August 11, 2023

*) Russia reportedly lays siege to Ukraine's Kupiansk Russian forces have almost reached the outskirts of the Ukrainian city of Kupiansk, state news agency TASS reported. TASS said Ukrainian troops are abandoning their positions and just "a number of kilometres are left to pass." Ukraine denied the report, saying all Russian attacks were repelled and attempts to lay siege were unsuccessful. *) ​​Earthquake rattles eastern Türkiye, causing panic A magnitude 5.3 earthquake has struck eastern Türkiye, according to the nation's disaster management agency, AFAD. Residents in the region were seen moving to open areas to protect themselves from building destruction. Twenty-three people were injured as a result of panic, but there were no reports of death, according to Health Minister Fahrettin Koca. *) Ivory Coast: ECOWAS approves Niger intervention ‘as soon as possible’ West African bloc ECOWAS approved military intervention in Niger "as soon as possible" to remove its military rulers following last month's coup, Ivory Coast's President Alassane Ouattara has said. Earlier Thursday, the leaders of the bloc said they would deploy a "standby force" against the military leaders who seized control of Niger, deposing Mohamed Bazoum as president. Ouattara said Ivory Coast would provide hundreds of men alongside soldiers from Nigeria and Benin, and that other countries would join them. *) Several Somali soldiers killed in Mogadishu bomb explosion: local media Several Somali soldiers have been killed in a bomb explosion in the capital Mogadishu, according to local media. Local broadcaster Radio Shabelle said the incident took place when a military vehicle drove over a landmine planted on the road near Darussalam area. Quoting a witness, the broadcaster said all six Somali soldiers aboard the vehicle died. *) Hollywood strike causes Emmy Awards to be delayed The Emmy Awards, postponed due to the Hollywood strike, now have a new date that aligns them with the heart of Hollywood's awards season, marking a notabl