900 arrested in Belarus protests

KYIV, UKRAINE » A human rights group in Belarus said more than 900 people were arrested Sunday in protests around the country calling for authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko to step down.

The demonstrations continued the wave of protests that have gripped Belarus since early August. In the capital Minsk, police wielded clubs and used tear gas and stun grenades to disperse thousands of demonstrators.

The Viasna human rights organization reported detentions at demonstrations in other cities, including Vitebsk and Gomel. It said some of those detained were beaten by police.

Azerbaijan delays takeover, denounces fleeing Armenians.

MOSCOW » Azerbaijan on Sunday postponed taking control of a territory ceded by Armenian forces in a cease- fire agreement, but denounced civilians leaving the area for burning houses and committing what it called “ecological terror.”

The cease- fire ended six weeks of intense fighting between Azerbaijan and Armenia over the NagornoKarabakh region and territories outside its formal borders that had been under the control of Armenian forces since 1994. The agreement calls for Azerbaijan to take control of the outlying territories.

7 killed in fire at apartment building.

HONG KONG » Authorities said a fire at an apartment building in a crowded residential district in Hong Kong has killed at least seven people and injured another 11.

The blaze occurred Sunday night in Yau Ma Tei, a usually bustling area in Kowloon packed with old apartment blocks, shops and businesses.

Ethiopia’s Tigray leader confirms firing missiles at Eritrea.

NAIROBI, KENYA » Debretsion Gebremichael, the leader of Ethiopia’s rebellious Tigray region, confirmed firing missiles at neighboring Eritrea’s capital and is threatening more, marking an escalation as the deadly fighting in northern Ethiopia between Tigray forces and the federal government spills across an international border.

Britain’s Johnson in self- isolation; has no virus symptoms.

LONDON » British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is self- isolating after being told he came into contact with someone who tested positive for the coronavirus, officials said Sunday.

Johnson “is well and does not have any symptoms of COVID19,” a statement from his office said. In April, he was hospitalized in intensive care for three nights after contracting COVID- 19.