Tuesday, June 15

*) Beijing accuses NATO of exaggerating 'China threat theory’ Beijing has accused NATO of exaggerating the threat from China after the Western allies vowed to work together to counter "systemic challenges" posed by its policies. NATO leaders made the commitment as US President Joe Biden renewed Washington's transatlantic ties at his first summit with the allies. Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his US counterpart Biden met on the sideline of the summit, where they discussed a new commitment to resolving the problems between their countries. *) ICC seeks to probe Philippines' crackdown on drug crime The ICC's chief prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda, is seeking a full investigation into crimes against humanity during the Philippines' "war on drugs." The Philippines left the ICC in 2019 after the court launched a preliminary examination into President Rodrigo Duterte's drug crackdown. A presidential spokesperson said Duterte would not cooperate with the investigation as the country is no longer a member. *) Covid-19 deaths in US pass 600,000 milestone The United States has crossed the grim milestone of 600,000 Covid-19 deaths. With 70 percent of US adults receiving at least one Covid jab, the vaccine rollout has slowed the pace of fatalities in the country. It took 113 days to go from 500,000 total US deaths to 600,000 - the second slowest 100,000-death jump since the pandemic began. *) Suspect charged in terror attack on Canada Muslims Canada is pressing terrorism charges against a man accused of mowing down a Muslim family with a pickup truck in an attack. Four members of the Afzaal family were out for a walk in London, Ontario on June 6 when a truck driver struck them on purpose. Prosecutors said they were adding terrorism charges to four counts of premeditated murder and one of attempted murder levelled last week against 20-year-old Nathaniel Veltman. And finally ... *) US runner says tainted burrito led to test for banned substance Record-setting American runner Shelby Houlihan say