Russia defends presence of military advisers
Russia’s foreign ministry on Wednesday complained that Western nations were expressing "hysteria" over Moscow’s actions in Syria. Western countries including the US expressed concern that Russia was preparing a military intervention in the country. But foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said, “Russia has never made a secret of its military-technical cooperation with Syria and military specialists are in Syria to help them master the weapons being supplied." There have been signs of intensive Russian activity in Syria in recent weeks, including sightings of Russian jets and combat vehicles and prefabricated housing being erected.
Malaysian men jailed for supporting ISIS
A Malaysian court on Wednesday sentenced two men to two years' imprisonment for trying to support ISIS. Architect Mohd Syafrien Rasid and technician Mohamad Yusoffe Ishak were arrested at Kuala Lumpur International Airport last year as they were trying to leave the country to support ISIS in Syria. The Kuala Lumpur High Court ordered Syafrien and Yusoffe to serve their jail term beginning from the date of their arrest on September 25 last year.
UK asks Russia and Iran to call Damascus
The conflict in Syria will not be resolved unless Russia and Iran use their influence on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to help reach a political solution, British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said on Wednesday. Speaking to parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee, Hammond said any solution had to be political rather than military. But he conceded that Britain was not able to make that happen by talking nicely to the various players in Syria.
Pakistani journalist shot dead
A senior Pakistani journalist was shot dead by unidentified gunmen outside his home in Karachi on Wednesday. Aftab Alam was reversing his car in the city's North Sector C area when he was targeted by two gunmen on a motorbike. He received multiple bullet wounds on his head, neck and chest. "It appears to be a case of target killing," a senior police official Munir Sheikh said.
Elizabeth becomes longest-reigning UK monarch
Queen Elizabeth II thanked well-wishers at home and overseas for their touching messages of kindness as she became Britain's longest-reigning monarch on Wednesday. The 89-year-old queen said the title was "not one to which I have ever aspired". Prime Minister David Cameron said the service the Queen had given was humbling.
Russia’s foreign ministry on Wednesday complained that Western nations were expressing "hysteria" over Moscow’s actions in Syria. Western countries including the US expressed concern that Russia was preparing a military intervention in the country. But foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said, “Russia has never made a secret of its military-technical cooperation with Syria and military specialists are in Syria to help them master the weapons being supplied." There have been signs of intensive Russian activity in Syria in recent weeks, including sightings of Russian jets and combat vehicles and prefabricated housing being erected.
Malaysian men jailed for supporting ISIS
A Malaysian court on Wednesday sentenced two men to two years' imprisonment for trying to support ISIS. Architect Mohd Syafrien Rasid and technician Mohamad Yusoffe Ishak were arrested at Kuala Lumpur International Airport last year as they were trying to leave the country to support ISIS in Syria. The Kuala Lumpur High Court ordered Syafrien and Yusoffe to serve their jail term beginning from the date of their arrest on September 25 last year.
UK asks Russia and Iran to call Damascus
The conflict in Syria will not be resolved unless Russia and Iran use their influence on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to help reach a political solution, British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said on Wednesday. Speaking to parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee, Hammond said any solution had to be political rather than military. But he conceded that Britain was not able to make that happen by talking nicely to the various players in Syria.
Pakistani journalist shot dead
A senior Pakistani journalist was shot dead by unidentified gunmen outside his home in Karachi on Wednesday. Aftab Alam was reversing his car in the city's North Sector C area when he was targeted by two gunmen on a motorbike. He received multiple bullet wounds on his head, neck and chest. "It appears to be a case of target killing," a senior police official Munir Sheikh said.
Elizabeth becomes longest-reigning UK monarch
Queen Elizabeth II thanked well-wishers at home and overseas for their touching messages of kindness as she became Britain's longest-reigning monarch on Wednesday. The 89-year-old queen said the title was "not one to which I have ever aspired". Prime Minister David Cameron said the service the Queen had given was humbling.
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