Russian bombers fly over Belarus amid Ukraine tensions

Russia on Saturday sent a pair of long-range nuclear-capable bombers on patrol over its ally Belarus amid spiraling tensions over Ukraine. The Russian Defense Ministry said the two Tu-22M3 bombers practiced interacting with the Belarusian air force and air defense during a four-hour mission. The flight followed several similar patrols over Belarus, which borders Ukraine

UK foreign office says Kremlin is planning to install a pro-Russian leader in Ukraine – CNN

The British government is reporting it has information that the Russian government is planning to “install a pro-Russian leader” in Ukraine. CNN’s Pamela Brown speaks with Washington Post columnist Josh Rogin and Ret. Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling.

The Cold War: Crash Course US History #37

In which John Green teaches you about the Cold War, the decades long conflict between the USA and the USSR. The Cold War was called cold because of the lack of actual fighting, but this is inaccurate. There was plenty of fighting, from Korea to Viet Nam to Afghanistan, but we’ll get into that stuff

President Putin claims “international terrorism” behind Kazakhstan protests – BBC News

The President of Kazakhstan has described the protests last week in which dozens are reported to have died, as an attempted coup. Troops from Russia are in the country to support its government in restoring order and President Putin said Kazakhstan had been targeted by “international terrorism”. Huw Edward presents BBC News at Ten reporting

Polish official fired after calling Holocaust law ‘stupid’

A Polish diplomat charged with improving contacts with Jews worldwide has been fired after he criticized his own government’s approach to regulating Holocaust speech, the Foreign Ministry said Monday. Jaroslaw Nowak, the plenipotentiary for contacts with the Jewish diaspora described a Holocaust speech law passed by his country’s ruling party as “stupid,” in an interview

‘Say no to Putin’: Ukrainians support protests in Kazakhstan

Demonstrators in Kyiv and Kharkov fly the blue and gold flag of Kazakhstan, where Russian troops have been sent to quell riots. With their country’s fate being discussed at this week’s US-Russia talks, Ukrainians took to the streets over the weekend to defend their independence and champion an additional cause – that of Kazakhstan’s protests. On Sunday,

Israeli Shot Along Gaza Border, Three Palestinians Wounded in Strikes on Hamas Posts

Civilian doing maintenance work on Israel’s border fence sustains light wounds A man was lightly wounded on Wednesday after shots fired along Israel’s border with the Gaza Strip. The Israeli military struck Hamas positions in response, wounding at least three Palestinians.  The Israeli military confirmed the shooting near the northern Strip, adding that it was

Israeli forces demolish a Palestinian home in Hebron – Al Jazeera Newsfeed

“They destroy and we build.” Palestinian women confront Israeli forces as bulldozers demolish their home in Hebron in the occupied West Bank.

Israel forced displacement: Residents of Sheikh Jarrah fight to keep homes – Al Jazeera

One neighbourhood in the occupied East Jerusalem has become a major flashpoint in the Israel-Palestinian conflict as this year comes to a close. Jewish settlers long have claimed the homes of Palestinian families in the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood, putting them at risk of being forcibly displaced through the Israeli courts. That has led to several

Drones: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

The United States has launched a huge number of drone strikes under President Obama. It’s widely accepted and extremely terrifying.