Russia to close branches of Germany's Goethe Institute / Photo: Igor IVANKO - AFP
-
Russia to close branches of Germany's Goethe Institute
-
Indonesia protesters targeted by coordinated disinfo
-
Spacecraft bound for Mercury faces 'tricky' arrival
-
Oil sinks, bond yields ease and stocks boosted after Trump Iran hint
-
Philippines holds drills to safeguard students from armed intruders
-
American jazz singer Cassandra Wilson dies at 70
-
In Ghana, larger-than-life coffins tell the stories of the dead
-
Rare trio of Pacific hurricanes fueled by historic El Nino
-
Menoncello, Reece headline Top 14 new-season signings
-
Chinese WNBA star out of World Cup after losing passport
-
Families descend on Nepal in search of missing tourists
-
Medieval Europe and Africa collide in Sao Tome traditional theatre
-
Far-right AfD eyes huge win in east German state vote
-
Iran attacks US targets despite Trump threats
-
Brazil-Japan to play World Cup rematch at Singapore tournament
-
Alcaraz believes 'impossible' schedule raising injury threat
-
Defence chiefs back boosting US military presence in Australia
-
Alcaraz rallies to reach US Open third round, Sabalenka storms through
-
Nepal seeks climate justice after Himalayan disaster
-
Alcaraz overpowers Faria to reach US Open third round
-
Stocks rise, yields ease as oil slips on Trump hint at short bombing campaign
-
Hamilton hopes to boost title bid with record Italian triumph
-
Brussels Diamond League finals Day 1 - five events to watch
-
Iran, US trade threats after fresh strikes
-
Thailand's 'Jurassic Park' shines light on dinosaur evolution
-
US not 'stealing Venezuelan oil,' energy secretary insists
-
'Role model' Stokes set to open for Adelaide Strikers
-
Farming experts tout 'conscious' food systems to fix agriculture woes
-
Palau urges 'unified' Pacific response to China missile test
-
George Lucas unveils art galaxy at his new LA museum
-
Grinding away: in remote Appalachia, old mills fuel US clean food dreams
-
Veteran Wallaby Slipper targets fifth World Cup after Brumbies deal
-
Sabalenka races into US Open third round
-
Sabalenka storms into US Open third round as Pegula, Medvedev advance
-
Chinese lucky loser stuns Jodar at US Open
-
Zverev looks to improve after first-round scare
-
US Open under the influence: content creators spark debate
-
Raiders to start Cousins over top NFL Draft pick Mendoza
-
NBA hammers Clippers over Leonard salary cap violations
-
Palantir chief says France's digital sovereignty push 'backfiring'
-
NBA strips five first-round draft picks from Clippers for Leonard salary cap violations
-
US energy firms dominate Venezuela deals worth billions
-
Kane brace helps Bayern win German Cup opener
-
Iran, US trade threats after escalation in fighting
-
Migrant plight, local anger divide Ceuta one month after influx
-
US jury deadlocks again in Lindsay Clancy's child murder trial
-
Outrage as Maltese tycoon acquitted of reporter's murder
-
Lake America? No way, Canadians say
-
Rare train of Pacific cyclones fueled by historic El Nino
-
Spain report flags Moroccan police failings in Ceuta migrant rush
Russia to close branches of Germany's Goethe Institute
Russia will close multiple branches of Germany's Goethe Institute in response to Germany ordering the closure of a Russian cultural centre in Berlin, Moscow said Thursday, amid spiralling tensions between the two countries.
The Goethe Institute, funded by Germany's foreign office, is a nonprofit organisation that promotes the study of the German language.
The announcement comes after Germany imposed a raft of sanctions on Moscow earlier this week -- including the closure of a cultural centre in Berlin -- over an attempted Russian "hybrid attack" on Leipzig airport last month.
Russia has described Germany's allegations as unsubstantiated and "absurd".
"The Germans have branches of the Goethe Institute here... Of course, they'll be closed once our cultural centre has been forced out over there," Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said, according to the state TASS news agency.
He said the group's branches in Moscow, Saint Petersburg and Yekaterinburg would be closed, although the Goethe Institute does not list a branch in Yekaterinburg on its website.
Tensions between the two countries have soared since Berlin accused Moscow of being behind a drone incident at Leipzig airport last month.
Russia summoned Germany's charge d'affaires on Wednesday over what it called Berlin's "anti-Russian actions" in response to the incident.
C.Hamad--SF-PST
