Investigations report on Trump links with Russia contains withering criticism of FBI, gives Republicans a lifeline
A former FBI lawyer, Kevin Clinesmith, pleaded guilty in 2020 to altering an email related to the surveillance of ex-Trump campaign aide. He was given probation. But two other cases, both involving alleged false statements to the FBI, resulted in acquittals by jury.
Pandemic of a different nature: Developed countries led by UK report ‘excess deaths’
Official UK statistics also showed that in the week ending April 21, 2023, the number of deaths exceeded the five-year average by 22.1 per cent (2,540 excess deaths), while in the week ending April 28, the excess figure was 12.9 per cent (1,569 excess deaths). Only 3.8 per cent of deaths during this period mentioned Covid-19 in the death certificates.
US Treasury Secretary warns economic disruption looms minus debt ceiling hike by June 1
The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office last week said the United States faces a “significant risk” of defaulting on payment obligations within the first two weeks of June without a debt ceiling hike, with payment operations uncertain throughout May.
Chaina says Ukraine war raises urgency for unconventional warfare to repulse US threat
Despite the hundreds of billions of dollars poured into defence spending, China’s armed forces do not have much recent experience in a hot war, with its last – and brief – military conflict in 1979 with Vietnam. The ability to win is needed to maintain national security, Wang wrote.
Russia launches air raid on Kyiv ‘exceptional’ in intensity, but Ukraine is able to neutralise the attacks
After a weeks-long hiatus, Russia in late April resumed its tactic of long-range missile strikes and has launched a flurry of attacks in recent days, often targeting Kyiv. Ukraine has been able to repel vast majority of the attacks so far.
Ukraine regains positions Russia occupied in Bakhmut as Zelenskiy wins more arms in Europe
Zelenskiy described the new weapons pledged by the Europeans as “important and powerful”. The priority during his talks has been “our counteroffensive actions. I am very pleased with the achievements and agreements”, he said.
IOC puts trust at risk by seeking ways to allow Russia to compete at Olympics, EU official says
In March, the IOC said eligibility should be limited to athletes and officials who have not actively supported the war, nor have ties to the military and state security agencies. No clear definitions for eligibility were yet stated.
Vatican experts uncovering gilded glory of Roman god of strength statue hit by lightning
Visitors drawn to the ancient wonder at the time included Pope Pius IX, who later added the work to the papal collection. The statue depicting Hercules after he finished his labours had the last names of the pope — Mastai — and of the banker, Pietro Righetti, added to its title.
China court sentences US citizen to life in prison for espionage, without specifying offence
The sentencing comes amid growing tensions between China and the US on a number of fronts, from accusations of Chinese spying and human rights abuses, to US efforts to build up military alliances to curb China’s ambitions toward Taiwan and in the Pacific.
Foreign military sales and direct commercial sales data show US is selling weapons to world’s autocracies
Since the end of the Cold War, the United States has been the world’s biggest weapons dealer, accounting for about 40 per cent of all arms exports in a given year. In general, these exports are funded through grants or sales. There are two pathways for the latter category: foreign military sales and direct commercial sales.
