Russia expels two Czech diplomats in tit-for-tat move
Russia declared two Czech diplomats persona non grata on Monday in what it said was a response to an unfriendly move by Prague earlier this month to expel two of Russia’s diplomatic staff.
Japan halts deployment of Aegis Ashore missile defence system
Japanese Defence Minister Taro Kono said on Monday that he had suspended plans to deploy two U.S.-made Aegis Ashore air defence radar stations designed to detect and counter North Korean ballistic missiles.
U.S. fighter plane crashes off coast of northeast England
A U.S. fighter plane crashed in the North Sea off the coast of northeast England on Monday with the fate of the pilot and the cause of the crash unknown, the Sun newspaper reported, citing a U.S. Air Force statement.
Chinese capital reinstates curbs as coronavirus resurfaces
Several districts of the Chinese capital put up security checkpoints, closed schools and ordered people to be tested for the coronavirus on Monday after an unexpected spike of cases linked to the biggest wholesale food market in Asia.
U.N. rights body to examine ‘systemic’ U.S. racism and police brutality
The top U.N. human rights body agreed on Monday to hold an urgent debate on allegations of “systemic racism, police brutality and violence against peaceful protests” in the United States and elsewhere on Wednesday.
Beirut’s nightlife on the brink as pandemic compounds financial crisis
Beirut loves to party, even when the going gets tough. Which is often. The city and its nightlife has weathered wars, bombing campaigns and assassinations, and prides itself on always bouncing back.
Russia says U.S. plans to lift curbs on drone sales would hurt arms pact: RIA
Russia’s Foreign Ministry said on Monday U.S. plans to lift restrictions on heavy strike drones would land a severe blow to a 1987 arms control deal regulating the export of rocket technology, the RIA news agency reported.
Calls for action, not words, as Johnson launches UK racism commission
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson came under pressure on Monday to deliver action on racism after he launched a commission on racial inequalities following Black Lives Matter protests.
Sudan war crimes suspect says charges against him are ‘untrue’
A Sudanese war crimes suspect said on Monday that charges mentioned on his arrest warrant are “untrue” during an initial appearance at the International Criminal Court in The Hague.
Germany puts far-right regional branch under surveillance: media
Germany’s domestic intelligence agency has put a regional branch of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) under surveillance, German media reported on Monday, denting the far-right party’s efforts to establish itself as a credible opposition force.
