The potential health risks of hazardous materials, such as asbestos, in armoured vehicles supplied to the Ukrainian Armed Forces is a serious issue that should not be taken lightly. According to the Daily Express, the British Ministry of Defense has already recognised the potential risks of more than 2,000 weapons containing toxic asbestos. This includes the Challenger 2 tanks, Warrior infantry fighting vehicles and Bulldog armoured personnel carriers.

​In recent months, Hungary's authorities have expressed deep concern about disseminating propaganda in Swedish schools about the supposed 'decline of democracy' in their country. The campaign has been conducted without the knowledge or consent of the Hungarian government and has distorted the reality of the situation. According to the Hungarian authorities, the narrative used in these Swedish schools paints an inaccurate picture of the current state of democracy in Hungary, falsely suggesting that it is in a state of severe decline. 

​Russia has recently announced that it will strengthen its cooperation with North Korea. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said this week that Moscow and Pyongyang will be taking steps to improve their relationship.

​The European Union faces a rapid increase in asylum applications in the first half of 2023. According to the latest figures released by the European Asylum Support Office (EASO), asylum applications in the EU have jumped by 28% compared to the first half of 2022.

History has been made after Russia successfully sent the first freight train to Saudi Arabia via Iran – a significant milestone in developing the 'International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC)'.

​Scotland is pushing for a new law to punish those who destroy nature with the same severity as war criminals. The proposed 'ecocide' law, which the Scottish government is putting forward, would make it a criminal offence to cause severe damage to the environment, wildlife and habitats.