Nigeria Boat Tragedy Kills 150 Mainly Women And Children
More than 150 people, including many women and children, were feared drowned after an overloaded boat sank in a river in north-western Nigeria, officials said Thursday.
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Russia deploys 3 nuclear-capable bombers to Syria
The Russian military said Tuesday it has deployed three nuclear-capable long-range bombers to its base in Syria, a move that could strengthen Moscow’s military foothold in the Mediterranean.
IAEA chief: Iran’s uranium enrichment now at levels of ‘countries making bombs’
The head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog has said Iran is enriching uranium to levels that only countries seeking to make atomic weapons reach, and that the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program can no longer be returned to where it stood when a landmark 2015 deal was struck with world powers.
Cyclone Yaas Hammers Eastern India, Bangladesh
A powerful cyclone made landfall in eastern India and Bangladesh Wednesday, causing at least two deaths, flooding and damage to structures.
Biden and Putin will have summit meeting in Geneva next month
Amid rising tensions over a variety of issues between them, US President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet face-to-face at a summit in Geneva on June 16, the Times of Israel reports.
EU Bans Belarus Airlines Over Detention Journalist
The European Union on Tuesday banned Belarusian airlines from European skies after a flight was diverted to Minsk on Sunday and a dissident journalist arrested.
Mysterious air base pops up on volcanic island off Yemen
A mysterious air base is being built on a volcanic island off Yemen that sits in one of the world’s crucial maritime chokepoints for both energy shipments and commercial cargo.
Chinese Propaganda Outlet Paid Millions to American Newspapers and Magazines, Records Show
A news agency controlled by the Chinese Communist Party paid millions of dollars to American newspapers and magazines over the past six months, even as U.S. officials have sounded the alarm on Beijing’s propaganda activities.
Super blood moon and total lunar eclipse will be seen on Wednesday
Skywatchers are anticipating a doubly spectacular display during pre-dawn hours on Wednesday, as a super blood moon and a total lunar eclipse become visible across the western USA, and parts of South America and Asia. This will be the second and final supermoon of the year, USA Today reports.
EU Sanctions Belarus After It Diverts Plane And Detains Journalist
The European Union on Monday introduced new sanctions on Belarus after Minsk forced a passenger plane flying over its airspace to land and detained a Belarusian opposition journalist onboard.
Deputy U.S Treasury chief sees G7 support for 15%-plus global minimum tax
U.S. Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo said he anticipates strong support from the G7 industrial democracies for the Biden Administration’s proposed 15%-plus global minimum corporate tax, which in turn should help solidify support in the U.S. Congress for domestic corporate tax legislation.
U.S. agencies examine reports of early COVID-19 infections in Wuhan lab
U.S. intelligence agencies are examining reports that researchers at a Chinese virology laboratory were seriously ill in 2019 a month before the first cases of COVID-19 were reported, according to U.S. government sources who cautioned that there is still no proof the disease originated at the lab.
Russia Raises Concerns Over U.S. Implementation of Arms Control Treaty
Russia’s foreign ministry on Monday raised concerns over Washington’s implementation of the New START nuclear arms control treaty and said the number of U.S. launchers and bombers exceeded the agreed limit.
WHO chief: We must vaccinate 10% of the global population by September, 30% by December
The World Health Organization pushed member countries Monday to join a campaign to vaccinate 10% of the global population by September and 30% by December, dubbing the shortfall of COVID-19 shots in poorer places a “scandalous inequity” that is prolonging the pandemic.
IAEA: Iran will extend inspection deal, won’t delete footage of nuclear sites
The UN nuclear watchdog and Iran have agreed to extend an understanding to monitor Tehran’s activities by one month, the agency said Monday, with talks ongoing in Vienna try to save the 2015 nuclear deal.
Global Pharma To Distribute 1.3 Billion Coronavirus Vaccines To Poor Nations
Pharmaceutical companies have agreed to deliver more than 1.3 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines to low- and middle-income countries this year. Their agreement came at a global health summit that underlined the growing disparity between rich and poorer developing countries.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard unveils ‘Gaza’ drone in tribute to Palestinians
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards on Friday unveiled a new combat drone dubbed “Gaza” in a tribute to Palestinians, the force’s official website reported, hours after a ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian terror groups took effect.
Pro-Palestinian protesters in London burn Israeli flag, liken Israel to Nazis
Tens of thousands of people attended pro-Palestinian rallies on Saturday in Britain, France and elsewhere, during which they condemned Israel over its recent fighting with the Hamas terror group in the Gaza Strip and likened the Jewish state to Nazi Germany.
Iran denies UN inspectors access to images of nuclear sites
Iran’s parliament speaker said Sunday that international inspectors may no longer access surveillance images of the Islamic Republic’s nuclear sites, escalating tensions amid diplomatic efforts in Vienna to save Tehran’s atomic accord with world powers.
Iran reports explosion at plant that reportedly produces UAVs
At least nine people were injured in a blast on Sunday at a plant producing explosive materials in Iran’s central province of Isfahan, ISNA news agency reported.