Syria ceasefire deal backed by Russia, Turkey takes effect

A cease-fire brokered by Russia and Turkey went into effect in war-ravaged Syria at midnight Thursday, a potential breakthrough in the six years of fighting that have left more than a quarter-million people dead and triggered a refugee crisis across Europe, and, if it holds, will be followed by peace negotiations in…

World leaders condemns assassination of Russian envoy to Turkey

International organizations and world powers have condemned the assassination of the Russian ambassador in Turkey. The Russian ambassador was shot multiple times at an art exhibition in Ankara late Monday. The UN Security Council (UNSC) and Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon branded the attack a “senseless” act of…

Obama on Russian hacking: ‘We Need To Take Action. And We Will’

President Barack Obama says the United States will take action against Russia or any other foreign government in response to cyber interference with the  US presidential elections. “I think there is no doubt that when any foreign government tries to impact the integrity of our elections … we need to take…

Vladimir Putin, Shinzo Abe to huddle at hot spring over Japan-Russia islands row

Russian President Vladimir Putin goes to Japan to meet PM Shinzo Abe for talks on the volcanic islands that have stood in the way of a peace deal since World War II. Russia and Japan kick off a summit Thursday aimed at reaching a deal over a group of small islands that have prevented the countries from formally ending…

PM Narendra Modi ranked 9th in Forbes list of world’s most powerful people

Vladimir Putin was the world’s most powerful person for a fourth straight year in 2016, while US president-elect Donald Trump in second place, Forbes magazine said Wednesday in its annual rankings. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been ranked 9th among the 74 most powerful people in the world listed by Forbes.…