Europe

BERLIN, June 16 (NNN-AGENCIES) – The German government intends to invest 300 million euros (338 million U.S. dollars) in local biotechnology company CureVac, the country’s Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy announced here on Monday.

The investment aims to support further, development of the German company and its projects in the pipeline, according to a joint statement by CureVac and the ministry. CureVac is currently developing a coronavirus vaccine.

VIENNA, June 16 (NNN-XINHUA) – China is willing to share its experience in developing nuclear energy, with other member states of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), particularly developing countries, said a Chinese delegate at an IAEA Board of Governors meeting, on Monday.

BRUSSELS, June 16 (NNN-XINHUA) – Foreign ministers of the European Union (EU), voiced concerns over Israel’s plan to annex the West Bank, at a video conference Monday, with U.S. Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, who “has not accepted or refused anything.”

Josep Borrell, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, said, the move could affect the prospects of a two-state solution and regional stability.

GENEVA, June 16 (NNN-AGENCIES) – The UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, urged the United States to make immediate structural reforms, to end racial discrimination and to uphold its obligations under the relevant international conventions.

ROME, June 15 (Xinhua) -- Italy, along with some European partners, signed a contract with AstraZeneca pharmaceutical company for buying up to 400 million doses of a potential coronavirus vaccine, a top health official confirmed on Monday.

The contract with the British-Swedish pharmaceutical followed a deal agreed between Italy, Germany, France, and the Netherlands in the previous days in order to ensure the availability of the vaccine in the European markets, once ready.

VIENNA, June 15 (Xinhua) -- The chief of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Monday announced the launch of a global initiative using nuclear and nuclear-derived techniques to make the world better prepared for future outbreaks of diseases crossing from animals to humans.

BERLIN (AP) — European countries reopened borders Monday after a three-month coronavirus shutdown, although international visitors are still being kept away and there was uncertainty over whether many Europeans will quickly embrace travel outside their home countries.

KALININGRAD, June 15. /TASS/: A helicopter regiment of the Baltic Fleet’s naval aviation kicked off scheduled drills at naval ranges in the Baltic Sea amid NATO’s ongoing Baltops 2020 exercise in the region, the Fleet’s press office reported on Monday.

"The planned exercise involves over 10 crews of Mi-24 and Mi-8 attack and military transport helicopters, and also Ka-27 and Ka-29 shipborne rotorcraft of the Baltic Fleet’s naval aviation," the press office said in a statement.

MOSCOW, June 15. /TASS/: About 50% of seriously ill coronavirus patients began recovering after blood plasma infusion, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said during his visit to сity сlinical hospital No. 52 Monday.

"As the doctors told me, 50% of [infected] people who for sure would have been placed in the intensive care unit, began recovering after infusion of blood plasma with antibodies. This is great. An unexpected turn we owe to the blood service, which was always needed and always saved people," the Mayor said.

MOSCOW, June 15. /TASS/: Transneft has gathered 8,420 cubic meters of fluid containing diesel fuel. The bulk of diesel fuel on the river place has been collected, the national oil pipeline operator said on Monday.

"The oil product was collected from the water surface in the volume of 8,420 cubic meters as of 10.00 am of June 15, 2020 - 620 cubic meters over the day. The oil product gathering work continues on six lines (contaminated area of the Ambarnaya River)," the company said.