Briefly

AFGHANISTAN

Dozens of militants killed as air force strikes

At least 26 militants have been killed in northern Balkh and southern Kandahar provinces over the past 24 hours as the country's air force has increased bombing sorties, the Afghan army spokesman Mohammad Hanif Rezai said on Tuesday. According to Rezai, 16 militants including Mullah Yaqub, the commander of the so-called Red Unit of the Taliban group, were killed after the warplanes bombarded a gathering of the armed outfit in Kushindi district of the northern Balkh province early Tuesday morning. Rezai also noted that the government forces would continue to target the insurgents from the air in the country.

UNITED NATIONS

46 million people displaced in 2019

The UN children's agency said on Tuesday that an estimated 46 million people－19 million of them children－fled violence and conflict last year. A UNICEF report said there has been a steep increase in the number of internally displaced people as a result of conflict and violence, from 25 million a decade ago to more than 40 million in the last five years. And last year more than 40% of the displaced were under the age of 18. "When new crises emerge, like the COVID-19 pandemic, these children are especially vulnerable," the report said.

VENEZUELA

US blamed for mercenary attacks

Venezuela's Foreign Ministry said on Monday that the Venezuelan armed forces have thwarted an attempt to unload mercenary groups onto the country's central coast on Sunday, blaming the United States for the "provocations and attacks". The Venezuelan Foreign Ministry said several people were captured in the operation, including one individual who confessed to "being a veteran agent of the US Drug Enforcement Agency". It said that "Venezuelan military deserters and a former member of the US Army Special Forces have taken responsibility for this failed operation".

SRI LANKA

Country issues 'extreme heat' alert

Sri Lanka's Natural Hazards Early Warning Center on Tuesday issued an "extreme heat" alert for several districts of the country as temperatures were expected to rise to over 40 degrees in coming days. In a statement, the center said extreme heat would be experienced in the Eastern, North-Western, North-Central, Western and Southern provinces as well as several areas in the north. According to the advisory, the temperature felt on the human body is expected to increase up to "Extreme Caution" level, especially in the noted areas. It said the public have been warned of possible heat cramps, exhaustion and even heat strokes.

Xinhua - Agencies