UK air force scrambles 2 fighters to intercept Russian jets
Britain’s Royal Air Force scrambled two fighter jets to intercept Russian strategic bombers near U.K. airspace on Monday, in another illustration of ongoing tensions.
Russia
Putin: Communist ideology similar to Christianity, Lenin’s body like saintly relics
Russian President Vladimir Putin has likened communism to Christianity and Vladimir Lenin’s mausoleum in Moscow’s Red Square to the veneration of the relics of saints.
Russia, US hold talks about nuclear pact, Putin says
Russian President Vladimir Putin says Moscow is holding negotiations with Washington regarding a pivotal nuclear arms pact.
Iranian FM in Russia for talks on nuclear deal, Syria
Iran’s foreign minister is visiting Moscow for talks focusing on the future of the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers and the situation in Syria, where both nations support President Bashar Assad.
Battle looms for rebel-held Syrian province after IS defeat
Syrian government forces and allied militiamen are advancing on the largest remaining rebel-held territory in the country’s north, forcing thousands of civilians to flee toward the border with Turkey in freezing winter temperatures.
House expands Russia probe to FBI, Justice use of unconfirmed dossier to snare Trump
The House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence has expanded its 2016 election investigation from a starting point of Russian interference to an end-game that focuses on federal law enforcement and how it conducted a drive to snare President Trump and his people.
Putin tells Assad Russia will help defend Syrian sovereignty
Russian President Vladimir Putin told his Syrian counterpart Bashar Assad in a new year’s greeting that Russia will continue supporting Syria’s efforts to defend its sovereignty, the Kremlin said on Saturday.
Blast rips through supermarket in Russia’s St Petersburg, 10 hurt
A blast ripped through a supermarket in Russia’s St Petersburg on Wednesday evening, injuring at least 10 shoppers, investigators said.
U.S. sanctions North Korean missile experts, Russia offers to mediate
The United States announced sanctions on two North Korean officials behind their country’s ballistic missile program on Tuesday, while Russia reiterated an offer to mediate to ease tensions between Washington and Pyongyang.
Russia establishing permanent presence at two Syrian bases
Russia has begun forming a ‘permanent presence’ at two military bases in Syria, Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu said.
Russia Plans National Biometric Database Starting Next Year
Russia will get a country-wide biometric database for financial services starting next summer, the central bank said.
Russian warships in UK waters keep Royal Navy busy over Christmas
The Royal Navy monitored a series of Russian warships around Britain over Christmas, as the Defence Secretary said Britain would not be intimidated.
Russia bars Putin challenger from election
Russian election officials on Monday barred opposition leader Alexei Navalny from running against President Vladimir Putin.
Putin, Merkel discuss situation in eastern Ukraine
The Kremlin says Russian President Vladimir Putin has spoken to German Chancellor Angela Merkel to explain Russia’s decision to withdraw its military observers from a joint group monitoring the truce in eastern Ukraine.
Trump first president to protect electric grid from EMP, cyberattacks
President Trump became the first national leader to call for protecting the U.S electric and communications grid against an electromagnetic attack like one practiced in North Korea.
Russia, China call Trump’s ‘America First’ approach Cold War thinking
President Trump’s new national security blueprint labeling Russia and China ‘strategic competitors’ struck a nerve in Moscow and Beijing, with both criticizing the ‘America First’ approach as isolationist and reminiscent of Cold War-style posturing by Washington.
Assad Hopeful About Upcoming Russian-Sponsored Talks on Syria
yrian President Bashar al-Assad expressed regret for the stalemate of U.N.-brokered intra-Syrian talks in Geneva last week but says he expects better results during the Russian-sponsored Sochi peace process to be held in February.
Trump unveils national security strategy: ‘America is going to win’
President Trump on Monday unveiled a national security strategy that enshrines his ‘America First’ approach into U.S. policy, stressing American strength and economic security and putting rivals like China and Russia on notice.
Russian oligarchs sue Trump dossier producer for becoming ‘collateral damage’ in smear campaign
Fusion GPS, the producer of the infamous Trump dossier, is fending off in court three of Russia’s richest oligarchs by painting them as corrupt bankers in bed with President Vladimir Putin.
Russian President Vladimir Putin thanked President Trump for intel that thwarted terror attack
Russian President Vladimir Putin thanked President Trump in a phone call Sunday for U.S. intelligence agencies providing a warning that thwarted a major terrorist plot in St. Petersburg, Russia.