Special to WorldTribune.com Russia is in the midst of a gold rush. A recent spending spree by Moscow’s central bank has made Russia the world’s top gold buyer. Moscow added 356,000 ounces of the precious metal to its reserves in February, according to data from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Russia continued to hoard gold […]
Special to WorldTribune.com Syrian forces, backed by Russian airstrikes, claimed a major victory on March 27 as they drove Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL) from the historic ancient city of Palmyra. “After heavy fighting during the night, the army is in full control of Palmyra – both the ancient site and the residential […]
Special to WorldTribune.com A former Ukrainian pilot was sentenced to 22 years in prison after being convicted for allegedly taking part in the murder of two Russian journalists. Nadezhda Savchenko burst into song and chanted “Glory to Ukraine!” upon hearing the verdict. Ukrainian spectators in the court, in the Russian town of Donetsk near the […]
Special to WorldTribune.com The budding friendship between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin apparently hit a pothole on March 16. The Kremlin has said that a new campaign video from the GOP front-runner “demonizes” Russia. The video shows Putin throwing an opponent to the floor in a judo match, followed by a clip of him laughing, which […]
Special to WorldTribune.com Russia’s withdrawal from Syria “should not be taken at face value,” a former senior Israeli military official said. While President Valdimir Putin announced the pullout earlier this week, Moscow has decided to maintain major combat platforms in Syria, including the S-400 air and missile defense system. “We should remember the difference between […]
Special to WorldTribune.com Israeli President Reuven Rivlin told Russian counterpart Valdimir Putin that Israel will not allow Iran and Hizbullah to operate on the Israel-Syria border. The two met in Moscow on March 16 after Putin announced Russia’s withdrawal from Syria. Rivlin laid out Israel’s “red lines” in Syria, telling Putin the presence of any […]
Special to WorldTribune.com Anti-Assad regime rebels, jihadists and activists received a huge morale boost with the surprise withdrawal of Russian forces from Syria. Moscow’s move is also seen by the opposition as a major blow for the Damascus regime. “Our morale is sky high. The regime will not be able to survive alone,” said Raed al-Elewi, […]
Special to WorldTribune.com After the surprise announcement of its intent to withdraw from Syria, Russia on March 15 sought to reassure Israel that the two countries’ coordination on Syria would remain intact. Israel wants assurances that Syrian President Bashar Assad’s anti-Israel allies Iran and Hizbullah would continue to be restrained after Moscow’s pullout. “We will […]
Special to WorldTribune.com Egypt, in an effort to bring back Russian tourists, has agreed to raise airport security to its highest level. The highest level of security checks will be put in place at airports in Cairo, Sharm el-Sheikh and Hurghada. Russia has indicated it may resume flights to Egypt next month, “Intourist” Deputy General […]
Special to WorldTribune.com Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty Iran has said it has no plans to freeze its oil production, in a blow to a deal reached last month between Russia and Saudi Arabia to curb falling global oil prices. Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh told Iran’s Press TV on March 13 that […]
