Following the talks that took place in Islamabad between Iran and the United States, several experts and commentators were quick to declare the negotiations a failure. However, such assessments are rather unfounded and overlook the complexities of multi-layered diplomatic processes. In such situations, a lack of immediate agreements doesn’t necessarily …
Read More »Zelensky vows to retake Crimea despite Trump’s peace push
Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky has rejected US calls to withdraw its claim to Crimea or make any territorial concessions to Russia. In a speech marking Ukraine’s Independence Day on Sunday, Zelensky vowed to retake the peninsula, which is predominantly populated by ethnic Russians and overwhelmingly voted to join Russia after the …
Read More »No strikes reported in Kiev despite sirens during Biden’s visit – Reuters
Air raid sirens rang out in Kiev during US President Joe Biden’s unannounced visit on Monday, but there were no reports of Russian strikes, Reuters said. According to AFP, the alarm was heard when Biden and Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky, flanked by armed security, were exiting St Michael’s Cathedral where …
Read More »Russia honors Christmas truce despite Ukrainian strikes – Moscow
Russian troops are observing a 36-hour Orthodox Christmas truce despite attacks by Ukrainian forces, the country’s Defense Ministry has confirmed. The statement came after Kiev rejected Moscow’s declaration of a unilateral ceasefire, due to expire at midnight on Saturday. The ministry said during its daily press briefing on Saturday that …
Read More »Lavrov to head Russian UN delegation, despite US sanctions
Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will lead the Russian delegation to the UN General Assembly, scheduled for the end of September in New York, the Kremlin announced on Monday. President Vladimir Putin does not intend to travel to the UNGA or even address the event online. It is unclear whether the …
Read More »Biden remains in isolation despite negative Covid test
President Joe Biden tested negative for Covid-19 on Saturday, but “in an abundance of caution” will remain in strict isolation under daily monitoring until a second negative result confirms he has beaten his “rebound” infection, according to White House physician Dr. Kevin O’Connor. “The President continues to feel very well,” …
Read More »Russia will reach its goals in Ukraine despite Western weapons – top security official
The arms that the US and its allies continue to send to Ukraine will not have an impact on the outcome of Russia’s ongoing military operation, National Security Council Secretary Nikolay Patrushev said at a meeting on Tuesday. Russia’s “goals will be achieved despite the US and the West providing …
Read More »Despite Epstein scandal, Prince Andrew wants royal status back – media
Britain’s Prince Andrew has begged his mother, Queen Elizabeth, to allow him to return to royal life and is seeking to reclaim some of the titles and duties stripped from him after revelations about his alleged involvement in the Jeffrey Epstein underage sex ring, the UK Telegraph reported on Sunday. …
Read More »Russia’s oil revenue soars despite sanctions – Bloomberg
Russia’s oil export revenue has jumped some 50% since the beginning of 2022, Bloomberg reports, citing data from the International Energy Agency (IEA). According to the agency’s monthly market report, Moscow has earned some $20 billion each month this year from sales of crude oil and oil-related products. The earnings …
Read More »US cancels oil lease sales despite fuel crisis
President Joe Biden’s administration has canceled three offshore oil and natural-gas lease sales, including one in Alaska, diminishing prospects for new sources of supply even as record gasoline prices help keep the US inflation rate at a 40-year high. The US Department of the Interior (DOI) announced the decision on …
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