Asia

Kyrgyz leader misses Russian parade as aides contract coronavirus

Ren Leen June 24, 2020

BISHKEK (KYRGYZSTAN) – Kyrgyz President Sooronbai Jeenbekov was unable to attend a World War Two victory parade in Russia on Wednesday after two people who accompanied him on the flight to Moscow tested positive for COVID-19 on arrival, his office said. The parade, marking the 75th

Europe

Putin to review Red Square military parade on eve of poll

Ren Leen June 24, 2020

MOSCOW (RUSSIA) – Russian President Vladimir Putin is slated to review a stunning Red Square military parade later on Wednesday on the eve of a nationwide poll that is likely to extend his rule until 2036. Critics say the display is aimed at lifting his lower than usual ratings. The parade, which commemorates the 75th […]

USA

Ex-U.S. marine jailed by Russia on spying charges hopes for prisoner swap – Ifax

Ren Leen June 23, 2020

MOSCOW (U.S) – Former U.S. marine Paul Whelan, who was sentenced to 16 years in a Russian prison last week on spying charges, hopes to be freed as part of a prisoner swap with the United States, his lawyer said on Tuesday, Interfax news agency reported. Whelan will therefore not appeal his espionage conviction but […]

World

Russia calls for immediate ceasefire in Libya conflict

Ren Leen June 23, 2020

MOSCOW (World) – Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Tuesday called for an immediate ceasefire in Libya, adding that Turkey and Egypt agreed with Moscow’s approach to the settlement of that conflict. Lavrov said all external players should create conditions for inclusive dialogue between the warring factions in Libya, something that Turkey and

World

Russia’s Novak: pre-crisis level of oil demand possible in 2021 – RIA

Ren Leen June 20, 2020

MOSCOW (World) – Global oil demand will not return to pre-crisis levels earlier than in 2021, the RIA news agency quoted Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak as saying on Saturday. It is possible that demand will reach pre-crisis levels within two or three years, Novak said. (Photos syndicated via Reuters)

World

Russia reports just under 8,000 new coronavirus cases

Ren Leen June 20, 2020

MOSCOW (World) – Russia on Saturday reported 7,889 new cases of the novel coronavirus, pushing its nationwide case tally to 576,952 since the crisis began. The national coronavirus response centre said 161 people had died in the last 24 hours, bringing the official death toll to 8,002. (Photos syndicated via Reuters)

Business

No point extending oil output cuts, says Russian sovereign fund chief

Ren Leen June 19, 2020

MOSCOW (RUSSIA) – In the wake of global economies and oil demand making a recovery, there is no point in extending oil output cuts led by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and other producers, Kirill Dmitriev, head of Russia’s sovereign wealth fund RDIF, told RBC. Producers are currently slashing output by a […]

Europe

Disinfection tunnels protect Putin from COVID-19 threat

Editorial Bureau June 17, 2020

MOSCOW (World) – Russian President Vladimir Putin’s spokesman on Wednesday said that the president is shielded from the coronavirus by special disinfection tunnels. All visitors to his residence outside Moscow or those coming to meet him in the Kremlin must pass through the tunnels, he added. According to Dmitry Peskov, Putin’s spokesman, one such special

Europe

New COVID-19 cases at lowest since April 30: Russia

Editorial Bureau June 17, 2020

MOSCOW (RUSSIA) – Russia on Wednesday reported 7,843 new cases of the novel coronavirus, its lowest daily caseload registered since April 30, bringing the nationwide tally to 553,301. Russia’s virus response team said 194 people had died in the last 24 hours, bringing the official death toll to 7,478 since the crisis began. (Photos syndicated […]

World

Vladimir Putin: Russia can counter hypersonic weapons

Ren Leen June 14, 2020

MOSCOW (World) – Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that Russia was developing methods to counter other countries’ hypersonic weapons. “It’s very likely that we will have means to combat hypersonic weapons by the time the world’s leading countries have such weapons.” – Vladimir Putin, Russian President (Photo syndicated via