Cairo, Egypt | XINHUA | Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi was on Friday one of over a dozen world leaders who wished U.S. President Donald Trump and his wife a “full and speedy” recovery after Trump’s announcement that they tested positive for COVID-19. Other ‘get well’ messages were also received …
Read More »Putin says he’s not a ‘tsar’ after 20 years in power
Moscow, Russia | AFP | Russian President Vladimir Putin dismissed comparisons to a tsar on Thursday, arguing he “works every day” and listens to what people want. “Well, this is not true,” Putin said when asked about being described as a Russian imperial-era ruler. “Maybe someone else can be called a tsar. But in my …
Read More »Putin clears path to staying in power
Moscow, Russia | AFP | Russian President Vladimir Putin laid out a path Tuesday to staying in power beyond 2024, as lawmakers approved sweeping reforms to the constitution. In a surprise address to the lower house State Duma, Putin said there could be a presidential “reset” allowing him to …
Read More »Putin proposes to enshrine God, heterosexual marriage in constitution
Moscow, Russia | AFP | Russian President Vladimir Putin has submitted to parliament a number of proposed constitutional changes, including amendments that mention God and stipulate that marriage is a union of a man and woman. Putin unleashed a political storm in January by proposing an overhaul of the constitution, the …
Read More »PUTIN: Russia and Africa cooperation has gained new momentum
COMMENT | VLADIMIR PUTIN | It gives me great pleasure to welcome you at the opening of the Russia–Africa Economic Forum. The rich history of relations between Africa and Russia has never seen an event of a similar scale. Members of government agencies and business community, and experts are …
Read More »Putin diffuses Middle East tension with mega Russia, Saudi Arabia oil deal
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | AFP | Energy superpowers Saudi Arabia and Russia on Monday signed a key deal to bolster cooperation among the world’s oil giants, as visiting President Vladimir Putin sought to defuse political tensions in the Gulf. Putin’s visit follows attacks on Saudi oil installations that Riyadh and …
Read More »Putin begins Saudi Arabia tour
Oil, Iran top agenda as Putin visits Saudi Arabia Moscow, Russia | AFP | Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit Saudi Arabia on Monday, where he is set to seal oil agreements as well as use his influence to defuse rising tensions in the Gulf. The meeting with King Salman …
Read More »Russian opposition plans election protest despite crackdown
Moscow, Russia | AFP | Russian opposition and ordinary Muscovites plan to take to the streets of Moscow Saturday to demand free and fair polls despite a police crackdown including the jailing of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny. This week authorities jailed President Vladimir Putin’s top opponent for 30 days and launched …
Read More »Behind Russia’s growing influence in Africa
Why the new development could be bad news for the US, Europe and India Kampala, Uganda | ISAAC KHISA | As Russia’s President, Vladimir Putin, hosts more than 50 African presidents for the first-ever Russia-Africa Summit in Sochi on Oct. 24, top on the agenda will be how to sustain …
Read More »Putin to meet Pope and populist govt during lightning Italy trip
Rome, Italy | AFP | Russian President Vladimir Putin arrives in Rome Thursday for a lightning visit including talks with the pope and Italy’s populist government, which has called for an easing of sanctions despite Moscow’s ongoing crisis with the West. Rome’s historic centre is on security lockdown for the visit …
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