World & Politics
Japan sets to strengthen relations with hydrogen and mineral exporters - 06/27/2023
Tokyo sees hydrogen as a possible alternative energy source, and the nation needs minerals to make batteries for electric automobiles. Japanese authorities have created a plan to improve relationships with nations that export minerals and hydrogen for the benefit of the decarbonization process and economic growth, reported NHK Channel. While Tokyo needs minerals for the manufacture of batteries...
CNN, NYT: US was ready for Wagner mutiny in Russia before it started - 06/26/2023
The US was aware of Prigozhin's plans to start a mutiny, but kept quiet so that Russian authorities would not suspect the West of being engaged in the coup attempt, CNN writes. CNN’s sources told that American intelligence was aware of Russian mercenaries’ leader Yevgeny Prigozhin's ambitions to arrange an attempted coup in Russia well in advance. Prigozhin is the founder of the private military...
Head of German Finance Ministry: Germany has no funds to pay to EU - 06/19/2023
German Federal Minister of Finance Christian Lindner told Die Welt that it is impossible for Germany to make additional payments to the EU budget due to Germany's extensive assistance to Ukraine. He also asked that Berlin not be bothered any longer by requests for payments to the EU, calling instead for Berlin to look for alternative sources of funding. The minister claims that because of the...
EU to fund Barcelona-Marseille hydrogen corridor project - 06/19/2023
According to the news agency Europapress, which cited anonymous officials in the Spanish government, a project to build a hydrogen pipeline between Barcelona and Marseille (H2Med) has achieved the first favorable technical certification from the European Commission and can now apply for finance from the EU. French President Emmanuel Macron announced the extension of the hydrogen pipeline (H2Med)...
IMF urges US to resolve debt ceiling issue - 06/16/2023
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) management urged the United States to find a long-term solution to the nation's debt ceiling issue. The fund said in a published analysis of the US economy that "(Executive) Directors have called for a long-term solution (to the issue) of the state debt ceiling." In order to achieve the national debt's downward trajectory, the U.S. authorities will also...
Spanish Labor Minister calls for permanent tax on the rich - 06/15/2023
Yolanda Diaz, Spain's second vice president and labor minister, argued that taxation of the wealthy should be permanent rather than transitory. "It is unfair that a huge corporation only pays 3.9 percent in taxes but a barbershop pays 17.5 percent. Spain needs a thorough overhaul of its tax structure, which should include a substantial corporate tax reform as well as a permanent tax on large...
JPMorgan to pay $290M to Jeffrey Epstein’s victims - 06/14/2023
JPMorgan Chase Bank has agreed to pay $290 million to resolve a class action lawsuit brought by Jeffrey Epstein's sexual assault victims. This information was provided by victims' attorneys to The Wall Street Journal. In a complaint filed last November, victims of sexual abuse by Jeffrey Epstein charged JP Morgan and Deutsche Bank with aiding the American financier's illegal actions. The...
ICAN: Global nuclear spending reaches $82.9B in 2022 - 06/13/2023
According to a research by the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN), global spending on nuclear weapons increased to $82.9 billion in 2022, with the United States spending more than all other nuclear countries combined. Nine nations (with nuclear weapons) spent $82.9 billion on nuclear weapons, at least $29 billion of which was made by the private sector in 2022. With $43.7...
Iran sets up paramilitary patrol to combat abortions - 06/08/2023
A pregnancy can only be legally ended in Iran if the mother's life is in danger or if the fetus is found to have genetic problems, according to the country's Ministry of Health, which has announced formation of a special paramilitary patrol to combat unlawful abortions. A special "abortion patrol" made up of paramilitary Basij volunteers has been established in Iran to combat unauthorized...
Smoke from wildfires in Canada engulfs the US east coast - 06/08/2023
Much of the US east coast now has significantly worse air quality due to wildfires raging in Canada. The US National Weather Service has issued warnings about the danger of such air to vulnerable persons. Yesterday, New York was recognized as having the second-worst air quality in the entire globe. Earlier this week, the city was ranked top by the IQAir service, surpassing even the established...
