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FOREIGN

Russia retaliates with diplomat expulsions, consulate closure

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Russia on Thursday announced a mass expulsion of US diplomats and the closure of the US consulate in Saint Petersburg in retaliation to coordinated moves by Western countries to isolate Moscow in the wake of the poisoning of a former double agent in Britain.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Moscow would expel 60 US diplomats and close Washington’s consulate in Saint Petersburg in a tit-for-tat response to the expulsion of its envoys across three continents.

In Washington, the State Department said there was no justification for the Russian move and that the United States “reserves the right to respond.”
“It’s clear from the list provided to us that the Russian Federation is not interested in a dialogue on issues that matter to our two countries,” spokeswoman Heather Nauert said of the expelled diplomats.

“I want to remind you that there is no justification for the Russian response. Our actions were motivated purely by the attack on the United Kingdom, the attack on a British citizen and his daughter.

“Remember, this is the first time that a weapons-grade nerve agent, Novichok, has been used outside of war on allied soil.”

White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said Russia’s expulsion of US diplomats marks a “further deterioration” in relations between the two countries, but like Nauert defended similar moves by Washington and its allies.

“Russia’s response was not unanticipated, and the United States will deal with it,” she said.

Lavrov said the US Ambassador to Russia Jon Huntsman had been informed of “retaliatory measures”, which include “the expulsion of the equivalent number of diplomats and our decision to withdraw permission for the functioning of the US consulate general in Saint Petersburg.”

Over 150 Russians expelled
Earlier, Washington had ordered 60 Russia diplomats to leave the country and shut down the Russian consulate general in Seattle.

In all, more than 150 Russian diplomats have been ordered out of the US, EU members, NATO countries and other nations in coordinated action against Moscow which they accuse of poisoning ex-spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in a nerve agent attack in the English city of Salisbury on March 4.

On Thursday, the hospital where the two are being treated said that Yulia, 33, was “improving rapidly and is no longer in a critical condition”, while 66-year-old Sergei remained in a critical but stable condition.

Britain has said it is “highly likely” that Russia was responsible for the attack using a nerve agent developed in the Soviet Union, but Russia has angrily denied any involvement.

The Russian foreign ministry said that 58 diplomats from the US embassy in Moscow and two from the consulate in the city of Yekaterinburg have to leave Russia by next Thursday.

And the US consulate general in Saint Petersburg will have to be vacated by Saturday.

Moscow warned that Huntsman’s suggestion — made on Russian RBK television — that the US could also freeze Russian state assets would lead to “further serious deterioration in our relations.”

And it warned that it could take further measures in response if Washington “continued hostile actions” against the Russian embassy and consulates.

“We have suggested that the US authorities, which have encouraged and inflated a campaign of slander against our country, should come to their senses and cease thoughtless actions that destroy bilateral relations,” the ministry said.

‘Pressure from US and Britain’
Lavrov said Russia was also mulling tit-for-tat responses to the other countries that have expelled its diplomats.

“As for the other countries, it’s also all symmetrical measures as to the number of people who will be leaving Russia from diplomatic missions, and that’s all so far,” Lavrov said.

Indeed, the measures might “not only” be symmetrical, he said.

Lavrov said Russia was reacting to “absolutely unacceptable actions that are taken against us under very harsh pressure from the United States and Britain under the pretext of the so-called Skripal case.”

He accused London of “forcing everyone to follow an anti-Russian course.”

Lavrov said Britain had informed Moscow of the state of health of Yulia Skripal on Thursday and that Russia had asked again for access to her as a citizen.

He said Moscow wanted to “establish the truth” over the poisoning and accused Britain of “making mockery of international law.”

Russia had asked for a meeting with the executive council of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons on Tuesday to ask questions to “establish the truth”, he said.

“We are counting on our Western partners not evading an honest conversation,” Lavrov said.

After the poisoning, Britain reacted by announcing it would expel 23 Russian diplomats, suspend high-level diplomatic contact with Moscow and not send royals to the 2018 football World Cup hosted by Russia.

Russia then responded by closing a British consulate in Saint Petersburg and closing the British Council educational and cultural organisation.

AFP

FOREIGN

Lee Min-Ho Returns To The Big Screens In Netflix’s “When The Stars Gossip”

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Lee Min-Ho back to the screen in When The Stars Gossip | fab.ng

Lee Min-ho is set to make a triumphant return to the big screens with Netflix’s upcoming South Korean series When The Stars Gossip.

After a well-planned hiatus, the iconic actor will star in this highly anticipated sci-fi romance alongside Gong Hyo-jin.

The series will premiere globally on January 4, 2025. Netflix K-Content announced it with exclusive first-look images that tease a captivating narrative exploring love and life among the stars.

In the series, Min-ho takes on the role of an OB-GYN who becomes a space tourist. Meanwhile, Gong portrays a space mission commander. Their characters promise an exciting dynamic that blends romance and adventure in an interstellar setting.

Renowned as one of South Korea’s most celebrated actors, Lee Min-ho rose to international fame with his breakout role as the charismatic Gu Jun-Pyo in the 2009 drama Boys Before Flowers.

His performance earned widespread acclaim and established him as a key figure in the global Hallyu wave. Over the years, he has enthralled audiences with his performances in hit dramas. These dramas are The Heirs (2013), Legend of the Blue Sea (2016), and The King: Eternal Monarch (2020).

Known for his selective approach to roles, Min-ho consistently curates projects that highlight his versatility, leaving fans eagerly anticipating his next move.

His most recent major project, Apple TV+’s Pachinko, showcased his exceptional acting skills. In seasons one (2022) and two (2024), Min-ho delivered a critically acclaimed performance as Koh Hansu, a morally complex and nuanced character. This role further cemented his reputation as a versatile and skilled actor.

Lee Min-ho’s deliberate approach to choosing projects has elevated the anticipation for When The Stars Gossip. Fans are thrilled to see him return to the small screen in a fresh and compelling narrative.

The series boasts an impressive supporting cast. They include Gong Hyo-jin (When the Camellia Blooms), Oh Jung-se (It’s Okay to Not Be Okay), Han Ji-Eun (Be Melodramatic), Kim Joo-hun (Castaway Diva), Lee El (My Liberation Notes), Lee Cho-hee (Once Again), and Heo Nam-jun (Sweet Home).

Indeed, the show promises to captivate audiences worldwide with its unique mix of sci-fi and romance.

Check out more movie updates here.

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ENTERTAINMENT

Denzel Washington Opens Up About 15-Year Battle With Alcohol

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Denzel Washington On 15-Year Battle with Alcohol | fab.ng

Hollywood icon Denzel Washington recently disclosed his past struggles with alcohol during an interview with Esquire.

The two-time Academy Award winner candidly shared a fifteen-year pattern of wine consumption. What began as a casual habit gradually escalated into a regular occurrence.

He began, “Wine is very tricky. It’s very slow. It ain’t like, boom, all of a sudden,” he elaborated, recalling how a wine cellar he constructed in 1999 within his home became a place for self-indulgence.

The actor added,

“And part of it was we built this big house in 1999 with a ten-thousand-bottle wine cellar, and I learned to drink the best. So I’m gonna drink my ’61s and my ’82s and whatever we had. Wine was my thing, and now I was popping $4,000 bottles just because that’s what was left. And then later in those years I’d call Gil Turner’s Fine Wines & Spirits on Sunset Boulevard and say, Send me two bottles, the best of this or that.”

Washington also delved into his past, acknowledging his youthful experimentation with drugs. However, he emphasized that he never developed an addiction to substances such as heroin or cocaine.

He continued,

“I’m sure at first it was easy because I was younger. Two months off and let’s go. But drinking was a fifteen-year pattern. And truth be told, it didn’t start in ’99. It started earlier.”

A decade ago, as Washington neared his 60th birthday, a turning point arrived. He made the resolute decision to abstain from alcohol completely.

“I’ve done a lot of damage to the body. We’ll see. I’ve been clean. Be ten years this December. I stopped at sixty and I haven’t had a thimble’s worth since. Things are opening up for me now—like being seventy. It’s real. And it’s okay. This is the last chapter—if I get another thirty, what do I want to do? My mother made it to ninety-seven,” said Washington.

Check out more updates here.

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FOREIGN

Bruno Mars Breaks All-Time Spotify Monthly Listener Record For The Second Time

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Bruno Mars Breaks Spotify Monthly Listener Record | fab.ng

Bruno Mars now commands 130 million monthly Spotify listeners, shattering the platform’s previous record.

The Grammy winner achieved this milestone following the release of his recent collaborations: ‘Die With A Smile‘ featuring Lady Gaga and his appearance on Rose’s track ‘APT’.

These new singles mark Mars’ first musical releases since his collaboration with Anderson Paak on their Grammy Album of the Year-winning project ‘An Evening With The Silk Sonic’ in 2021.

The stellar performance of these tracks has propelled him past The Weeknd’s previous record of 120 million monthly listeners.

The Weeknd had previously made history as the first artist to attract 100 million monthly listeners on Spotify. The Canadian superstar then broke his own record by reaching an impressive 120 million listeners.

As of November 13, 2024, Bruno Mars leads the Top 20 highest Spotify monthly listeners, demonstrating his enduring appeal and growing global fanbase.

His achievement reflects both the success of his recent releases and his consistent ability to connect with audiences worldwide.

The record-breaking numbers showcase the expanding reach of streaming platforms and Mars’ commanding presence in the digital music landscape.

Top 20 highest Spotify monthly listeners as of November 13, 2024.

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