Category: International Conflict

Latvian national extradited to US for illegal exports to Russia

A US press release has announced the extradition of Oleg Chistyakov, a Latvian national. Chistyakov has made his first appearance in federal court in Kansas, accused of conspiring “to facilitate the sale, repair and shipment” of US-origin avionics equipment” for use in Russian aircraft. Many of the customers Chistyakov’s supposed scheme shipped to are on the US Commerce Department’s Entity List. Chistyakov allegedly conspired with 2 US citizens, Cyril Greogry Buyanovksy and Douglas Edward Robertson. Both Americans have already pleaded…

Berlin exchanges Nord Stream explosion data with Moscow — German foreign ministry

The following article is from a Russian news source, Tass, which is controlled by the Russian Government. BERLIN, August 19. /TASS/. Berlin exchanges information regarding explosions at Nord Stream and Nord Stream 2 gas pipelines but not the one that may jeopardize the course of investigation, a spokesperson of the German foreign ministry told reporters. “We exchange[information] with the Russian side,” he said. The investigation continues and therefore German authorities believe that interim results should not be reported, the spokesperson…

Germany must answer all questions from Russia regarding Nord Stream pipelines — Lavrov

The following article is from a Russian news source, Tass, which is controlled by the Russian Government. MOSCOW, August 19. /TASS/. Germany must answer all questions posed by Russia regarding the terrorist attacks on the Nord Stream pipelines, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in a commentary for the daily Izvestia. “[Germany] must answer all questions. First, they must stop categorically refusing to present the facts that they could not but discover. When at least some of the information we…

Death toll from Israeli strikes on Gaza Strip exceeds 40,130 — health ministry

The following article is from a Russian news source, Tass, which is controlled by the Russian Government. CAIRO, August 19. /TASS/. The death toll from Israel’s strikes on the Gaza Strip since the beginning of the current escalation of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict in early October 2023 has exceeded 40,130, with more than 92,700 people being wounded, Gaza’s health ministry said. According to the ministry, as many as 40,139 people have been killed, including at least 40 in the past 24…

New findings in Nord Stream sabotage case may sway Europe’s perception of Ukraine — expert

The following article is from a Russian news source, Tass, which is controlled by the Russian Government. NEW DELHI, August 19. /TASS/. Information pointing to the Kiev regime’s involvement in the Nord Stream blasts may impact how the European public sees Ukraine and create difficulties for EU governments, President of the New Delhi-based analytical center Imagindia Institute Robinder Sachdev told TASS. “This report could influence public opinion about Ukraine in Europe, potentially causing future difficulties for European governments if public…

Russian law enforcers probe into actions of US journalists in Sudzha — MFA

The following article is from a Russian news source, Tass, which is controlled by the Russian Government. MOSCOW, August 19. /TASS/. Russian law enforcement agencies are studying the circumstances related to the actions of journalists of the US daily The Washington Post in Sudzha, the Kursk Region, Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has told TASS. Earlier, The Washington Post newspaper published an article about the situation in Sudzha, saying that its reporters had entered the territory of the Kursk Region…

Water supply crisis getting worse in southern Gaza Strip

The following article is from a Russian news source, Tass, which is controlled by the Russian Government. DUBAI, August 19. /TASS/. A water supply crisis is getting worse in the southern Gaza Strip as Israeli troops are destroying water wells, tanks and pipes, the Qatar-based Al Jazeera TV channel reports. According to the broadcaster’s report from Khan Yunis in southern Gaza, four out of the five major tanks in the city have been destroyed. Damage has also been done to…

Google’s partnership with AI startup Anthropic faces scrutiny from UK competition watchdog

LONDON (AP) — Britain’s competition watchdog said Tuesday it’s looking into Google’s partnership with artificial intelligence startup Anthropic, adding fresh regulatory scrutiny to investment money flooding into the AI industry. The Competition and Markets Authority said it’s seeking comments as it considers whether the deal between the two companies has resulted in a “substantial lessening of competition” in the United Kingdom for AI services. The watchdog said it will accept feedback from “any interested party” until Aug. 13 before deciding…

Spain Allows Russian Sailboat to Make Port Call Despite Sanctions

Spanish authorities have granted an emergency request for the replica of an 18th-century Russian frigate to make a port call so that it can replenish provisions and replace broken parts, media reported Tuesday. The EU implemented a ban on Russian vessels docking at its ports as part of a broader sanctions package in response to Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The Russian frigate, called Shtandart, is captained by its builder Vladimir Martus, who last week accused French and Spanish authorities of blocking…

UK updates GL for subsidiaries of VTB & Sberbank

OFSI has updated General Licence INT/2022/1280876 which permits certain UK, EU and Guernsey subsidiaries of VTB and Sberbank (Russian banks) to make payment for basic needs, reasonable fees or service charges arising from routine holding and maintenance of its frozen funds and the payment of legal fees and insolvency-related services. § 5.2 of the GL has been amended to change the Insolvency Proceedings that apply to EU subsidiary, OWH SE. All UK GLs are on the UK Licensing.

Turkey Bans Cargo Plane from Flying to Armenia -Armenian Media

On July 9, Turkish aviation authorities banned a Boeing 777F cargo plane of Ethiopian Airlines from flying through its airspace en route to Armenia, reports Armenian publication Hetq. The publication states that the plane had departed from Liège, Belgium, and, after flying through the airspace of several European countries, was supposed to enter Turkish airspace from Bulgaria. However, without receiving permission from the Turkish side, the plane made an intermediate landing in Vienna and returned to Liège. The Civil Aviation…

Russia declassifies intel about France’s plans to send 2,000 troops to Ukraine

The following article is from a Russian news source, Tass, which is controlled by the Russian Government. MOSCOW, July 11. /TASS/. Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) has declassified a report by one of its agents about March 2024 preparations to send French troops to Ukraine. The full report by the SVR agent working under the alias Felix was published in the Razvedchik (Scout) magazine. SVR Director Sergey Naryshkin said on March 19 that Paris was already preparing to send some…

Swiss government adopts more EU sanctions against Russia

ZURICH (Reuters) – Switzerland has expanded its sanctions against Russia to include additional measures recently taken up by the European Union against Moscow over its ongoing aggression against Ukraine, the Swiss government said on Tuesday. Pointing to a package of measures adopted by the EU against Russia on June 24, the Swiss economy ministry said in a statement that it would impose sanctions within its jurisdiction on a further 69 individuals and 86 entities. These sanctions mainly target “businesspersons, propagandists,…

Abbott faces trial over claims Similac formula caused dangerous disease

(Reuters) – Similac baby formula maker Abbott is expected to face a trial on Monday over claims that its formula for preterm infants used in neonatal intensive care units causes a potentially deadly bowel disease, the second trial out of hundreds of similar lawsuits in the United States. Lawyers for the company and for Illinois resident Margo Gill will make their opening statements to jurors in St. Louis, Missouri, and the trial is expected to last most of the rest…

Saudi crown price keen to develop Iran ties following Pezeshkian’s election, state news agency says

CAIRO (Reuters) – Saudi Arabia’s king and crown prince congratulated Masoud Pezeshkian on his election as Iran’s president, state news agency SPA reported on Saturday. “I affirm my keenness on developing and deepening the relations between our countries and people and serve our mutual interests,” SPA quoted Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as saying. In March 2023, Iran and Saudi Arabia signed a landmark China-brokered deal to re-establish relations after years of regional rivalry. Since then, officials from both…

Russia Adds Journalist Kriger to ‘Terrorists and Extremists’ List

Russia’s state financial watchdog Rosfinmonitoring has added journalist Artyom Kriger to its list of “terrorists and extremists,” his employer SOTAvision reported on Thursday. Russia’s state financial watchdog Rosfinmonitoring has added journalist Artyom Kriger to its list of “terrorists and extremists,” his employer SOTAvisionreported on Thursday. Kriger, 23, was arrested last week on charges related to the “extremism” case against late Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny, according to SOTAvision, an independent news outlet. The journalist was accused of “participation in an extremist…