News in Brief-(2023-09-15)

Russian air defence system destroyed
in Crimea, claims Ukraine
KYIV, Sept 14: Ukraine says it has destroyed a sophisticated Russian air defence system in occupied Crimea. Kyiv's security service (SBU) and navy carried out the attack on a Russian facility near Yevpatoriya using cruise missiles and drones, a Ukrainian intelligence source told the BBC. Video footage on social media showed a fire and smoke near the city, in the west of the Russian-occupied peninsula. Moscow has yet to directly comment on the claim. Instead, the Russian defence ministry said it had shot down several Ukrainian aerial drones and thwarted a separate attack on a naval patrol vessel. — BBC
Suu Kyi's son worried about her health
BANGKOK, Sept 14: The younger son of ousted Myanmar leader Aung Sang Suu Kyi says he has always avoided talking to the media, but this time is different. He's increasingly worried about his imprisoned 78-year-old mother's health and about Myanmar's violent political crisis, which he calls desperate. "I'd just really like to have some form of contact with her so that I know that she's OK, because at the moment she has no access to her legal counsel," Kim Aris said Wednesday in a video interview with The Associated Press from his home in London. — AP
Netflix actress Taiwan VP candidate
TAIPEI, Sept 14: Taiwan billionaire Terry Gou has chosen an actress whose Netflix drama sparked a MeToo movement as his running mate in January's presidential election. Tammy Lai, 60, is a veteran in show business but her candidacy as Vice President (VP) has surprised many, given her lack of political experience. Mr Guo, the founder of iPhone maker Foxconn, is running as an independent. Taiwan will vote for a new president in the shadow of an increasingly assertive China. The self-governed island has been a democracy since 1996. — BBC
Russia expels two US diplomats
MOSCOW, Sept 14: Russia on Thursday said it was expelling two US embassy staff for allegedly "liaising" with Robert Shonov, a former US consulate worker accused by Moscow of spying. Moscow's foreign ministry said the two US diplomats-Jeff Sillin and David Bernstein-had "conducted illegal activities by liaising with a Russian citizen, (Robert) Shonov". — AFP