Costa Concordia captain faces questions about lifeboat video | CNN
Story highlights Video appears to show Francesco Schettino climbing into a lifeboat from the ship The ship’s captain has previously said he was thrown off the listing cruise liner Schettino denies manslaughter, causing a maritime disaster and abandoning ship charges Thirty-two people died after the Costa Concordia hit rocks and…
Ukraine’s counteroffensive is shrouded in confusion. That may be the plan | CNN
Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine CNN — The columns of dozens of US-supplied M-ATVs kept coming, preceded by a police car, lights blaring, and tailed by dozens of muddy, civilian saloons. Where the armored vehicles were ultimately destined for was unclear. But they were still beige – the paintjob they would have had…
Live updates: Russia’s war in Ukraine
Chinese envoy Li Hui wrapped up a two-day visit to Ukraine Wednesday, Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry said — completing the first stop on a European tour focused on the war there, as Beijing attempts to fashion itself as a peacemaker in the grinding conflict, despite its close ties with Russia. A…
A crucial deal aimed at averting a global food crisis has been extended. Here’s everything you need to know | CNN
CNN — A crucial deal aimed at averting a global food crisis following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has been extended for two months. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Wednesday an agreement has been reached with Russia and Ukraine to extend the Black Sea grain deal. Ukraine is one of…
Ukraine grain deal to be extended for 2 months, say Turkey and Ukraine | CNN
CNN — An agreement has been reached to extend a deal that allows grain to be exported from Ukrainian ports in the Black Sea, according to Turkish and Ukrainian officials. Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the agreement between Ukraine and Russia, which was brokered by Turkey and the United…
‘Low fertility trap’: Why Italy’s falling birth rate is causing alarm | CNN
Rome CNN — Italy, a country once known for its big families gathered around the dinner table, is facing a crisis of unparalleled proportions. For the first time, the number of births in a year fell below 400,000 – representing an average of 1.25 babies per woman, according to official…
At least eight killed by heavy flooding in Italy, as river levels continue to rise | CNN
CNN — At least eight people have been killed by heavy flooding and mudslides in the northern Italian region of Emilia Romagna, with more than 5,000 residents being forced to evacuate, according to local authorities. The bodies have been retrieved from various locations, the vice president of Emilia Romagna, Irene…
How Ukraine turned the tables on Russia’s aerial assault with these Western weapons | CNN
CNN — It’s the big question that has Russian military commanders scratching their heads: What’s made Ukraine’s air defenses so impenetrable all of a sudden? This month alone, Russia has launched eight waves of missile attacks on the Ukrainian capital, the latest of them a bombardment in the early hours…
Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy loses appeal against corruption conviction | CNN
CNN — Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy has lost his appeal against a 2021 conviction for corruption and influence-peddling at the Paris court of appeals. The court on Wednesday upheld his initial sentence of three years of prison, with two years suspended and said he can wear an electronic bracelet…
Live updates: Russia’s war in Ukraine
Explosion of a missile is seen in the sky over the city during a Russian missile strike in Kyiv, Ukraine, on May 16. Gleb Garanich/Reuters Russia is expending more munitions than usual in an attempt to overwhelm and confuse Ukrainian air defenses, according to a US official familiar with the matter.…
UK, Netherlands are working to procure F-16 fighters for Ukraine, Downing Street says | CNN
London CNN — Britain and the Netherlands are working on an “international coalition” to help Ukraine procure F-16 fighter jets that Kyiv says are vital to its defense as Russia ramps up its aerial strikes, a spokesperson for UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said Tuesday. The two NATO allies are…
Spanish police probe deadly explosion as ‘potential case of domestic violence’ | CNN
CNN — Authorities are investigating an explosion linked to the deaths of two people in Spain on Tuesday as a “potential case of domestic violence.” The victims, a woman and a man, were found dead near a children’s playground in the northern Spanish town of Orio, Basque regional police told…
Ukraine’s women break down gender norms in service to their country | CNN
Eastern Ukraine CNN — As their country fights to repel Russia’s forces, Ukrainian women are taking on roles and responsibilities previously unavailable to them, often in challenging and dangerous circumstances. Thousands of Ukrainian men left their jobs to join the military and defend the country after Russia invaded almost 16…
Wagner chief Prigozhin claims in video US citizen died fighting in Bakhmut | CNN
CNN — The leader of the Russian private military company Wagner, Yevgeny Prigozhin, claimed a US citizen died in the embattled Ukrainian city of Bakhmut, in a video posted on the Wagner Telegram group on Tuesday. A pro-Kremlin military blogger, Alexander Simonov, introduces the video saying “we are advancing to…
