Probe of FBI’s handling of Trump-Russia investigation ends US special prosecutor criticises FBI approach to politically charged investigation but does not issue new charges. Al Jazeera · May 15, 2023
Trump-Russia: what we know about the Durham investigation of an investigation William Barr asked special counsel in 2019 to investigate the FBI investigation into Trump’s ties to Russia in 2016 The Guardian - US · May 15, 2023
Russia denounces Macron over China comments MOSCOW (Russia) - Russian officials on Monday denounced comments by French President Emmanuel Macron that Moscow was becoming subservient to China, saying Western countries must get used to a world underpinned by the Kremlin's close ties with Beijing. Reuters · May 15, 2023
Trump-era special counsel's final report criticizes FBI's Russia probe Special Counsel John Durham says the DOJ and FBI "failed to uphold their important mission of strict fidelity to the law" and in particular, relied on leads provided by Trump's political opponents. WEKU · May 15, 2023
FBI accused of failures but key report finds no deep-state plot against Trump Agency ‘failed to uphold mission of strict fidelity’, special counsel John Durham concludes in investigation launched by Bill Barr The Guardian - US · May 15, 2023
Special counsel Durham blasts FBI's Trump-Russia investigation Durham accused investigators of causing “severe reputational harm" to the FBI. Axios · May 15, 2023
Probe into Trump-Russia investigation slams FBI but fails to recommend new charges Trump administration officials commissioned Special Counsel John Durham’s probe in order to discredit prior investigations into former president Donald Trump and his 2016 campaign The Independent UK · May 15, 2023
Prosecutor ends probe of FBI's Trump-Russia investigation with harsh criticism, but no new charges A special prosecutor has ended his four-year investigation into possible FBI misconduct in its probe of ties between Russia and Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign The Independent UK · May 15, 2023
France ‘not getting the credit it should’ for Ukraine support There was an amicable mood between Volodymyr Zelensky and Emmanuel Macron as the two leaders met in Paris on Sunday – a far cry from the diplomatic storm created by Macron’s warning against “humiliating” Russia last year. Analysts say France is still much more cautious than the US and the… France 24 · May 15, 2023
South African army general in Moscow days after country accused of sending weapons to Russia Russia’s top army general and his South African counterpart have discussed “military cooperation” while meeting in Moscow The Independent UK · May 15, 2023
Russia attacked the hometown of Ukraine's Eurovision band just before its performance Ukrainian band Tvorchi competed in the Eurovision grand final in Liverpool on Saturday, minutes after Russian missiles struck their hometown of Ternopil. Two people were injured in the attack. WEKU · May 15, 2023
Photo of Belarus’s Lukashenko published after rumours over health Russia’s Victory Day celebration on Tuesday was the last time the Belarusian leader was seen in public. Al Jazeera · May 15, 2023
Ukrainian troops gird for counteroffensive they hope will end war Ukrainian soldiers training for a counteroffensive against Russian forces said on Monday they felt ready to launch the assault which they hope will end the war. Reuters · May 15, 2023
US says Iran is Russia's top military backer as Putin seeks even more deadly drones The White House has said Iran has provided Russia with more than 400 attack drones since August with Russia looking to buy more after using up most of the drones already purchased Daily Mirror · May 15, 2023
The Independent UK · May 15, 2023 White House: Russia looks to purchase more attack drones from Iran after depleting stockpile The White House says Russia is looking to buy additional advanced attack drones from Iran for use in its war in Ukraine after using up most of the 400 drones it had previously purchased from Iran
Reuters · May 15, 2023 US sees more indication of Russia, Iran defense cooperation The United States is seeing more indications that Russia and Iran are expanding an unprecedented defense partnership that will help Moscow prolong its war in Ukraine as well as pose a threat to Iran's neighbors, the White House said on Monday.
Reuters · May 15, 2023 UN efforts to save Black Sea grain deal to continue in coming days The U.N. aid chief said on Monday efforts will continue in coming days to extend a deal allowing the safe Black Sea export of Ukraine grain, a pact Russia has threatened to quit on May 18 over obstacles to its grain and fertilizer exports.
Reuters · May 15, 2023 Russia's defence spending jumped 282% y/y to $26 billion in Jan-Feb -budget data Russia spent 2 trillion roubles ($26 billion) on defence in January and February alone, a 282% jump on the same period a year ago, data on the budget portal showed, illustrating the spiralling costs for Moscow of its conflict in Ukraine.
The Independent UK · May 15, 2023 European human rights summit to step up aid for Ukraine to counter Russian invasion Europe's pre-eminent human rights organization is holding a two-day summit in Reykjavik starting Tuesday and will center on the war in Ukraine, one of its member states
Reuters · May 15, 2023 Russia scrambles jet as France, Germany conduct NATO patrols Russia's defence ministry scrambled a fighter jet on Monday after it said it detected French and German patrol aircraft flying towards Russian airspace, the ministry said in a statement.
Evening Standard · May 15, 2023 OPINION - The Leader podcast: Sunak pledges Zelensky attack drones in UK visit Plus, from Kyiv - youth conscription and 4am Russian missile attacks
The Independent UK · May 15, 2023 Fears over Russia using chemical weapons if Ukraine counter-offensive succeeds Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said the UK is ‘very much on our guard about what happens next’.
Reuters · May 15, 2023 Belarus opposition told to 'be ready' for democracy push as rumours of leader's ill health swirl Exiled Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya told her supporters on Monday to be ready to grab any chance to turn her country into a democracy as speculation about the health of veteran President Alexander Lukashenko swirled.
The Guardian - UK · May 15, 2023 Ukraine strikes Russian forces in Luhansk before expected counteroffensive Smoke seen rising in eastern city as Moscow says British-supplied Storm Shadow missiles were used
Reuters · May 15, 2023 Putin touts cooperation with ex-Soviet states in Security Council meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin told members of his Security Council that their video meeting on Monday should discuss the benefits of cooperation among former Soviet states.