is fueling stronger and more prolonged tropical cyclones than usual. Coverage highlights the unusual intensity of the season and what it may signal for future storm activity in the Pacific.