International Desk
Russian shelling of Kherson leaves at least three dead
Russian shelling of Ukraine's southern city of Kherson left at least three people dead on Sunday, President Volodymyr Zelensky said, while a strike on Kharkiv killed one person, according to the regional governor, reports AFP.
Somali forces kill over 300 al-Shabab militants in week-long operations
Somalia's security forces have killed more than 300 al-Shabab militants, including two commanders, during week-long military operations across the country, officials said on Wednesday, reports XINHUA.
Nearly 600 Russian diplomats expelled from Western countries since Feb 2022
As many as 574 Russian diplomats have been expelled from Western countries and some of the US Pacific allies since February 24, 2022 under various pretexts, both those linked with the situation in Ukraine and on accusations of conducting activities incompatible with the status of diplomats, according to TASS calculations.
'Invasion Day' rallies mark divisive national holiday in Australia
Thousands protested Australia's increasingly divisive national day Thursday as the public debates whether the country's Indigenous population should be recognised within the constitution, reports AFP.
Like Germany, US will provide heavy tanks to Ukraine
The United States announced Wednesday that it will provide 31 Abrams tanks to help Ukraine repel Russia's invasion, mirroring a similar move by Germany and fulfilling a long-running request from Kyiv, reports AFP.
One killed in Nepal quake
One person was killed and two were injured after an earthquake struck western Nepal on Tuesday, reports AFP.
Five regional governors, four deputy ministers dismissed in Ukraine
Five regional governors and four deputy ministers are stepping down in Ukraine against the backdrop of several corruption scandals, a senior official said Tuesday, reports AFP.
Erdogan warns Sweden on NATO after Holy Quran burning
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned Sweden on Monday that it should not expect his backing to join NATO following the burning of the Holy Quran outside Ankara's embassy in Stockholm, reports AFP.
Russia and NATO member Estonia expel envoys, downgrade relations
Russia said on Monday it was downgrading diplomatic relations with NATO member Estonia, accusing it of "total Russophobia", and Tallinn responded by telling Moscow's envoy to the Baltic nation to leave, reports Reuters.
Erdogan announces elections for May 14
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has announced that Turkey's elections will be held on May 14 -- a month earlier than scheduled -- as the opposition still searches for a unified candidate to stand against him, reports AFP.
Germany ready to let Poland send Leopard tanks to Ukraine
Germany is ready to authorise Poland to send German-made Leopard tanks to Ukraine to help Kyiv fight the Russian invasion if Warsaw makes such a request, Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said Sunday, reports AFP.
Swedish prime minister condemns Holy Quran burning
Sweden's prime minister has condemned as "deeply disrespectful" the weekend burning of a Quran, the holy book of Muslims, in Stockholm, which has raised tensions with Turkey as the Nordic country courts Ankara over its NATO bid, reports AFP.
Nine dead in mass shooting in California
Nine people have died in a mass shooting in a predominantly Asian city in southern California, local law enforcement said Sunday reports AFP.
66 women, children kidnapped by extremists are freed in Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso's army has freed 66 women and children who were abducted earlier this month by Islamic extremists while gathering food in the country's northern Sahel region, according to a state television report Friday, reports AP.
UK PM Rishi Sunak fined for not using a seat belt
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was fined by police on Friday (January 20, 2023) for taking off his seat belt to film a social media video in a moving car, reports AP.