Briefly

EUROPE

Protest delivered to Russian ambassador

The European Union on Monday summoned Russia's ambassador to the bloc, Vladimir Chizhov, to condemn Moscow's decision to bar eight officials from entering the country－a move that the Kremlin says is in retaliation for EU sanctions imposed on Russian citizens. In the meeting with Chizhov, the EU expressed "grave concern for the cumulative impact of all these decisions on the relations" between the EU and Russia. "The importance of diplomatic efforts to rectify the current unhealthy situation in the dialogue between Moscow and Brussels was stressed," Chizhov said in a statement after the meeting.

UNITED STATES

Furore forces Biden reversal on refugees

President Joe Biden announced on Monday, after coming under fierce criticism, that he was raising the maximum number of refugees allowed into the United States this year to 62,500－up from a cap of 15,000 imposed by his predecessor Donald Trump. The change follows a backlash from allies over Biden's earlier decision to keep the Trumpera limits. The program is only for refugees selected by US security and intelligence agencies from United Nations camps around the world.

SOUTH KOREA

Dairy firm CEO resigns over virus scandal

Hong Won-sik, the chairman of one of South Korea's biggest dairy companies Namyang Dairy Products, has resigned over a scandal in which his company was accused of deliberately spreading misinformation that its yogurt helps prevent coronavirus infections. Namyang financed research it aggressively promoted through the media and a symposium it funded last month that claimed its Bulgaris yogurt drinks were effective in lowering the risk of coronavirus infections. Police searched Namyang's Seoul headquarters last week.

IRAN

Police probe death of Swiss diplomat

Iranian police on Tuesday started investigating the death of a Swiss diplomat who died after reportedly falling from a high-rise in the capital Teheran. The Swiss woman, in her 50s, fell from the upper floors of a 20-story building in which she lived in northern Teheran, the state-run IRNA news agency reported. A worker discovered her missing on Tuesday morning and called authorities. The Swiss Foreign Ministry in Bern acknowledged that an employee "died in a fatal incident on Tuesday".

Agencies Via Xinhua