International Atomic Energy Agency chief and the head of Russia's Rosatom discuss the security situation at Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in during talks in Istanbul as Russian attacks in Ukraine continue for the 182nd day.
A delegation from the IAEA could visit the nuclear plant in early September, the Russian representative to the UN's nuclear watchdog said last week.
(AP)
Wednesday, August 24, 2022Russia, IAEA discuss Ukraine nuclear plant in Istanbul meeting
The head of Russia's state nuclear energy agency has held a meeting with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief in Istanbul to discuss an expected inspection of a Moscow-controlled atomic plant in Ukraine.
Head of the UN agency Rafael Grossi and Rosatom chief Alexei Likhachev "discussed in detail all the issues relating to the planned IAEA mission to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant", Rosatom said.
"The Russian side shares the intention... to organise such a mission in the near future, as soon as the military situation on the ground allows it," it added.
Six-month mark of Ukraine conflict a 'tragic milestone' - UN
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called the six-month anniversary of the start of the Russia-Ukraine conflict a "sad and tragic milestone."
Guterres made the comments during a special meeting of the UN Security Council in New York to mark the anniversary of the start of Russia's attacks on its neighbour on February 24.
The UN chief described the six months of conflict as "devastating." Referring to its impact on food and fuel prices, he said "the consequences of this senseless war are being felt far beyond Ukraine."
UN chief Antonio Guterres at Security Council on Ukraine:
- Six-month anniversary of start of Ukraine war a sad and tragic milestone - Ukraine grain initiative working well - Thank Türkiye for mediating grain deal, I was moved when I saw grain loaded ships in Istanbul pic.twitter.com/jQTyHM9HjE— TRT World Now (@TRTWorldNow) August 24, 2022
WHO: Nearly 100 dead in attacks on Ukraine healthcare
There have been 473 verified attacks on healthcare in Ukraine since Russia began its attacks on Ukraine six months ago, which have killed nearly 100 people, the WHO has said.
As well as the 98 people known to have been killed in verified attacks on healthcare, at least 134 others were wounded, the WHO's figures showed.
Nearly 400 of the attacks hit health facilities. Dozens of attacks struck transport, including ambulances, while warehouses, supplies, personnel and patients were also damaged.
Ex-mayor arrested on charges of discrediting Russian army
The former mayor of Russia's fourth-largest city has been arrested on charges of discrediting the country's military, part of a crackdown on critics of Moscow's military action in Ukraine.
Police arrested Yevgeny Roizman, 59 who served as the mayor of Yekaterinburg in 2013-2018, following searches at his apartment and office.
Roizman told reporters he was charged under a new law adopted after Russia sent troops into Ukraine on February 24. He faces up to five years in prison if convicted.
Celebrations are banned in Ukraine but people abroad come together to mark its independence anniversary pic.twitter.com/LhSbbtt2Ml
Ukraine bans Independence Day celebrations fearing Russian attacks
Ukraine has banned public events celebrating the country's 31st Independence Day fearing renewed Russian attacks.
Large gatherings are prohibited in Kiev from August 22 to 25, the city administration said.
Ukraine’s Center for Strategic Communications (StratCom) said on Telegram: “The threat of massive shelling on the territory of Ukraine with S-300 missiles is obvious. Considering the arrival of several trains [from Russia] before August 20, it is clear that the Russians are preparing to attack Ukraine on August 24."
Norway, Britain team up to donate micro-drones to Ukraine
Norway has announced that the UK will purchase Norwegian-made Black Hornet micro-drones to help Ukraine fight Russia, the Norwegian Defence Ministry said in a statement.
The micro-drones are estimated at $9.1 million (90 million Norwegian kroner), it said.
Norway has contributed $41 million (400 million kroner) through a UK-led fund for the package that will ensure training of the Ukrainian military and the purchase of the Black Hornet systems with spare parts and transport, according to the statement.
Russia, Ukraine spar at UN over nuclear plant dangers
Russia and Ukraine have traded accusations over who was endangering the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, as the United Nations urged both sides to insulate the Ukrainian facility from the ongoing conflict.
Russia called the meeting at the UN Security Council to discuss the dangers that close shelling and a military presence posed to the power plant in southern Ukraine, amid fears that a damaged reactor could leak radiation across the region.
Russian troops have controlled the plant for weeks and allegedly have placed arms and war supplies there, something that Moscow denies.
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FDLL9kXUrU[/embed]
US to give Ukraine $3 billion in military aid for years ahead
The Biden administration is expected on Wednesday to announce an additional roughly $3 billion in aid to train and equip Ukrainian forces to fight for years to come, US officials said.
The officials told The Associated Press that the package will fund contracts for as many as three types of drones and other weapons, ammunition and equipment that may not see the battlefront for a year or two.
The total of the aid package — it is being provided under the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative — could change, but not likely by much.
For live updates from Tuesday (August 23), click here
Source: AP
Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi.
ISLAMABAD: The prime ministers of Pakistan and India are likely to have a meeting during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, diplomatic sources told Daily Jang.
The SCO summit is scheduled for September 15-16 where leaders of the organisation will sit together to discuss regional challenges.
Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif will attend the conference during which he is likely to meet the presidents of China, Russia, Iran and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi.
The sources confirmed that in its July 28 meeting, the SCO foreign ministers reiterated that the heads of SCO states will attend the summit.
Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto, who had attended the meeting in Tashkent, said that a bilateral meeting between the Pakistani and Indian leaders is not scheduled.
“There are no plans of any meetings between Indian and Pakistani prime ministers in September,” Bilawal had told WION News, adding that both India and Pakistan are part of the SCO and the two countries are only engaged in the context of the broad-based activities of the organisation.
The foreign minister had said: “India is our neighbouring country. While one can decide on a lot of things, one cannot choose its neighbours, therefore, we should get used to living with them.”
Bilawal recalled that after 2019, constructive dialogue with India became difficult, while statements based on Islamophobia by Indian officials are further creating hurdles in dialogue.
President Joe Biden on Monday threw cold water on fears the US could be heading into a recession, pointing to low unemployment and continued investment in the American economy ahead of a key Federal Reserve meeting.
"We're not gonna be in a recession," the president told reporters. "The unemployment rate is still one of the lowest we've had in history. It is in the 3.6 area. We still find ourselves with people investing.
“My hope is we go from this rapid growth to a steady growth, and we'll see some coming down, but I don't think we're going to, God willing, that we'll see a recession."
The comments come as the US Federal Reserve prepares to conclude a two-day meeting on Wednesday in which it is widely expected to again raise interest rates in its further drive to tamp down inflation.
Economists are anticipating another 0.75 basis point hike. Major Wall Street firms, including Apple, Google parent company Alphabet, and Microsoft are also due to release major corporate earnings reports this week.
Year-end projections put the central bank's benchmark rate at least at 3.5%.
