You can normally expect Russian state TV’s flagship weekly news programme to trumpet Kremlin successes. But yesterday’s edition opened with a rare admission. “On the frontlines of the special operation [in Ukraine], this has been the toughest week so far,” declared sombre-looking anchor Dmitry Kiselev. “It was particularly tough along the Kharkiv front, where following an onslaught by enemy forces that outnumbered ours, [Russian] troops were forced to leave towns they had previously liberated.” For “liberated”, read “seized”. Moscow had occupied those areas months ago, but after a lightning counter-offensive by the Ukrainian army, the Russian military has lost considerable territory in north-east Ukraine. Still, Russian state media are putting a brave face on things. Officially, what happened in Kharkiv region isn’t being referred to here as a “retreat”. “The Russian defence ministry dismissed rumours that Russian troops fled in disgrace from Balakliya, Kupiansk and Izyum,” claimed the latest edition of the government paper, Rossiyskaya Gazeta. “They didn’t flee. This was a pre-planned regrouping.”(BBC)…[+]

Antigua and Barbuda will vote on whether to become a republic following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, the country’s prime minister has said. Gaston Browne said a referendum could take place within three years – but emphasised that the move was “not an act of hostility”. He made the comments after confirming Charles III as King and head of state of the Caribbean nation. Mr Browne said he intended to introduce the referendum if re-elected next year. While he expects to win that election – his party holds 15 of the 17 seats in the House of Representatives – he accepted that there hadn’t been any major demand to hold a vote among citizens. “I think most people haven’t even bothered to think about it,” Mr Browne told ITV News. Earlier, Australia ruled out a similar vote within the next four years. The Queen’s death has reignited Australia’s monarchy debate, and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who was elected in May, is a republican. But he ruled out a poll in his first term and told Sky News that “the bigger questions about our constitution are not ones for this current period”. “This is a period in which we are sharing the grief that so many Australians are feeling at the moment, showing our deep respect and admiration for the contribution of the Queen to Australia,” Mr Albanese said.(BBC)…[+]

Japanese officials may further relax border controls for foreign travellers as a way to boost its economy, local reports say. Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Seiji Kihara told local TV a weak yen was “most effective in attracting inbound tourism”. The yen slid to its lowest point against the US dollar in 24 years last week, dropping as much as 1.7 percent. He said a cap on daily entries could be lifted in the “not so distant future”. Japan has barred most foreign visitors for the last two years amid measures to slow the spread of Covid. Last year, overseas visitors were even banned from the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. However earlier this month the number of foreign tourists allowed to enter the country was raised to 50,000 per day from 20,000, and tourists were no longer required to travel with a guide.(BBC)…[+]