Briefly

UNITED STATES

Man killed in raid for threat against Biden

The FBI said its agents shot and killed a Utah man on Wednesday during a raid that a source said targeted the man for allegedly making threats against US President Joe Biden, Vice-President Kamala Harris and law enforcement officials. The FBI in Salt Lake City said the shooting occurred early on Wednesday as agents attempted to serve arrest and search warrants at a residence in Provo, south of Salt Lake City. Biden, who was scheduled to visit Utah on Wednesday, was briefed on the FBI raid, a White House official said, referring further questions on the matter to the FBI.

RUSSIA

11 Ukrainian drones downed near Crimea

Russia's Defense Ministry said on Thursday that it had downed 11 Ukrainian drones near Crimea overnight, as well as two drones flying toward the capital Moscow. The ministry said there were no reports of damage or casualties in any of the affected areas. The strikes came a day after Russia said two Ukrainian combat drones headed for Moscow were shot down. Last month, Ukrainian drone strikes on Crimea blew up an ammunition depot and damaged the bridge across the Kerch Strait linking the peninsula to the Russian mainland.

SYRIA

Assad blames terrorism for causing destruction

Syria's President Bashar al-Assad said on Wednesday that terrorism caused destruction in Syria, and those who supported terrorism should be held accountable. Speaking to Sky News Arabia in an interview, Assad emphasized the extent of destruction caused by terrorism in Syria, stressing that no state intentionally destroys its own homeland. He dismissed the notion that counterterrorism efforts could ruin the country. According to Assad, if Syria had followed the demands of certain countries, the war could have been prevented. However, doing so would have come at the expense of the rights and interests of the Syrian people.

Agencies - Xinhua