GPA Project Headlines June 15-30, 2021

 

TOP HEADLINES 

• Global COVID Certificate Network to enable interoperable COVID-19 health passes
• Good Health Pass publishes Blueprint for health credential interoperability
• A Sinister Agenda Behind California Water Crisis?
• Blatant Media and Free Speech Censorship without Shame or Remorse!
• Pakistan refuses to host U.S. military bases for counterterrorism in Afghanistan
• At G7, democracies are failing
• Helping countries with COVID-19 vaccine is Russia's responsibility to the world - Putin
• Arctic miners get financing for one of world's biggest palladium projects
• World's northernmost railway to carry 52 million tons of petro products
• US voices concern over presence of Belarus, Syria at WHO board
• This chart shows just how little people want to return to the workplace
• Decentralized Finance heats up: new approaches needed for industry transformation
• Judge Dismisses Lawsuit Brought by Texas Healthcare Workers Forced to Get COVID Vaccine or Lose Jobs
• Companies Push Employees to Prove They Are Vaccinated for Covid-19
• Pandemic Hangover: $11 Trillion in Corporate Debt
• Federal Reserve Balance Sheet Tops $8T for First Time
• BIS Survey Finds Central Banks Keen on Tourists, Non-Residents Using Upcoming CBDCs
• No more dollars in Russia’s National Welfare Fund: mainly euro, yuan and gold
• US Consumer Prices Rise Faster Than Expected in May
• Visa Partners with Goldman Sachs to Facilitate Global Payments
• China’s yuan could become world’s ‘currency of choice’ by 2050 under dual circulation plan
• China says ‘extraordinary’ coronavirus stimulus policies from US, Europe have ramped up global inflation risks
• Arrests within months if ICC crimes against humanity probe into Rodrigo Duterte’s drug war goes ahead: rights lawyer

• Lufthansa to allow check-in with digital vaccine pass
• What is causing outbursts of rage on planes and grocery checkout lines?
• Oil to rise to $100/barrel by 2022, for 6 reasons — Bank of America

TECH

Global COVID Certificate Network to enable interoperable COVID-19 health passes

Fortune: Vaccine Passports Are Here - So Why Are There Still So Many Travel Restrictions?

Good Health Pass publishes Blueprint for health credential interoperability

Lufthansa to allow check-in with digital vaccine pass

Russia to build 50,000 electric filling stations for transport by 2030 — Novak

BIO-NEWS

Helping countries with COVID-19 vaccine is Russia's responsibility to the world - Putin

YouTube removes Russian lawmaker’s video on discrimination of Sputnik V vaccine

Russia has own strains of coronavirus circulating on its territory, expert says

Peking University researchers find third-dose RBD-vaccine can help combat COVID-19 variants

Deputy DM: Iran-Made Fakhra Vaccine Developed Based on Global Standards

More evidence suggests COVID-19 was in US by Christmas 2019

US voices concern over presence of Belarus, Syria at WHO board

27 Experts Launch Citizen Petition Demanding FDA ‘Slow Down and Get the Science Right’ Before Approving COVID Vaccines

Anti-vaxxers are weaponizing Yelp to punish bars that require vaccine proof

Workers push back against hospitals requiring COVID vaccines

Pockets of Unvaccinated Americans Threaten to Prolong Pandemic

Almost 42,000 people signed up for vaccination against coronavirus in Moscow over past day

Kremlin expects no social tensions after measures that benefit vaccinated citizens taken

Russia has no shortage of coronavirus vaccines — Minister

WHO warns that the Delta coronavirus variant is the 'fittest' strain yet and will 'pick off' the most vulnerable people

Almost 4,000 fully vaccinated people in Massachusetts have tested positive for COVID-19

GLOBAL

USA

The living's not easy for worker-hungry U.S. businesses this summertime

Biden’s Disastrous ‘Infrastructure’ Bill

A Sinister Agenda Behind California Water Crisis?

Blatant Media and Free Speech Censorship without Shame or Remorse!

Young American Adults Are Dying — and Not Just From Covid

What is causing outbursts of rage on planes and grocery checkout lines?

US reserves funds for Kiev in case of escalation at Russia-Ukraine border - White House

Biden agrees with Putin Russian-US relations are at ‘low point’

US President Plans to Discuss Cryptocurrency Issues at G-7

NATO to implement new concepts to counter "threats" from Russia - White House

Judge Dismisses Lawsuit Brought by Texas Healthcare Workers Forced to Get COVID Vaccine or Lose Jobs

Companies Push Employees to Prove They Are Vaccinated for Covid-19

Brazos Urges Texas Governor to Veto Winter Storm Finance Legislation

Sheriff: Cashier fatally shot after argument over face masks

Biden administration pushes plan to combat domestic terror

Mississippi: Ex-lawmaker killed near home of slain relative

AP: Some stolen US Military guns used in violent crimes

Police: 4 dead, 4 hurt in shooting on Chicago’s South Side

Military stumped by stolen box of armor piercing grenades

Police: Gunman dead after killing 2 at fire hydrant factory

Albertville police identify shooter who killed 2, injured 2 more at Mueller Company

2nd arrest made in deadly downtown Austin mass shooting

With Massachusetts armory theft, military guns went public 

Stolen Army assault rifles keep showing up in California

US intel report warns of more violence by QAnon followers

One dead, seven wounded in Savannah shooting

Police: Vehicle plows into Minnesota protesters, killing 1

Arrest made in deaths of 4 found slain in Ohio village

Woman killed in Chicago shooting of 10 was mother of 3

Two US Soldiers Charged With Smuggling Mexican Nationals Into Texas

Police: 2 shooters killed 1, hurt 9 on Chicago’s South Side

Rash of mass shootings stirs US fears heading into summer

Unmasked man denied Chicago bus entry opens fire: police

Portland police’s entire crowd control unit resigns after indictment of officer

White House to host July 4 ‘independence from virus’ bash

With COVID tamed, it’s a ‘grand reopening’ in California

US seeks to fine Air Canada $25.5 million over slow refunds

House Votes to Make Juneteenth a Holiday, Bill Goes to Biden

Massachusetts offers $1M prizes, scholarships for vaccinated

North Dakota’s 1Q taxable sales, purchases drop nearly 10%

Virginia Prosecutor Reportedly Receives $200k Donation From Soros For His Attorney Campaign

In-person marches, music and reflection as Americans mark Juneteenth

Federal holiday pressures companies to give Juneteenth off

Bank of America Makes Juneteenth a Holiday, Joining JPMorgan, Wells Fargo

Russia

Arctic miners get financing for one of world's biggest palladium projects

Ships set out on trans-Arctic voyage as spring comes to Northern Sea Route

Russia brings back largest global uranium project

Russia to Launch Tours to North Pole for Chinese Tourists

Putin expects Biden summit to restore contacts and establish dialogue

Helping countries with COVID-19 vaccine is Russia's responsibility to the world - Putin

Putin says Russia ready to extradite cyber criminals to US on reciprocal basis

Putin denies Russia waging cyber attacks against U.S.

Lavrov says return of Russian, US ambassadors is important, symbolic gesture

Russian-US relations ‘not a one-way street,’ says Lavrov

Russian Minister Says Cryptos Could Play Role in International Settlements

Russians Could Inherit Cryptocurrencies with New Law Proposed by Lawmakers

US sanctions on Russia’s sovereign debt formally come into force on Monday

One person dead, 1,500 people evacuated, 300 houses flooded in Crimea due to heavy rains

About 90 houses flooded in Yalta, 49 people evacuated — Emergencies Ministry

Alcohol-related mortality grew in Russia last year

Lack of imported car components to trigger use of Russian equivalents, says ministry

Belarus

G7 leaders urge Belarusian authorities to conduct new presidential election

Betting on The Future of Belarus

Belarus, Russia to further counter efforts of history falsification, says top diplomat

Russia, Belarus have common vision of progress towards integration — Lavrov

Russia, Belarus agree to coordinate efforts to protect sovereignty — Lavrov

Belarus, Russia to strengthen cooperation within EAEU, CSTO and CIS, says top diplomat

EU reaches deal on Belarus economic sanctions, according to Austria, diplomats

Ukraine/DPR-LNR

Strong parliament first: Russian diplomat comments on Ukraine plans for ‘strongest army’

Ukraine introduces sanctions against Russian executives, Ukrainian businessmen

Ukraine considers buying the Iron Dome - report

Illegal arms and explosives trade on the rise in Ukraine, says Russian OSCE envoy

Biden’s remarks about corruption quite telling for Ukraine's NATO aspirations — expert

Sberbank still plans to sell its business in Ukraine — First Deputy CEO

DPR head says Zelensky gives no answer to his proposal to meet

Ukrainian saboteurs shot five LPR militiamen near Golubovskoye

Russia calls on UN Security Council to discuss Ukraine’s diversion in LPR

Minsk remains venue for Contact Group talks, they won’t be relocated — senior official

US’s role in settlement in Donbass depends on Washington’s position — official

Blast hits gas pipeline in Lugansk

Philippines 

Arrests within months if ICC crimes against humanity probe into Rodrigo Duterte’s drug war goes ahead: rights lawyer

China

China’s yuan could become world’s ‘currency of choice’ by 2050 under dual circulation plan

Russia-China Trade in Jan.-May Up by 23.6% Hitting $50.65 Billion

China Says BRICS Countries Pursue Openness, Inclusiveness; Rejects Bloc Politics

Hong Kong protests: a ‘colour revolution’ or peaceful demonstrations hijacked by radicals? Let’s not twist history

Chinese Embassy in UK blasts G7 statement

G7 deluded if it believes communiqué will impact China

G7 infrastructure plan can hardly rival BRI

Nato says China presents ‘systemic challenges’ and vows to counter its rise

China’s closed borders ‘a real problem’ for foreign business operations amid coronavirus

China Busts a Crypto-Related Money Laundering Network of 1,100 People

China food security: soybean imports ‘exceptionally large’ as pig population nears pre-African swine fever level

China population: three-child policy will not ‘drastically raise birth rate’, top Chinese economist says

China-Australia relations: top exporting state down under calls for reset in China ties

China fine-tunes pork reserve system as panic selling and sluggish demand send prices tumbling

China credit slowdown ‘happening faster than expected’ even as bank loans rose unexpectedly in May

Taiwan “enthusiastic” with Blinken’s announcement, but Beijing warns of “sending false signals”

GT Exclusive with Russian ambassador: What position would Russia take in case of an armed conflict between China and US?

China fires back at NATO's claims, says it won't sit back in face of systemic challenges

E.U.

EU must follow example of Geneva summit and maintain dialogue with Russia, says Kurz

EU has no reason to change policy on Russia after Putin-Biden summit

Airbus-Boeing deal still leaves other US-EU rifts unresolved

Why G7 not offering an alternative to BRI

At G7, democracies are failing

Hungary Bars LGBTQ Content for Children as Orban Eyes Elections

Middle East

Israel’s new government begins, Netanyahu era ends

People in Tel Aviv celebrate end of Netanyahu

Hady Amr likely to be US consul-general to Palestinians

Poll: 43% of Israelis believe new government will fail

Palestine condemns Israel's plan to build 534 new settlement units

Israel demolishes Bedouin homes in the West Bank

1,500 Palestinian homes face demolition in Jerusalem's Silwan

Israel army: 'We failed to prevent Palestine resistance from launching rockets'

Gantz approves new targets for attack in Gaza

Jordan ex-royal court chief faces trial over alleged monarchy plot

Paper details US, Israel, Saudi role in coup plot against Jordan king

Ousted Israel PM plotted with Saudi's MBS to undermine Jordan king

Kata'ib Hezbollah warns against continued US presence in Iraq

President: Iraq defeated Daesh thanks to army, Hashd al-Sha'abi

Rouhani: Iran Not After War, But Never to Surrender to Aggressors

Joint IRGC, Army air defenses ready to confront any threats

Magnitude 5.2 quake strikes Ilam, no casualties reported

FM Zarif: Israel's tyrant falls as Iran continues march of glory

Army Commander: Iranian Navy’s Sailing in Western Hemisphere A Turning Point

Spokesman Asks G7 to Stop Meddling with Iran's Domestic Affairs

Russia soldier killed, three injured in Syria

Syria hospital hit in artillery attacks on Afrin, at least 13 killed

Russia FM warns US over supporting separatists in Syria

Kurdish militia shoots anti-child conscription protesters

France NGO financing Syria militia guilty of war crimes, report says

New Evidence Shows US Forces Training Terrorists in Syria

Erdogan: Turkey signs new $3.6bn currency swap deal with China

Turkish police detain 47 officers over failed coup

Turkey strikes YPG positions in northern Syria after attack on hospital

Turkey’s offer to run Kabul airport aims to project power over Kashmir against India

US' support for Kurdish groups is biggest problem for Turkey, DM says

Turkey: NATO vital to security but needs clear vision, says official

Pakistan refuses to host U.S. military bases for counterterrorism in Afghanistan

On Pakistan’s Current Foreign Policy Course

Spokesman: Yemeni forces' drone carried out new attack on Saudi Arabia’s Abha Intl. Airport

Houthi after new sanctions: US prioritizes war in Yemen

US Treasury imposes sanctions on Yemeni, Syrian individuals, entities

FINANCIAL

Record rise in US wholesale prices over the past year

China says ‘extraordinary’ coronavirus stimulus policies from US, Europe have ramped up global inflation risks

Mall Owner Washington Prime Seeks $950 Million Debt Cut in Bankruptcy

Pandemic Hangover: $11 Trillion in Corporate Debt

Federal Reserve Balance Sheet Tops $8T for First Time

Fed’s Kashkari opposed to rate hikes at least through 2023

New Stimulus Checks Could Start Hitting Your Account Automatically

Gold Tokens Take Off as Inflation Accelerates, Bitcoin Retreats

No more dollars in Russia’s National Welfare Fund: mainly euro, yuan and gold

US Consumer Prices Rise Faster Than Expected in May

Gold Steadies After Losing ‘Mojo’ as Fed Set to Trim Stimulus

Stablecoins, CBDCs Don’t Present Inherent Risk to Financial Stability: Bank of England Executive Says

BIS Survey Finds Central Banks Keen on Tourists, Non-Residents Using Upcoming CBDCs

Jack Dorsey Suggests Twitter Likely to Integrate Lightning Network

Texas State Regulator Greenlights Banks to Custody Crypto

El Salvador’s Bitcoin Bill Raises ‘Issues’: IMF Spokesperson

Nigeria’s Central Bank May Launch a Digital Currency Pilot in 2021

State Street Bank Launches Cryptocurrency Division

Bank of France, Swiss National Bank Begin Cross-Border CBDC Experiment

BIS and BOE Launch the Innovation Hub London Centre

Visa Partners with Goldman Sachs to Facilitate Global Payments

Fed’s 2 Hikes, No Paris Helicopters, Digital Currencies: Eco Day

Companies With $2.1 Trillion of Debt Face Natural Capital Risks

Russian stocks close in the red amid negative external environment

ENERGY

World's northernmost railway to carry 52 million tons of petro products

Under mounting pressure from renewables, Russia's top oilman says new Arctic giga-project will produce "green barrels"

Russia’s Novatek Agrees Long-Term Arctic LNG Supplies to China

Gazprom Neft was the First in Russia to Launch an Oil and Gas Field Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

First Plane Landed at the Utrenniy Airport of the Arctic LNG 2 project

Pakistan and Russia in Gas Cooperation

Efficiency of solar, wind energy to become equal to oil, gas in 2027-2035, says Novak

Rosneft to complete first stage of Vostok Oil construction in 2024 — project director

Nord Stream 2 more economically expedient and has no political risks — Putin

Oil to rise to $100/barrel by 2022, for 6 reasons — Bank of America

Decade Of Chaos Could Send Oil To $130 Per Barrel

Exxon Doubles Down On World’s Hottest Offshore Play

EXCLUSIVE Chevron to sell swath of Permian assets valued at more than $1 bln -sources

U.S. natural gas producers hope customers will pay more for 'green gas'

Mesquite Energy weighs sale of some Eagle Ford assets - sources

OPEC+ countries oil output down 114% of plan - by 7.5 mln bpd in May

Iran ships tankers containing 1.4m barrels of crude oil to Syria

The Real Reason Big Oil Is Giving Up On Iraq

EBRD stops investing in upstream oil and gas to align with Paris goals

OTHER DEVELOPMENTS

Russia’s top brass to test new troop financing scheme in Zapad-2021 strategic drills

Commandos from Russia, Belarus, Serbia seize terrorists in Slavic Brotherhood drills

Russia’s most advanced cruise missile nuclear sub arrives at Zapadnaya Litsa

Teriberka gets Russia’s second Arctic research station powered by renewables

20 warships sail out for new Barents Sea exercise

Russia keeps a close eye on information Turkey may create military base in Azerbaijan

US military base near Baghdad airport hit by drones: report

US military logistics convoys targeted in 4 Iraqi provinces

Iran: US Should Give Guarantees Not to Repeat Trump-Era Mistakes

Navy Commander: US Embarrassed by Iranian Warships’ Presence in Atlantic Ocean

Scandinavian states work alongside the U.S. to contain Russia in the Arctic

PLA deploys AI in mock warplane battles, 'trains both pilots and AIs'