Anti-Putin Russians say they launched a cross-border attack from Ukraine. Here’s what we know
An apparent attack on Russian soil by anti-Putin Russians, fighting in support of Ukraine, has sparked confusion and anger in Moscow.
Residents of the settlements under attack in Russia’s Belgorod region have been resettled in other areas as authorities continue “clearing the territory” after the cross-border incursion that launched in Ukraine, officials said on Tuesday.
But questions linger about the group behind the attack, how it took place, and what it means for the war.
Here’s what you need to know.
What has happened in Belgorod?
The two groups of anti-Putin Russian nationals, who are fighting in Ukraine as part of Kyiv’s defense forces, the Freedom for Russia Legion and Russian Volunteer Corps, claimed responsibility for the attack in Russian’s southwestern region of Belgorod, which borders north-eastern Ukraine.
“Residential and administrative buildings and civilian infrastructure were subjected to mortar and artillery fire. As a result of these criminal actions, several civilians were wounded,” Russia’s Investigative Committee said on Telegram as it announced an investigation into the attack.
Spanish police make arrests over ‘hate crimes’ targeting Vinícius Júnior
Three detained after racist slurs directed at Real Madrid forward, with four more held over mannequin hanging from bridge
Spanish police have arrested three people in connection with the racist abuse suffered by Real Madrid’s Brazilian forward Vinícius Júnior during a match with Valencia on Sunday, and detained a further four suspects over an effigy of the player that was hung from a bridge in Madrid four months ago.
In a brief statement on Tuesday morning, the Policía Nacional said three young men had been arrested in Valencia over the “racist behaviour” that took place during the match at the city’s Mestalla stadium.
Russia extends sentence of jailed US journalist — reports
Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich was detained in March by Russian authorities on spying charges. He denies the allegations, with the US urging his release.
A Russian court on Tuesday extended the jail sentence of imprisoned US reporter Evan Gershkovich by three months, Russian news agencies reported.
Gershkovich has been accused of collecting state secrets about Russia's military industrial complex, which he denies. The charges carry a possible 20-year prison sentence.
His parents were at the Lefortovo court in Moscow for the hearing, according to a CNN reporter who was present.
US calls for Gershkovich's immediate release
White House national security spokesperson John Kirby on Tuesday reiterated his calls for Gershkovich to be released.
"He shouldn’t be detained at all. Journalism is not a crime. He needs to be released immediately," Kirby told CNN.
Sudan's ceasefire in danger as fighting continues in Khartoum
Artillery fire could be heard in parts of Khartoum and warplanes flew overhead on Tuesday, residents said, raising fears that intense fighting would erupt and shatter Sudanese hopes raised by an internationally-monitored ceasefire.
Some other residents reported relative calm early on Tuesday, the first full day of a truce that is being tracked by Saudi Arabia and the United States and is meant to allow for the delivery of humanitarian relief.
Activists wrote to the United Nations envoy to Sudan complaining of severe human rights abuses against civilians that they said took place as the fighting raged.
After five weeks of fierce battles between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), the warring factions on Saturday agreed to a seven-day truce that began at 9:45 p.m. (1945 GMT) on Monday, aimed to allow for the delivery of aid.
What to expect after change of Iran’s top security official?
Ali Akbar Ahmadian, a senior commander in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, is the new secretary of the Supreme National Security Council.
Iran has appointed a new top security official for the first time in nearly a decade, a move analysts say could affect how it approaches its main foreign policy files and reflects the rising influence of conservative voices in the country’s establishment.
Ali Akbar Ahmadian, a senior commander in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), on Monday, replaced Ali Shamkhani as the secretary of the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC).
Ahmadian was also appointed as one of the two representatives of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in the SNSC, which plays a key role in shaping Iran’s foreign and national security policies. The other direct representative is Saeed Jalili, the SNSC secretary between 2007 and 2013 who has traditionally advocated for a tougher stance against the West and is an opponent of the country’s 2015 nuclear deal with world powers.
The woman who travelled seven hours by camel to give birth
When Mona's contractions hit, a camel became her lifeline.
Mona, 19, expected the 40km (25-mile) journey to the hospital would take four hours from her home on top of rocky mountains. But with no roads - suffering labour pains and in bad weather - it took seven hours instead.
"With every step the camel took forward, I was torn apart," she said.
When the camel could go no further, Mona dismounted and trudged the final leg of her journey on foot with her husband.
In north-west Yemen's Mahweet province, Bani Saad hospital is the only surviving health facility for thousands of women. From Mona's house, in Al-Maaqara village, the facility can only be reached through treacherous mountains on camels or by foot.
While clinging to her ride, Mona feared for her safety and that of her unborn child.
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