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Ukraine must fight corruption too, says UN development chief
Ukraine must fight corruption too, says UN development chief
World
by  AFP

Besides fighting Russia, Ukraine must also actively combat corruption in order to unleash a massive influx of reconstruction money, the head of the UN development agency told AFP. Fighting corruption -- endemic in Ukraine long before the Russian invasion -- will "prevent theft from its own people", United Nations Development Programme administrator Achim Steiner said.

Disputed grain ship returns to Russia from Turkey
Disputed grain ship returns to Russia from Turkey
World
by  AFP

A disputed cargo ship carrying allegedly stolen grain from Ukraine has returned to Russian territorial waters, a Turkish source told AFP on Thursday, drawing angry condemnation from Kyiv. A Turkish source said the ship reached Russian territorial waters but had not yet docked in port.

China's Wang meets Lavrov in Bali ahead of G20 talks
China's Wang meets Lavrov in Bali ahead of G20 talks
World
by  AFP

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov in Bali Thursday for talks ahead of a G20 ministerial meeting overshadowed by Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. But he will shun a direct meeting with his Russian counterpart even though they are set for their first showdown since the outbreak of war.

Russia says US 'hype' not helping WNBA player Griner
Russia says US 'hype' not helping WNBA player Griner
World
by  AFP

Moscow said Thursday that US "hype" over women's basketball star Brittney Griner, held in Russia on drug smuggling charges, will not help her case after President Joe Biden spoke out against her detention. Griner -- held in Russia since February and facing up to a decade behind bars on charges of smuggling cannabis vape cartridges into the country -- is due to appear in court later on Thursday.

Five in hospital as Spain's Pamplona bull run returns
Five in hospital as Spain's Pamplona bull run returns
World
by  AFP

Half-tonne fighting bulls knocked over thrill-seekers on Thursday in the first bull run since 2019 at Spain's San Fermin festival in Pamplona, with five people taken to hospital. Sixteen people have died in the bull runs since 1910.