Russia drops moratorium on deploying medium, shorter range missiles
Russia announced on Monday that it no longer considers itself bound by a self-imposed ban on deploying medium- and short-range ground-based missiles. The Foreign Ministry cited growing Western missile threats near its borders and the collapse of conditions tied to the now-defunct Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty.
The US withdrew from the treaty in 2019, accusing Russia of violations. In response, Moscow suspended its participation but maintained a moratorium—now lifted due to what it calls rising regional security risks, according to Xinhua.
China's Long March-12 rocket launches new internet satellites
China launched a Long March-12 carrier rocket on Monday, sending a group of internet satellites into space, Xinhua reported.
The rocket took off at 6:21 p.m. (local time) from the Hainan commercial spacecraft launch site in the southern island province of Hainan. It successfully deployed the payloads, the seventh group of low-orbit internet satellites, to their preset orbit.
The launch marked the 587th mission of the Long March series carrier rockets, according to the launch site.
US to launch visa bond pilot program for select travelers
The US State Department is set to implement a one-year pilot program that may require some foreign nationals applying for business or tourist visas to post a bond of up to $15,000, Xinhua reported.
The initiative, aimed at curbing visa overstays, allows consular officers to request bonds of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000 from applicants from countries with high overstay rates or limited screening measures.
The list of affected countries will be published online at least 15 days before the program takes effect. The move is part of the Trump administration’s broader efforts to tighten visa regulations, following a recent policy requiring more visa renewal applicants to attend in-person interviews, according to Xinhua.
Rwanda reached deal with US to take in up to 250 migrants, government says
The United States and Rwanda have agreed for the African country to accept up to 250 migrants deported from the U.S., the spokesperson for the Rwandan government and an official told Reuters, as President Donald Trump's administration takes a hardline approach toward immigration, Reuters reported.
The agreement, first reported by Reuters, was signed by U.S. and Rwandan officials in Kigali in June, said the Rwandan official, speaking on condition of anonymity, adding that Washington had already sent an initial list of 10 people to be vetted.
"Rwanda has agreed with the United States to accept up to 250 migrants, in part because nearly every Rwandan family has experienced the hardships of displacement, and our societal values are founded on reintegration and rehabilitation," said the spokesperson for the Rwandan government, Yolande Makolo, according to Reuters.
