Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal. —APP
40-50 per cent cotton crop have also been damaged, says Ahsan Iqbal.
He says 0.9 million livestock have been washed away in floods.
Recent floods brought more devastation than 2010, says federal minister.
Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal Monday warned that country might face food security challenges due to flood and torrential rains, Geo News reported.
While speaking at an event in Islamabad, Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal said that due to the recent floods and torrential rains in the country crops of rice, banana, onion and other agricultural produces were affected badly.
“In addition, 40-50 per cent cotton crop has also been damaged across the country due to floods,” he added.
Ahsan Iqbal said that recent floods in Pakistan brought more devastation than that caused by the flood in 2010, saying, “0.9 million livestock and one million houses have been washed away in floods.”
Pakistan monsoon flooding death toll rises to 1,061
The recent floods and torrential rains brought devastation across the country due to which tens of millions of people are compelled to live under open skies and in tents with thousands still helplessly waiting for relief.
According to the National Disaster Management Authority released on Monday, the death toll from monsoon flooding in Pakistan since June has reached 1,061.
The NDMA said more than two million acres of cultivated crops have been wiped out, 3,457 kilometres (about 2,200 miles) of roads destroyed, and 157 bridges washed away.
Researchers fear billions of people will be overexposed to extremely dangerous temperatures "in a way that we just fundamentally haven't seen".
Severe heatwaves — made hotter and more frequent by climate change — are already being felt across the world, threatening human health, wildlife and crop yields.
(AFP)
Millions of people in the tropics could be exposed to dangerous heat for half the year by 2100 even if humanity manages to meet climate goals, researchers have warned.
In the most likely scenario, the world would miss those targets — potentially subjecting people across the tropics to harmful temperatures most days of each typical year by the end of the century, according to the study.
If emissions go unchecked, large numbers of people in these regions could face potentially "nightmarish" periods of extreme heat.
"There's a possibility that if we don't get our act together, billions of people are going to be really, really overexposed to these extremely dangerous temperatures in a way that we just fundamentally haven't seen," said lead author Lucas Vargas Zeppetello of Harvard University.
Most climate projections predict temperature increases under different policy scenarios, but do not say which of those pathways is more likely.
In this study, published in the journal Communications Earth and Environment, researchers estimated potential exposure to dangerous heat and humidity.
They used statistical projections to predict levels of carbon dioxide emissions from human activity and the resultant levels of global warming.
They found that many people in tropical regions could face dangerous heat levels for half the year by the end of the century, even if the world limits temperature rises to the Paris climate deal goal of less than two degrees Celsius (35.6 degrees Fahrenheit) above preindustrial levels.
Outside the tropics, they said deadly heatwaves will likely become annual occurrences.
READ MORE:As the climate is changing, which animals will adjust and survive?
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmUy0OtG4Ec[/embed]
'Dangerous' levels The researchers used a heat index that puts "dangerous" levels at 39.4C, while temperatures above 51C are considered "extremely dangerous" and totally unsafe for humans.
The extreme measure was originally developed for people working in scorching indoor environments, like a ship's boiler room, and have rarely been observed outdoors, Zeppetello said.
But by the end of the century, the researcher said it was "virtually guaranteed" that people in some parts of the tropics would experience this level of heat every year unless emissions are severely curtailed, with swathes of sub-Saharan Africa and India particularly at risk.
"That's pretty scary," he told AFP, adding that even walking outside would be dangerous under those conditions.
Earth has warmed nearly 1.2C so far and current predictions based on countries' carbon-cutting pledges would see the world far exceed the Paris Agreement's 2C target for 2100, let alone its more ambitious 1.5C aspiration.
In their research,Zeppetello and colleagues analysed predictions from global climate models, human population projections, and looked at the relationship between economic growth and carbon emissions.
They estimated that there is only a 0.1 percent chance of limiting global average warming to 1.5C by 2100, projecting that the world is likely to reach 1.8C by 2050.
In 2100, the researchers found, the most likely global average temperature rise would be 3C, which Zeppetello said would spell "nightmarish" conditions for many people.
In a worst case scenario, in which emissions continue unchecked, he said extreme temperatures could last up to two months every year in parts of the tropics.
But he said it depends on how swiftly humanity can cut emissions.
"We don't have to go to that world. There's nothing right now that says it is a certainty, but people need to be aware of just how dangerous that would be if it were to pass," he said.
The researchers said under all scenarios there could be a large increase in heat-related illnesses, particularly among the elderly, vulnerable and those working outside.
READ MORE:Drought hits half of China in worst heatwave on record
Source: AFP
After a meeting with Ukraine's President Zelenskyy and UN Secretary-General Guterres, Turkish President Erdogan speaks on the Türkiye-brokered grain deal, stressing that it has benefitted the whole world.
Erdogan has met his Ukrainian counterpart and the UN chief in Ukraine's Lviv for a trilateral summit where they discussed diplomatic solutions to the Ukraine conflict.
(AFP)
Türkiye supports Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said, stressing that his country is working to find diplomatic solutions to the deadly conflict between Kiev and Moscow.
Erdogan, who held a trilateral summit with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and UN chief Antonio Guterres in the western Ukrainian city of Lviv on Thursday, also expressed concerns over fighting near Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine.
Kiev and Moscow have traded accusations over a series of strikes this month on or near Europe's largest nuclear power plant that is currently under Russian control.
"We do not want to experience a new Chernobyl," Erdogan told the press after the summit.
Erdogan called on the international community to take more responsibility in finding political solution to the fighting in Ukraine.
"While continuing our efforts to find a solution, we remain on the side of our Ukraine friends," Erdogan said.
He also said the exchange of prisoners too was discussed at the Lviv talks. "Türkiye attaches great importance to this issue," he added.
- War will eventually end at negotiating table - Türkiye temporarily hosting nearly 325,000 Ukrainians - Exchange of prisoners of war discussed pic.twitter.com/VV8AQDOqkZ
Erdogan also spoke on the resumption of Ukrainian grain export under a Türkiye-brokered deal.
"Not only Ukraine, but the whole world has begun feeling positive effects of historic Istanbul deal to resume Ukrainian grain exports," he said.
Since August 1 — when the first grain ship left Ukraine — some 625,000 tonnes of Ukrainian grain have been delivered to world markets through 25 ships, Erdogan added.
Ankara has coordinated with Moscow and Kiev to open a sea corridor from Ukraine for the grain exports, drawing international praise for its mediator role in a breakthrough that is expected to ease global food shortages.
Türkiye, the United Nations, Russia and Ukraine signed the landmark agreement on July 22 to resume the exports from three Ukrainian ports in the Black Sea.
"During our trilateral meeting, we also evaluated the possibilities of transforming the positive atmosphere created by the Istanbul agreement into permanent peace," Erdogan said in Lviv.
UN chief Guterres urged Russia and Ukraine to show a "spirit of compromise" and ensure the continued success of the grain deal.
"From day one, the parties have worked professionally and in good faith to keep the food flowing. I appeal for this to continue and for them to overcome all obstacles in a spirit of compromise and permanently settle all difficulties," he said.
Guterres sought the demilitarisation of Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, asking Russia to withdraw military equipment and personnel from the plant while calling for efforts to ensure it did not become the target of military operations.
Earlier in the day, Zelenskyy sought urgent action to ensure the security of the sensitive area in a separate meeting with Guterres.
And later, the Ukrainian president reiterated that Russia must immediately withdraw its troops from Zaporizhzhia nuclear and end what he described as "provocations".
A "catastrophe" at the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in southern Ukraine would threaten the whole of Europe, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned on Monday.
"Under the cover of the plant, the occupiers are shelling nearby cities and communities," Zelensky said in his evening address.
"Any radiation incident at the Zaporizhzhia NPP can affect the countries of the European Union, Turkey, Georgia and countries from more distant regions. Everything depends solely on the direction and speed of the wind," he said.
"If Russia's actions cause a catastrophe, the consequences may also hit those who remain silent so far."
Zelensky called on the international community to adopt "new tough sanctions against Russia" and not to yield to "nuclear blackmail".
"All Russian troops must be immediately withdrawn from the plant and neighbouring areas without any conditions," he said.
The plant, Europe's biggest nuclear facility, was captured by Russian troops at the beginning of March, not long after Moscow launched its invasion of Ukraine.
Since the end of July, Zaporizhzhia has been the target of a number of military strikes, with both Moscow and Kyiv accusing each other of being behind the shelling.
The fighting at the plant was the subject of an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council last Thursday.
Ukraine has accused Russia of using the plant as a base for possible attacks and for storing weapons.
North Korea's Kim Yo-jong blames Seoul's propaganda leaflets for the country's Covid outbreak even as Pyongyang declares "shining victory" against the disease.
"It is very worrisome that South Korea is sending leaflets, money, sloppy brochures and items into our region," says Kim Yo-jong.
(Reuters Archive)
The powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has accused the South of causing a Covid outbreak in the country and warned of "retaliation", as Pyongyang declared "victory" over its outbreak.
Despite a ban that took effect in 2021, South Korean activists have for years flown balloons containing propaganda leaflets and US dollars over the border, which Pyongyang has long protested against.
On Thursday, Kim Jong-un's sister, Kim Yo-jong, blamed these activities for the country's Covid outbreak, saying they were a "crime against humanity", the official Korea Central News Agency reported.
She said that many countries –– and the World Health Organization –– have acknowledged "the danger of spreading an infectious disease through contacting contaminated objects", according to the report.
"It is very worrisome that South Korea is sending leaflets, money, sloppy brochures and items into our region," she said.
Yo-jong warned that Pyongyang was considering "a strong retaliatory response", adding that if the balloons continued, "we will respond by eradicating not only the virus but also the South Korean authorities".
South Korea's unification ministry handling inter-Korean affairs expressed regret.
"We express strong regrets over North Korea repeatedly making groundless claims over the route of the Covid and making very disrespectful and threatening remarks," the ministry said in a statement.
'Shining victory' against Covid
North Korea has previously said that "alien things" near the border with the South caused the Covid outbreak in the isolated country, a claim that Seoul has rejected.
Seoul last month said there have been "no officially verified cases of Covid infections via post or materials".
Yo-jong's comments come as her brother declared a "shining victory" in the battle against Covid-19 after officials reported no new cases of the virus for nearly two weeks.
North Korea has one of the world's worst healthcare systems, with poorly equipped hospitals, few intensive care units, and no Covid-19 treatment drugs or vaccines, experts say.
Even Kim Jong-un apparently suffered from Covid, according to Yo-jong's comments.
Kim "was suffering from high fever during the days of this quarantine war, but he could not lie down for a moment as he was thinking about the people he was responsible for", his sister said.
Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA). — Ministry of Information website
PEMRA says misinformation, disinformation cast aspersions against institutions.
PBA says it condemns any disinformation against institutions.
Association says it is working with govt, other media organisations to formulate rules against disinformation.
Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) Tuesday warned the TV channels and issued directives to prevent them from spreading propaganda, misinformation and disinformation against state institutions.
According to the regulatory body, the misinformation and disinformation spread by the news, programme anchors, guests or analysts cast aspersions against the institutions.
The statement issued by PEMRA said that the "airing of such content is in violation of the directives issued by the authority, provisions of PEMRA Electronic Media (programmes and advertisements) Code of Conduct 2015 and the principles laid down by the Superior Courts."
“… all satellite TV channel licensees are hereby directed to follow the principles laid down in the constitution as well as the judgement of the Supreme Court of Pakistan passed in suo moto case no 28 of 2018 and the judgement of the Islamabad High Court passed in Criminal Original No 270/2019 dated 25-11-2019 and ensure strict compliance to the relevant provisions of PEMRA laws,” the statement read.
Section 20(f) of PEMRA Ordinance 2002 as amended by PEMRA (Amendment) Act 2007:
A person who is issued a licence under this Ordinance shall comply with the codes of programmes and advertisements approved by the authority and appoint an in-house monitoring committee, under intimation to the authority, to ensure compliance with the code.
Rule 15(1) PEMRA Rules:
The contents of the programmes and advertisements which are broadcast or distributed by the broadcast media or distribution service operator shall conform to the provisions of Section 20 of the Ordinance, these rules, the code set out in the Schedule-A and the terms and conditions of the licence.
Provisions of Electronic Media (Programmes and Advertisements) Code of Conduct 2015:
3(1)(i) Fundamental principles:- The licensee shall ensure that no content is aired which is known to be false or that there exist sufficient reasons to believe that the same may be false beyond a reasonable doubt.
4.News and current affairs programmes:- The licensee shall ensure that programmes on sub-judice matters may be aired in an informative manner and shall be handled objectively:
Provided that no content shall be aired, which tends to prejudice the determination by a court, tribunal or any other judicial or quasi-judicial forum.
The authority further directed all satellite TV channels to ensure that an effective Time Delay Mechanism is put in place and an impartial and independent editorial board be constituted as required under Clause 17 of the Electronic Media (Programmes and Advertisement) Code of Conduct 2015 in order to ensure that their platform is not used by anyone (employee or guest) for spreading misinformation, disinformation and propaganda against state institutions.
“In case of any violation observed legal action under Section 27, 29, 30 and 33 of PEMRA Ordinance 2002 as amended by PEMRA (Amendment) Act, 2007 shall be initiated,” it warned.
PBA condemns disinformation against institutions
Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA) said that it has always supported the freedom of expression and freedom of the media, however, it condemns any disinformation against the institutions.
PBA, in its statement, said that the association is working with the government and other media organisations to formulate rules against disinformation, especially the spread of disinformation on social media which is harming journalism.
"Encouraging responsible use of social media and discouraging disinformation is the most important need of the hour," read the statement.
The association said that disinformation is not only harming the country and institutions but also fuelling insecurity, intolerance and instability.
Washington cautions Americans travelling abroad that militants could try to avenge Al Qaeda chief Ayman al Zawahiri's killing by launching suicide operations, assassinations, kidnappings, hijackings and bombings.
Zawahiri's (R) death is touted to strike a major blow to Al Qaeda since the killing of its co-founder Osama bin Laden (L) in 2011.
(AFP)
The United States has warned Americans travelling abroad they face an increased risk of violence after the US announced the killing of Al Qaeda chief Ayman al Zawahiri.
His killing in a drone strike in Kabul over the weekend dealt the biggest blow to Al Qaeda since the killing of Osama bin Laden in 2011, prompting US President Joe Biden to declare that "justice had been delivered."
Following the strike, the US State Department on Tuesday urged US citizens to "maintain a high level of vigilance and practice good situational awareness when traveling abroad."
"Current information suggests that terrorist organisations continue to plan terrorist attacks against US interests in multiple regions across the globe," the department said in a statement.
"These attacks may employ a wide variety of tactics including suicide operations, assassinations, kidnappings, hijackings and bombings."
A senior official in the Biden administration said the 71-year-old Zawahiri was on the balcony of a three-story house in the Afghan capital when targeted with two Hellfire missiles after dawn Sunday.
It was the first known over-the-horizon strike by the United States on a target in Afghanistan since Washington withdrew its forces from the country on August 31 last year, days after the Taliban swept back to power.
The Taliban condemned the drone strike on Tuesday, but made no mention of casualties nor did they name Zawahiri.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's trip did not constitute a violation of Chinese sovereignty, claims Washington but Beijing warns America will "pay the price for its own mistakes."
Nancy Pelosi's trip is "extremely dangerous", says China and warns the "consequences are extremely serious."
(AP)
The United States has defended House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's controversial visit to Taiwan, saying she was within her rights to visit the island state even as enraged China repeated its warning that Pelosi's visit will have consequences.
The Biden administration wants
to keep tensions between Washington and Beijing worsened by a
high-level visit to Taiwan from boiling over into a conflict,
White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said late on Tuesday.
He said Pelosi was within her rights to visit Taiwan but also stressed that the trip did not constitute a
violation of Chinese sovereignty or America's longstanding
"one-China" policy.
"What we don't want to see is this spiral into any kind of a
crisis or conflict," Kirby told reporters in a briefing.
"There's just no reason to amp this up," he added.
Pelosi arrived in Taiwan on a trip she said shows an unwavering American commitment to the island state, but China condemned the highest-level US visit in 25 years as a threat to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.
Beijing said that Pelosi's trip was "extremely dangerous" and warned the "consequences are extremely serious."
It also summoned the US ambassador in Beijing to slam Pelosi's "egregious" trip to Taiwan. China said, "it will not sit idly by."
Vice Foreign Minister Xie Feng said the United States "shall pay the price for its own mistakes" and urged Washington to "immediately address its wrongdoings, take practical measures to undo the adverse effects caused by Pelosi's visit to Taiwan."
Chinese warplanes meanwhile buzzed the line dividing the Taiwan Strait before her arrival, and the Chinese military announced joint air and sea drills near Taiwan starting on Tuesday night and test launches of conventional missiles in the sea east of Taiwan, with the Chinese state news agency Xinhua describing live-fire drills and other exercises around Taiwan from Thursday to Sunday.
Kirby said that the United States will continue to operate in the seas and skies of the Western Pacific. Beyond the military moves, Kirby said China could use "economic coercion" against Taiwan without going into detail.
North Korea 'denounces' visit
Meanwhile, North Korea's Foreign Ministry criticised what it called US "imprudent interference" in China's internal affairs, the official KCNA said.
The ministry spokesperson said they "vehemently denounce" any external force's interference in the issue of Taiwan and "fully support" China, its major ally and economic lifeline.
"It is the due right of a sovereign state to take countermeasures against the moves of the outside forces openly interfering in its internal affairs and destroying its territorial integrity," the unidentified official was quoted by KCNA as saying.
In the UK, China's ambassador Zheng Zeguang vowed "severe consequences" if British lawmakers visit Taiwan, the Guardian reported.
Visits would interfere in China's internal affairs and would lead to severe consequences in China-UK relations, Zheng said at a news conference in London, the report said.
"We call on the UK side to abide by the Sino-UK joint communique and not to underestimate the extreme sensitivity of the Taiwan issue, and not to follow the US' footsteps," the Guardian quoted Zheng as saying.
Beijing considers Taiwan a "breakaway province," but the latter has maintained its self-rule since 1949 and enjoys diplomatic ties with at least 14 countries.
Interactions between Washington and Taipei have grown significantly since the tenure of former US president Donald Trump, with former and sitting lawmakers making trips to the island home to more than 25 million people.
The US formally recognised China in 1979 and shifted diplomatic relations from Taipei to Beijing, and accepted Taiwan as part of the mainland under Washington's One China policy.
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden said Monday evening that the U.S. conducted a drone strike that killed al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri in Afghanistan, a revelation expected to degrade the terror group's ability to operate.
"He carved a trail of murder and violence against American citizens, American servicemembers, American diplomats and American interests," Biden said of the pre-dawn precision strike that killed al-Zawahiri.
"We made it clear again tonight that no matter how long it takes, no matter where you hide if you are a threat to our people the United States will find you and take you out," Biden added.
Two people briefed on the strike confirmed to NBC News that the strike that killed al-Zawahiri was conducted by the CIA.
A senior Biden administration official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity in order to share details of the strike, said U.S. intelligence analysts identified al-Zawahiri's location earlier this year.
The official said the U.S. watched al-Zawahiri's movements for months and determined that he was living in a safe house in Kabul with his family.
"We identified al-Zawahiri on multiple occasions for sustained periods of time on the balcony where he was ultimately struck," the official said.
"Al-Zawahiri's family members were present in other parts of the safe house at the time of the strike and were purposely not targeted and were unarmed. We have no indication that civilians were harmed in this strike," the official added.
The official said Biden received his final intelligence briefing on the matter on July 25 before approving the strike which involved an unmanned aerial vehicle and two Hellfire missiles.
Al-Zawahiri, 71, a physician and founder of the Egyptian Islamic Jihad before ascending to the top ranks in the al-Qaeda network, was one of the architects behind the devastating Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.
In the weeks that followed the Sept. 11 attacks, the Taliban provided sanctuary to al-Qaeda while America mobilized for what would become its longest war.
Al-Zawahiri succeeded Osama bin Laden as the head of al-Qaeda in 2011.
Al-Zawahiri was previously indicted by the U.S. government for his alleged role in the 1998 bombings of the U.S. Embassies in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, and Nairobi, Kenya.
The State Department had previously offered a reward of up to $25 million for information leading to his apprehension.
Sunday's drone strike is the first known CIA counterterrorism operation since Kabul fell to the Taliban last year. The senior administration official said that the U.S. did not coordinate the strike or give notice to the Taliban.
Already stuck in a trade war, Beijing and Washington increasingly risk open conflict over Taiwan, with little sign of resolution on either front.
While this was Biden's fifth talk with Xi since becoming president a year and a half ago, it's getting hard to mask deepening mistrust between the two countries.
(Reuters)
Xi Jinping and Joe Biden have held two hours of "candid and in-depth" talks, in which the Chinese president warned his US counterpart not to "play with fire" amid mounting tensions over Taiwan, state media reported.
The virtual summit lasting over two hours took place on Thursday as Beijing and Washington increasingly risk open conflict over the self-ruling island, which China considers part of its territory.
"Those who play with fire will eventually get burned," Xinhua quoted Xi as telling Biden on Thursday. "I hope the US side fully understand that," he was quoted as saying.
"The position of the Chinese government and people on the Taiwan issue is consistent,'" Xi was quoted as saying.
"It is the firm will of the over 1.4 billion Chinese people to firmly safeguard China's national sovereignty and territorial integrity."
While this was Biden's fifth talk with Xi since becoming president a year and a half ago, it's getting hard to mask deepening mistrust between the two countries.
"Tensions over China's aggressive, coercive behaviour in the Indo-Pacific" will be high on the agenda, said White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby.
The latest flashpoint is a possible trip by Biden ally and speaker of the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, to the island, which Beijing claims is part of China but has its own distinct, democratic government.
Although US officials frequently visit Taiwan, separated by a narrow strip of water from the Chinese mainland, Beijing considers a Pelosi trip as a major provocation.
She's second in line to the US presidency and given her position may travel with military transport.
Washington will "bear the consequences" if the trip, which Pelosi has yet to confirm, goes ahead, China warned on Wednesday.
And the dispute around Pelosi is the tip of an iceberg, with US officials fearing that Xi is mulling use of force to impose control over Taiwan.
Once considered unlikely, an invasion, or lesser form of military action, is increasingly seen by China watchers as possible - perhaps even timed to boost Xi's prestige when he moves later this year into a third term.
Biden's contradictory comments on whether the United States would defend Taiwan - he said in May that it would, before the White House insisted there was no change in the hands-off "strategic ambiguity" policy - have not helped the tension.
Moscow's former chief rabbi now living in exile in Israel warned Thursday of "dark clouds on the horizon" for Russian Jews, as ties between the two countries deteriorate over the Ukraine war.
Pinchas Goldschmidt, who leftRussiain March over opposition to the conflict, told reporters that "the Jewish community was pressured...to openly support the war. Our community did not support the war."
"The situation is worrying" and there are "many dark clouds on the horizon" for Russian Jews, he said, adding that their "security and future...is dependent on Israel-Russiarelations."
Israel has been trying to walk a cautious line in order to maintain ties with Moscow — seen as crucial to preserving the Jewish state's ability to carry out air strikes in neighboring Syria where Russian forces are present.
"Right now, it would be impossible for me to return," the Swiss-born rabbi told an online briefing, adding: "If I would have [remained] the chief rabbi of Moscow, I wouldn't be able to speak out openly without endangering my community."
"I decided to stay in exile until the political situation will change."
Following the February 24 invasion, then Israeli premier Naftali Bennett withheld criticism of Russian President Vladimir Putin's actions and stressed the need for close ties with Moscow.
But Bennett's successor Yair Lapid has condemned the Russian invasion.
Analysts say Lapid's rhetoric has partly driven Moscow's move to close the Russian branch of the Jewish Agency, which processes the immigration of Jews from the diaspora to Israel.
Lapid has warned Moscow that the closure would be a "serious event" threatening bilateral ties.
The Kremlin has said the move should not be "politicized," calling it a purely legal matter.
According to the Jewish Agency, 16,000 Russian Jews have immigrated to Israel since the invasion began.
'Fear of rising anti-Semitism'
Goldschmidt estimated that more than 30,000 other dual passport holders had leftRussiafor Israel since February 24.
Jews were leavingRussiain high numbers partly over fears of a new "Iron Curtain — that one day [it] will be impossible to leave," the rabbi said, articulating what he described as a concern among Jews that Putin's government could ban outbound travel.
He said Moscow's moves against the Jewish Agency, among other incidents, had fostered "fear of rising anti-Semitism."
Some experts have attributedRussia's threats against the agency as part of an attempt to slow mass emigration.
"IfRussiawants to stop the brain drain of its best scientists and creative class, the best way to do this is not by closing the Jewish Agency, but by stopping this war," Goldschmidt said.
At a preliminary hearing on Thursday, a Moscow court set an August 19 trial date for the Russian justice ministry's case against the agency, which has been accused of unspecified legal violations.
The Jewish Agency began working inRussiain 1989.
More than one million of Israel's 9.4 million residents today have roots in the former Soviet Union.
‘Humanity’s future is in our hands,’ says Antonio Guterres
Citing Russia's attacks on Ukraine and tensions on the Korean peninsula and in the Middle East, Guterres said he feared that crises "with nuclear undertones" could escalate.
