(Reuters) – Georgia said on Thursday that plans by the Russian-backed breakaway region of South Ossetia to hold a referendum on joining Russia were unacceptable, while the Kremlin stressed no action had been taken to make that happen. Moscow recognised…
Six severed heads left on car in violent Mexican state
By Uriel Sanchez ACAPULCO, Mexico (Reuters) – The severed heads of six men were discovered on Thursday atop a car in a town in southwestern Mexico with a sign warning others they could face the same fate, authorities said, a grisly reminder of the gang…
Italy and Germany say they agree on importance of sanctions against Russia
ROME (Reuters) – Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz agreed in a phone call on the importance of keeping up sanctions against Russia, which are “proving very effective,” Draghi’s office said in a statement on Thursday….
UK PM Johnson has ‘insatiable desire’ to expand wind power production
LONDON (Reuters) – British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has an “insatiable desire” to expand energy production from wind, a spokesperson for his Downing Street office said on Thursday. Johnson chaired a roundtable of industry leaders from the wind sect…
EU lawmakers back new tracing rule for crypto transfers
By Huw Jones and Tom Wilson LONDON (Reuters) -European Union lawmakers backed new safeguards for tracing transfers of bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies on Thursday, in the latest sign that regulators are tightening up on the freewheeling sector. Two c…
Not clear Russian convoy to Kyiv exists anymore, Pentagon says
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The Pentagon said on Thursday it was not clear that Russia’s convoy of military vehicles to Kyiv, which once stretched some 40 miles, even exists anymore after failing to accomplish its mission. “I don’t even know if it still exi…
U.S. officials circle globe to keep pressure on Putin as ruble rises
By Andrea Shalal and David Lawder WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Senior U.S. officials fanned out this week to press world leaders to continue putting pressure on Moscow or join the campaign of sanctions and other measures as the war in Ukraine enters its fifth…
UN raises $2.44 billion for Afghan aid amid concerns on girls’ education
By Stephanie Nebehay (Reuters) -A total of 41 donor countries pledged more than $2.44 billion towards the United Nations $4.4 billion appeal for humanitarian aid in Afghanistan, the world body said on Thursday, as international concerns grew over the T…
Ukraine state nuclear firm says most Russian forces have left Chernobyl nuclear plant
LVIV, Ukraine (Reuters) – The Ukrainian state nuclear company said on Thursday most of the Russian forces occupying the Chernobyl nuclear power station had withdrawn, leaving a “small number” on the territory of the defunct plant. There was no immediat…
Italy’s Draghi says does not believe Russian gas supplies at risk
ROME (Reuters) – Italy does not believe that supplies of gas from Russia will be cut off as a result of a dispute over the currency for payment, Prime Minister Mario Draghi said on Thursday. “No they are not in danger,” Draghi told a news conference wh…