WORLD
Putin is greatest threat to security in Europe since WW II: Blinken
In a joint press conference with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba in Washington, Blinken said: "His (Putin) plan all along has been to invade Ukraine; to control Ukraine and its people; to destroy Ukraine's democracy, which offers a stark contrast to the autocracy that he leads; to reclaim Ukraine as a part of Russia. "That's why this is the greatest threat to security in Europe since World War II."
Biden-Putin summit not in the plans anymore: White House
Addressing reporters late Tuesday, Psaki did not explicitly rule out a meeting in the future but said Biden would not meet Putin unless Russia de-escalates the situation in Ukraine by pulling back troops. The Press Secretary's remarks come after Biden Biden announced earlier on Tuesday the first round of tougher sanctions against Russian banks, oligarchs, and others, with plans to escalate sanctions if Moscow advances its invasion.
Current Ukrainian crisis has roots in post-Soviet politics, NATO exlansion and other complex circumstances: FM Jaishankar
“The situation in Ukraine is the result of a complex chain of circumstances over the last thirty years. Most countries, such as India and France, which is very active, are seeking a diplomatic solution… In the case of Ukraine, a lot of it derives from the post-Soviet politics, the expansion of NATO, the dynamics between Russia and Europe, and Russia and the West broadly,” Minister Jaishankar said in an interview to French newspaper Le Figaro.
Man took Apple Store worker hostage, demanded $200 mn in crypto
The suspect, in camouflage gear, fired a gun and then held an Apple employee hostage for several hours before being apprehended late on Tuesday. Several other people who were also inside the Apple Store managed to escape. "The suspect has since been taken to hospital. For the time being, we are still conducting extensive research in the Apple Store on Leidseplein," the Amsterdam Police tweeted.
Ashraf Ghani removed from UN Heads of State List
Naseer Ahmad Faiq has been named as Charge affairs of Afghanistan on the list of Permanent Representatives of States to the UN, reports TOLO News.Afghanistan's seat at the UN became a contested issue after the resignation of the former Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Afghanistan Ghulam Mohammad Ishaczai following the fall of Kabul in August 2021.
Silent international recognition of Afghan govt underway, claims Taliban
"This is the result of the political efforts that Kabul is full of embassies today, and in many countries, we have opened our own embassies, which is a silent process of recognition," TOLO News quoted Anas Haqqani as saying in an address to tribal leaders in Khost province on Tuesday. He said differences should not harm the country's national values and that security forces should abide by amnesty decree of Islamic Emirate leader.
More contagious version of Omicron spreads in US: Report
The virus, known as BA.2, is a strain of the highly contagious Omicron variant that appears to spread 30 per cent more easily, Xinhua news agency quoted the report by National Public Radio (NPR). BA.2 is found to have quickly overtaken the original Omicron strain in South Africa and other countries and has even caused a second surge of the variant in Denmark.
Saudi Arabia marks nearly 300-yr-old Founding Day for 1st time
Designated by King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud in January, the Founding Day is to mark the day when Imam Muhammed bin Saud established the first Saudi state in the town of Diriyah, northwest of Riyadh, in 1727, reports Xinhua news agency. The occasion was celebrated on Tuesday with a host of cultural events across Saudi Arabia.
Germany suspends certification of Nord Stream 2 pipeline
"The situation today has fundamentally changed," he told the media on Tuesday. "We will reassess the situation that has evolved over the past few days." "I asked the Economy Ministry on Tuesday to withdraw the existing report on the analysis of supply security at the Federal Network Agency," Scholz said, adding that it was a necessary administrative step to prevent the certification and thus the operation of Nord Stream 2, Xinhua news agency reported.
Iran Prez urges int'l resistance to US 'cruel' oil, gas sanctions
Speaking at the sixth summit of the 11-member Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) in Doha, Raisi on Tuesday said imposing hegemonic will and demands on other independent states through sanctions cannot be an effective strategy in today's world, as it jeopardizes the collective interests of the GECF members.
Don't Miss
Advertisement