How the Kremlin is weaponising Russian history and using it to justify the war in Ukraine
From the early years of his quarter-century rule, Putin has repeatedly contended that studying their history should make Russians proud. Even controversial figures, such as Soviet dictator Josef Stalin, contributed to Russia’s greatness, Putin argues. (Russian media have counted over 100 monuments to Stalin in Russia, most of which were installed during Putin’s rule.)
Bayern’s ‘horror film’ puts boss Tuchel in precarious position as his job slips out of his hands
Bayern were already poor enough not to win the league last season, but somehow fluked another championship when Borussia Dortmund threw it all away with a draw at home against Mainz on the final day.
Russia security detains 400 people since death of iconic opposition leader Navalny and Putin’s fiercest rival
The death of Navalny robs the disparate Russian opposition of its most prominent leader as Putin prepares for the March presidential election – a rubber-stamp vote set to keep the former KGB spy in power until at least 2030.
Navalny’s death dampens democracy drive in Russia as disparate opposition gropes for his successor
Prosecutors warned Russians against participating in any mass protests in Moscow. Police watched as some Russians came to lay roses and carnations at a monument to victims of Soviet repression in the shadow of the former KGB headquarters on Moscow’s Lubyanka square.
UN human rights office ‘appalled’ at death of Navalny in prison, tells Moscow to take responsibility
UN Special Rapporteur on Torture Alice Edwards said that several UN independent experts, including herself, had privately and publicly urged the Russian government to end the punitive conditions in which Navalny was held.
Russia: Putin’s fiercest foe Alexei Navalny and opposition leader dies in prison, assassination suspected
Praise for Navalny’s bravery poured in from Western leaders and others who have opposed Putin’s rule. The opposition leader’s health has deteriorated recently and the cause of death may never be known, but many world leaders said they held Russian authorities ultimately responsible for his death.
Wanted: Historic convent in Spain has run out of nuns, appeals for volunteers or it shuts down
The building dates back to the 16th century and houses the hand of St Teresa of Avila, kept inside a silver gauntlet decorated with stones. Pilgrims come to the site, many of them believing the relic can help with fertility issues.
Election jitters for PM Sunak: UK economy slides into recession, but it is forecast to be short-lived
British households are due to see their first drop in living standards between one national election and the next since the Second World War, analysts have said. Ruth Gregory, deputy chief UK economist at Capital Economics, said the GDP figures had more political significance than economic, with voters due to elect lawmakers in two constituencies on Thursday.
Report: World has entered era of instability as Africa becomes key market for new arms exporters
The combination of Russia’s war on Ukraine and rising tensions between China and Western countries have been principal drivers of military spending. Global defence spending is up 9 per cent to a record $2.2 trillion from the previous year and poised to rise further in 2024, based on already announced spending commitments.
Mission possible: Prince Harry upbraids British media as he lays bare ‘Mirror’ unethical news gathering
Britain’s Prince Harry said on Friday his mission to purge the press would continue “through to the end” after he accepted substantial damages to settle his case against Mirror Group Newspapers. He also delivered another broadside against former editor Piers Morgan. In December, the High Court in London ruled that...