- The Guardian
- Issue #2190
POLAND: Polish President Karol Nawrocki said Poland was ready to host US troops withdrawn from Germany in addition to the 10,000 which are already stationed there. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell acknowledged that the Polish side was ready to provide the necessary infrastructure and financial support for the deployment of US troops. “Poland is prepared to provide the US military with its bases and ranges, warehouses for equipment and weapons, logistics infrastructure, as well as to be part of the costs associated with the deployment of the contingent, including the maintenance of facilities, energy supply and ensuring the daily activities of units,” Parnell said.
SLOVENIA: National broadcasters in Slovenia, Ireland, Spain, and Iceland will not air the Eurovision song contest this year after deciding to boycott the live event over Israel’s participation in the contest. Slovenia’s decision follows an earlier announcement that it would not submit a national entry for the competition. “We will not be broadcasting the Eurovision song contest. We will be airing the film series “Voices of Palestine,” featuring Palestinian documentaries and feature films,” RTV Slovenian’s director said.
ITALY: Italians have taken to the streets of Rome to express their strong objection to the visit of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and express their support for the Cuban Revolution. The march was led under slogans “Rubio, Get out of Rome” and “Cuba is not Alone!” The demonstrators rejected the US blockade against Cuba and condemned Rubio’s attempt to legitimise US interference and pressure on sovereign nations.
IOC: The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has recommended that international federations lift sanctions against Belorussian athletes and teams. In the case of Russia the IOC still maintains restrictions, though it noted that it is reviewing the situation through dialogue with the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) especially following new investigations by the World Anti-Drug Agency (WADA).
ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA: Antigua and Barbuda, the twin island Caribbean state, has sworn in a new government under revised constitutional rules that for the first time removed allegiance to the British monarch from the official oath of office. Under the revised wording, elected officials now pledge loyalty to Antigua and Barbuda, its constitution and laws. Despite the reviewed oath Antigua and Barbuda still remains part of the Commonwealth, with the British monarch retaining the role of head of state.
IRAN: Iran has created a new government agency to authorise transit and collect taxes from ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz. The decision has raised concerns about freedom of navigation in one of the world’s most important maritime corridors. According to data from Lloyd’s Life Intelligence, the new authority is called the Persian Gulf Strait Authority and is positioning itself as the sole legitimate institution to grant transit permits to ships passing through the strategic area.
USA: The US Department of Energy has announced that it had taken 13.5 kg of highly enriched uranium from a legacy research reactor near Caracas. The operation was reportedly carried out in coordination with the United Kingdom and Venezuelan authorities.
DPRK: The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea has revised its constitution to define itself as a separate sovereign state, formally ending the its policy of eventual reunification with South Korea. According to the revised wording, “The territory of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea includes the territory bordering on the People’s Republic of China and the Russian Federation to the north and the Republic of Korea to the south, and the territorial sea and airspace established on it.” The change means that reunification is regarded as no longer viable, particularly as South Korea deepens its alignment with external powers.
