August 26, 2022

*) US warns Moscow not to divert power from Ukraine nuclear plant The United States has warned Russia against diverting energy from Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, which Kiev says was cut off from its grid. Ukraine’s state energy operator said the nuclear plant held by Moscow's troops was disconnected from the national power supply. Kiev said the electricity produced at the plant belongs to Ukraine, and any attempt to redirect the plant to occupied areas is unacceptable. *) Türkiye, Finland, and Sweden to meet over Nordic NATO bid Türkiye, Finland, and Sweden are set to hold their first meeting on a permanent joint mechanism between the three countries over the Nordic countries’ NATO bids. The permanent joint mechanism was established for the implementation of a memorandum signed by the three countries at the NATO summit in Madrid. With the memorandum, Finland and Sweden extended full support to Türkiye against threats to its national security. To that effect, Helsinki and Stockholm will not provide support to the terrorist organisations, namely YPG/PYD, and FETO. *) Algeria, France agree to open new page in relations Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron agree to opening a new page in bilateral relations following a meeting in Algiers. Tebboune said he discussed many issues with Macron on bilateral cooperation and ways to develop relations in a "constructive" way, hoping for "encouraging results." Macron said the two countries’ complex and painful common history had prevented them from looking to the future. *) Pakistan declares national emergency as floods leave at least 1,000 dead Pakistan has declared a national emergency amid historic monsoon rains and flooding which has affected more than 30 million people over the last few weeks. Sherry Rehman, the country's climate change minister, called the situation a "climate-induced humanitarian disaster of epic proportions". The military was ordered to send troops to assist the civil administration