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.
World News
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.
Intelligence on Sick Staff at Wuhan Lab Fuels Debate On Covid-19 Origin
Three researchers from China’s Wuhan Institute of Virology became sick enough in November 2019 that they sought hospital care, according to a previously undisclosed U.S. intelligence report that could add weight to growing calls for a fuller probe of whether the Covid-19 virus may have escaped from the laboratory.
North Korea building MIRVS, tactical nukes
Army Gen. Paul LaCamera, nominated to be the next commander of U.S. forces in South Korea, told the Senate this week that North Korea is building small warheads, tactical nuclear arms and multiple warhead missiles.
Belarus Detains Journalist After Forcing Plane To Land
European leaders have condemned Belarusian authorities after a passenger plane traveling between two European capitals was forced to land, and a prominent opposition journalist was detained.
Fourteen Dead In Italy Cable Car Crash
At least 14 people have died, including one of two children rushed to hospital after a cable car crashed to the ground in Verbania, in the Piedmont region of northern Italy, officials say.
EU reaches deal on approving COVID ‘travel pass’
European Union lawmakers and member states on Thursday reached an agreement that would allow anyone in the bloc to obtain digital proof of coronavirus vaccination status, COVID test results, or recovery from an infection.