Russia's private army Wagner claimed Saturday the total control of the east Ukrainian city of Bakhmut, the epicentre of fighting, as Kyiv said the battle was continuing but admitted the situation was "critical". . Ukraine, which earlier this month claimed successes in and around Bakhmut, said the fighting for the city was ongoing.
At 82 years old, architect Yasmeen Lari is forging the way in fortifying Pakistan's rural communities living on the frontline of climate change.. - Traditional techniques - Climate change is making monsoon rains heavier and more unpredictable, scientists say, raising the urgency to flood-proof the country -- particularly as the poorest live in the most vulnerable areas.
One man is revered in Western capitals for standing up to Russia's full-scale invasion of his country.. "Zelensky's presence spoiled Assad's joy at the summit, because he reminded the attendees of Russia's crimes in Ukraine," said Rabha Saif Allam, a specialist in Middle Eastern affairs at the Cairo Center for Strategic Studies.
Talks to avoid a US debt default were on a knife edge Saturday as President Joe Biden warned he would not accept "extreme" Republican demands but suggested there remained a path to success.. While Biden will not accept "extreme" Republican policies, "there remains a path forward to arrive at a reasonable bipartisan agreement if Republicans come back to the table to negotiate in good faith," LaBolt said.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Saturday headed to Hiroshima to join G7 talks, after winning long-sought US support for access to advanced fighter jets and training for Kyiv's pilots.. The United States had previously cited long pilot training times and high costs as a reason not to supply the jets, with officials insisting there were more cost-effective ways to boost Kyiv's air defences.
Doing business in China has become harder and potentially more perilous as the government prioritises an ever-widening definition of national security over all else, despite insisting the country has reopened for trading.. But Yale legal expert Jeremy Daum said the key was that "China believes there are legitimate threats to its national security, and will always prioritise addressing them over other interests".
San Francisco has tapped a popular nightclub owner to be its first drag laureate, creating the ambassador-style position at a time when America's LGBTQ community fears an erosion of its rights amid rising conservative attacks.. "I am honored and thrilled to have been chosen as San Francisco's Drag Laureate, and I am proud to live in a city that is pioneering this position while other parts of the US and the world might not be supportive of drag," said Drollinger, the owner and artistic director of the cabaret-club Oasis.
US President Joe Biden told G7 leaders that Washington will support providing advanced warplanes including F-16s to Ukraine and will back efforts to train Kyiv's pilots, a senior White House official said Friday.. Biden said the United States "will support a joint effort with our allies and partners to train Ukrainian pilots on fourth-generation fighter aircraft, including F-16s, to further strengthen and improve the capabilities of the Ukrainian Air Force," the official said.
Republicans have paused crunch US debt default talks less than two weeks before a potentially catastrophic default, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said Friday, citing lack of movement from Democrats. . Democrats have framed the talks as an opportunity to discuss the upcoming budget ahead of June 1, when the Treasury predicts the United States could start defaulting on its debts if Congress does not act.
Chinese filmmaker Wang Bing got incredible access to the inner workings of his country's textile industry by spending five years with its employees, but he fears it may be more difficult for him to work there in future.. "Bit by bit as I got to know all these managers from the factories, I was really able to get total freedom from them and even very strong support on their part," he told AFP. But now Wang worries he may not have such access to film in China again.
