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New ‘Power Rangers’ reunion trailer reveals

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Power Rangers
  • New ‘Power Rangers’ reunion trailer reveals.
  • The trailer shows the moment Trini dies.
  • “I’ll kill you before Zordon makes you rangers.”

With Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Once & Always, Netflix isn’t holding back on revealing the fate of the original yellow power ranger Trini.

Trini’s daughter Minh (played by Charlie Kersh) makes the announcement in a new trailer for the scripted special posted by the streaming site on Wednesday.

“She killed Mom,” Minh says of Rita Repulsa, the Power Rangers’ longtime antagonist played by Barbara Goodson.

The trailer also shows the moment Trini dies, with Rita telling the heroes, “After all these years, I’ve got a new body. It’s time for revenge.”

She employs a weapon to deliver a shock and blast that results in Trini’s death.

Later in the clip, the Blue Power Ranger (David Yost) finds Rita has built a time vortex through which they may travel back in time before they acquired their powers.

“I’ll kill you before Zordon makes you rangers,” she threatens.

Meanwhile, the rangers are on their own mission to eliminate Rita’s abilities as they battle it out in their retro attire.

Zords and Megazords make appearances in the teaser as well.

Minh looks at a vintage black and white portrait of Trini in a frame, a tribute to actress Thuy Trang, who played Trini.

Trang died in an automobile accident when he was 27 years old in 2001.

Several of the original rangers are expected to return for the project, which marks the 30th anniversary of the programme. Original Black Ranger Zack Walter Emanuel Jones joins the cast, as does Yost, the original Blue Power Ranger Billy.

Season 2 actors Steve Cardenas (second Red Ranger Rocky), Karan Ashley (second Yellow Ranger Aisha), and Johnny Yong Bosch (second Black Ranger Adam) will also return, as will Catherine Sutherland (season 3). (second Pink Ranger Kat).

Original Pink Ranger Amy Jo Johnson is noticeably absent, as is late star Jason David Frank (original Green Ranger Tommy), who committed suicide last November.

At the time of Frank’s death at age 49, his former costar Jones paid tribute with a statement: “Jason was one of the biggest pranksters on the show. He had a wild sense of humor. We had our share of ups and downs, but I stayed consistent about being an ear if he needed one.”

Jones, 52, added, “My prayers go out to his family and all that will miss him. May he rest in Power.”

It’s unclear if the next special will honour Frank.

Johnson explained why she isn’t in the special back in January.

“For the record I never said no… I just didn’t say yes to what was offered,” Johnson, 52, wrote on Twitter. “But other fun stuff is in-store! Looking forward to watching my friends kick ass! #PowerRangers30”

According to reports, she appeared in 138 episodes as the legendary Pink Power Ranger Kimberly Hart in the first three seasons of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. She also appeared as the role in various Power Rangers movies and specials from 1993 to 1999.

Johnson has since been nicknamed “the original Pink Power Ranger” by fans, having been the first in a long series of performers to take on the role in subsequent Power Rangers movies.

[embedpost slug=”/netflixs-gears-of-war-live-action-movie-brings-in-dune-writer/”]

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French court imposing fishing bans to preserve dolphins

by
French court
  • Several dolphins died between February and March.
  • The State Council’s action comes only days after an oceanic institute announcement.
  • More than 400 marine creatures were discovered stranded along the shore in a single week.

PARIS – France‘s highest administrative court ordered the government on Monday to stop fishing in regions of the Atlantic to safeguard dolphins that have washed up dead by the hundreds.

The State Council’s action comes only days after an oceanic institute announced that at least 910 dolphins have washed up on France’s Atlantic coast since the beginning of the winter.

More than 400 marine creatures were discovered stranded along the shore in a single week, an “unprecedented” number, according to the Pelagis oceanic observatory in the western city of La Rochelle.

Numerous environmental non-governmental organizations, including Sea Shepherd, had filed a court case against the government in connection with the dolphin and porpoise killings. They said that it was not doing enough to safeguard the species, which are on the verge of extinction in portions of the Bay of Biscay along the Atlantic coast.

Several dolphins died between February and March when they typically migrate closer to the coast in search of food and are more likely to come into touch with fishing operations.

So far, the French government has refrained from implementing fishing prohibitions, instead choosing alternatives that reduce the impact of commercial fishing on dolphins, such as onboard cameras or loud sound equipment to scare the dolphins away.

[embedpost slug=”/french-court-blocks-extradition-of-ex-red-brigades-members-to-italy/”]

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Macron’s government survives no-confidence vote on pension reform

by
Emmanuel Macron

101 people were arrested during standoffs with police. The vote, proposed by moderate MPs, received 278 votes in favor, falling short of the 287 required. The votes were held after Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne utilized a special constitutional power. The French administration narrowly avoided a vote of no-confidence after forcing an increase in the pension … Read more

Japan Prime Minister Kishida pays unexpected visit to Ukraine

by
Kishida

Kishida has already left India. Kishida’s journey to Ukraine was at Zelenskyy’s invitation. It will also be the first visit to Ukraine by an Asian G7 member and the first visit by a US ally in the region. On the same day that Chinese President Xi Jinping saw his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Moscow, … Read more

Saudi Arabia frees US citizen imprisoned for tweeting

by
Saudi Arabia
  • Saad Ibrahim Almadi was detained in November 2021 while visiting his family in Riyadh.
  • He was sentenced to 16 years in prison.
  • A Saudi court found Mr. Almadi guilty of attempting to destabilize the country.

Saudi Arabia has released a US citizen who had been imprisoned for more than a year over tweets critical of the kingdom.

Saad Ibrahim Almadi, 72, a Saudi national, was detained in November 2021 while visiting his family in Riyadh.

He was sentenced to 16 years in prison last year for tweets he wrote while in the United States.

Mr. Almadi’s release has received no comment from either the US or Saudi authorities.

His son, Ibrahim, acknowledged his father was in Riyadh at a family residence, but it was unclear when he would return to his home in Florida.

16-year travel ban

“All charges have been dropped but we have to fight the travel ban now,” Ibrahim told sources.

A Saudi court found Mr. Almadi guilty of attempting to destabilize the country as well as sponsoring and funding terrorists. He was also given a 16-year travel ban.

In a month, an appeals court doubled his sentence to 19 years.

This year, speaking publicly about the issue for the first time, Ibrahim told the sources that the sole evidence finally offered to the court against his father consisted of 14 tweets.

The tweets seen by the sources included criticism of the demolition of old portions of Mecca and Jeddah, concern about poverty in the country, and a reference to the slain Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

According to his son, Mr Almadi was also found guilty of failing to notify terrorism for tweets written on a second account by Ibrahim.

US President Joseph Biden said he mentioned Mr Almadi’s situation, as well as the cases of other US nationals still barred from entering Saudi Arabia, during discussions with King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman last July.

Mr Biden’s visit, some four years after Mr Khashoggi’s murder, saw him lobby for greater oil supplies and seek assistance in isolating Russia following its invasion of Ukraine.

[embedpost slug=”/irans-president-raisi-invited-to-visit-saudi-arabaia-tehran-says/”]

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US urges Xi to press Putin on alleged “war crimes” in Ukraine

by
Xi Jinping
  • NSC spokesman urged Mr. Xi to persuade his Russian counterpart to withdraw troops from Ukraine.
  • According to John Kirby, seeking a cease-fire will not suffice.
  • There are fears that China’s support for Russia will evolve into military support.

The US has urged China President Xi Jinping to persuade Vladimir Putin to “halt the war crimes” in Ukraine.

The two will meet again for official talks on Tuesday, during Mr. Xi’s first visit to Moscow since the invasion.

The National Security Council spokesman for the White House urged Mr. Xi to persuade his Russian counterpart to withdraw troops from Ukraine.

According to John Kirby, seeking a cease-fire will not suffice.

“We hope that President Xi will press President Putin to cease bombing Ukrainian cities, hospitals, and schools, to halt the war crimes and atrocities, and to withdraw his troops,” he said.

“But we are concerned that instead, China will reiterate calls for a ceasefire that leaves Russian forces inside Ukraine’s sovereign territory and any ceasefire that does not address the removal of Russian forces from Ukraine would effectively ratify Russia’s illegal conquests.”

Hours of informal talks

Mr. Xi and Mr. Putin spent more than four hours of “informal” talks on Monday, with more official meetings slated for Tuesday.

There are fears that China’s support for Russia, which is presently centered on technology and trade, will evolve into military support, potentially involving artillery shells.

Mr. Putin has said he will consider a 12-point plan provided by Mr. Xi to “settle the acute crisis in Ukraine”.

“We’re always open for a negotiation process,” Mr. Putin said, as the leaders called each other “dear friends”.

Last month, China announced its strategy to end the war, which includes “ceasing hostilities” and resuming peace talks.

China’s approach made no mention of Russia’s withdrawal from Ukraine, which Ukraine has stressed is a prerequisite for any negotiations.

Unilateral sanctions

Instead, it talked of “respecting the sovereignty of all countries”, adding that “all parties must stay rational and exercise restraint” and “gradually de-escalate the situation”.

The plan also opposed the use of “unilateral sanctions,” which was interpreted as a veiled criticism of Ukraine’s Western backers.

A military band welcomed Mr. Xi to Moscow on the first day of his three-day tour on Monday. Mr. Putin lauded China for “observing the principles of fairness” and fighting for “undivided security for every country”.

He added that China had made” a tremendous leap forward in its development” in recent years, remarking: “We even feel a bit envious.”

In return, Mr. Xi told Mr. Putin: “Under your strong leadership, Russia has made great strides in its prosperous development. I am confident that the Russian people will continue to give you their firm support.”

Before Mr. Xi arrived, Mr. Putin stated in China’s People’s Daily that “aggressive” US behavior would not harm the two countries.

Ukrainian authorities have officially emphasized their shared values with China, such as respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, but secretly, they have lobbied for a meeting or phone call between President Volodymyr Zelensky and Mr. Xi.

Positive role

Mr. Kirby, the US security spokesperson, repeated this, urging Mr. Xi to “take a positive role” in the effort to end the dispute by communicating with Mr. Zelenskyy.

Russia provides energy to Beijing’s massive economy and is viewed as a partner in opposing the US.

In another event, Japan’s Prime Minister, Fumio Kishida, has indicated that he will visit Kyiv on Tuesday to meet with President Zelensky. Following Russia’s invasion, he is expected to express sympathy and support for Ukraine.

Mr. Xi’s visit to Moscow comes just days after the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin on war crimes charges. This means that Mr. Putin might be detained in 123 nations, however, neither China nor Russia is on that list.

Western officials have been striving to isolate Russia since last February, following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Yet, they have been unable to reach a worldwide agreement, with China, India, and numerous African countries refusing to denounce Mr. Putin.

[embedpost slug=”/xi-jinping-full-text-speech-on-his-state-visit-to-russia/”]

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US Police on high alert in anticipation of possible Trump arrest

by
Donald Trump
  • It would be the first criminal prosecution of a former US president.
  • Steel barricades were built outside Manhattan Criminal Court.
  • Capitol Police plans to declare an emergency on Tuesday.

Authorities in key US cities are bracing for disruption if ex-President Donald Trump is detained this week as part of a hush-money investigation.

Authorities in New York, Washington, DC, and Los Angeles are beefing up their presence.

A Manhattan prosecutor is considering charging Mr. Trump with paying a porn star to stay quiet about their alleged affair.

It would be the first criminal prosecution of a former US president.

Steel barricades were built outside Manhattan Criminal Court on Monday, where Mr. Trump may be charged, fingerprinted, and photographed if charges are filed this week, as the US media generally expects.

There has also been an increase in police presence outside Trump Tower in the city.

A police source informed CBS, the sources US partner, that every member of the New York Police Department (NYPD), including plainclothes detectives, has been ordered to wear their full uniform on Tuesday and is on ready to mobilize.

The NYPD and the FBI‘s Joint Terrorism Task Force have spoken with the US Secret Service, which is in charge of protecting presidents and former presidents, about a possible arrest.

Capitol Police, who protect legislators on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, plans to declare an emergency on Tuesday, according to a legislative source.

The directive is intended to improve cooperation with other law enforcement agencies.

More civil commotion Officers will also be on standby, despite the fact that a congressional source stated that there was no specific threat and that the order was preventative.

According to the Los Angeles Times, the LAPD and federal officials were prepared for a pro-Trump protest outside a federal building on Tuesday.

According to CBS, US intelligence agencies have identified an increase in internet threats against legal and government personnel since Mr. Trump announced on Saturday that he expected to be detained on Tuesday.

The majority of the threats were directed at Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, who is generally expected to charge Mr. Trump.

Mr. Bragg issued an email to colleagues on Saturday, the same day Mr. Trump suggested that his followers should protest.

“We do not tolerate attempts to intimidate our office or threaten the rule of law in New York,” the prosecutor wrote.

[embedpost slug=”/i-am-expecting-to-be-arrested-on-tuesday-says-donald-trump/”]

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Sri Lanka receives a $3 billion IMF bailout

by
Sri Lanka
  • Sri Lanka is facing its worst economic crisis since its independence.
  • A lack of medications, fuel, and other necessities also contributed to record-high living costs.
  • The IMF announced earlier this month that Sri Lanka has received finance commitments.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has approved a $3 billion (£2.4 billion) bailout for Sri Lanka, which is facing its worst economic crisis since independence.

The agreement, which has been in the works for about a year, is a lifeline for the country, which has billions of dollars in loans.

According to Foreign Minister Ali Sabry, the government plans to raise funds by restructuring state-owned enterprises and privatizing the national airline.

Analysts, however, warn that Sri Lanka faces a difficult road ahead.

The epidemic, rising oil prices, populist tax cuts, and more than 50% inflation have all had a significant impact on the country’s economy.

Widespread riots

A lack of medications, fuel, and other necessities also contributed to record-high living costs, sparking widespread riots that ousted the ruling administration in 2022.

As a result, for the first time in its history, the government defaulted on its debts to international lenders in May.

“We have lived beyond our means. Whether we like it or not, these difficult measures which may be very unpopular need to be taken,” Mr. Sabry said in an interview before the funding was announced.

“Luckily, most [people] other than politically-motivated unions have understood that. I know they are not happy, but they also understand we have no choice,” Mr. Sabry added.

The country imposed income taxes on professionals earlier this year, ranging from 12.5% to more than 36%.

It also increased other levies to fund necessary purchases such as fuel and food.

This is in stark contrast to the big tax cuts former Sri Lanka president Gotabaya Rajapaksa introduced in 2019, which lost the government income of more than $1.4bn (£1.14bn) a year.

Andrew Wood, an analyst at S&P Global Ratings, stated: “Sri Lanka still has a long way to go before it can consolidate its government financial sheet, achieve steady economic development, and achieve external stability.

“We expect the economy to contract again in 2023, albeit at a more modest pace, before returning to growth in 2024.”

The IMF announced earlier this month that Sri Lanka has received finance commitments from all of its key creditors, including China and India, paving the path for the bailout.

Mr. Sabry said it was “a little early” to speculate on whether China, Sri Lanka’s largest bilateral lender, might consider canceling part of the country’s loans.

“We have the will to pay, but we don’t have the capacity to pay. What we are now trying to do is get that capacity back,” he said.

“That’s going to be a very difficult and serious discussion.”

The Sri Lankan government had planned to reach an agreement with China and India on a new payment arrangement by the end of 2022.

Sri Lanka is owed approximately $7 billion (£5.71 billion) by China, whereas India is owing approximately $1 billion (£820 million).

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”We will discuss your plan to end the war in Ukraine”, Putin says to Xi

by
Putin
  • China issued a plan to end the war.
  • which includes “ceasing hostilities” and resuming peace talks.
  • China’s approach made no mention of Russia’s withdrawal from Ukraine.

Vladimir Putin has said he will discuss Xi Jinping‘s 12-point plan to “settle the acute crisis in Ukraine”, during a highly anticipated visit to Moscow by the Chinese president.

“We’re always open for a negotiation process,” Mr. Putin said, as the leaders called each other “dear friends”.

Last month, China issued a plan to end the war, which includes “ceasing hostilities” and resuming peace talks.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said: “The world should not be fooled by any tactical move by Russia, supported by China or any other country, to freeze the war on its own terms.”

He added: “Calling for a ceasefire that does not include the removal of Russian forces from Ukrainian territory would effectively be supporting the ratification of Russian conquest.”

China’s approach made no mention of Russia’s withdrawal from Ukraine, which Ukraine has stressed is a prerequisite for any negotiations.

Instead, it talked of “respecting the sovereignty of all countries”, adding that “all parties must stay rational and exercise restraint” and “gradually de-escalate the situation”.

The plan also opposed the use of “unilateral sanctions,” which was interpreted as a veiled criticism of Ukraine’s Western backers.

On Monday, a military band welcomed Mr. Xi to Moscow. Mr. Putin lauded China for “observing the principles of justice and pushing for “undivided security for every country”.

In reply, Mr. Xi told Mr. Putin: “Under your strong leadership, Russia has achieved enormous steps in its prosperous development. I am convinced that the Russian people will continue to back you up.”

Before Mr. Xi arrived, Mr. Putin stated in China’s People’s Daily that “aggressive” US behavior would not harm the two countries.

Ukrainian politicians have publicly emphasized their shared values with China, such as respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity.

They have, however, discreetly lobbied for a meeting – or phone conversation – between President Volodymyr Zelensky and Mr Xi.

The concern in Kyiv is that China’s support for Russia, which is presently based on technology and trade, may expand to include artillery munitions.

“If China does move to openly supply weapons to Russia, it will in effect be taking part in the conflict on the side of the aggressor,” said Oleksiy Danilov, the secretary of Ukraine’s National Security and Defence Council.

According to Yu Jie, a research fellow on China at Chatham House, it was in Beijing’s best interests to normalize relations with Russia, with whom it shares a 4,300km (2,700 miles) border.

Russia provides energy to Beijing’s massive economy and is viewed as a partner in opposing the US.

Ms. Yu went on to say that Mr. Xi had just won a diplomatic success by facilitating the resumption of diplomatic relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia.

This could be an opportunity for him to investigate the possibility of mediating between Russia and Ukraine.

Mr. Xi was treated to a seven-course supper on Monday evening, which included nelma fish from the Pechora River in northern Russia, a classic Russian seafood soup, and pancakes with quail – all accompanied by Russian wine.

Dmitry Peskov, the presidential spokesperson, said there will be a “detailed explanation” of Moscow’s actions in Ukraine over dinner. On Tuesday, the main day of the visit, Russian and Chinese representatives will meet.

The meeting comes only days after the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest order for Russian President Vladimir Putin on war crimes charges.

This means that Mr. Putin might be detained in 123 nations, however, neither China nor Russia is on that list.

Mr. Blinken believes China feels “no responsibility to hold the Kremlin accountable” for atrocities in Ukraine by traveling to Moscow so soon after the ICC’s announcement.

Western officials have been striving to isolate Russia since last February, following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Yet, they have been unable to reach a worldwide agreement, with China, India, and numerous African countries refusing to denounce Mr. Putin.

[embedpost slug=”/putin-and-xi-will-discuss-chinas-plan-for-peace-in-ukraine-in-moscow/”]

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Ukraine claims Russian missiles were destroyed in Crimea

by
Ukraine
  • Russian mayor of Dzhankoi claimed that drones had targeted the area.
  • Ukraine confirmed the blasts.
  • According to Kyiv, the missiles were meant for use by Russia’s Black Sea fleet.

According to Ukraine‘s defense ministry, an explosion in the north of seized Crimea destroyed Russian weapons being transported by rail.

The newly installed Russian mayor of Dzhankoi claimed that drones had targeted the area.

Ukraine confirmed the blasts but did not specifically state who was behind the attack, as is customary.

If confirmed, it would be an unusual venture into Crimea by Ukraine’s military, which has been annexed since 2014.

“The [explosions] continue Russia‘s demilitarisation process and prepare the Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea for de-occupation,” the Ukrainian defense ministry said in a statement.

According to Kyiv, the missiles were meant for use by Russia’s Black Sea fleet.

The Russia-installed administrator, Ihor Ivin, claimed a 33-year-old male was rushed to the hospital with a shrapnel injury from a fallen drone. He said nothing about military targets being damaged.

According to local media, several structures caught fire and the power grid was affected.

In October 2022, Russia blamed Ukraine for a drone attack on the Black Sea Navy in the Crimean port city of Sevastopol.

It claimed nine drones were employed in a strike that damaged a battleship. Ukraine denied responsibility for the strike.

[embedpost slug=”/ukraine-to-charge-kharkivs-former-security-chief-with-treason/”]

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UAE calls for return of Syria back into the Arab family

by
UAE
  • Emirati fighter aircraft accompanied the Syrian President’s plane.
  • President Al Assad arrived in Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi.
  • Sheikh Mohamed and Bashar Al Assad met to discuss the two countries fraternal relations.

Abu Dhabi: Syrian Arab Republic President Bashar Al Assad arrived in the UAE on Sunday on an official visit, accompanied by his wife, Syria’s First Lady Asma Al Assad.

 

Emirati fighter aircraft accompanied the Syrian President’s plane as it entered UAE airspace, welcome his visit.

When President Al Assad arrived in Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi, he was greeted with a ceremonial reception.

Sheikh Mohamed escorted Syria’s President to the platform, where the Syrian national song was played and 21 rounds of artillery were fired to welcome his visit.

Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan, National Security Adviser; Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Presidential Court; Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan; Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Advisor for Special Affairs at the Presidential Court Ministry; Ali Mohammed Hammad Al Shamsi, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council for National Security; Dr Anwar Garga, Secretary

Dr Samer al-Khalil, Syrian Minister of Economy and Foreign Trade; Mansour Fadlallah Azzam, Syrian Minister of Presidential Affairs; Boutros al-Hallaq, Syrian Minister of Information; Dr Ayman Sosan, Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister; and Dr Ghassan Abbas, Chargé d’Affaires of the Syrian Embassy in the UAE comprised the Syrian President’s delegation.

Meeting of Leaders

Sheikh Mohamed and Bashar Al Assad met to discuss the two countries fraternal relations and methods to increase collaboration and constructive collaborative effort that would contribute to attaining their mutual objectives.

Sheikh Mohamed welcomed the Syrian President and his delegation to his second country during the meeting at Qasr Al Watan.

He noted that the tour falls in the same month as the Syrian President’s visit to the country in March of last year.

Sheikh Mohamed expressed his sympathies to Syria’s President and the Syrian people for the earthquake victims.

He emphasized his belief in Syria‘s capabilities and the commitment of its people to overcome this adversity and usher the country into a new era.

“Syria’s absence from its brothers has been long, and it is time for it to return to its Arab surroundings,” Sheikh Mohamed said. He emphasized the importance of making every effort to facilitate the dignified return of Syrian refugees to their country.

Sheikh Mohamed expressed the UAE’s support for the conversation between Syria and Turkey in order to achieve progress on the issue of relocating refugees.

He emphasized the UAE’s unwavering support for Syria and its people.

He lauded the UAE’s Syrian community and stressed the importance of the UAE-Syria connection.

The discussions also addressed the significance of building on recent regional advancements in order to promote stability, security, and prosperity for the region’s governments and people.

Sheikh Mohamed welcomed Al Assad’s visit to the UAE and emphasized the necessity of re-integrating Syria into the Arab world by bridging gaps and establishing ties among all Arab countries.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad emphasized that the UAE has always taken sensible and ethical positions and that it plays a good and useful role in the Middle East to ensure strong inter-Arab relations.

Al Assad emphasized that the participation of the UAE is consistent with the Syrian objective, which is to improve inter-Arab relations in preparation for unified Arab action. He praised Sheikh Mohamed, the UAE government, and the people of the UAE for their aid to Syrians in the aftermath of the catastrophic earthquake.

[embedpost slug=”/uae-president-meets-syrias-bashar-al-assad/”]

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UAE President meets Syria’s Bashar Al Assad

by
UAE
  • Both leaders met today to discuss the two countries fraternal relations.
  • They also discuss ways to strengthen cooperation.
  • The discussion aimed to contribute to achieving their mutual interest.

Abu Dhabi: President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the Syrian Arab Republic President Bashar Al Assad met today to discuss the two countries’ fraternal relations and ways to strengthen cooperation and constructive joint work that would contribute to achieving their mutual interests.

President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed welcomed the Syrian President and his delegation to his second country during the meeting in Qasr Al Watan.

[embedpost slug=”/bashar-al-assad-thanks-uae-for-huge-aid-after-quake/”]

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China denies sending arms to Russia

by
China
  • Wang Wenbin used the opportunity to remind reporters that it was the United States.
  • Several foreign leaders are concerned that China would transfer armaments to Russia.
  • Wang also claimed Xi’s visit was a “trip for friendship, cooperation and peace”.

More from China‘s foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin.

Wang was asked about accusations that Russia deployed Chinese weaponry in Ukraine during a news briefing held while Xi Jinping was on his way to Moscow.

He used the opportunity to remind reporters that it was the United States, not China, that was supplying weaponry to Ukrainian battlefields. “The US side should stop fuelling the fires and fanning the flames… and play a constructive role for a political solution to the crisis in Ukraine, not the other way around,” he said.

Several foreign leaders are concerned that China would transfer armaments to Russia after the two countries committed to a “no boundaries” alliance soon before the Ukrainian crisis began.

China has rejected any plans to deliver arms and has criticised the West for supplying weaponry to Ukraine.

Wang also claimed Xi’s visit was a “trip for friendship, cooperation and peace”.

[embedpost slug=”/chinas-perspective-on-the-ukrainian-conflict/”]

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CPPA submits request to Nepra for monthly fuel price adjustment

by
CPPA
  • The application revolves around the fuel price adjustment for February.
  • CPPA proposed 86 paise per unit hike.
  • K- electric submitted a separate request to Nepra.

Electricity consumers, already grappling with inflation are served with another potential blow to their wallets.

Central Power Purchasing Agency (CPPA) has approached Nepra with a request to adjust fuel prices on a monthly basis. This application revolves around the fuel price adjustment for February, with a scheduled hearing by Nepra on March 30.

CPPA has proposed an 86 paise per unit hike in electricity prices for one month, which, if approved, will impact the users of government discos.

Notably, K Electric has already submitted a separate request to Nepra, seeking a 62 paise increase under the Fuel Cost Adjustment (FCA) mechanism.

Both the state-run discos and K-Electric will have their petitions heard on the same day.

This comes after the recent decision on March 3, wherein the Government of Pakistan consented to the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) demands, imposing a permanent electricity tariff of Rs3.23 per unit to recover Rs335 billion from consumers. This move was a crucial step towards securing a staff-level agreement with the IMF.

[embedpost slug=”/nepra-to-take-up-cppas-power-tariff-hike-plea-on-november-30/”]

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President Xi Jinping has now arrived in Moscow

by
Xi Jinping
  • President Xi Jinping has arrived to Moscow.
  • He went down the red carpet put on the plane’s stairs.
  • “I am confident the visit will be fruitful.”

President Xi Jinping has arrived, and here’s your first glimpse at him.

He went down the red carpet put on the plane’s stairs before pausing to speak with a group of media and dignitaries present.

“I am confident the visit will be fruitful and give new momentum to the healthy and stable development of Chinese-Russian relations,” Xi’s quoted by the AFP news agency as saying. He also reportedly described the two countries as “reliable partners”.

[embedpost slug=”/xi-jinping-vows-to-make-chinas-military-a-great-wall-of-steel/”]

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China’s perspective on the Ukrainian conflict

by
China
  • China presented a 12-point peace proposal less than a month ago.
  • Russia praised the Chinese peace offers shortly after they were announced.
  • Xi and Putin will address issues suggested by China in its peace plan for Ukraine.

With the announcement that Xi Jinping has arrived in Russia, let us take a look at one subject that will almost certainly be at the centre of his discussions with Vladimir Putin.

China presented a 12-point peace proposal less than a month ago in a bid to end the violence in Ukraine, asking for peace negotiations and respect for national sovereignty.

Nevertheless, the text does not explicitly state that Russia must remove its soldiers from Ukraine, and it also criticises the use of “unilateral sanctions,” which is interpreted as a veiled criticism of Ukraine’s Western backers.

Russia praised the Chinese peace offers shortly after they were announced. And Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed optimism that China will not supply Russia with weaponry.

Senior adviser to Ukraine’s president, Mykhaylo Podolyak, told Italian media that there is a “absolute contradiction” between the plan’s insistence on respecting sovereignty and territorial integrity and the need for an immediate ceasefire, which Podolyak claims would leave Russia in control of occupied territory.

Dmitry Peskov, a Kremlin spokesman, said ahead of today’s discussions between Xi and Putin that the two will address issues suggested by China in its peace plan for Ukraine.

[embedpost slug=”/china-looks-at-reforms-to-strengthen-xi-jinpings-authority-in-two-sessions/”]

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Xi Jinping will meet Russia’s Vladimir Putin in Moscow

by
Xi Jinping
  • Xi Jinping, the Chinese leader will go to Moscow next week.
  • The visit will be regarded as a dramatic demonstration of Beijing’s support for Moscow.
  • The visit will take place from Monday through Wednesday at Putin’s request

Xi Jinping, the Chinese leader, will go to Moscow next week to meet with President Vladimir Putin in his first visit to Russia since Putin started his deadly invasion of Ukraine more than a year ago.

The visit will be regarded as a dramatic demonstration of Beijing’s support for Moscow in Western capitals, whose leaders have become more concerned of the two countries’ strengthening alliance as Europe is at war.

It will also be Xi’s first international trip since earning an unprecedented third term as president at China’s rubber-stamp legislature’s annual assembly last week.

The meeting was disclosed on Friday by comments from both China and Moscow.

According to China’s Foreign Ministry, the visit will take place from Monday through Wednesday at Putin’s request, and the conflict in Ukraine will be discussed.

“China’s proposition boils down to one sentence, which is to urge peace and promote talks,” foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said.

The Kremlin said the two leaders will discuss “topical issues of further development of comprehensive partnership relations and strategic cooperation between Russia and China.”

“An exchange of views is also planned in the context of deepening Russian-Chinese cooperation in the international arena,” the Kremlin added. “A number of important bilateral documents will be signed.”

The Kremlin also announced a calendar of Xi and Putin’s upcoming meetings. According to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, the two presidents will begin Monday with a one-on-one meeting, followed by a “informal lunch,” with discussions scheduled for Tuesday.

Yuri Ushakov, the Russian president’s foreign affairs advisor, also stated that Putin and Xi will sign agreements attesting to stronger ties between the two countries and will discuss the Ukrainian conflict.

“Moscow highly appreciates the balanced position of the Chinese leadership,” Ushakov told Russian state media outlet TASS.

“Russia and China are satisfied with the highest level of relations that continue to develop, Xi Jinping’s visit to Moscow will give them a new impetus,” he added.

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Taiwan’s ex President Ma Ying-jeou to make historic visit to mainland China

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Ma Ying-jeou
  • Taiwan’s former President Ma Ying-jeou will visit mainland China next week.
  • China’s governing Communist Party has never ruled Taiwan.
  • Taiwan’s next presidential election is slated for January of next year.

Taiwan’s former President Ma Ying-jeou will visit mainland China next week, making him the first former Taiwanese leader to do so since the Chinese Civil War ended in 1949.

Ma, a senior member of Taiwan’s Kuomintang (KMT) opposition party, will visit mainland China between March 27 and April 7, according to a statement issued by his foundation on Sunday.

According to the foundation, he will pay his respects to his ancestors in southern Hunan province and lead a group of Taiwanese students to connect with peers from mainland China in a number of locations.

While the trip is purportedly private, it is rich in historical meaning and comes at a time when tensions over Taiwan’s future are rising.

China’s governing Communist Party has never ruled Taiwan, but it claims the self-governed island democracy as its own and has repeatedly refused to rule out a military takeover.

At the end of the Chinese Civil War, Mao Zedong’s Communist Party took control of mainland China, while the Kuomintang, led by Chiang Kai-shek, fled to Taiwan, with both sides claiming to be the legitimate representative of China for the next several decades, until Taiwan’s transition to democracy in the 1990s.

Nonetheless, connections between Beijing and the KMT have been increasingly close in recent decades, reaching a pinnacle under Ma’s presidency.

Ma was Taiwan’s president from 2008 to 2016, during which time he strengthened economic connections between China and the democratically run island while resisting Beijing’s desire for reunification.

Protests and a significant voter reaction erupted in response to his perceived closeness to Beijing, notably on the economic front.

The KMT has lost the previous two elections to the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), which is far more critical of Beijing and opposes the implicit agreement that all sides recognise they are part of “one China,” but with differing views of what that implies.

After the DPP assumed office in 2016, China’s leader, Xi Jinping, has increased economic, political, and military pressure on Taiwan.

Ma’s historic journey comes amid a tense geopolitical background, as Taiwan and the US step up efforts to challenge China’s rising military capabilities.

His visit will also take place at a politically difficult moment. Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen will soon visit the United States on her way to diplomatic allies in South America, according to an official from Taiwan’s Overseas Community Affairs Council who spoke to parliamentarians earlier this month. US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has also stated that he intends to meet with her when she is in the country.

Taiwan’s next presidential election is slated for January of next year. Tsai is not a re-election candidate.

Fears of a Chinese invasion have hung over Taiwan for more than seven decades, but they have been heightened by Xi’s growing aggression as well as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The KMT has always refused to be labelled as a “pro-Beijing” party. Yet, its leaders, particularly Ma, have frequently emphasised the need of improving relationships.

Last month, KMT deputy chairman Andrew Hsia travelled to Beijing to meet with senior Communist Party leader Wang Huning.

China, on the other hand, has cut off formal communication with Taiwan’s Tsai administration.

Ma and Xi met face to face in Singapore in 2015, the first meeting between leaders of the Kuomintang and the Chinese Communist Party since the conclusion of the Chinese Civil War, but not on either side of the strait.

According to Ma’s foundation, a meeting between Xi and Ma is not currently scheduled for the trip.

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