Papua New Guinea parliament begins debating US defence deal

SYDNEY (Reuters) – Papua New Guinea’s parliament has begun debating a defence deal with the United States, with Prime Minister James Marape acknowledging the concerns of some students and unions ahead of a vote to ratify it in August. The defence agreement will allow U.S. forces to refurbish and develop infrastructure for military and civilian…

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Australia cancels lease for new Russian embassy citing national security

By Renju Jose SYDNEY (Reuters) -Australia said on Thursday it would introduce legislation to parliament to cancel Russia’s lease to build a new embassy in the national capital of Canberra, citing national security. The move follows the conclusion of a long-running litigation regarding the leased site after the federal court ruled last month that an…

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Odey Asset Management plans funds, staff moves in fight for survival

By Nell Mackenzie, Farouq Suleiman and Kirstin Ridley LONDON (Reuters) -Odey Asset Management is in advanced talks to move funds and staff to other asset managers as it grapples with the fallout of sexual misconduct allegations against its founder Crispin Odey. The Financial Times and Tortoise Media reported that 13 women had alleged that Odey…

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Exclusive-Palau seeks more U.S. patrols of its waters after Chinese incursions

By Sakura Murakami and John Geddie TOKYO (Reuters) -The Pacific island nation of Palau has asked the United States to step up patrols of its waters after several incursions by Chinese vessels into its exclusive economic zone, President Surangel Whipps Jr. told Reuters in an interview. Whipps Jr. said he would also welcome a bigger…

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NATO’s support to Ukraine makes a difference on battlefield -Stoltenberg

BRUSSELS (Reuters) – NATO’s support for Ukraine is making a difference on the battlefield, said NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg on Thursday, as Ukraine embarks on its counteroffensive against Russia. “The support NATO allies have been giving Ukraine now for many, many months actually makes a difference on the battlefield,” Stoltenberg told reporters in Brussels. (Reporting…

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Kremlin urges faster action to let foreign vessels use Northern Sea Route

MOSCOW (Reuters) – A Kremlin aide urged the Russian government on Thursday to adopt legislation allowing foreign flagged vessels to use the Northern Sea Route (NSR), which Moscow wants to turn into a new Suez Canal. The NSR runs from Murmansk near Russia’s border with Norway eastwards to the Bering Strait near Alaska. Although the…

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