Month: April 2022

Space is being increasingly militarized, says the ‘Challenges in Security in Space Report – 2022’ …

With the European Union pledging to end its dependence on Russian gas, Turkey is positioning itself as a key bridge to alternative energy supplies from other nations. Dorian Jones reports from Istanbul. Produced by: Rob Raffaele …

A prominent Russian opposition activist was arrested Monday near his home in Moscow and sentenced to 15 days in jail for allegedly disobeying a police order.  The arrest comes just hours after Vladimir Kara-Murza gave an interview to CNN in which he called the regime of Russian President Vladimir Putin “murderous” and predicted the war …

Read more “Russia Arrests Opposition Figure Following Prediction About Putin”

Humiliated in the polls, the country’s center-left and right contemplate their future  …

Britain’s prime minister and finance minister will have to pay fines for attending parties and violating the country’s pandemic lockdown rules, the government said Tuesday. Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak have been under investigation for 12 parties at both No. 10 Downing Street and the Cabinet Office, some of …

Read more “UK PM to Be Fined Over Attending Parties During Lockdowns”

The World Trade Organization reports the war in Ukraine has dealt a severe blow to the global economy, shattering expectations of a recovery from the damaging impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on world trade and business confidence.  WTO economists have downgraded their forecast for world trade over the next two years. They now expect world …

Read more “Russia-Ukraine War Threatens Recovery of Global Economy”

Germany’s gas reserves would last until at least late summer should Russian supplies stop now, the network regulator said on Tuesday, warning pressure on the European Union to ban Russian energy was building over civilian deaths in Ukraine. In an interview with weekly Die Zeit, Klaus Mueller, who heads Germany’s Bundesnetzagentur, said current reserves looked …

Read more “German Gas Reserves Can Last Until Late Summer, Says Regulator “

US, Britain say they are aware of unconfirmed reports of a chemical attack in Mariupol and are investigating  …

KIAMBU COUNTY, KENYA — Monica Kariuki is about ready to give up on farming. What is driving her off her about 40,000 square feet (10 acres) of land outside Nairobi isn’t bad weather, pests or blight — the traditional agricultural curses — but fertilizer: It costs too much. Despite thousands of miles separating her from …

Read more “Russian War Worsens Fertilizer Crunch, Risking Food Supplies”

Greece’s conservative government on Monday denied any role in an alleged case of surveillance of an investigative journalist via spyware in his mobile phone. The statement from the government came after Greek investigative website Inside Story on Monday alleged that financial journalist Thanasis Koukakis had had his phone hacked. Its story cited a three-page report …

Read more “Greece Denies Surveillance of Investigative Journalist”

Austria’s chancellor held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Monday, amid warnings that the Kremlin is preparing to launch a large offensive in the eastern Donbas region. Henry Ridgwell reports. …

As in 2017, France’s President Emmanuel Macron and his far-right rival Marine Le Pen will meet in a runoff later this month, after placing first and second in Sunday’s first round of presidential elections, with about 27% and 23% of the vote, respectively. Macron is favored to win a second term, but polls show a …

Read more “France’s President Heads to a Tight Runoff Against Far-right Leader”

A United Nations agreement aimed at sparing populated areas from explosive weapons is near completion and is expected to be finalized in early June. Some 200 delegates from more than 65 states participated in negotiations last week at the United Nations’ European headquarters in Geneva.  The new international agreement would oblige states to reduce harm …

Read more “Countries Near Agreement to Spare Populated Areas from Explosive Weapons  “

Russian former reporter Ivan Safronov said ahead of the resumption of his treason trial on Monday that he plans to vigorously fight the charges against him and does not fear the prospect of being jailed. Safronov, who covered military affairs for the Vedomosti and Kommersant newspapers before becoming an aide to the head of Russia’s …

Read more “Russian Ex-Journalist on Trial for Treason: ‘I Will Fight until the End’”

Ukrainian leader urges US to send more weapons …

Macron and Le Pen in runoff vote April 24 …

Russian ally Serbia took the delivery of a sophisticated Chinese anti-aircraft system in a veiled operation this weekend, amid Western concerns that an arms buildup in the Balkans at the time of the war in Ukraine could threaten the fragile peace in the region. Media and military experts said Sunday that six Chinese Air Force …

Read more “China Makes Semi-Secret Delivery of Missiles to Serbia”

As the hospital train sped away from the frontline in war-torn Ukraine, electrician Evhen Perepelytsia was grateful he would soon see his children again after almost losing his life. “We hope that the worst is over — that after what I’ve been through, it will be better,” the 30-year-old said, lying on a train carriage …

Read more “Speeding West, Ukraine Hospital Train Ferries Patients to Safety”

Ukraine’s president says Russia’s ongoing and unprovoked war on his country is a “catastrophe” that endangers all of Europe. The Kremlin seems to have abandoned plans to topple the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, amid the war, now in its second month. Western powers describe retreating Russian soldiers as war criminals for alleged atrocities ranging from rape …

Read more “Russia Ramps Up Attacks on Civilian Targets in Ukraine”

Pope Francis opened Holy Week Sunday with a call for an Easter truce in Ukraine to make room for a negotiated peace, highlighting the need for leaders to “make some sacrifices for the good of the people.” Celebrating Palm Sunday Mass before crowds in St. Peter’s Square for the first time since the pandemic, Pope …

Read more “Pope Francis Calls for an Easter Truce in Ukraine”

Pro-Moscow supporters took to the streets in several German cities on April 10 to protest what they call discrimination against Russians. They faced off against demonstrators protesting against Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine. German police had to separate the two groups at times to prevent violence. At least two people were arrested amid skirmishes. In …

Read more “Pro-Russia Supporters Rally in Germany, Face Off With Counterdemonstrators”

Sultry musical “Cabaret” and fantastical literary adaptation “Life of Pi” were among the winners Sunday at British theater’s Olivier Awards, which returned with a live ceremony and a black-tie crowd after a three-year gap imposed by COVID-19. The celebration of London theater, opera and dance came back to London’s Royal Albert Hall for the first …

Read more “‘Cabaret,’ ‘Life of Pi’ Win Prizes at UK’s Olivier Awards”

A post-Brexit row between France and Britain over fishing rights for French boats is nearing resolution after months of negotiations, the EU’s fishing commissioner said in an interview Sunday. “We managed to achieve most of the licenses that have been requested” by the owners of the French vessels to fish in British waters, with only …

Read more “EU Official Says UK-France Fishing Dispute Nearly Resolved”

Russian forces shelled a school and residential buildings in eastern Ukraine on Sunday, local Luhansk officials reported, even as the officials implored residents to escape the region “before it’s too late.” Luhansk Governor Serihy Haidai said three apartment buildings in Severodonetsk burned down and two elderly residents had to be evacuated, but there were no …

Read more “Russia Launches New Attacks in Eastern Ukraine “