Russia, Ukraine agree to exchange 1,200 POWs each in Istanbul talks

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The third round of ceasefire talks between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul ended swiftly on Wednesday, with no ceasefire reached, but progress was made on additional prisoner exchanges.

The two delegations met for approximately 40 minutes at Istanbul's Ciragan Palace and discussed further prisoner swaps, but remained far apart on the terms of a ceasefire and a possible meeting of their leaders.

Both sides agreed to advance a prisoner-of-war exchange, committing to release at least 1,200 more POWs each, including severely wounded soldiers and civilians.

Russia's chief delegate, Vladimir Medinsky, said the bodies of 3,000 Ukrainian soldiers will also be returned.

Discussions reportedly included cases of abducted children.

Ukraine's delegation, led by Rustem Umerov, proposed a direct summit between Presidents Zelenskyy and Putin by the end of August; however, Russia suggested forming online working groups on military, political, and humanitarian issues instead.

The UN's top legal body, the International Court of Justice, has ruled that countries that fail to meet their climate commitments may be violating international law and could face paying reparations to countries suffering the consequences.

In a unanimous advisory opinion delivered on Wednesday, the ICJ declared that wealthy and high-emitting nations are legally obliged to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, curb fossil fuel production and subsidies, and establish ambitious climate plans linked to the Paris Agreement.

Judge Yuji Iwasawa emphasized that a "clean, healthy, and sustainable environment" is a recognized human right and that failure to take adequate climate action may amount to internationally wrongful conduct, leading to reparations for states harmed by climate impacts.

The advisory is non-binding, but small island nations and low-lying states, as well as environmental groups, celebrated the landmark ruling.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also welcomed the decision, describing it as a "victory for our planet."

The UN World Food Programme announced on Wednesday that food and nutrition supplies in north-eastern Nigeria have been completely depleted, putting 1.3 million people at risk by the end of July.

The depletion is primarily due to significant funding shortfalls, largely resulting from major donor cuts, particularly from the U.S. Agency for International Development, which previously contributed approximately 45% of the region's budget.

Over 150 nutrition clinics in Borno and Yobe states are also being closed, halting treatment for more than 300,000 malnourished children.

The aid agency needs 131 million U.S. dollars to restart operations in the region this year.

Chongqing Zoo in China's southwest celebrated the third birthday of a pair of twin giant pandas this week.

The twins, named Yu Ke, the brother, and Yu Ai, the sister, were born on July 22, 2022.

A special birthday party was designed to help them stay cool in the region's summer heat, with frozen fruit cake sculptures, bamboo ice treats, and chilled play areas.

While Yu Ai was resting in a non-exhibition zone due to a mild eye condition,

Chongqing Zoo officials stated that both pandas are thriving, healthy, and remain popular attractions.

Choi Chi-hee, Arirang News.