COLD WAR: Latvia and Estonia have left a forum for eastern European co-operation with China, following Lithuania in downgrading ties with Beijing.

The forum was aimed at boosting economic co-operation across Eurasia, but trade routes have been cut off by Russia’s attack on Ukraine.

The withdrawal will see East-West ties deteriorate further as the US’s new cold war on China intensifies.

KASHMIR: Rebels stormed an army camp in Indian-controlled Kashmir today, killing four soldiers.

Two rebel fighters were also killed in the gun battle. Fighting against Indian rule in Kashmir has escalated after the region — claimed by both India and Pakistan in its entirety, though each controls just part of it — had its unique constitutional status as India’s only Muslim-majority state revoked by Narendra Modi’s government.

ENERGY: Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa said today that construction of a gas pipeline from Iberia to Italy is being considered because France opposes one across its territory.

Spain and Portugal receive gas via pipelines from Africa but these do not extend to other parts of Europe, and Mr Costa said a link could help replace Russian gas imports.