June 17, 2021 – THE OVAL CIRCLE

EU

Hungary donates state land for Chinese university project after Budapest mayor renames streets after Dalai Lama and Uighurs

Posted on June 17, 2021June 17, 2021By Editor

Hungary’s parliament has approved a proposal by Viktor Orban’s Fidesz government to donate land owned by the state for a planned Chinese university in the Hungarian capital despite fierce opposition. … Read More >Hungary donates state land for Chinese university project after Budapest mayor renames streets after Dalai Lama and Uighurs

EU

Czech Republic calls on EU court to impose €5 million-a-day fine on Poland for breaching order suspending Turow mine

Posted on June 17, 2021June 17, 2021By Editor

The Czech Republic has asked the EU’s Court of Justice (CJEU) to fine neighboring Poland €5 million a day for failing to immediately cease mining at the Turow lignite mine, due to fears it’s causing environmental pollution. … Read More >Czech Republic calls on EU court to impose €5 million-a-day fine on Poland for breaching order suspending Turow mine

28 Chinese military planes enter Taiwan’s air defense zone in largest fly-over to date, Taipei says

Posted on June 17, 2021June 17, 2021By Editor

Taiwan’s government has reported that 28 Chinese planes, including fighter jets and nuclear-capable bombers, entered its air defense identification zone (ADIZ) in the largest ‘incursion’ to date. … Read More >28 Chinese military planes enter Taiwan’s air defense zone in largest fly-over to date, Taipei says

Russia ranked third in list of EU’s largest exporters

Posted on June 17, 2021June 17, 2021By Editor

The value of Russian merchandise exports to European Union countries amounted to €42.5 billion in January-April, according to Europe’s statistical office Eurostat. … Read More >Russia ranked third in list of EU’s largest exporters

Fitch Ratings upgrades Russia’s economic outlook for 2021

Posted on June 17, 2021June 17, 2021By Editor

International rating agency Fitch has raised its forecast for Russia’s economic growth this year from 3.3% to 3.7%, saying GDP growth will accelerate to 5.5% in the second half of 2021. … Read More >Fitch Ratings upgrades Russia’s economic outlook for 2021

Ruble strengthens to 11-month high as Russia squeezes out US dollar from its economy

Posted on June 17, 2021June 17, 2021By Editor

The Russian ruble has hit the strongest level against the US dollar since July 2020, as global crude oil prices are on the rise and the country continues to eliminate dollar holdings from its currency reserves. … Read More >Ruble strengthens to 11-month high as Russia squeezes out US dollar from its economy

Russia

Moscow releases 2020 mortality stats: Excess death figures show Russia suffered more from Covid-19 than comparable Western nations

Posted on June 17, 2021June 17, 2021By Editor

New figures released by Russia have revealed that, in 2020, the year the Covid-19 pandemic began, mortality in the country increased by 19%, painting a bleaker picture than previously published in official coronavirus statistics. … Read More >Moscow releases 2020 mortality stats: Excess death figures show Russia suffered more from Covid-19 than comparable Western nations

World

Ukraine gaining access to NATO’s waiting room ‘remains to be seen’ says Biden, after Kiev’s Zelensky claimed it was ‘confirmed’

Posted on June 17, 2021June 17, 2021By Editor

US President Joe Biden has poured cold water on claims by his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky that NATO has “confirmed” Kiev’s membership path, by saying that “it remains to be seen” whether Ukraine will actually qualify. … Read More >Ukraine gaining access to NATO’s waiting room ‘remains to be seen’ says Biden, after Kiev’s Zelensky claimed it was ‘confirmed’

World

‘I hope our meeting will be productive’: Putin & Biden share handshake, photo-op and optimistic words before high-stakes summit

Posted on June 17, 2021June 17, 2021By Editor

Russian President Vladimir Putin and his American counterpart Joe Biden have exchanged a handshake and pleasantries before their landmark summit in the Swiss city of Geneva, their first meeting since Biden’s January inauguration. … Read More >‘I hope our meeting will be productive’: Putin & Biden share handshake, photo-op and optimistic words before high-stakes summit

World

Presidents Putin & Biden meet in Geneva’s Villa La Grange for their first bilateral summit, with hours of discussion ahead

Posted on June 17, 2021June 17, 2021By Editor

After weeks of anticipation, Russian President Vladimir Putin has met his American counterpart, Joe Biden, in the Swiss city of Geneva, ahead of around four or five hours of planned discussion on a wide range of topics and issues. … Read More >Presidents Putin & Biden meet in Geneva’s Villa La Grange for their first bilateral summit, with hours of discussion ahead