UNITED STATES: Students at the University of North Carolina pulled down controversial Confederate statue “Silent Sam” on Monday night.

Around 250 protesters gathered to express anger at the university’s inaction and to support a student facing sanctions for covering the statue in red paint in April.

Student Maya Little told the crowds: "It's time to tear down Silent Sam. It's time to tear down UNC's institutional white supremacy.”

The university said in a statement: “Last night's actions were unlawful and dangerous and we are very fortunate that no-one was injured.”

INDIA: Scientists said yesterday that an instrument on India's Chandrayaan-1 spacecraft, which explored the Moon between 2008 and 2009, has provided definitive evidence of water-ice on the surface of the Moon.

Ice deposits found at both the north and south poles are likely to be ancient in origin according to the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Surface water ice has also previously been found on other bodies including the north pole of the planet Mercury.

COLOMBIA: President Ivan Duque has authorised the use of drones to destroy the plants that produce cocaine in a crackdown on the illegal drugs trade.

Small aircraft loaded with herbicide are being sent to search and destroy illegal fields of coca while ensuring nearby crop damage is minimised.

Critics warn of an attempt to use technology for a problem that requires a political solution. 

SYRIA: Writer and novelist Hanna Mina died yesterday at the age of 94 following a long illness, the Ministry of Culture confirmed.

He was hailed as one of the greatest Arab writers penning more than 40 novels in a career that spanned fifty years. His writing tackled issues of greed, exploitation and the oppression of women.

Mr Mina co-founded the Arab Writers Union in Damascus.