WORLD

Ukrainian soldiers shelled a bus in the Russian-controlled area of southern Ukraine's Kherson region on Friday, resulting in at least five fatalities and as many injuries, according to the Russian TASS news agency.

Authorities that were imposed by Russia in the area claimed that the attack happened as the bus was transporting people across a bridge close to the village of Darivka.

The burnt-out remains of what looked to be a bus's chassis were shown in videos posted by the Russian military news agency Zvezda, along with a van that was behind it and had smoke coming out of its front compartment.

The United States on Thursday imposed sanctions against seven senior Iranian officials for their alleged role in violently suppressing protests after the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in the custody of morality police, reported AFP. The Iranian officials who have been sanctioned by the US include Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi, Communications Minister Eisa Zarepour, and five senior security officials.

As per the US Treasured, these officials were targeted for the shutdown of Iran's internet access and the continued violence against peaceful protesters. "The rights to freedom of expression and of peaceful assembly are vital to guaranteeing individual liberty and dignity," Treasury Under Secretary of the Treasury Brian Nelson said as quoted by the news agency.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday said that he expected the situation to "stabilise" in the Moscow-annexed Ukrainian region. Putin's remarks came after Russian forces suffered a setback in south Ukraine. Russian troops reportedly lost several areas in the Kherson region to Ukrainian forces.

Putin also ordered to take over Europe's largest nuclear power plant in Zaporizhzhia. Notably, last week, the Russian President announced the annexation of Zaporizhzhia and three other regions of Ukraine - Kherson, Luhansk, and Donetsk.

After Putin's order to take over the nuclear facility, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Chief Rafael Grossi said that he was travelling to Kyiv to discuss creating a security zone around Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia atomic plant.

On September 21, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a “partial” mobilisation to support his troops in Ukraine, which are currently under heavy pressure from Ukraine’s counter-offensive across the entire front line. After Putin met with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko on September 26-27, rumours soon began to spread about an imminent Belarusian mobilisation that would then participate in a new offensive against Kyiv.

However, no mobilisation appears to have taken place, although military activity in Belarus has noticeably increased.

UK Prime Minister Liz Truss reportedly told King Charles not to attend the upcoming COP27 climate talks. Next month leaders from across the world will gather in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt for the annual convention to discuss the global environment.

Buckingham Palace confirmed that King Charles sought advice from Ms Truss on his appearance at the event. "With mutual friendship and respect there was agreement that the King would not attend," the Palace told the BBC.