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Moscow says blast damages key Crimea-Russia bridge
Moscow says blast damages key Crimea-Russia bridge

Moscow announced Saturday that a truck explosion ignited a huge fire and severely damaged the key Kerch bridge -- built as Russia's sole land link with annexed Crimea -- and vowed to find the perpetrators without immediately blaming Ukraine. It is hugely important to the Kremlin and Moscow had maintained the bridge crossing was safe despite the fighting.

Political paralysis in Iraq hampers economic growth
Political paralysis in Iraq hampers economic growth

A year since Iraq's last elections, it remains without not only a new government but a budget too, obstructing much-needed reforms and infrastructure projects in the oil-rich but war-ravaged country. "Infrastructure projects require years of steady financial planning by government," said Yesar al-Maleki, Gulf analyst at the Middle East Economic Survey (MEES).

Tunisia coastguard struggles to rein in migrant boats
Tunisia coastguard struggles to rein in migrant boats

As dawn breaks over the Mediterranean, Tunisian coastguards intercept a flimsy craft packed with migrants, bringing their dream of reaching Europe to an end -- for now. In just one night early this week, the coastguard intercepted 130 African migrants, including children and babies, on four craft attempting the crossing from the central region of Sfax.

Death toll from missiles on Ukraine town rises to 14
Death toll from missiles on Ukraine town rises to 14

At least 14 people died when seven Russian missiles struck the industrial town of Zaporizhzhia in southern Ukraine, the town council's secretary announced late Friday. The missiles struck before dawn on Thursday, with three landing in the town centre, just 40 kilometres (25 miles) from the artillery battles of the southern front.