Reuters, Kabul
Russia has rejected comments by NATO’s top commander in Afghanistan that it has been supporting and even supplying weapons to the Taliban, in a clash of words that underlines growing tension over Moscow’s involvement in the conflict.
In an interview with the BBC last week, General John Nicholson said that Russia had been acting to undermine U.S. efforts in Afghanistan despite shared interests in fighting terrorism and narcotics, with indications that Moscow was providing financial support and even arms.
Israeli warplanes hit Hamas in Gaza
AFP, Jerusalem
Israeli jets pounded Hamas positions in Gaza overnight after Palestinians staged a cross-border raid into southern Israel, the military said early Sunday.
“Israel Air Force fighter jets targeted a terror target in a military compound belonging to the Hamas terror organisation in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip,” it said in an English-language statement.
Ivory Coast ruling coalition wins
senate elections
AFP, Abidjan
Ivory Coast’s ruling coalition won an overwhelming victory Saturday in the country’s first senatorial elections, which were boycotted by the opposition who have accused the electoral commission of bias.
The Rally of Houphouetists for Democracy and Peace (RHDP) coalition took 50 of the 66 seats contested, according to a tally compiled by AFP from results announced by the Independent Electoral Commission.
12 killed Ecuador bus mishap
AFP, Quito
Twelve people were killed and another 25 were injured on Saturday when the bus they were traveling in careened off a road in a coastal region of western Ecuador, officials said. “So far there are 25 injured…and 12 people died as a result of the traffic accident,” a rescue agency said in a statement.
The accident occurred at around 2:00 pm local time (1900 GMT) on the Jipijapa highway, in the area known as “Las Americas” of the Manabi province, according to a report from the Ecuadorian Traffic Commission.
Eight killed in Rio favela police operation
AFP, Sao Paulo
Eight people were killed during a police operation Saturday morning in the violent Rio de Janeiro favela of Rocinha, authorities said.
The military police, currently operating across Rio de Janeiro state, said troops were patrolling two areas in the south and southeast of the favela when “they entered into a confrontation with criminals.”After the incident police said a rifle, seven pistols and two grenades were seized.
