International
Zelenski informs David Cameron of the course of the war in Ukraine
The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenski, has received in Kiev the British Foreign Minister, David Cameron, whom he has informed about the situation on the front and has requested that the new military aid package to Kiev announced by London last week arrive “as soon as possible” in Ukraine.
“I have informed the Foreign Minister about the situation on the front. It is important that the weapons contained in the United Kingdom support package announced last week arrive as soon as possible,” Zelenski wrote on his social networks.
“Before anything else, armored vehicles, ammunition and missiles of various types,” the Ukrainian head of state added about the material included in the package that Kiev needs more urgently.
Zelenski also visited the Jmelnitsky region (western Ukraine) on Friday and discussed with the civil and military authorities the security situation in this oblast, with special attention to air defenses and the means of electronic warfare and the protection of the nuclear power plant in the area.
London approved last month the largest military aid package in the United Kingdom so far for Ukraine. This aid item worth 580 million euros includes Storm Shadow long-range guided missile systems, more than 400 military vehicles, 1,600 defensive and attack missiles and four million units of ammunition.
This new British aid arrives at a particularly difficult time on the battlefield for Ukraine, which in recent weeks has had to give way in the eastern region of Donetsk due to enemy superiority in personnel and ammunition for artillery.
The United Kingdom will contribute with gas turbines, cogeneration technologies and mobile generators so that Kiev can face the consequences of Russian attacks on its energy infrastructures and decentralize the Ukrainian electricity generation system to make it less vulnerable.
In a statement published last night, Cameron announced his visit to Kiev and confirmed the sending of an energy support package to Ukraine worth 36 million pounds (41 million euros) and the supply of precision guided bombs and air defense equipment.
In just one week, Russia has destroyed or damaged much of the Ukrainian electricity generation infrastructure in a campaign of air strikes that Ukraine has not been able to repel due to its shortcomings in air defense.
In his meeting with Cameron in Kiev, Zelenski also spoke with the head of British diplomacy about the Global Peace Summit that Kiev organizes on June 15 and 16 in Switzerland to obtain the support of as many countries as possible for the so-called Ukrainian Peace Formula.
This document requires, among other things, the withdrawal of Russian troops from the invaded country and the restoration of the territorial integrity of Ukraine.
On the other hand, at least 546 children have died in Ukraine and 1,319 have been injured of various considerations as a result of the Russian military aggression against this country that began on February 24, 2022, according to data published today by the Ukrainian Prosecutor’s Office.
The most recent victims occurred this Thursday, according to the Prosecutor’s Office.
On the other hand, the Kremlin spokesman, Dmitri Peskov, described the “verbal escalation” of Paris and London about the conflict in Ukraine as dangerous and warned that it could pose a threat to the entire architecture of European security.
Peskov specifically alluded to the statements of the French president, Emmanuel Macron, about the possibility of sending troops to Ukraine and those of the head of the United Kingdom’s diplomacy, David Cameron, about the Ukrainian troops has the right to use British weapons to attack the territory of Russia.
International
UN warns Venezuela earthquakes could affect up to 6.76 million people
Up to 6.76 million people could be affected by the devastating earthquakes that struck Venezuela on June 24, according to an assessment released by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), a United Nations agency.
The organization said the projections are based on available population data and damage assessments, and include up to two million people living in Caracas, the country’s capital.
The estimates highlight the potentially massive humanitarian impact of the disaster, the IOM warned.
Entire buildings collapsed in La Guaira, a coastal area north of Caracas, following the powerful twin earthquakes that reached magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5 on Wednesday.
The national death toll has risen to 920, while rescue teams continue searching for people trapped beneath the rubble in coastal regions and other affected areas.
UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher told AFP on Friday that more than 50,000 people were reported missing.
The IOM also revealed that it worked with Microsoft’s artificial intelligence laboratory on an initial satellite mapping analysis, which showed that 31.5% of buildings in the town of Catia La Mar had suffered damage.
Authorities and international rescue teams continue operations as Venezuela faces one of its largest humanitarian emergencies in recent years.
International
United Nations Coordinates Relief Efforts as Venezuela Death Toll Rises After Twin Quakes
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Thursday expressed his condolences to the people of Venezuela following the two devastating earthquakes that struck the country and highlighted the ongoing coordination between UN humanitarian teams and interim President Delcy Rodríguez.
Speaking during the UN’s daily press briefing, spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said Guterres was deeply saddened by the loss of life and widespread destruction caused by the disaster.
“The Secretary-General is deeply distressed by the loss of life and the widespread devastation caused by the earthquakes that struck Venezuela yesterday. He extends his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and wishes a speedy recovery to those injured,” Dujarric stated.
Venezuela was struck on Wednesday by two powerful earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude. According to official figures, the disaster has left at least 164 people dead and 971 others injured.
Dujarric noted that preliminary reports indicate significant damage across several states, including the capital, Caracas. Numerous casualties have been reported, while other individuals remain trapped beneath collapsed structures or are still missing.
“Critical infrastructure has been damaged and essential services have been disrupted,” the spokesperson said.
The United Nations confirmed that its humanitarian team remains in close contact with interim President Delcy Rodríguez and other relevant authorities as emergency operations continue.
To support relief efforts, the UN has established a coordination center in Caracas and is assisting local authorities to ensure that humanitarian aid reaches affected communities as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Guterres also welcomed the expressions of solidarity and offers of assistance from countries around the world that responded following news of the disaster, underscoring the importance of international cooperation in addressing the humanitarian emergency.
International
OAS Secretary General Pledges Regional Assistance Following Venezuela Quake Disaster
The Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), Albert Ramdin, said on Thursday that the “hemispheric community” stands ready to provide “full support” to Venezuela and its people following the powerful earthquakes that struck the country overnight, leaving at least 164 people dead and nearly 1,000 injured.
Speaking at the conclusion of the OAS General Assembly, Ramdin expressed solidarity not only with Venezuela but also with Colombia, Curaçao and Aruba, where the tremors were also felt.
“Above all, our thoughts are with these peoples,” he said during his remarks.
Ramdin noted that while many details about the disaster are still emerging, countries across the hemisphere are prepared to assist Venezuela as it responds to the crisis.
“Much remains unknown at this stage, but the hemispheric community will be ready to support the people of Venezuela during this very difficult time,” he stated, reiterating the organization’s commitment to helping those affected.
According to updated information released by the Venezuelan government, the powerful earthquakes have been followed by at least 30 aftershocks. Authorities have also reported extensive structural damage, including numerous building collapses in La Guaira, the area considered hardest hit by the disaster.
Rescue efforts are currently focused on La Guaira, where emergency teams continue searching for survivors trapped beneath the rubble as officials assess the full extent of the damage.
UN warns Venezuela earthquakes could affect up to 6.76 million people
United Nations Coordinates Relief Efforts as Venezuela Death Toll Rises After Twin Quakes
OAS Secretary General Pledges Regional Assistance Following Venezuela Quake Disaster
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