June 24, 2021 – THE OVAL CIRCLE

EU

German-language news agencies to ‘push back’ gendered language – but fail to make a gender-neutral policy announcement

Posted on June 24, 2021June 24, 2021By Editor

Eight major producers of German-language news content are to use a bag of linguistic tricks to make their products more gender-neutral. Critics view the policy change as ridiculous catering to identity politics. … Read More >German-language news agencies to ‘push back’ gendered language – but fail to make a gender-neutral policy announcement

EU

French police fire tear gas at protest march in Nantes, break up crowds at street music festival in Paris (VIDEOS)

Posted on June 24, 2021June 24, 2021By Editor

Police have dispersed a march in memory of a young man who died during a 2019 raid in the western French city of Nantes on Monday. Officers have also broken up crowds at a music festival in Paris one day after a curfew was lifted. … Read More >French police fire tear gas at protest march in Nantes, break up crowds at street music festival in Paris (VIDEOS)

Russia

As Russia ramps up climate change fight, scientists say Siberian permafrost has survived more intense heat than previously thought

Posted on June 24, 2021June 24, 2021By Editor

Scientists at Britain’s University of Sussex have discovered that an ancient part of Siberia’s permafrost is far more resilient to heat than once thought, having survived temperatures as much as 4–5°C (39–41°F) warmer than today. … Read More >As Russia ramps up climate change fight, scientists say Siberian permafrost has survived more intense heat than previously thought

EU

Germany’s Merkel & France’s Macron to propose revival of collective EU-Russia relations & broad meeting with Putin – media report

Posted on June 24, 2021June 24, 2021By Editor

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, backed by French President Emmanuel Macron, reportedly wants the EU to invite Russia’s Vladimir Putin to a summit and consider “selective engagement” with Moscow on issues of common interest. … Read More >Germany’s Merkel & France’s Macron to propose revival of collective EU-Russia relations & broad meeting with Putin – media report

‘Would plunge into greater disappointment’: Kim Yo-jong warns US not to get hopes up for return to dialogue with North Korea

Posted on June 24, 2021June 24, 2021By Editor

Kim Yo-jong, the sister of North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un, shot down the United States’ hopes for a return to dialogue between the two countries, warning that such an expectation would leave the US disappointed. … Read More >‘Would plunge into greater disappointment’: Kim Yo-jong warns US not to get hopes up for return to dialogue with North Korea

Vaccine tourism: Abu Dhabi allows tourists to book Covid-19 shots for free

Posted on June 24, 2021June 24, 2021By Editor

The capital of the UAE has opened up its vaccination campaign to tourists, allowing those travelling to the emirate on a tourist visa to get jabbed for free before returning to their country of residence. … Read More >Vaccine tourism: Abu Dhabi allows tourists to book Covid-19 shots for free

Philippines President Duterte threatens to jail those refusing Covid shots and ‘inject vaccine in their butts’

Posted on June 24, 2021June 24, 2021By Editor

Angered by the country’s low vaccination rate, Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte has said he may jail people who refuse to get the shot against coronavirus. … Read More >Philippines President Duterte threatens to jail those refusing Covid shots and ‘inject vaccine in their butts’

EU

Renewed strikes in France over nuclear reforms lead to a 3.12% drop in power output

Posted on June 24, 2021June 24, 2021By Editor

In the latest protests over the government’s energy reform plan, workers downed tools at EDF and Engie nuclear power sites and hydropower stations, and electricity generation fell by 3.12%. … Read More >Renewed strikes in France over nuclear reforms lead to a 3.12% drop in power output

Israel’s defense ministry claims success in downing drones using plane-mounted laser (VIDEO)

Posted on June 24, 2021June 24, 2021By Editor

The Israeli ministry of defense has said that a powerful plane-mounted laser it developed was able to shoot down several drones during tests over the Mediterranean Sea, in a first for the country. … Read More >Israel’s defense ministry claims success in downing drones using plane-mounted laser (VIDEO)

Russia

With Covid-19 cases increasing rapidly in Russia, country’s authorities can refuse to host remaining EURO 2020 games, says UEFA

Posted on June 24, 2021June 24, 2021By Editor

Russia can refuse to host the last two remaining EURO 2020 soccer games due to take place in Saint Petersburg if the country’s authorities believe the situation with Covid-19 is getting out of control, amid a rising caseload. … Read More >With Covid-19 cases increasing rapidly in Russia, country’s authorities can refuse to host remaining EURO 2020 games, says UEFA