World powers to meet with Iran at UN to push for nuclear talks: France
French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said ministers of UK, China, France, Germany and Russia will meet with Iran at UN later this week to try and resume stalled talks aimed at reviving 2015 nuclear deal. A sixth round of indirect talks between Iran and the US was halted in June after hardliner Ebrahim Raisi was elected Iran’s President.
EU court orders Poland to pay ₹4.3 crore daily until it shuts mine
A top European Union court ordered Poland to pay a daily fine of 500,000 euros (over ₹4.3 crore) until it complies with an earlier ruling to shut down Turow coal mine. The court said the daily fine is necessary to get Poland to comply. The closure was sought by the Czech Republic after citing damage to its communities.
Lava destroys 100 houses as volcano erupts on Spanish island
Around 100 homes were destroyed and more than 5,500 people were evacuated after lava began to flow from a volcano that erupted on Spain’s La Palma Island. No fatalities or injuries have been reported so far as the volcano continued to be active on Monday. Merchant shipping around La Palma has been halted as a precautionary measure.
Pro-Putin party wins majority in Russian parliamentary polls
The Russian Parliamentary election results showed that the ruling United Russia party, which supports President Vladimir Putin, has won more than two-thirds majority in the 450-seat State Duma. The party had received nearly 50% of the total votes. However, opponents have accused Russian authorities of mass fraud in the election following a crackdown on the opposition.
ISIS claims attack that led to power outage in Syria’s capital, Damascus
The Islamic State (ISIS) has claimed responsibility for an attack on a gas pipeline in Syria that caused a brief electricity outage in the capital Damascus, its outskirts and other areas. The pipeline feeds nearly 50% of the power plants in Syria, according to Syria’s Electricity Minister. Syria’s oil and gas infrastructure has faced repeated attacks during the civil war.
