July 28, 2022

Daily News Brief

*) Türkiye inaugurates Joint Coordination Centre for Ukraine grain exports Türkiye has opened a joint coordination centre for Ukrainian grain exports under an Ankara-brokered deal aimed at resuming shipments halted in the aftermath of Russia's attacks on Ukraine. Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar unveiled the centre in front of reporters at a ceremony held at the National Defence University in Istanbul on Wednesday. The grain deal and the coordination centre will make "significant contributions" to overcoming the food crisis impacting the entire world, he said. *) ​​Russia 'redeploys' troops to south Ukraine, faces Kherson counter-attack Russian forces are conducting a "massive redeployment" of troops to three southern regions, according to a Ukrainian official. The Russian redeployment to the south appears to be a switch to strategic defence from offence, the official said, as Kiev's forces look to recapture Kherson. Meanwhile, Russian-backed forces said they captured the Vuhlehirsk power plant intact, in what was Moscow's first significant gain in more than three weeks. *) Kim Jong-un threatens to use nukes amid tensions with US, South Korea North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has warned he’s ready to use his nuclear weapons in potential military conflicts with the United States and South Korea, state media has said. Experts say North Korea will likely intensify its threats against the US and South Korea as the allies prepare to expand summertime military exercises. But while Kim has increasingly threatened his rivals with nuclear weapons, it’s unlikely that he would use them first against the superior militaries of the US and its allies, observers say. *) Attacks kill dozens of civilians, soldiers in Mali At least 66 people have been killed in attacks in Mali, according to security sources. A report on the fighting showed 54 dead, including six soldiers, and 25 soldiers wounded in south-central Mali. There were also reports of 12 fatalities in the Nara region near the Mauritanian border. The report said a coordinated response was orchestrated against the attackers, who were routed. The assessment of the attack is still ongoing, according to military authorities. *) Facebook parent Meta’s earnings drop, misses expectations Facebook parent company Meta has reported that its quarterly revenue dropped year-over-year for the first time ever, as its profit plunged by more than a third. Meta said revenue in the recently ended quarter ebbed a percent to $28.8 billion when compared to the same period a year ago, missing market expectations. The news reflects a troubled landscape for the social media powerhouse, which is battling the rising phenomenon of TikTok and a turbulent global economy.