Latest news with #American-Russian
Press and Journal
6 days ago
- Business
- Press and Journal
Earthquakes, mistaken identity and a 14-hour wait for a ride: Hitchhiker lifts lid on journey from Aberdeen to Hong Kong
Despite only being halfway through his journey, John Dougan has already been mistaken multiple times for a Russian-American defector, survived an earthquake and forced to wait 14 hours for his next ride. John left the Granite City two months ago to set out on his epic hitchhiking route that will span over 14,000km and up to 25 countries – his final destination, Aberdeen, Hong Kong. The 32-year-old recently found himself worn out and struggling with his mental health. John was seeking a more independent life, which led him to quit his corporate job and create his social channels. He wanted to share honest content with users, highlighting the highs and lows of his trip. His journey across the globe has thrown up various challenges beyond the regular hurdles of hitchhiking. John, originally from Glasgow, has been stopped multiple times at borders and mistaken American-Russian defector John Mark Dougan. Not only do the two share the same first and last names, but they both have the same birthday. John Mark Dougan is a former U.S. Marine who fled to Russia in 2016, accused of running websites that spread Russian propaganda. He said: 'At the borders, they are a little bit worried we are the same person, so it became a problem 'But because Turkey is such a big country I haven't had to deal with it in a few weeks, thankfully' said John. John Mark Dougan now follows the hitchhiker on Instagram and often likes and comments on his posts. John spoke about the troubles he faced with getting from place to place. He said: 'It can become quite a challenge, but it depends where you are. Cities are very difficult to get out of and its all about positioning. It becomes a bit of a skill that you pick up and you learn techniques.' He told The Press & Journal that cultural differences have played a huge part in his journey so far, explaining that some cultures are more open to hitchhiking than others. 'You see countries through a different lens, and you get to know the people and the culture of a country much better,' John added. However, it hasn't all been plain sailing for John. While at the German-Austrian border, he was left waiting 14 hours for a lift as nobody stopped. He continued: 'It was hard because it was still relatively early into the trip, and it was one of those moments where I thought, is this even going to be possible?' While in southeastern Turkey, a 5.8 magnitude earthquake struck the area John was passing through. At least one person has died in the quake. John said: 'I've been in a couple of earthquakes before but when you wake up during the night and the whole building is shaking, its quite scary.' On top of waiting for a ride and navigating an earthquake, John has also had to balance his budget. Having travelled before, he's no stranger to the cost of seeing the world. Money was a topic that came up in most conversations on his journey towards Hong Kong. Many drivers have discussed inflation and how it has affected countries in Europe as well as Turkey and Albania. He said: 'Countries that were once inexpensive to travel and live in are now almost equivalent to European prices.' John is currently in southeastern Turkey and plans to go on to the Caucasus region, across the Caspian Sea and into Kazakhstan and China. To follow John's journey, visit his TikTok and Instagram, where he shares the highs and lows of his trip. He is also using the platforms to raise awareness and funds for mental health charities, another reason for his expedition. John is hoping to reach Aberdeen, Hong Kong by October but is now hoping to extend his travels into a bigger trip around the world – minus the hitchhiking.
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Trump to meet with American ballerina who was held in Russian prison for 15 months
President Donald Trump was set Monday to meet Ksenia Karelina, a Russian-American ballerina and esthetician who was held in a Russian prison for over a year. Karelina, 34, was born in Russia and immigrated to the U.S. more than 10 years ago, building a life in Los Angeles as an esthetician at a spa and obtaining citizenship in 2021. But Karelina was arrested in January 2024 while visiting her parents and sister in the southern Russian city of Yekaterinburg. Now, NBC News reports Trump will meet with her Monday after his administration secured her release. Karelina was accused of treason after she donated $51 from her U.S. bank account to a charity that sends aid to Ukraine on February 24, 2022 — the day Russia launched its full-scale invasion into the country. Russia's Federal Security Service issued a statement at the time claiming that Karelina had been 'proactively collecting funds... which were subsequently used to purchase tactical medical items, equipment, means of destruction and ammunition for the Ukrainian armed forces.' Following Karelina's arrest, the charity she donated to released a statement condemning her arrest and calling on the US government 'to continue to do everything in its power to demand that President Putin release all those unjustly detained by Russia and to hold Russia's political and military leadership accountable for their unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.' In August, she was sentenced to 12 years in a penal colony for 'high treason.' Russian authorities claimed she 'fully admitted her guilt.' Karelina was released last month and safely returned to the U.S. The 34-year-old was freed as part of a prisoner exchange between the U.S. and Russia, negotiated by the CIA and senior Russian intelligence officials. Russian President Vladimir Putin pardoned Karelina before the swap. 'Today, the United States welcomes the return of American-Russian ballerina Ksenia Karelina who was sentenced by a Russian court to a penal colony for 12 years after authorities discovered she had donated to a Ukrainian charity,' Mike Waltz said last month while serving as National Security Adviser. 'President Trump and his administration continue to work around the clock to ensure Americans detained abroad are returned home to their families,' he added. Her release came after Russian authorities released Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, former Marine Paul Whelan, and Russian-American journalist Alsu Kurmasheva in August during a historic prisoner swap. 'They're out of Russia. Earlier today, they were flown to Turkey, and soon there'll be wheels up on their way home to see their families,' President Joe Biden said at the time. 'This is an incredible relief for all the family members gathered here. It's relief to the friends and colleagues all across the country who have been praying for this day for a long time.' However, around ten Americans remain in Russian prisons, Reuters reports. Among them is Stephen James Hubbard, a 73-year-old accused of serving as a mercenary for Ukraine. He was sentenced to more than six years in prison after Russian officials claimed he pleaded guilty. The State Department declared Hubbard 'wrongfully detained,' meaning the U.S. can now negotiate for his release. He's believed to be the only American still in Russian custody with this designation, Reuters reports.
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Trump to meet with American ballerina who was held in Russian prison for 15 months
President Donald Trump was set Monday to meet Ksenia Karelina, a Russian-American ballerina and esthetician who was held in a Russian prison for over a year. Karelina, 34, was born in Russia and immigrated to the U.S. more than 10 years ago, building a life in Los Angeles as an esthetician at a spa and obtaining citizenship in 2021. But Karelina was arrested in January 2024 while visiting her parents and sister in the southern Russian city of Yekaterinburg. Now, NBC News reports Trump will meet with her Monday after his administration secured her release. Karelina was accused of treason after she donated $51 from her U.S. bank account to a charity that sends aid to Ukraine on February 24, 2022 — the day Russia launched its full-scale invasion into the country. Russia's Federal Security Service issued a statement at the time claiming that Karelina had been 'proactively collecting funds... which were subsequently used to purchase tactical medical items, equipment, means of destruction and ammunition for the Ukrainian armed forces.' Following Karelina's arrest, the charity she donated to released a statement condemning her arrest and calling on the US government 'to continue to do everything in its power to demand that President Putin release all those unjustly detained by Russia and to hold Russia's political and military leadership accountable for their unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.' In August, she was sentenced to 12 years in a penal colony for 'high treason.' Russian authorities claimed she 'fully admitted her guilt.' Karelina was released last month and safely returned to the U.S. The 34-year-old was freed as part of a prisoner exchange between the U.S. and Russia, negotiated by the CIA and senior Russian intelligence officials. Russian President Vladimir Putin pardoned Karelina before the swap. 'Today, the United States welcomes the return of American-Russian ballerina Ksenia Karelina who was sentenced by a Russian court to a penal colony for 12 years after authorities discovered she had donated to a Ukrainian charity,' Mike Waltz said last month while serving as National Security Adviser. 'President Trump and his administration continue to work around the clock to ensure Americans detained abroad are returned home to their families,' he added.
The Independent
05-05-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Trump to meet with American ballerina who was held in Russian prison for 15 months
President Donald Trump was set Monday to meet Ksenia Karelina, a Russian-American ballerina and esthetician who was held in a Russian prison for over a year. Karelina, 34, was born in Russia and immigrated to the U.S. more than 10 years ago, building a life in Los Angeles as an esthetician at a spa and obtaining citizenship in 2021. But Karelina was arrested in January 2024 while visiting her parents and sister in the southern Russian city of Yekaterinburg. Karelina was accused of treason after she donated $51 from her U.S. bank account to a charity that sends aid to Ukraine on February 24, 2022 — the day Russia launched its full-scale invasion into the country. Russia's Federal Security Service issued a statement at the time claiming that Karelina had been 'proactively collecting funds... which were subsequently used to purchase tactical medical items, equipment, means of destruction and ammunition for the Ukrainian armed forces.' Following Karelina's arrest, the charity she donated to released a statement condemning her arrest and calling on the US government 'to continue to do everything in its power to demand that President Putin release all those unjustly detained by Russia and to hold Russia's political and military leadership accountable for their unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.' In August, she was sentenced to 12 years in a penal colony for 'high treason.' Russian authorities claimed she 'fully admitted her guilt.' Karelina was released last month and safely returned to the U.S. The 34-year-old was freed as part of a prisoner exchange between the U.S. and Russia, negotiated by the CIA and senior Russian intelligence officials. Russian President Vladimir Putin pardoned Karelina before the swap. 'Today, the United States welcomes the return of American-Russian ballerina Ksenia Karelina who was sentenced by a Russian court to a penal colony for 12 years after authorities discovered she had donated to a Ukrainian charity,' Mike Waltz said last month while serving as National Security Adviser. 'President Trump and his administration continue to work around the clock to ensure Americans detained abroad are returned home to their families,' he added.
Al Bawaba
10-04-2025
- Politics
- Al Bawaba
Ballet dancer Ksenia Karelina exchanged with Arthur Petrov in new deal
Published April 10th, 2025 - 10:10 GMT ALBAWABA - Russian authorities confirmed that American-Russian ballet dancer Ksenia Karelina, who had been detained in Russia, was released from prison, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed Thursday. AFP reported citing the US Secretary of State that a prisoner swap deal had been reached. "American Ksenia Karelina is on a plane back home to the United States. She was wrongfully detained by Russia for over a year and President Trump secured her release," Rubio said on X. He maintained that US President Donald Trump "will continue to work for the release of ALL Americans." On the other hand, Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) confirmed that Russian-German citizen Arthur Petrov was freed in exchange for Ksenia Karelina, Russian media reported on Thursday. The Wall Street Journal revealed that Karelina was swapped for Arthur Petrov, who was arrested in Cyprus two years ago at the request of American authorities for allegedly exporting sensitive US-made microelectronics to Russia. © 2000 - 2025 Al Bawaba (
