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Sunday February 8 2026
Preparing for war or preventing it? Xi’s military purges and Taiwan timeline

Preparing for war or preventing it? Xi’s military purges and Taiwan timeline

China’s accelerating nuclear expansion and the sweeping purge of senior military figures have unfolded over a clearly traceable sequence, pointing to a pivotal phase in Xi Jinping’s rule. After more than a decade in power, Xi has consolidated authority to a degree unseen since Mao, yet developments since the early 2020s suggest growing anxiety, both about China’s external security environment and about the reliability of its own armed forces, at a time when tensions over Taiwan have steadily intensified.

Oil benchmarks slip across the board as weekly averages decline

Oil benchmarks slip across the board as weekly averages decline

This week saw a downward adjustment across key oil benchmarks, including Azeri Light, Urals, and Dated Brent, reflecting a broader softening in prices compared to the previous week, Azernews reports.

Iran plans to link Ardabil railway to Azerbaijan and Central Asia

Iran plans to link Ardabil railway to Azerbaijan and Central Asia

Iran intends to connect the Ardabil railway line to Azerbaijan as part of a broader strategy to expand regional trade and transport links, Iranian Deputy Minister of Roads and Urban Development Houshang Bazvand has said, Azernews reports.

IAEA: Ukraine's nuclear plants cut power after strikes

IAEA: Ukraine's nuclear plants cut power after strikes

Ukraine's nuclear power plants halted electricity production on Saturday after Russian overnight attacks damaged substations and cut power lines, according to a statement by International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi, Azernews reports.

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