Category: World

(BBC): One of the richest monarchs in the world, President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahyan of the United Arab Emirates, has died at the age of 73. Sheikh Khalifa had been president of the UAE since 2004, but his role had been largely ceremonial since he suffered a stroke in 2014. His half-brother, Mohamed bin… Continue reading UAE President Sheikh Khalifa dies at 73

(BBC): Sri Lankan security forces have been ordered to shoot law-breakers on sight in a bid to quell anti-government protests on the island. Demonstrators are calling for the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa over the island’s worst economic crisis in history. On Monday, his brother, Mahinda Rajapaksa, stepped down as prime minister amid violent street… Continue reading Sri Lankan troops ordered to open fire on looters and vandals as protests continue

(BBC): Afghan women will have to wear the Islamic face veil for the first time in decades under a decree passed by the country’s ruling Taliban militants. Any woman who refuses to comply and ignores official warnings to male members of her family could see a male guardian jailed for three days. The Taliban enforced… Continue reading Taliban to force Afghan women to wear face veil

(BBC): Dozens of civilians have been evacuated from the Azovstal steelworks in Mariupol to Russian-controlled territory after weeks under siege. The massive industrial area is the last hold-out of Ukrainian troops in the strategically significant city. Russia said dozens of civilians have arrived in a village it controls. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said a large… Continue reading Mariupol civilian evacuation begins to Ukraine and Russia-held territories

(AP): Russia hit railway infrastructure across Ukraine on Monday with the aim of disrupting foreign weapons supplies, while the US declared it would provide more weapons despite Moscow’s objections. At least five people were killed and 18 wounded in Russian strikes in the Vinnytsia region, according to Ukrainian officials. The railways are also used by… Continue reading Ukraine round-up: Russia hits railways as US pledges extra weapons

BANGKOK (AP): Visitors to Thailand who are fully vaccinated against the coronavirus will no longer need to undergo any test or quarantine on arrival starting May 1, a measure the authorities hope will help rejuvenate the country’s lucrative tourism industry. “Many countries have already eased their restrictions,” Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said Friday. “We… Continue reading Thailand ends mandatory quarantine for vaccinated visitors

(BBC): A bomb attack on a Sunni mosque in the city of Kunduz in Afghanistan has killed 33 people and injured 43 others, including children, officials say. The attack on the Mawlawi Sekandar Sufi mosque is the second in as many days in the northern city. It follows four attacks across Afghanistan on Thursday –… Continue reading Afghanistan: Kunduz mosque attacked during Friday prayers

LVIV, Ukraine (AP): Russian forces launched missile attacks on the western city of Lviv and pounded other targets across Ukraine on Monday in what appeared to be an intensified bid to wear down the country’s defenses ahead of an all-out assault on the east. At least seven people were reported killed in Lviv, where plumes… Continue reading Russian strikes kill at least 7 in Lviv

The sinking of the Russian warship reduces Russia’s firepower in the Black Sea, although military analysts disagreed on the event’s significance to the course of the war. Either way, the loss was viewed as emblematic of Moscow’s fortunes in a seven-week invasion widely seen as a historic blunder following the retreat from the Kyiv region and much… Continue reading Russia loses warship, says attacks on Kyiv will increase

(BBC): Sri Lanka has said it will temporarily default on its foreign debts amid its worst economic crisis in over 70 years. Officials said the impact of the pandemic and the Ukraine war made it “impossible” to pay its creditors. The South Asian country has seen mass protests as it suffers food shortages, soaring prices… Continue reading Sri Lanka warns it will default on its foreign debt amid crisis