Reuters World News Summary

Following is a summary of current world news briefs.

Ukraine is 'test site' for North Korean missiles: South Korea

The United States and its allies on Wednesday condemned what they described as Russia's firing of North Korean missiles at Ukraine, with Washington calling it abhorrent and Seoul calling Ukraine a test site for Pyongyang's nuclear-capable missiles. Speaking at a U.N. Security Council session on the nearly two-year-old war ignited by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Russia's envoy said the United States seemed to be spreading "wrong" information.

Dozens of US lawmakers back resolution supporting Taiwan democracy

Dozens of U.S. lawmakers co-sponsored legislation on Wednesday praising democracy in Taiwan ahead of its presidential and parliamentary elections, prompting China to call for the U.S. to stop official contact with the island. "Resolved, That the Senate ... is committed to supporting Taiwan's self-defense and the liberty of its people through effective deterrence using all elements of United States power," read the resolution, which has at least 28 Republican and Democratic sponsors in the Senate.

Despair in Gaza as fighting intensifies despite Israel promise to scale back war

Israeli strikes in southern and central Gaza intensified on Wednesday despite a pledge by Israel that it would pull out some troops and shift to a more targeted campaign, and pleading from its ally Washington to reduce civilian casualties. In the latest sign of the three-month-old war spreading, U.S. and British warships in the Red Sea fended off the biggest attack yet from Yemen's Houthi movement, which says it is acting to support Gaza. Washington and London said they shot down 21 drones and missiles aimed at shipping lanes. No one was hurt.

Ecuador president says country is at war as gangs hold prison staff hostage

Ecuador President Daniel Noboa said on Wednesday that his country was "at war" with drug gangs who are holding more than 130 prison guards and other staff hostage, amid a dramatic surge in violence that saw gunmen briefly take over a TV live broadcast and explosions in multiple cities. Noboa on Tuesday named 22 gangs as terrorist organizations, making them official military targets. The president took power in November pledging to tackle a growing security problem caused by a rise in drug-trafficking gangs transporting cocaine through Ecuador.

UN helicopter carrying 'several' foreigners captured by al Shabaab in Somalia

Al Shabaab militants captured a United Nations helicopter carrying two Somali men and several foreigners when it made an emergency landing in an area controlled by the Islamist group, a military official said on Wednesday. The aircraft encountered a defect shortly after taking off from Beledweyne city in central Somalia, Major Hassan Ali told Reuters, before it landed near Hindhere village, bordering Galguduud region.

Ecuador TV station hostage recounts 'surreal' armed takeover

A Ecuadorean journalist who was held hostage by gunmen during the takeover of a Guayaquil TV station and obliged to appear on camera at gunpoint told Reuters on Wednesday the experience was "surreal." Gunmen stormed a studio at public broadcaster TC on Tuesday afternoon, carrying long-range guns, grenades and dynamite, part of a wave of violence that has prompted President Daniel Noboa to name 22 gangs as terrorist organizations to be targeted by the military.

US, UK forces repel 'largest attack' by Houthis in Red Sea

U.S. and British naval forces shot down 21 drones and missiles fired by Yemen-based Houthis on Tuesday towards the southern Red Sea, the United States said, with Britain hinting at further measures to protect international shipping lanes. British Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said it was the largest attack in the area by the militants to date as the three-month-long war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza spills over into other parts of the Middle East.

Arab neighbours warn against Israeli reoccupation of Gaza

Egypt and Jordan warned against any Israeli reoccupation in the Gaza Strip and appealed for uprooted residents to be allowed to return to their homes as the Arab countries' leaders met Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Wednesday.

While Israel presses forward with a military campaign it says will last for months, Abbas, Jordan's King Abdullah, and Egypt's Abdel Fattah al-Sisi also restated their rejection of any plans to displace Palestinians from their lands - a risk Egypt says has grown as Israel's war against Hamas has driven most Gaza residents southward towards the Egyptian border.

Ex-Suriname president convicted in killings ordered to report to prison-prosecutor

Former Surinamese President Desi Bouterse, whose conviction for involvement in the killing of 15 people more than four decades ago was upheld in December, must report to a jail to serve his sentence, the public prosecutor said on Wednesday. A three-judge panel affirmed the convictions of Bouterse and four others in the execution of 15 government critics, including lawyers, journalists, union leaders, soldiers and university professors in December 1982.

Biden met with sister of Paul Whelan, American detained in Russia, White House says

President Joe Biden met on Wednesday with the sister of Paul Whelan, the former U.S. Marine detained in Russia, the White House said. The White House said that after a private meeting with Elizabeth Whelan "to discuss the Administration's continued efforts to secure Paul's release from Russia," Biden called Paul Whelan's parents.

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