
Here is a summary of current global news briefs.
Demand for Hebrew lessons surges in Gaza as Israel eases work restrictions
In a brightly lit classroom in Gaza, a teacher spells words in Hebrew on a whiteboard, watched intently by Maher Al-Farra and dozens of other Palestinians hoping to take advantage of an opening of learning opportunities. employment in Israel. The surge in demand for classes at the Nafha language center follows a new work permit offer by Israel as it strives to ease border tensions after an 11-day war in May with Hamas , the Islamist group that rules the Gaza Strip.
Pakistani PM flies to Moscow to advance pipeline project
Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan traveled to Moscow on Wednesday to push for the construction of a long-delayed, multibillion-dollar gas pipeline to be built in collaboration with Russian companies, an official said. Khan’s trip to meet President Vladimir Putin and discuss issues such as economic cooperation comes hours after a number of Western countries hit Russia with new sanctions for its military deployment in parts of the east. from Ukraine.
Iran says nuclear talks are reaching ‘a sensitive and important point’
Talks in Vienna on reviving a 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers have reached a sore point and Western countries should take a realistic approach to settling outstanding issues, Iran’s Foreign Minister said on Wednesday. Foreign Affairs. “The nuclear talks in Vienna are reaching a sensitive and important point,” the minister, Hossein Amirabdollahian, said during a press conference with his Omani counterpart in Tehran.
Ukraine to impose state of emergency but no martial law yet
Ukraine will introduce a national state of emergency in which special restrictions will apply to maintain calm in the country and protect its economy amid fears of a Russian invasion, a senior Ukrainian security official said on Wednesday. .
Russia is isolating itself with its actions, says German Foreign Minister
The international community will not accept Russia’s violation of international law and Moscow is isolating itself with its latest actions in Ukraine, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said on Wednesday. “The action that is taking place now may follow a short-term strategy, but it is not a medium or long-term strategy to completely isolate itself in the world,” Baerbock told a joint press conference. in Berlin with his French counterpart Jean-Yves Le Drian.
Germany’s decision on Nord Stream 2 certification ‘is not a matter of weeks’
Germany’s decision on Nord Stream 2 certification will take longer, a government spokesman said on Wednesday, adding that he preferred not to name a specific timeline but expected the process to take longer than a few weeks. At the same time, the country has boosted its renewable energy capacity and LNG terminals to secure its own gas supplies and will continue to add new measures to become less dependent on energy imports, a spokesperson said. economy.
US and allies step up sanctions pressure on Russia over Ukraine
The United States and its allies on Wednesday sought to step up sanctions pressure on Russia following the deployment of troops to breakaway regions of eastern Ukraine in one of Europe’s worst security crises in decades. . The Ukrainian military said one soldier was killed and six wounded in increased shelling by pro-Russian separatists using heavy artillery, mortar shells and Grad rocket systems in the two breakaway regions during of the last 24 hours.
World’s first octopus farm sparks ethical debate
Spurred by growing demand for seafood, a Spanish company plans to open the first commercial octopus farm next year, but as scientists uncover more about the enigmatic animals, some warn it could spell disaster ethical and environmental. “This is a global milestone,” said Roberto Romero, director of aquaculture at Nueva Pescanova, with the company paying 65 million euros ($74 million) on the farm, which is awaiting environmental approval. local authorities.
‘Children are broken’ with online education as Hong Kong upsets parents with early school break
Insurance agent Emily Kwong, 30, struggles to homeschool her five-year-old daughter and fears she has learned nothing due to Hong Kong’s strict COVID-19 restrictions which have forced toddlers and teenagers to take online courses. Now the government’s plans to close schools at the start of March are “disrupting the whole year”, Kwong said, echoing the worries of parents and teachers in the global financial hub worried about the mental health and education of their children. children.
South Korea tests missile interceptor a month after North Korea launch – Yonhap
South Korea tested a long-range surface-to-air missile on Wednesday, Yonhap news agency reported, a month after North Korea tested a record number of increasingly powerful missiles potentially capable of evading to the southern defences. An L-SAM was successfully launched from a test site in Taean, 150 km (90 miles) southwest of the capital Seoul, Yonhap reported, citing unnamed sources. The Ministry of Defense refused to confirm the information.
(With agency contributions.)