Russia
Russia: court jails Jehovah’s Witness for practising banned faith
By Obi Obumneme Russian court sentenced a Jehovah’s Witness on Tuesday to six years in prison for practising his faith, which is banned in the country, the organisation and local media reported. The controversial Christian faith, which does not observe many traditional doctrines including Christmas and Easter because it considers them tinged with paganism, is …
Xi Jinping, US defence chief meet amid troubled security relations
Chinese President Xi Jinping told US Defense Secretary James Mattis Wednesday the two countries must sustain the “good momentum” of their military relationship, amid US worries about China’s projection of power across the Indo-Pacific. Mattis, visiting Beijing to take the measure of China’s global security ambitions, especially in the South China Sea, told Xi he …
Pompeo, top North Korean official plan summit as Lavrov meets Kim
[/caption] US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and a top North Korean official are set to continue talks in New York on Thursday to try to salvage next month’s nuclear summit, as Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov flew into Pyongyang for discussions with Kim Jong Un. Kim Yong Chol, considered the North Korean leader’s …
Vladimir Putin sworn in as president for fourth term
Vladimir Putin was sworn in as Russia’s president for a fourth term on Monday, extending his almost two-decade rule by another six years at a time of high tension with his Western rivals. The 65-year-old, in power since 1999, is on course to become the longest-serving Russian leader since Joseph Stalin after his victory in …
US, France, Britain Launch New UN Bid For Syria Chemical Weapons Probe
The United States, France and Britain on Saturday launched a new bid at the United Nations to investigate chemical weapons attacks in Syria, just hours after firing military strikes against Syrian targets. The three allies circulated a joint draft resolution at the Security Council that also calls for unimpeded deliveries of humanitarian aid, enforcing a …
Protest erupts in Damascus after U.S.-led airstrikes in Syria
Hours after airstrikes by the U.S., Britain and France against the regime of Bashar al-Assad, pro-government supporters flooded the streets of Syria’s capital on Saturday to show their solidarity. Convoys of honking cars accompanied Syrian flags and victory signs in Damascus’ Omayyad Square immediately after the attack. Some residents waved the flags of regime allies …
UN warns against letting Syria crisis ‘spiral’ out of control
The United Nations warned world powers against letting the crisis over an alleged chemical attack against civilians in Syria from “spiraling out of control” after US President Donald Trump said “missiles will be coming.” As tensions mounted over a face-off with Damascus-ally Russia, opponents of unilateral US action called an emergency closed-door meeting of the …
