Kiev, Ukraine | Xinhua | Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday announced the decision to replace Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov. In his nightly video address, Zelensky said he plans to dismiss Reznikov and ask parliament this week to confirm Rustem Umerov, head of the country’s main privatization fund, as his …
Read More »UN chief cautions military coups only worsen crises, urges democratic governance
United Nations, US | Xinhua | Addressing the recent series of military coups predominantly in Africa, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday underscored the importance of establishing lasting democratic governance backed by the rule of law. Wednesday’s military takeover in Gabon came on the heels of Niger last month, Burkina Faso …
Read More »Bank of China transacts first direct investment in yuan in Argentina
Bueno Aires, Argentina | Xinhua | The Buenos Aires branch of the Bank of China has transacted the first direct investment in yuan in Argentina, marking a new milestone in the incorporation of China’s currency as an asset in the South American country. Chinese energy firm Brunp Recycling becomes a …
Read More »Britain’s defense secretary resigns
London, UK | Xinhua | Ben Wallace tendered his resignation as Britain’s defense secretary on Thursday in a letter to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, according to the country’s government. Wallace was appointed as the defense chief in 2019 under the government of Boris Johnson. He said last month he wanted …
Read More »German GDP to shrink 0.5 pct in 2023
Berlin, Germany | Xinhua | The real gross domestic product (GDP) of Germany, Europe’s largest economy, is projected to shrink by up to 0.5 percent in 2023, the German Economic Institute (IW) said on Tuesday. The drop is driven by high inflation and interest rates as well as by problems …
Read More »Libyan foreign minister flees to Turkey after meeting Israel counterpart
Jerusalem, Israel | Xinhua | Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Tuesday a revision to the procedures for confidential diplomatic meetings after his foreign minister sparked controversy by disclosing a closed-door meeting with the Libyan counterpart. Netanyahu instructed all government ministers to seek approval from his office before conducting any …
Read More »Putin, Modi discuss BRICS summit, bilateral ties over phone
Moscow, Russia | Xinhua | Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held phone talks Monday on the outcomes of the recently held BRICS Summit and bilateral cooperation. Noting the importance of the agreements reached during the 15th BRICS Summit held recently in Johannesburg, South Africa, the …
Read More »Top Turkish diplomat’s Russia trip to clarify prospects for Istanbul meeting on grain deal
Istanbul, Turkey | TASS | Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan’s upcoming talks in Moscow will clarify the prospects for holding a meeting in Istanbul among the parties to the Black Sea Grain Initiative on revitalizing the now-defunct grain deal, a diplomatic source told TASS. “Ankara believes that the grain corridor …
Read More »Kiev denounces EU countries’ plans to extend Ukrainian grain import ban
Kiev, Ukraine | Xinhua | Ukraine on Saturday denounced the plans of five EU countries to extend Ukrainian grain import ban, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on its website. Those countries, including Poland, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Romania and Hungary, have sought to extend the import ban on Ukrainian grain, …
Read More »Trump returns to Twitter amid interference case
Washington, US | Xinhua | Former U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday returned to the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, after he was banned from the service more than two years ago. Trump on Thursday night posted a mug shot of his with the caption: ELECTION INTERFERENCE, NEVER …
Read More »