Russia & CIS

The stormy reaction from Ukrainian politicians and mass media to the remarks that Russian President Vladimir Putin about the "Russian Anna, the Queen of France" is in fact understandable. Of course, one should bear in mind the fact that it has nothing to do with history. The "icing on the cake" in the story was the tweet from Ukraine's Minister for Foreign Affairs

Russia's missile forces and artillery are to be rearmed. Smerch systems are said to be replaced with modernized versions of Tornado-C. The process is to be completed by 2020. Tornado-C is a large-caliber multiple-launch rocket system. New Iskander-M missile systems will be delivered to missile and artillery forces as well

Russia still has a strong ambition of a superpower. In the past, the USA and the USSR had comparable military potentials. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia was nearly destroyed. The country's defense spending was cut considerably, defense companies found themselves in a deep crisis. The Soviet power of the USSR declined in an instant

Tomorrow, lights of Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge in Istanbul, Turkey, will reflect colors of Azerbaijan flag.

In accordance with the readiness plan for 2017, a tactical-special exercise on "Actions, deployment and organization of work of mobile sanitary-epidemiological team in the field conditions" was held at the Center for Sanitary and Epidemiological Control of the Main Medical Department of the Ministry of Defense.

In accordance with the Armed Forces preparation plan for 2017, practical shooting skills of snipers are examined in formations and military units located in the frontline zone.

An ancient 3-ha large Necropolis dating back to Late Antiquity has been unearthed in the Demirchi village of Azerbaijan’s Shamakhy district.

"We support the budget rule, the transitional provision of the budget rule as it is."

Iraqi armed forces launched an operation on Saturday to capture the last Islamic State-held enclave in Mosul, according to a military statement.

Cholera has recently killed more than 400 people in Yemen, prompting humanitarian agencies to step up aid deliveries.

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev sent a letter of condolence to Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.

The measure was taken in line with President Donald Trump’s March 6 memorandum on heightened screening.

"There were no provocation attempts during the 4th Islamic Solidarity Games."

Azerbaijani and Russian presidents are expected to hold a several meetings this year.

A serious traffic accident has occurred in Turkey.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has declined a request to host an event to mark Islam's holy month of Ramadan, two U.S. officials said, apparently breaking with a bipartisan tradition in place with few exceptions for nearly 20 years.

Turkmen president Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov has signed a relevant order.

Armenian armed forces have violated ceasefire again.

U.S. pop star Ariana Grande said on Friday that she will hold a benefit concert in Manchester for the victims of Monday's suicide bombing in the English city.

Five rivers burst their banks as a result of a powerful monsoon.