Politics

  Bloomberg Sweden called Russia’s warning to NATO and its allies “unacceptable” amid a military buildup at Ukraine’s borders, vowing to deepen its relationship with the defense bloc. Comments from Defense Minister Peter Hultqvist highlight a public backlash in the non-NATO members Sweden and Finland to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s demands for assurances that the defense alliance stops eastward expansion ...

  Bloomberg Myanmar’s Aung San Suu Kyi was sentenced to another four years in prison after a special court found the ousted civilian leader guilty in a second round of charges brought against her by the military junta that took power in February. Suu Kyi, 76, was found guilty for illegally importing and possessing unlicensed walkie-talkies as well as breaking ...

  Bloomberg The head of Denmark’s military intelligence service, Lars Findsen, has been jailed, charged with leaking classified material, according to local media. Last month, Danish police arrested four current and former intelligence workers on charges they had leaked highly classified information. Broadcaster TV2 and other media reported on Monday that Findsen, 57, was among those four after the district ...

  Bloomberg Kazakh forces, backed by Russian-led troops, are pressing ahead with operations to restore control after crushing the biggest protests in the central Asian nation in decades. About 5,800 people, including foreigners, have been detained since the demonstrations erupted, and law enforcement is carrying out raids throughout the country, the Kazakh presidential administration said on its website Sunday. Dozens ...

  Bloomberg Secretary of State Antony Blinken stepped up the Biden administration’s sharp rhetoric against Russia ahead of talks meant to ease tensions over Ukraine, accusing Moscow of using military threats, disinformation and targeted killings to build a sphere of influence beyond its borders. “No one should be surprised if Russia instigates a provocation or incident then tries to use ...

  Bloomberg President Joe Biden called for vigilance in protecting US democracy in a tribute to former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid as he seeks to rally Democrats behind voting-rights legislation. “Harry knew better than most how difficult democracy is, that the idea of America itself is under attack,” Biden said during a memorial service for the longtime Nevada senator ...

  Bloomberg Japan and the US have agreed that US forces stationed in Japan won’t leave their bases except for essential reasons in an effort to stem the spread of Covid-19 cases, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Sunday. His comments came as areas hosting or close to U.S. bases saw some of the biggest increases in infections on a ...

  Bloomberg Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro floated the possibility that public servants won’t receive a raise for the fourth year in a row, dismissing pressure by workers that has led to cargo holdups and work slowdowns. “It could be that there is no adjustment for anyone,” Bolsonaro said in Brasilia. “Anything is possible,” he added, emphasizing that raises aren’t a ...

  Bloomberg Kazakhstan’s president said he’s ordered security forces to shoot protesters “without warning” as he declared victory with Russia’s help in crushing unrest sweeping the central Asian nation. “Those who don’t surrender will be destroyed,” President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said in a televised address to the nation Friday. He rejected all calls for negotiations with the protesters, calling them “criminals, ...

  Bloomberg The US and Japan expressed concern about China’s efforts “to undermine the rules-based order” and resolved to work together to respond to its activities that threaten security, underscoring positions that have rankled Beijing. At a virtual meeting of the two allies’ foreign and defense ministers Friday Japan time, the countries also “voiced concern about China’s activities in the ...