EU to vote on tariff hike for Chinese EVs as Germany fears retaliation
Vienna — The European Union is set to vote Friday on a massive tariff increase on Chinese electric vehicles that Germany fears could spark a trade war with Beijing. Reuters reported Wednesday that the measure already has enough votes to…
New NATO chief Rutte pledges alliance’s support for Ukraine in Kyiv visit
New NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said Thursday the alliance knows Ukraine has urgent needs in its fight against Russia’s invasion, as he visited Kyiv for talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Rutte told reporters it was important for him to…
Russian propaganda portrays Zelenskyy as supervillain
In the fictional world of Russia’s decadeslong disinformation campaign, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is a corrupt owner of multimillion-dollar villas, cars, yachts and other luxury goods purchased using the West’s financial aid, particularly the U.S. taxpayers’ money. He is also…
Far-right gains in Europe drive debate on migration, Ukraine aid
Europe looks set to toughen migration laws amid a surge in support for far-right parties across the continent. Austria’s Freedom Party – which campaigned on a platform of ending migration and opposing military aid for Ukraine – finished first in…
Russian authorities systematically torture Ukrainian POWs, UN says
Geneva — Russian authorities have subjected hundreds of Ukrainian prisoners of war to “widespread and systematic torture” while supervisors in detention facilities aware of that treatment did nothing to stop the abuse, according to a report published by the U.N….
Security Council briefed on progress in UN-AU partnership for peace
Parfait Onanga-Anyanga, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General to the African Union, highlighted “encouraging developments” that are fueling optimism. “These include Africa’s resilient people and resourceful women and youth, their stated preference for democratic rule against all odds, the…
UN rights chief adds voice to urgent calls for Middle East de-escalation
The development came as UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned “escalation after escalation” in the Middle East on Tuesday, as a report from his Office underscored the expansion of Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem. Since the…
SECURITY COUNCIL LIVE: End ‘sickening cycle’ of escalation across the Middle East, Guterres urges
UN humanitarians launched a $426 million appeal for Lebanon on Tuesday to support one million people uprooted by widespread Israeli shelling amid what Israel has described as a “limited, localised and targeted” ground operation into Lebanon, across the UN-patrolled line…
Ukraine says Russian drone attack hurts 2 people in Odesa
Officials in southern Ukraine said Wednesday a Russian drone attack targeting port infrastructure in Odesa injured two truck drivers. The attack was part of a series of aerial attacks that involved 32 drones, the Ukrainian military said. Ukraine’s air defenses…
Australia’s online dating industry agrees to code of conduct to protect users
MELBOURNE, Australia — A code of conduct will be enforced on the online dating industry to better protect Australian users after research found that three-in-four people suffer some form of sexual violence through the platforms, Australia’s government said on Tuesday….