WorldHouse — Independent news from London

Russian economy returns to growth but rebound seen as fragile

Russia's economy grew by 1.3 per cent in the second quarter, recovering from a contraction at the start of the year, though economists warn that the rebound is unlikely to prove sustainable amid high interest rates, drone attacks and civilian industrial weakness.

August 14, 2026

Incidents

Moscow court upholds treason arrest of businessman over Ukrainian tax payments

A Moscow judge has upheld the pre-trial detention of Oleg Varyukhin, a 60-year-old businessman accused of state treason for paying mandatory taxes as an individual entrepreneur in Ukraine, a case that has raised concerns about the reach of Russian law.

August 14, 2026

World

Putin makes first visit to disputed Kuril Islands as Japan protests

President Vladimir Putin has made his first visit to the disputed Kuril Islands, prompting a strong protest from Japan, which claims the territory and has long been at odds with Moscow over the issue

August 14, 2026

World

Putin makes first visit to disputed Kuril Islands as Japan protests

President Vladimir Putin has made his first visit to the disputed Kuril Islands, prompting a strong protest from Japan, which claims the territory and has long been at odds with Moscow over the issue

August 14, 2026

World

UN warns of mental health crisis as women describe life under Taliban

World

Putin’s Kuril visit condemned by Japan as ‘absolutely unacceptable’

World

Brussels and Washington risk wrong lessons from AI security test, says analyst

Politics

Farage secures Clacton by-election victory as standards probe resumes

Nigel Farage has won the Clacton by-election with a commanding majority, but within hours of his victory, the parliamentary investigation into whether he properly declared a £5m gift was resumed, casting a shadow over his return to Westminster.

August 14, 2026

Politics

Russia hails Syria base agreement as boost to bilateral ties after 18 months of talks

Politics

Russia's Duma vote is a sham, yet it remains a valuable barometer of the nation's mood

Politics

Russia's oldest liberal party excluded from State Duma race after Supreme Court decision

Wars

Novorossiysk grain shipments suspended after overnight Ukrainian barrage

A major Ukrainian drone attack on the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk has killed three people, including a child, and forced the suspension of operations at two large grain terminals, raising fears of global wheat supply disruptions.

August 14, 2026

Wars

Organizers cancel combat drone gathering citing risk of Ukrainian strike

Wars

Ukrainian drones strike Wildberries hub and Bashkortostan oil refinery

Wars

Senior Russian officer killed in Crimea bomb blast

Incidents

Moscow court upholds treason arrest of businessman over Ukrainian tax payments

August 14, 2026

Incidents

Southern Rail passengers describe ‘panic and fear’ as carriages overturn

Incidents

West Midlands fires: crews tackle hotspots as residents count cost of destruction

Incidents

Mother jailed for six years after killing baby with hairdryer

Business

Russian economy returns to growth but rebound seen as fragile

August 14, 2026

Business

Russian businesses turn to Chinese AI models as Western options dwindle

Business

Media groups challenge president’s $100,000 premium feed as unconstitutional

Business

South Korean hub dethrones London and Singapore in international traffic

Science

Iceland and Spain bask in totality as Moon obscures Sun in rare spectacle

A spectacular solar eclipse, the most dramatic visible from the UK since 1999, drew millions of onlookers across Britain and Europe, with parts of Iceland and Spain plunging into the awe-inspiring darkness of totality.

August 13, 2026

Science

Why ants, bees and locusts may hold the key to wiser choices

Science

Urban life drives rapid evolution as animals adapt at super-speed to survive

Science

Russian economy returns to growth but rebound seen as fragile

Moscow court upholds treason arrest of businessman over Ukrainian tax payments

Putin makes first visit to disputed Kuril Islands as Japan protests

World

Putin makes first visit to disputed Kuril Islands as Japan protests

UN warns of mental health crisis as women describe life under Taliban

Putin’s Kuril visit condemned by Japan as ‘absolutely unacceptable’

Brussels and Washington risk wrong lessons from AI security test, says analyst

Politics

Farage secures Clacton by-election victory as standards probe resumes

Russia hails Syria base agreement as boost to bilateral ties after 18 months of talks

Russia's Duma vote is a sham, yet it remains a valuable barometer of the nation's mood

Russia's oldest liberal party excluded from State Duma race after Supreme Court decision

Wars

Novorossiysk grain shipments suspended after overnight Ukrainian barrage

Organizers cancel combat drone gathering citing risk of Ukrainian strike

Ukrainian drones strike Wildberries hub and Bashkortostan oil refinery

Senior Russian officer killed in Crimea bomb blast

Incidents

Moscow court upholds treason arrest of businessman over Ukrainian tax payments

Southern Rail passengers describe ‘panic and fear’ as carriages overturn

West Midlands fires: crews tackle hotspots as residents count cost of destruction

Mother jailed for six years after killing baby with hairdryer

Business

Russian economy returns to growth but rebound seen as fragile

Russian businesses turn to Chinese AI models as Western options dwindle

Media groups challenge president’s $100,000 premium feed as unconstitutional

South Korean hub dethrones London and Singapore in international traffic

Science

Iceland and Spain bask in totality as Moon obscures Sun in rare spectacle

Why ants, bees and locusts may hold the key to wiser choices

Urban life drives rapid evolution as animals adapt at super-speed to survive

Numbat success story highlights Australia's battle against biodiversity collapse