How Ukraine turned the tables on Russia’s aerial assault with these Western weapons
It’s the big question that has Russian military commanders scratching their heads: What’s made Ukraine’s air defenses so impenetrable all of a sudden?
This month alone, Russia has launched eight waves of missile attacks on the Ukrainian capital, the latest of them a bombardment in the early hours of Tuesday that involved at least 18 missiles of various types and a swarm of drones.
Yet Kyiv claims to have escaped with barely a scratch, denying any of the missiles or drones hit their targets.
That may be an overstatement – US officials believe a US-made Patriot defense system was likely damaged – but even allowing for hyperbole, experts say it’s clear something remarkable is going on.
World likely to breach 1.5C climate threshold by 2027, scientists warn
UN agency says El Niño and human-induced climate breakdown could combine to push temperatures into ‘uncharted territory’
The world is almost certain to experience new record temperatures in the next five years, and temperatures are likely to rise by more than 1.5C above pre-industrial levels, scientists have warned.
The breaching of the crucial 1.5C threshold, which scientists have warned could have dire consequences, should be only temporary, according to research from the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO).
Sarkozy has to wear electronic tag after losing corruption appeal
Influence peddling case is one of a number of legal challenges the French former president faces in stunning fall from grace
French former president Nicolas Sarkozy has lost his appeal against a 2021 conviction for corruption and influence peddling at the Paris Court of Appeals.
The appeals court upheld a three-year prison sentence. In line with the initial ruling, it said two of those years were suspended and that Sarkozy would wear an electronic bracelet instead of going to jail for the remaining year. That is standard practice for sentences of two years or less. He will not have to serve the suspended sentence if he commits no new offense in the next five years.
India's 'draconian' IT laws draw ire from civil society
In April, the Indian government tightened its grip on online content. It was forced to postpone the formation of a controversial fact-checking unit after comedian Kunal Kamra took the matter to court.
India ranks 161 out of 180 in this year's Press Freedom Index published by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), lagging behind Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Indian journalists and human rights activists have regularly voiced concern and protested against arbitrary arrests and cases filed against them, as well as the banning and removal of content that is critical of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government.
In January, the government invoked emergency laws to block links to a BBC documentary critical of Modi's leadership during the 2002 riots in Gujarat when he was chief minister of the state. It described the documentary as "propaganda" and "anti-India garbage."
Free speech advocates and rights activists said this was a clear case of the government "crushing dissent."
Advocates battle to publish West Africa's first LGBT magazine
The publication of the first magazine dedicated to West Africa’s LGBT community, originally set to hit shelves on May 12, has been delayed due to difficulties finding gay-friendly printers in the Ivory Coast. “Meleagbo” would be French-speaking West Africa’s first LGBT publication. Launched by the NGO Gromo, which advocates LGBT rights in Abidjan, the magazine promotes gay icons and highlights the community’s culture, history and victories.
The magazine’s publication would represent a step forward for a continent where some 33 countries still have laws on the books criminalising same-sex relations.
Gay rights in Africa came under renewed scrutiny earlier this year after Uganda’s parliament approved the first reading of a bill in March criminalising merely identifying as LGBT, outraging human and civil rights advocates worldwide. The bill called on members of the public to report people in same-sex relationships and imposed a 20-year sentence for promoting homosexuality, which activists said could be used to criminalise any type of advocacy.
Prince Harry and Meghan in 'near catastrophic' car chase - spokesperson
Prince Harry, Meghan and her mother were involved in a "near catastrophic car chase" involving paparazzi, a spokesperson for the prince has said.
The incident happened after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex attended an awards ceremony in New York on Tuesday.
In a statement, the prince's spokesperson said the "relentless pursuit" lasted for over two hours.
They added it resulted in near collisions with other drivers on the road, pedestrians and police officers.
The BBC has not been able to independently verify the details of the incident.
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