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US county sues oil companies for $51 bn over 'Heat Dome' disaster

A county in the northwestern state of Oregon on Thursday filed a lawsuit against major fossil fuel companies seeking more than $51 billion over the 2021 "Heat Dome," one of the United States' deadliest weather-related disasters.. "This is an event that is directly attributed to the impacts that we are seeing on our climate because of the actions of fossil fuel companies and their agencies that have been pressing for decades to deny climate science," County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson told AFP. The county is asking for $50 million in current damages from the Heat Dome, and $1.5 billion for future damages as extreme heat, drought, wildfires, and smoky skies become more common.

Thu, Jun 22, 2023 4 mins read

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Dismissing tensions, Biden expects to see Xi despite 'dictators' jab

US President Joe Biden voiced confidence Thursday that he would meet Xi Jinping soon, as he refused to back down after angering Beijing by likening the Chinese leader to "dictators.". Asked Thursday if he concurred with Biden's assessment of China's leader, Hipkins said "no," adding that "the form of government that China has is a matter for the Chinese people."

Thu, Jun 22, 2023 2 mins read

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US Coast Guard focused on sub 'rescue' despite oxygen crunch

A multinational mission to find a missing submersible near the Titanic wreck is still focused on finding the five-member crew alive, rescuers insisted Thursday, despite fears that the vessel's oxygen may have run out.. Based on the sub's capacity to hold up to 96 hours of emergency air, rescuers had estimated that the passengers, which include fee-paying tourists, may have run out of oxygen in the early hours of Thursday.

Thu, Jun 22, 2023 3 mins read

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Ukrainian strike hits Crimea bridge

A Ukrainian strike damaged a bridge that connects south Ukraine to the annexed Crimean peninsula, a Russian official said on Thursday as tensions again rose over a Moscow-held nuclear power plant.  . The bridge connects Crimea, which Russia annexed from Ukraine in 2014, to a part of the Ukrainian region of Kherson that is held by Moscow.

Thu, Jun 22, 2023 3 mins read

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Russian court upholds extension of US reporter's detention: AFP

A Russian court on Thursday rejected an appeal to release US reporter Evan Gershkovich from detention in Moscow, an AFP journalist in the courtroom said, ahead of his trial on contested espionage charges.. Moscow says the sensitivity of the espionage charges means the trial must be held in private and court documents are not being made public.

Thu, Jun 22, 2023 1 mins read

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Ireland's debate on neutrality derailed by anti-NATO protest

A public debate on Ireland's international security policy, including its long-standing military neutrality, was disrupted by an anti-NATO demonstration in its opening session on Thursday.. But the debate in Ireland over pursuing NATO membership has stoked passions and threatened to divert the course followed by successive governments since the outbreak of World War II. According to national broadcaster RTE, Martin called the protesters "undemocratic" and accused the demonstration of "trying to shut down debate" before the group was led away by police.

Thu, Jun 22, 2023 3 mins read

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Senegal opposition leader launches French legal action against president

Senegalese opposition leader Ousmane Sonko has filed a criminal complaint in France for "crimes against humanity" against President Macky Sall, his lawyer said, as well as requesting a probe by the International Criminal Court (ICC).. His criminal complaint has been filed with the Paris tribunal's crimes against humanity unit.

Thu, Jun 22, 2023 1 mins read

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Bank of England to hike again over stubborn inflation

The Bank of England is forecast to lift interest rates for a 13th time in a row on Thursday -- and may hike sharply to fight stubborn inflation despite such a move worsening a cost-of-living crisis.. The Swiss and Norwegian central banks hiked their rates on Thursday ahead of the BoE decision.

Thu, Jun 22, 2023 3 mins read

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UK's Wallace rules himself out of NATO job

British Defence Secretary Ben Wallace says he is out of the running to become NATO's next chief, as the alliance mulls extending Jens Stoltenberg in the role. . But Wallace conceded that his bid had run afoul of the politics of the NATO role and the competing visions for the alliance of US President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron.

Thu, Jun 22, 2023 1 mins read

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Rescuers comb through rubble of Paris building blast

French rescuers scoured the rubble for a missing person on Thursday, a day after a blast ripped through a building in central Paris, leaving four seriously injured.. "The search is continuing," police told AFP on Thursday, saying rescuers were looking for one person still not accounted for -- down from two earlier Thursday morning.

Thu, Jun 22, 2023 1 mins read