End ‘collective amnesia’ over COVID-19, says UN health agency WHO
Coronaviruses like COVID, influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) “must be taken seriously” as they are particularly dangerous for at-risk groups including the elderly, pregnant women and people suffering from existing or chronic illness, WHO Europe insisted, as it launched…
Russia reports destroying 47 Ukrainian drones
Russia said Wednesday it destroyed 47 Ukrainian aerial drones that targeted multiple areas along the Russia-Ukraine border. The Russian Defense Ministry said it shot down 24 of the drones over the Bryansk region, while downing other drones over Belgorod, Kursk,…
China targets brandy in EU trade tit-for-tat after EV tariff move
Beijing/Paris — China imposed temporary anti-dumping measures on imports of brandy from the EU on Tuesday, hitting French brands including Hennessy and Remy Martin, days after the 27-state bloc voted for tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles, or EVs. China’s commerce…
UN rights chief warns of ‘widespread and systematic’ torture of Ukrainian POWs
In a briefing to the UN Human Rights Council on Tuesday, UN rights chief Volker Türk highlighted the widespread devastation and violations of international law that have defined the conflict. He noted that July 2024 was the deadliest month for…
Ukrainian air defenses down 18 Russian drones
Ukraine’s military said Tuesday it shot down 18 of 19 drones that Russia used in overnight attacks targeting central and western Ukraine. Ukrainian air defense shot down the drones over the Dnipropetrovsk, Mykolaiv, Odesa, Ternopil and Vinnytsia regions. Russia also…
Europe braces for Chinese retaliation over EV import tariffs
The European Union is braced for retaliation from China after the bloc voted Friday to impose tariffs on the import of Chinese electric vehicles, which Brussels says receive unfair state subsidies. As Henry Ridgwell reports, there’s speculation that Beijing could…
World water resources decreasing as global rivers dry up
GENEVA — Billions of people are facing a future of water scarcity as global rivers dry up, glaciers melt, and intense heat and other extreme weather events caused by climate change create critical changes in water availability around the world,…
Russian court sentences 72-year-old American to nearly 7 years in prison for fighting in Ukraine
MOSCOW — A Russian court on Monday sentenced a 72-year-old American in a closed trial to nearly seven years in prison for allegedly fighting as a mercenary in Ukraine. Prosecutors said Stephen Hubbard signed a contract with the Ukrainian military…
Ukrainian forces strike oil terminal in Crimea
Ukrainian forces carried out an attack Monday on an oil terminal in the Russia-occupied Crimean Peninsula. Ukraine’s military said the site it hit in Feodosia was used to supply Russian forces. Russia’s Defense Ministry said Monday it shot down 12…
Dutch defense minister pledges $440M for drone action plan with Ukraine
Kyiv, Ukraine — Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans said on a surprise visit to Kyiv on Sunday that his country will invest 400 million euros ($440 million) in advanced drone development with Ukraine and deliver more F-16s in the coming…