Kremlin dismisses ‘absurd’ UK accusations Russia is exploiting coronavirus opportunities
The Kremlin on Thursday described accusations by Britain that Russia, along with China and Iran, was looking to exploit opportunities created by the coronavirus, as “absurd”.
Denmark will open to most European nations except Sweden, Portugal
Denmark will allow citizens from European countries with a low number of COVID-19 infections to enter the country from June 27, the Danish foreign ministry said on Thursday.
U.S. senators unveil bill to curb foreign espionage, influence on campuses
A bipartisan group of U.S. senators introduced legislation on Thursday aimed at protecting research and innovation on U.S. campuses and preventing suspected theft of intellectual property by China and other countries.
Spain will not accept threats over digital tax – govt spokeswoman
Spain and its European allies will not accept any threats over a proposed tax on internet giants’ revenues, government spokeswoman Maria Jesus Montero said on Thursday, a day after Washington decided to pull out of talks on the matter.
EU ready to go it alone on taxation of digital firms
The European Union is ready to go it alone with taxing digital services of firms like Google, Amazon, Facebook or Apple if there is no global deal on such a tax this year, European Economic Commissioner Paolo Gentiloni said on Thursday.
Europe threatens digital taxes without global deal, after U.S. quits talks
The European Union said on Thursday it could impose taxes on digital giants such as Google , Amazon and Facebook even without a global agreement by the year-end, after Washington quit talks and stoked fears of a new trade war.
Brussels adds George Floyd memorial to large mural collection
Brussels added to its large collection of murals on Thursday with a newly commissioned work in memory of African-American George Floyd, whose killing by police has sparked global protests against racism and police violence.
Vatican urges Catholics to drop investments in fossil fuels, arms
The Vatican urged Catholics on Thursday to disinvest from the armaments and fossil fuel industries and to closely monitor companies in sectors such as mining to check if they are damaging the environment.
Spanish minister stands up for Columbus statues amid global protests
The education minister in Spain’s leftist coalition government defended the country’s numerous statues of 15th century navigator Christopher Columbus against calls by anti-racism activists to tear them down amid a wave of global protests.
Tokyo prosecutors: ex-justice minister, wife gave 1.7 million yen to buy votes
Tokyo prosecutors said in a statement on Thursday that ex-Justice Minister Katsuyuki Kawai and his wife, upper house lawmaker Anri, gave a total of 1.7 million yen to five people last year to help get her elected.
