Russia is preparing to take parts of Ukraine as its war on that country has continued since February, a US official said Tuesday.

- Russia is laying the groundwork to annex Ukrainian territory that it controls in direct violation of Ukraine sovereignty. We're seeing ample evidence and the intelligence in the public domain that Russia intends to try to annex additional Ukrainian territory - John Kirby, National Security Council coordinator for strategic communications, said at a news conference.&nbsp;Kirby said Russia is beginning to roll out a version of annexation that is similar to the annexation of Crimea in 2014.
- Russia is installing illegitimate proxy officials in the areas of Ukraine that are under its control - he said.
The Biden administration official said officials will "arrange sham referenda on adjoining Russia, then Russia will use those sham referenda as a basis to try to claim annexation of sovereign Ukrainian territory."&nbsp;The Russian government, said Kirby, is reviewing detailed plans, which he said include the regions of Kherson, Donetsk and Luhansk.He also said Russia is readying conditions to establish branches of Russian banks and establish the ruble as the default currency in those areas and sabotage civilian internet access.
- Russia has taken control of broadcasting towers, establishing loyalist security forces, replacing telecommunications infrastructure, forcing residents to apply for Russian citizenship and issuing Russian passports - he added.

'We're seeing ample evidence and the intelligence in the public domain, says National Security Council official

Russia laying groundwork to annex parts of Ukraine, says US

Police in Malawi’s capital Lilongwe arrested 76 people Wednesday who were protesting against the judicial system’s slow processing of corruption cases and the high cost of living.&nbsp;Law enforcement officers fired teargas at the demonstrators, who defied a court order to stop the rally.The High Court of Malawi granted an injunction Tuesday sought by the Malawian business community that stops people from holding demonstrations.&nbsp;But protesters, angered by the court’s decision, mobilized and started marching.&nbsp;Thousands took to the streets and burned vehicle tires, threw stones at motorists and looted shops.Demonstrators chanted anti-government songs and demanded President Lazarus Chakwera to take action against unfair sentences handed down by the judiciary, especially against the poor.
- A number of shops in town and residential areas were looted, but we are yet to assess the extent of the damage - said police spokesman Hastings Chigalu.
Four leaders of the Human Rights Ambassadors group were arrested for inciting violence, unlawful assembly and contempt of court, according to Chigalu.&nbsp;The group organized protests against what they called “selective justice” by the judiciary and demanded Chakwera’s resignation.It accuses the president of not dealing with the high cost of living and corruption.&nbsp;Chakwera, a preacher-turned-politician, came to power in 2020 on the promise of “clearing the rubble” of corruption in government.The Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC) said it is monitoring the events.
- A court order has stopped the demonstrations, but still we are keenly following the emerging issues through media, and we are currently working with relevant authorities to establish the facts - said spokeswoman Kate Kujaliwa.
Rights activist Kingsley Mpaso said the group is working to vacate the injunction against the demonstrations.

Thousands burn vehicle tires, throw stones at motorists, loot shops in nation's capital

Demonstrators chanted anti-government songs

Police in Malawi arrest 76 over anti-judiciary protests

Russia has lost an estimated 15,000 troops so far in its war against Ukraine, CIA Director William Burns said Wednesday.

Speaking at the Aspen Security Forum in Colorado, Burns said he believed Russian President Vladimir Putin was wrong in his assumption that he could fracture the NATO alliance before the war began.
- I think the latest estimates from the US intelligence community would be something in the vicinity of 15,000 killed and maybe three times that wounded. So a quite significant set of losses - he said.
He also noted that Ukrainians have suffered as well in the ongoing war.&nbsp;Burns also said the Russian leader faces an alliance that is just about to add Finland and Sweden.&nbsp;Putin thought he could establish his dominance over Ukraine very quickly, he added.Over 5,100 civilians have been killed in Ukraine since the beginning of the war on Feb. 24 this year, according to UN figures.
At least 16 million people in Ukraine have also been forced to flee their homes, including around 9.2 million that have fled to other countries.

Putin was wrong in thinking he could fracture NATO alliance, says William Burns

Over 5,100 civilians have been killed in Ukraine

CIA chief says around 15,000 Russian troops killed so far in Ukraine war

Sri Lanka’s acting President and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on Thursday was sworn in as the new president of the country that is grappling with its worst financial crisis.

Wickremesinghe on Wednesday secured 134 votes in the 225-member parliament of the island nation.&nbsp;A six-time prime minister, Wickremesinghe was sworn in as the eighth president by Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya at the country's parliament complex.Wickremesinghe had told reporters on Wednesday that he wanted to bring everyone together "so that a national consensus is formed." He also said he is a "friend of people" and "not a friend" of the Rajapaksa clan.&nbsp;Sri Lankans reportedly blame the Rajapaksa political dynasty for the crisis.Former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled the country and resigned last week amid mass protests. Subsequently, Wickremesinghe was sworn in as the country's interim president.
Rajapaksa fled Sri Lanka after thousands of protesters stormed the presidential palace in the capital Colombo and set fire to the prime minister’s house. Rajapaksa’s brother Mahinda resigned as the prime minister in May.
Crippled by a shortage of foreign exchange reserves after the collapse of its tourism-dependent economy, the country of 22 million people has defaulted on all its foreign debt.
It has been unable to pay for food, fuel and other essentials, with the fuel shortage in turn leading to prolonged daily power cuts. Schools have been closed and state employees asked to work from home.
The government is negotiating with the International Monetary Fund for a bailout package, but no deal has been finalized so far.

On Wednesday, new president secured 134 votes in 225-member parliament of island nation facing its worst financial crisis

Wickremesinghe sworn in as new president of crisis-hit Sri Lanka

A Canadian fundraising campaign aims to purchase a Turkish Bayraktar TB2 combat drone for Ukraine amid Moscow's ongoing war on Kyiv.

The campaign, named Canadian Bayraktar Crowdfund and organized by a non-profit organization UHelpUkraine, plans to reach the goal as of Ukrainian Independence Day on Aug. 24.
Previously, Lithuania, Poland, and Ukraine conducted similar campaigns to buy TB2 drones, and Norway has also launched fundraising.
&nbsp;($5.4 million).&nbsp;The campaign's website said donations totaled 12,450 Canadian dollars (around $9,600) so far.

Canadian Bayraktar Crowdfund aims to collect $5.4M

The Canadian campaign said the goal is 7 million Canadian dollars

Canadian Crowdfund aims to buy Turkish combat drone for Ukraine

At least eight people were injured in a gas explosion in China on Tuesday, state media reported.

The explosion at a house in Beichen district of North China’s Tianjin municipality damaged the six-story building, state-run Global Times reported.
A rescue and relief operation is underway, while officials are probing the cause of the explosion.

Incident took place in North China’s Tianjin municipality

A rescue and relief operation is underway

China says 8 wounded in gas explosion

Pakistan Army divers on Tuesday joined the rescue operation for over two dozen passengers after a boat capsized in the fast-flowing Indus River, officials and local media reported.

The death toll from Monday's incident jumped to 22 as rescuers fished out one more body from the river, miles away from the accident site, local broadcaster Geo News reported.

<h2>The fatalities included 19 women</h2>

The fatalities included 19 women.

- We are still looking for 25 to 27 missing passengers as army divers have also joined the rescue operation today - Mohammad Saleem, a senior emergency official told Anadolu Agency by phone. He put the death toll at 21.
Over 150 passengers, including women and children, were heading to a wedding across the river on two boats.The ill-fated boat carrying over 90 people capsized due to overloading, initial investigations suggested.Malik Aslam, an eye witness told Anadolu Agency by phone, that "hopes for survival of the missing people are fading" as almost 24 hours have passed after the accident.
A government official, who is overseeing the rescue operation and wished not to be named, said there are little hopes for survival of the missing passengers, who are mostly women and children.

Around 45 passengers from the capsized boat were either rescued by the local divers or they managed to swim out of the river, Geo News reported.

The government, however, in a statement said that over 90 people were rescued.
Saleem said the authorities are not certain about the exact number of people on the boat, and is relying only on the figures provided by the survivors.
Boat accidents are common in rural Pakistan, mainly because of loose safety standards and overloading, where people usually use river routes for daily commute.
Expressing his grief over "the loss of precious lives", Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered an inquiry into the incident.

Hopes of finding over 2 dozen missing passengers fading, says official

The death toll from Monday's incident jumped to 22

Death toll jumps to 22 in Pakistan boat capsize tragedy

Raging wildfires continued on Tuesday to devour thousands of hectares of mountain forests in northern Morocco.&nbsp;In a statement, the Ministry of Agriculture said 9,200 hectares of forests have been destroyed by the flames since last week.The statement was issued following a visit by Minister of Agriculture and Maritime Fisheries Mohammed Sadiki to the city of Larache, one of the affected areas by the blazes.
Moroccan firefighters have been struggling for a seventh day in a row to contain fires that erupted in the areas of Larache, Ouezzane, Tetouan, and Taza in northern Morocco.
- The fires destroyed large fruitful trees and bee hives in the burnt forests - the statement said.
Morocco has been hit in recent days by soaring temperatures approaching 45C (113F).&nbsp;According to local authorities, one person was killed by the fires, which forced the evacuation of more than 1,100 families.&nbsp;Official figures show that the North African country has seen 165 fires since the beginning of the year.

9,200 hectares of forests destroyed by fires in northern Morocco

According to local authorities, one person was killed by the fires

Wildfires continue to devour forests in Morocco

All parties must “seriously learn from the hard lessons of the Ukraine crisis,” according to China’s top diplomat.

- Apart from seriously impacting Europe, the Ukraine crisis has produced a negative spillover effect spreading around the world - Foreign Minister Wang Yi said in a Sunday night phone call with his Hungarian counterpart Peter Szijjarto.
- For the sake of long-term interests, all parties should explore building a balanced, effective and sustainable European security architecture to achieve lasting peace and security - he said, according to a Chinese Foreign Ministry statement.
Wang also reiterated that “China is not a party to the Ukraine crisis,” referring to criticism aimed at Beijing for its refusal to directly condemn Russia’s war on Ukraine.

- We have not stood by, nor will we add fuel to the fire. We have always unswervingly and perseveringly promoted peace talks - he said.

On the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Indonesia earlier this month, Wang said all his counterparts at the summit "were deeply concerned about this (Ukraine crisis), and China has put forward an initiative to cope with food and energy security."During the conversation, Szijjarto said China has never been "a rival of Europe, but a partner that brings cooperation opportunities," according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry.
He informed Wang of the current situation in Europe, “especially the economic and financial challenges faced by Hungary due to the spillover of the Ukraine crisis.”
- Hungary will continue to dedicate itself to promoting EU-China cooperation that features mutual respect, fairness and mutual benefit - Szijjarto said.

Apart from impact on Europe, Ukraine crisis has negative spillover effect around the world, says foreign minister

China: All sides must learn from "hard lessons" of Ukraine war

More than 930 people have been reported killed this year in clashes between rival gangs in the Haitian capital Port-au-Prince, according to the UN.

- We have so far documented, from January to the end of June, 934 killings, 684 injuries and 680 kidnappings across the capital - Jeremy Laurence, spokesman for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, said on Saturday.
Moreover, at least 234 people have been killed or injured in July 8-12 in clashes between rival gangs in the extremely impoverished and densely populated Cite Soleil neighborhood, Laurence added.&nbsp;Though most of the victims "were not directly involved in gangs," but were targeted by them, he went on to say.Meanwhile, the UN human rights office expressed concern on "worsening violence" in and around Port-au-Prince, along with "rising abuse at the hands of heavily armed gangs, against vulnerable local communities."
In recent fighting between rival gangs in the Cite Soleil district alone, 99 people have been reported killed and 135 others injured, it said.
Political turmoil, high food costs and rising inflation are also aggravating the humanitarian crisis in Haiti, which has been grappling with a continuing escalation of violence since the killing of former President Jovenel Moise on July 7 last year in a night-time raid.

234 people killed or injured over past 5 days in Cite Soleil neighborhood of Port-au-Prince, says UN spokesperson

At least 234 people have been killed or injured

Gang violence in Haitian capital leaves over 930 dead in 2022

The Bank of Canada announced Wednesday it increased interest rates by 100 basis points, which marked the steepest rate hike since August 1998.

The central bank said it increased its target for the overnight rate to 2.5%, with the bank rate now reaching 2.75% and the deposit rate climbing to 2.5%.&nbsp;The bank said it is continuing its policy of quantitative tightening in order to fight against high inflation.Inflation in Canada is higher and more persistent than the central bank expected, and it will likely remain around 8% in the next few months, the bank said in a statement.
- While global factors such as the war in Ukraine and ongoing supply disruptions have been the biggest drivers, domestic price pressures from excess demand are becoming more prominent - it added.
- Many central banks are tightening monetary policy to combat inflation, and the resulting tighter financial conditions are moderating economic growth - it noted.
Canada's consumer inflation rose to 7.7% in May year-on-year, recording the highest annual gain since 1983. It posted an annual gain of 6.8% in April.
The bank said it forecasts Canada’s economy will grow by 3.5% in 2022, 1.75% in 2023, and 2.5% in 2024, adding: "Economic activity will slow as global growth moderates and tighter monetary policy works its way through the economy."

Central bank says inflation to likely remain around 8% in next few months

Bank of Canada increases interest rates by 100 basis points

The UN Security Council voted unanimously Wednesday to extend the international community's special political mission in Yemen.

The authorities were set to expire July 15 but the vote extends the UN Mission to Support the Hudaydah Agreement (UNMHA) for one year.

<h2>Council members did not deliver remarks</h2>

The vote was conducted in an exceptionally rare fashion without Council members delivering remarks. Shortly after, Norway's UN mission hailed the vote, saying the country "fully supports #UNMHA's mission, including their crucial efforts on mine action."

Yemen's warring parties agreed in June to extend a UN-brokered truce for two months. It was first struck in April and hopes have been pegged on the parties agreeing to a longer-term nationwide cease-fire.
Hans Grundberg, the UN's special envoy to Yemen, told the Council on Monday that the pact "has resulted in a significant reduction in civilian casualties, with the number of civilian casualties reduced by two-thirds compared to the three months before the truce began."
- The truce represents the best opportunity for peace in Yemen we have had in years and we should encourage and support the parties to make the most of this opportunity for the benefit of Yemen as a whole - he added.

<h2>Yemen has been engulfed by violence and instability since 2014</h2>

Following the June 2 renewal, seven fuel ships with 200,000 metric tons of fuel products have been cleared to enter the vital port and more than 7,000 people have been flown from Yemen to Jordan on commercial aircraft, according to the envoy.

Yemen has been engulfed by violence and instability since 2014, when Iran-aligned Houthi rebels captured much of the country, including Sanaa. The Houthis remain in control of the capital, as well as wide swathes of territory, despite a military campaign conducted by Saudi Arabia and its Gulf Arab allies since 2015 aimed at ousting them and restoring the Yemeni government.
The Saudi-led campaign has exacerbated an already dire humanitarian situation in the war-torn nation. Millions suffer from hunger amid persistent famine-like conditions.

Council's vote extends the UN Mission to Support the Hudaydah Agreement (UNMHA) amid ongoing truce

UN Security Council unanimously extends Yemen mission for 1 year

A just-brokered agreement to facilitate Ukrainian grain exports is a "ray of hope" for those suffering from hunger worldwide, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Wednesday.

- Today at last we have a ray of hope; a ray of hope to ease human suffering, and alleviate hunger around the world; a ray of hope to support developing countries and the most vulnerable people, a ray of hope to a bring a measure of much needed stability to the global food system - Guterres said at the UN's New York headquarters.

The comments came just minutes after Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar announced that Turkish, Ukrainian, Russian and UN officials agreed to establish a coordination center in Istanbul to facilitate Ukrainian grain exports.

Akar said the participants found common ground on technical issues, such as navigational safety on transfer routes, as well as joint controls at entry and exit of ports.
Representatives of Ukraine and Russia are set to gather in Türkiye next week to review the details of the agreement and also sign relevant documents, making the deal official, he added.
Guterres thanked Türkiye for its "outstanding efforts" during the talks, as well as Ankara's "critical role going forward."
Still, he maintained additional work will be needed in order to "materialize today's progress," but said the agreement is an indisputable indication that "the momentum is clear."

- Today is an important and substantive step, a step on the way to a comprehensive agreement - he said.- We must also do more for struggling people in developing countries getting pummeled by a food, energy and financial crisis not of their making.
Ukraine is colloquially referred to as a global "breadbasket," and is the fifth largest wheat exporter worldwide, according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization.
UN officials warned in June of endangered world food security due to Russia's war on Ukraine, saying it poses the threat of famine, destabilization, and mass migration worldwide as Russia blockades the Black Sea ports that normally send grain to the world.
The US and its allies have accused the Kremlin of attempting to use Ukrainian agricultural exports as "blackmail" in order to gain leverage to lift US and its partner nations' sanctions.

Today at last we have a ray of hope; a ray of hope to ease human suffering, and alleviate hunger, says Antonio Guterres

UN chief says Ukraine grain export deal in Istanbul "ray of hope" to ease global hunger

Asian markets closed higher on Thursday, as the Federal Reserve vowed a stronger stance to fight record inflation.

On Wednesday, the Fed said it supports a more restrictive stance in its monetary policy if inflation persists, according to minutes released from its last meeting.
The Asia Dow, which includes blue-chip companies in the region, was up 48.6 points, or 1.54%, to 3,193 at 1013GMT.
Tokyo's Nikkei 225 stock exchange enjoyed the largest rise with 382.9 points, or 1.47%, to 26,490.
The Hang Seng, the benchmark for blue-chip stocks trading on the Hong Kong stock exchange, rose 56.9 points, or 0.26%, to 21,643.
China's Shanghai Stock Exchange climbed 9.1 points, or 0.27%, to finish at 3,364.
The Indian Sensex benchmark rose 427.5 points, or 0.80%, to end at 54,178 while the Singapore index increased 25.7, or 0.83%, to finish at 3,129.

Tokyo's Nikkei 225 stock exchange performs best in Asia with 1.47% gain

Tokyo's Nikkei 225 stock exchange enjoyed the largest rise with 382.9 points

Asian markets in green at Thursday’s close

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said Wednesday that he will present a proposal for a "bold" immigration policy to his US counterpart Joe Biden when he meets with him on July 12 at the White House.

Speaking at a daily news conference, Lopez Obrador said the migration crisis both nations are facing will be the leading topic of discussion.
He said the aim of the policy is to regulate the migratory flow between the two countries.
The US Customs and Border Protection Office said it detected more than 1.7 million undocumented immigrants on the border with Mexico in fiscal year 2021.
Lopez Obrador said part of the joint plan he will present to Biden includes the negotiation of work visas for farmers, workers and professionals.
- We will have recommendations on agreeing on labor problems, regulating migration flows and legalizing the hiring of workers - he noted.
The announcement came after at least 53 people were found dead in a tractor-trailer in the US state of Texas last week.
Authorities found dozens of deceased migrants inside the back of the truck in San Antonio amid high temperatures on June 27.
Lopez Obrador said 22 Mexicans were among the dead.
Biden described the deaths as “horrifying and heartbreaking” and said the tragedy "underscores the need to go after the multibillion-dollar criminal smuggling industry preying on migrants and leading to far too many innocent deaths."

Migration crisis both nations are facing will be leading topic of discussion, says Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador

The announcement came after at least 53 people were found dead

Mexican president, US counterpart to discuss irregular migration next week

The US Treasury Department announced Wednesday that it imposed sanctions on a global network of individuals and entities that used front companies to facilitate the sale and delivery of Iranian oil.

Two Iranian-based companies purchased and exported petrochemical products from numerous US-sanctioned Iranian firms worth hundreds of millions of dollars to companies throughout East Asia, it said in a statement.
Petroleum products were sold to another Iranian-based company for onward shipment to China by "the use of front bank accounts and companies in order to obfuscate the shipment and sale of Iranian origin petrochemicals," it said.
At least half a dozen additional firms acted as front companies by disguising their roles to evade US sanctions by materially assisting or providing financial or technological support, according to the agency.
Two United Arab Emirates-based Iranian individuals also had a role to export Iranian crude oil and petrochemical products on behalf of a Switzerland-based firm, it added.

Petroleum products sold for onward shipment to China by using front bank accounts, companies, agency says

Petroleum products were sold to another Iranian-based company

Russia laying groundwork to annex parts of Ukraine, says US

Police in Malawi arrest 76 over anti-judiciary protests

CIA chief says around 15,000 Russian troops killed so far in Ukraine war

Wickremesinghe sworn in as new president of crisis-hit Sri Lanka

Canadian Crowdfund aims to buy Turkish combat drone for Ukraine

China says 8 wounded in gas explosion

Death toll jumps to 22 in Pakistan boat capsize tragedy

Wildfires continue to devour forests in Morocco

China: All sides must learn from "hard lessons" of Ukraine war

Gang violence in Haitian capital leaves over 930 dead in 2022

Bank of Canada increases interest rates by 100 basis points

UN Security Council unanimously extends Yemen mission for 1 year

UN chief says Ukraine grain export deal in Istanbul "ray of hope" to ease global hunger

Asian markets in green at Thursday’s close

Mexican president, US counterpart to discuss irregular migration next week

US Treasury sanctions network that facilitate sale, delivery of Iranian oil

World

Russia laying groundwork to annex parts of Ukraine, says US

Police in Malawi arrest 76 over anti-judiciary protests

CIA chief says around 15,000 Russian troops killed so far in Ukraine war

Wickremesinghe sworn in as new president of crisis-hit Sri Lanka

Canadian Crowdfund aims to buy Turkish combat drone for Ukraine

China says 8 wounded in gas explosion

Death toll jumps to 22 in Pakistan boat capsize tragedy

Wildfires continue to devour forests in Morocco

China: All sides must learn from "hard lessons" of Ukraine war

Gang violence in Haitian capital leaves over 930 dead in 2022

Bank of Canada increases interest rates by 100 basis points

UN Security Council unanimously extends Yemen mission for 1 year

UN chief says Ukraine grain export deal in Istanbul "ray of hope" to ease global hunger

Asian markets in green at Thursday’s close

Mexican president, US counterpart to discuss irregular migration next week

US Treasury sanctions network that facilitate sale, delivery of Iranian oil