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Ukraine
RUSSIA’S foreign ministry has rejected a proposal by UN Secretary-general António Guterres to demilitarise the area around the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine, saying it would make the facility “more vulnerable”. The plant was captured by Russia in March, shortly after President Vladimir Putin ordered troops into Ukraine in a “special military operation”. Fears have grown in recent weeks over its safety and the risks of a possible Fukushimastyle nuclear accident after Ukraine and Russia accused each other of shelling it. Guterres had earlier this month called for the withdrawal of military personnel and equipment from the power station and for “a safe perimeter of demilitarisation.” | Reuters
Israel
ISRAELI security forces raided the offices of multiple Palestinian human rights groups in the occupied West Bank this week, which the state has branded “terrorist organisations”. The military said soldiers and police officers “closed seven institutions and confiscated property” in the overnight raids. At the Ramallah offices of human rights group Al Haq, the front door had been welded shut for “security reasons”. “Any activity in this place jeopardises the security of the area, of the security forces and of public order,” a statement read. A priest said an Anglican church on the building’s ground floor was damaged as troops sought to access the Al Haq offices. | AFP
Chad
TWO exiled rebel leaders returned to Chad this week before the start of landmark talks aimed at paving the way for elections after 18 months of military rule. Timan Erdimi, pictured centre, and Mahamat Nouri will be key participants at an “inclusive national dialogue” opening in N’djamena today. The brainchild of junta chief General Mahamat Idriss Deby, the forum will gather 1 400 delegates from the military government, civil society, opposition parties, trade unions and rebel groups. Deby took power in April last year at the age of just 37 after his father, who ruled for 30 years, was killed during a military operation against rebels. Erdimi, the head of the Union of Resistance Forces, has been living in exile in Qatar for at least a decade. | AFP