Anadolu Agency's Morning Briefing – April 12, 2022

ANKARA 

Anadolu Agency is here with a rundown of the latest developments around the world.

Ukraine’s president on Monday blamed Russian troops for planting mines while they were withdrawing from the northern side of the country and asked for this act to be considered a “war crime.”

“Due to the actions of the Russian army, our territory is currently one of the most contaminated by mines in the world. And I believe this should also be considered a war crime of Russian troops,” said Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a video message.

France is expelling six Russian agents operating under diplomatic cover following a counter-espionage operation on a clandestine network, the French government announced Monday.

The Foreign Ministry declared that the six Russian agents, whose activities proved contrary to France’s national interests, have been declared persona non grata. In the absence of the Russian envoy, the second in command in Paris has been summoned to be informed of this decision, the ministry’s statement said.

India sought to defend its purchases of Russian oil and gas Monday amid a US push for nations around the world to curb acquisitions, saying Europe's consumption far surpasses India's.

Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, New Delhi's top diplomat, lashed out at criticism over India's purchases of Russian energy, saying they are necessary to secure the nation's energy security.

Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan congratulated Pakistan’s new Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in a phone call Monday.

According to the Turkish Communications Directorate, Erdogan called Sharif after he took the oath of office.

Sharif was sworn-in on Monday after former Premier Imran Khan was ousted in a no-confidence vote that he attempted to thwart. Khan maintained that he was the victim of a US plot that sought his removal.

In Lebanon, at least one person was killed and seven others were injured in an explosion near the country’s southern city of Sidon, local media reported early Tuesday.

The Al Arabiya television network reported that the explosion occurred near the office of the Shia Amal Movement.

The US State Department ordered non-emergency US government workers and their family members to leave the city of Shanghai.

The order comes in response to COVID-19 cases and the impact of restrictions related to the Chinese government's response.

In sports news, the Turkish Volleyball Federation announced that the 2022 FIVB Volleyball Women's Nations League Finals will take place in Turkiye's capital Ankara on July 13-17.