The Biden administration said on Friday it is drawing up a list of targeted sanctions against key members of the Belarusian government following the former Soviet republic's forced landing of a passenger jet and arrest of a journalist on board.
The Biden administration is making a list of targeted sanctions against key members of the Belarusian government, after it recently forced the landing of a passenger jet and arrested a journalist on board.
In a Friday statement, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said the U.S. was also suspending a 2019 agreement between Washington and Minsk that allowed carriers from each country to use the other's airspace.
Psaki called on Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko to allow a credible international investigation into the events of May 23, when the Ryanair passenger jet flying from Greece to Lithuania was forced to land in Minsk.
Belarusian authorities scrambled a fighter jet and flagged what turned out to be a false bomb alert to force the plane to land.
An opposition journalist on board was detained… drawing condemnation from Europe and the United States.
Psaki said the U.S., along with the EU and other allies, was developing a list of sanctions against key members of Lukashenko's government (quote) “associated with ongoing abuses of human rights and corruption, the falsification of the 2020 election, and the events of May 23." The United States last year imposed sanctions on eight Belarus officials over an August 2020 election that the West said was rigged.
On June 3, the U.S. will re-impose "full blocking sanctions" on nine Belarusian state-owned enterprises, according to Psaki, which will prohibit Americans from dealing with those businesses.
The end of another hectic week, but -- before you hit the town Saturday -- check out some of our best clips from the week. On "TMZ Live," Harvey and Charles.. TMZ.com
Joe Biden's opening up about his mental health struggles ... saying he once considered taking his own life in one particularly low moment -- but, his kids saved.. TMZ.com
Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Friday as he wrapped up a three-day visit to China dominated by contentious issues and warnings from his hosts of another “downward spiral” in relations. The two met Friday afternoon local time at the Great Hall of the People, an ornate and cavernous building next to Tiananmen Square. Blinken told Xi that President Joe Biden had sent him to China to “seek to deepen areas of cooperation as well as to responsibly manage the differences that we have.” Xi noted that this year is the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the United States and China, and said the two countries “should be partners rather than adversaries.”
#BlinkenXiMeeting #ChinaUSRelations #DiplomaticTalks #GlobalIssues #BilateralRelations #ForeignPolicy #Diplomacy #InternationalRelations #USChinaDialogue #XiJinpingMeeting
~HT.97~PR.152~ED.155~
The United States has taken decisive action by imposing sanctions on four entities involved in procuring materials for Pakistan's ballistic missile project. This move aims to disrupt networks supporting proliferation activities, particularly those related to weapons of mass destruction. Three of the entities are based in China, while one operates out of Belarus. These companies have supplied items relevant to Pakistan's ballistic missile programs, including its efforts to develop long-range missiles.
#USsanctions #China #PakistanMissileProgram #BallisticMissiles #Nonproliferation #GlobalSecurity #USChinaRelations #Sanctions #WeaponsProliferation #NationalSecurity
~PR.152~ED.101~GR.123~
Russian President Vladimir Putin said his forces launched an attack that destroyed the largest power-generating plant in the Kyiv region in retaliation for assaults against his own country’s energy sector. Putin insisted that Russia was "obliged" to launch strikes on Ukrainian energy sites. The repeated attacks on civilian power stations have sparked outrage from Ukraine's allies. Speaking to Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, President Putin argued that the attacks were only in response to Kyiv's attacks on Russian targets.
#KyivPowerStation #PutinWarning #Blackout #KyivAttack #PowerStationStrike #Ukraine #VladimirPutin #SecurityConcerns #EnergyCrisis #InternationalNews #RussiaUkraineWar
~HT.97~PR.152~ED.194~
On Saturday, a Russian Soyuz rocket successfully launched three astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS), overcoming a setback that had led to the last-minute abort of its previous launch two days prior. NASA astronaut Tracy Dyson, Russian cosmonaut Oleg Novitsky, and Marina Vasilevskaya of Belarus embarked on their journey from the Russian-leased Baikonur launch facility in Kazakhstan, marking a smooth and triumphant lift-off.
#RussianSoyuz #SpaceLaunch #AstronautsToISS #SpaceExploration #InternationalSpaceStation #SpaceMission #SoyuzLaunch #ISSExpedition #AstronautJourney #SpaceTravel #RocketLaunch #SpaceFlight #NASA #Roscosmos #SpaceGlitch #SpaceTechnology #OuterSpace #SpaceScience #CosmicJourney #SpaceAdventure
~PR.152~ED.101~GR.125~HT.96~
This Day in History: , Nuclear Disaster
at Chernobyl.
April 26, 1986.
The disaster at Chernobyl, located about 65 miles from Kiev in the former Soviet Union, is the worst nuclear power plant accident to date.
50 tons of radioactive material was released into the atmosphere after an explosion of the Number 4 reactor, caused by an engineering experiment.
The 30,000 residents of
the nearby community of
Pripyat were evacuated the next day.
The Soviet government
attempted a cover-up.
But two days after the disaster, radiation levels
800 miles away in Sweden were detected at
40% higher than the normal level.
32 people were initially
killed in the Chernobyl plant.
5,000 Soviets eventually died
from radiation-induced illnesses.
Millions of acres of forest
and farmland across Northern
and Eastern Europe were contaminated.
The former residents of
Pripyat have never returned
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:08Published
Ukraine's Foreign Minister, Dmytro Kuleba, urges India to reconsider its ties with Russia, citing a fading Soviet legacy. Amid escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine and growing Chinese-Russian relations, Kuleba emphasizes India's security interests. Despite historic alliances, Ukraine seeks India's support, highlighting potential partnerships in trade and technology.
#Ukraine #UkraineIndia #IndiaRussia #DmytroKuleba #Kuleba #Zelensky #RussiaUkraine #Worldnews #Oneindia #Oneindianews
~ED.101~GR.122~
The terror attack at the Crocus City concert hall in Moscow's northern Krasnogorsk suburb, has claimed the lives of more than 60 people and wounded over 100. Islamic State (ISIS) has claimed responsibility for the horrific attack in Russia, which involved gunfire and a grenade explosion. This terror attack came days after Russian President Vladimir Putin cemented his grip on the country in a highly orchestrated electoral landslide. The incident took place just before Soviet-era rock group "Picnic" was to perform at the Crocus City Hall. Video footage of the horrific attack is being shared on social media, in which people can be seen screaming and running amok in a bid to save their lives. In another video, flames and black smoke could be seen rising from the hall. Several world leaders have condemned the terrible incident in Moscow.
#MoscowAttack #Terrorism #CrocusCityHallAttack #CrocusCityAttack #MoscowTerrorAttack #ConcertHallAttack #Russia #SecurityThreat #GlobalResponse #PrayForMoscow #Solidarity #Peace #TerrorAttack #InternationalCommunity #Safety #Condolences #Support #SecurityMeasures #Unity #Peacekeeping #GlobalConcern #MoscowConcert #StandTogether
~PR.152~ED.102~GR.122~HT.96~
Leonid Volkov, chief of staff to the late Russian opposition leader Aleksei Navalny, was attacked outside his Vilnius home. Assailants sprayed tear gas, shattered his car window, and beat him with a hammer. Volkov survived with injuries. The attack raises concerns about the safety of Navalny's associates and dissenting voices in Russia. Authorities are investigating the incident.
#LeonidVolkov #AlexeiNavalny #Russia #Lithuania #Vilinius #RussiaPresident #VladimirPutin #Russianews #Worldnews #Oneindia #Oneindianews
~HT.97~ED.194~
Skies over southern Greece turned an orange hue on Tuesday as dust clouds blown across the Mediterranean Sea from North Africa engulfed the Acropolis and other Athenian landmarks.
Credit: euronews (in English) Duration: 00:35Published
Is Greece on its way to becoming Europe's renewable power outlet? Euronews reporter Hans von der Brelie investigates why the location of wind farms is so important and why everyone is not on board.
Credit: euronews (in English) Duration: 20:00Published
Following one of the warmest winters on record, Greece tackled its first blaze of the year, nearly a month before the onset of the traditional May fire season.
Credit: euronews (in English) Duration: 00:35Published
Is the European Recovery and Resilience Facility on track to deliver on its promises three years after its launch? Euronews reporter Fanny Gauret travels to Greece for Real Economy to find out.
Credit: euronews (in English) Duration: 08:00Published
Go behind closed doors as Kim Kardashian joins Vice President Kamala Harris at the White House for a crucial roundtable discussion on criminal justice reform. Witness their collaborative efforts and passionate advocacy for second chances and meaningful change.
#KimKardashian #KamalaHarris #WhiteHouse #WhiteHouseRoundTable #JoeBiden #TheKardashians #VPKamalaHarris #Oneindia
~PR.274~HT.101~HT.98~GR.122~
Kim Kardashian went back to the White House to advocate for criminal justice reform -- only here, it was with Biden's camp ... proving she's loyal to the cause,.. TMZ.com
Biden Is Giving $6 Billion , to Micron Technology , for Semiconductor Production.
On April 25, President Biden will travel to Syracuse, NY, to announce over $6 billion in federal grants that his administration is awarding to Micron Technology, NPR reports. .
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who was heavily involved in enacting the CHIPS and Science Act, issued a statement about the investment. .
This is the federal government taking back the reins, putting money where its mouth is when we say we want the future of tech to be stamped: 'Made in America.', Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, via statement.
Micron will invest $100 billion of the funds to construct a manufacturing facility in Syracuse.
Schumer referred to the plan as "quite a
great return" on the government's investment.
A factory will also be built in
Boise, Idaho, NPR reports. .
That facility is expected to be ready for production by 2026, while two New York factories will likely be ready by 2028 and 2029.
The White House estimates that
the projects could create 20,000 jobs
in construction and manufacturing.
in addition to "tens of thousands of
indirect jobs in the regions," NPR reports. .
The CHIPS and Science Act has also provided funding for Intel, TSMC and Samsung
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
FTC to Decide , Whether Noncompete Agreements , Should Be Banned.
After receiving over 26,000 public comments about the issue, the Federal Trade Commission is set to deliver its verdict on April 30, NPR reports. .
The commission said that if approved, the
final rule "would generally prevent most
employers from using noncompete clauses.".
The commission said that if approved, the
final rule "would generally prevent most
employers from using noncompete clauses.".
Approximately one in five Americans, spanning minimum wage workers to CEOs, are subject to noncompete agreements, the FTC estimates. .
The Biden administration says that these types of agreements hurt workers by decreasing wages.
The White House also argues that these
agreements harm the U.S. economy because entrepreneurship isn't allowed to freely flourish. .
FTC Chair Lina M. Khan issued a statement when
the proposed ban was initially introduced.
The freedom to change jobs is
core to economic liberty and to
a competitive, thriving economy, FTC Chair Lina M. Khan, via statement.
Noncompetes block workers from
freely switching jobs, depriving
them of higher wages and better
working conditions, and depriving
businesses of a talent pool that
they need to build and expand, FTC Chair Lina M. Khan, via statement.
Businesses argue that noncompete agreements are essential for safeguarding investments and proprietary information.
Those businesses also question whether
the agency has the power "to regulate
such agreements," NPR reports. .
If the FTC votes to issue a final rule, enforcement wouldn't occur for 180 days,
and legal challenges would likely ensue.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Fears of Potential Iranian Attack , Drive US Stocks Down , Nearly 500 Points.
CNN reports that United States stocks dropped on
April 12 amid rising tensions in the Middle East pushing
traders to seek safe havens like gold and bonds.
CNN reports that United States stocks dropped on
April 12 amid rising tensions in the Middle East pushing
traders to seek safe havens like gold and bonds.
By mid-afternoon, the Dow had fallen
1.4%, the S&P 500 went down 1.6%,
and the Nasdaq dropped 1.8%.
The dip came after the White House announced
that both the U.S. and Israel are on alert for
a potential attack by Iran or its allies.
The dip came after the White House announced
that both the U.S. and Israel are on alert for
a potential attack by Iran or its allies.
The warning comes after Iran
accused Israel of a deadly airstrike
on a consulate in Damascus, Syria. .
The news also sent oil prices up amid
fears of regional tensions escalating
as a result of the ongoing war in Gaza. .
The news also sent oil prices up amid
fears of regional tensions escalating
as a result of the ongoing war in Gaza. .
Brent crude futures jumped up to $90.42
a barrel, and West Texas Intermediate crude
futures increased to $86.65 a barrel.
Those geopolitical concerns and subsequent
rising oil prices sent investors to safe havens like
gold futures, which rose to $2,379 a troy ounce.
Those geopolitical concerns and subsequent
rising oil prices sent investors to safe havens like
gold futures, which rose to $2,379 a troy ounce.
CNN reports that Americans' opinions of
the economy have dipped in the past few
months amid persistently high inflation.
The geopolitical fears come as investors are already
contending with concerns that the Federal Reserve could
wait to bring interest rates down from a 23-year high.
Officials at the Fed have signaled that further rate
hikes could still be on the way if the central
bank's efforts to fight inflation stall.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
The EU says it would extend economic support to a "democratic" Belarus as Russian President Vladimir Putin plays dow reaction to flight forced to land in Minsk
EU policy-making is requires all 27 member states to agree on every name, every person who's going to be sanctioned. 'That's where you run into trouble,' says Magnitsky campaigner Bill Browder.
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