International

NATO appoints outgoing Dutch PM Mark Rutte as its next secretary

NATO appointed Mark Rutte as its next secretary-general on Wednesday, putting the outgoing Dutch prime minister in charge of the world’s biggest security organization at a critical time for European security as war rages in Ukraine, AP reports.

Rutte’s appointment was sealed by NATO ambassadors during a meeting at the 32-nation alliance’s headquarters in Brussels. U.S. President Joe Biden and his counterparts will formally welcome him to their table at a summit in Washington on July 9-11.

The outgoing Dutch premier will take over from the current secretary general, Norway’s Jens Stoltenberg, on Oct. 1. Stoltenberg spent more than a decade at the helm. His mandate was repeatedly extended, in part to provide continuity after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.

“I warmly welcome NATO allies’ choice of Mark Rutte as my successor,” Stoltenberg said.

“Mark is a true trans-Atlanticist, a strong leader, and a consensus-builder. I wish him every success as we continue to strengthen NATO for the challenges of today and tomorrow. I know I am leaving NATO in good hands,” he added.

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EXIT-POLL presidential elections in Romania// Marcel Ciolacu and Elena Lasconi, in the second round
International

EXIT-POLL presidential elections in Romania// Marcel Ciolacu and Elena Lasconi, in the second round

The two finalists of the first round of the presidential elections on November 24, 2024 are Marcel Ciolacu (PSD) and Elena Lasconi (USR), shows a CIRA-AVANGARDE-INSOMAR poll, conducted when voters left the polls, at 7:00 p.m. The poll was conducted only on Romanian territory and does not include the diaspora, reports news.ro.

Ukraine imports electricity from five countries, including the Republic of Moldova, on Sunday
International

Ukraine imports electricity from five countries, including the Republic of Moldova, on Sunday

Ukraine is importing electricity from five countries, including Moldova, as of Sunday. The Ministry of Energy of Ukraine announced that the total volume of electricity imports reached 8,500 MWh, with a capacity of 711 MW.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs about the death of the rabbi of the Jewish community in Abu Dhabi: We firmly condemn any act of violence and anti-Semitism
Social

Ministry of Foreign Affairs about the death of the rabbi of the Jewish community in Abu Dhabi: We firmly condemn any act of violence and anti-Semitism

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Chisinau has confirmed the death of Zvi Kogan, the rabbi of the Jewish community in Abu Dhabi. Kogan was a citizen of both Israel and the Republic of Moldova and lived in the United Arab Emirates under Moldovan citizenship with resident status. Following the discovery of his lifeless body, three individuals were detained by the Emirati authorities.