World's First Gene-Edited Children Living 'Normal' Lives: Chinese Genetic Scientist

The world's first gene-edited children are living "normal" and "peaceful" life with their parents, Chinese genetic scientist He Jiankui told a Chinese newspaper on Tuesday.

The scientist noted that he did not want the children to be bothered for the purpose of scientific research, adding that "the happiness of the children and their families should come first." He added that after the children turned 18, they would decide for themselves whether to undergo medical examinations or not.

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Norway Procures New Leopard Tanks From Germany Bringing Hot Arms Debate to a Close

Norway has decided to acquire 54 German Leopard 2A7 main battle tanks, bringing a bitter debate between the military and politicians over funding priorities to a close.

In recent years, Norway has maintained a close military collaboration with Germany, including submarine cooperation. The bilateral engagements between Oslo and Berlin received a shot in the arm after the conflict in Ukraine began, as Norway replaced Russia as the EU's biggest supplier of gas.

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🇹🇷 📹 According to Sputnik's correspondent in the region, there could be as many as 30 people under the rubble in this building in the province of Kahrman, Turkey.

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Ukraine's Accession to EU Would Add Chaos That Is Already in Abundance, Medvedchuk Says

The EU did not want to take in such a large and unsettled country as Ukraine, but not because it is a poor country — Ukraine is not deprived of either natural resources or hardworking people, the politician noted.

"The problem is that the European Union could not cope with the management of the countries that had already joined it. The addition of another large country would add chaos, which is already in abundance," Medvedchuk wrote in an article for Sputnik.

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🇹🇷 Search and rescue operations and rubble removal continue in the city of Elbistan, Turkey. A number of buildings received serious damage, others were completely destroyed

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🇹🇷 📹 Sputnik's correspondent has released footage showing the consequences of the earthquakes which devastated the Turkish city of Elbistan

The most recent casualty figures in Turkey are 6,957 dead and 38,224 injured.

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❗️ Death toll from earthquake in Turkey rises to 7,108, another 40,910 injured, the authorities said

🇷🇺 🇸🇾 Russia’s MoD has published footage showing personnel from the Russian Reconciliation Center for Syria providing humanitarian aid to victims of the earthquake in Syria's Aleppo province.

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🇷🇺🇹🇷 Social media users from Turkey have shared footage of the Russian Be-200 aircraft hovering near the port of Iskenderun, where it has arrived to help put out major fire spots resulting from the earthquakes

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🇹🇷📹 In the Turkish city of Elbistan, a female student is stuck under the rubble. Footage shows rescuers talking to her as they hurry to save her.

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🇹🇷 📹 The video shows a volunteer from Istanbul who came to Elbistan as part of the AFAD brigade.

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Exceptions From EU's Oil Price Caps Show Russian Oil in Demand in Europe, Russian Official Says

Exceptions from the oil price caps set by the EU show that Russian oil and oil products are in demand in Europe, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said on Wednesday, adding that the actions of EU politicians are illogical.

"Yesterday, another amendment to the EU regulations — exceptions — was released. It emphasizes once again that our oil products and oil are in demand in Europe," Novak told reporters, noting that "European politicians once again have shown that their actions defy any logic."

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Quran-Burning Raises Risk of Terrorism, Norwegian Security Service Warns

Norway's Police Security Service (PST) has warned against Quran burning over the signal it could potentially send to Islamists across the world.

According to PST assistant chief Hedvig Moe, torching Islam's holy book could lead to Norway becoming "a target for Islamic extremists." Moe also ventured that "a momentary snapshot may affect the perception of the situation at home and abroad."

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West's Irresponsible Ukraine Policies Lead to Greater Risks to Global Stability: Russian Ambassador

Russian Ambassador to Canada Oleg Stepanov on Wednesday outlined the reasons why it was unavoidable for Russia to undertake a special military operation in Ukraine and warned that the longer Western countries continue promoting their irresponsible policies, the greater the threats to global stability.

"The longer the West continues ignoring the will of its constituents and proceeds with its irresponsible policies, the greater the risks to global stability," Stepanov said in an opinion piece published on the Russian embassy’s social media accounts.

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❗️ 📹 Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is to hold a joint press-conference with his Mauritanian counterpart, Mohamed Salem Ould Merzoug, after holding talks in the country's capital Nouakchott.

Stay tuned and watch the live stream on our Telegram channel!

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China Not Avoiding Competition With US, Stands for Cooperation: Foreign Ministry

China is not afraid of competing with the United States, but is convinced that healthy and stable relations between the countries are in the interests of Beijing and Washington, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said on Wednesday.

A healthy and stable relationship between the US and China "is in the fundamental interests of the peoples of the two countries" and is also the common expectation of the international community, Mao added.

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