September 30, 2022

*) Putin to annex four Ukraine territories with 'major speech' as West fumes Russia is set to formally annex four occupied regions of Ukraine at a ceremony that the Kremlin says will feature a major speech by President Vladimir Putin. In a presidential decree, Putin has already recognised the independence of Zaporizhzhia and Kherson. He made a similar move in connection with Donetsk and Luhansk in February. Kiev and its Western allies have denounced the annexation, describing the Moscow-backed separatist votes that preceded it as a sham and an attempt at unlawful land grab. *) Suicide attack at tutoring centre in Afghan capital kills 19 A suicide attack at a learning centre in the Afghan capital has killed at least 19 people. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the blast. The incident happened in a neighbourhood of western Kabul that is a predominantly Shia Muslim area home to the minority Hazara community. Students were preparing for an exam when a suicide bomber struck at the educational centre, police said, adding that over 20 people have suffered injuries. *) Hurricane Ian veers toward Carolinas after pummeling Florida A resurgent Hurricane Ian has barrelled north toward a second landfall in South Carolina, a day after carving a path of destruction across central Florida. Ian, which had weakened to a tropical storm, regained Category 1 hurricane strength while churning toward South Carolina above the Atlantic Ocean. Ian first came ashore in Florida on Wednesday as one of the most powerful storms ever to hit the US mainland. President Joe Biden has said that preliminary reports suggested a "substantial" loss of life. *) Iran ups pressure on celebrities, media over Mahsa Amini protests Iran has stepped up pressure on celebrities and journalists over the recent wave of protests, which has been backed by filmmakers, athletes, musicians and actors. Iran’s warnings came after almost two weeks of demonstrations across Iran and a deadly crackdown that rights groups say has been marked by violence by