Oleksandr Lytvynenko, Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine (NSDC), met with Natalka Cmoc, Canada's Ambassador to Ukraine, along with Shawn Boyd, Deputy Head of the Canadian Embassy Mission in Ukraine. The discussion focused on bolstering their strategic partnership by enhancing bilateral cooperation, particularly in security matters. Lytvynenko thanked the Canadian government and people for their support of Ukraine's sovereignty and independence. Cmoc reaffirmed Canada's commitment to close cooperation with Ukraine, citing its UNIFIER mission which has trained over 43,000 Ukrainian defenders since its inception.
https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-polytics/3947455-nsdc-secretary-canadas-ambassador-discuss-strengthening-strategic-partnership.htmlUkrainian and Estonian prosecutors have strengthened their cooperation to investigate Russian war crimes in Ukraine. Acting Prosecutor General Oleksii Khomenko met with a delegation of Estonian prosecutors led by Andres Parmas, including Ambassador Anneli Kolk. The meeting focused on developing bilateral partnerships in the field of justice and holding Russia accountable for international crimes committed in Ukraine. Ukrainian prosecutors have documented over 140,000 war crimes since the full-scale invasion, according to Khomenko.
https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-polytics/3947468-ukraine-estonia-to-enhance-cooperation-in-investigating-russian-war-crimes.htmlThe Center for Strategic Communication and Information Security is working to inform foreign audiences about key issues related to Ukraine. The organization aims to provide clear explanations on current topics, but it does not appear that a specific news article or topic has been provided in the context.
https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-polytics/3946925-explaining-trumps-statement-on-ukraines-nato-bid-hungarys-manipulative-accusations-demining-in-ukraine.htmlUnited Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has warned that if the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) is forced to stop operating, Israel would be responsible for providing essential services such as food, medical care, and public health standards in Gaza and the West Bank. However, Israel's Ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, disputes this claim, arguing that Israel does not exercise effective control over Gaza and therefore cannot be considered an occupying power under international law. He also points out that the Palestinian Authority is responsible for civilian affairs in the West Bank and that residents of East Jerusalem are entitled to government and municipal services under Israeli law.
https://channelnewsasia.com/world/unrwa-fate-unclear-un-and-israel-argue-over-whos-responsible-palestinians-4850946Myanmar's military government carried out an air strike in the western state of Rakhine, killing dozens of people, according to the United Nations. This incident occurred as Myanmar's civil war approaches its fourth year since the elected government was ousted by Senior General Min Aung Hlaing on February 1, 2021.
https://www.asiaone.com/asia/myanmar-military-air-strike-kills-dozens-rakhine-village-un-saysThe US government has accused Russia of benefiting from the ongoing conflict in Sudan by trading gold for weapons. According to a CNN investigation, Russia may have earned up to $13.4 billion worth of gold from Sudan in exchange for military equipment in 2022. The US has condemned any material support for the warring parties and imposed sanctions on the leader of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), Mohammad Hamdan Daglo Mousa, also known as Hemedti, after accusing the RSF of committing genocide. The conflict in Sudan has resulted in a humanitarian crisis, with 638,000 people experiencing famine and over 30 million in need of assistance.
https://www.voanews.com/a/russia-claims-there-is-no-famine-in-sudan-as-millions-suffer-from-acute-food-shortages/7933082.htmlThe United States and Britain announced sanctions against Russia's energy sector, including oil giant Gazprom Neft, in a move to reduce Russian revenues from energy. The US Treasury Department designated over 180 ships and the two companies, while the UK government targeted their profits, saying they were "lining Putin's war chest" for the conflict in Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky termed this as a significant blow to Moscow's war machine. The sanctions also drew reactions from other countries, including Japan, which imposed restrictions on 11 individuals and 54 companies in Russia and dozens of companies in other countries.
https://www.firstpost.com/world/us-uk-unveil-new-sanctions-against-russias-energy-sector-ahead-of-trumps-return-13851748.htmlVenezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado emerged from hiding to join hundreds of protesters in Caracas, demanding that opposition candidate Edmundo González be sworn in instead of President Nicolas Maduro, who was deemed a "dictator" by American lawmakers. The US government backed the efforts of the opposition leaders and called for González to be sworn in, rejecting Maduro's disputed election victory. In response, the US Treasury Department imposed new sanctions on high-ranking officials in the Maduro regime, including the head of Venezuela's state oil company PDVSA and the nation's transportation minister. The US also increased a reward for information leading to Maduro's arrest or conviction to $25 million.
https://www.foxnews.com/world/trump-issues-warning-maduro-venezuelan-leader-enters-third-term-us-expands-sanctionsThe US is increasing its focus on maritime transport and shipbuilding in response to growing concerns over China's maritime militia, a "shadow force" that has heightened tensions with the US. This move comes as China expands its covert naval capabilities, prompting increased scrutiny from the US government.
https://www.eurasiantimes.com/chinas-shadow-fleet-on-us-radar-inside/