Vatican transfers 6 million Euros to Ukraine for humanitarian assistance
On December 25, the first tranche of humanitarian assistance in the amount of 6 million Euros was allocated to Ukraine on behalf of Pope Francis, the press service of Vatican City reported.
The money was raised in response to Pope Francis’s call to churches all over Europe for assistance to people affected by the conflict in eastern Ukraine. The money will be spent on the needs of more than 2 million Ukrainians, primarily in Donetsk, Luhansk, Kharkiv and Dnipropetrovsk.
The report notes that …
Obama expands Magnitsky Act globally
US President Barack Obama signed the Pentagon’s 2017 budget into law, which expanded the use of the Magnitsky Act on accountability in the area of human rights. Henceforth, the act applies to all countries in the world and will enable Washington to impose sanctions against individuals involved in corruption and human rights violations. Previously, the act applied solely to Russian citizens, Deutsche Welle reported.
The document, in particular, allows the US president to "impose sanctions …
The Pentagon reported that Russia tested a new anti-ballistic missile
Russia successfully tested a new anti-ballistic missile, created in the framework of the research and development initiative Nudol. This was reported by the Washington Free Beacon, citing Pentagon sources. The launch of the missile took place at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome. According to Pentagon specialists, Nudol missiles are capable of intercepting satellites.
The article notes that the missile launch took place on December 16th. This test was the fifth in a row and the third successful one for …
Newly sworn-in Moldovan President to visit Russia
Moldovan President Igor Dodon, who was sworn in on Friday, will visit Moscow after the New Year holiday, as stated by the Russian Ambassador in Chisinau, Farit Mukhametshin, TASS reported.
Dodon, a pro-Russian politician and former leader of the Moldovan Party of Socialists, beat his pro-European rival Maia Sandu in a run off vote on November 13th.
"Russian President Vladimir Putin, when congratulating Dodon, invited him to Moscow. The visit is planned for mid-January. The date and program of …
Russian military police battalion arrives in Aleppo
A Russian military police battalion has arrived in Aleppo, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced, as reported by Russia's Interfax news agency.
"At the present time, the division has marched from the Khmeimim air base to the city of Aleppo to perform tasks as part of the Russian Center for the Reconciliation of Opposing Sides in the Syrian Arab Republic,” the Ministry’s website stated.
As part of the territorial departments of the Russian Center for Reconciliation of Opposing Sides, the …