Oil and gas exports have sustained Russia’s finances throughout its war against Ukraine. But as the fourth anniversary of the full-scale invasion approaches, those cash flows have suddenly dwindled to lows not seen in years.

HONG KONG (AP) – Nearly five years after Hong Kong’s pro-democracy Apple Daily shut down, its founder, Jimmy Lai, jailed, the newspaper’s former staff and readers are lamenting the loss of the city’s press freedoms. Lai, 78, was sentenced Monday under a Beijing-imposed national security law to 20 years in prison.

UNITED NATIONS (AP) – The United Nations said Monday it’s waiting to find out how much of the nearly $4 billion the United States owes the world organization the Trump administration intends to pay and when the money will arrive. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned last week that the world body faces “imminent financial collapse”.

LONDON (AP) – British police said they were examining claims that the former Prince Andrew sent confidential trade reports to Jeffrey Epstein, as Prince William’s office said he was “deeply concerned” about the revelations coming out of the U.S. investigation into the late sex offender.

When they disintegrate, governments often do so slowly, then quickly. Despite dragooned public statements of support from the cabinet, the government of Keir Starmer gives every appearance of entering that second phase. In the wake of the scandal surrounding former Washington ambassador Peter Mandelson and his ties to deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

WASHINGTON (AP) – House lawmakers tried Monday to interview Ghislaine Maxwell, but the former confidant of Jeffrey Epstein invoked her Fifth Amendment rights to avoid answering questions that would be self-incriminating. The House Oversight Committee wanted Maxwell to answer questions during a video call to the federal prison where she’s serving a 20-year sentence.

NEW YORK (AP) – The FBI pored over Jeffrey Epstein’s bank records and emails. It searched his homes. It spent years interviewing his victims and examining his connections to some of the world’s most influential people. Investigators found scant evidence the well-connected financier led a sex trafficking ring serving powerful men.

LONDON (AP) – British Prime Minister Keir Starmer ‘s chief of staff resigned Sunday over the furor surrounding the appointment of Peter Mandelson as the U.K. ambassador to the U.S. despite his ties to Jeffrey Epstein. Morgan McSweeney said he took responsibility for advising Starmer to appoint Mandelson, 72, to Britain’s most important diplomatic post in 2024.