Australia halts construction of new Russian embassy over security concerns

Australia has passed legislation to prevent Russia from building an embassy near the country's parliament in Canberra. The decision was made based on national security interests and the risk of potential interference with parliamentary activity. Russia won a Federal Court case last month that prevented its eviction from the site now under construction. The lease was canceled by local Canberra authorities on the basis of a lack of building activity since it was given the lease in the diplomatic precinct of Yarralumla in 2008.