News
*) Russia responds to US offer over Ukraine crisis Moscow has responded to Washington's proposal on Ukraine, the State Department said. The Russian response comes amid US pressure to de-escalate tension on the Ukraine border. Earlier, Russia accused the West of "whipping up tensions” during a stormy debate at the UN Security Council meeting. The US ambassador to the UN warned Moscow’s troop build-up along its southern border poses the biggest international security threat in Europe in decades. *) Protests mark anniversary of Myanmar military takeover Myanmar's junta has threatened to jail anti-coup protesters joining a "silent strike" on the anniversary of the military coup. The warnings haven't stopped a small group of protesters from gathering in Myanmar's second-biggest city, Mandalay. Businesses and shops were shut down across the country and people stayed home to avoid possible clashes. *) Biden to designate Qatar as 'major non-NATO ally' US President Joe Biden has promised Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim that he will soon designate Qatar as a major non-NATO ally. The special status is granted by Washington to close non-NATO allies that have strategic working relationship with the US military. Biden said the designation reflects "the importance” of the US’s relationship with Qatar after meeting Tamim in the White House. *) Mali junta tells French ambassador to leave within 72 hours The military junta in Mali has given the French ambassador 72 hours to leave the country. The move comes after French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian called the junta illegitimate and out of control. Mali says France’s comments were 'hostile and outrageous' and that ambassador Joel Meyer would only be allowed to return if the French government clarifies its position. *) Thousands of Haitian homes flood after heavy rain bursts river banks Thousands of homes have been flooded and some 2,500 families were displaced in Haiti after torrential rain caused rivers to burst their banks. Rescue teams have begun evacuating people in high-risk zones, the civil protection authority said. Nearly 36 hours of rain caused flooding, primarily in the north of the Caribbean country, with water filling the historic centre of the city of Cap-Haitien.