FILE PHOTO: A smoke rises over remains of a building destroyed by a military strike, as Russia’s attack on Ukraine continues, in Lysychansk, Luhansk region, Ukraine June 17, 2022. REUTERS/Oleksandr Ratushniak KYIV — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday urged Western leaders to supply anti-aircraft defense systems to his embattled nation as Russian forces assaulted Lysychansk, the last big city still held by Ukrainian troops in eastern Luhansk province. Addressing the Group of Seven summit in the Bavarian Alps via video link, Zelensky also asked for help to export grain from Ukraine and for more sanctions on Russia, a European official said. As the leaders met, Russian forces were bombarding Lysychansk, the Kremlin’s immediate battlefield target following the fall of neighboring Severodonetsk over the weekend. Luhansk governor Serhiy Gaidai said the city was suffering “catastrophic” damage from the shelling and he urged civilians to urgently evacuate. “The … [Read more...] about Ukraine pleads for air defense as Russia turns sights on Lysychansk
Defense
Ringgit depreciates against US dollar on June 27
- A + A KUALA LUMPUR (June 27): The ringgit reversed its earlier gains to close weaker against the US dollar on Monday (June 27), as the falling crude oil prices continued to weigh on sentiments, said an analyst. At 6pm, the local unit depreciated against the greenback to 4.4030/4060 from Friday (June 24)'s close of 4.4010/4045. The analyst said oil prices had eased on Monday as investors were cautious about moves against Russian oil and gas exports that might arise from the Group of Seven (G7) nations meeting. At the press time, benchmark Brent crude oil was traded at US$113.14 per barrel, down by 0.14%. He also expects the USD/MYR (US dollar-ringgit pair) to remain volatile, as growing fears of a recession are causing market participants to be defensive, leading to higher demand for safe-haven currencies. Meanwhile, the local currency was traded mixed against a basket of major currencies. The ringgit appreciated against the British pound to 5.4064/4101 from … [Read more...] about Ringgit depreciates against US dollar on June 27
G7 leaders work to ‘starve’ Russia of oil money as Zelensky says he wants the war over by the end of the year
Telfs-Buchen, Austria (CNN) Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told G7 leaders during a virtual meeting Monday that he wants the war in Ukraine to end by the end of 2022, according to a source familiar with his remarks , as leaders worked to starve Russia of its oil revenues and mitigate the economic fallout of the conflict. The dual missions -- sustain support for Ukraine while easing economic pressures at home -- have defined this year's summit of leading democracies, held high in the Bavarian Alps. While largely united, the leaders are all facing their own political imperatives to see a momentum shift in the fighting and bring an end to the conflict quickly. To that end, leaders were nearing an agreement to try capping the price of Russian oil, depriving the country of revenues that have soared amid the global spike in energy prices. Details were still being ironed out, including whether the top buyers of Russian oil would agree to the limits, but US officials … [Read more...] about G7 leaders work to ‘starve’ Russia of oil money as Zelensky says he wants the war over by the end of the year
Enrile contracts COVID-19: ‘To my critics and enemies, I am not going to die yet’
FILE PHOTO: Juan Ponce Enrile. INQUIRER FILES MANILA, Philippines — Former Senate president Juan Ponce Enrile, 98, is confined in a hospital due to COVID-19. In a post on his personal Facebook account, the incoming legal adviser of President-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos made an appeal “(t)o all my FB friends, critics, and enemies” to “(p)lease bear with me. I am in the hospital.” But it appears that the nonagenarian is asymptomatic, as he noted not feeling any discomfort and that his body temperature has been normal, except for a dry cough. “To my critics and enemies: Do not clap with glee. I am not going to die yet. Far from it,” Enrile also wrote on Facebook. “Since three (3) days ago after I entered Makati Med. when I was diagnosed ‘positive’ for COVID virus. I never had any discomfort. No chills. No fever. No headache. No malaise. My body temperature ranges from 36* to 36.8*. My body oxygen ranges from 96 to 99. All my physical vital signs and blood chemistry … [Read more...] about Enrile contracts COVID-19: ‘To my critics and enemies, I am not going to die yet’
Rain stops play on Wimbledon opening day
Court 2 is covered by ground staff personnel to protect it from the rain on the first day of the 2022 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on June 27, 2022. (Photo by Adrian DENNIS / AFP) Rain brought a halt to play after just 30 minutes on the first day of Wimbledon on Monday. Action on the outside courts was suspended at 1140 local time (1040 GMT), with officials saying there would be no resumption before 1300. However, Novak Djokovic will be able to start his title defense on time later Monday, with his clash against Kwon Soon-woo of South Korea taking place beneath the Centre Court roof. RELATED STORIES Wimbledon ‘relieved’ to host top stars despite loss of ranking points Novak Djokovic brings curtain up on Wimbledon Get the hottest sports news straight into your inbox … [Read more...] about Rain stops play on Wimbledon opening day
Taeguk Ladies hold Olympic champions Canada to a 0-0 draw
Ji So-yun, center, fights for the ball during an international friendly against Canada at BMO Field in Toronto, Canada on Sunday. [NEWS1] The Korean women's football team on Sunday held Olympic champions Canada to a 0-0 draw at BMO Field in Toronto. The Taeguk Ladies, ranked at No. 18 on the FIFA world ranking, held off No. 6 Canada for 90 minutes despite the home side having a clear advantage in terms of possession and chances on goal. Canada controlled 67 percent of the ball and tested the Korean defense a huge 13 times, with four of those shots landing on target. Despite the non-stop offensive, goalkeeper Yoon Young-geul and a solid defensive lineup — including veteran defender Kim Hye-ri in her 100th appearance for the national team — held off the attack to prevent Canada from getting anything in the back of the net. Offense was more of a concern for Korea, with the Taeguk Ladies failing to get a single shot on target throughout the first half. Ji So-yun, the former … [Read more...] about Taeguk Ladies hold Olympic champions Canada to a 0-0 draw
G-7 Reportedly To Commit To Supporting Ukraine ‘As Long As It Takes’
Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Topline The leaders of the Group of Seven advanced economies will commit to provide Ukraine military and financial aid in its war against Russia “for as long as it takes,” according to a draft declaration seen by Bloomberg from the group’s summit in Germany, which could allay concerns in Kyiv that some European countries would like to push Ukraine to negotiate a settlement to the war in the near term. Key Facts The countries are set to pledge to continue providing financial, humanitarian, military and diplomatic support to Ukraine as it fights off the Russian invasion that began in February. The G-7 aso committed to addressing the “ international impacts of Russia’s aggression,” especially on what it called “the most vulnerable,” according to Bloomberg.The draft indicates the G-7 leaders are also mulling using tariff revenue to help fund their support of Ukraine, according to the outlet. Big Number … [Read more...] about G-7 Reportedly To Commit To Supporting Ukraine ‘As Long As It Takes’
US manufacturing shows resilience despite rising interest rates
- A + A WASHINGTON (June 27): New orders for US-made capital goods and shipments increased solidly in May, pointing to sustained strength in business spending on equipment in the second quarter, but rising interest rates and tighter financial conditions could slow momentum. The nearly broad rise in orders reported by the Commerce Department on Monday occurred despite deteriorating business and consumer sentiment, as well as heightened fears of a recession. The gains partly reflected higher prices. The Federal Reserve is aggressively tightening monetary policy to quell inflation. "There's some inflation behind the increase in orders, but, nevertheless, there are a lot of dollars flowing through the economy right now," said Christopher Rupkey, chief economist at FWDBONDS in New York. "Businesses would not order new equipment if they thought consumers and other companies were looking to pull back their purchases." Orders for non-defense capital goods excluding … [Read more...] about US manufacturing shows resilience despite rising interest rates
A 250 million-year-old insect could inspire an ultrathin wallpaper that absorbs sound
About 65 million years ago, right around the time dinosaurs went extinct, bats evolved the ability to echolocate. They would produce clicks with their mouth or nose and listen for echoes of those clicks bouncing off surfaces and animals in the dark. Bats were major predators of moths, so many moths evolved ears that are sensitive to that echolocation—but not all of them. advertisement advertisement Some species, like furry silk moths, never grew ears. Instead, they used another defense mechanism that was already at their disposal: sound-absorbent wings. acoustic camouflage ” was discovered in 2018, when a team of researchers at the University of Bristol found that furry moths have a coating on their wings that can absorb up to 85% of the sound that hits them, making it hard for bats to locate them because their calls would be poorly reflected. Now a new study from the same team suggests that these moth wings could inspire a new type of ultrathin … [Read more...] about A 250 million-year-old insect could inspire an ultrathin wallpaper that absorbs sound
Ringgit depreciates against US dollar
KUALA LUMPUR: The ringgit reversed its earlier gains to close weaker against the US dollar today as the falling crude oil prices continued to weigh on sentiments, said an analyst. At 6 pm, the local unit depreciated against the greenback to 4.4030/4060 from Friday's close of 4.4010/4045. The analyst said oil prices had eased on Monday as investors were cautious about moves against Russian oil and gas exports that might arise from the Group of Seven (G7) nations meeting. At the press time, benchmark Brent crude oil was traded at US$113.14 per barrel, down by 0.14 per cent. He also expects the USD/MYR (US dollar-ringgit pair) to remain volatile as growing fears of a recession are causing market participants to be defensive, leading to higher demand for safe-haven currencies. Meanwhile, the local currency was traded mixed against a basket of major currencies. The ringgit appreciated against the British pound to 5.4064/4101 from Friday's close of 5.4128/4171 and rose versus the … [Read more...] about Ringgit depreciates against US dollar