world
Iran, China agree on closer military cooperation
The Defence Ministers of China and Iran have agreed on closer cooperation on the sidelines of a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) being held in Kazakhstan.
Iran’s Brigadier General, Mohammed-Reza Astiani said: “Improved cooperation and rapprochement on both sides is needed to resolve regional and international security problems.”
He was speaking after talks with China’s Admiral Dong Jun in Astana, the Kazakh capital.
Iran is internationally isolated on account of its nuclear programme and its support of non-state militant groups in the Middle East.
It has responded by improving ties with Russia and China.
In moves to find new partners, Tehran joined the SCO in July 2023.
At the beginning of the year, it joined the BRICS organisation, whose original members are Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa
China has become the main customer of Iranian oil and a significant economic partner.
The two countries signed a 25-year cooperation agreement in 2021.
(dpa/NAN)
Disaster
30 missing after heavy rain destroys dams in Yemen
Heavy floods in Yemen due to heavy rains led to the collapse of three dams in the north-western province of al-Mahwit, killing several people and leaving at least 30 missing.
The residents in the areas told reporters on Wednesday.
They could not confirm the casualty toll.
Many families remained under the rubble in the Malhan district.
Cars were swept away and roads have been cut off, they added.
The collapsing dams caused mountain rockslides, affecting people and houses in the province, located near the capital Sana’a.
The province is controlled by the Houthi rebels, who took control of large parts of Yemen in 2014.
The Houthi-affiliated al-Masirah TV reported that several ambulances from neighbouring areas in al-Mahwit as well as Hodeida province were sent to assist.
Heavy rains and floods have been hitting Yemen for weeks, causing destruction and displacement in several provinces, and exacerbating an already dire situation in the war-torn country.
The Yemen Red Crescent Society said that more than 340,000 people have been directly affected by the heavy rains and flooding nationwide.
Two weeks ago, the UN said that at least 60 people were killed in several provinces.
Yemen has been embroiled in a disastrous power struggle since 2014 between government forces, supported by a Saudi Arabia-led coalition, and the Iran-linked Houthi rebels.
The war has taken a heavy toll on the infrastructure in the already impoverished country and the UN considers Yemen one of the largest humanitarian crises in the world.
Floods hit the country almost annually, leaving many dead or displaced.
Although conflict declined over the past two years, no sustainable political settlement has been reached.
Headlines
Biden condemns Russia’s 16-year sentence for U.S. reporter
U.S. President Joe Biden has sharply criticised the 16-year sentence for U.S reporter Evan Gershkovich, imposed on Friday by a Russian court.
According to the president, Gershkovich was targeted by Russia “because he is a journalist and an American.”
Biden, in a statement released by the White House, said the reporter had “committed no crime.”
He added that the U.S. government will continue to fight for the Wall Street Journal reporter’s release as well as for all U.S. citizens unlawfully detained abroad.
“Journalism is not a crime,” Biden said, adding that both he and the United Nations have said that Russia is wrongfully detaining the reporter.
“We will continue to stand strong for press freedom in Russia and worldwide, and stand against all those who seek to attack the press or target journalists,” the U.S. president added.
(dpa/NAN)
Headlines
Philippines’ Vice President Sara Duterte resigns from Cabinet
Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte on Wednesday tendered her resignation as secretary of the Department of Education, Presidential Communications Office Secretary Cheloy Garafil said.
In a statement, Garafil said Duterte tendered her resignation as a member of the Cabinet during a visit to the presidential palace on Wednesday afternoon.
“She declined to give a reason. She will continue to serve as vice president.
“We thank her for her service,’’ Garafil said.
Garafil told reporters that Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos has accepted Duterte’s resignation.
(Xinhua/NAN)
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