Hungary To Host Chinese Vaccine Factory
The Hungarian and Chinese governments have agreed to set up a factory in Hungary to produce the Chinese coronavirus vaccine in a move expected to raise eyebrows within the European Union.
Russia
US President Biden Halts Arctic Oil Drilling
The Biden administration has suspended oil drilling leases in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, citing environmental concerns.
Showdown: U.S., NATO wage war games in Europe; Russia to send troops west
The U.S. and its NATO allies on Monday conducted a set of major war games across Europe, while Russia responded by announcing plans to send at least 20 new military units to its western border.
Russia tells U.S. to expect ‘uncomfortable’ signals ahead of Putin-Biden summit
Russia said on Monday it would send what it described as “uncomfortable” signals to the United States ahead of a summit between the two countries’ leaders next month and announced it was beefing up its western border militarily.
Russia Removes Opposition Leader From Plane; Andrei Pivovarov Detained
The leader of the now-defunct opposition group Open Russia says he has been pulled off a plane and detained by Russian police in St. Petersburg late Monday.
Report: ‘Denmark Helped US Spy On European Leaders’
European Union leaders expressed concern Monday about reports that Denmark’s military intelligence agency helped the United States spy on leading European politicians, including the German chancellor, Angela Merkel.
Russia Gives Massive Loan To Belarus Despite Western Outrage
Russia says it will continue with a massive loan of $1.5 billion to neighboring Belarus despite mounting international concern about the treatment of critical journalists and dissidents there.
U.S. tells Russia it won’t rejoin Open Skies arms control pact
The Biden administration informed Russia on Thursday that it will not rejoin a key arms control pact, even as the two sides prepare for a summit next month between their leaders.
Russia Prohibits Austrian Airlines To Enter Moskou
Russia has prevented an Austrian Airlines flight from entering Moscow because it refused to cross over Belarusian airspace.
Belarus President Condemns Sanctions, Defends Detention Journalist On Plane
Belarus’ authoritarian president has condemned Western nations for imposing sanctions after he ordered a Ryanair flight to land in his country where an opposition journalist was detained.
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.
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 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.
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.
Clashes After Palestinian-Israeli Ceasefire
Clashes have erupted between Palestinians and Israeli security hours, including in Jerusalem injuring more than a dozen people just hours after a ceasefire was supposed to come into effect.
Biggest Navy Exercise in a Generation Will Include 25,000 Personnel Across 17 Time Zones
Tens of thousands of sailors and Marines will participate in the biggest U.S. naval exercise in a generation to test how the services will fight across vast distances as they prepare for possible conflict with China or Russia.
130 U.S. Officials Attacked By Suspected ‘Directed Energy Microwave Weapon,’ Suffer Severe Brain Injuries: Reports
Scores of top U.S. officials have been attacked by what officials believe is a “directed energy microwave weapon” that can leave victims with permanent debilitating neurological symptoms.
Christian Group Wants Australia, Britain, and New Zealand To Recognize Armenian Genocide
A leading human rights group is petitioning that governments of Australia, New Zealand, and Britain recognize the systemic killing of some 1.5 million mainly Christian Armenians systemic by Ottoman Empire forces as “genocide.”
Russia, U.S. tout cooperation ahead of Arctic Council meeting
ith a warming climate melting more Arctic ice cover and global industries eager to exploit the region for shipping, fishing, drilling and mining, the United States and Russia sounded a rare, cooperative note going into an Arctic meeting this week.
Russia Urged To Unfreeze Bank Accounts Of US Broadcaster
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CJP) said Monday that Russian authorities should unfreeze the bank accounts of U.S.- funded broadcaster Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and cease labeling media outlets as “foreign agents.”