World News Roundup: Huge Ukrainian flag painted on road outside Russian Embassy in London; Ukraine defends front line, Putin talks up nuclear arsenal on war anniversary eve and more

The campaign group "Led By Donkeys" halted traffic before spreading more than 300 litres of paint across the road using wheelbarrows and brushes to make the 500 square metre (5382 square feet) flag. Ukraine defends front line, Putin talks up nuclear arsenal on war anniversary eve Ukraine said its forces had repelled Russian assaults along the length of the front line on Thursday on the eve of the war's anniversary, as President Vladimir Putin, empty-handed after a bloody winter offensive, talked up Russia's nuclear arsenal.

Following is a summary of current world news briefs.

Huge Ukrainian flag painted on road outside Russian Embassy in London

A group of activists poured hundreds of litres of yellow and blue paint onto the road outside the Russian Embassy in London on Thursday to create an enormous Ukrainian flag ahead of the one year anniversary of Moscow's invasion. The campaign group "Led By Donkeys" halted traffic before spreading more than 300 litres of paint across the road using wheelbarrows and brushes to make the 500 square metre (5382 square feet) flag.

Ukraine defends front line, Putin talks up nuclear arsenal on war anniversary eve

Ukraine said its forces had repelled Russian assaults along the length of the front line on Thursday on the eve of the war's anniversary, as President Vladimir Putin, empty-handed after a bloody winter offensive, talked up Russia's nuclear arsenal. After a series of strident speeches in the runup to the anniversary of his invasion, Putin announced plans on Thursday to deploy new Sarmat multi-warhead intercontinental ballistic missiles this year. Earlier this week he suspended Russia's participation in the START nuclear arms control treaty.

Ukraine imposes 50-year sanctions on Russian financial sector

Ukraine's parliament imposed sweeping 50-year sanctions on Thursday on Russian financial institutions including the central bank, all commercial banks, investment funds, insurers and other enterprises. The sanctions are part of moves by Kyiv to maintain financial pressure on Russia over its full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24 last year.

Burkina Faso buries exhumed remains of murdered ex-leader Sankara

The exhumed remains of Burkina Faso's beloved ex-president Thomas Sankara, whose 1987 murder shocked the West African nation, were laid to rest at a ceremony in the capital Ouagadougou on Thursday. The charismatic Marxist revolutionary, known as "Africa's Che Guevara", was gunned down along with 12 others during a bloody coup led by his former ally and successor Blaise Compaore. He was aged 37 at the time.

Turkey investigates building contractors as quake toll rises

Turkey will widen an investigation into building contractors suspected of violating safety standards following its devastating earthquake, the interior minister said, as the country stepped up housing plans for victims. Suleyman Soylu said 564 suspects had been identified so far, with 160 people formally arrested and many more still under investigation.

Malaysia pressed to probe deaths of 150 foreigners in detention last year

Human rights groups have urged Malaysia to investigate conditions at migrant detention centres after the government said 150 foreigners, including seven children, died at the facilities last year. Malaysia routinely detains foreigners without valid permits to remain in the country, including asylum seekers. It is home to millions of undocumented migrants and over 100,000 Rohingya refugees.

Bad cold forces Pope Francis to cancel audience, skip speeches

Pope Francis had to cancel one of his audiences on Thursday because of what the Vatican said was a "bad cold" and skipped reading prepared speeches at other meetings that went ahead. The 86-year-old pope's Thursday appointments schedule, issued early in the morning, included audiences with three groups and four individuals.

Northern Irish police arrest three over shooting of detective

Northern Irish police have arrested three men in relation to the attempted murder of a senior detective shot in front of his son in the town of Omagh on Wednesday evening that they suspect was carried out by the New IRA Irish nationalist militant group. Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell is in a critical condition having undergone surgery overnight. He was shot a number of times by two gunmen while putting footballs in his car after finishing a coaching session with an under-15 soccer team.

As G20 finance chiefs gather, Yellen calls for more economic aid to Ukraine

U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen stepped up calls on Thursday for increased financing support to Ukraine to help it battle the year-old Russian invasion as the United States readies an additional $10 billion in economic assistance. Yellen, speaking at a news conference in India on the eve of the first anniversary of Russia's invasion, said it was critical for the International Monetary Fund to "move swiftly" towards a fully financed loan programme for Ukraine.

Israel-Gaza border heats up after West Bank violence

Gaza militants fired rockets and Israel carried out air strikes in a cross-border exchange on Thursday, after 11 Palestinians were killed a day earlier during an Israeli raid in the occupied West Bank, renewing concerns of a broader escalation. Mediation efforts were under way by Egypt and the United Nations to calm the situation, officials said, as U.N. Middle East envoy Tor Wennesland arrived in Gaza to meet Hamas leaders.