Key PointsThe FDA found poor conditions at a Baltimore plant that ruined millions of J&J vaccine dosesThe Food and Drug Administration said Wednesday a Baltimore plant that ruined millions of Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 vaccine doses was unsanitary and unsuitable to manufacture the shots.The FDA asked Emergent BioSolutions, which runs the plant, to temporarily stop producing materials for Covid-19 vaccines earlier this month as the U.S. agency initiated an inspection."The firm has failed to adequately train personnel involved in manufacturing operations, quality control sampling, weigh and...…Key PointsThe FDA found poor conditions at a Baltimore plant that ruined millions of J&J vaccine dosesThe Food and Drug Administration said Wednesday a Baltimore plant that ruined millions of Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 vaccine doses was unsanitary and unsuitable to manufacture the shots.The FDA asked Emergent BioSolutions, which runs the plant, to temporarily stop producing materials for Covid-19 vaccines earlier this month as the U.S. agency initiated an inspection."The firm has failed to adequately train personnel involved in manufacturing operations, quality control sampling, weigh and...WW…

Key PointsWASHINGTON – United Nations human rights experts called for the immediate medical evacuation of jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny from Russia, citing concerns over his deteriorating health and prison conditions that they say may amount to torture."We believe Mr. Navalny's life is in serious danger," . "We are deeply troubled that Mr. Navalny is being kept in conditions that could amount to torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment in a facility that reportedly does not meet international standards," the statement added."We urge the Russian authorities to...…Key PointsWASHINGTON – United Nations human rights experts called for the immediate medical evacuation of jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny from Russia, citing concerns over his deteriorating health and prison conditions that they say may amount to torture."We believe Mr. Navalny's life is in serious danger," . "We are deeply troubled that Mr. Navalny is being kept in conditions that could amount to torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment in a facility that reportedly does not meet international standards," the statement added."We urge the Russian authorities to...WW…

Key PointsWASHINGTON – White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said Sunday that the Biden administration warned the Russian government to not let jailed Putin critic Alexei Navalny die in custody."We have communicated to the Russian government that what happens to Mr. Navalny in their custody is their responsibility and they will be held accountable by the international community," Sullivan said on CNN's "State of the Union" program."We have communicated that there will be consequences if Mr. Navalny dies," he added.Navalny  earlier this year after spending nearly half a year...…Key PointsWASHINGTON – White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said Sunday that the Biden administration warned the Russian government to not let jailed Putin critic Alexei Navalny die in custody."We have communicated to the Russian government that what happens to Mr. Navalny in their custody is their responsibility and they will be held accountable by the international community," Sullivan said on CNN's "State of the Union" program."We have communicated that there will be consequences if Mr. Navalny dies," he added.Navalny  earlier this year after spending nearly half a year...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…

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…

Business News and FinanceVIEW IN APPA Facebook iconA Twitter iconA LinkedIn iconAn email iconKEY POINTS WASHINGTON — The Biden administration is slated to relax federal public health guidance on wearing masks outdoors as soon as this week, a source familiar with the plans told NBC News.The announcement, which may come as early as Tuesday, could give separate recommendations for fully vaccinated people and those who have not received a vaccine, added the person, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. The administration is still finalizing the guidance, NBC reported.Over the weekend, White...…Business News and FinanceVIEW IN APPA Facebook iconA Twitter iconA LinkedIn iconAn email iconKEY POINTS WASHINGTON — The Biden administration is slated to relax federal public health guidance on wearing masks outdoors as soon as this week, a source familiar with the plans told NBC News.The announcement, which may come as early as Tuesday, could give separate recommendations for fully vaccinated people and those who have not received a vaccine, added the person, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. The administration is still finalizing the guidance, NBC reported.Over the weekend, White...WW…