Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said that the research delegation would visit the Kurils in late June. Japanese media confirmed later in the month that a group of about 70 people would be led by Abe’s adviser Eiichi Hasegawa. The group is expected to visit the facilities that have been recognized as prospective for development of joint Russian-Japanese economic activity on the Kuril Islands. Source Sputnik
Italy is to make it compulsory for all workers to have a Covid “green pass” – proof of vaccination, a negative test or recovery from the virus. The measures are a first for Europe and some of the strictest in the world. Anyone without a pass will reportedly face suspension from work and may have their pay stopped after five days. Source BBC
Thousands of health workers across France have been suspended without pay for failing to get vaccinated against Covid-19 ahead of a deadline this week, Health Minister Olivier Veran said Thursday.
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France’s national public health agency estimated last week that roughly 12 percent of hospital staff and around six percent of doctors in private practices have yet to be vaccinated. Source France24
French officials on Thursday canceled a gala at the country’s Washington, D.C., embassy over the Biden administration’s decision to scrap a $40 billion nuclear submarine deal that the European nation had signed with Australia, The New York Times reported. Source The Hill
