The UN on Tuesday announced that the first shipment of Russian fertilizer left the Netherlands for the African country of Malawi.

The shipment of 20,000 metric tons of fertilizer loaded on a World Food Program-chartered vessel will go through Mozambique, according to spokesman Stephane Dujarric.
- It will be the first of a series of shipments of fertilizer destined for a number of other countries on the African continent in the coming months - said Dujarric.
The spokesman also said the UN welcomed the donation of 260,000 metric tons of fertilizer from Russian fertilizer producers stored in the European ports and warehouses.
The donation, he said, will serve to alleviate humanitarian needs and prevent catastrophic crop loss in Africa.
On July 22, Türkiye, the UN, Russia, and Ukraine signed an agreement in Istanbul to resume grain exports from three Ukrainian Black Sea ports, which had been paused in February due to Russia’s war on Ukraine. Except for a brief hiatus, it has enabled food shipments to the world ever since.
- Reconnecting fertilizer markets is a critical step to ensure global food security for 2023 and the United Nations will continue to make every effort, with all parties, to achieve this goal - Dujarric added.

Shipment of 20,000 metric tons of fertilizer loaded on World Food Program-chartered vessel will go through Mozambique

The donation will serve to alleviate humanitarian needs

1st shipment of Russian fertilizer left Netherlands for Malawi

Influenza is surging throughout the US, with the country’s health authorities recording more than 6 million cases so far this season.

At least 6.2 million influenza cases have been reported so far this season, with 53,000 hospitalizations and 2,900 deaths, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said in its weekly update on Monday.
Respiratory illness constitutes 6 percent of visits to a healthcare provider this week, CDC said, adding that 35 jurisdictions experienced "high or very high activity."The CDC added that the cumulative hospitalization rate per 100,000 populations was 11.3.
It urged everyone ages six months and older to get vaccinated saying that "an annual flu vaccine is the best way to protect against flu."

US health agency reports 6.2 million influenza cases, with 53,000 hospitalizations, 2,900 deaths so far this season

At least 6.2 million influenza cases have been reported

Influenza rises in US with over 6 million cases so far

NATO foreign ministers on Tuesday condemned all forms and manifestations of terrorism and expressed their solidarity with Türkiye.

- We condemn terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and stand in solidarity with Türkiye in grieving the loss of life after the recent horrific terrorist attacks - said a joint statement published on the first day of the NATO foreign ministers meeting in Romania's capital Bucharest.

<h2>Recent terror attack on Istanbul's crowded Istiklal Avenue</h2>

The allies also wowed that NATO will continue to defend every inch of allied territory with a 360-degree approach.

- NATO will continue to protect our populations and defend every inch of Allied territory at all times. We will do so in line with our 360-degree approach and against all threats and challenges - said the statement.
The remarks came after a recent terror attack on Istanbul's crowded Istiklal Avenue that killed at least six people and left 81 injured.
The foreign ministers also expressed NATO's further assistance to continue to repair Ukraine's destroyed energy infrastructure and protect it from air attacks.
- We condemn Russia's persecution of the civilian population in Ukraine and violations of human rights, including exile, torture, and barbaric treatment of women and children - the statement said.

The statement also noted that assistance will continue to repair Ukraine's destroyed energy infrastructure and protect it from air attacks.

- Allies will assist Ukraine as it repairs its energy infrastructure and protects its people from missile attacks - said the joint statement.
NATO foreign ministers are taking part in a two-day meeting in the Romanian capital Bucharest.
The ministers discussed the war in Ukraine, which is considered a threat to Euro-Atlantic peace and security.

Foreign ministers vow to defend every inch of allied territory with 360-degree approach

NATO: We condemn terrorism in all its forms and manifestations

NATO expresses solidarity with Türkiye in fight against terrorism

Russian energy giant Gazprom has started natural gas shipments to Azerbaijan under a new contract, the company announced on Friday.

The new agreement was signed between SOCAR and Gazprom for natural gas shipments to Azerbaijan, a Gazprom statement read.
The shipments under the terms of the agreement began on Nov. 15 and will run until March 2023. The total amount will be up to 1 billion cubic meters of gas up to March next year.

Company to supply up to 1 billion cubic meters of gas up to March next year

The new agreement was signed between SOCAR and Gazprom for natural gas shipments to Azerbaijan

Russia's Gazprom starts gas shipments to Azerbaijan

The UN Climate Change Conference or COP27 on Sunday agreed to establish a "loss and damage" fund to help vulnerable countries hit hard by climate change.

The 27th conference was held in the Egyptian resort of Sharm El Sheikh.
Egyptian Foreign Minister and COP27 President Sameh Shoukry said the decision to set up a “loss and damage” fund and a green climate fund was approved without any objections.
- The work that we’ve managed to do here in the past two weeks, and the results we have together achieved, are a testament to our collective will, as a community of nations, to voice a clear message that rings loudly today, here in this room and around the world: that multilateral diplomacy still works - he said.
The Egyptian minister said that despite the difficulties and challenges and the divergence of views, level of ambition, or apprehension, the conference remained committed to the fight against climate change.
- We rose to the occasion, upheld our responsibilities, and undertook the important decisive political decisions that millions around the world expect from us- he added.
The "loss and damage" fund is a big win for the poor countries, which have long called for being compensated for climate-related disasters. Rich countries, however, have long opposed the idea.
Details on how the fund would operate, however, remain murky. The text leaves a lot of questions unanswered about when it will be finalized and become operational, and how exactly it would be funded.
Sunday’s agreement came after marathon talks between delegates from about 200 countries that exceeded the final date of the summit. COP27 was originally scheduled to close on Friday.

"Loss and damage" fund big win for poor countries, which have long called for being compensated for climate-related disasters

The 27th conference was held in the Egyptian resort of Sharm El Sheikh

UN Climate Change Conference reaches deal to set up "loss and damage" fund

In a phone call, Azerbaijani Defense Minister Zakir Hasanov on Sunday exchanged views on the prospects of bilateral military-technical cooperation with his Israeli counterpart Benny Gantz.

- During the telephone conversation, the sides exchanged views on the prospects of bilateral military-technical cooperation. The Israeli Defense Minister reminisced about his visit to Azerbaijan - an Azerbaijani Defense Ministry statement said.
On Twitter, Gantz thanked Hasanov for "his partnership and commitment to fostering defense relations between Israel and Azerbaijan over the years."- This reflects the deep friendship between our countries, which I am certain will develop further and make a positive impact on the region - Gantz added.
Gantz also hailed the Azerbaijani parliament’s decision on Friday to open an embassy in Tel Aviv.
Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid welcomed Azerbaijan’s decision on Twitter, saying it “reflects the depth of the relations between the countries.”
Israel and Azerbaijan have had relations for 30 years, and there has been an Israeli Embassy in the Azerbaijani capital Baku since 1993.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Azerbaijani-Israeli relations are based on "friendship and mutual trust," says Israel's Benny Gantz

The sides exchanged views on the prospects of bilateral military-technical cooperation

Azerbaijani, Israeli defense ministers exchange views on military-technical cooperation

US stocks opened mixed Thursday.&nbsp;The Dow Jones jumped 412 points, or 1.3 percent, to start the fourth trading day of the week at 32,250 at 9.36 a.m. EDT (1336GMT).The S&amp;P 500 added 14 points, or 0.37 percent, to 3,843. But the tech-heavy Nasdaq fell 23 points, or 0.2 percent, to 10,943.
The VIX volatility index, also known as the fear index, rose 0.1 percent to 27.31. The 10-year US Treasury yield fell 0.7 percent to 3.987 percent.
The dollar index gained 0.5 percent to 110.27, still around its highest in 20 years, while the euro lost 0.6 percent to $1.0018 against the greenback.
Precious metals were mixed, with gold down 0.2 percent to $1,661 but silver adding 0.3 percent to $19.64.
Oil prices also climbed more than 1 percent. Global oil benchmark Brent crude rose 1.2 percent to $94.94 per barrel, while US benchmark West Texas Intermediate was around $89.49, up 1.8 percent.

Oil prices climb more than 1 percent

The Dow Jones jumped 412 points, or 1.3 percent

US stocks mixed at opening bell

Two more Rohingya men were shot dead early Thursday inside a refugee camp in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, just a day after a Rohingya activist was gunned down in the camp.

A group of armed and masked men barged into refugee camp-17 and opened fire at Rohingya men, killing one of them on the spot and injuring the other critically who died in the hospital, S.M. Ishtiaque Shahriar, a local official, told Anadolu Agency.

The victims were identified as Ayat Ullah, 40, and Yasin, 30. The motive of the killings could not be known immediately.

- Security has been beefed up and police have started an operation to arrest the killers - he added.
In the last 13 days, six Rohingya men have been killed, including a Rohingya youth leader who was shot dead inside a camp on Wednesday.
The Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) was allegedly behind these killings, according to police and Rohingya refugees.
The ARSA, formerly known as Harakah al-Yaqin, is a Rohingya insurgent group active in northern Rakhine State, Myanmar.

<h2>Over 120 refugees have been killed in camps</h2>

Earlier on Wednesday, talking to Anadolu Agency, several Rohingya Majhi (community leaders), requesting not to be named, said they are not sharing details with the media because they also fear being killed.

According to official data, over 120 refugees have been killed in camps over the last five years. The European Rohingya Council earlier expressed concern over the killings.
Bangladesh currently hosts more than 1.2 million Rohingya, mainly in Cox’s Bazar refugee camps, who fled a brutal military crackdown in their home country Myanmar's Rakhine State in August 2017.

Security beefed up, hunt for killers launched, says official

The victims were identified as Ayat Ullah, 40, and Yasin, 30

Two more Rohingya shot dead in Bangladeshi refugee camp

Russia's military doctrine requires only defensive use of nuclear weapons, President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday.

Speaking at a meeting of the Valdai Discussion Club in Moscow, Putin said nuclear weapons may be used only if Russia is attacked, and that he never threatened to use nuclear weapons anywhere, including in Ukraine.
- We have never proactively said anything about the possible use of nuclear weapons by Russia, only responded to statements made by leaders of the Western countries - Putin stressed.

Asked about claims regarding a possible nuclear strike on Ukraine, Putin said:- Russia does not need a nuclear strike on Ukraine, there is no political or military sense in this.
He, however, said the threat of using nuclear weapons exists as long as the weapons themselves exist, citing the US nuclear attacks on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945.
- There was no military sense in that, Japan was already defeated - he said.
Putin argued that the Western countries artificially stir the topic of a possible nuclear strike to present Russia as an aggressive and dangerous country and on this ground to get support from those countries that have not joined anti-Russian sanctions yet.
- The purpose of today's fuss over the use of nuclear weapons is very primitive. The dictate of Western countries, an attempt to put pressure on participants in international communication, ends in nothing. They are looking for arguments to prove that they need to stand up to Russia together - he said.

In line with these attempts, Putin said, "a dirty bomb" has been "concocted" in Ukraine from the leftover nuclear fuel to accuse Russia of the use of nuclear weapons and prompt global condemnation.

The president also said he personally instructed Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoygu to call all his Western counterparts and to warn them about Ukraine's plans with the "dirty bomb."
The Russian Defense Ministry claimed on Sunday that Ukraine was planning a provocation with the use of a dirty bomb to accuse Russia of using nuclear weapons and prompt Western countries to retaliate.
In a joint statement on Sunday, the US, France, and the UK rejected the Russian claims.
A dirty bomb or radiological dispersal device is a type of speculative radiological weapon that combines radioactive material with conventional explosives.​​​​​​​

Russian president says Russia never said it plans to use nuclear weapons anywhere, including in Ukraine

Putin: Russian military doctrine requires only defensive use of nuclear weapons

Twelve more ships left Ukrainian ports under the Istanbul grain export deal, the Turkish National Defense Ministry said in a statement on Friday.

The ministry, however, did not disclose the ships’ locations of departure or destinations.
Türkiye, the UN, Russia and Ukraine signed an agreement in Istanbul on July 22 to resume grain exports from three Ukrainian Black Sea ports, which were paused after the Russia-Ukraine war began in February.
A Joint Coordination Center with officials from the three countries and the UN was set up in Istanbul to oversee the shipments.
Since the first vessel sailed under the deal on Aug. 1, more than 170 ships have carried over 4 million tons of agricultural products.

Since Aug. 1, more than 170 ships have carried over 4M tons of agricultural products through grain corridor

The ministry, however, did not disclose the ships’ locations of departure or destinations

Türkiye: 12 more grain ships leave Ukraine under Istanbul deal

The Doel 3 reactor in operation in Belgium for 40 years will be shut down on Friday in compliance with Belgian law on a nuclear phase-out.

Despite the energy crisis in Europe, the nuclear reactor in the town of Doel, north of the port city of Antwerp, will close on Friday.&nbsp;This is the first time a nuclear reactor will be permanently shut down in Belgium.The Doel 3 reactor, one of four reactors of the Doel Nuclear Power Plant, will disconnect from the grid at 21.15 local time due to the nuclear phase-out law enforced by past governments.
The 1,006 megawatt-hours capacitated reactor was built in 1978, was grid connected in 1982, and operated for 40 years.&nbsp;In 2012, capillary cracks in the reactor pressure system were detected resulting in its closure for maintenance for two years.Belgium hosts a total of seven reactors, four of which are at the Doel Nuclear Power Plant close to the Dutch border, while three are located at the Tihange Nuclear Power Plant, close to the Germany and Luxembourg border.
The electricity produced by these reactors meets about half of the country's needs.

<h2>Belgium extends life of two reactors by ten years</h2>

After the Russia-Ukraine war, Belgium decided to extend the operation period of the Doel 4 and Tihange 3 reactors by 10 years to avoid energy supply shortages. The reactors were previously planned to close in 2025.

Decisions taken by previous governments prescribed that the Doel 3 and the Tihange 2 reactors would shut down in September and February next year, respectively.
With the looming energy crisis, however, the current government started to work on extending the operation period of these reactors. Negotiations between the operators and the government concluded that it was not technically and legally possible to postpone the Doel 3 shutdown process at this stage.

Meanwhile, a protest with about 100 people took place against the closure of the Doel 3 reactor.

The demonstrators hung a large banner with the words "Why are you closing a nuclear power plant amid the energy and climate crisis?"
Wearing clothes that read "Stop the nuclear exit", the protesters highlighted the need to extend the operation time of the reactor amid energy shortages.
- We are here today for Doel 3, the first reactor in Belgium to be completely decommissioned and shut down - a protester named Emrick said.
Stressing their support for nuclear energy, the demonstrator said the government should change its nuclear phase-out plan and keep the Doel 3 reactor operational.
The demonstrator also emphasized that Belgium needs every megawatt-hour of electricity it produces in its territory over such a challenging period.

Doel 3 nuclear reactor operated for 40 years, providing 1,006 megawatt-hours of power

People gather to against the shutdown of the Doel 3 reactor in Brussels, Belgium on September 23, 2022.

Belgium shuts down nuclear reactor for first time

A bomb exploded outside a mosque in Kabul, Afghanistan's capital, when worshippers were going out of the premises after offering weekly Friday prayers, killing and injuring several people.

An explosion occurred on the main road near the Wazir Akbar Khan Mosque after Friday prayers, according to Kabul police spokesman Khalid Zadran.
The victims were all civilians and worshippers, he said, adding that more information regarding the casualties would be released to the media later.&nbsp;Taliban's security men have arrived at the blast scene and are preventing vehicles from passing through.On Twitter, the Emergency Hospital in Kabul confirmed 14 victims, four of whom were already dead when they arrived.&nbsp;Eyewitnesses told local Tolo news that the explosion was triggered by a magnetic bomb.The media outlet, however, did not provide a precise number of casualties.
So far, no group has claimed responsibility for the latest terrorist attack in the capital. However, ISIS/Daesh has in recent months increased attacks on mosques in many parts of the country, including Kabul, by accepting responsibility.

Explosion occurs near Wazir Akbar Khan Mosque in Kabul after Friday prayers as Emergency Hospital confirms 14 victims, 4 of whom dead

So far, no group has claimed responsibility for the latest terrorist attack in the capital

Several killed, injured in Afghanistan's mosque blast

Russia will consider Ukraine's attempt to regain Donbas territories as attacks on its own territories, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Friday.

Speaking at a press briefing in Moscow, Peskov also touched upon planned referandums in eastern Ukraine, sating if a vote will be in favor of joining Russia, then the terms of the Russian constitution will be applied to new territories as well.
Peskov said the process of accession of new regions will take some time because it needs the approvals of the Russian parliament and president.

- I can't say for sure how long this process will last. I am actually convinced that it will be fast - he said.

Peskov said the security of referendums is provided "at the proper level," which will prevent attempts to thwart the votes.
At the same time, the Kremlin spokesman said Moscow does not refuse from peace talks with Ukraine, but there is no signs Kyiv is ready to engage in it.
- The negotiation process, of course, is in demand. It is in demand to achieve our goals. But, as we have already said, we do not see any prerequisites for the negotiation process - he noted.

He pointed out that a few months ago the Ukrainian side withdrew from the negotiation process and "at different levels - from high to highest - stated that they were going to solve their problems on the battlefield."

On Tuesday, four Ukraine's regions - Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia - announced a referendum on joining Russia on Sept. 23-27.
The decision was welcomed by Russian authorities and slammed by Western politicians.

Spokesman says negotiations with Ukraine are still on table despite referendums of country's eastern regions on joining Russia

Kremlin: Attacks on Donbas to be considered attacks on Russia

French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Algeria on Thursday for his first visit in five years, according to French media.

Received by his counterpart, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, at Houari Boumediene Airport in the capital Algiers, Macron hopes to mend tense mutual relations with this visit, according to state-owned broadcaster France 24.
The channel noted Macron's visit will be oriented towards young people and the future in the North African country, and that he would meet with young Algerian entrepreneurs before heading to the northern city of Oran.
On his three-day visit, Macron is accompanied by a 90-member delegation, including ministers, business representatives, and experts in the history of the two countries.

Launching first visit to Algiers in 5 years, Emmanuel Macron aims to mend mutual ties, reports French broadcaster

French president arrives in Algeria for 3-day visit

Four more ships have left Ukrainian ports under the Istanbul grain export deal, the Turkish National Defense Ministry said on Friday.

A ministry statement said shipments from Ukrainian ports are continuing as planned.
- Five ships inspected (in Istanbul) also left for Ukraine - it added.
Türkiye, the UN, Russia, and Ukraine signed an agreement in Istanbul on July 22 to resume grain exports from the Ukrainian Black Sea ports of Yuzhny, Chornomorsk and Odesa, which were halted due to the Russia-Ukraine war, now in its seventh month.

A Joint Coordination Center with officials from the three countries and the UN has been set up in Istanbul to oversee the shipments.

On Thursday, Ukrainian Infrastructure Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov said that since the first ship left Ukraine under the deal on Aug. 1, a total of 39 ships with more than 850,000 tons of agricultural products have left ports.

Shipments from Ukrainian ports continuing as planned, says Turkish National Defense Ministry

Türkiye, the UN, Russia, and Ukraine signed an agreement in Istanbul on July 22 to resume grain exports

Türkiye: 4 more grain ships leave Ukraine

Turkish forces "neutralized" six PKK/YPG terrorists in northern Syria, the Turkish National Defense Ministry said on Friday.

The terrorists were targeted in Türkiye's Euphrates Shield anti-terrorism operation zone, the ministry said on Twitter.
Turkish authorities use the term "neutralize" to imply the terrorists in question surrendered or were killed or captured.

Since 2016, Ankara has launched a trio of successful anti-terror operations across its border in northern Syria to prevent the formation of a terror corridor and enable the peaceful settlement of residents: Euphrates Shield (2016), Olive Branch (2018), and Peace Spring (2019).

In its more than 35-year terror campaign against Türkiye, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the US, and EU -- has been responsible for the deaths of over 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants. The YPG is the PKK’s Syrian offshoot.​​​​​​

Terrorists targeted in Operation Euphrates Shield zone, says Turkish National Defense Ministry

Turkish authorities use the term "neutralize" to imply the terrorists in question surrendered or were killed or captured

1st shipment of Russian fertilizer left Netherlands for Malawi

Influenza rises in US with over 6 million cases so far

NATO expresses solidarity with Türkiye in fight against terrorism

Russia's Gazprom starts gas shipments to Azerbaijan

UN Climate Change Conference reaches deal to set up "loss and damage" fund

Azerbaijani, Israeli defense ministers exchange views on military-technical cooperation

US stocks mixed at opening bell

Two more Rohingya shot dead in Bangladeshi refugee camp

Putin: Russian military doctrine requires only defensive use of nuclear weapons

Türkiye: 12 more grain ships leave Ukraine under Istanbul deal

Belgium shuts down nuclear reactor for first time

Several killed, injured in Afghanistan's mosque blast

Kremlin: Attacks on Donbas to be considered attacks on Russia

French president arrives in Algeria for 3-day visit

Türkiye: 4 more grain ships leave Ukraine

Turkish forces neutralize 6 PKK/YPG terrorists in northern Syria

World

1st shipment of Russian fertilizer left Netherlands for Malawi

Influenza rises in US with over 6 million cases so far

NATO expresses solidarity with Türkiye in fight against terrorism

Russia's Gazprom starts gas shipments to Azerbaijan

UN Climate Change Conference reaches deal to set up "loss and damage" fund

Azerbaijani, Israeli defense ministers exchange views on military-technical cooperation

US stocks mixed at opening bell

Two more Rohingya shot dead in Bangladeshi refugee camp

Putin: Russian military doctrine requires only defensive use of nuclear weapons

Türkiye: 12 more grain ships leave Ukraine under Istanbul deal

Belgium shuts down nuclear reactor for first time

Several killed, injured in Afghanistan's mosque blast

Kremlin: Attacks on Donbas to be considered attacks on Russia

French president arrives in Algeria for 3-day visit

Türkiye: 4 more grain ships leave Ukraine

Turkish forces neutralize 6 PKK/YPG terrorists in northern Syria