China has increased its crude oil imports from Russia in recent months, importing more than any other country in the month of May since December last year by taking advantage of lower prices in the face of Western sanctions. Chinese customs data released on Monday indicated that its crude oil …
Read More »Daily Archives: June 22, 2022
Strong earthquake kills at least 950 people in Afghanistan
At least 950 people have been killed and many more injured after a strong earthquake struck remote parts of southeastern Afghanistan, according to disaster management officials. The 6.1 magnitude earthquake struck about 44 km (27 miles) from the city of Khost, near the Pakistani border, early on Wednesday, the US …
Read More »New lawmakers to take the constitutional oath tomorrow
A Parliamentary source reported that the Parliament Presidium asked the candidates who secured the largest numbers of votes to attend tomorrow’s session. A source said that the 73 candidates were asked to attend the session on Thursday, at 11 am, to take the constitutional oath and replace the resigned Sadrist …
Read More »Belarus handed over Iraq evidence of mass executions of Iraqi refugees by Poland
The Belarusian authorities said that it delivered the Iraqi delegation that visited Minsk information about the mass and secret executions of Iraqi refugees by Polish soldiers on the borders with Belarus. The Investigative Committee held a working meeting with representatives of Iraq On June 21, 2022, a working meeting with …
Read More »Ecuador protests grow more violent, leaving 2 dead, 100 injured
Anti-government protests by indigenous groups in Ecuador have left two people killed and 100 injured, with the country’s defense minister warning that democracy in the Latin American state is at risk. “The armed forces will not allow constitutional order to be broken or any action against democracy and the laws …
Read More »Australian activists file legal bid to stop gas project
Australian conservationists have launched a legal bid to block a massive gas project, saying it would harm the Great Barrier Reef by warming the planet. Claiming gas giant Woodside Energy’s Scarborough project would generate 1.37 billion tonnes of greenhouse emissions and likely harm the World Heritage-listed reef, the Australian Conservation …
Read More »North Korean leader convenes military meeting amid tensions
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has called a meeting with his senior military officials to discuss national defense policies and plans for further arms buildup, amid escalating tensions with the United States and South Korea over Pyongyang’s recent missile tests. The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on Wednesday that …
Read More »Powerful US gun lobby group opposes bipartisan Senate gun safety bill
The US National Rifle Association (NRA) has announced that it opposes gun safety reforms proposed by a bipartisan group of senators, saying the new legislation will put “unnecessary burdens on the exercise of Second Amendment freedom.” The powerful gun lobby said in a statement on Tuesday said it will back …
Read More »Second American killed in Ukraine combat: US State Department
The US Department of State has confirmed a second American citizen has died while fighting against Russians in Ukraine. A State Department official said on Tuesday US citizen Stephen Zabielski of Hernando, Florida, died in Ukraine, without offering any further details. State Department officials “have been in touch with the …
Read More »Ukraine on course for EU membership candidacy at summit
Ukraine is set to become an official candidate for European Union (EU) membership, the first step on the long road to joining the 27-country bloc, despite Russia’s strict opposition to the move. European leaders are expected to officially grant Kiev EU candidate nation status at a summit in Brussels on …
Read More »Lebanon, Syria, Egypt sign gas import agreement
Lebanon, Syria and Egypt have agreed to ship 650 million cubic meters of natural gas per year from Egypt to Lebanon via Syria amid efforts by Lebanon to increase its electricity generation capacity and reduce blackouts that have crippled its economy in recent years. The deal, signed at a ceremony …
Read More »