*) Russian strikes cause emergency outages in Ukraine

Ukraine races to repair energy infrastructure after Russian attacks cut power to millions of people across the country.

In the capital Kiev, 60 percent of residents were still without power on Friday amid temperatures well below freezing, according to the city’s mayor.

Meanwhile, the southern Ukrainian region of Kherson came under its heaviest Russian bombardment since Ukrainian forces recaptured it two weeks ago.

At least four people have been killed and many more injured in the latest strikes.

*) Protesters in Goma reject east Congo ceasefire agreement

Hundreds of people in the Democratic Republic of Congo's eastern city of Goma are protesting against a ceasefire agreement between African leaders to stop attacks by M23 rebels in the region.

Protesters say the agreement does not tackle Rwanda’s alleged backing of the group.

M23 rebels, who were not present at the talks, said the agreement did not affect them. An East African regional force will now be deployed to monitor the ceasefire.

Around 280,000 people have been displaced since fighting began between the rebels and the Congolese army earlier this year.

*) UN council votes to investigate human rights abuses in Iran
The UN Human Rights Council has voted to investigate human rights abuses in Iran during countrywide anti-government protests.

The motion passed with 25 in favour, six against and 16 abstentions.

An estimated 300 people have been killed and 14,000 arrested since protests began 10 weeks ago.

Tehran has called the decision disgraceful and motivated by some western countries.

*) Shamima Begum challenges citizenship revocation

Today is the last day in the appeal hearing of Shamima Begum, a British schoolgirl who travelled to Syria to join Daesh in 2015.

Begum, who was fifteen at the time, is challenging the removal of her citizenship on grounds of national security.

Her lawyers say she was a likely “child victim of trafficking.”

And finally…
*) Brazil beats Serbia and latest from the World Cup

Brazil beat Serbia 2-0 (two nil) in their opening game in the World Cup.

Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo makes history as he becomes the first player to score in five FIFA World Cups as Portugal beat Ghana 3-2.

*) Anwar Ibrahim is Malaysia's new prime minister

After days of political impasse, opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim has been appointed as Malaysia’s new prime minister.

King Al Sultan Abdullah confirmed his appointment on Thursday, five days after parliamentary election left no party with a clear majority to form a government.

Anwar is set to be sworn in at 9∂ GMT.

*) Ceasefire in eastern DRC to begin Friday

African leaders gathered in Angola’s capital Luanda have called for an “immediate ceasefire” in the Democratic Republic of Congo to start on Friday evening.

The agreement aims to end the conflict between the Congolese army and M23 rebels in the east of the country.

The conflict has raised tensions between the DRC and neighbouring Rwanda. The DRC accuses Rwanda of backing the armed group, which Rwanda denies.

More than 5.5 million people have been displaced in the DRC, one of the world’s most neglected humanitarian crises.

*) President Erdogan on operation against Syria-based terrorists

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said Türkiye could soon launch a land operation against terror groups in neighbouring Syria to protect its citizens and territory.

Speaking to AK Party members, the Turkish president said that the fight against terrorism will go to wherever there’s a threat against Turkiye.

His comments come three days after the start of Operation Claw-Sword, which so far has seen multiple air strikes against the PKK/YPG terror group in northern Syria and Iraq.

*) Kosovo and Serbia finally settle car licence plate dispute


Kosovo and Serbia have now reached a deal to end a two-year dispute over car licence plates.

The dispute could have triggered one of the worst regional crises in years.


The EU’s foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, who helped with the negotiations, says both countries have agreed to avoid further escalation and concentrate on normalising relations.

Thousands of ethnic Serbs living in northern Kosovo had refused to switch from Serbian license plates to Kosovar ones - even though Serbia required the same for Kosovars living there.

And finally…

*) China's daily Covid infections highest since pandemic began


China has recorded more than 31,000 Covid-19 cases, its highest number since the pandemic began.

This comes despite the government’s zero-tolerance approach, including strict lockdowns and travel restrictions which have sparked sporadic protests.

On Wednesday, workers at the world’s largest iPhone factory in central China, Foxconn, were seen protesting against the restrictions. Clashes with police continued into the night.

*) Magnitude 5.9 earthquake strikes northwestern Türkiye

A magnitude 5.9 earthquake has struck Türkiye's northwestern Duzce province, with tremors felt in Istanbul, Ankara and other regions, officials say.

The earthquake, which struck at 01:08 GMT was centred about 14 kilometres northwest of Duzce, in the Golyaka district, Türkiye's disaster management agency, AFAD said.

The agency said that 35 people were injured, one of them critically, and reported 70 aftershocks in the region.

*) Civilians killed in YPG/PKK terror attack in northern Syria

At least five civilians, including a child, have been killed in northwestern Syria in a rocket strike by the YPG/PKK terrorist group, according to reports and witnesses.

At least eight others were wounded in Tuesday's attack in the Azaz district.

YPG/PKK terrorists fired the projectile from the Tal Rifaat area which has been under their occupation for more than six years.

*) One dead, more than a dozen injured in two explosions in West Jerusalem

Two separate explosions in West Jerusalem have left 14 people injured and killed one, according to an Israeli police statement and Israel's Army Radio.

The first explosion took place around 05:05 GMT near a bus station at the Givat Shaul Junction in West Jerusalem, along a highway leading out of the city that is usually packed with commuters.

The second explosion was heard at 05:35 GMT near the Ramot Junction, also in the vicinity of a bus station.

14 civilians were injured at the scenes, the police statement said. Israel's Army Radio reported that one person had died of injuries sustained in one of the blasts.

*) Indonesia quake survivors appeal for supplies as rescuers search debris

Survivors of an Indonesian earthquake that killed at least 268 people have appealed for food and water as rescuers picked through devastated villages.

The calls for help came as authorities warned that debris from landslides caused by the strong quake near the town of Cianjur in West Java needed to be cleared.

This comes ahead of heavy rains forecast in the coming weeks, threatening a second disaster.

*) FIFA 2022: Saudi Arabia beat Argentina in stunning World Cup upset

Unheralded Saudi Arabia has notched one of the biggest shocks in World Cup history with a 2-1 win over Lionel Messi's Argentina.

On his fifth and final quest for the only major trophy to elude him on Tuesday, Messi scored a 10th minute penalty in a dominant first half display.

But Saudi Arabia, the second-lowest ranked team in the tournament after Ghana, charged at Argentina's defence in the second half.

The result broke Argentina's amazing 36-match undefeated run and stopped them from matching the previous international record of 37 games unbeaten, held by Italy.

*) Hunt for buried survivors after deadly quake hits Indonesia

Rescuers continued their search for survivors after a powerful earthquake hit Indonesia’s main island of Java.

At least 162 people have died in Monday’s magnitude 5.6 quake, which also injured thousands. The death toll is expected to rise as many remain trapped in collapsed buildings.

Indonesia's President Joko Widodo said the government would hand out compensation to victims and their families.

*) Türkiye neutralises 184 PKK/YPG terrorists: Defence ministry

Türkiye could launch a ground operation to eliminate the terrorist threat posed by the PKK and YPG, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said.

The statement came a day after Ankara launched an aerial operation called Claw-Sword in northern Iraq and Syria where so far, dozens of targets have been destroyed and 184 terrorists neutralised, according to the defence ministry.

Three people, including a student and teacher, were also killed inside Türkiye after the terrorist group fired mortars into the southeastern city of Gaziantep.

*) Malaysia’s king expected to pick next prime minister

In Malaysia, King Al-Sultan Abdullah is now expected to pick the next prime minister, after Saturday’s election produced a hung parliament.

Political parties missed a Tuesday deadline to put together alliances for a majority and present their choice for PM.

The uncertainty prolongs economic and political instability in the Southeast Asian nation, which has had three prime ministers in as many years.

*) Mali bans French-backed NGOs' activities — govt

Mali's military government has announced a ban on the activities of NGOs, including humanitarian organisations, funded or supported by France.

Mali’s interim prime minister said it was in response to France's decision to stop development aid for Mali, the latest move in a worsening row between the countries.

France announced the decision last week, three months after finalising its pull-out of forces from the country.

*) World Cup: England off to a flyer after routing Iran 6-2

England saw a flying start to their World Cup campaign in Qatar as it won its first game against Iran 6-2.

The blistering score came after the Iranian players chose not to sing the national anthem before the match, in apparent support for Mahsa Amini demonstrations that have rocked their country for the past two months.

Iran coach Carlos Queiroz said the unrest in Iran had put his players under enormous strain.

*) Türkiye begins anti-terror raids in Iraq, Syria after Istanbul bombing

Türkiye has launched air strikes on PKK/YPG targets in northern Iraq and Syria that came after last week's terrorist attack in Istanbul.

The defence ministry confirmed that 89 targets had been destroyed and that "many terrorists" were "neutralised” as “Operation Claw-Sword” was launched early on Sunday morning.

Meanwhile at least eight Turkish security officials were injured near the Syrian border as PKK/YPG terrorists fired rockets into Türkiye.

*) 'Not enough': World leaders react to historic UN climate deal

The UN climate conference has closed with what some have described as a “breakthrough” agreement to provide "loss and damage" funding for vulnerable countries hit hard by climate disasters.

The developing world has been calling for such a fund for thirty years, and it's been one of the most important issues at COP27.

While many nations are celebrating its achievement, others are unhappy with the overall agreement, which they say lacks a greater commitment to curb the use of fossil fuels.

*) Russia shelling remains 'extremely high' — Ukraine

The UN's nuclear watchdog has condemned another attack on the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine.

At least a dozen blasts were reported near a nuclear waste storage facility, as well as a building that houses fresh spent nuclear fuel.

Moscow and Kiev both blame each other for the shelling. There has been no leak of radiation detected at the facility yet.

*) Serbia's Vucic to meet Kosovo PM Kurti over licence plates dispute

The Serbian president has said he will meet Kosovo’s Prime Minister in Brussels on Monday to discuss a licence plate row that risks becoming one of the worst regional crises in years.

The dispute is over a tit-for-tat measure in Kosovo that requires Kosovan Serbs with licence plates issued by Serbia to replace them with plates issued by Kosovo by April next year.

The main source of tension is Kosovo's 2008 declaration of independence, which Serbia does not recognise and continues to see the country as part of its territory,

*) Ecuador defeats Qatar 2-0 in World Cup 2022 opener

After four years of waiting, the football World Cup has finally kicked off in Qatar.

Ecuador won the opening game of the tournament defeating hosts Qatar 2-0 in the Al Bayt Stadium.

Over the next month, 32 teams from around the world will battle it out in the first World Cup to be held in the Middle East.

*) Russian missiles hit Ukrainian energy infrastructure

Russian missiles continue to pound critical Ukrainian energy infrastructure.

Ukraine's President Volodmyr Zelenskyy says 10 million people are without power, following Russian missile strikes targeting its energy facilities.

Most of the power outages are in the capital Kiev, the port of Odessa and the western city of Vinnytsia.

Officials have confirmed damage to critical infrastructure in Odessa and Dnipro, and at least four deaths in Zaporizhzhia

*) Ukraine grain deal extended by another four months

The Ankara-brokered Black Sea Grain deal will continue for at least another four months, easing concerns over global food shortages.

The agreement, allowing Ukrainian agricultural exports from its southern ports, was due to expire on Saturday.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who brokered the original deal alongside the UN, played a key role in the extension.

*) Deadly fire in Gaza kills several people

At least 21 people have died in a fire at a refugee camp in Gaza.

The fire broke out in a three-storey house in the crowded Jabalia camp in northern Gaza.

While the cause remains unknown, officials say gasoline was stored in the building. Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas has declared a day of mourning on Friday.


*) US House Speaker to step down

Nancy Pelosi - the Speaker of the US House of Representatives - has announced she is stepping down after nearly two decades. However, she will remain as a lawmaker in the chamber.

She was the first woman to hold the office. Her decision comes after the Republicans won a slim majority in the House following the midterm elections. They will take control of the chamber in January.

And finally…

*) Hundreds more resign from Twitter

Hundreds of Twitter employees have resigned after an ultimatum from its new owner, Elon Musk.

The billionaire has fired nearly half of the company's 75-hundred workforce since he bought the company. Twitter's offices are now temporarily closed until Monday.

Musk sent out a form with a Thursday deadline to his remaining employees asking if they want to be part of what he calls an “extremely hardcore” culture reset of the social media platform.

*) Zelenskyy insists Poland missile attack wasn't by Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy insists a missile that killed two people in Poland did not come from Ukrainian armed forces.

Zelenskyy says a full-access investigation involving his officials should clarify what happened in Poland. He maintains a missile that crossed over into Poland did not come from Ukrainian armed forces.

Earlier, Poland's President Andrej Duda said the missile strike appears to have been an accident, not an intentional attack. His comments were also echoed by the head of NATO.

*) Republicans take control of lower chamber of Congress

In the US, Republican lawmakers have taken control of the lower chamber of Congress, after winning the required 218 seats in the House of Representatives.

Democrats have lost key races in New York, Florida and other states with slim margins. Now, Republicans will be able to block Biden's legislative decisions since all bills must pass both the House and the Senate to become law.

Meanwhile, President Biden congratulated Republicans for winning the majority in the House.

*) DPRK fires another ballistic missile

South Korea's military says Pyongyang has test-fired another ballistic missile off its east coast.

North Korea has threatened to launch more military responses after the US, South Korea and Japan announced strengthened security ties this week.

Pyongyang warned that an accord on the North would leave tensions on the Korean Peninsula more unpredictable.

*) World leaders express resolve to limit temperature rise to 1.5C

Leaders at the Group of 20 (G20) meeting in Bali have agreed to pursue efforts to limit the rise in global temperatures to 1.5 degree Celsius.

They also agreed to speed up efforts to "phase down" the unabated use of coal.

A declaration issued after the end of the summit urged delegates at COP27 to "urgently scale up" efforts on the issue of mitigating and adapting to the climate crisis.

*) Football players get protection from online abuse during World Cup

FIFA and the global football players union have launched a moderation service to protect World Cup players from abuse on social media during the tournament.

FIFA said that the more than 830 players in Qatar could access a "dedicated monitoring, reporting and moderation service" that aims to filter hate speech targeted at them.