June 15, 2021 – THE OVAL CIRCLE

Buildup of inert gases at Chinese nuclear facility, French partner firm says after reports of US investigating possible leak

Posted on June 15, 2021June 15, 2021By Editor

The French energy giant EDF has confirmed it has been informed of a buildup of inert gases at its nuclear power station in China, and called on its Chinese partner to present all the data regarding the situation. … Read More >Buildup of inert gases at Chinese nuclear facility, French partner firm says after reports of US investigating possible leak

South Korea relaxes Covid restrictions on music and sports events ahead of plan to end quarantine for some vaccinated travelers

Posted on June 15, 2021June 15, 2021By Editor

The nation has started the next stage of easing Covid measures, paving the way for larger gatherings at outdoor concerts and sports events, as it prepares to end quarantine for some travelers who were fully vaccinated abroad. … Read More >South Korea relaxes Covid restrictions on music and sports events ahead of plan to end quarantine for some vaccinated travelers

Removal of Netanyahu from power ends ‘one of worst periods’ in conflict with Israel – Palestinian Authority premier

Posted on June 15, 2021June 15, 2021By Editor

The prime minister of the Palestinian Authority has said that the ouster of Israeli longtime leader Benjamin Netanyahu closes a particularly dark chapter in Israeli-Palestinian relations. … Read More >Removal of Netanyahu from power ends ‘one of worst periods’ in conflict with Israel – Palestinian Authority premier

World

‘We must address security challenges posed by China,’ NATO chief Stoltenberg says ahead of military bloc’s summit in Brussels

Posted on June 15, 2021June 15, 2021By Editor

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that the military bloc needed to “strengthen” its strategy on countering the rise of China. Beijing doesn’t share the values of the NATO members, he added. … Read More >‘We must address security challenges posed by China,’ NATO chief Stoltenberg says ahead of military bloc’s summit in Brussels

Op-ed

Hot topics put on back burner as G7 is sucked into interminable Brexit row and summit descends into simmering row over sausages

Posted on June 15, 2021June 15, 2021By Editor

Tempers flare over Brexit and a beach barbecue dominates the sidelines, as UK officials target the ‘offensive’ EU while the rest of the world mulls how to outspend China’s Belt and Road Initiative and save the planet. … Read More >Hot topics put on back burner as G7 is sucked into interminable Brexit row and summit descends into simmering row over sausages

Former US special forces operative and son admit helping ex-Nissan chief Carlos Ghosn to escape to Lebanon

Posted on June 15, 2021June 15, 2021By Editor

Ex-special forces veteran Michael Taylor and his son Peter have admitted aiding the escape of the bailed former Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn from Japan so he would avoid prosecution for financial misconduct. … Read More >Former US special forces operative and son admit helping ex-Nissan chief Carlos Ghosn to escape to Lebanon

Iran’s navy launches new indigenous destroyer and minehunter (VIDEO)

Posted on June 15, 2021June 15, 2021By Editor

Iran has welcomed two new vessels to its navy – the Iranian-made Dena destroyer and Shahin minehunter – during a ceremony at Bandar Abbas port. The launch comes after Iran sailed two warships into the Atlantic for the first time. … Read More >Iran’s navy launches new indigenous destroyer and minehunter (VIDEO)

World

South Africa discards 2 MILLION doses of J&J Covid-19 vaccine because of US Baltimore plant contamination – health watchdog

Posted on June 15, 2021June 15, 2021By Editor

South African health authorities have ditched a whopping two million doses of Johnson & Johnson’s Covid-19 vaccine, because materials for their production came from a US factory in Baltimore that was hit by contamination issues. … Read More >South Africa discards 2 MILLION doses of J&J Covid-19 vaccine because of US Baltimore plant contamination – health watchdog

USA

No border deal: Trudeau and Biden meet, but make no progress on removing US-Canada travel restrictions

Posted on June 15, 2021June 15, 2021By Editor

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has spoken to US President Joe Biden about the increasingly troublesome border restrictions between the two countries, but a deal has yet to be made. … Read More >No border deal: Trudeau and Biden meet, but make no progress on removing US-Canada travel restrictions

EU

Amid ‘sausage war’ spat with BoJo, France’s Macron asks UK not to ‘waste time’ with Brexit controversies

Posted on June 15, 2021June 15, 2021By Editor

French President Emmanuel Macron called on the UK not to “waste time” bickering over sausages and instead to get the Brexit deal between the UK and EU to work. Earlier, Britain accused Macron of disrespecting the UK’s integrity. … Read More >Amid ‘sausage war’ spat with BoJo, France’s Macron asks UK not to ‘waste time’ with Brexit controversies