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Ukrainian Attack Near Crimea Hits Russian Tanker, Claims Russia

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A Russian tanker carrying 11 crew members was hit in a Ukrainian attack in the Black Sea, according to Russian officials. The incident occurred in the Kerch Strait, with the vessel’s engine room suffering damage in the overnight strike. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. Ukraine has not officially commented, but a Ukrainian security service source indicated that a sea drone was used in the attack.

This is the second consecutive day of such attacks involving naval drones. However, Russia has not acknowledged any damage from the previous day’s attack. The Kerch Strait connects the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov, separating Crimea, which was annexed by Russia in 2014, from Russia’s Taman peninsula.

The Ukrainian security service source stated that the operation was carried out jointly with the Ukrainian navy and involved the use of a sea drone carrying 450kg of TNT explosive. The targeted tanker was loaded with fuel, making the impact visible from a distance.

Russia’s maritime transport agency confirmed that the tanker, named Sig, had sustained damage in the area of the engine room near the waterline, likely from an attack by a sea drone. However, the ship remained afloat.

Tensions in the region have escalated, with recent clashes and attacks, including the Russian naval base in Novorossiysk, further southeast of the Kerch Strait. Both sides seem to be engaging in aggressive actions, leading to concerns about the war spilling beyond its borders.

In response to the escalating situation, Ukraine designated six Russian Black Sea ports as “war risk” areas, signaling a possible preparation for further attacks on Russian territory. Talks on ending the war in Ukraine have also begun in Saudi Arabia, with invitations sent to around 40 countries, excluding Russia. China has agreed to send its special representative for Eurasian affairs to the meeting. The conflict stems from Russian President Vladimir Putin’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

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Record-Breaking Ocean Heat: Alarming Consequences for the Planet

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The Earth’s oceans have experienced their highest recorded temperatures ever, absorbing warmth due to climate change, which has concerning implications for the planet’s well-being. According to the EU’s climate change service Copernicus, the average daily global sea surface temperature surpassed the 2016 record this week, reaching 20.96°C, well above the typical level for this time of year.

Oceans play a crucial role in regulating the climate, absorbing heat, generating half of the Earth’s oxygen, and influencing weather patterns. However, warmer waters have a reduced capacity to absorb carbon dioxide, leading to increased levels of the planet-warming gas in the atmosphere. Additionally, higher temperatures can hasten the melting of glaciers, contributing to rising sea levels.

The impact of hotter oceans and heatwaves extends to marine species, causing fish and whales to seek cooler waters and disrupting the food chain. Predatory animals like sharks may become more aggressive in these conditions. Furthermore, marine heatwaves are causing coral bleaching and fatalities in various regions, highlighting the stress that human activities, including pollution and overfishing, place on the oceans.

Scientists express concern about the timing of this record-breaking heat, noting that March should be the warmest month for oceans globally, not August. They attribute the increasing ocean temperatures to climate change, as the seas absorb most of the heat from greenhouse gas emissions. The burning of fossil fuels exacerbates this situation, prolonging the time required to stabilize ocean temperatures.

The current broken temperature record follows a series of marine heatwaves in different parts of the world this year, including the UK, North Atlantic, Mediterranean, and Gulf of Mexico. The frequency and intensity of these heatwaves have been on the rise, with marine heatwaves doubling between 1982 and 2016, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

While air temperatures have risen significantly in recent years, oceans take longer to warm up due to their higher heat-absorption capacity. However, it appears that ocean temperatures are now catching up, possibly due to stored heat from ocean depths surfacing, potentially linked to El Niño events.

Though scientists have expected sea surface warming due to greenhouse gas emissions, they are still investigating the specific reasons behind the recent surge in temperatures, which have far exceeded previous records.

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Andrew Tate No Longer Under House Arrest in Romania

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Controversial influencer Andrew Tate has been released from house arrest in Romania while awaiting trial for rape and human trafficking charges, along with his brother Tristan. The pair denies the charges and can now move freely in Bucharest and the surrounding Ilfov district where they reside. However, they must follow strict conditions, including reporting to the police as ordered and informing them of any address changes. Additionally, they are prohibited from contacting the two Romanian associates accused alongside them, witnesses, alleged victims, or their families. Violating these conditions could result in a return to house arrest or preventative detention, subject to monitoring by a judge for the next 60 days.

The indictment alleges that the Tate brothers, along with two female Romanian associates, formed an organized criminal group in 2021 to commit human trafficking not only in Romania but also in other countries, including the US and UK. The indictment names seven alleged victims who were reportedly recruited by the Tate brothers under false promises of love and marriage.

Andrew Tate, a British-American former kickboxer, previously faced controversy when he was removed from the British TV show Big Brother in 2016 due to a video suggesting he attacked a woman. He later gained notoriety online, with Twitter temporarily banning him for making controversial statements about sexual assault and women’s responsibility, although he was later reinstated on the platform.

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French Officer Involved in Marseille Riots Admits to Firing Riot Gun while in Custody

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French policeman under investigation for a shooting incident during the Marseille riots a month ago has confessed to firing a rubber bullet at a 22-year-old man’s head. The victim, Hedi, an assistant restaurant manager, suffered severe injuries and disfigurement from the “flash ball.”

The officer has been in custody for weeks, causing controversy among his colleagues. The officer’s lawyer requested his release, but the public prosecutor cited the risk of collusion with colleagues. The incident occurred during nationwide riots that followed the death of a 17-year-old during a police check in Nanterre.

Hedi, a North African immigrant, survived the headshot but sustained serious health issues. Other incidents of rubber bullet use by the French police have also resulted in life-changing injuries and deaths, sparking further debate on their use.

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Pope Holds Meeting with Clerical Sexual Abuse Survivors in Portugal

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During his five-day visit to Portugal, Pope Francis held a private meeting with victims of clerical sexual abuse. The Vatican described the gathering, which took place on Wednesday, as an occasion of intense listening. A recent report revealed that at least 4,815 children in Portugal had suffered abuse, and the Church had attempted to systematically cover up the issue.

At an evening service in Lisbon, Pope Francis acknowledged the need for the Church to heed the anguished cries of the victims. He emphasized the importance of a continual process of purification in response to the scandal, which had also led to a growing detachment from practicing the faith among believers.

The meeting was conducted at the Holy See’s diplomatic mission in Portugal and included 13 abuse survivors, lasting for over an hour. Representatives from the Portuguese Church responsible for protecting minors also attended the meeting.

In February, an independent commission established by the Catholic Church in Portugal released a report documenting the experiences of 564 individuals who reported abuse by priests or other Church figures. This study, similar to audits conducted in other regions, covered cases dating back to 1950 and suggested that the actual number of victims could be much higher.

The Pope’s visit to Portugal coincided with World Youth Day, a week-long event organized by the Church every few years in different cities worldwide, celebrating religious and cultural activities.

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Armed Drones Strike Grain Warehouses near Ukraine-Romania Border in Odesa Conflict

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A Russian drone strike targeted port facilities in Izmail, Ukraine, situated close to the River Danube and adjacent to NATO member state Romania. The attack resulted in the damaging of a grain warehouse, a passenger building, and a grain loading elevator. This comes after Russia abandoned a UN deal that allowed both countries to export grain safely across the Black Sea. The attack has sparked a large fire in the port area, with videos from the Romanian side of the Danube capturing the extent of the blaze.

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis condemned the continued attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure near Romania, stating that they are unacceptable. Odesa regional leader Oleh Kiper confirmed that emergency services were responding to the latest attack, but no casualties were reported.

Ukraine, a major exporter of wheat and corn, has been severely affected by the Russian attacks on its port facilities. The River Danube is now seen as an alternative route for exports, but the attacks are causing significant disruptions and logistical challenges. The continuous targeting of Ukrainian ports by Russia is viewed as an attempt to control Ukraine’s grain exports and exert influence in the region.

In addition to the attacks on port facilities, Russia has also launched drone strikes against Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, though no official response has been issued by Russia regarding these reported attacks.

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Ukraine war causes birth rate to slump

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According to official statistics, the war in Ukraine has led to a significant decline in the country’s birth rate, with a decrease of 28%. In the first six months of 2023, only 96,755 children were born, compared to 135,079 in the same period in 2021. This drop is the most substantial decrease in birth rates since Ukraine gained independence in 1991.

Even before the conflict, Ukraine’s birth rate had been steadily declining over the past decade. However, the war has exacerbated the situation, resulting in the largest decline in births on record. The ongoing conflict has also had a severe impact on the country’s population, with nearly six million people fleeing, according to the United Nations.

Data collected by the Ukrainian data analytics website Opendatabot aligns with the observations of demographic experts, who have noticed similar declines in birth rates during previous wars. The US-based Population Reference Bureau states that fertility rates typically drop by up to one-third during civil conflicts but tend to rebound quickly after the fighting ends.

Before the invasion by Russia, Ukraine used to witness around 23,000 monthly births, but this number has now fallen to approximately 16,000. However, the decline in birth rates has not caused a significant imbalance between male and female births. In the first half of 2023, the number of boys born was 49,626, while girls accounted for 47,129.

The last time Ukraine experienced such a significant drop in birth rates was in 2014 when Russia invaded and annexed Crimea. During that period, the number of babies born decreased by 12%.

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Repeat Drone Strike Targets Moscow Skyscraper Amid Ongoing Ukraine Conflict

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Moscow’s Mayor Sergei Sobyanin has reported a second drone attack on a skyscraper in the city’s Moskva City complex within two days. Multiple drones were shot down during the overnight incident, but one managed to hit the same tower that was targeted on Sunday. The attack caused damage to the building’s glass facade, but fortunately, no injuries have been reported.

Russia’s defense ministry has attributed the latest attack to Ukraine, although Kyiv has not made any official comments on the matter. The tensions have escalated further, as Russia also claimed that three Ukrainian unmanned boats were destroyed while attempting to attack Russian naval ships in the Black Sea.

The IQ-Quarter Tower 1 building suffered over 150 sq m of destroyed glazing during the drone attack. Additionally, two more Ukrainian drones were reportedly shot down by anti-aircraft systems in other parts of the Moscow region, with Russia’s defense ministry claiming to have thwarted a “terrorist attack” from Ukraine.

This incident adds to the growing accusations by Moscow, alleging that Ukraine has been conducting drone strikes on Russian territory in recent months. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has not claimed responsibility for specific attacks but has expressed that such actions on Russian territory are seen as an “inevitable, natural, and absolutely fair process.”

The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has been ongoing since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. In the wake of these recent incidents, there have been casualties and damages on both sides, further escalating the tensions in the region.

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Unesco Proposes Including Venice on Endangered List

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Unesco recommends placing Venice on the list of endangered World Heritage sites due to the risks posed by excessive tourism, overdevelopment, and rising sea levels from climate change. The agency aims to prompt better preservation efforts for the iconic Italian city’s future.

The proposal will be carefully reviewed by the Venice municipality and discussed with the Italian government. The city’s former mayor criticizes Unesco, calling it an expensive and ineffective body. Previously proposed for inclusion two years ago, Venice avoided the list temporarily due to emergency measures, but the promised conservation plan was never implemented.

Unesco’s report highlights the lack of a strategic vision to address climate change threats, and the impact of tourism on the city’s infrastructure. The agency believes that high-rise buildings should be constructed far from the city center to avoid negative visual impacts. Venice’s vulnerability to rising sea levels is exacerbated by its popularity as a tourist destination, with around 28 million visitors annually.

Currently, 55 World Heritage sites are listed as “in danger,” with an additional 204 being closely monitored by Unesco due to various threats.

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Prigozhin: Wagner Shifts Focus to Africa and Belarus, Pauses Fighter Recruitment

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Head of Wagner Mercenary Group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, announced in an audio message released by a Wagner-linked Telegram account that the group will continue its operations in Africa and Belarus but is currently not actively recruiting new fighters. Prigozhin stated that the majority of Wagner fighters are currently on leave due to a period of intense work. The group is in the process of determining its future objectives, which will be undertaken for the benefit of Russia.

While the group remains operational in Africa and maintains training centers in Belarus, Prigozhin did not provide specific details. Wagner is known for its presence in various African regions and its involvement in training Belarusian territorial defense forces. However, he emphasized that they do not plan to recruit new personnel at present. Nonetheless, if the country requires a new group to safeguard its interests, Wagner will initiate recruitment.

Prigozhin also mentioned that some fighters from the group have opted to transfer to other Russian power structures, a move that the group does not restrict. In June, Wagner fighters participated in a short-lived mutiny against Russia’s military leadership, and in the aftermath of the failed mutiny, President Vladimir Putin invited non-participating Wagner fighters to sign contracts with the Russian defense ministry.

In recent developments, on Monday morning, four people were killed in Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine, following Russian missile strikes. A drone attack was also reported in Russia’s border region of Bryansk, with a police station being hit. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin accused Ukraine of the drone attack on the Russian capital, resulting in damage to two office blocks. In response, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that war was returning to Russia, and attacks on Russian territory were a natural consequence of the ongoing conflict between the two countries.

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