Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said today that western “pressure” was taking his country’s relationship with China to an “unprecedented high.” He was speaking in Beijing as officials signed agreements on trade and sports cooperation. After talks with Chinese Premier Li Qiang, he said the relationship is “characterised by mutual respect of each other’s interests, the desire to jointly respond to challenges […] and the pattern of sensational pressure from the collective West.”

Investigators around the world have long been uncovering criminal Triad activity, but many countries do not seem to have the political will to effectively try to thwart the se finely honed organizations.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said today he will not overrule former Governor General David Johnston’s decision not to hold an Inquiries Act probe into foreign meddling in Canadian politics. Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre reiterated claims that Johnston’s report “was rigged from the start” because Trudeau and Johnston are long-time family friends.

Russian officials and business leaders signed deals with their Cuban counterparts at a forum in Havana last week, including cooperation on refurbishing tourism infrastructure and a steel mill as well as committing to deliveries of Russian wheat and crude oil. Trade Minister Ricardo Cabrisas called the agreements “a milestone in the history of our bilateral and business ties.”