Category: World
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US, Japan, South Korea consultations on North Korea approach
US, Japan, South Korea consultations on North Korea approach Ap-National security adviser Jake Sullivan consulted with his counterparts from Japan and South Korea on Friday as the Biden administration settles on its approach for dealing with North Korea, including its nuclear program. The Biden administration has yet to disclose how it plans to handle North…
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Biden undos Trump sanctions on Int. Criminal Court officials
President Joe Biden continues to undo many of moves of the Trump era, including taking steps to rejoin five international deals or organizations Trump had pulled out of. On Friday, Biden removed sanctions Trump had placed on two officials with the International Criminal Court. Trump was punishing them for their investigations into the United States…
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U.S. and Iran begin negotiations to resume nuclear deal
Nearly three years after President Donald Trump pulled the U.S. out of the Iran deal, talks have started to have both nations rejoin the agreement. President Biden has made it a priority, and Abbas Araghchi, a nuclear negotiator for Iran, said any “return by the U.S. to the nuclear deal does not require any negotiation…
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Biden expresses Ukraine support after Russian movement
After reports of Russian troops moving on Ukraine’s border, President Joe Biden placed a call to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy affirming his support for Ukraine. Tensions have been escalating between Russia and the U.S. since Biden took office. The Associated Press has the story: After reports of troop movement on the Ukrainian border, Biden calls…
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Biden admin considering joining Iran deal again
As expected, the Biden administration is considering rejoining the Iran nuclear deal that President Trump had exited. At the same time, it is becoming more generous than the Trump administration in granting Iraq extensions of time to continue using power from Iran. The Associated Press has the story: Biden administration exploring ways to renew Iran…
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Belgium party broken up by police with hoses
Partiers continue to violate coronavirus restrictions around the world, most recently in Belgium, sparking police intervention. The Belgium party attracted up to 2,000, and resulted in 22 arrests and multiple injuries. The Associated Press has the story: Belgian police disperse large party in Brussels, resulting in arrests and injuries BRUSSELS (AP) — Clashes between Belgian…
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Saudis not ready to increase oil production yet
Due to ongoing uncertainty about the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, Saudi Arabia’s energy minister said OPEC needs to be very cautious about resuming pre-pandemic oil production levels, because raising them too soon could depress prices. Russia, on the other hand, is more eager to increase production because its budget can handle a price drop…
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WHO concerned about Europe’s slow immunization rate
COVID-19 immunization shots have only reached about 5.6% of people in the European Union. Dr. Hans Kluge, WHO’s regional director for Europe, is concerned that the slow rollout of vaccines risks prolonging the pandemic. The Associated Press has the story: WHO’s regional director for Europe says immunization campaigns there are ‘unacceptably slow’ LONDON (AP) —…
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Russia says relations with U.S. hit bottom
Relations with Russia continue to deteriorate, as Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said they’ve “hit the bottom.” The remarks come after Russia withdrew its ambassador from the U.S., in retaliation for President Biden calling Russian President Vladimir Putin a “killer.” The Associated Press has the story: Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov dismayed about deterioration of…
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U.S. Opposes Nord Stream 2. Said Norman Roule
U.S. Opposes Nord Stream 2 Russian Gas Pipeline U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken told his German counterpart that sanctions against the Nord Stream 2 natural gas Russian pipeline were a real possibility and American opposition to its construction is clear. The United States and eastern European Union countries contend that Nord Stream 2 is…