September 8, 2023

*) Twin attacks in Mali leave civilians, soldiers dead At least 49 civilians and 15 soldiers have been killed when militants attacked a military camp and a vessel in northeastern Mali, the interim government has said. Many more also were wounded and the death toll was provisional, according to the statement. Insurgents attacked a boat carrying civilians on flooded plains between Gao and Mopti. Assailants also attacked a military base in the Bourem Circle, an administrative subdivision of the Gao region in Mali's northeast. *) North Korea launches new 'tactical nuclear attack' submarine North Korea has built a "tactical nuclear attack submarine" as part of its effort to strengthen its naval force, according to the state news agency. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un presided over the unveiling ceremony on Wednesday, saying the new sub was part of a "push forward with the nuclear weaponisation of the Navy in the future." The launching of the submarine, named the Hero Kim Kun Ok, "heralded the beginning of a new chapter for bolstering up the naval force” of North Korea. *) Clashes rock Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon Clashes have broken out in a restive Palestinian refugee camp in southern Lebanon that was rocked by deadly fighting just weeks ago, according to AFP news agency. Automatic weapon fire and rocket launchers were heard in the country’s southern city of Sidon. Ein El Hilweh is home to more than 54,000 registered refugees. *) Hong Kong hit by heaviest rainfall in 140 years Hong Kong has been flooded by the heaviest rainfall in nearly 140 years, leaving the city's streets and some subway stations underwater and forcing its schools to close. The heavy rainfall in Hong Kong started on Thursday and in the hour leading up to midnight, the city's weather observatory recorded hourly rainfall of 158.1 millimetres at its headquarters, the highest since records began in 1884. Authorities issued flash flood warnings, with emergency services conducting rescue operations in parts of the territory. I