WORLD
Putin preparing to flee Russia should he be defeated in Ukraine, claims report
With his Donbas offensive stalling, Ukriane preparing to re-capture Kherson and his economy crumbling, the Russian leader is "aware of the possibility of a sharp change of mood in the country", the Daily Mail reported. Last week, the General SVR channel reported that the 69-year-old had suffered from "severe nausea" overnight, with doctors at his bedside for around three hours.
With Pakistan on the brink of default, Gen Bajwa appeals to US to expedite release of IMF funds
The army chief reached out to the US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman on a phone call earlier in the week, sources from both US and Pakistan revealed on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak publicly, Geo News reported, citing Nikkei Asia. They revealed that Gen Bajwa requested the White House and Treasury Department to urge the lender to expedite the bailout process and immediately release the nearly $1.2 billion that Pakistan expects to receive under a resumed loan programme.
German cities impose cold showers, turn off lights amid Russian gas crisis
Hanover became the first large city to announce energy-saving measures, including turning off hot water in the showers and bathrooms of city-run buildings and leisure centres, The Guardian reported. Municipal buildings in the Lower Saxony state capital will only be heated from October 1, 2022 to March 21, 2021, at no more than 20 degrees Celsius room temperature, and ban the use of mobile air conditioning units and fan heaters.
Pakistan likely moving towards snap poll
The ball has landed in the military's court, but it is still groping for a way out after working from behind for the exit, in collusion with the top judiciary, of the very governments it had helped install since 2016. In the process, Pakistan analysts say, it has invited unprecedented criticism in public that could compare with 1971, when the country was dismembered.
Poland to build Europe's strongest NATO army: Defence Minister
Blaszczak, also the Deputy Prime Minister, made the remarks in an interview with public broadcaster Polish Radio on Thursday, a day after Warsaw signed a deal for the purchase of South Korean arms, reports Xinhua news agency.
Palestine seeks full UN membership to protect 2-state solution: Envoy
The Palestinian mission "is working to convince the largest number of Arab and European countries in order for this endeavour not to be obstructed by the use of any veto", Xinhua news agency quoted Mansour as saying to the official Voice of Palestine radio station.
San Francisco declares state of emergency in response to spread of monkeypox
Philip emphasised that she was not planning to call for any closures or restrictions, which distinguishes the emergency declaration from the health orders issued amid the Covid-19 pandemic, Xinhua news agency reported. "This is a very important step by San Francisco," California State Senator Scott Wiener said. As of Wednesday, the city reported that 261 people had confirmed or suspected monkeypox infections. City health officials said they anticipate the figure will grow in the coming days
Biden's climate change gets a big push from fellow Democrats
Manchin, a West Virginian democrat, had previously objected to the proposal, citing fears more spending could worsen inflation. Passage of the bill would be a major legislative victory for Biden. Salvaging a key plank of his domestic agenda could also grant a much-needed electoral boost for his fellow Democrats, who are battling to retain control of Congress as midterm elections loom in November this year on the 8th, according to the US media .
India, France, UAE discuss trilateral cooperation in Indo-Pacific
According to the Ministry of External Affairs statement, the three sides exchanged perspectives on the Indo-Pacific region and explored the potential areas of trilateral cooperation. These were identified as maritime security, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR), 'Blue' economy, regional connectivity, cooperation in multilateral fora, energy and food security, innovation and startups, supply chain resilience, and cultural and people-to-people cooperation.
UN calls on China to repeal draconian Hong Kong law
In a report following its periodic review of China's compliance with international human rights covenants, the UN Human Rights Committee said it was "deeply concerned" that the national security law is being interpreted too broadly, citing a lack of clarity about the meaning of "national security", RFA reported. "Since its enactment in 2020, the (law) has reportedly led to the arrests of over 200 people, including 12 children," the report said, adding that there is also provision under the law for people to be sent to China for investigation, prosecution, trial and to serve sentences.
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