Trending

Spy Swap: Norwegian spy Frode Berg freed by Russia

By 919 0

Russia has released at least two Lithuanian spies and a Norwegian spy, Frode Berg, from their custody. In return, the country has managed to get at least two of its spies freed from the Lithuanian custody.

The three country spy swap deal is the most complicated deal the continent of Europe has witnessed in its recent history.

Norway is the one which has played a central role to get this deal materialised. Why they have gone that far is because the country was under severe pressure to get Mr. Berg, who was a high level officer, freed.

The family members of Mr. Berg have expressed their happiness in the deal. His daughter has already reached the city where he is expected to land within the next few hours.

Lithuania was an integral part of the erstwhile Soviet Union. Since the independence of the country, the spies of Lithuania are on continuous battle with its Russian counterparts.

The case is not very different with Norway, though it has no direct link with either the erstwhile Soviet Union or its successor, the present Russia.

Russia, Norway and Lithuania are situated very close to each other. Both Norway and Lithuania see Russia situated close to them as a threat.


Photo Courtesy: Google/ images are subject to copyright

International Relations News

Macron calls NATO “Dead Brain”

By 943 0

French President Emanuel Macron has lashed out at the US-led NATO. He has called it a dead brain.

He has expressed his doubt on whether the US is still committed towards the North Atlatic Treaty Organisation or not.

He has alleged that the US had not consulted its European allies when they had pulled out the NATO troopers stationed in Syria.

Interestingly, Vladimir Putin’s Russia has supported the statement delivered by the French President.

Meanwhile, Germany has strongly denounced the statement made by its friendly neighbour, who is a prominent member of the European Union like the Europe’s most wealthy nation.

What France’s statement indicates is a clear shift in the way France sees the world’s most powerful country. It also speaks a lot about France’s disinterest towards the US’ present political style.

Anyway, the NATO has declined to speak anything about what has been triggered against it by France.

But, it has indirectly said that the organisation is very strong at this moment and will remain strong in the future also.


Photo Courtesy: Google/ images are subject to copyright

News

Ukraine troops, separatists start pull back from crucial battle frontline

By 871 0

The Ukraine troops, as well as the separatists invaded certain regions in the country near its Russian border, have began to move back from the frontline of a crucial battle ground between the two forces.

The pull back is a part of the deal that the Ukraine government reached with Russia and the separatists recently.

The step is expected to bring peace to the entire region. It is very crucial also, as the newly elected Ukraine President is scheduled to visit his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, in the near future, along with his French and German counterparts.

Peace in Ukraine is very important for the entire Europe, as the region is one of the main economic powers in the continent. Instability in Ukraine means uneasiness in Europe.

The regions close to the Russian borders in Ukraine is unstable since Putin-led country invaded Crimea.


Photo Courtesy: Google/ images are subject to copyright

News

Russia inks deal with Turkey over Syria

By 1272 0

Russian President Vladimir Putin has inked a historic deal with Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdogan over the issue of the Syrian Kurds, which recently suffered a military attack from Istanbul.

The agreement allows the Turkish forces to retain the regions they have already captured from the Syrian Kurds. And, moreover, it demands the removal of the Syrian Kurds far way from the Turkish border.

No Syrian Kurd leader has commented about the agreement yet. It remains unclear whether the Syrian Kurds will agree to the agreement reached between Russia and Turkey.

The agreement keeps largely silent over the matter of Qamishii, the most sensitive area which comes under the territory from which the agreement asks the Kurds to leave – where the Syrian Kurds are concentrated in large numbers, especially after the commencement of the Turkish offensive.

It is assumed that the Syrian Kurds is less likely to agree to an agreement which asks them to leave Qamishii.

The coming hours are very crucial. The agreement gives only 150 hours for the Syrian Kurds to act.


Photo Courtesy: Google/ images are subject to copyright

Crime News

Russian youngsters accused of extremism slit wrist in court

By 852 0

Two Russian youngsters, who was recently arrested on the charge of extremism, has slit their wrist, as their plea for house arrest has been denied by the court, which handles the case against the youngsters.

At this moment, it remains unclear how they have got hold of the sharp weapon that they have used to slit their hands.

Until now, no information about their health has been publicised.

The youngsters is said to be the members of an anarchist organisation. As per a report, there are ten members in the organisation. According to the report, most of them are youngsters.

Anyway, all of them are under custody now.

One of the members of the organisation, a lady, was recently shifted to her home from jail as her health deteriorated under custody.

The parents of the arrested youngsters have denounced the charges against their children. They have called the organisation as a study group.

Interestingly, the only witness in the case is an undercover policeman, who claimed that he managed to infiltrate into the closed circle of the group.


Photo Courtesy: Google/ images are subject to copyright

News

Russia promises to support Syria to overcome Turkish threat

By 822 0

Russia, which is the prime ally of the Syrian government, has promised to support Syria to overcome the threat posed by Turkey, which launched an offensive against the Syrian Kurds in the North Syria region recently.

Lately, the Syrian Kurds joined hands with their government to defend their country from Turkey.

Most western countries have denounced the aggression launched by Turkey against Syria in the name of creating a safe zone for the Syrian refugees who fled the Syrian war.

Actually, the aggression was launched exploiting the opportunity emerged due to the withdrawal of the US force, who was the main ally of the Syrian Kurds during the Syrian War, from Syria,

Russia’s promise has increased the confidence of the Syrian force who recently marched towards the northern region of the country to support the Syrian Kurds fighting against the Turkish aggressors.

As per a latest report, the Russian forces have already begun their work in the region.


Photo Courtesy: Google/ images are subject to copyright

europe times
News

Paul Whelan claims set-up in Russia spy case

By 1186 0

Paul Whelan, the Former US marine, who was accused in Russia for spy works has said he is not a spy and that he was set up by a Russian friend.

Whelan (48), who is also a citizen of the UK, Canada and Ireland has said to the media that a friend had planted a hard drive on him without his knowledge.

Paul Whelan said, “A person turned up at my [hotel] room and put something in my pocket, then I was arrested”.

The Moscow court has denied his appeal against detention. Whelan was caught “red-handed” with state secrets last year, says the prosecutors.

The investigations came to an end now and the lawyers of Whelan have begun studying the evidence. Since this is an espionage case, all the information is classified.

The US ambassador in Moscow asked Russia to stop “playing games” with the case.

Image courtesy: bbc .com / images are subject to copyright

europe times
News

Skeleton of Napoleon’s favourite general believed to be found in Russia

By 1168 0

Archaeologists have discovered a one-legged skeleton under a Russian dance floor, which is believed to be that of Napoleon’s favourite general.

It is believed that this would be a key to the centuries-old mystery, related to Charles-Étienne Gudin.

Charles-Étienne Gudin, the favourite general of Napoleon died at the age of 44, after he was hit by a cannonball during the French invasion of Russia in 1812.

Charles-Étienne Gudin

Though everything seems to be matching, it will be necessary to await the results of DNA analysis to confirm the discovery.

Gudin had to have his leg amputated and he died three days later from gangrene.

The discovery took place in Smolensk, 400 kilometers west of Moscow. The samples for DNA testing have been sent to France.

Marina Nesterova, the head of the archaeological team told AFP news agency, “As soon as I saw the skeleton with just one leg, I knew that we had our man”.

A press conference has been held in Moscow on Thursday, and the team of Russian and French archaeologists said that they are not able to provide a specific conclusion until the result from a laboratory in Marseille is obtained.

Image courtesy: abc .net .au, tellerreport .com / images are subject to copyright

europe times
Health News

Russian Doctors on fear of radioactive patients

By 1324 0

The Russian medical team, who treated the patients who were victims of a military explosion in the Arctic is now afraid of their own physical conditions, since they had not taken any protection while treatment.

Two among the medical team in Arkhangelsk spoke about the victims’ evacuation, on condition of anonymity, reports BBC.

Authorities said that the blown up of “isotope-fuel” engine at the Nyonoksa test range on 8th of August have killed five nuclear engineers and 6 others were injured.

A new weapon system had been used in the test, said the president Vladimir Putin.

The medical team were present at the the civilian Arkhangelsk regional hospital, where three among the injured were treated. Reports said that three other casualties were taken to an Arkhangelsk hospital called Semashko, which is equipped for radiation emergencies.

These medical team are now afraid of their own health and are saying that no such “[safety] violations” should occur again.

One among the medics said, “We don’t want them to bring us next time not three, but ten people, God forbid, and hide the information from us again”.

Image courtesy: bbc .com / images are subject to copyright

europe times
News

Putin issues heroism awards on the submarine crew of Russia mini-sub fire

By 1393 0

Russian President Vladimir Putin issued heroism awards on four of the 14 submarine crew who died during a secret mission on 1 July.

‘Hero of Russia medals’ has been awarded to the four officers, all captains. Two other officers on board had already received those medals for earlier missions.

The other 10 crew members, who were also officers, received Russia’s Order of Courage.

The Kremlin said that the crew heroically prevented the fire without reaching the nuclear power unit. The toxic smoke produced by fire had been inhaled by the crew members.

The bodies of these 14 brave men were brought to St Petersburg for burial.

This unnamed secret submersible will be put back into service soon, according to the Russian government. The government refused to reveal details of the mission that turned into a disaster, citing official secrecy. The vessel had been exploring the Arctic seabed area.

Image courtesy: bbc .com / images are subject to copyright