RUSSIA

Russia skeptical about nuclear pact extension prospects

8:50 pm July 10, 2020

Moscow: Russia’s top diplomat said Friday he’s not very optimistic about prospects for an extension of the last remaining U.S.-Russia arms control agreement because of Washington’s focus on making China sign up to the pact. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov warned that Russia only wants to keep the New START treaty as much as the U.S. does and will protect its security […]

Thousands without heat, water after tornadoes kill dozens

UN: World could hit 1.5-degree warming threshold by 2024

8:39 pm July 9, 2020

Geneva: The world could see annual global temperatures pass a key threshold for the first time in the coming five years, the U.N. weather agency said Thursday. The World Meteorological Organization said forecasts suggest there’s a 20% chance that global temperatures will be 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 Fahrenheit) higher than the pre-industrial average in at […]

Biden to meet Putin in Geneva on June 16: White House

Russian vote on extending Putin’s rule until 2036 nears end

8:05 pm July 1, 2020

Moscow: A vote on amendments to Russia’s constitution that could allow President Vladimir Putin to hold power until 2036 entered its final day Wednesday amid widespread reports of pressure on voters and other irregularities. For the first time in Russia, polls were open for a week to bolster turnout without increasing crowds casting ballots amid […]

Will Trump's mishandling of records leave a hole in history?

Russia bounty allegations are ‘Fake News’

7:28 pm July 1, 2020

Washington DC: President Donald Trump on Wednesday dismissed as “Fake News” allegations that Russia offered bounties for killing American troops in Afghanistan. Lawmakers have been demanding answers over the allegations, and Democrats have accused Trump of bowing to Russian President Vladimir Putin at the risk of U.S. soldiers’ lives. They returned from a briefing at the White House on Tuesday saying they learned nothing new […]

Investigators probe reported Russian tundra pollution

8:16 pm June 28, 2020

Moscow: Russia’s main criminal investigation body has launched a probe after a report that a nickel-processing plant was pumping water contaminated with heavy metals into the Arctic tundra. The reported pollution detailed Sunday by the Novaya Gazeta newspaper was in the same region where a massive spill of diesel fuel last month entered Lake Pyasino,, which feeds […]