Day: June 2, 2023

The United States reaffirmed commitment to “full and mutual implementation” of the New START Treaty (Measures for the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms), signed with Russia in April 2010. “Consistent with that commitment, the United States has adopted lawful countermeasures in response to the Russian Federation’s ongoing violations of the New START Treaty,” the US Dept. of State said in a press release on Thursday.

“The Russian Federation’s purported suspension of the New START Treaty is legally invalid. As a result, Russia remains bound by its New START Treaty obligations, and is violating the Treaty by failing to fulfill many of those obligations,” according to the statement.

“US countermeasures are fully consistent with international law. “They are proportionate, reversible, and meet all other legal requirements. International law permits such measures in order to induce a state to return to compliance with its international obligations.

“The United States notified Russia of the countermeasures in advance, and conveyed the United States’ desire and readiness to reverse the countermeasures and fully implement the treaty if Russia returns to compliance.

“The United States remains ready to work constructively with Russia on resuming implementation of the New START Treaty,” it added.

Source: Kuwait News Agency

Kuwait Fire Force (KFF) crews managed to put out a fire that engulfed a used tires dumping site in Al-Salmi “without injuries.” Five squads, along with defense ministry machinery and support, have joined hands to put out the blazes raging at the 3,000-sqm location, the KFF said in a statement.

Source: Kuwait News Agency

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was named president of the Region II (Asia) of the U.N. World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and member of the Executive Council as of the beginning of 2024, thanks to the support it received from regional and international member states.

The Kingdom was declared president of WMO Region II — covering the entire Asian continent, a vast expanse of the Indian Ocean, and part of the Pacific Ocean — during the 19th session of the World Meteorological Congress, the supreme body of WMO, which was held in Geneva from May 22 to June 2.

The CEO of the National Center of Meteorology (NCM), Dr. Ayman Ghulam, represented the Kingdom at the annual meeting.

The Saudi delegation to the conference acquainted participants with the Kingdom’s regional and international roles in metrology and climate as well as the Saudi and Middle East Green Initiatives, which have been hailed by WMO participants and leaders.

Source: Saudi Press Agency