Afghan security forces have killed Abu Muhsin al-Masri, a senior al-Qaeda leader who was on the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Most Wanted Terrorists list, according to Afghanistan’s intelligence service.Al-Masri, an Egyptian national believed to be al-Qaeda’s second-in-command, was killed during a special operation in the central Ghazni province, Afghanistan’s National Directorate of Security (NDS) said in a tweet late on Saturday.Al-Masri, who also goes by the name Husam Abd-al-Ra’uf, has been charged in the United States with having provided material support and resources to a...…Afghan security forces have killed Abu Muhsin al-Masri, a senior al-Qaeda leader who was on the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Most Wanted Terrorists list, according to Afghanistan’s intelligence service.Al-Masri, an Egyptian national believed to be al-Qaeda’s second-in-command, was killed during a special operation in the central Ghazni province, Afghanistan’s National Directorate of Security (NDS) said in a tweet late on Saturday.Al-Masri, who also goes by the name Husam Abd-al-Ra’uf, has been charged in the United States with having provided material support and resources to a...WW…

Attackers have stormed a school in southwestern Cameroon with guns and machetes, killing at least eight children and wounding a dozen more, according to the United Nations.Arriving on motorbikes and in civilian clothes, the men attacked the Mother Francisca International Bilingual Academy in the city of Kumba, in the country’s Southwest Region, at around midday on Saturday.There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack, described by the UN as “the worst atrocity” since the resumption of the school year earlier this month. It was not clear if the attack was linked to a...…Attackers have stormed a school in southwestern Cameroon with guns and machetes, killing at least eight children and wounding a dozen more, according to the United Nations.Arriving on motorbikes and in civilian clothes, the men attacked the Mother Francisca International Bilingual Academy in the city of Kumba, in the country’s Southwest Region, at around midday on Saturday.There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack, described by the UN as “the worst atrocity” since the resumption of the school year earlier this month. It was not clear if the attack was linked to a...WW…

A Palestinian man on hunger strike for 85 days since his arrest by Israel is entering a medically “critical phase”, the International Committee of the Red Cross said on Thursday.Maher al-Akhras, 49, was arrested near Nablus and placed in administrative detention, a policy that Israel uses to hold suspected armed people without charge.The father of six launched his strike to protest the policy.He had been arrested several times previously by Israel.“More than 85 days into the hunger strike, we are concerned about potentially irreversible health consequences,” said Yves Giebens, the head of...…A Palestinian man on hunger strike for 85 days since his arrest by Israel is entering a medically “critical phase”, the International Committee of the Red Cross said on Thursday.Maher al-Akhras, 49, was arrested near Nablus and placed in administrative detention, a policy that Israel uses to hold suspected armed people without charge.The father of six launched his strike to protest the policy.He had been arrested several times previously by Israel.“More than 85 days into the hunger strike, we are concerned about potentially irreversible health consequences,” said Yves Giebens, the head of...WW…

Refugees and migrants have sustained “severe injuries” after having allegedly been whipped, beaten and sexually abused at the hands of Croatian authorities during their attempts to reach western Europe for asylum.Last week, the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) collected testimonies from more than 70 refugees and migrants at the Miral camp in western Bosnia who said they experienced violent pushbacks by Croatian authorities.The route through the Bosnia-Croatia border is popular with refugees attempting to cross into EU-member Croatia from Bosnia, with the aim of reaching Western Europe.Human...…Refugees and migrants have sustained “severe injuries” after having allegedly been whipped, beaten and sexually abused at the hands of Croatian authorities during their attempts to reach western Europe for asylum.Last week, the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) collected testimonies from more than 70 refugees and migrants at the Miral camp in western Bosnia who said they experienced violent pushbacks by Croatian authorities.The route through the Bosnia-Croatia border is popular with refugees attempting to cross into EU-member Croatia from Bosnia, with the aim of reaching Western Europe.Human...WW…

China has threatened to “make legitimate and necessary responses” after the United States approved the potential sale of $1.8bn worth of advanced weapons systems to Taiwan, a self-ruled island that Beijing claims as its own.The Chinese foreign ministry on Thursday said the US – in the arms sale – was violating agreements signed in the 1970s that established diplomatic relations between the two countries.The weapons sale includes 135 air-to-ground missiles that Taiwan’s defence ministry said would build its combat capabilities amid increasing threats by China to annex the territory by force...…China has threatened to “make legitimate and necessary responses” after the United States approved the potential sale of $1.8bn worth of advanced weapons systems to Taiwan, a self-ruled island that Beijing claims as its own.The Chinese foreign ministry on Thursday said the US – in the arms sale – was violating agreements signed in the 1970s that established diplomatic relations between the two countries.The weapons sale includes 135 air-to-ground missiles that Taiwan’s defence ministry said would build its combat capabilities amid increasing threats by China to annex the territory by force...WW…

Sudanese political parties have rejected the government’s decision to normalise relations with Israel, with officials saying they will form an opposition front against the agreement.Dozens of Sudanese people demonstrated in the capital Khartoum on Friday following the joint statement from Israel, Sudan and the United States on Friday saying that the two countries agreed to “end the state of belligerence between their nations”.A statement from Sudan’s Popular Congress Party, the second most prominent component of the Forces of Freedom and Change (FFC) political coalition, said Sudanese...…Sudanese political parties have rejected the government’s decision to normalise relations with Israel, with officials saying they will form an opposition front against the agreement.Dozens of Sudanese people demonstrated in the capital Khartoum on Friday following the joint statement from Israel, Sudan and the United States on Friday saying that the two countries agreed to “end the state of belligerence between their nations”.A statement from Sudan’s Popular Congress Party, the second most prominent component of the Forces of Freedom and Change (FFC) political coalition, said Sudanese...WW…

Leftist leader Luis Arce promised to “rebuild” Bolivia in the wake of a tumultuous year scarred by political turmoil and the coronavirus pandemic, after securing a landslide in the Andean nation’sThe Supreme Electoral Tribunal announced on Friday, Arce won 55 percent of the votes against six rivals on the ballot, easily avoiding the need for a run-off, and providing vindication for the Movement Towards Socialism (MAS) party of former President Evo Morales who was ousted last year and now lives in exile.“Now our great challenge is to rebuild our homeland in peace, to regain joy, stability...…Leftist leader Luis Arce promised to “rebuild” Bolivia in the wake of a tumultuous year scarred by political turmoil and the coronavirus pandemic, after securing a landslide in the Andean nation’sThe Supreme Electoral Tribunal announced on Friday, Arce won 55 percent of the votes against six rivals on the ballot, easily avoiding the need for a run-off, and providing vindication for the Movement Towards Socialism (MAS) party of former President Evo Morales who was ousted last year and now lives in exile.“Now our great challenge is to rebuild our homeland in peace, to regain joy, stability...WW…

Libya’s warring sides signed an agreement for “a permanent ceasefire in all areas of Libya”, the UN Libya mission said on Friday, raising hopes the long-running conflict may finally reach a lasting peace.Scepticism in some quarters was raised, however, as previous truce deals over the years have failed to end the fighting.The United Nations said the two sides reached the “historic achievement” with an immediate permanent ceasefire deal across the oil-rich North African country.After mediation led by UN envoy Stephanie Williams this week, the 5+5 Joint Military Commission reached what the UN...…Libya’s warring sides signed an agreement for “a permanent ceasefire in all areas of Libya”, the UN Libya mission said on Friday, raising hopes the long-running conflict may finally reach a lasting peace.Scepticism in some quarters was raised, however, as previous truce deals over the years have failed to end the fighting.The United Nations said the two sides reached the “historic achievement” with an immediate permanent ceasefire deal across the oil-rich North African country.After mediation led by UN envoy Stephanie Williams this week, the 5+5 Joint Military Commission reached what the UN...WW…

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday confirmed Turkey’s first test of a controversial Russian missile defence system as he dismissed criticism by the United States.“It is true about the tests, they have been done and will continue,” Erdogan told reporters in Istanbul, a week after reports emerged of the Turkish army test-firing the S-400 system.“How can we not test these kinds of capabilities we have? Of course we aren’t going to consult America. We’re not going to ask America for permission,” he added.There had been hope in Washington that Ankara would “keep it in the box”, but Turkey...…President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday confirmed Turkey’s first test of a controversial Russian missile defence system as he dismissed criticism by the United States.“It is true about the tests, they have been done and will continue,” Erdogan told reporters in Istanbul, a week after reports emerged of the Turkish army test-firing the S-400 system.“How can we not test these kinds of capabilities we have? Of course we aren’t going to consult America. We’re not going to ask America for permission,” he added.There had been hope in Washington that Ankara would “keep it in the box”, but Turkey...WW…

China says the United States is bullying other countries to pick sides over their ties to Beijing after a senior Washington official called on Sri Lanka to make “difficult but necessary choices” in an apparent reference at China deepening its influence over the South Asian country.In a news conference on Friday, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said such efforts by the US administration against Beijing would not succeed, dismissing the comments as showing a “Cold War mentality”.The US is urging Sri Lanka to make the “difficult but necessary choices” to secure its economic...…China says the United States is bullying other countries to pick sides over their ties to Beijing after a senior Washington official called on Sri Lanka to make “difficult but necessary choices” in an apparent reference at China deepening its influence over the South Asian country.In a news conference on Friday, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said such efforts by the US administration against Beijing would not succeed, dismissing the comments as showing a “Cold War mentality”.The US is urging Sri Lanka to make the “difficult but necessary choices” to secure its economic...WW…

Plant-based products that do not contain meat can continue to be labelled “sausages” or “burgers,” European politicians said on Friday, when they rejected a proposal backed by the meat industry to ban the terms.In votes on issues relating to agricultural products, the European Parliament said that so-called veggie burgers, soy steaks and vegan sausages can continue to be sold as such in restaurants and shops across the union.Europe’s largest farmers’ association, Copa-Cogeca, had supported a ban, arguing that labelling vegetarian substitutes with designations bringing meat to mind was...…Plant-based products that do not contain meat can continue to be labelled “sausages” or “burgers,” European politicians said on Friday, when they rejected a proposal backed by the meat industry to ban the terms.In votes on issues relating to agricultural products, the European Parliament said that so-called veggie burgers, soy steaks and vegan sausages can continue to be sold as such in restaurants and shops across the union.Europe’s largest farmers’ association, Copa-Cogeca, had supported a ban, arguing that labelling vegetarian substitutes with designations bringing meat to mind was...WW…

Nancy Shively has voted for every Republican presidential nominee since 1976. Her first vote in a presidential election went to Gerald Ford. In the late 1980s and early 2000s, she cast her votes for both Presidents Bush – George H W and George W. And in 2016, she voted for Donald Trump, even though she said she was “never a big fan”.“I think what got me voting for him in 2016 was the fact that I have been a Republican my entire life,” Shively, 63, told Al Jazeera. “So there was the weight of all that.”But this year, Shively said she cannot hold her nose and vote for Trump again. When she...…Nancy Shively has voted for every Republican presidential nominee since 1976. Her first vote in a presidential election went to Gerald Ford. In the late 1980s and early 2000s, she cast her votes for both Presidents Bush – George H W and George W. And in 2016, she voted for Donald Trump, even though she said she was “never a big fan”.“I think what got me voting for him in 2016 was the fact that I have been a Republican my entire life,” Shively, 63, told Al Jazeera. “So there was the weight of all that.”But this year, Shively said she cannot hold her nose and vote for Trump again. When she...WW…

The United States’ top intelligence official has accused Russia and Iran of obtaining US voter information and making moves to influence public opinion ahead of the 2020 presidential election.John Ratcliffe, director of National Intelligence, made the announcement at a hastily arranged news conference on Wednesday that also included FBI Director Chris Wray.The announcement two weeks before the November 3 election showed the level of alarm among top US officials that foreign actors were seeking to undermine Americans’ confidence in the integrity of the vote and spread misinformation in an...…The United States’ top intelligence official has accused Russia and Iran of obtaining US voter information and making moves to influence public opinion ahead of the 2020 presidential election.John Ratcliffe, director of National Intelligence, made the announcement at a hastily arranged news conference on Wednesday that also included FBI Director Chris Wray.The announcement two weeks before the November 3 election showed the level of alarm among top US officials that foreign actors were seeking to undermine Americans’ confidence in the integrity of the vote and spread misinformation in an...WW…

Abuja, Nigeria – Agboola Fabiyi was close to the front line when he saw armed soldiers approach a peaceful protest camp in Lekki, an upmarket area in Nigeria’s commercial capital, Lagos.The 28-year-old protester said some of the soldiers reached the crowd and asked them to leave in compliance with a curfew imposed by the authorities earlier on Tuesday. When the protesters demanding an end to police brutality refused, Fabiyi said the soldiers began firing into the air, before turning their guns towards them.“We never imagined they would start shooting at us because we were peaceful and not...…Abuja, Nigeria – Agboola Fabiyi was close to the front line when he saw armed soldiers approach a peaceful protest camp in Lekki, an upmarket area in Nigeria’s commercial capital, Lagos.The 28-year-old protester said some of the soldiers reached the crowd and asked them to leave in compliance with a curfew imposed by the authorities earlier on Tuesday. When the protesters demanding an end to police brutality refused, Fabiyi said the soldiers began firing into the air, before turning their guns towards them.“We never imagined they would start shooting at us because we were peaceful and not...WW…

Dozens of the members of Afghanistan’s security forces have been killed and many others wounded in an attack by the Taliban in the northern province of Takhar, officials said.Takhar provincial health director Abdul Qayoum told AFP news agency on Wednesday that 34 security personnel were killed in the ambush, including the province’s deputy police chief.At least eight others were wounded in the incident, which took place overnight in Baharak district, a province that is contested between the Taliban and government forces.Local politicians placed the death toll at up to 42, DPA news agency...…Dozens of the members of Afghanistan’s security forces have been killed and many others wounded in an attack by the Taliban in the northern province of Takhar, officials said.Takhar provincial health director Abdul Qayoum told AFP news agency on Wednesday that 34 security personnel were killed in the ambush, including the province’s deputy police chief.At least eight others were wounded in the incident, which took place overnight in Baharak district, a province that is contested between the Taliban and government forces.Local politicians placed the death toll at up to 42, DPA news agency...WW…

At least 15 Afghans have been killed and more than a dozen injured in a stampede near a Pakistani consulate in eastern Afghanistan.The stampede occurred in a stadium in Jalalabad city where thousands of Afghans had gathered to secure visas from the consulate, officials said on Wednesday.Many people were trampled when they tried to exit the stadium in the city of Jalalabad, the capital of Nangarhar province, provincial hospital spokesman Zaher Adel said.Sohrab Qaderi, a provincial council member , where the incident occurred said of the 15 people dead, 11 were women and several senior...…At least 15 Afghans have been killed and more than a dozen injured in a stampede near a Pakistani consulate in eastern Afghanistan.The stampede occurred in a stadium in Jalalabad city where thousands of Afghans had gathered to secure visas from the consulate, officials said on Wednesday.Many people were trampled when they tried to exit the stadium in the city of Jalalabad, the capital of Nangarhar province, provincial hospital spokesman Zaher Adel said.Sohrab Qaderi, a provincial council member , where the incident occurred said of the 15 people dead, 11 were women and several senior...WW…

Nigeria’s security forces have reportedly shot dead demonstrators protesting against police brutality in Lagos, according to several witnesses, as authorities imposed a curfew and promised an investigation.Four witnesses told Reuters news agency that soldiers fired at the protesters who had gathered in the Lekki district of Nigeria’s largest city in defiance of an indefinite curfew imposed hours earlier by the authorities.Hundreds of people were at the site at the time of the shooting, which witnesses said took place around 7pm local time (18:00 GMT).“They started firing ammunition toward...…Nigeria’s security forces have reportedly shot dead demonstrators protesting against police brutality in Lagos, according to several witnesses, as authorities imposed a curfew and promised an investigation.Four witnesses told Reuters news agency that soldiers fired at the protesters who had gathered in the Lekki district of Nigeria’s largest city in defiance of an indefinite curfew imposed hours earlier by the authorities.Hundreds of people were at the site at the time of the shooting, which witnesses said took place around 7pm local time (18:00 GMT).“They started firing ammunition toward...WW…

Bolivia’s president-elect Luis Arce said there was “no role” in his government for socialist party leader Evo Morales, who governed for almost 14 years before resigning under pressure last year and fleeing the country.Arce in a Sunday , with the official count – technically still under way – showing him with a majority of the vote, ushering the Andean country’s socialists back into office just a year after Morales left.From exile in Argentina, Morales remains the president of Arce’s party, the Movement for Socialism, or MAS, but Arce said any influence will be limited to that position.“He...…Bolivia’s president-elect Luis Arce said there was “no role” in his government for socialist party leader Evo Morales, who governed for almost 14 years before resigning under pressure last year and fleeing the country.Arce in a Sunday , with the official count – technically still under way – showing him with a majority of the vote, ushering the Andean country’s socialists back into office just a year after Morales left.From exile in Argentina, Morales remains the president of Arce’s party, the Movement for Socialism, or MAS, but Arce said any influence will be limited to that position.“He...WW…

Soldiers have opened fire on demonstrators gathered at a protest site in Lagos that has been the epicentre of widespread rallies against police brutality in Nigeria, according to several witnesses.Amnesty International also said in a statement on Tuesday it had received “credible but disturbing evidence of excessive use of force occasioning deaths of protesters at Lekki toll gate in Lagos”, adding that it was investigating “the killings”.Three witnesses told Reuters News Agency that the soldiers fired at the protesters who had gathered in the Lekki district of Nigeria’s largest city in...…Soldiers have opened fire on demonstrators gathered at a protest site in Lagos that has been the epicentre of widespread rallies against police brutality in Nigeria, according to several witnesses.Amnesty International also said in a statement on Tuesday it had received “credible but disturbing evidence of excessive use of force occasioning deaths of protesters at Lekki toll gate in Lagos”, adding that it was investigating “the killings”.Three witnesses told Reuters News Agency that the soldiers fired at the protesters who had gathered in the Lekki district of Nigeria’s largest city in...WW…

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has warned that people across Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger are facing “catastrophic levels of hunger” should the international community fail to act.Its statement came on the eve of a virtual donor conference on Tuesday aimed at raising funds for the conflict-hit countries in the Sahel, a vast strip of land beneath the Sahara desert.Violence and insecurity have already pushed some 7.4 million people into acute hunger, according to the WFP, which was recently awarded the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize.The WFP said thousands in the Central Sahel region...…The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has warned that people across Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger are facing “catastrophic levels of hunger” should the international community fail to act.Its statement came on the eve of a virtual donor conference on Tuesday aimed at raising funds for the conflict-hit countries in the Sahel, a vast strip of land beneath the Sahara desert.Violence and insecurity have already pushed some 7.4 million people into acute hunger, according to the WFP, which was recently awarded the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize.The WFP said thousands in the Central Sahel region...WW…

Severe floods and landslides triggered by weeks of heavy rains have killed at least 105 people in central Vietnam and “swamped” five million, according to media reports and an aid agency.About a third of the dead included soldiers whose barracks were buried under deadly mudslides last week, Reuters news agency reported on Tuesday.At least 27 people are still missing, the agency said. Among them are 15 construction workers who were also hit by a landslide.At least 178,000 homes have been submerged and nearly 7,000 hectares (17,297 acres) of crops have been impacted.Close to 690,000 poultry...…Severe floods and landslides triggered by weeks of heavy rains have killed at least 105 people in central Vietnam and “swamped” five million, according to media reports and an aid agency.About a third of the dead included soldiers whose barracks were buried under deadly mudslides last week, Reuters news agency reported on Tuesday.At least 27 people are still missing, the agency said. Among them are 15 construction workers who were also hit by a landslide.At least 178,000 homes have been submerged and nearly 7,000 hectares (17,297 acres) of crops have been impacted.Close to 690,000 poultry...WW…

Swedish regulators have banned the use of telecommunications equipment from China’s Huawei and ZTE in its 5G network in advance of the government’s spectrum auction scheduled for next month.The Swedish Post and Telecom Authority (PTS) said the setting of the licence conditions followed assessments by the Swedish Armed Forces and the Swedish Security Service.European governments have been reviewing the role of Chinese companies in building their networks following pressure from the United States, which says they pose a security threat because, among other concerns, Chinese companies and...…Swedish regulators have banned the use of telecommunications equipment from China’s Huawei and ZTE in its 5G network in advance of the government’s spectrum auction scheduled for next month.The Swedish Post and Telecom Authority (PTS) said the setting of the licence conditions followed assessments by the Swedish Armed Forces and the Swedish Security Service.European governments have been reviewing the role of Chinese companies in building their networks following pressure from the United States, which says they pose a security threat because, among other concerns, Chinese companies and...WW…

Australia will take part in large-scale military exercises off the coast of India next month that will bring together a quartet of countries concerned by rising Chinese influence.India, Japan, the United States and – for the first time since 2007 – Australia will take part in this November’s Malabar naval exercise, a move that is likely to lead to protests from China.Australian Defence Minister Linda Reynolds said late on Monday that the drills were about  “demonstrating our collective resolve to support an open and prosperous Indo-Pacific” – a allusion to countering China’s power.India’s...…Australia will take part in large-scale military exercises off the coast of India next month that will bring together a quartet of countries concerned by rising Chinese influence.India, Japan, the United States and – for the first time since 2007 – Australia will take part in this November’s Malabar naval exercise, a move that is likely to lead to protests from China.Australian Defence Minister Linda Reynolds said late on Monday that the drills were about  “demonstrating our collective resolve to support an open and prosperous Indo-Pacific” – a allusion to countering China’s power.India’s...WW…

The government of the Netherlands has said it will offer compensation to the children of Indonesians who were executed by Dutch soldiers during the Indonesian War of Independence between 1945 and 1950.The announcement on Monday follows a court ruling earlier this year that ordered the state to compensate widows and children of 11 men killed between 1946 and 1947 in Indonesia’s southern Sulawesi island, then called Celebes.Dutch judges previously also slapped down arguments by the state claiming the violence committed during Indonesia’s independence struggle from its former colonial master...…The government of the Netherlands has said it will offer compensation to the children of Indonesians who were executed by Dutch soldiers during the Indonesian War of Independence between 1945 and 1950.The announcement on Monday follows a court ruling earlier this year that ordered the state to compensate widows and children of 11 men killed between 1946 and 1947 in Indonesia’s southern Sulawesi island, then called Celebes.Dutch judges previously also slapped down arguments by the state claiming the violence committed during Indonesia’s independence struggle from its former colonial master...WW…

Imagine having to parallel park a 15-passenger van in a narrow parking spot surrounded by two-storey boulders. Then imagine doing it on an asteroid hurtling through outer space at speeds of more than 62,700 miles per hour (101,000 km/h).On Tuesday, a mission led by US space agency NASA and a team of researchers from the University of Arizona in the United States will do just that, sending commands to a small spacecraft more than 200 million miles (321.9 million kilometres) away, and guiding OSIRIS-REx to vacuum up bits of an asteroid named Bennu and bring them back to Earth. Inside those...…Imagine having to parallel park a 15-passenger van in a narrow parking spot surrounded by two-storey boulders. Then imagine doing it on an asteroid hurtling through outer space at speeds of more than 62,700 miles per hour (101,000 km/h).On Tuesday, a mission led by US space agency NASA and a team of researchers from the University of Arizona in the United States will do just that, sending commands to a small spacecraft more than 200 million miles (321.9 million kilometres) away, and guiding OSIRIS-REx to vacuum up bits of an asteroid named Bennu and bring them back to Earth. Inside those...WW…