The US is skeptical about UK Defense Secretary Ben Wallace's candidacy for the post of NATO secretary general
A UK newspaper reported that the US has reservations about Wallace, with some in the military unhappy with the way he has set the pace on the Ukraine issue.
The newspaper also reported that the European Union would not accept a candidate from a country that is not part of the bloc. Wallace would need a firm decision from US President Joe Biden in favor of his candidacy in order to become secretary general against the background of such a position in the EU, The Guardian noted.
Current Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg was due to retire on October 1, 2022, but in March 2022 the leaders of the alliance decided to extend his mandate until September 30, 2023.
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A UK newspaper reported that the US has reservations about Wallace, with some in the military unhappy with the way he has set the pace on the Ukraine issue.
The newspaper also reported that the European Union would not accept a candidate from a country that is not part of the bloc. Wallace would need a firm decision from US President Joe Biden in favor of his candidacy in order to become secretary general against the background of such a position in the EU, The Guardian noted.
Current Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg was due to retire on October 1, 2022, but in March 2022 the leaders of the alliance decided to extend his mandate until September 30, 2023.
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The Chinese Embassy in the UK called on London to cease all contacts with Taipei
"The British side allowed certain figure from the Taiwan region to visit the UK and arranged for relevant official to meet with said person. This move seriously violates the one-China principle and the basic norms of international relations," the embassy spokesperson said in a statement.
The document read that the meeting sent a "seriously wrong signal" to Taiwan's independence separatist forces and interfered in China's internal affairs, adding that Beijing strongly deplored and firmly opposed the move.
"China urges the UK to earnestly abide by the one-China principle and basic norms governing international relations, stop any official exchanges with the Taiwan authorities, and stop emboldening separatist forces for 'Taiwan independence'. We want to make it clear to the UK side that any actions that undermine China's interests will be met with resolute responses," the statement said.
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"The British side allowed certain figure from the Taiwan region to visit the UK and arranged for relevant official to meet with said person. This move seriously violates the one-China principle and the basic norms of international relations," the embassy spokesperson said in a statement.
The document read that the meeting sent a "seriously wrong signal" to Taiwan's independence separatist forces and interfered in China's internal affairs, adding that Beijing strongly deplored and firmly opposed the move.
"China urges the UK to earnestly abide by the one-China principle and basic norms governing international relations, stop any official exchanges with the Taiwan authorities, and stop emboldening separatist forces for 'Taiwan independence'. We want to make it clear to the UK side that any actions that undermine China's interests will be met with resolute responses," the statement said.
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Swiss residents in a referendum approved the introduction of a minimum tax rate of 15% for large multinational companies
According to the referendum results, 78.45% voted in favor of the initiative and 21.55% against.
In April, Switzerland decided to join a project of 140 countries of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the G20 on minimum taxation of large multinational enterprises. The aim of the project is to make such companies pay at least 15% income tax in each jurisdiction if their annual turnover exceeds 750 million Swiss francs ($839 million).
The Swiss Federal Tax Office estimates that the revenue from the additional tax would be 1-2.5 billion Swiss francs.
Swiss citizens also supported the text of the federal climate law, which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Switzerland to zero by 2050.
About 59% voted in favor of the law, while almost 41% voted against it.
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According to the referendum results, 78.45% voted in favor of the initiative and 21.55% against.
In April, Switzerland decided to join a project of 140 countries of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the G20 on minimum taxation of large multinational enterprises. The aim of the project is to make such companies pay at least 15% income tax in each jurisdiction if their annual turnover exceeds 750 million Swiss francs ($839 million).
The Swiss Federal Tax Office estimates that the revenue from the additional tax would be 1-2.5 billion Swiss francs.
Swiss citizens also supported the text of the federal climate law, which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Switzerland to zero by 2050.
About 59% voted in favor of the law, while almost 41% voted against it.
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The restoration of the Kakhovka HPP can only start once Ukrainian troops are pushed away to a safe distance
"Of course, after achieving the goals of the special military operation, or even earlier, when we drive the enemy to a safe distance, we will begin to restore the Kakhovka HPP. There is no other way - the ecology and economy of the left bank of the Kherson region and northern Crimea are strongly tied to it. This is a fundamental issue. However, it is clear that specific plans and projects will be drawn up later," acting Kherson Governor Vladimir Saldo told Sputnik.
Earlier, the head of the Kherson regional government, Andrey Alekseyenko, said that the death toll from the flooding of Kherson Region after the Kakhovka HPP damage had gone up to 35.
The upper part of the Kakhovka power plant on the Dnepro River was damaged overnight from June 5 to June 6. It was not destroyed completely, but its crumbling caused an uncontrollable outflow of water to towns on the Russian-controlled eastern bank of the river and the Ukrainian-held western bank.
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"Of course, after achieving the goals of the special military operation, or even earlier, when we drive the enemy to a safe distance, we will begin to restore the Kakhovka HPP. There is no other way - the ecology and economy of the left bank of the Kherson region and northern Crimea are strongly tied to it. This is a fundamental issue. However, it is clear that specific plans and projects will be drawn up later," acting Kherson Governor Vladimir Saldo told Sputnik.
Earlier, the head of the Kherson regional government, Andrey Alekseyenko, said that the death toll from the flooding of Kherson Region after the Kakhovka HPP damage had gone up to 35.
The upper part of the Kakhovka power plant on the Dnepro River was damaged overnight from June 5 to June 6. It was not destroyed completely, but its crumbling caused an uncontrollable outflow of water to towns on the Russian-controlled eastern bank of the river and the Ukrainian-held western bank.
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Viktor Orban slammed the EU’s newly-adopted quotas for the equitable resettlement of migrants from the Middle East
"Brussels is calling for mandatory migrant quotas once again. The Soros-empire strikes back," Orban tweeted.
In early June, the European Commission adopted a new action plan on combating illegal sea migration, under which it would speed up the redistribution of irregular migrants across all of the EU to ease the burden of frontline member states. Not all EU member states are ready to accept migrants under quotas, however.
Europe has been experiencing a major migrant crisis since 2015 due to the influx of thousands of refugees from Middle Eastern and North African countries. Migrants have been trying to reach EU states using various routes, including via Italy, Greece, Turkey and the Balkans.
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"Brussels is calling for mandatory migrant quotas once again. The Soros-empire strikes back," Orban tweeted.
In early June, the European Commission adopted a new action plan on combating illegal sea migration, under which it would speed up the redistribution of irregular migrants across all of the EU to ease the burden of frontline member states. Not all EU member states are ready to accept migrants under quotas, however.
Europe has been experiencing a major migrant crisis since 2015 due to the influx of thousands of refugees from Middle Eastern and North African countries. Migrants have been trying to reach EU states using various routes, including via Italy, Greece, Turkey and the Balkans.
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❗️ Belgorod Region, Russia has been shelled by the Armed Forces of Ukraine
💬 "According to preliminary data, seven people were injured, including one child with a broken collarbone ... All the victims are in a moderate condition," the Governor of Belgorod Region, Vyacheslav Gladkov, wrote on Telegram.
▪️Additionally, five residential buildings and four private houses were damaged in the shelling, the official added.
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💬 "According to preliminary data, seven people were injured, including one child with a broken collarbone ... All the victims are in a moderate condition," the Governor of Belgorod Region, Vyacheslav Gladkov, wrote on Telegram.
▪️Additionally, five residential buildings and four private houses were damaged in the shelling, the official added.
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Antony Blinken has made little progress in promoting Washington's agenda in his talks with Chinese officials in Beijing
Antony Blinken arrived in Beijing on June 18 in what became his first visit to China in his current role and also the first US Secretary of State visit to Beijing since 2018. It took the Biden administration almost six months to put this visit back on the schedule as it was originally set for February.
Blinken has already met with Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang, who said on Sunday that China-US relations were at their lowest point.
The US media reported on Sunday that the ambiguity following the talks indicates little substantive progress on Blinken’s agenda items, which include concerns over Taiwan, jailed US citizens in China and Beijing’s stance on Russia’s special military operation in Ukraine.
Blinken and Qin Gang are said to be "inching toward an off-ramp from months of rancor" but Beijing maintains its "stern" stance on key issues.
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Antony Blinken arrived in Beijing on June 18 in what became his first visit to China in his current role and also the first US Secretary of State visit to Beijing since 2018. It took the Biden administration almost six months to put this visit back on the schedule as it was originally set for February.
Blinken has already met with Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang, who said on Sunday that China-US relations were at their lowest point.
The US media reported on Sunday that the ambiguity following the talks indicates little substantive progress on Blinken’s agenda items, which include concerns over Taiwan, jailed US citizens in China and Beijing’s stance on Russia’s special military operation in Ukraine.
Blinken and Qin Gang are said to be "inching toward an off-ramp from months of rancor" but Beijing maintains its "stern" stance on key issues.
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📹 Footage showing the combat work of the assault units of the Marine Corps of the Pacific Fleet
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📹 "Scarlet Sails", a holiday dedicated to graduation, was held in Mariupol. The event was attended by the mayor of the city, who said that this holiday is becoming a significant tradition for residents of Mariupol
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Ukrainian troops who have attempted to advance in the south Donetsk direction have lost over half of personnel
"In the south Donetsk direction, subunits of the Vostok group of forces, with the support of artillery and aviation, inflicted fire damage on the enemy, who was trying to conduct offensive operations. Motorized rifle units thwarted two enemy attacks in the Novodonetsk area. A tank, armored fighting vehicles and more than half of the advancing manpower were destroyed," a Russian Defense Ministry spokesperson said.
Two Ukrainian attacks in the direction of Ravnopol were repelled and an attempt by the enemy to conduct reconnaissance by force in the Zaporozhye direction was thwarted, the spokesperson added.
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"In the south Donetsk direction, subunits of the Vostok group of forces, with the support of artillery and aviation, inflicted fire damage on the enemy, who was trying to conduct offensive operations. Motorized rifle units thwarted two enemy attacks in the Novodonetsk area. A tank, armored fighting vehicles and more than half of the advancing manpower were destroyed," a Russian Defense Ministry spokesperson said.
Two Ukrainian attacks in the direction of Ravnopol were repelled and an attempt by the enemy to conduct reconnaissance by force in the Zaporozhye direction was thwarted, the spokesperson added.
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Skyrora, a private space company based in the UK, will be testing its new 3D-printed rocket engines this summer for potential orbit launches
The engines, made using Skyrora’s own Skyprint 2 machine, will be tested at a facility in Midlothian, Scotland, the largest rocket testing facility in the United Kingdom, UK broadcaster said on Monday.
The weekly tests will take place over the summer.
Skyrora, which has received funding from the UK and EU space agencies, plans to scale up production if the 3D-printed engine trials are successful and will then conduct more tests of its three-stage launch vehicle, Skyrora XL.
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The engines, made using Skyrora’s own Skyprint 2 machine, will be tested at a facility in Midlothian, Scotland, the largest rocket testing facility in the United Kingdom, UK broadcaster said on Monday.
The weekly tests will take place over the summer.
Skyrora, which has received funding from the UK and EU space agencies, plans to scale up production if the 3D-printed engine trials are successful and will then conduct more tests of its three-stage launch vehicle, Skyrora XL.
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The Russian Foreign Intelligence Service received information about the decision of the State Inspectorate for Nuclear Regulation of Ukraine to send a batch of irradiated fuel from the Rovenskaya NPP for reprocessing
▪️ This fuel was moved in two containers to the storage site at Chernobyl without the IAEA being notified.
▪️ All this can be explained by the intentions of Ukraine to continue work on a dirty nuclear bomb, the Foreign Intelligence Service noted.
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▪️ This fuel was moved in two containers to the storage site at Chernobyl without the IAEA being notified.
▪️ All this can be explained by the intentions of Ukraine to continue work on a dirty nuclear bomb, the Foreign Intelligence Service noted.
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🇨🇳 🇺🇸 Xi Jinping meets US Secretary of State Blinken in Beijing
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The Pentagon is trying to obtain populations of small animals that carry HIV and hepatitis B, and cultures of mosquitoes infected with the hepatitis B virus have already been obtained, Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov, a Russian senior military official, said
▪️ He also noted the high technical level of US readiness for the use of infected vectors - this is evidenced by the presence of a patent for a drone designed to spread infected mosquitoes via the air.
▪️ The flooding of the territories of the Kherson region planned by Kiev can form foci of West Nile fever transmitted by mosquitoes, Igor Kirillov added
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▪️ He also noted the high technical level of US readiness for the use of infected vectors - this is evidenced by the presence of a patent for a drone designed to spread infected mosquitoes via the air.
▪️ The flooding of the territories of the Kherson region planned by Kiev can form foci of West Nile fever transmitted by mosquitoes, Igor Kirillov added
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Moldova's projects under a program to strengthen the country's defense capabilities with NATO support have tripled over the past year
"NATO asked Moldova to formulate assistance requests … After studying the list, NATO made a political decision, which included individual support, expanded support for Moldova. In May 2022, there were six projects on paper and three real projects, now we have 18 projects with NATO," the Moldovan Ambassador to Belgium Viorel Cibotaru said on air of the local broadcaster.
The ambassador also said that Moldova had asked for assistance related to the organization of the armed forces and the training of law enforcement agencies, adding that all projects were expected to be realized over the period from three to six months.
In January, Moldovan President Maia Sandu, in an interview with the US newspaper, said the country should abandon neutrality to be admitted to a military alliance. Sandu had repeatedly stated that the neutrality clause of the constitution could be revised if Moldovans decide they want a rapprochement with NATO.
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"NATO asked Moldova to formulate assistance requests … After studying the list, NATO made a political decision, which included individual support, expanded support for Moldova. In May 2022, there were six projects on paper and three real projects, now we have 18 projects with NATO," the Moldovan Ambassador to Belgium Viorel Cibotaru said on air of the local broadcaster.
The ambassador also said that Moldova had asked for assistance related to the organization of the armed forces and the training of law enforcement agencies, adding that all projects were expected to be realized over the period from three to six months.
In January, Moldovan President Maia Sandu, in an interview with the US newspaper, said the country should abandon neutrality to be admitted to a military alliance. Sandu had repeatedly stated that the neutrality clause of the constitution could be revised if Moldovans decide they want a rapprochement with NATO.
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Beijing will not compromise on the issue of Taiwan, and Washington must respect China's sovereignty
At the meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken Chinese Central Foreign Affairs Office Director Wang Yi focused on analyzing the essence of the Taiwan issue, emphasizing that there is no room for any compromise for China on this matter, a Chinese broadcaster reported.
The US must genuinely adhere to the one-China principle established in the three joint US-China communiques, respect China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and clearly oppose Taiwan independence, the top official added.
Seven members of the US House of Representatives have addressed Secretary of State Antony Blinken urging him to include a stopover in Taiwan on his visit to China this week, calling the breakaway island “friends and allies.”
Despite the rhetoric, the US does not officially recognize Taiwan in order to keep economic and diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China.
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At the meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken Chinese Central Foreign Affairs Office Director Wang Yi focused on analyzing the essence of the Taiwan issue, emphasizing that there is no room for any compromise for China on this matter, a Chinese broadcaster reported.
The US must genuinely adhere to the one-China principle established in the three joint US-China communiques, respect China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and clearly oppose Taiwan independence, the top official added.
Seven members of the US House of Representatives have addressed Secretary of State Antony Blinken urging him to include a stopover in Taiwan on his visit to China this week, calling the breakaway island “friends and allies.”
Despite the rhetoric, the US does not officially recognize Taiwan in order to keep economic and diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China.
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❗️ Xi Jinping's latest statements at the meeting with Antony Blinken:
▪️ The future and fate of mankind depends on whether China and the US can coexist correctly;
▪️ The United States must respect China and not harm its legitimate rights and interests;
▪️ China hopes that US-China relations can overcome all difficulties;
▪️ China respects the interests of the United States and will not challenge the United States or try to replace it.
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▪️ The future and fate of mankind depends on whether China and the US can coexist correctly;
▪️ The United States must respect China and not harm its legitimate rights and interests;
▪️ China hopes that US-China relations can overcome all difficulties;
▪️ China respects the interests of the United States and will not challenge the United States or try to replace it.
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❗️US not supporting Taiwan's independence not planning to enter into conflict with China, Antony Blinken said
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Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel will pay visits to European countries from June 20-24
"Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez will visit Europe from June 20-24. He will participate as Chairman of the G-77 + China in the Summit for a New World Financial Pact to be held in Paris," the Cuban Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
The president is also scheduled to visit Italy and pay a private visit to Vatican. Besides, the foreign ministry plans to come up with an official program of the visit to Serbia.
Diaz-Canel will also meet with European leaders and attend other events, the ministry said.
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"Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez will visit Europe from June 20-24. He will participate as Chairman of the G-77 + China in the Summit for a New World Financial Pact to be held in Paris," the Cuban Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
The president is also scheduled to visit Italy and pay a private visit to Vatican. Besides, the foreign ministry plans to come up with an official program of the visit to Serbia.
Diaz-Canel will also meet with European leaders and attend other events, the ministry said.
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📹 Russia's Su-25SM attack aircraft destroy enemy assets in the zone of the special military op
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