WORLD
United Kingdom and France Vow Greater Defense Cooperation
By H. Haverstock, The Chicago Times March 11, 2023 PARIS – UK Defense Secretary Ben Wallace and France’s Minister for the Armed Forces Sébastien Lecornu met Friday at the 36th UK-France Summit in Paris to discuss new initiatives to further strengthen the military relationship between the two nations. At the…
Norway Orders 54 New German Tanks
By H. Haverstock, The Chicago Times February 3, 2023 OSLO – Norway announced it will order 54 new German Leopard 2 tanks, produced by German based Krauss-Maffei Wegmann Group, for its military with an option to purchase another 18 tanks in the future. “We ensure that we have the same…
Communist China Suspends Social Media Accounts of Covid Critics
By Douglas F. Roberts, The Chicago Times January 08, 2023 BEIJING – Communist China has suspended the social media accounts of some 1,200 critics of the government’s policies on the Covid-19 outbreak. In true communist fashion, the suppression of freedom of speech and thought was carried out by the popular…
United States and Germany Announce Armored Vehicle Deal with Ukraine
By W. Spencer, The Chicago Times January 06, 2023 KIEV – The United States and Germany announced Friday that they will supply armored fighting vehicles to Ukraine as a possible Russian military onslaught looms in the coming months. The agreement will supply Ukrainian forces with 50 Bradley Fighting Vehicles as…
Russia to Ban Oil Sales to Nations Imposing Price Caps
By H. Haverstock, The Chicago Times December 28, 2022 MOSCOW – The Russian government announced on Tuesday that oil sales to countries that enforce a price cap will be banned. On December 5, oil traders were required to enforce a price cap of $60 per barrel for Russian oil in…
Russian Airbase Attacked by Possible Ukrainian Drone
By Sasha Kinskey, The Chicago Times December 27, 2022 MOSCOW – A suspected Ukrainian drone caused a deadly explosion at the main base for Moscow’s strategic bombers on Monday. The Russian government said it had shot down the drone which then crashed at the Engels Air Base killing three service…
Taiwan Scrambles Fighter Jets To Counter Communist Chinese Incursion
By Douglas F. Roberts, The Chicago Times December 22, 2022 TAIPEI – The Taiwanese Air Force scrambled combat jets Thursday to intercept 39 Communist Chinese aircraft that illegally entered its southeastern air defense zone. This is not the first time Communist China has invaded the Taiwanese air defense identification zone…
Putin Warns NATO: More U.S. Weapons To Ukraine Will Widen War
By Sasha Kinskey, The Chicago Times December 21, 2022 MOSCOW – Russian President Vladimir Putin warned the western powers on Wednesday that increasing the transfer of U.S. weapons to Ukraine would widen the war and Russian resolve to win in Ukraine. In a meeting with Russian military leaders, Putin vowed…
Japan To Develop Fighter Jet With The UK And Italy
By Douglas F. Roberts, The Chicago Times December 9, 2022 TOKYO – Japan announced Friday that it will develop its next-generation fighter jet in collaboration with the United Kingdom and Italy. The Japanese government has designated the Mitsubishi F-X fighter jet to replace its aging fleet of Mitsubishi F-2s that…
Iran Claims ‘Only’ 300 Protesters Killed During Two Months Of Protests
By Peter Lawrence, The Chicago Times November 28, 2022 TEHRAN – Iranian officials claim that 300 people have been killed in the protests spreading across Iran over the last two months. An Iranian general claimed that 300 hundred people have been killed during the past two months of protesting, which…
Communist China: Angry Protests Erupt In Xinjiang After Deadly Fire
By Douglas F. Roberts, The Chicago Times November 26, 2022 URUMQI – Angry protests over Communist China’s widening COVID-19 lockdowns have erupted across China’s far western Xinjiang region. Angry crowds took to the streets on Friday night in Xinjiang’s capital of Urumqi shouting “End the lockdown!” while pumping their fists…
Malaysia: Anwar Ibrahim Sworn In As Prime Minister
By S. E. Flynn, The Chicago Times November 24, 2022 KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysian statesman Anwar Ibrahim has been sworn in as the country’s tenth prime minister, after the Malaysian King was forced to appoint the opposition leader on Thursday to break an election stalemate. Anwar was sworn in around…
United Nations: Russia And Ukraine Torture POWs
By Roger K. Mason, The Chicago Times November 24, 2022 NEW YORK – The United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights announced that it has documented patterns of Russian torture and abuse of POWs in Ukraine as well as violations by Ukraine in caring for POWs. OHCHR…
King Of Malaysia To Name Prime Minister To End Stalemate
By S. E. Flynn, The Chicago Times November 22, 2022 KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia’s king announced on Tuesday he will choose the country’s next prime minister, after the leading two candidates failed to secure a majority in last week’s election. Last weekend’s election ended in an unprecedented hung parliament with…
New North Korean Missile Could Hit United States
By Douglas F. Roberts, The Chicago Times November 18, 2022 TOKYO – A Japanese official said North Korea test fired a missile on Friday that could potentially reach the continental US. Japanese Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada announced that a suspected North Korean intercontinental ballistic missile flew 620 miles at a…
Italy Declares Trade Independence From China
By H. Haverstock, The Chicago Times October 29, 2022 ROME – Italy’s industry minister declared that Italy will not be dependent on Chinese trade or technology and will safeguard vital strategic industries from foreign influence.. At a recent press conference, Adolfo Urso, Minister of Economic Development, commented on China based…
Martial Law Declared By Putin In Annexed Areas Of Ukraine
By Sasha Kinskey, The Chicago Times October 19, 2022 MOSCOW – Russian President Vladimir Putin declared martial law on Wednesday in the four annexed regions of Ukraine. Putin’s declaration takes effect Thursday and gives regional law enforcement agencies three days to submit specific proposals and the creation of territorial defense…
Putin Airstrikes Aim To Impose Brutal Winter On Ukraine
By H. Haverstock, The Chicago Times October 19, 2022 KIEV – Russian forces have expanded air operations against Ukraine on Tuesday with punitive strikes on key energy and water supplies, which may put hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians at risk for a brutal and deadly winter. The Ukrainian government announced…
King Charles III To Be Crowned Next May
By H. Haverstock, The Chicago Times October 12, 2022 LONDON – Buckingham Palace announced Tuesday that King Charles III will be crowned at Westminster Abbey on May 6. According to a statement from Buckingham Palace, “The coronation will reflect the monarch’s role today and look towards the future, while being…
UN Rejects Russia’s Demand For Secret Vote On Ukraine
By Roger K. Mason, The Chicago Times October 11, 2022 NEW YORK – On Monday, the United Nations General Assembly rejected Russia’s demand that the 193 member body hold a secret ballot expected later this week on whether to condemn Moscow’s move to annex four occupied regions in Ukraine. The…
Putin Appoints General Sergei “The Ruthless” Surovikin To Command Ukraine War
By Sasha Kinskey, The Chicago Times October 10, 2022 MOSCOW – Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday announced the appointment of General Sergei Surovikin as the top commander of Russia’s Army Group South, which operates in Ukraine. Putin’s appointment of Surovikin comes on the heels of recent humiliating Russian defeats…
Russia Annexes Ukrainian Regions
By Sasha Kinskey, The Chicago Times September 30, 2022 MOSCOW – Russian President Vladimir Putin signed treaties Friday to annex areas of occupied Ukraine. At a treaty-signing ceremony, Putin demanded Ukraine officials come to the table to end the seven months of fighting and warned that Russia would never give…
Russian Government Announces Conscription Exemptions
By Sasha Kinskey, The Chicago Times September 24, 2022 MOSCOW – The Russian government has announced certain exemptions to the recent mobilization of its reserve forces. Russia’s defense ministry announced that bankers, IT workers, journalists and other employees in critical industries would be exempt from conscription. This is in response…
Mexico: Military To Control National Guard
By R. M. Vargas, The Chicago Times September 09, 2022 MEXICO CITY – The Mexican Senate passed the final piece of legislation that will transfer control of the nation’s National Guard to the military. Many in the opposition party claim it will lead to further abuses by the military that…
Baghdad Riots End With 30 Killed And Over 500 Wounded
By Peter Lawrence, The Chicago Times August 30, 2022 BAGHDAD – After a bloody and hot day the riots and killings on Monday have ended in Baghdad’s Green Zone after Shia leader Muqtada al-Sadr called for his supporters to stand down. The popular Muslim cleric, al-Sadr, pleaded for his supporters…
Baghdad: 15 People Dead After Palace Stormed
By Peter Lawrence, The Chicago Times August 30, 2022 BAGHDAD – Iraqi Security Forces shot and killed 15 protestors after hundreds stormed a government palace after a popular Shiite cleric abruptly resigned on Monday. The resignation of the influential cleric Muqtada al-Sadr stirred the emotions of hundreds of his followers…
Tripoli: At Least 32 Killed During Political Clash
By: W. Spencer, The Chicago Times August 28, 2022 TRIPOLI – Violence erupted in the streets of Libya’s capital Saturday killing 32 people as two rival militias fight for political control. Saturday’s bloodshed started as militias loyal to the Tripoli based government fought against militants supporting a rival government seeking…
Finland: Three Journalists On Trial For Publishing State Secrets
By H. Haverstock, The Chicago Times August 26, 2022 HELSINKI — Three journalists from Finland’s largest newspaper went on trial on Thursday after being charged with publishing classified intelligence. According to prosecutors, two Helsingin Sanomat journalists and their editor disclosed state intelligence secrets in a report entitled “Finland’s Most Secret…
Japan: Chinese Missiles Fired Into Japanese Territory
By Douglas F. Roberts, The Chicago Times August 5, 2022 TOKYO – Japanese officials protested the incursion of five ballistic missiles, launched by China, that landed in Japan’s exclusive economic zone on Thursday. Japanese defense minister Nobuo Kishi said that China launched a large-scale military exercise on Thursday that included…
Mexican Miners Trapped In Coal Mine
By R. M. Vargas, The Chicago Times August 4, 2022 MEXICO CITY – Ten coal miners are trapped in a flooded coal mine after an inner wall collapsed Wednesday. Mexican authorities and first responders are working fervently to save the ten miners. According to the Security and Citizen Protection Ministry,…
Russia Strikes Port Of Odessa Port One Day After Ukraine Grain Deal
By H. Haverstock, The Chicago Times July 23, 2022 ODESSA — Russian missiles strike Ukraine’s port of Odessa just one day after Russia and Ukraine signed a deal to reopen Black Sea ports. According to Ukraine military officials, Russia attacked the Odessa sea trade port with Kalibr cruise missiles. Two…
Communist North Korea Conducts Artillery Fire Drills
By Douglas F. Roberts, The Chicago Times July 11, 2022 SEOUL – South Korea claims communist North Korea may have conducted artillery firing drills in response to the deployment of an advanced fighter jet by the United States to South Korea in a joint training exercise. According to South Korea’s…
President and Prime Minister of Sri Lanka To Resign
By S. E. Flynn, The Chicago Times July 10, 2022 COLOMBO — Sri Lanka’s president and prime minister agreed to resign Saturday after protesters stormed the presidential residence and set fire to the private residence of the prime minister. According to the Parliament, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe agreed to leave…
Sri Lanka: Government Orders Crackdown On Protesters
By S. E. Flynn, The Chicago Times July 9, 2022 COLOMBO – Government police imposed a curfew in Sri Lanka’s capital and surrounding areas on Friday as planned protests for the resignation of the country’s president and prime minister grow louder as a result of the economic crisis and severe…
Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe Assassinated
By Douglas F. Roberts, The Chicago Times July 8, 2022 TOKYO — Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was assassinated in a shooting while delivering a speech Friday in Nara, Japan. Abe, 67, was shot in the back by an assassin and later airlifted to a nearby hospital in Nara. …
Ukraine Strikes Crimean Oil Platform
By H. Haverstock, The Chicago Times June 22, 2022 SEVASTOPOL – Crimean officials announced Monday that Ukraine fired on Black Sea oil drilling platforms wounding three. The Russian controlled governor of Crimea announced three people were injured and seven are missing after Ukraine attacked three oil drilling platforms in the…
Germany Returns To Coal Power
By The Chicago Times Staff June 19, 2022 BERLIN – Germany to ration the use of natural gas in production of electricity as supply dwindles from Russian pipeline Russian state-owned Gazprom announced that supply reductions could be expected from the Nord Stream pipeline as repairs are completed. However, many in…
Russia: Former US Embassy Worker Sentenced For Smuggling Drugs
By H. Haverstock, The Chicago Times June 17, 2022 MOSCOW — A former US embassy worker has been sentenced to 14 years in a Russian maximum-security prison for after being found guilty of cannabis smuggling and illegal storage of drugs. Former US embassy worker, Marc Fogel, was found guilty by…
Algeria To Sever Trade With Spain
By W. Spencer, The Chicago Times June 10, 2022 ALGIERS – North African nation Algeria announced suspension trade with Spain over status of Western Sahara. Algerian government officials made the trade suspension announcement one day after they tore up a 20-year-old “friendship” treaty with Spain which committed both nations to…
Russia Fires Zircon “Plasma Stealth” Hypersonic Cruise Missile In Test-Launch
by H. Haverstock, The Chicago Times May 28, 2022 OSLO – Russia test-fired a hypersonic Zircon nuclear capable cruise missile that traveled over 625 miles. According to the Russian Defense Ministry, the missile was launched from the Barents Sea and hit a target in the White Sea. Video of the…
Cuba’s Penal Code Targets Political Dissenters
by R. M. Vargas, The Chicago Times May 17, 2022 HAVANA – Communist Cuba’s National Assembly of People’s Power enacted a new penal code that tightens existing limits on dissent against communist policies and leaders. According to Cuban Supreme Court President Rubén Remigio Ferro the new penal code will bring…
Europe: Russia To Suspend Natural Gas Supplies To Poland
by H. Haverstock, The Chicago Times April 27, 2022 WARSAW – According to the Polish government, Moscow has decided to suspend natural gas to Poland since the Polish government will not pay in Russian rubles, which is required by Russian sanctions imposed in response to sanctions imposed by western allied…
Kim Jong Un Pledges Build Up Of Armed Forces While Population Starves
By Douglas F. Roberts, The Chicago Times March 27, 2022 PYONGYANG – Communist North Korea’s dictator Kim Jong Un announced his intention to develop his offensive military capabilities even if it meant prolonging the starvation of the North Korean population outside of Pyongyang. The announcement came days after the DPRK…
Biden Rejects Poland’s MiG-29 Fighter Jet Transfer To Ukraine Air Force
By Harold W. Reid, The Chicago Times March 8, 2022 WASHINGTON – The Biden administration rejected a Polish offer to transfer MiG-29 fighter jets to the depleted Ukrainian air force. According to the Pentagon, the Polish offer involved the transfer of Russian made MiG-29 aircraft to Ramstein Air Base in…
RUSSIA BRINGS WAR TO EUROPE AS INVASION OF UKRAINE UNFOLDS
By H. Haverstock, The Chicago Times February 24, 2022 KIEV – Russian military forces brutally invaded Ukraine on Thursday, starting with a volley of deadly airstrikes on military bases and cities. Russia has strategically invaded on three fronts hoping to swallow Ukraine whole or force a surrender. Russian President Vladimir…
NATO: RUSSIA PLANNING FULL SCALE ATTACK ON UKRAINE
By H. Haverstock, The Chicago Times February 22, 2022 BRUSSELS — NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg believes there is strong evidence that Russian forces are planning a full-scale attack on Ukraine. Stoltenberg said in a statement “Every indication is that Russia is still planning a full-scale attack on Ukraine.” Stoltenberg’s remarks…
Islamic State Attacks Are On The Rise In Syria And Iraq
By Peter Lawrence, The Chicago Times January 30, 2022 BEIRUT – After a recent jail break in Syria and an attack on an army barracks in Iraq, the Islamic State is in the mind of many in who lived under their tyranny as attacks increase. The two attacks were some…
Russia Claims It Will Not Start War With Ukraine
By The Chicago Times Staff January 28, 2022 MOSCOW – The Russian Foreign Minister declared that Moscow will not be the one to start a war over Ukraine. The Biden administration has warned the Ukraine government that a Russian invasion is possible by February. However, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov…
European Union Responds To Red China Over Lithuanian Dispute
By H. Haverstock, The Chicago Times January 27, 2022 BRUSSELS – On Thursday, the European Union, took further action in its dispute with communist China’s economic bullying of member state Lithuania to the World Trade Organization. The EU accuses Beijing of undermining the 27-nation bloc’s single market. Valdis Dombrovskis, EU…
Hong Kong: Government Orders 2,000 Animals Slaughtered After Hamster Tests Positive For COVID-19
By Douglas F. Roberts, The Chicago Times January 18, 2022 HONG KONG – Authorities in Hong Kong announced Tuesday that 2,000 small animals will be slaughtered after several tested positive for the COVID-19 at a pet store. Authorities also banned the sale of hamsters and the import of small mammals. …
North Korea Launches Hypersonic Nuclear Missile In Test
By Douglas F. Roberts, The Chicago Times January 11, 2022 PYONGYANG – Communist North Korea announced today the test flight of a hypersonic missile. According to the Korean Central News Agency, Tuesday’s launch of a hypersonic glide vehicle was successful and demonstrated perfect glide jump flight and corkscrew maneuvering before…
Russia To Hold Security Talks With US Next Month
By The Chicago Times Staff December 28, 2021 MOSCOW – In hopes to ease tensions, Russian officials will hold talks with the United States in January to discuss possible security guarantees as tensions grow over Ukraine. According to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov the talks will take place after the…
Russia To Respond If Finland And Sweden Join NATO Alliance
By H. Haverstock, The Chicago Times December 26, 2021 MOSCOW — NATO’s efforts to invite Finland and Sweden to join the alliance has not been ignored by Russia, which has vowed to respond if the two nations join NATO. “It’s fairly evident that Finland and Sweden joining NATO… would have…
Tiananmen Massacre Memorials Ordered Removed By Communist China
By Douglas F. Roberts and P. J. McNeal, The Chicago Times December 24, 2021 HONG KONG — On the order of the Chinese Communist Party, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, and other universities, will be required to remove memorials to the brutal and bloody suppression of the 1989 Chinese…
Ceasefire Agreement Reached In Eastern Ukraine
By H. Haverstock, The Chicago Times December 23, 2021 Kiev — Negotiators from Ukraine, Russia, and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe reached an agreement on Wednesday to restore a full ceasefire between Ukrainian government forces and Russia-backed rebels in eastern Ukraine. “I was delighted that participants expressed…
Japan: Executes First Prisoners Since 2019
By Douglas F. Roberts, The Chicago Times December 22, 2021 TOKYO – On the orders of Justice Minister Yoshihisa Furukawa, three death row prisoners were hanged Tuesday in Japan’s first executions since Dec 2019. Yasutaka Fujishiro, 65, killed seven relatives in 2004 was convicted of killing seven of his relatives…
Ethiopia: Tigray Forces Withdraw From Northern Regions
By W. Spencer, The Chicago Times December 21, 2021 Addis Ababa – There were reports on Monday that Tigrayan forces battling the federal Ethiopian government have withdrawn from regions in Ethiopia’s north after territorial gains by the Ethiopian military. According to Getachew Reda, a spokesman for the Tigray People’s Liberation…
Congress Bans Imports From China Tied To Slave Labor
By Harold W. Reid, The Chicago Times December 20, 2021 WASHINGTON – On December 16, the U.S. Senate passed a bill banning imports from communist China’s Xinjiang region where communist leaders have allegedly implemented slave labor. The bill is one of many measures passed to punish communist China’s alleged systematic…
Communist China Pressures Germany’s Continental To Boycott Lithuania
by H. Haverstock and Douglas F. Roberts December 17, 2021 BERLIN – According to unnamed Continental executives, communist China is urging German automaker Continental to cease using components manufactured in Lithuania over a diplomatic spat concerning Taiwan. Communist China considers self-ruled democratic Taiwan to be its territory and severed diplomatic…
New Caledonia To Remain Colonial Possession Of France
by Douglas F. Roberts, The Chicago Times December 13, 2021 Nouméa – For the third and final time the French territory of New Caledonia voted against independence from France in a referendum on Sunday. The indigenous Kanak population, which is mostly pro-independence, has urged for non-participation in the referendum due…
Ethiopia: Tigrayan Forces Reportedly Take Back UN Heritage Site Lalibela
by W. Spencer, The Chicago Times December 13, 2021 ADDIS ABABA – According to battlefield reports, Tigrayan troops have recovered the Ethiopian town of Lalibela on Sunday. Lalibela is a town in the Amhara region of Ethiopia, bordering the northern district of Tigray, known for its single-stone churches that have…
Putin Agrees To More Talks With Biden Administration
by Bernard P. Lawson and H. Haverstock, The Chicago Times December 12, 2021 MOSCOW — Russian President Vladimir Putin and the Biden administration have agreed to more talks amid tensions over a Russian army buildup near Ukraine, according to the Kremlin. The Kremlin said Putin and Biden agreed to hold…
New Caledonia About To Declare Independence From France
by H. Haverstock, The Chicago Times December 11, 2021 NOUMÉA — On Sunday, New Caledonians will vote in the third and final referendum on independence for the French-ruled Pacific territory. Two previous referendums on French independence were held in 2018 and 2020. New Caledonia, a former French colony that is…
Russia Awaits Biden Administration’s Next Play
by H. Haverstock, The Chicago Times December 10, 2021 MOSCOW — Russia maintained a barrage of hostile rhetoric against Ukraine on Thursday, comparing the crisis there to the most dangerous period of the Cold War, as it awaits the Biden administration’s next move via NATO. The Russian Foreign Ministry accused…
India’s Chief Of Defense Staff Confirmed Dead In Crash
by The Chicago Times Staff December 8, 2021 NEW DELHI — General Bipin Rawat and 12 others were killed in a helicopter crash in southern India, only one survivor rescued. Rawat, his wife, and others were aboard an Indian Air Force Mi-17V5 helicopter when it crashed on Wednesday in Cooonoor,…
Scholz Takes Over From Merkel As Chancellor Of Germany
by H. Haverstock, The Chicago Times December 8, 2021 BERLIN — Following Angela Merkel’s 16-year reign as chancellor, Olaf Scholz was elected as Germany’s new chancellor on Wednesday, ushering in a new era for the European Union’s most populous country and greatest economy. Scholz’s government starts office with the goal…
France: Saudi Royal Guard Arrested For Part In Murder Of Journalist
by The Chicago Times Staff December 7, 2021 PARIS — According to Interpol, a former member of the Saudi Royal Guard was arrested in France on Tuesday for his alleged role in the high-profile murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018. According to Interpol, the 33-year-old man, Khaled Aedh Al-Otaibi,…
Belgian Police Use Tear Gas On COVID-19 Protesters
by The Chicago Times Staff December 5, 2021 BRUSSELS — Belgian police used water cannons and tear gas to disperse protesters in Brussels on Sunday. Thousands of people gathered to protest the new measures announced Friday, the third week in a row that the government has tightened its rules as…
Nuremberg To Debate Use Of Former Nazi Sites
by H. Haverstock, The Chicago Times November 30, 2021 NUREMBERG — A proposal to temporarily transfer Nuremburg’s opera theater to two former Nazi era buildings in Nuremberg, including the party’s gathering grounds, is drawing fierce criticism. According to German media, a temporary site for concerts is required because the opera…
Barbados Drops Queen To Become Republic
by H. Haverstock, The Chicago Times November 29, 2021 BRIDGETOWN — On the 55th anniversary of Barbados’ independence from the United Kingdom the small Caribbean nation will become a republic, removing Queen Elizabeth II as its head of state. Prince Charles, the heir to the throne of the United Kingdom,…
Danish Frigate Sinks Nigerian Pirates
by The Chicago Times Staff November 25, 2021 ABUJA — According to the Royal Danish Navy, a Danish naval patrol killed four pirates in the Gulf of Guinea off the coast of Nigeria. According to Danish officials, 5 pirates were fired upon in which 4 were killed and 1 wounded. …
Ethiopia: Prime Minister To Lead Military At The Front
by H. Haverstock, The Chicago Times November 23, 2021 ADDIS ABABA — Ethiopia’s Prime Minister said he would lead his country’s army on the battle field beginning Tuesday. Tens of thousands of people are thought to have died in the growing civil war between Ethiopian and Tigray forces. The United…
Ukraine Plans Border Barrier Against Russia & Belarus
by H. Haverstock, The Chicago Times November 19, 2021 KIEV — Ukraine plans to invest millions of dollars to fortify its eastern borders in order to prevent potential unlawful crossings and safeguard the country from alleged Russian aggression, according to Denys Monastirsky, Ukraine’s Minister of Internal Affairs. Monastirsky, speaking to…
Stunning Silence From Chinese Officials On Tennis Star’s Disappearance
by G. G. Reynolds, The Chicago Times November 19, 2021 BEIJING — After uploading an email she reportedly sent to the Women’s Tennis Association, Chinese officials have remained silent regarding missing tennis player Peng Shuai. Tennis players around the world have demanded an investigation into the allegations made by Peng,…
Japan To Increase Defense Spending To Counter China
by H. Haverstock, The Chicago Times November 19, 2021 TOKYO — Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has called for a “new level” of defense cooperation with ally Australia in an extra budget set to be announced alongside an economic stimulus package on Friday. The developments occur as Japan and Western…
Non-Partisan CBO Estimates Social Spending Bill To Add $367 Billion To Budget Deficit
by Bernard P. Lawson, The Chicago Times November 19, 2921 WASHINGTON — According to a nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimate, President Joe Biden’s massive infrastructure and climate spending package would add $367 billion to the country’s budget deficit. The CBO, which is in charge of estimating the cost of pending…
Russia To Deploy Paratroop Regiment To Crimea
by H. Haverstock, The Chicago Times November 18, 2021 SEVASTOPOL – The Russian Defense Ministry announced on Wednesday that it would deploy a new paratroop regiment to annexed Crimea by early December. Experts say this is a response to British military agreements with Ukraine. According to Interfax, Russia’s military said…
U.S. Journalist Danny Fenster Freed from Myanmar Prison
by H. Haverstock, The Chicago Times November 15, 2021 NAYPYITAW – U.S. Journalist Danny Fenster was released from a Myanmar prison just days after receiving an 11-year sentence to hard labor. Fenster, 37, is the managing editor of independent magazine Frontier Myanmar and was sentenced 3 days ago to 11…
MYANMAR SENTENCES U.S. JOURNALIST TO 11 YEARS IN PRISON
by H. Haverstock, The Chicago Times November 12, 2021 NAYPYITAW– A court in military-ruled Myanmar sentenced U.S. journalist Danny Fenster to 11 years of hard labor on Friday, the maximum penalty under three charges. On May 24, Fenster was detained at Yangon International Airport as he prepared to board a…
Eastern Europe: Migrant Crisis Risks Military Clash
by The Chicago Times Staff November 11, 2021 MINSK – European Union nations bordering Belarus warned on Thursday that the migrant crisis on the EU’s eastern borders may escalate into a military conflict, while Ukraine, not an EU member, said it would send more troops to reinforce its border. Belarus’…
ETHIOPIA ARRESTS HIGH-PROFILE TIGRAYANS
by H. Haverstock, The Chicago Times November 11, 2021 ADDIS ABABA – In a shocking move, Ethiopian authorities have detained high-profile Tigrayans ranging from a bank CEO to priests in a mass crackdown on suspected supporters of rebellious northern forces. Ethiopian authorities denied they were targeting Tigrayan ethnicity, saying those…
Republic Of China’s Military To Boost Reserve Training To Deter Aggressive Communist China
by H. Haverstock, The Chicago Times November 2, 2021 TAIPEI, Republic of China – As communist held China increases military threats and actions against the Republic of China (Taiwan), including airspace incursions and live fire military drills, the ROC defense ministry issued a statement Tuesday that it will intensify reserve…
CONGO MILITARY ACCUSED OF TORTURING HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDER TO DEATH
by H. Haverstock, The Chicago Times November 1, 2021 LÉOPOLDVILLE, CONGO — The Democratic Republic of the Congo’s military has been accused by the United Nation of brutally murdering a human rights activist who was protesting illegal taxes in the country’s war-torn east. Cabral Yombo, the leader of a civil…
Two Killed In Nanjing University Explosion
by H. Haverstock, The Chicago Times October 25, 2021 NANJING — Two people were killed and at least nine others were injured in a laboratory explosion at Nanjing University. The explosion happened on Sunday afternoon at Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics. Nanjing is a major center of higher education,…
China Strengthens Land Border Security Against Illegal Migration
by H. Haverstock, The Chicago Times October 24, 2021 PEKING — On Saturday, China passed legislation to strengthen border security in the midst of a protracted standoff with India, concerns about spillover effects from Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, illegal migration, and the spread of COVID-19 from Southeast Asia. The Land Borders Law,…
Property Taxes Coming To China
by H. Haverstock, The Chicago Times October 23, 2021 PEKING — The Chinese parliament announced on Saturday that a pilot real estate tax will be implemented in some regions. The State Council will decide which regions will be involved. The long-proposed and rightly long-resisted property tax has gained new traction…
Poland Defends Border From Illegal Migrants Overwhelming The Nation
by H. Haverstock, The Chicago Times October 14, 2021 WARSAW — On Thursday, Poland’s parliament enacted legislation that human rights experts believe attempts to legalize pushbacks of migrants across its borders, in violation of the country’s international legal obligations. Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia have reported significant surges in migrants from…
Sierra Leone Abolishes Death Penalty
by H. Haverstock, The Chicago Times October 8, 2021 FREETOWN — Sierra Leone’s president signed a bill abolishing the death penalty on Friday, declaring that the West African country had “. . . exorcised horrors of a cruel past . . .” after a long campaign to do so. After…
Russian Fighter Jets Stalk US Bomber North Of Japan
by The Chicago Times Staff September 28, 2021 TOKYO — According to Pacific Air Forces, three Russian Sukhoi-35S fighters intercepted a US B-52H Stratofortress bomber Sunday near disputed territory claimed by Russia and Japan. On the day of the incident, the Russian state-owned news agency TASS was the first to…
UK Gas Shortage Brings Hoarding
by H. Haverstock, The Chicago Times September 26, 2021 LONDON — Thousands of British gas stations ran dry on Sunday, according to an industry group, as motorists scrambled to fill up amid a supply disruption caused by a truck driver shortage. The Petrol Retailers Association, which represents nearly 5,500 independent…
RUSSIAN PRESIDENT PUTIN IN ISOLATION
by H. Haverstock, The Chicago Times September 14, 2021 MOSCOW – The Kremlin stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin went into self-isolation after inner circle staffers became infected with the coronavirus COVID-19. Putin, who has been fully immunized from COVID-19 with Russia’s Sputnik V, held several public appearances indoors on…
AL-QAIDA JIHAD BOSS APPEARS IN VIDEO 9/11 ANNIVERSARY
by The Chicago Times Staff September 12, 2021 CAIRO – According to The SITE Intelligence Group, Al-Qaida leader Ayman al-Zawahri appeared in a video commemorating the 20th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks, months after rumors that he was dead circulated. The video was released Saturday in which al-Zawahri…
AFGHAN OPPOSITION LEADER’S BROTHER EXECUTED BY TALIBAN
by H. Haverstock, The Chicago Times September 10, 2021 AFGHANISTAN – After Taliban promises of an inclusive government and amnesty, the Taliban have executed the brother of former Afghan vice president Amrullah Saleh’s who has become one of the leaders of anti-Taliban opposition forces in the Panjshir valley. The news…
JAPANESE GOVERNMENT LOOKING TO INCREASE MILITARY SPENDING
by H. Haverstock, The Chicago Times September 6, 2021 TOKYO – With the growing threat of China and Russia, the Japanese government is seeking an t increase in military spending by nearly a sixth over a decade. Since last year, Japan has identified China as its primary national security threat,…
FOLK SINGER EXECUTED BY TALIBAN
by H. Haverstock, The Chicago Times September 1, 2021 AFGHANISTAN – According to US sources it has been confirmed that the Taliban executed Afghan folk singer Fawad Andarab for violating Taliban law that forbids music. Andarab was shot last Friday after Taliban enforcers dragged him from his home. According to…
TALIBAN DEATH SQUAD EXTERMINATING AFGHANS ALLIED TO U.S.
by H. Haverstock, The Chicago Times August 28, 2021 KABUL — The Taliban has formed a special death squad called Al Isha to track down Afghans who assisted NATO allied forces using US equipment and data. According to Zenger News, Nawazuddin Haqqani, a brigade commander in the Al Isha death…
TALIBAN PLACE HAMID KARZAI AND ABDULLAH ABDULLAH UNDER ARREST
by H. Haverstock, The Chicago Times August 26, 2021 KABUL – There have been reports that the Taliban has placed former Afghanistan president Hamid Karzai and the head of the High Council for National Reconciliation, Abdullah Abdullah, under house arrest. Since former President Ashraf Ghani fled the country, Hamid Karzai,…
TERROR ATTACK IN KABUL: 13 US SERVICEMEN KILLED
by The Chicago Times Staff August 26, 2021 KABUL — A suicide bomb was detonated outside the Abbey Gate at Kabul’s airport on Thursday, killing 13 US service members and injuring dozens more, according to Pentagon officials. 10 Marines, 2 Army soldiers, and a Navy corpsman were among the dead…
ISIS RE-EMERGES UNDER BIDEN, THREATENS EVACUATION PLANS IN AFGHANISTAN
by H. Haverstock, The Chicago Times August 21, 2021 KABUL – Islamic State re-emerges and threatens US efforts to evacuate American citizens and our Afghans allies. The US Embassy has now issued a travel warning Saturday, advising Americans not to travel to the Kabul Airport unless advised by an official…
BRITISH SPECIAL FORCES EMBARRASS U.S. GENERAL BY RESCUING BRITISH CITIZENS
by H. Haverstock, The Chicago Times August 20, 2021 KABUL — According to a US colonel in the 82nd Airborne Division, Maj. Gen. Christopher Donahue told his British Army counterpart, a high-ranking field-grade officer with the British army’s 22nd Special Air Service Regiment, that British operations were embarrassing the US…
The Chicago Times 