Author: Web Desk

Berlin: zSudzha is a major processing centre for Russian gas exports to the European Union, supplying countries such as Hungary, Austria, and Slovakia. Despite the conflict, both Russia and Ukraine aim to maintain uninterrupted gas flows through Sudzha, Russia’s only transit point for gas passing through Ukraine. Gas Transit Deal Nearing Expiry In December 2019, Russia and Ukraine signed a five-year agreement involving state-owned companies Gazprom and Naftogaz to transport Russian gas through Ukrainian territory. This contract is set to expire in December 2024, and Ukraine has indicated it does not intend to renew the deal. Russia has confirmed that…

New York: UN Secretary-General António Guterres has expressed serious concern over the detention of UN personnel and others by the Houthis in Yemen, calling for their immediate and unconditional release. The detainees, including members of civil society, NGO staff, and diplomatic mission personnel, have been held for over two months. In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Guterres condemned the recent forced entry by the Houthis into the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Sana’a. Although the office has now been returned to UN control, the Secretary-General stressed that those detained must have their human rights respected,…

New York: The United Nations has condemned the increasing violence against humanitarian workers, calling it “unacceptable.” In 2023, a record 280 aid workers were killed globally, the highest number ever recorded. Joyce Msuya, acting director of the UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), highlighted the severity of the situation on World Humanitarian Day. “The normalization of violence against aid workers and the lack of accountability are unacceptable and harmful to aid operations everywhere,” Msuya stated. OCHA reported that the 280 fatalities in 2023 represent a 137 percent increase from 2022, when 118 workers were killed. These figures…

Houston: Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has enlisted Tulsi Gabbard, a former Democrat and fellow Indian-American, to challenge Vice President Kamala Harris. Gabbard, a former Democratic congresswoman and prominent Hindu-American leader, has been recruited to bolster Trump’s attacks on Harris in their forthcoming debate. According to a report by The New York Times, citing two sources familiar with Trump’s schedule, Gabbard has been actively involved in Trump’s debate preparation sessions at his private club and residence in Mar-a-Lago. The debate between Trump and Harris is scheduled for 10th September, hosted by ABC News. Gabbard, who departed from the Democratic Party…

The safety of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, Europe’s largest nuclear facility, is under threat following a recent drone strike. The plant, occupied by Russian forces early in the conflict, narrowly avoided disaster when an explosive detonated near critical infrastructure. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported that the explosion occurred dangerously close to essential cooling systems and the Dniprovska power line, the plant’s only remaining power source. Although there were no casualties or damage to the nuclear equipment, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi expressed serious concerns, urging all parties to exercise restraint to avoid further escalation. Ukraine’s Strategic Moves…

Rome (Capital of Italy): Italy’s health ministry announced on Friday that diagnostic surveillance for mpox has been intensified, assuring the public that the situation remains under control. The ministry confirmed that no cases of the new mpox strain (clade I) have been detected in Italy. Mara Campitiello, head of the ministry’s department for prevention, stated that they are in continuous communication with international organizations to develop coordinated measures. On Friday, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) raised its risk alert level for mpox, advising countries to remain vigilant, particularly regarding travellers from affected regions. On Wednesday, the…

London: Recent UK riots, sparked by a false claim that a Muslim immigrant was responsible for a deadly stabbing, have led to a surge in violence and extremist rhetoric. Over 1,000 people have been arrested, and 466 face charges after far-right groups used the incident to incite violence against Muslims and, alarmingly, also against Jews. The riots, fueled by misinformation, saw far-right activists and neo-Nazis promoting antisemitic conspiracies online. A Telegram group, “Southport Wake Up,” which attracted 14,000 members, encouraged attacks on both Muslims and Jews. Although there have been no physical attacks on Jewish communities, the online hostility has…

Kyiv, Ukraine: Ukrainian forces have advanced up to 15 miles into Russia’s Kursk region, according to the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD), which reports that Ukrainian troops are capitalizing on Russian disarray and disorganization. In an update on X, the British MoD stated that Russia’s defensive lines in Kursk were unprepared for a multi-battalion assault. Ukrainian forces have penetrated the region to a depth of 10 to 25 kilometers (six to 15 miles) across a 40-kilometer front. Despite established defensive lines and border fences, Russia was not ready to respond to such a large-scale assault. Since launching the incursion on August…

Tehran: Qatar’s Prime Minister, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, has reportedly urged Iranian leaders to avoid any actions that could disrupt ongoing hostage-truce negotiations between Israel and Hamas. According to a senior source from one of the mediating countries—Qatar, Egypt, and the United States—al-Thani advised Iran to consider whether it is advisable for them or Hezbollah to attack Israel given the progress made in discussions. This call appears to have influenced Hezbollah, which has reportedly delayed any major attacks on Israel. The negotiations in Doha, which resumed on Friday, are seen as a critical step toward averting a larger regional conflict.…

New York: U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris appears to be distancing herself from President Biden’s record while stepping away from the progressive policies she once championed. This shift is seen as part of her effort to take over the Democratic mantle from Biden, with a campaign now emphasising style over substance. Democratic campaign operatives warn that this approach could alienate voters by making Harris appear opportunistic. “It’s a marketing strategy that is TV-esque,” said a senior Democratic aide, as reported by the New York Post. “With such a short timeline now, policy matters less than personality. She’s going to almost…