Two Russian Nuclear-Capable Bombers Patrol Airspace Over Belarus

^{PHOTO: RUSSIAN MILITARY BOMBERS PATROLLING BELARUSIAN AIRSPACE BOMBERS LANDING}

INTERNATIONAL: Russian strategic bombers have carried out flights over Belarus on Wednesday in a show of support for Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko as a stand-off over thousands of migrants continued on the country’s border with Poland.

The Russian Defence Ministry has confirmed that two Tu-22M3 bombers have patrolled the airspace and helped test Belarus and Russia's joint air defense system.

The patrolling mission was undertaken amid rising tensions between Minsk and Warsaw over a migrant crisis at their mutual border. The Russian foreign ministry has warned the European Union against provoking Belarus president with further sanctions, after Poland and its neighbours accused him of deliberately sending people from the Middle East, Asia and Africa to illegally cross their borders.

Bolivia Unions Go on Strike as Political Tension Rise

^{PHOTO: PROTEST UNREST, POLICE ON DUTY, TEAR GAS AND WATER CANNON USED AT PROTEST, SOUNDBITE FROM PROTESTER}

The scene was tense on the streets of Bolivia on Tuesday as protesters and police faced off over a law against so-called "illicit profits" and terrorist financing that critics claim is a government tactic to seize private property.

Opposition civil and political groups have joined the strike, accusing the socialist government of President Luis Arce of using laws and the justice system to centralize power and crackdown on opposition.

Thousands of union members marched in the main cities of the landlocked South American country against the law, while drivers suspended public transport service. While in city of Santa Cruz, protesters blockaded roads.

Footage shows police using a water cannon and tear gas near protesters.

A top union leader says the government is doubtful and wants to find out where do unions get their money and their merchandise. He further claims that there is a big fear on the part of the government that they will take everything from them.

The strike, while widespread, did not have the support of the powerful Central Obrera Boliviana (COB) union, which is more closely allied with the government.

The country has been sharply divided since the abrupt resignation of former socialist leader Evo Morales in 2019 amid protests. His party, back in power with a new president, accuses the conservative opposition of leading a coup against him.

Deadly Rain in Sri Lanka Kills 25

^{PHOTO: FLOODED ROADS, HOUSES, BUILDINGS AND HOSPITAL IN WESTERN SRI LANKA SOUNDBITES FROM DIRECTOR OF METEOROLOGICAL DEPARTMENT, VILLAGER WHO HELPED WITH RESCUE AND DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL BUILDING RESEARCH INSTITUTE}

And… Heavy rain in Sri Lanka leaves 25 people dead and thousands displaced.Most deaths have occurred due to drowning and lightning strikes in Sri Lanka.The heavy rains have also affected 17 of Sri Lanka’s 25 districts, including a main hospital in Chilaw. The country's Disaster Management Agency has confirmed on Wednesday.

A footage from the capital city of the country's North Western Province, bodies of two people were seen after a house was destroyed by a landslide in Kurunegala. Many roads, including main traffic arteries, were inundated as well as houses.

The Department of Meteorology has made a statement that rains are expected to ease in the next two days as the low-pressure area will move towards the Indian coast.