Jan 24 WATCH: Pentagon says 8,500 troops placed on heightened alert amid tensions in Ukraine By Mark Sherman, Associated Press At President Biden's direction, the Pentagon is putting about 8,500 U.S.-based troops on heightened alert for potential deployment to Europe amid rising fears of a possible Russian military move on Ukraine. Continue reading
Jan 24 China lifts COVID lockdown in Xi'an as 2 million are tested in Beijing ahead of Olympics By Ken Moritsugu, Associated Press Chinese authorities are testing some two million residents of Beijing after a series of virus cases prompted concerns two weeks ahead of the opening of the Winter Olympics. Continue reading
Jan 24 Soldiers in Burkina Faso mutiny, take President Kabore hostage By Sam Mednick, Associated Press Two mutinous soldiers told The Associated Press that Burkina Faso's President Roch Marc Christian Kabore is being held by the rebellious soldiers. Continue reading
Jan 23 Beijing district orders mass virus testing ahead of Olympics By Associated Press People in a Beijing district with some 2 million residents were ordered Sunday to undergo mass coronavirus testing following a series of infections as China tightened anti-disease controls ahead of the Winter Olympics. Continue reading
Jan 23 Mutinous soldiers take over Burkina Faso military barracks By Sam Mednick, Associated Press Mutinous soldiers seized control of a military base in Burkina Faso’s capital Sunday, raising fears of a coup attempt in the West African nation as gunfire rang out for hours amid growing frustration with the government’s handling of the Islamic… Continue reading
Jan 23 Watch 4:12 In Venezuela, confidence in the democratic process wanes as Maduro maintains power By PBS NewsHour It’s been three years since opposition leader Juan Guaido’s party won Venezuela's presidential election. But despite international support for Guaido, President Nicolas Maduro continues to lead. With confidence in the democratic process waning, Venezuela is also undergoing a shrinking economy… Continue watching
Jan 23 Russia rejects UK claim of trying to replace Ukraine leader By Jill Lawless, Jim Heintz, Associated Press Russia’s Foreign Ministry on Sunday rejected a British claim that the Kremlin is seeking to replace Ukraine’s government with a pro-Moscow administration, and that former Ukrainian lawmaker Yevheniy Murayev is a potential candidate. Continue reading
Jan 22 Russia toughens its posture amid Ukraine tensions By Vladimir Isachenkov, Associated Press With tens of thousands of Russian troops positioned near Ukraine, the Kremlin has kept the U.S. and its allies guessing about its next moves in the worst security crisis to emerge between Moscow and the West since the Cold War. Continue reading
Jan 21 Influential Zen Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh dies at 95 By Associated Press The International Plum Village Community of Engaged Buddhism, a monastic governing body that the monk established, said Thich Nhat Hanh, known as Thay, or teacher, to his followers, passed away peacefully at Tu Hieu Temple in Hue, Vietnam. Continue reading
Jan 21 Watch 8:42 Russia potentially weeks away from being able to invade Ukraine By Nick Schifrin, Layla Quran The United States on Friday agreed to submit written responses next week to Russia's demands over how to end the crisis over Ukraine. The announcement came during a high level diplomatic meeting in Geneva, as Russia maintains overwhelming force along… Continue watching