Kenyan cult leader to face murder charges in starvation deaths January 16, 2024 at 11:38PM

Kenyan cult leader Paul Mackenzie and 30 associates are ordered by a judge to undergo mental health evaluations before facing charges in connection with the murder of 191 children, whose bodies were exhumed from the Shakahola forest. Mackenzie, head of the Good News International Church, allegedly instructed followers to starve themselves and their children to death for salvation before the world's end. Over 400 bodies were discovered in one of the world's worst recent cult-related tragedies.

Russia says it's developing 'sensitive' tie with North Korea January 16, 2024 at 11:52PM

Russia is expanding relations with North Korea in various areas including "sensitive" ones, said Dmitry Peskov, the spokesperson for the Kremlin. Peskov's statement comes after North Korea's foreign minister expressed appreciation for the close relationship between the two countries. The foreign minister then held rare discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin. Notably, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has extended an invitation to President Putin to visit his secretive and nuclear-armed nation.

Crowd protests jailing of activist in Russian region of Bashkortostan January 16, 2024 at 11:02PM

Fail Alsynov, a rights activist in Russia's Bashkortostan, was sentenced to four years in a penal colony for inciting ethnic hatred. Clashes erupted between his supporters and police, with tear gas fired and arrests made. Alsynov was accused of insulting migrant workers during a protest against gold mining plans. His supporters claim the case is revenge for earlier successful protests against soda mining. Alsynov, a leader of the banned Bashkort movement, asserted his innocence and thanked supporters.