August 24, 2022

*) Ukraine braces for stepped-up Russian attacks around Independence Day Ukraine has banned public events celebrating the country's 31st Independence Day fearing renewed Russian attacks. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had warned Moscow that there would be consequences if Russia escalated its attacks to coincide with the anniversary. Meanwhile, the leader promised to restore his country's control over the Crimean Peninsula, which was illegally annexed by Russia in 2014 *) Somalia's Mohamud pledges 'all-out war' against Al Shabab Somalia's President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has pledged "an all-out war" to eliminate the Al Shabab terror group. He said without elaborating that weakening the group was a priority for the government and that preparations for the implementation of the plan were ongoing. This was his first statement to the nation since Al Shabab staged a 30-hour hotel siege in capital Mogadishu, which left at least 21 people dead. *) US claims targeting Iran-linked groups in Syria strikes The US military has confirmed carrying out air strikes in Syria's Deir Ezzor, apparently targeting facilities used by groups affiliated with Iran's Revolutionary Guards Corps. The strikes on Tuesday came even as the United States aimed to respond to a draft agreement proposed by the European Union that would bring back the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran. Washington said that such strikes were aimed at protecting US forces from attack by Iran-backed groups. *) ​​China sees 'severe threat’ to harvest amid hottest summer on record Chinese authorities warn that autumn harvest is under "severe threat" from high temperatures and drought. They have urged action to protect crops in the face of the country's hottest summer on record. The world's second-largest economy has been hit by record temperatures, flash floods and droughts this summer. And finally… *) Texas drought peels back river to expose giant dinosaur tracks Drought in the US state of Texas has dried up a river flowing through Dinosaur Valley S