Russia plans trial of WSJ journalist Evan Gershkovich to begin June 26
(TNS) Russia is set to begin the espionage trial of jailed Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich on June 26, a move that could speed up negotiations toward a swap deal.
The trial will be held behind closed doors at the Sverdlovsk Regional Court in the Ural region city of Yekaterinburg, the court's press service said in a statement on Monday. Gershkovich, 32, and the newspaper have denied Russian accusations that he was spying when he was detained by Federal Security Service agents in the city last March.
The State Department formally determined that Gershkovich was “unlawfully detained” and authorized the U.S. to negotiate on his behalf. Shortly after Gershkovich's arrest, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told the state-run TASS news agency that talks about a possible exchange “can only be considered after the court's decision is issued.”
South Korean troops fire warning shots after North Korean soldiers cross the military demarcation line
SEOUL (Reuters) – South Korean troops fired warning shots after North Korean soldiers crossed the military demarcation line near the border on Tuesday, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said.
About 20 to 30 soldiers breached the 20-meter (65-foot) demarcation line inside the demilitarized zone on Tuesday morning and briefly retreated north after southern forces fired warning shots, according to a Joint Chiefs of Staff official.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the Joint Chiefs of Staff believe the intrusion was unintentional.
A Joint Chiefs of Staff official told reporters that North Korean soldiers also suffered numerous casualties during operations in a mine explosion in the DMZ.
The North Korean military is conducting various activities on the front lines, including deploying soldiers and laying mines, the Joint Chiefs of Staff official added.
Officials said the activities appeared to be part of efforts to tighten border controls and prevent North Koreans from defecting to South Korea.
Kansas lawsuit accuses Pfizer of misleading public about coronavirus vaccine
(Reuters) — The state of Kansas sued Pfizer Inc on Monday, accusing the company of hiding the risks of its COVID-19 vaccine and misleading the public with false claims about its effectiveness.
The state filed the lawsuit in Thomas County District Court alleging that the New York-based drug company made false statements that violated Kansas consumer protection laws. The state is seeking unspecified damages.
The lawsuit alleges that shortly after the vaccine's introduction in early 2021, Pfizer concealed evidence that the shot was linked to pregnancy complications, including miscarriage, and inflammation of and around the heart, known as myocarditis and pericarditis.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration added a warning about myocarditis and pericarditis to the vaccine's package insert in June 2021. The side effects are rare and occur most often in adolescent boys and young men.
Canada defends naval deployment to Cuba as necessary to deter Russia
OTTAWA (Reuters) – Canada's Liberal government, criticised by opposition lawmakers for sending patrol boats to Havana while Russian ships were docked there, said on Monday the visit was aimed at sending a message of deterrence to Moscow.
A Canadian navy patrol boat entered the port early Friday, two days after the Russian nuclear submarine and frigate arrived. Canada and the United States said they were keeping a close watch on the vessels.
“This deployment sends a very clear message that Canada has a capable, deployable military and will not hesitate to do what is necessary to defend our national interests,” Defence Minister Bill Blair told reporters.
“The Canadian military will continue to monitor the movements and activities of Russian vessels,” he added.
