Russia Votes On Controversial Constitution Changes
Russia has begun a week-long vote on constitutional reforms that could allow President Vladimir Putin to rule until 2036.
World News
IMF Downgrades Global Economic Forecast
As governments around the world battle the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has published a further grim forecast, predicting a 4.9% contraction in global GDP (gross domestic product) for 2020, a lower figure than the 3% forecast in April, CNBC reports. The IMF also downgraded its GDP prediction for 2021, lowering it to 5.4% from the 5.8% forecast in April.
US-Russia Agree On Talks To Prevent News Arms Race
U.S. and Russian negotiators have agreed to continue talks on how to prevent a new nuclear arms race. Still, concerns remain over China’s opposition to being included in the negotiations.
At a Time of Declining Popularity, Russia to Vote on Changes That Could Extend Putin’s Rule
Amid declining polls, Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed a military parade on Wednesday, ahead of a vote that could pave the way for him to remain in office until 2036.
US moves aircraft carriers to Taiwan Strait in South China Sea
In a display of power, the US Navy now has three aircraft carriers to the Taiwan Strait in the South China Sea, Fox News reported Monday. This is the first three-carrier mission to take place in several years and it reportedly sends a message of deterrence to China.
Italian infectious diseases specialist says COVID-19 may die out on its own without vaccine
An infectious diseases specialist in Italy has said he believes the COVID-19 virus has weakened and may disappear by itself without a vaccine, Fox News reported Monday. Dr Matteo Bassetti, head of the infectious diseases clinic at San Martino hospital in Genoa, said the virus weakening may be caused by genetic mutations resulting from lockdown and social distancing measures.
Magnitude 7.4 earthquake strikes Mexico, at least 2 dead in building collapses
The coast of southern Mexico was rattled by a powerful earthquake on Tuesday morning that killed at least two people and triggered a tsunami alert for Pacific coastlines along Central America.
US-Russia Unfreeze Nuclear Talks Amid Cold War Tensions
The United States and Russia have restarted negotiations about their nuclear arsenals following a break of more than a year amid the worst military tensions between the two atomic superpowers since the Cold War. But the talks in Vienna, Austria, began Monday amid uncertainty over whether U.S. President Donald Trump wants to secure a nuclear arms control treaty in the last four months before presidential elections.
Libyan Government says Egypt Made Declaration of War
Libya’s Government of National Accord (GNA) said Sunday that Egypt has made a “declaration of war,” against it, the Times of Israel reported.
Frustration and Hope as World Deals with Virus and Visitors
Hope but also frustration and uncertainty marked the world’s efforts Sunday to deal with the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Angry North Korea To Dump Millions of Leaflets over South Korea
North Korea threatened Monday to dump a whopping 12 million propaganda leaflets on South Korea as “retaliatory punishment” for materials and Bibles it received from activists.
Iceland hit by thousands of quakes and threat of volcanic eruption
Iceland’s meteorological service IMO said Monday that 3,000 tremors had been registered on the northern coast of the country.
Saudi-Led Coalition Intercepts 3 Ballistic Missiles Launched by Houthis: State TV
The Saudi-led coalition in Yemen said early on Tuesday it intercepted three ballistic missiles launched by Yemen’s Houthis, the sectarian Yemeni militia, towards the Saudi Arabian cities of Najran and Jizan, according to the Saudi state TV.
US destroys three ISIS camps in Iraq, underscoring continued need for air support
U.S. Central Command Gen. Ken McKenzie has repeatedly said of late that the American force of 5,200 soldiers in Iraq will be drawing down soon, but the fight against the Islamic State is not yet complete and will not be turned over to Iraqi Armed Forces alone.
3 Killed, 3 Injured As Terror Hits British Park
Three people enjoying a summer evening in a British park were stabbed to death in “an act of terrorism,” police confirmed Sunday.
Serbia’s Populists Expected To Win Vote
Serbia’s ruling populists were due to tighten their grip on power in the first European national election since the coronavirus pandemic. Voting began Sunday in the, heavily Orthodox, Balkan nation despite concerns about ongoing COVID-19 cases and what critics view as the autocratic style of the current president.
U.S., Russia To Hold Arms Talks Next Week In Move To Preserve New START
The United States says disarmament talks between its top arms control negotiator and Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov will take place next week in Austria.
UN Nuclear Watchdog Ramps Up Pressure On Iran To Access Sites
The board of governors of the United Nations’ atomic agency issued a resolution on June 19 urging Iran to provide access to two sites where nuclear activity may have occurred in the past.
Europe’s Top Court Overturns Hungary’s ‘Authoritarian’ NGO Law
The European Union’s top court ruled Thursday that Hungary’s legislation requiring non-governmental organizations to reveal their foreign donors is against EU rules. The Luxemburg-based Court of Justice of the EU (CJEU) condemned a law that forces NGOs receiving at least 7.2 million Hungarian forints ($23,000) to register with authorities.
UK Announces Major Breakthrough in Treatment of COVID-19
The UK’s National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) has announced a “major breakthrough” in the treatment of patients who are seriously ill with COVID-19. On Twitter Tuesday the NIHR said a RECOVERY trial it supported showed that the steroid dexamethasone “significantly reduces” the risk of dying for coronavirus patients requiring respiratory intervention.