Ukraine ceasefire violated a day after peace talks
Ukrainian troops came under shelling near the strategic port of Mariupol in eastern Ukraine on Saturday, marking the first significant violation of a ceasefire declared on Friday. There were also reports of heavy explosions outside the city where Ukraine's forces were positioned to defend checkpoints. The attacks subsided early Sunday with both sides blaming each for the ceasefire violation. The ceasefire deal was signed during talks between Ukraine, Russia, the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe and pro-Russian separatists in Belarus.
Kurds reclaim Iraqi mountain from Islamic State
Kurdish Peshmerga troops regained control over Mount Zartak in northern Iraq from Islamic State militants, after brief fighting that killed 30 IS fighters. The mountain, which overlooks the strategic town of Mosul, was seized by IS in June. With the help of US airstrikes, the Kurdish forces have been stepping up action against the extremist group by reclaiming more towns and villages.
Somalia's al-Shabaab announces new leadership
The Somali Islamist militant group al-Shabaab on Satuday named Sheikh Ahmad Umar Abu Ubaidah as its new leader after its former leader was killed in US airstrikes last week. The group issued an online statement pledging to avenge the death of Ahmed Abdi Godane, one of its founding leaders. They also confirmed the death of two other militants. Somalia has been put on alert for possible retaliatory attacks by al-Shabaab, after US forces confirmed Godane's death.
Egypt charges Morsi for leaking state secrets to Qatar
Ousted Egyptian president Mohamed Morsi is being charged for threatening national security by allegedly passing official documents to Qatar's intelligence authorites. The state prosecutor said that Morsi will be tried for leaking state secrets about Egypt's military in exchange for $1 million. This is the latest addition to Morsi's list of trials, for which he has been imprisoned after being deposed in July 2013. Ties between Egypt and Qatar, a supporter of Morsi's government, have been strained since the army overthrew the Muslim Brotherhood.
Kei Nishikori beats Djokovic to reach US Open Finals
Japan's Kei Nishikori on Sunday beat world number one Novak Djokovic at the US Open semi-finals to become the first Asian male to reach a Grand Slam singles final. Nishikori beat Djokovic 6-4, 1-6, 7-6, 6-3 in two hours and 52 minutes, and will take on Croatia's Marin Cilic for the title on Monday.
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Ukrainian troops came under shelling near the strategic port of Mariupol in eastern Ukraine on Saturday, marking the first significant violation of a ceasefire declared on Friday. There were also reports of heavy explosions outside the city where Ukraine's forces were positioned to defend checkpoints. The attacks subsided early Sunday with both sides blaming each for the ceasefire violation. The ceasefire deal was signed during talks between Ukraine, Russia, the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe and pro-Russian separatists in Belarus.
Kurds reclaim Iraqi mountain from Islamic State
Kurdish Peshmerga troops regained control over Mount Zartak in northern Iraq from Islamic State militants, after brief fighting that killed 30 IS fighters. The mountain, which overlooks the strategic town of Mosul, was seized by IS in June. With the help of US airstrikes, the Kurdish forces have been stepping up action against the extremist group by reclaiming more towns and villages.
Somalia's al-Shabaab announces new leadership
The Somali Islamist militant group al-Shabaab on Satuday named Sheikh Ahmad Umar Abu Ubaidah as its new leader after its former leader was killed in US airstrikes last week. The group issued an online statement pledging to avenge the death of Ahmed Abdi Godane, one of its founding leaders. They also confirmed the death of two other militants. Somalia has been put on alert for possible retaliatory attacks by al-Shabaab, after US forces confirmed Godane's death.
Egypt charges Morsi for leaking state secrets to Qatar
Ousted Egyptian president Mohamed Morsi is being charged for threatening national security by allegedly passing official documents to Qatar's intelligence authorites. The state prosecutor said that Morsi will be tried for leaking state secrets about Egypt's military in exchange for $1 million. This is the latest addition to Morsi's list of trials, for which he has been imprisoned after being deposed in July 2013. Ties between Egypt and Qatar, a supporter of Morsi's government, have been strained since the army overthrew the Muslim Brotherhood.
Kei Nishikori beats Djokovic to reach US Open Finals
Japan's Kei Nishikori on Sunday beat world number one Novak Djokovic at the US Open semi-finals to become the first Asian male to reach a Grand Slam singles final. Nishikori beat Djokovic 6-4, 1-6, 7-6, 6-3 in two hours and 52 minutes, and will take on Croatia's Marin Cilic for the title on Monday.