Russia’s Putin says NATO, West to blame for surging tensions
Russian President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday the U.S. and its allies, not the Kremlin, are to blame for rising tensions in Europe that have revived talk of war.
UK
Russia warns of military action as fears mount of Christmas invasion of Ukraine
Russia upped the ante Monday in its dangerous standoff with Ukraine, openly warning of military action if President Biden and America’s NATO allies ignore a list of demands Moscow announced late last week — a far-reaching list that some key U.S. lawmakers have dubbed a “pretext to war.”
UK Supreme Court denies request to add ‘X’ gender option to passports
The United Kingdom’s Supreme Court has rejected the request of a “non-gendered” activist to establish a third gender option on British passports for those who do not identify as male or female.
Russia’s Putin Goes To China’s Winter Games Despite Genocide Reports
Russian president Vladimir Putin has pledged to attend the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing as he seeks closer ties with China at a time tensions with the West.
Britain: archaeologists find remains of man believed to have been crucified by Romans
Archaeologists excavating in Cambridgeshire, England have unearthed the skeletal remains of a person they believe may have been crucified when Britain was under the rule of the Roman Empire, Christian Headlines (CH) reports.
Belarus Jails Opposition Leader For Challenging President Lukashenko
A court in Belarus has sentenced an opposition leader who wanted to run against the country’s autocratic President Alexander Lukashenko in elections to 18 years imprisonment.
Putin makes repeated calls for ‘immediate’ NATO talks
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday stepped up private and public calls on Western leaders to end the eastward expansion of NATO. In phone conversations with Finnish President Sauli Niinisto and then later with French President Emmanuel Macron, Putin called for “immediate” negotiations with NATO and the US.
Russian Christian School Attack Injures Eight
As many as eight people were injured after a Russian teenager tried to blow himself up in an apparent suicide attack outside a Christian school and a monastery, officials said Monday.
Israel consulted with US before covert strikes on Iran missile, nuke sites
Israel consulted with the United States before carrying out covert strikes on an Iranian nuclear facility and a missile base earlier this year, the New York Times reported Saturday, as tensions rise between the two allies over Washington’s desire to make a deal with Tehran.
Iran Preparing For Rocket Launch As Nuclear Talks Falter
There were signs Monday that Iran prepared for a space launch amid tense talks over its tattered nuclear deal with world powers.
G7 Warn Russia To Stay Out Of Ukraine
British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said Sunday that “the world’s largest economies are united” in warning Russia that an invasion of Ukraine would have “massive” — though largely undisclosed — consequences. She commented at the Group of Seven (G7) foreign ministers meeting in Liverpool, England.
Britain Warns Russia Of “Severe Consequences” If It Invades Ukraine
Britain’s foreign secretary warns Russia it will face “severe economic consequences” if the country invades Ukraine. Liz Truss commented ahead of the Group of Seven (G7) wealthiest economies’ foreign ministers’ meeting, focusing on the military tensions.
Russia Warns Of ‘Genocide’ In Ukraine As Invasion Fears Grow
U.S. President Joe Biden tried to calm down his Ukrainian counterpart in a long phone call amid increasing fears Friday of an imminent Russian invasion.
Germany’s New Chancellor Olaf Scholz Facing Challenges
Center-left leader Olaf Scholz has been sworn in as Germany’s ninth chancellor since World War Two, but he faces significant challenges.
58% of Israeli Jews back striking Iran’s nuke program without US consent
A significant majority of Jewish Israelis, 58%, would support a strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities even without a green light from Washington, according to an Israel Democracy Institute report published Wednesday.
Russian Invasion Fears After Biden, Putin Talks
After two hours of talks on the crisis between presidents Joe Biden and Vladimir Putin, it was unclear Wednesday whether a feared Russian invasion in Ukraine had been averted.
New German Government Signs Deal
The leaders of the Social Democrats, Greens, and the Free Democrats who pledged to phase-out coal and legalize soft drugs have signed their three-party coalition deal.
Biden, Putin To Discuss Feared Russian Invasion in Ukraine
U.S. President Joe Biden was preparing for talks with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin amid mounting concerns that Russia’s military will invade Ukraine.
Israel to urge US to act militarily against Iran amid stalled nuke talks
Defense Minister Benny Gantz and Mossad chief David Barnea will push during their meetings this week in Washington with senior Biden administration officials for the United States to carry out a military strike on Iranian targets, Israel’s three main TV news broadcasts reported Sunday night.
UK, US and allies call on Russia to de-escalate tensions with Ukraine
Leaders of the United States, Germany, Italy, France and Britain on Monday emphasized the need to provide a united front in the face of Russian threats and hostility.