Tag: Kremlin

  • What Is ‘The Havana Syndrome’ And Its Link To Russia? , world news

    The Pentagon recently confirmed that a high-ranking Defense Department official who participated in last year’s NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, exhibited symptoms resembling the “Havana syndrome.”

    The investigation into the Havana syndrome continues, encompassing a series of health issues dating back to 2016. During this time, personnel at the US Embassy in Havana began reporting instances of sudden, unexplained sensations of pressure in the head or ears, and episodes of dizziness. .

    The harm inflicted on American government personnel, or their relatives was highlighted in a “60 Minutes” broadcast on CBS, which implied Russian involvement in these incidents. However, the Kremlin dismissed the allegations that Russian military intelligence may be behind this mysterious illness.

    What Is The Havana Syndrome?

    The term “Havana Syndrome” describes a set of puzzling symptoms encountered by American diplomats, notably those stationed at the US Embassy in Havana. The phenomenon emerged in the winter of 2017 when diplomats began reporting illnesses and strange sensations, including intense sounds and pressure in their heads.

    Recently, a senior Department of Defense official experienced symptoms like those anomalous incidents, reported AP. The reports do not suggest whether the affected defense official had to seek further medical care or retire citing medical privacy.

    In another case, Audrey Lee, a Foreign Service officer recounted an abrupt sensation of pressure in her head while washing dishes in her kitchen, according to the New Yorker. Comparable incidents were reported by fellow diplomats, sparking speculation about potential sonic assaults by a foreign party utilizing unspecified sonic weaponry.

    Symptoms And Causes of the Havana Syndrome

    According to reports by AP, the symptoms encompass a wide range, including issues with balance, sleep disturbances, dizziness, concentration difficulties, and many medical conditions could be responsible for their onset.

    As per a recent investigation by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), MRI scans did not uncover any signs of brain injuries in several American personnel reporting AHI (acute and highly unusual illnesses). Suspicions have persisted that individuals affected might have been targeted by directed energy or microwaves emitted from covert devices—a notion recognized in a previous intelligence report from the United States, as reported by the BBC.

    Which Foreign Agency Is Behind These Acoustic Attack?

    In February, the 2024 threat assessment from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence of US concluded that it was improbable for a foreign adversary to be accountable for the enigmatic ailments. The report acknowledged that US intelligence agencies held differing degrees of confidence in this evaluation.

    Nevertheless, State Department representative Matthew Miller assured the Associated Press following renewed allegations against Russian Secret Intelligence that the department maintains confidence in that evaluation. “It has been the broad conclusion of the intelligence community since March 2023 that is unlikely a foreign adversary is responsible for these anomalous health incidents,” Miller said.

  • Russian Opposition Leader And Vladimir Putin Critic Alexei Navalny Dies In Prison | world news

    MOSCOW: In a shocking political development, Russian Opposition leader Alexei Navalny, a known critic of President Vladimir Putin, has tragically passed away while in prison. The announcement, made by the country’s prison service on Friday, has sent shockwaves across the nation and the international community, raising serious questions about political motivations and accountability. Navalny, a prominent figure known for his relentless criticism of President Vladimir Putin, was serving a lengthy sentence under harsh conditions when news of his death broke. His imprisonment has long been viewed as politically motivated, with many attributing it to Putin’s desire to silence dissent and quash opposition voices.

    Details surrounding Navalny’s death remain murky, with the Kremlin stating it has no information on the cause. This lack of transparency only adds to the suspicion surrounding the circumstances of his passing, fueling speculation of foul play and potential state involvement.

    Throughout his career, Navalny emerged as a vocal advocate for democracy and transparency in Russia. His fearless activism and relentless pursuit of justice garnered widespread support both domestically and internationally, making him a symbol of resistance against authoritarianism.

    Navalny’s demise comes amid a backdrop of ongoing persecution by the Russian government. His previous brushes with death, including a near-fatal poisoning in 2020, underscore the grave risks faced by those who dare to challenge the status quo in Putin’s Russia.

    Despite facing constant threats and intimidation, Navalny remained steadfast in his commitment to exposing corruption and holding those in power accountable. His legacy as a fearless dissident and champion of democracy will endure, inspiring future generations to continue the fight for a free and just society.

    Meanwhile, President Putin’s grip on power shows no signs of loosening. With aspirations for a fifth term in office, he has cemented his status as one of Russia’s longest-serving leaders, wielding unprecedented control over the country’s political landscape.

    As the world mourns the loss of Alexei Navalny, calls for a thorough and impartial investigation into his death grow louder. The international community must demand accountability and justice for this tragic loss, ensuring that those responsible are held accountable for their actions.

  • Russia Opens Criminal Case Against Kremlin Critic, Navalny Responds

    Russia on December 29 launched a probe against the Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny for ‘fraud’, alleging that his Anti-Corruption firm FBK used more than 356 million rubles ($4.8 million) charity funds for personal use, including paying expenses from a holiday overseas. Russia’s Investigative Committee, separately, also commenced an investigation against the former for defamation of a Moscow district court judge, according to sources of Russian news agency TASS. Navalny now faced a criminal case against charges of embezzlement of 356 million rubles collected from nonprofit organizations. 

    In a statement, cited by TASS, the Investigative Committee said that Navalny’s firm misused Anti-Corruption Fund that it had ‘exclusively’ raised from NGOs. It added that the Main Investigative Directorate of Russia’s Investigative Committee collected enough information that confirms that Navalny used the money to purchase “personal property (and) material assets and to pay expenses (including holidays abroad)”. He now has charged over signs of ‘fraud’ of a large scale, the committee said in a release.

  • Vladimir Putin May Soon Receive Russian COVID-19 Vaccine Sputnik V: Kremlin

    Russian President Vladimir Putin will receive the Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine soon, according to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov. Russian scientists have developed the Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine and Putin had earlier backed the drug for mass use in his country, following which vaccination drive in Moscow began this month. Peskov, while speaking to state-owned Russia 1 TV, said that Putin has decided to take the vaccine and is waiting for the formalities to be completed. 

    Putin had given a green light to the Sputnik V vaccine back in August, making it the first vaccine in the world to get government approval. While approving the vaccine earlier this year, Putin had claimed that even his daughter received a trial shot of the vaccine, which experts said was probably to build confidence regarding the safety of the drug. Many questions were raised by the international community regarding the safety of Sputnik V due to the lack of trial data provided by Russia. 

  • Putin Congratulates Biden On Wining US Presidential Election

    Russian President Vladimir Putin on December 15 congratulated US President-elect Joe Biden on winning presidential elections following Electoral College sealing the results. The Democratic challenger defeated incumbent Donald Trump after state-by-state Electoral College vote that officially determines the next President of the United States. 

    Kremlin, which had said that it would wait for the official results to roll out to officially congratulate Biden even though other world leaders had begun pouring wishes in November, reportedly said on December 15 that Putin is now “ready for interaction and contact” with the president-elect.

    As per reports, Kremlin relayed Putin’s remarks for Biden who wishes “every success and expressed confidence” that both Russia and the United States could contribute to solving many global problems despite the budding differences. Putin reportedly underlined the responsibility of both nations for global security and stability and said that Russia is ready for ‘collaboration’ with the US President-elect.