Latest news bulletin | August 16th – Morning
Catch up with the most important stories from around Europe and beyond - latest news, breaking news, World, Business, Entertainment, Politics, Culture, Travel.
Transcript
00:00 Russia has struck two cities in Ukraine`s west with cruise missiles, causing civilian
00:05 deaths and injuries in Lutsk and Lviv.
00:10 After two years of Taliban rule, aid agencies warn Afghanistan`s population is facing the
00:15 world`s biggest humanitarian emergency.
00:23 Rooftops ablaze in Lviv in western Ukraine, civilian buildings targeted by cruise missiles
00:29 as Russia struck targets across the country.
00:34 Fifteen civilians were reported injured in Lviv. Four of them hit in a kindergarten yard,
00:39 according to the mayor.
00:41 In the neighboring region of Volin in Lutsk, three civilians were killed by a Russian missile
00:46 strike and others were injured.
00:49 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited frontline troops in the Donetsk region on
00:53 Monday, calling at the brigade headquarters of the Solidar formation.
00:58 On the frontline, Ukraine on Monday claimed some gains in the east and south. Small steps
01:03 forward in its grueling counteroffensive launched two months ago to liberate these Russian occupied
01:09 territories.
01:12 Ukrainian Red Cross teams on Monday evacuated civilians living in settlements and towns
01:16 close to the northeastern frontline, where Russia has recently stepped up attacks amid
01:21 a renewed offensive push around Kupyansk.
01:30 In Moscow today, an alternative reality from the Kremlin. Addressing participants of the
01:36 International Security Forum, Putin shifted the blame for what he called the ongoing conflict
01:41 in Ukraine to western countries.
01:44 "The reason for this policy of pouring oil into fire is clearly visible in the example
01:51 of Ukraine. By pumping in the neo-Nazi regime billions of dollars, supplying it with equipment,
01:58 weapons and ammunition, directing their military advisers and mercenaries, everything is being
02:03 done to ignite the conflict even more, to draw in other states."
02:09 The Minister of Defence of China, Li Shangfu, who is in Russia on a visit, spoke at the
02:14 conference. Talking about conflicts, Li said it's important to communicate openly and resolve
02:19 differences.
02:20 "Whether in Afghanistan, Syria or the Korean Peninsula, Ukraine or the Iran nuclear issue,
02:29 China is willing to talk openly and resolve differences, and to build more international
02:38 consensus."
02:40 China claims to be neutral in the Ukraine conflict, but has accused the US and its allies
02:45 of provoking Russia, and has maintained robust economic, diplomatic and trade ties with Moscow.
02:56 A week after EcoWars gave the green light to a possible armed response to Niger's coup,
03:01 the bloc's military leaders are set to meet for two days in Ghana, starting on Thursday.
03:07 The military hunter in Niger deposed President Mohamed Bouzoum and have resisted calls from
03:12 EcoWars and from the UN to restore him to power.
03:17 In Niger's capital, Niamey, the coup's leaders have announced plans to prosecute President
03:22 Bouzoum for high treason.
03:31 The fire started on Monday in the eastern Pyrenees, near the French border with Spain.
03:36 Residents tried to protect their homes as campsites were evacuated. As hundreds of firefighters
03:41 battled the blaze, some hoped for firefighting planes.
03:49 In Saint-André, residents and the mayor counted the cost.
04:00 Campers were ushered to safety, taking with them what they could.
04:10 The eastern Pyrenees has been in the grip of an extreme drought for many months. Its
04:15 fields and forests are tinder dry. Firefighters have managed to bring the flames under control,
04:22 allowing tourists and residents to return to homes and campsites.
04:34 Germany's cabinet on Wednesday is set to approve a plan to liberalise rules on cannabis. While
04:40 it will still need to be ratified by parliament, the proposal is being billed as the first
04:45 step in a two-part plan for a limited legalisation of the drug.
04:50 On Saturday, hundreds of people backing the step took part in the hemp parade in Berlin,
04:54 an event that has taken place since 1997.
04:57 If approved, it could see adults allowed to possess up to 25 grams of the drug and grow
05:17 a maximum of three plants for personal use. It would also allow members of so-called cannabis
05:23 clubs to buy it for recreational purposes.
05:27 The proposal faces opposition from several quarters.
05:34 A German government plane stuck on the tarmac at Abu Dhabi airport. The country's foreign
05:39 minister, Annalena Baerbock, was left stranded in the Gulf on Tuesday after the plane suffered
05:44 a technical fault. She was heading off on a week-long trip to Australia, New Zealand
05:49 and Fiji when the Air Force Airbus A340 was forced to turn around after a second attempt
05:55 to fly failed.
05:56 The ministry says the government fleet is at the technical level of a reputable airline,
06:01 but that some planes are due to be withdrawn soon.
06:15 It's not the first time that top German officials have been impacted by problems with government
06:20 aircraft, some of which are outdated. Notably, in 2018, former Chancellor Angela Merkel arrived
06:26 late and on a commercial plane to a G20 summit in Argentina.
06:35 Open Society Foundations, the charity funded by Hungarian-born billionaire George Soros,
06:40 is pivoting its focus away from European matters. It says it plans to withdraw or terminate
06:46 large parts of its work within the European Union, shifting its focus to other parts of
06:50 the world. The organisation supports people fighting for freedom of expression, accountable
06:56 government and societies that promote justice and equality. But for some in Hungary, the
07:01 decision makes no sense.
07:30 It's not yet clear how or where the foundation's funds will be reallocated, but it will continue
07:37 to support some civil society programmes in Europe.
07:46 Two years after the Taliban came to power in Afghanistan, the need for humanitarian
07:51 aid across the country has skyrocketed. However, inadequate funding is the biggest obstacle
07:57 to sustaining and expanding a humanitarian response, jeopardising a population in need
08:03 of support.
08:04 We speak about 28.8 million in need in Afghanistan, and also 60% more than 2021, and now the highest
08:14 level of need in the world.
08:16 The main problem currently is the funding. So what we really need, in addition to just
08:23 the humanitarian assistance, we need to have development assistance and long-term engagement
08:28 to be able to set the economy of Afghanistan on the right way.
08:36 The UN is extremely concerned about the plight of women in Afghanistan. Conditions for them
08:41 deteriorate day by day. Women are victims of sexual, psychological, economic and administrative
08:47 violence. They're limited in their freedom of movement, not allowed to study or work,
08:52 including for humanitarian organisations such as UN agencies in the country, undermining
08:58 relief efforts.
08:59 This has an extraordinary impact because women were largely operational members of the NGOs
09:11 who came to help the population. So this means that this help is not delivered to the population.
09:19 Humanitarian organisations and NGOs say the biggest humanitarian crisis on the planet
09:23 is unfolding in Afghanistan, and they urge the world community not to forget about the
09:28 population of this country.
09:36 A tag for each plant, each the name of an owner, anxious to find their home companions
09:42 in good health when they come back from holidays.
09:45 Often those who go on holiday are forced to leave their pets to dog sitters or even cat
09:50 sitters. But for many, leaving their plants unattended for two or three weeks is difficult
09:55 too.
10:11 Enrico is a young agronomist from Bologna who turned his childhood passion into a job
10:16 and in summer time he becomes an experienced and appreciated plant sitter.
10:40 On the holidays Enrico's terrace and house host up to 350 plants from 50 different clients,
10:46 each of them with its own tag and needs. Each plant requires a specific exposure to light
10:52 nutrients, water and pruning. Often plants that are delivered in a bad state go home
10:58 completely revitalised.
11:00 On average Enrico's clients bring him about 10 plants to look after, some up to 40 or
11:24 50. Requests keep pouring in but there is no room left this year in the five star hotel
11:30 for plants. Next year more room will be needed.
11:33 END
11:39 (whooshing)