Your one-stop destination for all the top international stories of the day.
Israel On High Alert; US Says It Won’t Be Part Of Retaliation Against Iran
Two weeks after its embassy in Damasus was bombed allegedly by Israel’s fighter jets, Iran launched drones and fired missiles at Israel in its first direct attack on Israeli territory. IDF spokesperson said 99% of the incoming missiles and drones were intercepted but all eyes are now on Israel. The Israel military has said it will respond at a time of its choosing while President Biden has said the US will not be part of any retaliatory action against Iran if Israel decides to go ahead with one. The UN has also urged all sides to step back from the brink saying neither the Middle East nor the world can afford more war.
Australia Stabbing: Police To Investigate Why Assailant Targeted Women
Police in Australia are investigating if the assailant in Sydney’s deadly mall attack that killed 6 people targeted women and avoided men. 5 of the 6 killed in the April 14 attack were women and the majority of the injured are also women. Police have ruled out terrorism as the motive behind the attack saying the assailant, 40-year old Joel Couchi, who was shot dead by the police, had a history of mental illness. Australia declared a day of national mourning and flags flew at half staff. Many turned up with flowers to mourn the victims including Australia’s PM Antony Albanese.
Sudan Struggles For Attention After One Year Of Violent Conflict
It’s been one year since the civil war between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Force (RSF) broke out leading to the deaths of thousands. The war started over a planned political transition under which the army, led by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the RSF, led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti, were competing to protect their interests. The fighting began in Khartoum and spread to other parts of Sudan displacing 8.5 million people. The UN has warned that the crisis could worsen as the movement of aid supplies is restricted. Diplomats from France, Germany and the EU are expected to push for more funding when they meet in Paris.
Myanmar: Rebel Group Says Junta Attempt To Take Back Border Town Thwarted
A resistance group in Myanmar that is fighting the military junta has said it has repelled an attempt to take back a border town near Thailand. Rebels had seized the town of Myawaddy last week and a spokesperson for the rebel coalition has said the military junta has suffered a heavy setback when it attempted to retake it. Myanmar has been in turmoil since 2021, after the powerful military deposed an elected civilian government, triggering widespread protests that it tried to crush with force.
Russia Floods: Kurgan Region Issues Evacuation Orders
Flooding is expected to peak in Russia’s Kurgan region and orders have been issued for people to vacate their homes. Tens of thousands of people have been forced to abandon their homes in Russia’s southern Ural region, and in northern Kazakhstan over the last many days. These regions have seen the worst flooding in living memory.
