Russia

Kremlin denounces Japan’s sovereignty claim over disputed islands Moscow says the four islands, which lie between the Sea of Okhotsk and the Pacific Ocean, are ‘Russian territory’. The territorial dispute over the four islands dates back to the time when the Soviet Union seized them at the end of World War II [File: AP] 12 Oct 2021 The Kremlin has denounced a claim by Japan’s new prime minister that Japan’s sovereignty extends to a  chain of islands  disputed by Tokyo and Moscow. While Moscow regards the archipelago that separates the Sea of Okhotsk and Pacific Ocean as its own, Tokyo says its four southernmost islands belong to Japan. KEEP READING All you need to know about islands at heart of Russia-Japan feud Kuril islands sovereignty not for discussion, Russia tells Japan Putin wants to end 70-year-old dispute with Japan over islands The Kurils: A difficult life on the disputed islands The disputed islands of Iturup, Kunashir, Shikotan and Habomai lie at their closest poin...

Russia labels reporters foreign agents after Nobel award Published 8 hours ago IMAGE SOURCE, GETTY IMAGES Image caption, A protester in August stood outside the FSB building with a sign saying "foreign agents yourself" Hours after independent editor Dmitry Muratov was jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, Russian authorities have designated several publications and journalists as foreign agents. Investigative group Bellingcat and BBC Russian journalist Andrei Zakharov are among those listed. The term "foreign agent" was used by the Soviets for political dissidents. It has since been used to label independent media organisations and NGOs seen as receiving foreign funding. Earlier on Friday the Nobel committee praised Mr Muratov, who co-founded independent newspaper Novaya Gazeta, for defending freedom of speech in Russia. Although his publication is one of few independent newspapers to have avoided the foreign agent label, he said in response to the award: "We ...