Section: National Newswatch (Canada)
Putin warns of foreign efforts to destabilize Russia
MOSCOW — Russia’s President Vladimir Putin ordered the nation’s top counterintelligence agency Wednesday to redouble its efforts to address what he described as Western attempts to destabilize the country. Speaking at a meeting of top officials of the Federal Security Service, or FSB, the main KGB successor agency, Putin pointed at...
Ukraine sanctions politician and Putin ally Medvedchuk
KYIV, Ukraine — Ukraine’s national security council on Friday placed sanctions on Viktor Medvedchuk, a politician and tycoon who is a close friend of Russian President Vladimir Putin, freezing his assets for three years and preventing him from doing business in the country. The security council accused him of “financial terrorism,” but...
2 Belarusian journalists sent to prison for covering protest
KYIV, Ukraine — A court in Belarus on Thursday sent two female journalists to prison on charges of violating public order after they covered a protest against the nation’s authoritarian president. The court in the Belarusian capital of Minsk handed two-year sentences to Katsiaryna Bakhvalava, 27, who goes by the name Andreyeva, and Daria...
Belarus detains dozens of journalists, activists
KYIV, Ukraine — Belarusian authorities on Tuesday raided homes and offices of journalists and human rights activists and detained dozens in the latest move to squelch protests against the nation’s authoritarian president. Police searched the offices of the Belarusian Association of Journalists and the Viasna human rights centre as well as...
Russia says it’s open to better ties with EU despite chill
MOSCOW — Russia’s top diplomat blamed the European Union Monday for a freeze in ties but argued that Moscow remains ready to mend relations if it hears positive signals from the bloc. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said after talks in St. Petersburg with his Finnish counterpart, Pekka Haavisto, that “if the EU decides that it’s...
2 impeachment trials, 2 escape hatches for Donald Trump
WASHINGTON — Donald Trump’s first impeachment trial centred on a phone call Americans never heard with the leader of a country very far away. The trial went on for two weeks of he-said-she-said. There was a mountain of evidence to pore over but not one drop of blood to see. Trump’s second impeachment trial was a steroidal sequel...
As impeachment vote draws near, McConnell revealing little
WASHINGTON — Seldom has Mitch McConnell signalled so little about such a consequential vote. While many expect the Senate’s top Republican to back acquitting former President Donald Trump of inciting rioters who assaulted the Capitol last month, no one is really sure. The Washington political universe and the world beyond will collectively...
As impeachment trial ends, GOP senators face big decision
WASHINGTON — Most every Senate juror has said they will listen to the evidence in Donald Trump’s historic second impeachment trial, but most minds were likely made up before the trial began. Democrats would need a minimum of 17 Republicans to vote with them to convict Trump of incitement of insurrection, and that appears unlikely. Still,...
EXPLAINER: What’s ahead as Trump impeachment trial begins
WASHINGTON — Former President Donald Trump’s historic second impeachment trial will force the Senate to decide whether to convict him of incitement of insurrection after a violent mob of his supporters laid siege to the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. While Trump’s acquittal is expected, Democrats hope to gain at least some Senate Republican...
EXPLAINER: What’s ahead as Trump impeachment trial begins
WASHINGTON — Former President Donald Trump’s historic second impeachment trial begins Tuesday, forcing the Senate to decide whether to convict him of incitement of insurrection after a violent mob of his supporters laid siege to the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. While Trump’s acquittal is expected, Democrats hope to gain at least some...
