Live updates: Russia’s war in Ukraine

China is providing technology and equipment to Russia that is increasingly important to Moscow’s war in Ukraine, according to a newly released report compiled by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.  The report is unclassified and largely cites open-source data and western press reporting to support its claims. But it…

Ukraine’s counteroffensive is ramping up after months of slow progress | CNN

CNN  —  After two months of painstakingly slow progress on the battlefield, Ukraine appears to be ramping up its counteroffensive, deploying thousands of extra troops to the southern front and signaling a new phase of the operation, US and Russian officials said. Ukraine has committed more forces to the southeast…

Live updates: Russia’s war in Ukraine

Heavy fighting continues in the southern Zaporizhzhia region, especially around the village of Robotyne, where Ukrainian forces have been trying to break through heavily mined Russian defensive lines, according to Ukrainian and Russian accounts. “We came close to Robotyne. Have not yet entered the settlement itself. Fighting continues in trench…

Berlin Wall Fast Facts | CNN

CNN  —  Here’s some background information about the Berlin Wall, which enclosed West Berlin from 1961 to 1989, in an attempt to prevent East Germans from fleeing to the West. It became a symbol of East/West relations during the Cold War. The Berlin Wall began as a border of barbed…

UK government heavily criticized for underestimating Wagner group | CNN

London CNN  —  The United Kingdom’s government has been heavily criticized for underestimating Russia’s Wagner private military company (PMC) for nearly a decade, despite it posing a major threat to the country’s interests, in a report by the UK Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee published Wednesday. “For nearly 10 years, the…

Live updates: Russia’s war in Ukraine

US intelligence officials have warned that Russia is building a drone-manufacturing facility in country with Iran’s help that could have a significant impact on the war in Ukraine once it is completed. Analysts from the Defense Intelligence Agency told a small group of reporters during a briefing on Friday that the drone-manufacturing facility…

J K Rowling Fast Facts | CNN

CNN  —  Here is a look at the life of J.K. Rowling, author of the Harry Potter book series. Birth date: July 31, 1965 Birth place: Gloucestershire, England Birth name: Joanne Rowling Father: Peter Rowling, aircraft factory manager Mother: Anne (Volant) Rowling, lab technician Marriages: Neil Murray (December 26, 2001-present);…

Wildfires, heat and giant hail as Italy grapples with extreme weather | CNN

CNN  —  Italy is facing multiple kinds of extreme weather at once, with southern parts of the country scorched by blistering heat, while the north is battered by deadly storms. On Tuesday alone, extreme weather killed at least three people, according to Italian authorities. A teenager and a woman were…

Live updates: Russia’s war in Ukraine

Russia’s foreign ministry on Monday urged international organizations to condemn the recent Ukrainian drone attacks on Moscow and Crimea.  “We regard what happened as another use of terrorist methods by the military-political leadership of Ukraine, intimidation of the civilian population. These attacks had no military meaning,” the foreign ministry said in a…

Spain has rejected the far right. But who governs next is still unclear | CNN

Madrid CNN  —  The smiles on Spain’s election night told part of the story. Although Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez came in second place in the vote and his ally Yolanda Diaz finished fourth with her new Sumar leftist alliance, they both wore big grins when addressing their respective supporters…

Greta Thunberg fined for disobeying police after climate protest | CNN

CNN  —  A Swedish court has fined environmental activist Greta Thunberg after finding her guilty of disobeying law enforcement, a Malmö City Court spokesperson told CNN Monday. Thunberg was charged with “the crime of disobedience to law and order” earlier this month after participating in a protest on June 19…

Live updates: Russia’s war in Ukraine

Farmers harvest grain in Stavropol, Russia, on July 16. Denis Abramov/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images Russian President Vladimir Putin said Moscow withdrew from a vital Black Sea grain deal intended to stabilize global food prices and bring relief to developing countries because it “failed” to ensure the delivery of grain. The deal…

Russia claims drone strikes hit two non-residential buildings in Moscow | CNN

CNN  —  Drone strikes hit two non-residential buildings in the Russian capital Moscow at around 4 a.m. local on Monday, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said on Telegram. Sobyanin added that there was no serious damage or casualties. Russia’s Ministry of Defence on Monday claimed the two Ukrainian drones were “suppressed”…

No clear victor in Spanish election as results defy predictions | CNN

CNN  —  Spain appears destined for painful political negotiations after Sunday’s elections, when no single party won enough parliamentary seats to form a government. Prospects for coalition-building now remain uncertain. With over 99% of the vote counted, the center-right Partido Popular (PP) is set to come in first, winning 136…

Live updates: Russia’s war in Ukraine

While Russian forces mount an essentially defensive operation in the south of Ukraine, they’ve adopted a more offensive posture elsewhere along the front line, according to updates from Kyiv’s military, regional leaders and Russian bloggers. In Ukraine’s eastern Luhansk region, in particular, Moscow’s troops appear to have Ukraine firmly on…

Far-right could enter government as Spain goes to the polls | CNN

Madrid CNN  —  Spanish voters are heading to the ballot boxes in Sunday’s snap general election that could see a far-right party enter government for the first time in decades. Most polls predict the center-right opposition Popular Party will win but fall short of an absolute majority in Parliament, meaning…

Hot water pipe bursts in Moscow shopping center, killing four | CNN

CNN  —  Four people died and dozens were injured after a hot water pipe burst in a shopping center in Moscow, Russian state news agency TASS reported. The water pipe burst with “boiling water” in the Vremena Goda shopping center in Russia’s capital. “The death toll from a burst pipe…

Greece heat wave likely to become longest country has ever recorded | CNN

CNN  —  A heat wave baking Greece is likely to become the longest the country has ever recorded, experts say, as the country battles wildfires and restricts access to its popular tourist sites. Visiting hours for the Acropolis and other archaeological sites have been revised with temperatures soaring. Staff at…

Live updates: Russia’s war in Ukraine

While Russian forces mount an essentially defensive operation in the south of Ukraine, they’ve adopted a more offensive posture elsewhere along the front line, according to updates from Kyiv’s military, regional leaders and Russian bloggers. In Ukraine’s eastern Luhansk region, in particular, Moscow’s troops appear to have Ukraine firmly on…