International Desk
War between NATO, Russia possible, Czech General Staff head
War between NATO and Russia is the worst of all possible worlds, but it is not impossible, says General Karel Rehka, Chief of the General Staff of the Czech Armed Forces, reports TASS.
Explosions hit Kyiv, Russia damages aircraft in west Ukraine
A series of explosions rang out in Kyiv on Monday as authorities told residents to seek shelter after another night of Russian strikes on the Ukrainian capital, reports AFP.
Undefeated Erdogan extends two-decade rule in Turkey runoff
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan appealed for national unity Monday after winning a historic runoff election that extended two decades of his transformative but divisive rule until 2028.
Voters in Turkey choose between Erdogan and Kilicdaroglu in presidential runoff
Voters in Turkey returned to the polls Sunday to decide whether the country’s longtime leader stretches his increasingly authoritarian rule into a third decade, or is unseated by a challenger who has promised to restore a more democratic society, reports AP.
Drones damage building in Russia's Pskov region: governor
Two drones damaged an administration building of an oil pipeline in Russia's western Pskov region, the regional governor said Saturday, reports AFP.
Pakistan establishment closes ranks in crackdown on Khan
With military courts, intimidation of the press and mass arrests, Pakistan's rulers are seeking to destroy former prime minister Imran Khan's support ahead of elections, analysts say.
Biden says debt deal 'very close' with default deadline now set at June 5
American President Joe Biden said a deal to resolve the government's debt ceiling crisis seemed “very close” late Friday, even as the deadline for a potentially catastrophic default was pushed back to June 5 and seemed likely to drag negotiations between the White House and Republicans into another frustrating week, reports AP.
US sees 'serious threat' as Iran unveils new missile
The United States on Thursday called Iran's missile program a "serious threat" after the clerical state unveiled a new model with its longest range to date, reports AFP.
Russia sending nuclear arms to Belarus in Ukraine fight
Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko said Thursday that Russia had begun moving nuclear weapons to its territory, which borders the European Union, ratcheting up tensions with the West over the Ukraine conflict, reports AFP.
Japan adopts new sanctions on Russia, criticizes its deal to deploy nuclear weapons in Belarus
Japan on Friday approved additional sanctions against Russia over its war on Ukraine, including freezing the assets of dozens of individuals and groups and banning exports to Russian military-related organizations, reports AP.
NATO chief admits splits on Ukraine membership push
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on Wednesday said the members of the Western military alliance are divided on what to do at an upcoming summit about Ukraine's push to join, reports AFP.
US approves $285 mn sale of air defense system to Ukraine
The United States on Wednesday announced the approval of a $285 million sale of a NASAMS air defense system and related equipment to Ukraine as Kyiv seeks to boost protection against Russian strikes, reports AFP.
Russia says foiled Ukraine attack on warship in Turkish waters
Russia said Wednesday it had fended off a Ukrainian attack on one of its warships in Turkish waters with unmanned vessels, the latest attempted sabotage attack Moscow has blamed on Kyiv, reports AFP.
Russia's Wagner boss says more than 20,000 of his troops died in Bakhmut battle
The head of the Russian private army Wagner says his force lost more than 20,000 fighters in the drawn-out battle for Bakhmut, with about 20% of the 50,000 Russian convicts he recruited to fight in the 15-month war dying in the eastern Ukrainian city, reports AP.
World 'failing' to protect civilians in combat zones, UN chief says
The world is failing to protect civilians as the number of people caught up in conflicts and their humanitarian aftershocks skyrocketed last year, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Tuesday, reports AFP.