Manufacturing
Over 40 countries demand Russia hand over nuclear plant as shelling continues
The demand was made on behalf of the EU as well as the US, the UK, Norway, Australia, Japan, New Zealand and many other countries, dpa news agency reported. "This will also enable the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) to carry out its verification pursuant to Ukraine's safeguards obligations under safe and secure conditions and in a timely manner," the statement added. Europe's largest nuclear power plant, which has been occupied by Russian troops since March, has been subject to shelling for several weeks.
Zelensky proposes extending martial law, general mobilisation
The Ukrainian Parliament imposed a martial law after the start of the ongoing war with Russia on February 24 and has extended it three times since then. The general mobilisation of the population was introduced in Ukraine on February 24 and was prolonged in May for another three months. The laws on the martial law and general mobilization in Ukraine are due to expire on August 23.
Russia planning to hold several referenda in Ukraine: US official
A senior National Security Council official said Russia is planning to hold such referenda in Kherson, Zaporizhzhya, the separatist regions of Luhansk and Donetsk, and parts of Kharkiv, dpa news agency reported. "Russian leadership has instructed officials to begin carrying to hold these referenda. As Russia prepares for the referenda, we have information that officials are vetting candidates to serve as administrators of these territories. And that this these moves could take place as soon as in the coming weeks," US official said.
McDonald's to reopen some branches in Ukraine
It said work would be done in the coming months to restore supply chains and prepare restaurants that were closed at the start of the war on February 24. McDonald's did not give an exact opening date. The political leadership in Kiev reacted promptly to the news. The head of the president's office, Andriy Yermak, posted French fries and hamburger emojis on Twitter along with a Ukrainian flag. Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba called the reopening plan a "political decision", adding that millions of Ukrainians had been longing for Big Mac.
G7: Moscow must return control of Zaporizhzhya nuclear plant to Kiev
"Ukrainian personnel responsible for the operation of the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant must be able to carry out their duties without threats or pressure," the statement issued on Wednesday said. "It is Russia's continued domination of the nuclear power plant that endangers the region." Russia and Ukraine blame each other for the attacks.
G7 countries call on Russia to hand back Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant to Ukraine
Ukrainian staff operating the plant "must be able to carry out their duties without threats or pressure. It is Russia's continued control of the plant that endangers the region", the G7 foreign ministers said in a statement, BBC reported. "The Russian Federation must immediately withdraw its troops from within Ukraine's internationally recognised borders and respect Ukraine's territory and sovereignty," it said.
Philippines officially cancels chopper deal with Russia
"The Department of National Defence is formalizing the termination of the contract with SOVTECHNOEXPORT LLC of Russia for the procurement of 16 units of Mi-17 heavy-lift helicopters for the Philippine air force," dpa news agency quoted Arsenio Andolong, the Department's spokesman, as saying. Andolong said the Department's contract review committee will "undertake the appropriate processes and exercise due diligence in formalizing the termination of the project's contract".
War must end with Crimea's liberation: Zelensky
"Crimea is Ukrainian, and we will never give it up," dpa news agency quoted the President as saying in his nightly video address on Tuesday. "The Black Sea region cannot be safe as long as Crimea is occupied," he said. "There will be no stable and lasting peace in many countries on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea as long as Russia is able to use our peninsula as its military base. "This Russian war against Ukraine and against the entire free Europe began with Crimea and must end with Crimea, with its liberation," Zelensky added.
Biden authorises largest weapons assistance to Ukraine
According to a statement by the US Department of Defence, the package -- the 18th tranche of presidential drawdown since August 2021 -- included additional munitions for High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), 75,000 rounds of 155 mm artillery ammunition, 20 120 mm mortar systems and 20,000 rounds of 120 mm mortar ammunition, as well as munitions for National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS), Xinhua news agency reported.
Six Russian military officers sacked since war began: UK intelligence
The poor performance of the armed forces during the invasion has been costly for the Russian military leadership, most likely leading to the dismissal of at least six commanders, dpa news agency quoted the UK's Ministry of Defence as saying in its regular intelligence update.
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