Foreign News
Zelensky Makes Surprise Trip to Jeddah for Arab League Summit
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky landed in Saudi Arabia on Friday for a surprise appearance at the annual Arab League summit, which will also feature Syrian President Bashar al-Assad after years being excluded.
Saudi state television broadcaster al-Ekhbariya showed footage of Zelensky being welcomed at an airport in the coastal city of Jeddah.
He had travelled to Jeddah aboard a French plane from Poland, according to the Saudi-owned TV Al Arabiya.
Zelensky confirmed the visit, tweeting: “Beginning my first-ever visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to enhance bilateral relations and Ukraine’s ties with the Arab world.”
He wrote he would discuss “political prisoners in Crimea and temporarily occupied territories, the return of our people, peace formula [and] energy cooperation.
”Saudi Arabia “plays a significant role and we are ready to take our cooperation to a new level,” Zelensky continued.
Saudi Arabia has repeatedly offered to mediate between Russia and Ukraine. Last year, Riyadh said it helped with the release of prisoners of war.
The kingdom and its Gulf neighbours have so far resisted Western pressure to cut ties with Russia since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine last year.
Zelensky will also travel to Japan to join the G7 summit in Hiroshima this weekend, top Ukrainian officials said on Friday.
Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine is among the main topics of the meeting.
In Jeddah, Zelensky will share the spotlight with al-Assad, who is being welcomed back into the fold.
Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz invited Assad to the summit last week following the bloc’s decision to readmit Syria to the Arab League, more than a decade after its membership was suspended amid its civil war.
For the once-ostracized Syrian president, who has been accused of war crimes including the use of chemical weapons, the invitation marks a huge success.
In the West, talks with the Syrian ruler are still off the table, after extensive sanctions were imposed 12 years ago in response to his crackdown on anti-government protests that later resulted in a civil war that drew in foreign powers. (NAN)
Russia has attacked Ukraine for the second consecutive night with heavy airstrikes involving various weapon types, initial reports from Ukrainian authorities said on Monday morning.At least five people were killed, two due to a rocket strike on a hotel in Kryvyi Rih and three others due to drone attacks on Zaporizhzhya, they said.
According to the Ukrainian Air Force, the Russian army once again used long-range bombers, launching cruise missiles. Hypersonic missiles of the Kinzhal (Dagger) type were also fired.The attacks were primarily aimed at Ukraine’s energy system, analysts observed.On Monday, Russia launched an attack on Ukraine involving 127 missiles and cruise missiles, along with over 100 combat drones.This was the highest number reported by the Ukrainian military in two and a half years of conflict. (dpa/NAN)
From Attah Ede, Makurdi
A broad spectrum of electricity customers in Benue State yesterday, commended Jos Electricity Distribution Plc for delivering consistent, stable and reliable services in the region.They gave the commendation during a radio interactive program on Brothers FM and monitored by our correspondent, heralding the launch of a customer consultative forum in Gboko, the traditional capital of the Tiv nation.
His Royal Highness, Ikpa Ahua, representing the paramount ruler of Gboko, led the commendations. He praised the company’s significant improvement in electricity supply over the past few months, noting its positive impact on local businesses.Ahua also appreciated the company’s metering policy, which has increased access to prepaid meters for customers.He however lamented the frequent cases of vandalism of electricity installations and pledged to intensify efforts to safeguard these facilities.Other dignitaries, including Prince Makir Zakpe, Kindred head of Gboko South, Zaki Amachi Terkimbi and Zaki Linus, also commended the company’s efficient service.In his opening remarks, Pastor Emma Ameh who represented the Managing Director, Engr Abdu Bello Mohammed, urged customers to settle their energy bills promptly, given the improvements in service delivery.He emphasized the need for customers to fulfill their obligations to enable the company to continue meeting its energy delivery mandate.Presentations by Lucky Akpobi, Head of Customer Complaints and Relationship Management, and Comrade Ojochide Matthew Agbata, Regional Manager of Makurdi, highlighted the benefits of prepaid meters in resolving billing disputes.Head, Corporate Communications, Dr. Friday Adakole Elijah, emphasized the importance of vigilance in combating energy theft and vandalism, urging customers to report suspicious activities to the company or law enforcement agencies.
Two French pilots died when their military jets collided mid-flight in eastern France, the nation’s Air Force said in a post on X.
The two Rafale fighter jets were returning from a mission in Germany when they collided near Colombey-les-Belles, close to the city of Nancy, Wednesday’s post said.
A third pilot ejected safely and was quickly found, unharmed, the post said.
French President, Emmanuel Macron, expressed the country’s condolences to the families of the two pilots.
The aircraft were stationed in Saint-Dizier, in eastern France.
No details were initially provided regarding the cause of the accident. (dpa/NAN)
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