Putin says Russian military contractors can work in any country
Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russian private military contractors from a company known as the Wagner Group had the right to work and pursue their interests anywhere in the world as long as they did not break Russian law.
Russia’s Putin accuses U.S. of raising risk of nuclear war
President Vladimir Putin on Thursday accused the United States of raising the risk of nuclear war by threatening to spurn a key arms control treaty and refusing to hold talks about another pact that expires soon.
Congo to postpone Sunday’s presidential vote – candidate
Democratic Republic of Congo’s election board has told participants in Sunday’s presidential vote it cannot organize the ballot on time, one of the candidates said.
Death toll in French ‘yellow vest’ protests rises to nine
The death toll linked to France’s anti-government “yellow vest” protests has risen to nine, the government said on Thursday, as demonstrators kept up major disruptions of road traffic.
UK parliament to resume Brexit deal debate on Jan. 9
Britain’s parliament will resume a debate on Prime Minister Theresa May’s Brexit deal with Brussels on Jan. 9, the leader of the House of Commons Andrea Leadsom said on Thursday.
Israel to escalate fight against Iran in Syria after U.S. exit: Netanyahu
Israel will escalate its fight against Iranian-aligned forces in Syria after the withdrawal of U.S. troops from the country, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday.
Jailed Catalan separatist leaders call off hunger strike
Four jailed Catalan separatist leaders, incarcerated since October 2017 ahead of a trial for their involvement in a push by the region for independence, called off a hunger strike on Thursday, their spokeswoman said.
U.S. Syria withdrawal will revive Islamic State, Kurdish-led force says
The U.S. decision to withdraw from Syria will allow Islamic State to regroup at a critical stage in the conflict, Washington’s Kurdish partners said on Thursday, after Western allies expressed alarm at the sudden move.
UK had been talking with U.S. for days on Trump Syria withdrawal: PM May’s spokesman
Britain had been in discussion with U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration for several days regarding his decision to withdraw troops from Syria, Prime Minister Theresa May’s spokesman said on Thursday.
Jailed Catalans urge peaceful protest for rare Spain PM visit
Nine jailed Catalan separatists jailed over their region’s push for independence called on Thursday for massive but peaceful protests ahead of a first visit by Spain’s cabinet during the crisis.
