News in Brief(2023-07-23)

Russia detains hard-line critic of Putin
MOSCOW, July 22: A prominent Russian hard-liner who accused President Vladimir Putin of weakness and indecision in Ukraine was detained Friday on charges of extremism, a signal the Kremlin has toughened its approach with hawkish critics after last month's abortive rebellion by the Wagner mercenary company. Igor Strelkov, a retired security officer who led Moscow-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine in 2014 and also was implicated by the Netherlands in the downing of a Malaysia Airlines passenger jet that year, has argued that a total mobilization is needed for Russia to achieve victory and recently criticized Putin as a "nonentity." — AP
Small plane crash: One killed, 3 hurt
MURRIETA, July 22: A single-engine plane rolled upside down before crashing near a Southern California airport on the Fourth of July, killing a father and severely injuring his three sons, federal investigators said in a preliminary report. The National Transportation Safety Board on Thursday released the report on the crash that killed Jared Newman, 39, of Temecula and injured his sons. — AP
Portugal tightens border checks
LISBON, July 22: In preparing to welcome Pope Francis along with a million young people for World Youth Day, Portugal has reinstated random border security checks Saturday. The "exceptional" measure has been implemented "to prevent possible threats to public order and internal security", which will last until August 7, according to a government decision. The identity checks at the borders will be "random and not systematic", the Interior Minister Jose Luis Carneiro said Friday, adding there will be coordination with Spanish, French and Italian authorities. — AFP