A Russian volcano dormant since 1975 has erupting and scientists are reporting that record amounts of lava are rushing from the mountain.
Over 1,200 metric tons of lava are rushing down the hillsides and ash clouds are rising nearly two miles into the sky. Lava has caused a forest fire and has destroyed two research bases on the mountain. Continue reading
Computer security firm McAfee has sent an alert to banks throughout the US that a Russian “cyber-gangster” using the alias “Thief-In-Law” is preparing a massive assault on the banking system.
The cyber-criminal has reportedly infected hundreds of computers in the US with the intent of stealing their bank account information. The information would then be used to pull money from their account and that of other people on the same banking system. Continue reading
A massive earthquake struck just before 1 p.m. local time yesterday near the Russian island of Sakhalin. The tremors from the quake were felt as far as away as Tokyo, Japan over 800 miles away.
The US Geological Survey rated the quake at 7.7 at a depth of 388 miles. The depth of the quake made it unlikely that any major damage would impact surrounding cities. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center stated a tsunami was unlikely due to the depth of the quake. Continue reading
Flash flooding in the Krasnodar region killed at least 171 people on Friday night with local officials admitting they were unable to give adequate warning. Two local leaders have already been dismissed because of the incident and President Vladimir Putin has demanded a full report of the incident.
In addition to the deaths, at least 17 people are missing and 210 people have been hospitalized including almost 50 children. Continue reading
UN envoy Kofi Annan has developed a new plan for Syria which includes a national unity government aimed at bringing political change to the war-torn nation. Russia, a key opponent to military intervention in the nation’s civil war, is reportedly in favor of Annan’s proposal.
According to western diplomats who have seen the plan, a cabinet will be made of members of the opposition and the current government but no one would who undermine the credibility of the body. Continue reading
A Chinese foreign ministry spokesman stated their unity with Russia in opposing any outside intervention in the looming civil war in Syria. The spokesman urged support for the peace plan offered by the UN that has proven unable to stop the violence as government troops have continued to massacre citizens.
China currently holds the presidency of the UN Security Council’s rotating presidency and has long resisted pressure to remove Syrian President Bashar al-Assad over actions taken by his government. Continue reading
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is accusing Russia of contributing to the start of a civil war in Syria. Clinton’s comments come in response to Russia and China taking actions to stop the UN from intervention in the Syrian crisis after the mass murder of women and children by government troops.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon has repeated his warnings that a catastrophic civil war is looming in Syria. Continue reading
Russia’s secret service agency has foiled a plot by terrorists to attack the city of Sochi, host of the 2014 Olympic Winter Games.
The FSB discovered ten stockpiles of guns and ammunition last week in the breakaway republic of Abkhazia. The raid discovered portable surface-to-air missiles, grenade launches, flame throwers, grenades & explosives and rifles.
The attacks are believed to be masterminded by Doku Umarov, a Chechnen rebel leader who has arranged delivery of weapons and ammunition to Abkhazia.