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EU Suspends Russia, Belarus from Council of Baltic Sea States

European Union flags fly outside the European Commission headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, April 10, 2019. REUTERS/Yves Herman
European Union flags fly outside the European Commission headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, April 10, 2019. REUTERS/Yves Herman
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EU Suspends Russia, Belarus from Council of Baltic Sea States

European Union flags fly outside the European Commission headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, April 10, 2019. REUTERS/Yves Herman
European Union flags fly outside the European Commission headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, April 10, 2019. REUTERS/Yves Herman

The European Union said it had joined members of the Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS) in suspending Russia and Belarus from the Council's activities.

"This decision is a part of the European Union’s and like-minded partners response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the involvement of Belarus in this unprovoked and unjustified aggression," it said on Saturday.

"The EU agrees with the other members of the CBSS (Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland and Sweden) that the suspension of Russia and Belarus will remain in force until it is possible to resume cooperation based on respect for fundamental principles of international law," it added.

Since President Vladimir Putin's army invaded on February 24, Russia has pummeled Ukrainian cities, killed hundreds of civilians and assaulted Europe's largest atomic power plant.

The invasion has drawn condemnation and severe sanctions from Western nations balancing punishment of the Kremlin with fears of a hazardous escalation.

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World

Iran Says No Damage after Drone Interception near Qeshm

FILE PHOTO: An aerial view of the Iranian shores and the island of Qeshm in the strait of Hormuz, December 10, 2023. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: An aerial view of the Iranian shores and the island of Qeshm in the strait of Hormuz, December 10, 2023. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo
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Iran Says No Damage after Drone Interception near Qeshm

FILE PHOTO: An aerial view of the Iranian shores and the island of Qeshm in the strait of Hormuz, December 10, 2023. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: An aerial view of the Iranian shores and the island of Qeshm in the strait of Hormuz, December 10, 2023. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo

A loud noise heard on Qeshm island in southern Iran was caused by ‌air ‌defenses intercepting small ‌drones ⁠and reconnaissance drones, the ⁠Hormozgan provincial authorities said according to the Students ⁠News Network, ‌adding that ‌no impact, ‌damage ‌or explosion had occurred.

Drone interceptions by Iranian ‌air defenses have taken place several ⁠times ⁠in recent weeks, notably over Tehran, despite a ceasefire with the US, reported Reuters.

World

Iran's Top Diplomat Holds Talks with Chinese Counterpart in Beijing

(FILES) Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi attends a joint press conference with his Iraqi counterpart Fuad Hussein in Tehran on January 18, 2026. (Photo by ATTA KENARE / AFP)
(FILES) Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi attends a joint press conference with his Iraqi counterpart Fuad Hussein in Tehran on January 18, 2026. (Photo by ATTA KENARE / AFP)
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Iran's Top Diplomat Holds Talks with Chinese Counterpart in Beijing

(FILES) Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi attends a joint press conference with his Iraqi counterpart Fuad Hussein in Tehran on January 18, 2026. (Photo by ATTA KENARE / AFP)
(FILES) Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi attends a joint press conference with his Iraqi counterpart Fuad Hussein in Tehran on January 18, 2026. (Photo by ATTA KENARE / AFP)

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi for talks in Beijing on Wednesday, according to China's Xinhua news agency.

China is a key customer for Iranian oil, defying sanctions imposed by the United States as Washington seeks to choke off revenue to Tehran, AFP reported.

Xinhua did not immediately provide more details about the talks.

Araghchi arrived in Beijing on Wednesday morning, Iranian local media reported.

"During this visit, our country's Foreign Minister will discuss bilateral relations and regional and international developments with his Chinese counterpart," Fars news agency said.

Araghchi's trip comes before US President Donald Trump's scheduled visit to China on May 14-15 to see President Xi Jinping -- a trip he delayed after the United States and Israel attacked Iran.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday called on China to put pressure on Araghchi to loosen Tehran's chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz, through which one-fifth of the world's oil once transited.

"I hope the Chinese tell (Araghchi) what he needs to be told, and that is that what you were doing in the straits is causing you to be globally isolated," Rubio told reporters.

World

Cuba Says Rubio Lying about Oil Blockade

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio walks up to the podium in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House in Washington, DC, USA, 05 May 2026. EPA/Samuel Corum / POOL
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio walks up to the podium in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House in Washington, DC, USA, 05 May 2026. EPA/Samuel Corum / POOL
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Cuba Says Rubio Lying about Oil Blockade

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio walks up to the podium in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House in Washington, DC, USA, 05 May 2026. EPA/Samuel Corum / POOL
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio walks up to the podium in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House in Washington, DC, USA, 05 May 2026. EPA/Samuel Corum / POOL

Cuba on Tuesday accused US Secretary of State Marco Rubio of lying when he denied that the United States was carrying out an oil blockade on Cuba.

Cuba has been suffering from an energy crisis since January, when US forces seized Venezuela president and Cuban ally Nicolas Maduro and Washington threatened tariffs on countries that send crude to the communist-led island, reported AFP.

Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez wrote on X that Rubio "has simply chosen to lie," and that he "contradicts the President and the White House Spokesperson."

Rodriguez was responding to comments made by Rubio at the White House hours before.

"There's no oil blockade on Cuba, per se," Rubio said while guest-hosting the daily White House press briefing.

"Here's what's happening with Cuba, okay? Cuba used to get free oil from Venezuela, used to give them a bunch of free oil," Rubio said. "They would take, like, 60 percent of that oil and resell it for cash. It wouldn't even go to benefit the people."

Rubio added: "So the only blockade that's happened is the Cubans have decided, I mean, the Venezuelans have decided we're not giving you free oil anymore."

Rodriguez also denounced additional sanctions against Cuba's energy sector announced by Donald Trump on May 1.

"The Secretary knows full well the harm and suffering he is causing the Cuban people today," he added.

So far, Washington has only allowed the arrival, at the end of March, of a Russian oil tanker. According to Trump, it was a one-off shipment.