Author: Steven Sahiounie

The death toll from Friday’s earthquake has risen to more than 2,680 people dead, with more than 2,500 people injured, officials said. The Moroccan Interior Ministry said today that at least 2,681 people were confirmed dead, while at least 2,501 people were injured. It said rescue efforts were still underway as responders continue to care for the injured. A desperate search for survivors continues, as armed forces and international aid teams fight through rubble and devastation to reach remote mountain areas. A powerful earthquake struck Morocco late Friday night, killing hundreds of people and damaging buildings from villages in the…

It is reported that the Ukrainian side is demanding the demilitarization of the ZNPP, meaning the withdrawal of Russian guards from the site Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Grossi hopes what is going on at the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant (NPP) will be discussed with Russia and Ukraine at a high level. “I assure you of my full commitment to continue to use the resources you entrust to us prudently, efficiently and in order to make the biggest possible positive impact,” Grossi said at a press conference on the opening of the September session of…

The Ukrainian government has been hit by a wave of dismissals related to military procurement, with Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov being the latest to be fired. Two Ukrainian polls published on Monday showed that a vast majority of Ukrainians believe that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is responsible for corruption scandals plaguing his administration. Conducted by the Ilko Kucheriv Democratic Initiatives Foundation (DIF) and partners from July 3 to 17 and from August 9 to 15, with a total of 4,000 respondents, the surveys found that 78% of Ukrainians believe that Zelensky bears “direct responsibility” for corruption in the government and military. Though…

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman arrived in Oman on Monday evening on a private visit. He will meet with Sultan Haitham bin Tariq during the visit, Saudi Press Agency reported. The crown prince left India earlier on Monday where he attended the G20 summit and held various meetings with Indian officials. Source: Arab News

On his departure from New Delhi after an official visit to India, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Monday sent a telegram of thanks to prime minister Narendra Modi. The prince had also been in India to attend the G20 Summit. The Kingdom was working to implement an economic corridor with India and the project requires diligent work to achieve, the crown prince said during the joint Saudi-Indian Strategic Partnership Council meeting in New Delhi on Monday. Below is the text of the cable: His Excellency Mr. Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of the Republic of India, greetings.As I leave…

Ukrainian President emphasized the importance of attracting additional assistance from partners to bolster the artillery of our defenders, in particular through 155 mm caliber systems and long-range missiles Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has informed visiting German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock about the needs of the Ukrainian army, including for air defense systems and long-range missiles, the Ukrainian president’s website said on Monday. “President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a meeting with Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs of Germany Annalena Baerbock, who is on a visit to our country,” it said. “The President spoke in detail about the urgent needs of…

Bilateral relations will be a matter of priority during the talks, Dmitry Peskov added Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un for talks within the next few days, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. The meeting “could take place withing days. It will be a full-blown visit, with talks between the two delegations, and afterward, if need be, the leaders will continue to communicate one-on-one. Also, a formal dinner is planned on behalf of the president of Russia in honor of the North Korean guest,” the spokesman said in an interview with Pavel…

Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit has welcomed the admission of the African Union as a permanent member of the Group of 20, the Emirates News Agency reported on Monday. The AU, a continental body of 55 member states, now enjoys the same status in the G20 as the EU — the only regional bloc with full membership. Its previous designation was “invited international organization.” Aboul Gheit said the move was a positive step that will benefit both sides and solidify the role of African countries in global economic development. He added that it will boost the continent’s ability to…

It is noted that the leaders can meet quite promptly if necessary The presidents of Russia and Turkey, Vladimir Putin and Recep Tayyip Erdogan respectively, will continue to stay in touch about a potential meeting, which can be organized quickly if necessary, but as of now there is no exact date, Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Monday. “The leaders will certainly continue communicating. You all know well that they talk frequently over the telephone and their visits are coordinated quite quickly,” Peskov said in an interview with the RBC TV channel on the sidelines of the 2023 Eastern…

The two nations elevated bilateral ties to the highest possible level and signed several major investment and trade agreements Vietnam and the US have agreed to dramatically upgrade their bilateral relations and strengthen defense cooperation, while hailing several major deals worth billions of dollars. The announcement comes amid strained relations between both Hanoi and Washington with China. In a statement released on Monday following a meeting between US President Joe Biden and Vietnamese leader Nguyen Phu Trong, the White House said that the two countries elevated their relations to ‘Comprehensive Strategic Partnership’ status, the highest tier in Hanoi’s hierarchy of…