Storytimes Newspapers

  Russia has ordered the expulsion of a British diplomat from its Moscow embassy, accusing him of engaging in economic espionage and "subversive intelligence activities" that threaten national security. The move, announced by Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB), marks the latest tit-for-tat diplomatic clash between Moscow and London as the war in Ukraine continues. The FSB identified the diplomat as Albertus Gerhardus Janse van Rensburg, a second secretary at the British Embassy in Moscow. According to the Russian security service, counterintelligence officers uncovered an "undeclared British intelligence presence" at the embassy. The diplomat was accused of providing false information upon entry to Russia and conducting activities aimed at harming Russian interests.47e051 Russian authorities have revoked his accreditation and given him two weeks to leave the country. The Foreign Ministry summoned Britain's chargé d'affaires, Danae Dholakia, to deliv...

  A shocking intelligence report presented to Kenya's parliament has revealed that more than 1,000 Kenyans have been recruited and sent to fight alongside Russian forces in the ongoing war in Ukraine, with many lured under false pretenses. The joint investigation by Kenya's National Intelligence Service (NIS) and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) was shared with lawmakers on Tuesday, dramatically revising earlier official estimates. In December, authorities had put the number at around 200, but the latest findings indicate "over 1,000" recruits since the conflict escalated. According to National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, who briefed parliament on the report, most Kenyans were deceived by rogue agents promising lucrative civilian jobs, only to be coerced into signing military contracts upon arrival in Russia. Recruits often depart Kenya on tourist visas, transiting through hubs like Istanbul, Turkey, or Abu Dhabi, UAE. The report expose...

  Meta-owned WhatsApp has accused the Russian government of attempting to completely block the popular messaging app in the country, describing the move as an effort to force over 100 million users toward a state-sponsored alternative. In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), WhatsApp declared: “Today the Russian government attempted to fully block WhatsApp in an effort to drive people to a state-owned surveillance app. Trying to isolate over 100 million users from private and secure communication is a backwards step and can only lead to less safety for people in Russia. We continue to do everything we can to keep users connected.” The company did not specify the exact nature or success of the blocking attempt, but reports indicate that millions of users in Russia experienced sudden disruptions to the service. This follows previous restrictions on features in WhatsApp and other apps like Telegram, amid ongoing tensions between Russia and foreign tech platforms since the 2022 ...