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Kremlin says it only wants Ukrainian territories included in Russian constitution


Russia only wants to control those Ukrainian territories that are Russian under its constitution, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Sunday.

“No,” he said when asked whether Russia wants to add more Ukrainian territories. “We just want to control all the land we have now written into our Constitution as ours.”

Referendums of the accession to Russia were conducted in the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics (DPR and LPR), as well as in the Zaporozhye and Kherson Regions from September 23 to 27, 2022. Russian state news agency TASS claims the overwhelming majority of residents supported the move.

On September 30, 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin and heads of these regions signed treaties on their accession to Russia and on October 4, 2022, Putin signed laws ratifying the treaties.

Crimea is a region historically associated with Russia but was transferred to Ukraine in 1954 during the Soviet era. In 2014, Russia controversially annexed Crimea following a contentious referendum, which was not recognized by Ukraine or the international community. The annexation sparked a major international crisis, leading to sanctions against Russia and condemnation from various countries. Russia's control over Crimea has had significant implications for regional security, with the Black Sea becoming a focal point of tensions between Russia and NATO nations. The annexation of Crimea has also resulted in the displacement of Ukrainian citizens and a deterioration of human rights conditions on the peninsula.

Donetsk and Lugansk, located in eastern Ukraine, are regions with predominantly Russian-speaking populations. In 2014, pro-Russian separatist movements in these regions declared independence, leading to armed conflicts with Ukrainian forces. Russia has been accused of supporting these separatist movements with military aid, further escalating the conflict. The ongoing war in the Donbas region has resulted in thousands of deaths and a significant humanitarian crisis, with civilian infrastructure being heavily affected. Multiple attempts at ceasefire agreements have been made, but the situation remains tense and unresolved, leading to a protracted conflict that continues to strain Ukraine-Russia relations.

Zaporizhzhia, situated in southern Ukraine, is home to the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, the largest nuclear power plant in Europe. The plant plays a crucial role in Ukraine's energy sector, but its proximity to the conflict zone in the east has raised concerns about its safety and security. There are worries that any escalation of the conflict in the region could pose a threat to the nuclear facility, with potentially catastrophic consequences. The situation in Zaporizhzhia adds complexity to the overall conflict and increases the stakes for regional and global security. Efforts to ensure the safety of the nuclear plant amidst the ongoing conflict remain a matter of international concern.

Kherson, another significant region in southern Ukraine, is prominently situated on the Black Sea coast and serves as a critical maritime hub for Ukraine's trade and economy. With Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014, there have been fears that Kherson could be a potential target for further Russian expansion. The region's significance has drawn international attention and concern over the potential for further escalation in the ongoing crisis. Control over Kherson could provide Russia with a valuable strategic advantage in the Black Sea region and potentially impact international trade routes and security dynamics. The developments in Kherson remain closely watched by the global community.

In conclusion, Crimea, Donetsk, Lugansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson have all become flashpoints in the geopolitical conflict between Russia and Ukraine. The disputes over these territories have not only strained bilateral relations but also had far-reaching implications for regional stability and global security.

Read more:

Russia has lost at least 50 pct of its paratroopers in Ukraine: UK

Russia says Ukraine attacked bridges to Crimea with missile strikes

Zelenskyy says frontline combat is ‘tough’, but Ukraine is ‘dominating’ Russia

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Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi meets with CEOs of leading Norwegian companies

H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, has met with a group of CEOs from leading Norwegian companies, as part of their participation in the UAE-Norway Investment Forum, held alongside his official visit to the Kingdom of Norway.

During the meeting, H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed underscored the UAE leadership’s commitment to strengthening economic cooperation with its international partners.

He highlighted that investment in innovation and knowledge is a cornerstone for achieving sustainable development, noting that enhancing collaboration with Norwegian companies across key sectors will open new avenues for mutual economic growth between the two countries.

The UAE-Norway Investment Forum, taking place in Oslo, aimed to highlight available investment opportunities and strengthen trade relations between the UAE and Norway, fostering shared interests and supporting innovation and knowledge-based economic visions.

-wam

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At the Indonesia International Book Fair 2024, TRENDS inaugurates 10th global office, releases four books

As part of its Asian research tour, partnership with Aletihad News Center, and
primary sponsorship of the Indonesia International Book Fair 2024, TRENDS
Research & Advisory inaugurated its office in Jakarta, marking its 10th location
worldwide. It also released four books in Indonesian.
The inauguration event was attended by ambassadors of the UAE, Bahrain, and
Jordan to Indonesia, chairpersons of the UAE and Indonesian Publishers’
Associations, the Director of TRENDS’ Jakarta office, and a group of researchers
and academics.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali, CEO of TRENDS
Research & Advisory, stated that TRENDS’ international offices—set to reach 15
by the end of 2024—aim to enhance the Center’s research efforts and deepen its
role in disseminating knowledge, thus serving as a global knowledge bridge.
He emphasized, “At TRENDS, we believe in the importance of cooperation
between think tanks and prioritize this endeavor. We believe the TRENDS office in
Jakarta will enhance the exchange of knowledge and ideas between think tanks in
Asia and the Middle East, opening new horizons for collaboration in various
fields.”

Four books in Indonesian
As part of the Jakarta office’s inaugural activities, four books were released in
Indonesian, including the 11th and 12th books of the Muslim Brotherhood
Encyclopedia and Global Trends in AI and Automation and the Future of
Competition between Man and Machine: An Analytical Forward-looking Vision.

Hostility to Arab states
The 11th book of the Muslim Brotherhood Encyclopedia, The Concept of the State
According to the Muslim Brotherhood, highlights its hostile stance toward Arab
states since its inception. The group views them as an obstacle to its ascent to
power. It opposed the modern principles upon which these states were built,
considering them incompatible with the group’s unique interpretation of Islam,
which it claimed to embody exclusively.

Exclusion of nonconformists
The 12th book, The Muslim Brotherhood: Rejection of Tolerance and Exclusion of
Nonconformists, examines the Muslim Brotherhood’s stance towards
nonconformists, individuals, and entities. The book reveals the group’s binary view
of the world, categorizing others as allies or adversaries. It ties these relationships
to the Brotherhood’s internal power struggles and self-serving interests.

Global Trends in AI
The third book, Global Trends in AI, explores significant developments in AI and
its impact on various aspects of life, including the economy, society, and
governance. It also offers a comprehensive analysis of technological advancements
in AI, its applications across sectors, the ethical and social challenges it presents,
and its future trajectory.

Automation

The fourth book, Automation and the Future of Competition between Man and
Machine: An Analytical Forward-looking Vision, addresses the growing challenges
faced by the human workforce in the face of widespread automation and AI
applications. The book concludes that while automation presents a significant
challenge to the labor market, it simultaneously creates new opportunities. It
emphasizes the importance of preparing for this shift through skills development,
continuous education, and adopting economic and social policies that support the
workforce.

Prominent pavilion and active presence
The TRENDS’ pavilion at the Indonesia International Book Fair has attracted
numerous visitors, including academic researchers and officials, such as the
ambassadors of the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Jordan, and Turkey. Additionally,
chairpersons of Arab and Indonesian publishers’ associations, authors, publishers,
and students visited the pavilion. All were impressed with and praised TRENDS’ diverse, valuable publications. They also commended TRENDS’ active
international presence and ability to address global developments with rigorous
analytical research.
Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali honored the esteemed guests, including
ambassadors of the UAE and Bahrain to Indonesia, Wedha Startesti Yudha,
Chairperson of the Indonesia International Book Fair Committee, Arys Hilman
Nugraha, Chairman of the Indonesian Publishers Association, and others,
presenting them with TRENDS’ publications and commemorative shields.
Additionally, he awarded TRENDS’ Research Medal to Ni Made Ayu Martini
Indonesian Deputy Minister of Marketing, Tourism and Creative Economy
It is worth noting that during its current Asian research tour, TRENDS announced
the launch of the TRENDS Research Medal, awarded to individuals who make
significant contributions to the development of scientific research and promote collaboration with TRENDS in strengthening a culture of research across various fields.

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US determined to prevent full-scale war in Middle East, Joe Biden tells UNGA79

US President Joe Biden highlighted the US Administration’s determination to prevent a wider war that engulfs the entire Middle East region, noting that a diplomatic solution “remains the only path to lasting security to allow the residents from both countries to return to their homes on the border safely”.

In remarks he made today before the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA79), the US President said, “Full-scale war is not in anyone’s interest,” adding that a diplomatic solution is still possible.

He also touched on “the rise of violence against innocent Palestinians on the West Bank”, and the need to “set the conditions for a better future”, which he said featured “a two-state solution, where the world — where Israel enjoys security and peace and full recognition and normalised relations with all its neighbours, where Palestinians live in security, dignity, and self-determination in a state of their own”.

President Biden underscored the ceasefire and hostage deal put forth by Qatar and Egypt, which the UN Security Council endorsed. He said, “Now is the time for the parties to finalise its terms, bring the hostages home,” adding that this would help ease the suffering in Gaza, and end the war.

-WAM

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