MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir Putin vowed Thursday to crush anybody who tries to divide Russian society as he hailed the effectiveness and unwavering loyalty of his country’s powerful law enforcement agencies.Putin has escalated a decades-long crackdown on civil society, independent media and opposition amid his military offensive in Ukraine, withContinue Reading
European Union (EU) chief Ursula von der Leyen won support from EU lawmakers on Thursday for another five-year term as president of the European Commission, the EU’s powerful executive body.The 720-member European Parliament approved her with 401 votes in favour, 284 against and 15 abstentions. She needed 361 votes toContinue Reading
The families left devastated by the downing of MH17 have spoken up 10 years after the atrocity to reveal the heartbreaking moments they realised their lives had changed forever. Jon and Meryn O’Brien lost their son Jack in the attack that killed all 298 people, including 38 Australian citizens andContinue Reading
NEW DELHI: Russian President Vladimir Putin “cannot divide us, outlast us or weaken us”, said US national security advisor Jake Sullivan on Tuesday as the country kickstarted 3-day Nato meet marking 75th anniversary of the military alliance, Reuters reported. He further said that Nato was committed to “standing with UkraineContinue Reading
Australia will continue working with Pacific countries to ensure dirty money from criminal proceeds are not bought into the country and cleaned, while the government works to catch up with dated laws. Brendan Thomas – the head of Australia’s financial crimes watchdog, the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (Austrac)Continue Reading
BEIJING: Hungary‘s Prime Minister Viktor Orban is making a surprise visit to China on Monday after similar trips to Russia and Ukraine to discuss prospects for a peaceful settlement in Ukraine. “Peace mission 3.0” is how Orban captioned a picture posted early Monday on the X social media platform depictingContinue Reading
As she walked down the aisle in her local supermarket in March 2021, Natalie, 41, answered a call on her mobile. “You need to come home now,” said her partner Suzanne. “Don’t panic, but there’s something that you need to see.” When she walked through the door, Suzanne handed herContinue Reading
Last week, Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un showcased their strengthened anti-Western alliance by driving around Pyongyang in a Russian-made Aurus limousine, laughing and joking together. The luxury sedan, unveiled in 2018, was meant to symbolize Russia‘s domestic capabilities and reduced reliance on imported technology andContinue Reading
Former Prime Ministers Tony Abbott and John Howard are among 27 Australians who will be denied access into Russia for an “indefinite term” under new sanctions as Russia looks to punish those it believes is working against them. Russia’s Foreign Ministry released the list on Wednesday night local time, declaringContinue Reading
YEKATERINBURG: US journalist Evan Gershkovich went on trial behind closed doors Wednesday in the Russian city of Yekaterinburg, where he faces charges of espionage and a likely sentence of up to 20 years in prison.Prosecutors say the Wall Street Journal reporter gathered secret information on the orders of the US’Continue Reading