Russia has intensified its assault on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, resulting in widespread power outages and significant civilian suffering. The city of Chernihiv, located in northern Ukraine, was plunged into a total blackout following a massive missile and drone attack. Hundreds of thousands of residents were affected, with four fatalities reported in the nearby town of Novhorod-Siverskyi and ten others injured, including a 10-year-old girl. This attack is part of a broader strategy by Russia to target civilian infrastructure, including energy supplies, railways, homes, and businesses, as the full-scale invasion of Ukraine continues. Oleksandr Babich, a 55-year-old Chernihiv resident, described the harrowing experience of hearing Iranian-designed Shahed drones overhead, a sound increasingly familiar to Ukrainians far from the front lines. The Chernihiv region, which borders both Russia and Belarus, is particularly vulnerable due to its proximity to hostile territories. The recent assault involved over 100 Shahed drones and six ballistic missiles, directly hitting Chernihiv’s electricity-generating facilities and leaving the city and surrounding areas without power. Andriy Podorvan, deputy head of the Chernihiv Regional Military Administration, noted that such targeted strikes on energy infrastructure have become more frequent over the past six months, with a significant escalation in the last two months. He emphasized that these attacks are aimed at civilian infrastructure, including petrol stations, rather than military targets. The loss of power has also disrupted water pumping stations, forcing residents to rely on bottled water or emergency deliveries. Despite the ongoing attacks, electrical engineers have begun efforts to restore power, though the intensity of Russia’s bombardment threatens to deplete Ukraine’s energy resilience. The country’s energy companies have been working tirelessly to repair the damage, but the limited supply of replacement equipment poses a significant challenge. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s recent meetings with US energy companies have reportedly been successful in securing support for modernizing Ukraine’s energy sector. However, the estimated $16 billion in damage to Ukraine’s energy infrastructure underscores the severity of the crisis. Despite the hardships, Ukrainian citizens remain resilient, with high morale and a strong sense of unity in the face of adversity.
标签： Europe
欧洲
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No immediate plans for Trump-Putin meeting, White House official says
The White House has confirmed that there are ‘no plans’ for US President Donald Trump to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin ‘in the immediate future,’ despite earlier indications of a potential summit in Budapest. Last Thursday, Trump had suggested that he and Putin would hold talks within two weeks to address the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. However, a preparatory meeting between US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, initially scheduled for this week, was canceled after the two officials reportedly had a ‘productive’ phone conversation, rendering the in-person meeting ‘unnecessary.’ The White House has not provided further details on the reasons for the delay. Meanwhile, Trump has expressed support for freezing the Ukrainian conflict along the current front line, particularly in the contested Donbas region. ‘Let it be cut the way it is,’ he stated on Monday. However, Russia has consistently opposed this approach, with Lavrov emphasizing on Tuesday that Moscow is only interested in ‘long-term, sustainable peace,’ suggesting that a freeze would merely result in a temporary ceasefire. This developing story is being updated, and further details are expected shortly.
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Wegovy maker Novo Nordisk’s board slims down as directors quit
Novo Nordisk, the pharmaceutical giant behind the widely popular weight-loss drug Wegovy and diabetes treatment Ozempic, is undergoing a significant boardroom reshuffle. Seven board members, including Chairman Helge Lund and Vice Chair Henrik Poulsen, are set to depart following an extraordinary investor meeting in November. This move comes amidst a series of transformative changes for the Danish company, which recently appointed a new CEO in August and announced plans to lay off 9,000 employees in September. The company has also issued profit warnings due to heightened competition from U.S. rivals, leading to a revised profit growth forecast for the third time this year. The widespread adoption of Ozempic, often used off-label for weight loss, and Wegovy had previously propelled Novo Nordisk to become Europe’s most valuable company in summer 2024. However, recent competition from firms like Eli Lilly has eroded its valuation, with shares dipping 1.7% following news of the boardroom shake-up. The departures stem from disagreements between board members and the Novo Nordisk Foundation, the company’s majority shareholder, which holds 28.1% of shares but controls three-quarters of voting rights. The Foundation, which successfully pushed for the removal of former CEO Lars Fruergaard Jorgensen in May, is now nominating Lars Rebien Sorensen, its current chairman and former Novo Nordisk CEO, to replace Mr. Lund.
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French culture minister says Louvre security worked during jewel heist
In the wake of a daring heist at the Louvre Museum in Paris, French Culture Minister Rachida Dati has affirmed that the museum’s security systems were fully operational during the incident. The theft, which occurred on Sunday morning, saw thieves ascend the museum’s facade using a basket lift, breach a window, and smash display cases to steal priceless Napoleonic-era jewels. Despite the successful robbery, Dati emphasized that the security apparatus did not fail, stating, ‘The Louvre museum’s security apparatus worked.’ She has initiated an administrative inquiry alongside the ongoing police investigation to ensure transparency, though details on how the thieves evaded detection remain undisclosed. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez confirmed that the museum’s alarm was triggered when the Apollo Gallery’s window was forced, and police arrived within minutes of being alerted by a witness. The heist, lasting less than eight minutes, targeted the gilded Apollo Gallery, home to the Crown Diamonds. While alarms prompted Louvre agents to respond, the thieves had already fled with eight historic objects, including sapphire and emerald jewelry linked to 19th-century French royalty. Dati described the theft as a ‘wound for all of us,’ underscoring the Louvre’s significance as a cultural and national treasure.
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Europe’s leaders back Trump call for frontline freeze but Russia says no
European leaders, alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, have intensified calls for a ceasefire in Ukraine based on the current front lines, urging Russia to engage in meaningful peace negotiations. However, Moscow has firmly rejected the proposal, emphasizing its pursuit of a ‘long-term, sustainable peace’ rather than a temporary halt to hostilities. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov dismissed the idea of freezing the conflict at the existing contact line, labeling it as insufficient for resolving the underlying issues.
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Greek government seeks to ban protests at Tomb of Unknown Soldier monument, sparking backlash
The Greek government has sparked controversy with a proposed amendment to ban protests at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a revered monument located outside the Parliament in Athens. The conservative administration, led by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, submitted the amendment on Tuesday, arguing that the site must be protected as a national symbol. However, opposition parties have vehemently criticized the move, labeling it as unconstitutional and an infringement on the right to free expression and assembly. The left-wing Syriza party even organized a protest in response on the same evening.
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Man in court charged with sexually assaulting 10 year-old girl
A 26-year-old man has been brought before a Dublin court, accused of sexually assaulting a 10-year-old girl under the care of Tusla, Ireland’s Child and Family Agency. The alleged incident occurred in the early hours of Monday morning at Garter Lane, Saggart, Co Dublin. The charges fall under Section 2 of the Criminal Law (Rape) (Amendment) Act 1990, as amended by Section 37 of the Sex Offenders Act 2001. Due to legal restrictions in the Republic of Ireland, the identity of the accused remains undisclosed. When charged, the defendant reportedly responded, ‘I have nothing to say.’ The court granted him free legal aid, citing his unemployment, and remanded him in custody until a bail hearing scheduled for Wednesday. A defense solicitor has requested an Arabic interpreter for the proceedings. Tusla has issued a statement emphasizing its commitment to supporting the young victim and her family while collaborating with Gardaí, Ireland’s police force. Tusla, the state agency responsible for child protection and family support, is actively involved in the case. Gardaí have launched a public appeal for information, urging anyone who was near City West Drive, Garter Lane, or the City West and Saggart Luas stops between 11:00 PM on Sunday and 1:30 AM on Monday to come forward. The investigation continues as authorities seek to ensure justice for the young victim.
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Watch: A ‘big moment’ for France as Sarkozy jailed
In a landmark judicial decision that has sent shockwaves through France, former President Nicolas Sarkozy has been sentenced to serve time in prison. This unprecedented event marks a significant moment in French political history, as Sarkozy becomes the first former head of state in modern France to face incarceration. According to the BBC’s Paris Correspondent Hugh Scofield, Sarkozy will be housed in a modest cell, underscoring the gravity of the situation. The verdict stems from a long-standing legal battle involving charges of corruption and influence peddling, which Sarkozy has consistently denied. This development not only tarnishes the legacy of a once-influential leader but also raises questions about the integrity of political figures in France. The case has drawn widespread attention, both domestically and internationally, as it highlights the judiciary’s increasing willingness to hold high-ranking officials accountable. Sarkozy’s imprisonment is seen as a pivotal moment in the fight against political corruption, signaling a new era of transparency and accountability in French governance.
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Slovak PM Fico’s attacker sentenced to 21 years in prison
In a landmark ruling, Juraj Cintula, the 72-year-old pensioner who shot and severely injured Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico in May 2024, has been sentenced to 21 years in prison on terrorism charges. The attack occurred during Fico’s visit to Handlova, a town approximately 180 kilometers from Bratislava. Cintula fired five shots at close range, targeting the prime minister as he extended his hand in what he believed was a friendly gesture. Footage from the scene captured the chilling moment when Cintula raised his weapon and fired before being swiftly subdued by Fico’s security team. Fico sustained life-threatening abdominal injuries and was airlifted to a nearby hospital for emergency surgery. In court, Cintula denied intent to kill, claiming he aimed away from vital organs to merely injure Fico and halt policies he deemed detrimental to Slovakia. Despite his defense, Judge Igor Kralik emphasized that the attack was a direct assault on the prime minister, not an ordinary citizen. Cintula’s lawyer sought to downgrade the charge to attacking a public official, which carries a lesser penalty, but the request was denied. The defense has indicated plans to appeal the verdict. The incident has further polarized Slovakia’s political landscape, with Fico accusing the opposition of inciting hatred, even as his own rhetoric remains deeply divisive.
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Woman charged after 1.5m euros of gold stolen from Paris museum
A Chinese-born woman has been formally charged in connection with the audacious theft of six gold nuggets, valued at approximately 1.5 million euros ($1.75 million), from the Museum of Natural History in Paris last month, according to French prosecutors. The suspect was apprehended in Barcelona while attempting to dispose of melted gold and is currently in pre-trial detention. The museum, renowned for its extensive collections of stuffed animals and bones, houses a mineralogy gallery where the stolen gold was displayed. Investigators discovered an angle-grinder and a blowtorch at the crime scene, suggesting the use of sophisticated tools. Reports indicate that the museum’s alarm and surveillance systems were disabled by a cyberattack, which the thieves allegedly exploited. A museum spokesperson revealed to Le Figaro that the perpetrators were highly experienced and well-informed, taking advantage of a security vulnerability overlooked in the 2024 audit. The break-in was discovered by cleaners arriving before dawn at the museum, which is affiliated with Sorbonne University and located near the Jardin des Plantes in central Paris. The suspect was arrested by Spanish police on September 30 under a European Arrest Warrant and extradited to France the same day. Authorities found her in possession of around one kilogram of melted gold, and investigations are ongoing. It is believed she was preparing to flee to China. Among the stolen items was a 5kg gold nugget originally from Australia, valued at approximately €585,000 at current gold prices. Museum director Emmanuel Skoulios described the thieves as an ‘extremely professional team’ with precise knowledge of their target and access to professional equipment. This incident follows a separate high-profile heist at the Louvre, where thieves stole priceless French crown jewels in a meticulously planned operation lasting less than eight minutes. Experts speculate that the stolen items may be dismantled and sold for a fraction of their value. Dutch art detective Arthur Brand noted that the perpetrators are likely experienced criminals who have carried out similar burglaries in the past. Recent months have seen at least four French museums targeted by thieves, raising concerns about the security of cultural institutions in the country.