Key PointsWASHINGTON – The Commerce Department on Thursday added seven Chinese supercomputing entities to a U.S. economic blacklist citing national security concerns.The department added Tianjin Phytium Information Technology, Shanghai High-Performance Integrated Circuit Design Center, Sunway Microelectronics, the National Supercomputing Center Jinan, the National Supercomputing Center Shenzhen, the National Supercomputing Center Wuxi and the National Supercomputing Center Zhengzhou to its blacklist.The seven entities were blacklisted for "building supercomputers used by China's military...…Key PointsWASHINGTON – The Commerce Department on Thursday added seven Chinese supercomputing entities to a U.S. economic blacklist citing national security concerns.The department added Tianjin Phytium Information Technology, Shanghai High-Performance Integrated Circuit Design Center, Sunway Microelectronics, the National Supercomputing Center Jinan, the National Supercomputing Center Shenzhen, the National Supercomputing Center Wuxi and the National Supercomputing Center Zhengzhou to its blacklist.The seven entities were blacklisted for "building supercomputers used by China's military...WW…

Key PointsWASHINGTON — The Biden administration said Wednesday that it is disturbed by reports that Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny's health has deteriorated since his imprisonment and reiterated calls for his immediate release.Navalny, , is on a hunger strike in order to force his jailers to provide access to outside medical care for pain in his back and legs. A lawyer for Navalny said he is suffering from .The Kremlin has declined to comment on his health."We urge Russian authorities to take all necessary actions to ensure his safety and health. So long as he is imprisoned, the...…Key PointsWASHINGTON — The Biden administration said Wednesday that it is disturbed by reports that Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny's health has deteriorated since his imprisonment and reiterated calls for his immediate release.Navalny, , is on a hunger strike in order to force his jailers to provide access to outside medical care for pain in his back and legs. A lawyer for Navalny said he is suffering from .The Kremlin has declined to comment on his health."We urge Russian authorities to take all necessary actions to ensure his safety and health. So long as he is imprisoned, the...WW…

Key PointsWASHINGTON – The United States and its allies are considering a joint boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, the State Department said Tuesday."It [a joint boycott] is something that we certainly wish to discuss," State spokesman Ned Price told reporters when asked about the Biden administration's plans ahead of the international games."A coordinated approach will not only be in our interest but also in the interest of our allies and partners," he added.Price said the United States has not yet made a decision but was concerned about China's egregious human rights abuses....…Key PointsWASHINGTON – The United States and its allies are considering a joint boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, the State Department said Tuesday."It [a joint boycott] is something that we certainly wish to discuss," State spokesman Ned Price told reporters when asked about the Biden administration's plans ahead of the international games."A coordinated approach will not only be in our interest but also in the interest of our allies and partners," he added.Price said the United States has not yet made a decision but was concerned about China's egregious human rights abuses....WW…

Key PointsWASHINGTON – Federal prosecutors filed two additional counts in a new indictment on Monday in the sex crime case against Ghislaine Maxwell, a British socialite and friend of the late sex criminal and financier Jeffrey Esptein.The accuse Maxwell of sex trafficking conspiracy and sex trafficking of a minor.Prosecutors explained the changes in the superseding indictment in a . The new indictment lengthens the timeline of the alleged conspiracy and adds a fourth victim.Lawyers for Maxwell did not immediately respond to CNBC's request for comment.Maxwell, 59, who is awaiting trial on...…Key PointsWASHINGTON – Federal prosecutors filed two additional counts in a new indictment on Monday in the sex crime case against Ghislaine Maxwell, a British socialite and friend of the late sex criminal and financier Jeffrey Esptein.The accuse Maxwell of sex trafficking conspiracy and sex trafficking of a minor.Prosecutors explained the changes in the superseding indictment in a . The new indictment lengthens the timeline of the alleged conspiracy and adds a fourth victim.Lawyers for Maxwell did not immediately respond to CNBC's request for comment.Maxwell, 59, who is awaiting trial on...WW…

Key PointsWASHINGTON – Secretary of State Antony Blinken issued a strong rebuke Wednesday of China's sweeping use of coercive measures and urged NATO allies to work with the U.S. in order to mount pushback on Beijing.Blinken, in an address at NATO headquarters in Brussels, said the U.S. wouldn't force its European allies into an "us or them choice." However, he made clear that Washington views China as an economic and security threat, particularly in the realm of technology, to NATO allies in Europe."There's no question that Beijing's coercive behavior threatens our collective security and...…Key PointsWASHINGTON – Secretary of State Antony Blinken issued a strong rebuke Wednesday of China's sweeping use of coercive measures and urged NATO allies to work with the U.S. in order to mount pushback on Beijing.Blinken, in an address at NATO headquarters in Brussels, said the U.S. wouldn't force its European allies into an "us or them choice." However, he made clear that Washington views China as an economic and security threat, particularly in the realm of technology, to NATO allies in Europe."There's no question that Beijing's coercive behavior threatens our collective security and...WW…

Key PointsU.S. and allies announce new China sanctions over human rights abuses against UyghursWASHINGTON — The Biden administration on Monday sanctioned two Chinese officials for their roles in serious human rights abuses against ethnic minorities in Xinjiang.China's Wang Junzheng, the Secretary of the Party Committee of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps and Chen Mingguo, director of the Xinjiang Public Security Bureau, were sanctioned for their connection to the "arbitrary detention and severe physical abuse, among other serious human rights abuses targeting Uyghurs," the...…Key PointsU.S. and allies announce new China sanctions over human rights abuses against UyghursWASHINGTON — The Biden administration on Monday sanctioned two Chinese officials for their roles in serious human rights abuses against ethnic minorities in Xinjiang.China's Wang Junzheng, the Secretary of the Party Committee of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps and Chen Mingguo, director of the Xinjiang Public Security Bureau, were sanctioned for their connection to the "arbitrary detention and severe physical abuse, among other serious human rights abuses targeting Uyghurs," the...WW…

Key PointsWASHINGTON – A top North Korean official said Pyongyang will not respond to numerous invitations to restart nuclear discussions until the United States drops its "hostile policies.""We have already declared our stand that no DPRK-U.S. contact and dialogue of any kind can be possible unless the U.S. rolls back its hostile policy towards the DPRK," said first vice minister of Foreign Affairs, Choe Son Hui, according to a statement released by state-run Korean Central News Agency on Thursday.Choe added that the Biden administration initiated contact in February and has since sent...…Key PointsWASHINGTON – A top North Korean official said Pyongyang will not respond to numerous invitations to restart nuclear discussions until the United States drops its "hostile policies.""We have already declared our stand that no DPRK-U.S. contact and dialogue of any kind can be possible unless the U.S. rolls back its hostile policy towards the DPRK," said first vice minister of Foreign Affairs, Choe Son Hui, according to a statement released by state-run Korean Central News Agency on Thursday.Choe added that the Biden administration initiated contact in February and has since sent...WW…

Key PointsRussia and Iran both carried out operations to try to interfere in the 2020 presidential election between Joe Biden and Donald Trump, according to a released Tuesday.The U.S. intelligence community also determined that China did not try to change the outcome of the 2020 races and said there are no indications that foreign actors attempted to alter U.S. ballots or vote tabulation, the report says.The assessment was released as the Biden administration works to bolster relationships with key U.S. allies in order to mount pressure on Russia and Iran."From his first phone call with...…Key PointsRussia and Iran both carried out operations to try to interfere in the 2020 presidential election between Joe Biden and Donald Trump, according to a released Tuesday.The U.S. intelligence community also determined that China did not try to change the outcome of the 2020 races and said there are no indications that foreign actors attempted to alter U.S. ballots or vote tabulation, the report says.The assessment was released as the Biden administration works to bolster relationships with key U.S. allies in order to mount pressure on Russia and Iran."From his first phone call with...WW…

Key PointsPres. Biden addresses nation on first anniversary of Covid shutdownWASHINGTON – President announced Thursday evening that he will direct states to make all adults, ages 18 and up, eligible for the coronavirus vaccines by May 1. Biden, in his first primetime address to the nation, also set a goal for Americans to be able to gather in person with their friends and loved ones in small groups to celebrate the Fourth of July.Biden delivered the announcements on the one-year anniversary of the pandemic, reflecting with anguish on its devastation while offering hope that better days...…Key PointsPres. Biden addresses nation on first anniversary of Covid shutdownWASHINGTON – President announced Thursday evening that he will direct states to make all adults, ages 18 and up, eligible for the coronavirus vaccines by May 1. Biden, in his first primetime address to the nation, also set a goal for Americans to be able to gather in person with their friends and loved ones in small groups to celebrate the Fourth of July.Biden delivered the announcements on the one-year anniversary of the pandemic, reflecting with anguish on its devastation while offering hope that better days...WW…

Key PointsWASHINGTON – The Biden administration said Thursday that it was engaged in discussions with NATO allies about escalating tensions in Ukraine as Russia has increased its military presence near the country's border."Russia now has more troops on the border with Ukraine than at any time since 2014, five Ukrainian soldiers have been killed this week alone," White House press secretary Jen Psaki said during a briefing, calling the matter "deeply concerning.""The United States is increasingly concerned by recent escalating Russian aggression in eastern Ukraine, including Russian troop...…Key PointsWASHINGTON – The Biden administration said Thursday that it was engaged in discussions with NATO allies about escalating tensions in Ukraine as Russia has increased its military presence near the country's border."Russia now has more troops on the border with Ukraine than at any time since 2014, five Ukrainian soldiers have been killed this week alone," White House press secretary Jen Psaki said during a briefing, calling the matter "deeply concerning.""The United States is increasingly concerned by recent escalating Russian aggression in eastern Ukraine, including Russian troop...WW…