As Ukraine pounds Russian targets, U.S. sends more artillery
U.S. officials said Friday that they will send additional sophisticated artillery systems and ammunition to Ukraine, bolstering the country’s forces again as they carry out a coordinated campaign of strikes on Russian military targets.
The latest $270 million package includes four M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, or HIMARS, boosting the total number the United States has provided Kyiv to 16, said John Kirby, a White House spokesman. The package also includes 36,000 rounds of ammunition for howitzers and funding for up to 580 Phoenix Ghost drones, unmanned aircraft that can be used to target opposing forces directly or to perform reconnaissance for artillery strikes.
“This is an ongoing process,” Kirby said of supplying weapons to Ukraine. “It’s almost in near real time as we continue to follow events on the battlefield and talk to the Ukrainians about what they need.”
Read the full story here.
U.S. officials said Friday that they will send additional sophisticated artillery systems and ammunition to Ukraine, bolstering the country’s forces again as they carry out a coordinated campaign of strikes on Russian military targets.
The latest $270 million package includes four M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, or HIMARS, boosting the total number the United States has provided Kyiv to 16, said John Kirby, a White House spokesman. The package also includes 36,000 rounds of ammunition for howitzers and funding for up to 580 Phoenix Ghost drones, unmanned aircraft that can be used to target opposing forces directly or to perform reconnaissance for artillery strikes.
“This is an ongoing process,” Kirby said of supplying weapons to Ukraine. “It’s almost in near real time as we continue to follow events on the battlefield and talk to the Ukrainians about what they need.”
Read the full story here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- The United States announced a new $270 million package of military aid for Kyiv, after a deal to allow grain exports was signed by Ukraine and Russia on Friday, giving hope that the world food shortage can be eased.
- The latest U.S. military aid includes four HIMARS, or M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, which give Ukraine’s military the long-range capabilities its generals consider vital to outgun Russian forces. The package also includes howitzer ammunition and funding for up to 580 Phoenix Ghost drones.
- Grain exports could start in the next two weeks, with the deal brokered by Turkey and the United Nations aiming to free up an estimated 22 million tons of grain.
- Lithuania is lifting a ban on rail transport to Kaliningrad of E.U.-sanctioned goods across its territory to the Russian enclave on the Baltic Sea, according to Russia media reports. Russia threatened retaliation when the ban was imposed in June.
More live updates here.
- The United States announced a new $270 million package of military aid for Kyiv, after a deal to allow grain exports was signed by Ukraine and Russia on Friday, giving hope that the world food shortage can be eased.
- The latest U.S. military aid includes four HIMARS, or M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, which give Ukraine’s military the long-range capabilities its generals consider vital to outgun Russian forces. The package also includes howitzer ammunition and funding for up to 580 Phoenix Ghost drones.
- Grain exports could start in the next two weeks, with the deal brokered by Turkey and the United Nations aiming to free up an estimated 22 million tons of grain.
- Lithuania is lifting a ban on rail transport to Kaliningrad of E.U.-sanctioned goods across its territory to the Russian enclave on the Baltic Sea, according to Russia media reports. Russia threatened retaliation when the ban was imposed in June.
More live updates here.
Russian missiles strike Odessa port day after grain deal, Ukraine says
Ukrainian officials accused Russian forces of striking the Black Sea port of Odessa with missiles on Saturday, a day after Moscow and Kyiv agreed to restart shipments of blockaded grain in a deal brokered by the United Nations and Turkey.
The military command in southern Ukraine said air defense systems shot down two missiles while two others “hit the infrastructure of the port.”
“It took less than 24 hours for Russia to launch a missile attack on Odesa’s port, breaking its promises,” said Oleg Nikolenko, a spokesman for the Ukrainian foreign ministry, who charged Moscow with “undermining its commitments” to the U.N. and Turkey under the grain agreement.
“In case of non-fulfillment, Russia will bear full responsibility for global food crisis,” he said.
Read the full story here.
Ukrainian officials accused Russian forces of striking the Black Sea port of Odessa with missiles on Saturday, a day after Moscow and Kyiv agreed to restart shipments of blockaded grain in a deal brokered by the United Nations and Turkey.
The military command in southern Ukraine said air defense systems shot down two missiles while two others “hit the infrastructure of the port.”
“It took less than 24 hours for Russia to launch a missile attack on Odesa’s port, breaking its promises,” said Oleg Nikolenko, a spokesman for the Ukrainian foreign ministry, who charged Moscow with “undermining its commitments” to the U.N. and Turkey under the grain agreement.
“In case of non-fulfillment, Russia will bear full responsibility for global food crisis,” he said.
Read the full story here.
Russia’s moves in Africa problematic for U.S. interests, general agrees
U.S. senators evaluating President Biden’s nominees for two influential military assignments said Thursday that Russia’s spreading influence in volatile parts of Africa is jeopardizing American interests and implored both to prioritize the burgeoning policy dilemma, if they are confirmed.
Members of the Senate Armed Services Committee appealed to Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Michael E. Langley, Biden’s nominee to lead U.S. Africa Command, to detail how he would endeavor to counter Russia’s activities on the continent. He affirmed that they were problematic and would become a priority pending the full Senate’s approval of his promotion.
Langley appeared before the committee alongside Army Lt. Gen. Bryan Fenton, Biden’s pick to lead U.S. Special Operations Command.
Read the full story here.
U.S. senators evaluating President Biden’s nominees for two influential military assignments said Thursday that Russia’s spreading influence in volatile parts of Africa is jeopardizing American interests and implored both to prioritize the burgeoning policy dilemma, if they are confirmed.
Members of the Senate Armed Services Committee appealed to Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Michael E. Langley, Biden’s nominee to lead U.S. Africa Command, to detail how he would endeavor to counter Russia’s activities on the continent. He affirmed that they were problematic and would become a priority pending the full Senate’s approval of his promotion.
Langley appeared before the committee alongside Army Lt. Gen. Bryan Fenton, Biden’s pick to lead U.S. Special Operations Command.
Read the full story here.
Analysis: The apocalyptic vision behind Putin’s ‘golden billion’ argument
For Russian President Vladimir Putin, a two-word phrase sums up the current state of world geopolitics: “golden billion.” Speaking this week in Moscow, Putin declared that the “model of total domination of the so-called golden billion is unfair. Why should this golden billion of all the population on the globe dominate over everyone and impose its own rules of behavior?”
The golden billion “divides the world into first- and second-class people and is therefore essentially racist and neocolonial,” Putin continued, adding that “the underlying globalist and pseudo-liberal ideology is becoming increasingly more like totalitarianism and is restraining creative endeavor.”
For most readers in the U.S. or Europe, a “golden billion” probably means nothing. But in Russia, this phrase has been around for decades as shorthand to describe a future battle for resources between a global elite and Russians.
Read the full story here.
For Russian President Vladimir Putin, a two-word phrase sums up the current state of world geopolitics: “golden billion.” Speaking this week in Moscow, Putin declared that the “model of total domination of the so-called golden billion is unfair. Why should this golden billion of all the population on the globe dominate over everyone and impose its own rules of behavior?”
The golden billion “divides the world into first- and second-class people and is therefore essentially racist and neocolonial,” Putin continued, adding that “the underlying globalist and pseudo-liberal ideology is becoming increasingly more like totalitarianism and is restraining creative endeavor.”
For most readers in the U.S. or Europe, a “golden billion” probably means nothing. But in Russia, this phrase has been around for decades as shorthand to describe a future battle for resources between a global elite and Russians.
Read the full story here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- Two Americans were killed in the Donbas region, a State Department spokesperson told The Washington Post on Saturday. The State Department could not confirm whether the Americans, who have yet to be identified, were fighting for Ukraine.
- Two of the missiles in the attack hit the Odessa port while two others were shot down by air defenses, Ukraine’s military said. There was no immediate response from Russia. U.N. Secretary General António Guterres, who was at the signing of the deal in Istanbul on Friday, “unequivocally condemns” the strikes on Odessa, a U.N. spokesperson said.
- No one was killed or injured, and the missiles did not hit any grain silos, the Ukrainian military said, with the country’s infrastructure minister saying preparations for export shipments were continuing.
More live updates here.
- Two Americans were killed in the Donbas region, a State Department spokesperson told The Washington Post on Saturday. The State Department could not confirm whether the Americans, who have yet to be identified, were fighting for Ukraine.
- Two of the missiles in the attack hit the Odessa port while two others were shot down by air defenses, Ukraine’s military said. There was no immediate response from Russia. U.N. Secretary General António Guterres, who was at the signing of the deal in Istanbul on Friday, “unequivocally condemns” the strikes on Odessa, a U.N. spokesperson said.
- No one was killed or injured, and the missiles did not hit any grain silos, the Ukrainian military said, with the country’s infrastructure minister saying preparations for export shipments were continuing.
More live updates here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the missile attack on the port of Odessa, which took place less than a day after the signing of a deal with Russia to allow the export of blockaded grain supplies. Four Russian Kalibr missiles were fired at the port, the Ukrainian military said. Turkey said Russia had denied carrying out the missile strikes, though Russia has not commented directly.
- Two Americans were killed in Donbas region, a State Department spokesperson said Saturday. The State Department could not confirm whether the Americans, who have yet to be identified, were fighting for Ukraine.
- Ukrainian officials want more advanced HIMARs rocket systems – but the United States says it’s complicated. Soldiers say the dozen U.S. multiple-launch precision rocket systems are a “game changer.” Yet the Biden administration is slowly parceling out the rocket systems, watching how the Ukrainians handle them — and how the Russians respond.
More live updates here.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the missile attack on the port of Odessa, which took place less than a day after the signing of a deal with Russia to allow the export of blockaded grain supplies. Four Russian Kalibr missiles were fired at the port, the Ukrainian military said. Turkey said Russia had denied carrying out the missile strikes, though Russia has not commented directly.
- Two Americans were killed in Donbas region, a State Department spokesperson said Saturday. The State Department could not confirm whether the Americans, who have yet to be identified, were fighting for Ukraine.
- Ukrainian officials want more advanced HIMARs rocket systems – but the United States says it’s complicated. Soldiers say the dozen U.S. multiple-launch precision rocket systems are a “game changer.” Yet the Biden administration is slowly parceling out the rocket systems, watching how the Ukrainians handle them — and how the Russians respond.
More live updates here.
As Ukraine pounds Russian targets, U.S. sends more artillery
U.S. officials said Friday that they will send additional sophisticated artillery systems and ammunition to Ukraine, bolstering the country’s forces again as they carry out a coordinated campaign of strikes on Russian military targets.
The latest $270 million package includes four M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, or HIMARS, boosting the total number the United States has provided Kyiv to 16, said John Kirby, a White House spokesman. The package also includes 36,000 rounds of ammunition for howitzers and funding for up to 580 Phoenix Ghost drones, unmanned aircraft that can be used to target opposing forces directly or to perform reconnaissance for artillery strikes.
“This is an ongoing process,” Kirby said of supplying weapons to Ukraine. “It’s almost in near-real time as we continue to follow events on the battlefield and talk to the Ukrainians about what they need.”
Read the full story here.
U.S. officials said Friday that they will send additional sophisticated artillery systems and ammunition to Ukraine, bolstering the country’s forces again as they carry out a coordinated campaign of strikes on Russian military targets.
The latest $270 million package includes four M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, or HIMARS, boosting the total number the United States has provided Kyiv to 16, said John Kirby, a White House spokesman. The package also includes 36,000 rounds of ammunition for howitzers and funding for up to 580 Phoenix Ghost drones, unmanned aircraft that can be used to target opposing forces directly or to perform reconnaissance for artillery strikes.
“This is an ongoing process,” Kirby said of supplying weapons to Ukraine. “It’s almost in near-real time as we continue to follow events on the battlefield and talk to the Ukrainians about what they need.”
Read the full story here.
How Russia is laying the groundwork for its annexation of Ukraine
Russian officials and their proxies in Ukraine are racing to permanently annex occupied regions in the south of the country, probably by engineering referendums, perhaps as early as September.
Senior officials and Kremlin propagandists on state television have warned that Russia will never leave the occupied areas of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia in southern Ukraine — home to more than 2.5 million people before the Russian invasion — and that the return of territory will not be up for negotiation should peace talks resume.
In the clearest sign that the referendums will go ahead, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Wednesday that Russia had changed the geography in Ukraine, effectively redrawing its borders. He threatened that Moscow would claim even more Ukrainian territory unless the West stopped arming Kyiv.
Read the full story here.
Russian officials and their proxies in Ukraine are racing to permanently annex occupied regions in the south of the country, probably by engineering referendums, perhaps as early as September.
Senior officials and Kremlin propagandists on state television have warned that Russia will never leave the occupied areas of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia in southern Ukraine — home to more than 2.5 million people before the Russian invasion — and that the return of territory will not be up for negotiation should peace talks resume.
In the clearest sign that the referendums will go ahead, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Wednesday that Russia had changed the geography in Ukraine, effectively redrawing its borders. He threatened that Moscow would claim even more Ukrainian territory unless the West stopped arming Kyiv.
Read the full story here.
A Virginia family’s push to give a Ukrainian orphan respite from war
Shortly after they met the energetic brown-haired, blue-eyed 9-year-old girl from Ukraine, Jenny Bradshaw, her husband and their 17-year-old twin daughters were smitten.
They had thought about and researched the possibility of adopting an orphan from overseas and realized after a month-long exchange program in December with Katya at their home in Centreville, Va., that it was the right time. She fit in well with their family.
Katya — whose full name is not being used for safety reasons — enjoyed helping load the dishwasher, cook eggs, bake cookies and play dress-up. She had fun going to parks and museums and helping feed the family’s dogs. The family took her to a semiprivate Russian ballet class during her stay and Bradshaw said she “loved it.”
But since the Russian invasion of Ukraine this year, the family’s efforts to adopt her have been stalled.
Read the full story here.
Shortly after they met the energetic brown-haired, blue-eyed 9-year-old girl from Ukraine, Jenny Bradshaw, her husband and their 17-year-old twin daughters were smitten.
They had thought about and researched the possibility of adopting an orphan from overseas and realized after a month-long exchange program in December with Katya at their home in Centreville, Va., that it was the right time. She fit in well with their family.
Katya — whose full name is not being used for safety reasons — enjoyed helping load the dishwasher, cook eggs, bake cookies and play dress-up. She had fun going to parks and museums and helping feed the family’s dogs. The family took her to a semiprivate Russian ballet class during her stay and Bradshaw said she “loved it.”
But since the Russian invasion of Ukraine this year, the family’s efforts to adopt her have been stalled.
Read the full story here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- Russian officials claimed responsibility for Saturday’s missile attack on the port city of Odessa less than 24 hours after signing a key deal to release Ukrainian grain. Russia said only military targets were hit in Odessa, including a Ukrainian warship.
- The Russian strike on Odessa shows that resuming grain exports via the Black Sea will not be easy, an economic adviser to Ukraine’s president said Sunday.
- Two Americans were killed in Donbas, a State Department spokesperson told The Washington Post, without providing details. A Ukrainian commander, Ruslan Miroshnichenko, on Sunday identified the men as Luke Lucyszyn and Bryan Young and said they were killed alongside Emile-Antoine Roy-Sirois of Canada and Edvard Selander Patrignani of Sweden near the town of Siversk in the Donetsk region on July 18.
More live updates here.
- Russian officials claimed responsibility for Saturday’s missile attack on the port city of Odessa less than 24 hours after signing a key deal to release Ukrainian grain. Russia said only military targets were hit in Odessa, including a Ukrainian warship.
- The Russian strike on Odessa shows that resuming grain exports via the Black Sea will not be easy, an economic adviser to Ukraine’s president said Sunday.
- Two Americans were killed in Donbas, a State Department spokesperson told The Washington Post, without providing details. A Ukrainian commander, Ruslan Miroshnichenko, on Sunday identified the men as Luke Lucyszyn and Bryan Young and said they were killed alongside Emile-Antoine Roy-Sirois of Canada and Edvard Selander Patrignani of Sweden near the town of Siversk in the Donetsk region on July 18.
More live updates here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- Ukraine has called for shipping companies to take part in a caravan to transport grain but says efforts to resume grain exports will not be easy following Russia’s missile strike on the port of Odessa. Saturday’s attack came less than 24 hours after a deal to release Ukrainian grain was signed.
- Ukraine says it is now within range of targets in the Kherson region as part of a counteroffensive in the south. Analysts say exact military positions in the area are difficult to pinpoint because of a lack of official information.
- Britain’s defense ministry says Russia is faced with a “dilemma” over whether to press on with its offensive in the east or bolster its defenses in the south.
More live updates here.
- Ukraine has called for shipping companies to take part in a caravan to transport grain but says efforts to resume grain exports will not be easy following Russia’s missile strike on the port of Odessa. Saturday’s attack came less than 24 hours after a deal to release Ukrainian grain was signed.
- Ukraine says it is now within range of targets in the Kherson region as part of a counteroffensive in the south. Analysts say exact military positions in the area are difficult to pinpoint because of a lack of official information.
- Britain’s defense ministry says Russia is faced with a “dilemma” over whether to press on with its offensive in the east or bolster its defenses in the south.
More live updates here.
Ukraine wants more ‘game-changer’ HIMARS. The U.S. says it’s complicated.
If only they had more, and more sophisticated, weapons from the West, Ukrainian officials often tell their American counterparts and anyone else who will listen, they could make short work of Russian invaders. Last month’s arrival of the first of what are now a dozen U.S. multiple-launch precision rocket systems, known as HIMARS, has already been a game changer, soldiers here said this week.
Since a recent HIMARS strike on an enemy ammunition depot in Izyum, located southeast of Ukraine’s second-largest city Kharkiv, Russian shelling has been “10 times less” than before, said Bohdan Dmytruk, a battalion commander in Ukraine’s 93rd Mechanized Brigade.
Yet the Biden administration has parceled out the rocket systems slowly, watching how the Ukrainians handle them — and how the Russians respond. To fighters on the ground, that makes little sense at a crucial moment in the war.
Read the full story here.
If only they had more, and more sophisticated, weapons from the West, Ukrainian officials often tell their American counterparts and anyone else who will listen, they could make short work of Russian invaders. Last month’s arrival of the first of what are now a dozen U.S. multiple-launch precision rocket systems, known as HIMARS, has already been a game changer, soldiers here said this week.
Since a recent HIMARS strike on an enemy ammunition depot in Izyum, located southeast of Ukraine’s second-largest city Kharkiv, Russian shelling has been “10 times less” than before, said Bohdan Dmytruk, a battalion commander in Ukraine’s 93rd Mechanized Brigade.
Yet the Biden administration has parceled out the rocket systems slowly, watching how the Ukrainians handle them — and how the Russians respond. To fighters on the ground, that makes little sense at a crucial moment in the war.
Read the full story here.
U.K. to host 2023 Eurovision on behalf of Ukraine for ‘security’ reasons
Britain is to host next year’s Eurovision Song Contest on behalf of Ukraine, which won the competition in May, organizers have confirmed.
Traditionally, the winner plays host to the following year’s event. But with Ukraine embroiled in a war with Russia, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), organizer of the broadcast, announced last month that the show could not be held there. As Britain was this year’s runner-up, the EBU opened talks with the BBC.
“We’re exceptionally grateful that the BBC has accepted to stage the Eurovision Song Contest in the UK in 2023,” said Eurovision executive supervisor Martin Österdahl in a statement Monday.
Read the full story here.
Britain is to host next year’s Eurovision Song Contest on behalf of Ukraine, which won the competition in May, organizers have confirmed.
Traditionally, the winner plays host to the following year’s event. But with Ukraine embroiled in a war with Russia, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), organizer of the broadcast, announced last month that the show could not be held there. As Britain was this year’s runner-up, the EBU opened talks with the BBC.
“We’re exceptionally grateful that the BBC has accepted to stage the Eurovision Song Contest in the UK in 2023,” said Eurovision executive supervisor Martin Österdahl in a statement Monday.
Read the full story here.
Moldova ‘very worried’ Russia may invade, prime minister says
Moldova is “very worried” about a potential Russian invasion as Russian forces prepare to step up attacks in Ukraine’s east and south, close to the border with the small nation of 2.5 million.
Moldova’s prime minister, Natalia Gavrilita, said the possibility that her country could be the next to be invaded on orders of Russian President Vladimir Putin “is a hypothetical scenario for now.”
“But if the military actions move further into the southwestern part of Ukraine and toward Odessa, then of course we are very worried,” she said in an interview Sunday with CNN.
Read the full story here.
Moldova is “very worried” about a potential Russian invasion as Russian forces prepare to step up attacks in Ukraine’s east and south, close to the border with the small nation of 2.5 million.
Moldova’s prime minister, Natalia Gavrilita, said the possibility that her country could be the next to be invaded on orders of Russian President Vladimir Putin “is a hypothetical scenario for now.”
“But if the military actions move further into the southwestern part of Ukraine and toward Odessa, then of course we are very worried,” she said in an interview Sunday with CNN.
Read the full story here.
Russia’s Gazprom to slash gas to Germany, as Putin fosters uncertainty in Europe
Russian energy giant Gazprom on Monday said it would halve the natural gas flowing through its main pipeline to Germany, keeping European countries in a state of uncertainty as they scramble to build up energy supplies for winter.
Starting Wednesday, the daily gas flow through the Nord Stream 1 pipeline — the biggest between Russia and Western Europe — will be set at 33 million cubic meters, Gazprom said. That amounts to about 20 percent of capacity, down from 40 percent. Gazprom cited problems with a turbine.
Germany’s Ministry for the Economy and Climate said it saw no technical reason for the reduction in deliveries. “We are monitoring the situation very closely,” it said in a statement.
Read the full story here.
Russian energy giant Gazprom on Monday said it would halve the natural gas flowing through its main pipeline to Germany, keeping European countries in a state of uncertainty as they scramble to build up energy supplies for winter.
Starting Wednesday, the daily gas flow through the Nord Stream 1 pipeline — the biggest between Russia and Western Europe — will be set at 33 million cubic meters, Gazprom said. That amounts to about 20 percent of capacity, down from 40 percent. Gazprom cited problems with a turbine.
Germany’s Ministry for the Economy and Climate said it saw no technical reason for the reduction in deliveries. “We are monitoring the situation very closely,” it said in a statement.
Read the full story here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine.
- Russian state energy giant Gazprom signaled to the regulator of the Nord Stream 1 pipeline that gas would flow at 20 percent capacity this week — down from 40 percent.
- Russia said Monday that missile strikes on the Black Sea port of Odessa — one day after the grain deal — should not undermine the agreement signed by Moscow and Kyiv.
- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is in the Republic of Congo as part of a four-day tour to try to shore up African support for the war in Ukraine.
- The board of the European Investment Bank approved $1.625 billion of European Union financial assistance for Ukraine — of which about two-thirds will be immediately available.
- Ukraine says it is within range of targets in the Kherson region as part of a counteroffensive in the south.
- Russia is struggling to extract and repair vehicles damaged by fighting, according to British military intelligence.
More live updates here.
- Russian state energy giant Gazprom signaled to the regulator of the Nord Stream 1 pipeline that gas would flow at 20 percent capacity this week — down from 40 percent.
- Russia said Monday that missile strikes on the Black Sea port of Odessa — one day after the grain deal — should not undermine the agreement signed by Moscow and Kyiv.
- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is in the Republic of Congo as part of a four-day tour to try to shore up African support for the war in Ukraine.
- The board of the European Investment Bank approved $1.625 billion of European Union financial assistance for Ukraine — of which about two-thirds will be immediately available.
- Ukraine says it is within range of targets in the Kherson region as part of a counteroffensive in the south.
- Russia is struggling to extract and repair vehicles damaged by fighting, according to British military intelligence.
More live updates here.
Facing resistance, E.U. agrees to watered-down gas rationing plan
European Union member states on Tuesday agreed on a plan to reduce gas consumption amid looming shortages, though the measures are less far-reaching than originally conceived in the wake of resistance from southern European countries.
While the 27 member states said that a reduction in gas use of up to 15 percent may become mandatory if gas storage levels drop dangerously low, they “specified some exemptions and possibilities" from the target, according to a release.
The exemptions — which could apply in a wide range of cases — had not been part of the earlier plans.
Read the full story here.
European Union member states on Tuesday agreed on a plan to reduce gas consumption amid looming shortages, though the measures are less far-reaching than originally conceived in the wake of resistance from southern European countries.
While the 27 member states said that a reduction in gas use of up to 15 percent may become mandatory if gas storage levels drop dangerously low, they “specified some exemptions and possibilities" from the target, according to a release.
The exemptions — which could apply in a wide range of cases — had not been part of the earlier plans.
Read the full story here.
Russia to withdraw from International Space Station
Russia on Tuesday announced it will withdraw from the International Space Station (ISS) project after 2024, signaling an end of an era in one of the last remaining areas of cooperation between Russia and the United States.
Russia’s newly appointed head of space agency Roscosmos announced the decision in a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday, saying that the company will instead focus on building its own orbital station.
“We will fulfill all our obligations to our partners, but the decision to leave this station after 2024 has been made,” the space agency chief Yury Borisov said.
Read the full story here.
Russia on Tuesday announced it will withdraw from the International Space Station (ISS) project after 2024, signaling an end of an era in one of the last remaining areas of cooperation between Russia and the United States.
Russia’s newly appointed head of space agency Roscosmos announced the decision in a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday, saying that the company will instead focus on building its own orbital station.
“We will fulfill all our obligations to our partners, but the decision to leave this station after 2024 has been made,” the space agency chief Yury Borisov said.
Read the full story here.
How will the Ukraine grain deal affect the global food crisis?
Russia and Ukraine agreed Friday to restart grain exports from Ukraine after a months-long blockade that fueled a growing global food crisis — but an attack on the port of Odessa on Saturday immediately cast doubt on Moscow’s commitment to the deal.
Ukraine and Russia are among the world’s top producers of grain, cooking oil and fertilizers. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine sent prices skyrocketing and caused shortages of food staples around the world.
The deal, which consists of two agreements brokered by the United Nations and facilitated by Turkey, was a major diplomatic achievement after world leaders and humanitarian organizations had sounded the alarm for months about rising hunger, especially in the Middle East and Africa.
Read the full story here.
Russia and Ukraine agreed Friday to restart grain exports from Ukraine after a months-long blockade that fueled a growing global food crisis — but an attack on the port of Odessa on Saturday immediately cast doubt on Moscow’s commitment to the deal.
Ukraine and Russia are among the world’s top producers of grain, cooking oil and fertilizers. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine sent prices skyrocketing and caused shortages of food staples around the world.
The deal, which consists of two agreements brokered by the United Nations and facilitated by Turkey, was a major diplomatic achievement after world leaders and humanitarian organizations had sounded the alarm for months about rising hunger, especially in the Middle East and Africa.
Read the full story here.