world
Blinken arrives in Saudi Arabia as part of major tour of Middle East to discuss Gaza Strip issue
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Later in the week, Blinken will visit Egypt, Qatar and Israel, pushing to advance negotiations with Hamas (mediated by Egypt and Qatar) to reach an agreement to release hostages held by Hamas militants. Blinken will also discuss the idea of a cease-fire put forward in January at a Paris meeting of senior U.S., Israeli, Egyptian and Qatari officials.
In which case Hungary to ratify Sweden's NATO membership bid?
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The political party led by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has said it expects a visit from Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson before ratifying Sweden's bid to join NATO.
Russia, China and Iran to hold joint naval drill
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According to Irani, the preliminary date of the exercise is set for March 19. In addition to Russia and China, the Iranian side has invited several other countries to participate in the military maneuvers.
Greece denies intentions to transfer Russian S-300s to Ukraine
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"This in no way corresponds to reality. The Greek government had no intention to jeopardize the country's defense and its defense policy," Greek government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis told at a briefing.
UN Secretary General appoints independent evaluation panel to assess UNRWA activities
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"The Secretary-General, in consultation with UNRWA Commissioner General Philippe Lazzarini, has appointed an independent review panel to assess whether the agency is doing everything within its mandate to ensure neutrality and to respond to allegations of serious violations," the statement says.
EU to impose sanctions against companies involved in circumventing measures against Russian
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"The sanctions will affect many people and institutions, as well as companies from different countries involved in circumventing our sanctions," he said.
Iran has started construction of a new nuclear power plant
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The ceremony of construction of the nuclear power plant in the city of Sirik took place within the framework of the visit of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi.
Ukraine states that its army will launch a new counteroffensive in the spring
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The head of Ukrainian military intelligence admitted that the Russians have had "some success" near Avdeevka, but noted that "this is not at all what the enemy army had hoped for."
Biden urges US Congress to approve F-16 sale to Turkey
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The US State Department also urged Ankara on Wednesday to formally finalize Sweden's NATO ratification. To do that, Erdogan needs to sign the legislation, which then would be published in Turkey's Official Gazette. The instrument of accession for Sweden also needs to be sent to Washington.
Experts note main reason for record drought in Amazon
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In March 2023, the Brazilian Amazon was subjected to an unspeakable drought. Precipitation was considerably below normal, rivers had receded to record lows, and forest fires had become more frequent amid consistently high temperatures. And the abnormally high water temperature in the Amazon basin led to a massive death in fish and animals living in the region.
Kremlin: Approval of Sweden's NATO membership application is Turkey's sovereign decision
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"It is the decision of the Turkish parliament. Turkey, nonetheless, is a member of the North Atlantic Alliance, this is a very obvious fact, and it has its obligations, its negotiation processes with the allies; that is Turkey's sovereign decision," Peskov told reporters.
Orban assures Stoltenberg that Hungary parliament will approve Sweden's NATO membership
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"I confirmed that the Hungarian government supports Sweden's membership in NATO. Also, I emphasized that we will continue to call on the [Hungarian] parliament to vote in favor of Sweden's membership and full ratification at the earliest opportunity," said the Hungarian premier.
NATO signs contract for purchase of artillery ammunition, considering their supply to Ukraine
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NATO on Tuesday signed a contract worth $1.2 billion for the purchase of hundreds of thousands of 155mm artillery ammunition at its headquarters in Brussels.
Erdogan: Turkey has resolved its differences with some regional countries
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"We have resolved the differences between us and some countries in the region and brought our cooperation back to the level it should have been... Having reached historic heights in our relations with the Turkic world, we have also worked to develop cooperation with Europe and the United States—based on mutual respect," he said.
Iran defense minister: Consequences of Hamas official’s assassination by Israel will fall on US
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“The US has upset regional balance, and the consequences of this [Israeli] assassination [of Arouri] will beset them,” he warned.
Japan quake death toll climbs to at least 64
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Two days have passed since a 7.6-magnitude earthquake caused widespread structural damage and fires in Wajima, Ishikawa Prefecture, on the coast of the Sea of Japan, but the full extent of the disaster remains unknown.
Israel holds secret negotiations with Congo about accepting refugees from Gaza, media report
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Yerushalmi quotes Intelligence Minister Gila Gamliel saying at the Knesset yesterday: “At the end of the war Hamas rule will collapse, there are no municipal authorities, the civilian population will be entirely dependent on humanitarian aid. There will be no work, and 60% of Gaza’s agricultural land will become security buffer zones.”
Kazakhstan removes Taliban from its list of terrorist organizations
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But Aibek Smadiyarov added, in a televised interview on Friday, that Astana will continue to adhere to United Nations decisions and resolutions regarding Afghanistan.
Newsweek: Ukraine may be starting to lose confidence
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has warned that a decline in aid from the U.S. and other Western allies could have dire consequences on the battlefield, while a number of Kyiv's military officials have suggested in recent days that Russia may be gaining strength as winter takes hold.
India urges G7 countries to delay ban on Russian diamonds
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"The timeline to start restrictions on indirect imports from Russia in three-four months is impractical, as the rules on how the origin for a gem will be traced are not clear," one of the sources said.
EU imposes sanctions on six individuals and five organizations in Iran for military aid to Russia
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The blacklist includes, in particular, Iranian companies that develop and produce components for UAVs in Iran, as well as representatives of their management and scientific specialists.
Ukraine needs 17 million shells, $400 billion, media report
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At the same time, the president's office is inclined to think that Zaluzhny's removal will help his political career, so a considerable part of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s team is categorically against the resignation of the current commander-in-chief."
China-EU summit slated for Thursday in Beijing
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Chinese President Xi Jinping will meet with European Council President Charles Michel, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Hamas accuses Blinken of giving ‘green light’ to Israel operations in Gaza
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"Every time before a new act of aggression, we always see how the US Secretary of State gives Israel the ‘green light’ to continue its crimes, providing it with assistance and all means of political protection," al- Hayya noted.
Rate of Biden's cognitive decline putting US at risk, White House ex-physician warns
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"I've taken care of three presidents… so I know firsthand what it takes to be the commander-in-chief and the head of state. It's a grueling job, both mentally and physically. This man can't do the job. He's proven to us every single day that he can't do the job, but this is going to get worse," Jackson told "Sunday Morning Futures," and referring to Biden.
