News in Brief
Ukraine’s counter-offensive has begun: Zelensky
BBC – Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky appears to have confirmed that his country’s counter-offensive against Russia has started.
“Counteroffensive and defensive actions are taking place,” he said on Saturday, refusing to disclose details.
Ukrainian troops are reported to have advanced in the east near Bakhmut and in the south near Zaporizhzhia and have carried out long-range strikes on Russian targets.
But assessing the reality on the front lines is difficult, with the two warring sides presenting contrasting narratives: Ukraine claiming progress and Russia that it is fighting off attacks.
Four children survived plane crash, 40 days in Amazon
AP – Four Indigenous children who disappeared 40 days ago after surviving a small plane crash in the Amazon jungle were found alive on Friday, Colombian authorities announced, ending an intense search that gripped the nation.
Damaris Mucutuy, an aunt of the children, told a radio station that despite being found with signs of dehydration and insect bites, “the children are fine” and have been offered mental health services.
Blast at Turkish explosives factory kills five
REUTERS – Five workers have been killed in a blast that rocked an explosives factory in the Turkish capital of Ankara on Saturday, Turkey’s Defence Ministry said in a statement.
The blast occurred at the MKE Rocket and Explosives Factory some 40 km outside Ankara.
Ankara governor Vasip Sahin told reporters there were no more workers trapped, waiting to be rescued, or hospitalized.