Briefly

RUSSIA

Moscow ready for Open Skies talks

Russia is open to dialogue with the United States on the Open Skies Treaty, but only if it is based on equal rights and aimed at mutual consideration of interests and concerns, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Friday. "This is deeply regrettable, as significant damage is being done to the European security," the statement said. The treaty, which became effective in 2002, allows its states-parties to conduct short-notice, unarmed reconnaissance flights over the others' entire territories to collect data on military forces and activities.

ARGENTINA

Government defaults on bond payments

Argentina missed payments on around $500 million in already delayed bond coupons on Friday, creditors and a ratings agency said, marking the country's ninth sovereign default amid restructuring talks with creditors. The default on three bonds came as negotiations to revamp around $65 billion in foreign debt revved up, with Economy Minister Martin Guzman saying talks were on a positive course despite an "important distance" left to reach a deal. A source said the two sides were making substantial progress and a deal was possible in a "matter of days, not months".

UNITED STATES

Biden retreats on 'ain't black' vote quip

White House hopeful Joe Biden apologized on Friday for telling a black radio host that African Americans "ain't black" if they are unsure who to support in November's election, sparking accusations of racism. The Democratic Party's presumptive nominee to challenge US President Donald Trump made the remark during a spirited and sometimes contentious interview with popular syndicated radio personality Charlamagne Tha God. "I shouldn't have been such a wise guy. I shouldn't have been so cavalier," Biden later said.

Xinhua - Agencies