News in Brief-(2023-08-18)

Israel clinches largest-ever defence
deal with Germany for $3.5 billion
JERUSALEM, Aug 17: Israel's Defense Ministry said Thursday it has secured its largest-ever defense deal selling a sophisticated missile defense system to Germany for $3.5 billion after the United States approved the deal. Although Israel has long had close economic and military links with western European countries, the deal with Germany could draw the attention of Russia, which Israel has maintained working relations with throughout the war in Ukraine. Israel has repeatedly rebuffed requests to sell arms to Ukraine for fear of antagonizing Russia. Germany will buy the advanced defense system, coined Arrow 3, which is designed to intercept long-range ballistic missiles. — AP
10 killed in light plane crash
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 17: A light plane crashed into a street in Malaysia's central Selangor state on Thursday, killing eight people on board and two motorists on the ground, the local police chief said. "For now, I can say at least 10 people were killed in the plane crash. Two passing motorists-one in a car and one on a motorcycle-also perished together with the eight on board the plane," Mohamad Iqbal Ibrahim told AFP. Malaysia's civil aviation authority said in a statement that six passengers and two flight crew were on board the aircraft when it crashed, although it did not confirm any casualties. — AFP
Ukraine claims gains on SE front
KYIV, Aug 17: The Ukrainian military on Thursday claimed more success in its counter-offensive against Russian forces on the southeastern front, a day after announcing the liberation of a village that had served as a Russian strongpoint. The military said Ukraine had made progress to the south of Urozhaine, a village in Donetsk region that Kyiv said on Wednesday it had retaken as it tries to build momentum for a southward push into occupied areas towards the Sea of Azov. "In the direction south of Urozhaine they (Ukrainian troops) had success," military spokesman Andriy Kovaliov said on national television.—Reuters
Iran's FM in Riyadh for talks
TEHRAN, Aug 17: Iranian Foreign Minister (FM) Hossein Amir-Abdollahian arrived Thursday in Riyadh, his first official Saudi trip since a landmark rapprochement in March, state media reported. A Chinese-brokered deal saw the long-time rivals agreeing to restore diplomatic relations and reopen their respective embassies. Shiite-dominated Iran and Sunni Muslim Saudi Arabia had severed ties in 2016 after Saudi diplomatic missions in the Islamic republic were attacked during protests over Riyadh's execution of Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr. — AFP
WHO holds traditional medicine summit
NEW DELHI, Aug 17: The World Health Organization holds its first summit on traditional medicine on Thursday, with warnings that treatments rooted in natural products can be effective alternative healthcare only if scientifically proven. Traditional medicines are a "first port of call for millions of people worldwide", the UN health agency said, with the talks in India bringing together policymakers and academics. — AFP