‘Thanks for support in difficult times’: N. Korea’s Kim issues rare new year letter

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has sent a rare written new year address to his fellow citizens, thanking them for their “invariable trust” and support, as well as pledging to work harder to bring the country into a “new era.” … Read More >‘Thanks for support in difficult times’: N. Korea’s Kim issues rare new year letter

Who is on Putin’s ‘naughty or nice’ list? Kremlin congratulates world leaders at New Year… but not everyone makes the cut

New Year in Russia is a major holiday and regarded as a time for optimism and friendship. The president has been getting into the spirit but as is customary, not everyone on his radar can expect the equivalent of a Christmas card. … Read More >Who is on Putin’s ‘naughty or nice’ list? Kremlin congratulates world leaders at New Year… but not everyone makes the cut

‘Enemies of Allah’ – Chechen leader Kadyrov slams ‘knife attackers’ who killed police officer and left another injured

The leader of Russia’s Chechen Republic, Ramzan Kadyrov, has struck out at relatives of two men who his administration say were killed during a fatal attack on police officers in the regional capital, Grozny. … Read More >‘Enemies of Allah’ – Chechen leader Kadyrov slams ‘knife attackers’ who killed police officer and left another injured

Russia is our most important ally, say over 50% of Chinese people, as leaders Xi & Putin discuss closer ties between countries

Neighbors don’t always make the best of friends but, faced with growing international tensions, China and Russia are being drawn closer together. It comes as Chinese citizens increasingly write off better relations with the US. … Read More >Russia is our most important ally, say over 50% of Chinese people, as leaders Xi & Putin discuss closer ties between countries

Algeria signs contract to use Russia’s Sputnik V Covid-19 jab, with mass roll-out of pioneering vaccine set for January

The Algerian government has reached an agreement with Russia to obtain doses of the Sputnik V vaccine, the world’s first-registered inoculation against Covid-19. Distribution is scheduled to begin next month. … Read More >Algeria signs contract to use Russia’s Sputnik V Covid-19 jab, with mass roll-out of pioneering vaccine set for January

Trump plotting false flag to ‘fabricate pretext’ for attack on Iran, Foreign Minister Zarif says

Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif has claimed “intelligence from Iraq” suggests the US is plotting to “fabricate” a reason to wage war on Iran. Stressing Tehran “doesn’t seek war,” he warned such a scam will be met with force. … Read More >Trump plotting false flag to ‘fabricate pretext’ for attack on Iran, Foreign Minister Zarif says

China says it’s ‘ready to respond to all threats’ after US sends 2 warships through Taiwan Strait

Beijing has slammed Washington after two guided-missile destroyers sailed across the Taiwan Strait on Thursday, the thirteenth such mission through the contested waterway this year, adding to already fraught US-China relations. … Read More >China says it’s ‘ready to respond to all threats’ after US sends 2 warships through Taiwan Strait

‘Zero tolerance’: France deploys more than 100,000 police to curb coronavirus curfew violations on New Year’s Eve

The police contingent deployed across France has been increased fivefold for New Year’s Eve in order to prevent people from violating the Covid-19 curfew and staging illegal parties to mark the arrival of 2021. … Read More >‘Zero tolerance’: France deploys more than 100,000 police to curb coronavirus curfew violations on New Year’s Eve