Author: News Desk

Ukraine: The Ukrainian military has reportedly recaptured several strategic gas and oil drilling platforms from Russia in the Black Sea. It has been occupied by Moscow since 2015. According to Ukrainian military intelligence (GUR), the recapture of the Boyko Towers platforms takes back an asset that Russia seized during the annexation of Crimea and places Kyiv closer to retaking the occupied peninsula. The GUR said that Ukrainian forces had retaken the drilling platforms in a “unique operation.” “For Ukraine, regaining control of the Boyko Towers was of strategic importance, and, as a result, Russia lost the ability to use them…

Dominican Republic: The President of the Dominican Republic has announced the freezing of new visas for Haitians and threatened to close the border between the two countries amid rising tensions over a disputed canal. Mr. Luis Abinader issued the order, referring to construction work on a Haitian canal that Dominican officials say will divert water from the Massacre River, which runs in both countries. “If the conflict is not resolved before Thursday, officials will completely close the border to air, sea, and land commerce,” the government said in a statement. The announcement is the latest move in a long history…

France: French President Mr. Emmanuel Macron has visited Bangladesh to “consolidate” his country’s Indo-Pacific strategy and counterbalance a “new imperialism” in a region where China’s influence is growing. “Based on democratic principles and the rule of law, in a region facing new imperialism, we want to propose a third way—with no intention to bully our partners or to lead them to an unsustainable scheme,” Mr. Macron told Bangladeshi Prime Minister Ms. Sheikh Hasina. “Bangladesh is progressively retrieving its place on the world stage,” Mr. Macron said after he arrived in the capital, Dhaka, following the Group of 20 (G20) summit…

Brazil: Brazilian President Mr. Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has withdrawn his personal assurance that Russian President Mr. Vladimir Putin would not be arrested if he attended next year’s G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro. Mr. Lula added that it would be up to the judiciary to decide. During this year’s conference in Delhi, Mr. Lula extended an invitation for the Russian president to attend the November 2024 event. “What I can tell you is that, if I’m Brazil’s president, and if he comes to Brazil, there’s no reason he’ll be arrested,” Mr, Lula quoted. The President also raised doubts…

Spain: Mr. Luis Rubiales has resigned as President of the Spanish Football Federation following criticism over kissing Spain’s forward at the Women’s World Cup final presentation ceremony. Mr. Rubiales had been at the centre of a scandal that had gone far beyond Spain’s borders after he kissed Ms. Jenni Hermoso during the globally televised awards ceremony after Spain beat England to win the Women’s World Cup title. The 33-year-old Ms. Hermoso said the kiss after Spain beat England was not consensual, and she filed a legal complaint. Mr. Rubiales announced that he had submitted his resignation to the Federation’s Acting…

United States: US President Mr. Joe Biden and leading American tech companies, including Google and Intel will meet with Vietnamese business leaders. This meeting comes as both countries have agreed to strengthen their collaboration in response to mutual concerns related to China. Mr. Biden and the top leader of Vietnam’s ruling Communist Party have established a “comprehensive strategic partnership.” This move is part of Washington’s efforts to expand its alliance network across Asia and the Pacific to address the increasing influence of Beijing. The United States considers Vietnam, a strong manufacturing hub, a key element in its strategy to decrease…

United States: Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic has won his 24th Grand Slam title in the US Open final. The player defeated Russian player Daniil Medvedev. The 36-year-old player made history by winning his 24th major singles title in the Open Era. This achievement moved him ahead of Serena Williams, making him the first player to achieve this milestone. Djokovic is now the first player to achieve this milestone since the Open Era began in 1968.  It’s worth noting that Margaret Court also had 24 titles, but 13 of hers were won before professionals were allowed to participate in Slam…

Ethiopia: Egypt has expressed anger after Ethiopia announced that it has filled its Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) on the Nile. The dam has been the source of a long-running water dispute between Ethiopia and two downstream countries, Egypt and Sudan. Ethiopia has been in dispute with Egypt and Sudan over the megaproject since its launch in 2011. Egypt relies on the Nile for nearly all its water needs. Egypt’s Foreign Ministry commented that Ethiopia was disregarding the interests of the downstream countries. Ethiopia stated that the $4.2 billion dam would not cut off their share of Nile water. “It…

India: Mr. Rishi Sunak has challenged the Chinese premier Mr. Li Qiang over Chinese interference in the UK parliament after two men were arrested amid allegations that a parliamentary researcher spied for Beijing. The UK Prime Minister met Mr. Li on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Delhi in an unplanned meeting hours after reports revealed the researcher, who is understood to have had links to senior Conservative MPs, had been arrested along with another man. Downing Street said after the meeting that b”the prime minister met Premier Mr. Li Qiang and conveyed his significant concerns about Chinese interference…

Ukraine: Ukrainian authorities have reported downing more than two dozen Russian drones over the country’s capital, Kyiv. The statement comes after Russia’s Defence Ministry announced the destruction of eight Ukrainian drones near the annexed Crimean peninsula. The extent of the damage from the rival attacks was not immediately clear. Kyiv Mayor Mr. Vitali Klitschko stated that at least one person was wounded in the city’s historic Podil neighbourhood after a fire broke out near one of its parks. “Debris from downed drones fell on the Darnytskyi, Solomianskyi, Shevchenkivskyi, Sviatoshynskyi, and Podil districts,” Mr. Klitschko and the city’s military administration said.…