World

Putin grants Russian citizenship to Snowden

Published

3 years ago

September 26, 2022

editor

President Vladimir Putin on Monday granted Russian citizenship to former U.S. intelligence contractor Edward Snowden, nine years after he exposed the scale of secret surveillance operations by the National Security Agency (NSA).

Snowden, 39, fled the United States and was given asylum in Russia after leaking secret files in 2013 that revealed vast domestic and international surveillance operations carried out by the NSA, where he worked.

U.S. authorities have for years wanted him returned to the United States to face a criminal trial on espionage charges.

There was no immediate reaction from Snowden, whose name appeared without any Kremlin comment on a list of 72 foreign-born individuals on whom Putin was conferring citizenship.

In 2020, Russia granted Snowden permanent residency rights, paving the way for him to obtain Russian citizenship.

That year a U.S. appeals court found the program Snowden had exposed was unlawful and that the U.S. intelligence leaders who publicly defended it were not telling the truth.

Putin, a former Russian spy chief, said in 2017 that Snowden, who keeps a low profile while living in Russia, was wrong to leak U.S. secrets but was not a traitor.

(Reuters)

World

UN warns of severe medical supply shortage as Myanmar quake death toll passes 1600

Published

21 hours ago

March 30, 2025

editor

The UN warns a severe shortage of medical supplies is hampering the response to a deadly earthquake that hit Myanmar on Friday, as the search for survivors continues.
More than 1,600 people have been killed following the huge 7.7 magnitude earthquake that also impacted neighbouring countries, including Thailand.

In Bangkok, a 12th body was recovered late on Saturday evening from the site of a collapsed high-rise and in Mandalay, Myanmar, a woman was recovered alive after being trapped under rubble for 30 hours.

In war-torn Myanmar, the National Unity Government (NUG) – which is in exile – announced a “two-week pause in offensive military operations” in areas affected by the earthquake.

(BBC News)

News

Myanmar quakes : Death count rises

Published

2 days ago

March 29, 2025

editor

The death count from the powerful earthquake that struck central Myanmar yesterday (March 28) has reportedly exceeded 150, affecting both Myanmar and neighboring Thailand.

According to foreign media, nearly 750 people have been injured.

However, many others are still trapped under the rubble, according to reports.

The 7.7 magnitude earthquake, which hit at around 12.50 p.m. local time, was centered in the Mandalay region, a historic capital of Myanmar, while the second was magnitude 6.4.

This felt as far as Bangkok, Thailand. As a result, several buildings in both Myanmar and Bangkok sustained damage while there was a high-rise building in Bangkok that completely collapsed.

Following the earthquake, authorities evacuated passengers and staff from Mandalay Airport. However, flight operations at Suvarnabhumi International Airport (BKK) continued as usual.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that no Sri Lankans were affected by the earthquake and nearly 200 Sri Lankans reside in Myanmar, while a number of others are based in Bangkok.

World

2 quakes hit Myanmar

Published

3 days ago

March 28, 2025

editor

A strong 7.7 magnitude earthquake has hit central Myanmar, the United States Geological Survey says

The epicentre was located 16km (10 miles) north-west of the city of Sagaing at a depth of 10km, the USGS adds.

Just 12 minutes after the first earthquake hit Myanmar, another one struck, according to the US Geological Survey.

The second was a magnitude of 6.4, it records, less than the earlier one of 7.7.

The epicentre was 18km (11.1 miles) south of Sagaing.Meanwhile, following the first quake, forty-three construction workers are missing after an unfinished high-rise building collapses hundreds of miles away in the Thai capital of Bangkok

There are reports of roads buckling in Myanmar’s capital Naypyidaw, with strong tremors felt elsewhere in Thailand and in south-west China.

(Excerpts : BBC News)