UK to Begin Free Trade Deal Negotiations with Australia and New Zealand
The UK is set to begin negotiations on post-Brexit free trade agreements with Australia and New Zealand, the Guardian reported Wednesday.
World News
Russian Military Jets Intercepted Off Coast of Alaska
On Tuesday night, for the second time in one week, US fighter jets intercepted Russian military planes off the coast of Alaska, the Hill reports. Russian aircraft have been flying increasingly closer to US airspace: in March and April Russian planes were intercepted 50 nautical miles off the Alaskan coast.
US Announces New Sanctions Against Syria
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced Wednesday the latest round of U.S. sanctions against Syria, tightening pressure on President Bashar al-Assad and his government, amid concerns the war-torn country’s population will suffer.
Turkey Eyes Libyan Bases for Lasting Military Foothold, Source Says
Turkey and Libya’s internationally recognized government are discussing possible Turkish use of two military bases in the North African country, a Turkish source said on June 15, with a view to a lasting Turkish presence in the south Mediterranean.
Hezbollah: US sanctions will “starve” Syria and Lebanon
The leader of Lebanese terror group Hezbollah said Tuesday that new US sanctions are intended to “starve” both Syria and Lebanon, the Times of Israel (ToI) reports.
North Korea Deploys Troops Amid Increasing Tensions with South Korea
A day after destroying an inter-Korean liaison office, North Korea continued to increase tensions with South Korea Wednesday, when Pyongyang announced it was sending troops to the Kaesong Industrial Zone and to Mt. Kumgang, both areas that had once been the sites of joint economic ventures between the two countries, UPI reported. The move follows two weeks of Pyongyang making angry threats against Seoul because Northern defectors have been sending balloons with information leaflets over the border.
US Condemns Russia’s 16-Year Sentence for Alleged American Spy
The United States has condemned Russia for sentencing an ex-marine to 16 years in a high-security prison for spying, charges he vehemently denies.
White Silence’ in Budapest As Hungarians Mourn Virus And Policy Victims
Hungarians dressed in white have braved pouring rain to mourn those who died of the government’s coronavirus measures and COVID-19 patients who passed away. Their ‘White Silence’ rally in Budapest was, at times, interrupted by the tolling of small church bells on top of two ladders.
Scientists made 1 small edit to human embryos. It had a lot of unintended consequences.
A human embryo editing experiment gone wrong has scientists warning against treading into the field altogether.
Egypt: Ethiopia Rejecting ‘Fundamental Issues’ on Nile Dam
Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia on June 14 said talks would continue later this week to resolve their dispute over a Nile River dam that Ethiopia is constructing, even as Cairo accused Addis Ababa of rejecting “fundamental issues” at the heart of the negotiations.
With a bit of oomph, Brexit deal feasible in July, says UK’s Johnson
Leaders from Britain and the European Union agreed on Monday that talks on their future relationship should be stepped up to clinch a deal, with Prime Minister Boris Johnson suggesting an agreement could be reached in July with “a bit of oomph”.
Europe’s Reopens Borders But Concerns Remain Over Pandemic
Borders reopened across Europe on Monday after three months of coronavirus lockdowns. But many restrictions persist and remain unclear how willing Europeans will be to travel this summer.
Russia and Turkey cancel talks on Libya and Syria
Russia and Turkey have postponed scheduled talks about their respective and opposing roles in conflicts in Libya and Syria, the Washington Times reported.
Hungary Faces Court Case For Emptying Hospitals In Pandemic (Worthy News Investigation)
A human rights group supports a European court case against Hungary for “failing to protect its citizens” and “causing death” by emptying hospitals during the coronavirus pandemic.
Air Force sends F-35s to Middle East to possibly deter Iran
The Air Force is sending F-35s to the Middle East to escort ships, deter potential enemies, conduct reconnaissance and, of course, support ongoing combat operations in the U.S. military’s Central Command region.
UN links items in arms shipments and missile attacks to Iran
The United Nations says it has determined that Iran was the source for several items in two arms shipments seized by the United States and for debris left by attacks on Saudi Arabia’s oil installations and an international airport, according to a new report.
North Korea Firing ’Warning Shots’ At U.S.
North Korea has fired diplomatic warning shots at the United States saying their relationship “shifted into despair” and suggesting it may launch nuclear-capable missiles.
Dozens of Migrants Drown off Coast Tunisia
While much of the world focuses on the coronavirus pandemic, many migrants continue to die in the Mediterranean Sea, trying to reach Europe. In the latest incident, authorities say that the bodies of 46 people have been recovered off the coast of Tunisia. The tragedy happened after their boat capsized near the city of Sfax at the weekend.
Twitter ‘Deletes’ China’s Communists, Zoom ‘Deletes’ Dissidents
U.S. social media giants have reacted differently to China’s mounting censoring pressure, Worthy News monitored Friday.
Russia, Seeking to Bolster its Influence, Steps Up Intervention in Libyan Conflict
Russia is reportedly stepping up its involvement in the Libyan civil war, which has in recent years has become a heated proxy conflict drawing in numerous foreign players, driven by a range of motives.