MILAN – – The German government said on Wednesday further sanctions against Russia cannot be ruled out after a Moscow court jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny and police used force against protesters.
Chancellor Angela Merkel said Tuersday’s verdict against Navalny was ‘far from any rule of law standards’ and demanded an end to violence against peaceful protesters in Russia.
Asked if Germany was mulling new sanctions against Russia, Merkel’s spokesman, Steffen Seibert, told a regular news conference the European Union had already imposed sanctions against Moscow following a nerve attack on Navalny.
‘Further sanctions are not to be ruled out’, Seibert said, adding that Berlin would discuss further steps with its European partners.
Seibert said Moscow’s handling of the Navalny case violate basic human right principle which Moscow had signed up to and that Berlin condemned ‘the systematic use of force’ against demonstrators by Russian police.
The EU in December imposed sanctions on six Russians and a state scientific research center accused of deploying against Navalny a banned nerve agent designed for military use.
Western countries have urged Moscow to immediately free Navalny.
Russian President Vladimir Putin had denied the authorities tried to poison Navalny and said Russian agents would have finished the jog if they wanted him dead. He said in December that reports the Russia state had poisoned Navalny were part of a U.S – backed plot to try to discredit him.
Macron, Merkel Vow To Cooperate Closely Until New German Government Is Formed
Paris / France – – German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron pledged on Thursday to keep working closely together until a new German government is formed after the Sept. 26 polls in which Merkel is not a candidate. In 16 years in power, Merkel has known four French presidents and has built … More Macron, Merkel Vow To Cooperate Closely Until New German Government Is Formed
Saudi – Led Coalition Thwarts Houthi Missile And Drones Attack – Media
Dubai / UAE – – The Saudi – led coalition said late on Thursday that it thwarted and destroyed four Houthi explosives – laden drones and a ballistic rocket fired in the direction of the southern Saudi city of Jazan, Saudi state media reported. The Saudi – led military coalition intervened in Yemen in 2015, … More Saudi – Led Coalition Thwarts Houthi Missile And Drones Attack – Media
Macron Says French French Forces Killed Islamic State Leader In Sahara
Paris / France — French President Emmanuel Macron said on Wednesday that French military forces had killed Islamic Adnan Abu Walid al – Sahrawi, the leader of Islamic State in the Greater Sahara. ‘It’s another major success in our fight against terrorist groups in the Sahel’, Macron said in a tweet, without disclosing the location of … More Macron Says French French Forces Killed Islamic State Leader In Sahara
Putin To Remain In COVID – 19 Isolation For Days As Dozens In Entourage Ill
Moscow / Russia – Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday he would have to spend ‘a few days’ in self – isolation after dozens of people in his entourage fell ill with COVID – 19, the TASS news agency reported. Putin was speaking through a video link at a summit of Russia – led … More Putin To Remain In COVID – 19 Isolation For Days As Dozens In Entourage Ill
Saudi Crown Prince Launches ‘Human Capability Development’ Program
Riyadh / Saudi Arabia – – Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman launched a new program on Wednesday as part of Saudi Vision 2030 plans and a national strategy to ‘strengthen citizen’s capabilities locally and globally’. ‘The Human Capability Development Program represents a national strategy to enhance the competitiveness of national human capabilities locally … More Saudi Crown Prince Launches ‘Human Capability Development’ Program
Vladimir Putin Is To Self – Isolate After COVID – 19 Detected In Entourage – Kremlin
Moscow / Russia – – Russian President Vladimir Putin will go into self isolation after cases of the new coronavirus were detected in his entourage and will therefore not travel to Tajikistan this week for regional security meeting, the Kremlin said on Tuesday.
Saudi Arabia’s King Salman Sends Message To Algeria’s President Via Foreign Minister
Riyadh / Saudi Arabia – Saudi Arabia’s King Salman has sent a message to Algeria’s President Abdelmadjid Tebboune via the kingdom’s foreign minister regarding the ‘historical brotherly relations’ and joint cooperation between the two countries, according to state – run Saudi Press Agency. The message was conveyed by Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin … More Saudi Arabia’s King Salman Sends Message To Algeria’s President Via Foreign Minister
UAE Lifts Ban On Entry From Certain Countries For Vaccinated Residents
Dubai/UAE – – The United Arab Emirates said on Friday residents who had been fully vaccinated with a shot approved by the World Health Organization could return as of Sept.12 from a list of previously suspended countries. Dubai, one of the UAE’s seven emirates, is due to open the EXPO 2020 world fair on Oct.1 … More UAE Lifts Ban On Entry From Certain Countries For Vaccinated Residents
Dubai’s Emirates To Resume Flights To Saudi Arabia After COVID – 19 Ban Lifted
Dubai/UAE – – Dubai carrier Emirates Airline will be resuming flights to Saudi Arabia starting from September 11, following the Kingdom’s announcement that it would lift COVID – 19 travel restrictions on the United Arab Emirates. ‘From Saturday, 11 September, Emirates will begin operating 24 weekly flights to Saudi Arabia, including daily flights to the … More Dubai’s Emirates To Resume Flights To Saudi Arabia After COVID – 19 Ban Lifted
Saudi Arabia Extends Iqama, Visit, Exist And Re – Entry Visas For Free Till Nov. 30
Riyadh / Saudi Arabia – – Saudi General Directorate Of Passports has started to automatically extend the validity of residence permits (Iqama) for expatriates outside the Kingdom as well as vist visas and exit and re – entry visas without fees or charge until Nov.30. The decision implements the directives of King Salman. The extension, … More Saudi Arabia Extends Iqama, Visit, Exist And Re – Entry Visas For Free Till Nov. 30
