WORLD
Panic stricken' Kremlin official has secretly approached the West to help end the Ukraine war
The secret member of Vladimir Putin's elite is said to have revealed the Kremlin is in panic and desperate for the bloody war to end, Daily Mirror reported. Astonishing claims about the move were made in a report circulated to Western intelligence agencies. It is believed senior officers and officials close to Putin are alarmed by biting Western sanctions and the failing economy caused by war.
Ukraine is bankrupt: Moscow
Taking to Telegram, Volodin claimed that "collected taxes form only 40% of the country's budget," more than 60% of which covers military spending. Ukraine's monthly deficit amounts to $5 billion, Volodin reminded, RT reported. "Ukraine is bankrupt," he said. The same numbers were reported on Friday by the Wall Street Journal. In the speaker's opinion, "without the help of Washington and Brussels, Kiev can no longer fulfill its obligations to citizens", RT reported.
Theories abound on who tipped off Americans on Zawahiri's location, including India's role: Report
According to the report in The Express Tribune, the targeted compound is just a few minutes' drive from the Indian Embassy in Kabul where technical staff is currently based.Interestingly, Zawahiri's second last video message was about Muskan Khan, a burqa-clad Indian Muslim girl who dared a group of young saffronites and shouted "Allah-O-Akbar" in front of them in Karnataka state in February 2022, The Express Tribune reported.
Iran rejects involvement in attack on Salman Rushdie
"There is no connection between Iran and the perpetrator," Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani said on Monday. "Rushdie himself is responsible for the attack," dpa news agency quoted Kanaani as saying, noting that the author's work not only offended Iran, but Muslims worldwide. Rushdie was stabbed onstage as he was about to deliver a lecture in New York State on August 12.
Visiting US lawmakers meet Taiwan leader despite China's ire
The US congressional delegation arrived on Sunday for a surprise two-day visit, which followed a trip earlier this month by Speaker of the US House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi, reports dpa news agency. China increased pressure on Taiwan both militarily and economically after Pelosi's 19-hour visit to Taipei on August 2-3.
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.
Rushdie's attacker allegedly sympathised with Iranian military organisation, extremists: Reports
During a preliminary review, Matar's social media accounts showed he is "sympathetic to Shia extremism and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) causes", NBC News said quoting a law enforcement source. Matar stabbed Rushdie on August 13 in a New York education and spiritual centre as he was preparing to participate in a discussion on creative freedom in the US. Rushdie was flown by a helicopter from the centre in Chautauqua to a hospital in Erie, Pennsylvania, where he was put on a ventilator and underwent surgery for wounds to his neck, liver, arm and eye.
Man killed himself after ramming US Capitol barricade
The incident occurred at East Capitol Street and Second Street just after 4:00 a.m. on Sunday, Xinhua news agency reported, citing a press release from the Capitol Police. The car "became engulfed in flames" while the man was getting out of it. Then he "fired several shots into the air" along East Capitol Street. "When our officers heard the sound of gunfire, they immediately responded and were approaching the man when he shot himself," the release read.
Nuke talks must lead to US sanctions removal: Iran's parl panel
Abolfazl Amoui, spokesman of the Iranian parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, made the remarks after a committee meeting held to evaluate the latest round of the nuclear talks in Vienna, Xinhua news agency reported, citing the Iranian Students' News Agency (ISNA). The sanctions must be removed in a way to benefit the Iranian people and enable the country's traders and businessmen to conduct transactions with other countries, he said, adding the Iranian government is duty-bound to present a report on sanctions removal to the legislative body for review.
President Biden calls India, US 'indispensable partners'
As the two countries also celebrate 75 years of establishing diplomatic ties, the US President said further, "India and the United States are indispensable partners, and the US-India Strategic Partnership is grounded in our shared commitment to the rule of law and the promotion of human freedom and dignity." The two countries are also bound by "deep bonds" between their people, he added with a shout out to "the vibrant Indian-American community in the US (that) has made us a more innovative, inclusive, and stronger Nation".
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