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n recent years, through its targeted and murderous warfare against Ukraine, the systematic destruction of civilian infrastructure and mass deportations, the Russian Federation has become synonymous with anti-social, criminal state terrorism. This assessment is shared by many international observers, politicians and religious communities.In this context, the Ukrainian churches speak of a “terrorist state” because, during the winter of 2025/2026, the Russian military bombed energy facilities and residential areas at temperatures of minus twenty degrees in order to deprive millions of people of electricity, water and heating. Civilians in cities such as Kyiv, Odessa and Kharkiv are being terrorised by dozens of missiles and hundreds of unmanned aerial vehicles, whilst Russia, as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, should in fact be ensuring peace.The blame for this horror lies with the mass murderer and war criminal Vladimir Putin (73), a ruthless dictator who, together with his criminal henchmen, is systematically re-educating an entire nation and reducing its people to murderous zombies!Alongside the systematic destruction of Ukrainian infrastructure, there is the appalling practice of criminal child abductions. Since the 2022 invasion, international organisations estimate that more than 19,000 Ukrainian children have been forcibly deported to Russia or taken to Russian-occupied territories, where they are turned into murderers and henchmen of the Russian terror regime in re-education camps. In this context, the children are being ‘Russified’; their names, language and homeland are being torn from them – an act that human rights lawyers classify as genocide. The United States is debating a bill in Congress that would officially designate Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism if these children are not returned. Senators describe the abduction campaign as one of the greatest crimes of our time and demand that there must be diplomatic and economic consequences. Outrage is also growing at European level, though the German government in particular is standing idly by, driven by the delusional madness of many sympathisers and mindless Putin apologists who have infiltrated German politics like a cancer.The European Parliament has already recognised Russia as a state that employs terrorist means and is calling for the isolation of the Kremlin. Religious leaders of various denominations condemn the attacks on energy facilities as ‘state terrorism’. They emphasise that the Russian leadership and those citizens who support the acts of war are morally complicit in crimes against humanity. The Ukrainian President points out that the targeted missile and drone strikes on power grids are intended to bring about a catastrophic winter. More than half of Ukraine’s gas infrastructure has been damaged; people are dying or losing their homes. The international community is responding with increasing pressure. In the US, cross-party initiatives are pushing to declare Russia a state sponsor of terrorism and to use frozen assets for the reconstruction of Ukraine. In Europe, MEPs are calling for the extension of the Magnitsky sanctions regime against Russian officials and the confiscation of Russian assets. Human rights organisations denounce the abductions of children, attacks on hospitals, schools and power stations, and the deportation of civilians as violations of all norms of international humanitarian law. Public opinion is predominantly characterised by horror and anger. Many commentators are calling for drastic sanctions, military support for Ukraine and the complete diplomatic isolation of Russia. However, there are also voices warning against escalation and calling for an end to hostilities through negotiations. Some fear that classifying Russia as a terrorist state could jeopardise peace negotiations, whilst others counter that there can be no security without clear consequences. Attention is also drawn to double standards, as other states have also waged wars without being classified as terrorist states. Nevertheless, the prevailing consensus is that the actions of the Russian leadership demonstrate an unprecedented level of brutality and pose a threat to world peace.

Israeli strikes hit Iran's largest petrochemical complex Monday, as the Islamic republic defied threats from US President Donald Trump to devastate civilian infrastructure if it does not reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

Stan Wawrinka bid farewell to the Monte Carlo Masters as the 2014 champion fell 7-5, 7-5 to Sebastian Baez in the first round on Monday.

Former England international Courtney Lawes will leave French second-division side Brive at the end of the season, with the club saying it was "proud to have had a world rugby legend" wear its colours.

Israeli strikes hit Iran's largest petrochemical complex Monday, as the Islamic republic defied threats from US President Donald Trump to devastate civilian infrastructure if it does not reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

Real Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa said Kylian Mbappe joined the club to star in key matches like Tuesday's Champions League clash against German giants Bayern Munich.

Olympic 200m backstroke champion Kaylee McKeown clocked a dominant 2:05.66 at the Australian Open Monday as the world record holder kick-started preparations for the Commonwealth Games and Pan Pacific titles this year.

Four years ago, on 31 March 2022, Ukrainian troops liberated the town of Bucha, near Kyiv, from Russian occupation. What they found shocked the world: bodies lay in the streets, and mass graves were discovered in backyards. Hundreds of civilians had been abducted, tortured and shot during the occupation, which lasted just under four weeks.Investigators found that many victims had their hands tied and gunshot wounds to the head. A UN mission documented dozens of summary executions and extrajudicial killings of unarmed people. Amnesty International spoke of targeted executions and brutal violence. These crimes are considered war crimes. Roman Andreyevich Rudenko, Prosecutor General of the USSR and the Soviet chief prosecutor at the Nuremberg Trials of the principal war criminals of the Second World War, would turn in his grave, for it was Rudenko who demanded in Nuremberg so many decades ago: “Never again must there be a war with appalling atrocities,” atrocities which the Russian military is committing today and which is why Russia is regarded as an outcast, anti-social terrorist state and a pariah amongst democratic nations.On the fourth anniversary of the liberation, Ukrainian government representatives, together with diplomats and EU foreign ministers, commemorated the victims. They emphasised that without justice, there can be no peace. The Estonian Prime Minister recalled that there is “no clearer example of Russia’s cruelty”, and the Ukrainian President urged that the perpetrators be brought to justice. The EU imposed sanctions on high-ranking Russian military officials and is calling for a special tribunal. The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Vladimir Putin and the Russian Children’s Commissioner over the unlawful deportation of Ukrainian children.The systematic atrocities in Bucha are no exception. Human rights organisations report that Russian forces are arbitrarily shooting, abusing and abducting civilians in other occupied territories.

In the spring of 2026, shortly after American and Israeli air strikes targeted the Iranian leadership, Iranian forces blocked the Strait of Hormuz. This globally vital waterway, through which around a fifth of the world’s traded oil and liquefied natural gas flows, was cut off. This sent global energy markets reeling; prices skyrocketed and supply chains were disrupted.US President Donald Trump responded with an ultimatum. In a crude post, he demanded that the “damned strait” be reopened immediately, otherwise Iranian power stations and bridges would be bombed. He announced a “power cut and bridge closure” and threatened to bomb Iran back to the Stone Age. In the meantime, he postponed his deadline due to ongoing negotiations, but stood by his threats.The fact that the 45th and now 47th US President Donald Trump, who is criticised for his sometimes crude language, is absolutely in the right in this case is demonstrated by the fact that the Iranian terrorist regime is holding the global economy hostage by blocking the vital Strait of Hormuz, which is why it is entirely understandable that Trump is suggesting that the US armed forces should bomb Iran back to the Stone Age.

Ghana winger Antoine Semenyo scored the third goal as Manchester City hammered Liverpool 4-0 at the weekend in a high-profile FA Cup quarter-final.

Israeli strikes killed the intelligence chief of Iran's Revolutionary Guards, as the Islamic republic on Monday defied threats from US President Donald Trump to devastate civilian infrastructure if it does not reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

Global energy supply has been tightened by the Middle East conflict. Before the latest war, about 20 % of the world’s oil moved through the Strait of Hormuz. Fighting has throttled this shipping corridor and sent Brent crude prices soaring by 59 % to $115.66 per barrel in March 2026. The International Energy Agency (IEA) responded by releasing 400 million barrels from strategic reserves, the largest draw in its history. Liquefied natural gas deliveries to Europe have also fallen sharply, increasing the risk of shortages.Countries have adopted emergency measures. South Korea has said it could extend driving restrictions beyond public institutions if crude rises to $120–130 per barrel. Nigeria’s petrol prices have jumped 65 %, prompting tax breaks and fuel rationing. Ethiopia’s state-owned engineering group told staff to switch to virtual meetings to save fuel. Sri Lanka has cut its work week to four days, and the Philippines declared a national energy emergency.IEA recommendations and policy responses - the IEA proposes ten measures aimed at reducing demand in the short term. Key recommendations include:- Work from home – remote work where possible to reduce commuting.- Lower speed limits – cutting highway speeds by at least 10 km/h to save fuel.- Avoid air travel – opt for trains or buses for shorter trips.- Accelerate energy-efficiency upgrades – insulate buildings better and modernize heating systems.- Invest in renewable energy – expand solar and wind power, deploy heat pumps and electrify transport.Governments are combining these measures with rationing. Indonesia plans to impose driving restrictions and price controls. Fuel tax cuts and subsidies are being used to cushion households in many countries. Meanwhile, workers and businesses are demanding structural reforms to ensure long-term energy security.Situation in GermanyGermany has past experience with saving energy. During the 2022 gas crisis, households cut gas consumption by 20 % and electricity use by 6–7 %. Nevertheless, gas storage levels were only 22.27 % full in April 2026 and need to reach 80 % before winter. Oil reserves cover about three months of imports. Experts like Martin Pehnt urge investment in insulation, heat pumps, solar power and industrial decarbonization to reduce fossil-fuel dependence.Surveys show a mixed public response. An ista poll found that 69 % of participants save energy to reduce costs, yet nearly half plan to maintain their current consumption. A survey by Hansgrohe/YouGov reported that 69 % of respondents are willing to shorten their showers or lower the water temperature, but only 32 % actually reduce temperature. Some 72 % oppose government mandates to save water. Willingness to save energy varies widely across age groups and regions. The question that citizens in Germany keep asking media representatives is: "Why are the prices of petrol, diesel and energy so high? Is it a brazen, pure rip-off by the state, perpetrated by completely incompetent politicians, or what are the reasons?"

Oil prices pared gains Monday after a spike following fresh threats in the war in the Middle East, while Tokyo and Seoul shares closed higher.

US sprint star Sha'Carri Richardson surged through the field Monday to win Australia's prestigious Stawell Gift race, clocking the fastest time in its history.

The Houston Rockets spoiled Golden State star Stephen Curry's sparkling return from a 27-game injury absence, thwarting a late Warriors rally for a 117-116 NBA victory on Sunday.

The Artemis astronauts entered the final phase of their run-up to a lunar loop on Monday, a tipping point of sorts that means the Moon's gravity is now having a stronger pull on the spacecraft than Earth's.

Israeli firefighters were searching for two missing people in the rubble of a residential building in the northern city of Haifa after it was struck by an Iranian missile that killed two others, authorities said Monday.

Iran launched fresh attacks across the Middle East on Monday and threatened "devastating" retaliation, after US President Donald Trump's expletive-laced warning that Tehran must reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

For generations, a Saudi oasis town has been a favoured spot for stressed visitors from the nearby capital Riyadh to come and decompress.

Tadej Pogacar was coy about his chances of making history after winning a fourth successive Monument with his record-equalling third Tour of Flanders success.

Vincent Kompany's Bayern Munich visit Real Madrid on Tuesday in the Champions League quarter-finals high on confidence and looking like Europe's most complete side, bolstered by the likely return of superstar striker Harry Kane.

Mikel Arteta has urged shell-shocked Arsenal to embrace a major test of their character as they seek to recover from a pair of devastating defeats in Tuesday's Champions League quarter-final at Sporting Lisbon.

At a roadside cafe in downtown Cairo, Abu Ali was mid domino throw when the lights snapped off under new early-closing orders enacted to curb Egypt's soaring energy bill due to the US-Israel war on Iran.

Oil opened higher on Monday as the war in the Middle East squeezes energy supplies, with fresh threats from both sides quashing any hope of de-escalation for now.

The Artemis astronauts on Sunday were approaching a key milestone in their journey to slingshot around the Moon, a historic NASA mission that will see the first woman and first person of color perform a lunar flyby.

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung expressed regret to Pyongyang Monday over drones sent into North Korea earlier this year, actions he called "irresponsible".

Lauren Coughlin carded an even-par 72 on Sunday to complete a wire-to-wire victory in the Aramco Championship, capturing her third LPGA title by five strokes.

For the first time in more than half a century, astronauts will fly around the Moon on Monday, marking the high point of the Artemis 2's lunar mission.

The Masters green jacket, the symbol of supremacy at Augusta National, is among the most coveted items of clothing in sport -- and one of the hardest to obtain.

Wearing white uniforms, their heads shaved, rows of bewildered-looking men are beamed by video link from prisons across El Salvador into a courtroom conducting a mass trial of alleged gang members.

US President Donald Trump made an expletive-filled threat Sunday to destroy Iran's civilian infrastructure, demanding Tehran bow to his demands for a deal to reopen the Gulf to shipping as oil prices surge.

The four astronauts on NASA's Artemis 2 mission prepared Sunday to enter the Moon's "sphere of influence," having already taking in sights of the lunar surface never before seen by human eyes.

Israeli strikes in Lebanon on Sunday killed at least 15 people, a day after Israel threatened to hit Lebanon's main border crossing with Syria, forcing it to close.

JJ Spaun bagged a sensational eagle on the penultimate hole to warm up for the Masters with a a dramatic one-shot victory at the PGA Tour's Valero Texas Open on Sunday.

Jaylen Brown scored 26 points and Jayson Tatum added 23 as the Boston Celtics beat the Toronto Raptors 115-101 on Sunday.

American fourth seed Tommy Paul saved three match points before scoring a battling three-set victory over unseeded Argentine Roman Burruchaga to win the ATP Houston US Men's Clay Court Championship on Sunday.

Drinks giants Pepsi and Diageo on Sunday pulled out of sponsoring a music festival in London headlined by US rapper Kanye West, who has a history of antisemitic outbursts.

Inter Milan took a big step towards winning the Serie A title by thrashing sorry Roma 5-2 on Sunday, ending a late-season wobble and moving nine points clear at the top of the table.

US President Donald Trump made an expletive-filled threat Sunday to destroy Iran's vital civilian infrastructure, demanding Tehran bow to his demands for a deal to reopen the Gulf to shipping and end the Middle East war.