Briefly

AUSTRALIA

Iranian ambassador expelled over attacks

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Tuesday accused Iran of directing antisemitic attacks in Australia and announced that Iranian Ambassador Ahmad Sadeghi has been told to leave the country. Addressing a news conference on Tuesday afternoon, Albanese said that the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation has gathered credible evidence that Iran directed at least two antisemitic attacks against the Australian Jewish community in Sydney and Melbourne since October 2023. Iran's foreign ministry spokesman denied the accusations and vowed "reciprocal reaction" to any unjustified diplomatic measures by Australia.

UNITED NATIONS

Half a million return to Khartoum in a month

Half a million people returned to the Sudanese capital Khartoum in July alone, the United Nations' migration agency said on Monday, as the city begins to recover even as the country's devastating conflict rages elsewhere. The International Organization for Migration said an estimated 500,074 individuals made their way back to the city last month, a staggering 400 percent increase compared with June. The spike in returns came four months after Sudan's army recaptured the city from its rival paramilitary Rapid Support Forces in March, and as the government launches reconstruction efforts. The UN has, however, said the situation remains highly precarious, with basic services limited and the risk of renewed violence still present.

LITHUANIA

Parliament approves new prime minister

The Lithuanian parliament on Tuesday approved the appointment of Social Democrat Inga Ruginiene, incumbent minister of social security and labor, as Lithuania's new prime minister. After the parliament's approval, Ruginiene now has up to 15 days to present a new cabinet list agreed with the president to the parliament for a vote. She will officially take office after the president signs a decree appointing her as the prime minister, and she, together with the new Cabinet, takes the oath in the parliament. Ruginiene, 44, was elected to parliament for the first time in 2024. Before her political career, she served as chair of the Lithuanian Trade Union Confederation. Former prime minister Gintautas Paluckas stepped down on Aug 4, triggering the automatic resignation of the entire cabinet.

Xinhua - Agencies