Day: August 15, 2020

Categories Middle East

US seizes 4 Iranian gas tankers en route to Venezuela after threatening to disrupt deliveries – WSJ

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Washington has captured four Iranian cargo vessels on the high seas, taking hold of several fuel tankers on their way to Venezuela “without the use of military force,” the Wall Street Journal reported, citing US officials. … Read More >US seizes 4 Iranian gas tankers en route to Venezuela after threatening to disrupt deliveries – WSJ

Categories Russia

$600 billion: Despite Covid-19 crisis & falling oil prices, Russia’s gold & foreign exchange reserves reach all-time high

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The value of Russia’s gold and foreign currency holdings has risen by almost $9 billion in a week. This means it’s sitting on $600 billion in forex reserves – an all-time record beating August 2008’s previous high of $598 billion. … Read More >$600 billion: Despite Covid-19 crisis & falling oil prices, Russia’s gold & foreign exchange reserves reach all-time high

Categories Russia

Extensive foreign interference in Belarus attempting to ‘destabilize’ country, but it’s not coming from Moscow – Russian MFA

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The Russian Foreign Ministry’s spokeswoman said on Thursday that Moscow has seen evidence of outside meddling in the unrest currently engulfing neighboring Belarus. But Maria Zakharova said Russia is not one of the guilty parties. … Read More >Extensive foreign interference in Belarus attempting to ‘destabilize’ country, but it’s not coming from Moscow – Russian MFA

Categories Russia

As Covid-19 economic pain bites, Russia loses coveted status of having more cash on hand than it owes in liabilities

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If you think Covid-19 has only affected the pocket of Joe Public, think again. With high spending and dwindling national assets, the Russian government now owes more money than the sum total of reserves in the country’s coffers. … Read More >As Covid-19 economic pain bites, Russia loses coveted status of having more cash on hand than it owes in liabilities

Categories Russia

From Poland with love: Right-wing MEP calls for sanctions on Moscow to protect Belarus from ‘interference’ & ‘annexation’

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A prominent Polish MEP has made a bizarre call for the European Union to sanction Russia, due to the allegedly falsified Belarusian election and the subsequent protests that have broken out across the country. … Read More >From Poland with love: Right-wing MEP calls for sanctions on Moscow to protect Belarus from ‘interference’ & ‘annexation’

Categories Russia

Russia’s prison population falls to a record low – still large by European standards, but far smaller than US’

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Russia’s prison numbers have been falling for two decades, due to the liberalization of the penal system and use of alternative penalties. For the first time, fewer than 500,000 in the world’s largest country are now incarcerated. … Read More >Russia’s prison population falls to a record low – still large by European standards, but far smaller than US’

Categories Business

Chinese rail speeding towards exciting future by doubling network length within 15 years & introducing 600kph maglev trains

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China has unveiled ambitious plans to boost its railway industry over the next 15 years. Part of the vision are maglev lines that can ferry commuters at 600kph, with a prototype train recently approved for trials. … Read More >Chinese rail speeding towards exciting future by doubling network length within 15 years & introducing 600kph maglev trains