Wafideen Checkpoint, Syria | AFP | Syrian and Russian forces kept up military pressure on rebel-held Eastern Ghouta Thursday as their controversial unilateral truce failed to yield a humanitarian breakthrough. More than 40 trucks loaded with aid were unable to reach the 400,000 people living in the battered enclave, prompting …
Read More »US training Europeans to use nukes against Russia: Lavrov
Geneva, Switzerland | AFP | Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Wednesday accused Washington of training Europeans in the use of nuclear weapons, with the aim of using them against his country. “Nuclear disarmament is hampered by the US non-strategic nuclear weapons in Europe,” Lavrov told the UN Conference on Disarmament …
Read More »IOC lifts doping ban on Russia
Moscow, Russia | AFP | The International Olympic Committee has lifted a ban against Russia, Moscow officials said on Wednesday, after the country had been barred from the Pyeongchang games over state-sponsored doping. The news, confirmed later by the IOC, was announced as Olympic athletes were feted in the Kremlin, thanking …
Read More »Russia hacked Olympics computers, turned blame on N Korea: report
Washington, United States | AFP | Russian military spies hacked hundreds of computers used by Winter Olympics organizers and tried to make it look like the work of North Korea, the Washington Post reported Sunday, quoting US intelligence sources. South Korea had previously announced that it was investigating the failure of …
Read More »FIFA says it trusts Russia to ensure safe World Cup despite clashes
Moscow, Russia | AFP | The world football governing body FIFA expressed “complete trust” Friday in Russia’s ability to ensure a safe World Cup despite fan violence in Spain during which a policeman died. The Basque officer suffered a heart attack Thursday as hundreds of security forces clashed with supporters …
Read More »US blasts Russia over strikes on Syria rebel enclave
Washington, United States | AFP | The United States blasted Russia on Thursday over the bombing of Syria’s Eastern Ghouta, saying it has a “unique responsibility” for the more than 400 deaths in the Damascus suburb. After fresh air and rocket strikes by Syrian government forces killed another 46, State …
Read More »Giant mosaic unveiled in world’s second largest Orthodox church
Belgrade, Serbia | AFP | A four-million-euro mosaic depicting Jesus Christ inside the world’s second largest Orthodox church was unveiled in Belgrade on Thursday. The giant mosaic, which weighs 40 tons and was worked on by 70 Serbian and Russian artists, decorates the central dome of the city’s Saint Sava …
Read More »White House denies being weak on Russia, says more sanctions to come
Washington, United States | AFP | The White House is weighing additional sanctions against Russia, senior administration officials said Wednesday, pushing back against allegations that Donald Trump has been a soft touch on Moscow. Speaking on condition of anonymity, officials said a “task force” has been set up to address …
Read More »Russia seeks UN Security Council meeting on Eastern Ghouta
United Nations, United States | AFP | Russia called for a UN Security Council meeting to be held Thursday on the violence engulfing Eastern Ghouta after Secretary-General Antonio Guterres described life for civilians in the rebel-held Syrian enclave as “hell on earth.” Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia told the council on …
Read More »Lawyer pleads guilty to lying in Russia probe
Washington, United States | AFP | A lawyer linked to a former campaign aide of President Donald Trump pleaded guilty to lying to FBI agents Tuesday, as the probe into Russian election meddling gains pace. Special prosecutor Robert Mueller’s powerful team of investigators accused Alex van der Zwaan of knowingly …
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