
EU to assess punitive tariffs on Chinese electric cars
BRUSSELS (Reuters) -The European Commission started an investigation on Wednesday to into whether to impose tariffs to protect the European
2023-09-13 16:45

Putin’s main Black Sea shipyard up in flames as Ukraine and Russia exchange air strikes
Russia’s main shipyard in Crimea has been struck in a major attack involving 10 cruise missiles, according to Russian officials, with videos overnight appearing to show large explosions at a port in Sevastopol. It comes as Ukraine said it shot down 32 drones out of 44 fired by Russia overnight, with Ukrainian port infrastructure in Odesa described as being the main target. The two sides exchanged heavy air strikes just a couple of hours before Vladimir Putin and North Korea’s Kim Jong-un sat down in Russia’s far east for weapons and trade talks. Follow our Ukraine live blog here The attack on Sevastopol targeted the main facility where Russia builds and repairs ships for its Black Sea Fleet, which has been involved in blockading grain exports from Ukraine. Of a total 10 cruise missiles fired around 3am, seven were downed by Russia’s air defence systems, the country’s defence ministry said. The Russian defence ministry said at least three high-speed boats also targeted the Crimean facility but were destroyed. “As a result of being hit by enemy cruise missiles, two ships under repair were damaged,” the ministry said. The Russia-backed governor of Crimea, Mikhail Razvozhaev, shared a photo from the port as a vessel behind him appeared damaged and an active fire continued to blaze in the background. He said at least 24 people were injured in the strike but did not say if any deaths took place. Videos purporting to show the strike showed three explosions in quick succession in Sevastopol. Russia-backed authorities made the rare confirmation of the successful Ukrainian attacks shortly after local residents in the region posted photos and videos of the shipyard region covered in thick fire. Locals also shared videos of thunderous explosions heard miles away captured on CCTV cameras. The Independent has not verified the authenticity of the videos. There was no immediate comment from Kyiv. Ukraine almost never publicly claims responsibility for attacks inside Russia or on Russian-controlled territory in Ukraine, but has been saying in recent months that destroying Russia’s military infrastructure helps Kyiv’s counteroffensive. Another drone was shot down in Russia’s Tver region, northwest of Moscow, where no casualties were reported, regional authorities said. The Crimean peninsula, illegally annexed from Ukraine by Russia in 2014, has been targeted repeatedly since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February last year. The Sevastopol shipyard attack appeared to be one of the biggest in recent weeks. The shipyard is of strategic importance to Russia as vessels in its Black Sea Fleet are repaired there. Read More BP boss Bernard Looney resigns over past relationships with colleagues Putin and Kim shake hands for 40 seconds as weapons talks begin – live Higher gas prices likely pushed up inflation in August, though other costs probably slowed
2023-09-13 14:57

Ukraine-Russia war – live: Putin and Kim shake hands for 40 seconds as weapons talks begin
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has arrived at Russia’s far east spaceport where he will hold weapons talks with Vladimir Putin. Mr Putin arrived a short while earlier for the summit at the Vostochny cosmodrome, Russia’s prominent rocket launch site. And, massive explosions rocked Russia’s Black Sea Fleet shipyard in Crimea’s Sevastopol this morning after an apparent Ukrainian missile strike hit the facility. The attack on the major naval city took place around 3am and according to a local Russian-installed official injured 24 people. Videos purporting to show the strike showed three explosions in quick succession in Sevastopol. Russian-installed governor of Sevastopol Mikhail Razvozhayev blamed the attack on “the enemy”, commonly used to refer to Ukraine by the Kremlin and its officials particularly for attacks on its territories or Russia-controlled territory. Ukraine has not claimed responsibility for the attack but it says striking Crimean infrastructure helps its counteroffensive against Russia. Read More North Korea fires two missiles into the sea as Kim Jong Un travels in Russia for meeting with Putin Live lobsters, cases of wine and bulletproof carriages: Inside Kim Jong-un’s train to meet Putin ‘My body was burning’: Russian journalist’s horror journey in grips of suspected poisoning Why Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un are desperate for each other’s help
2023-09-13 13:27

*NSYNC reunites at MTV Video Music Awards
*NSYNC, one of the leading boy bands of the 90s, reunited in full -- yes, that means Justin Timberlake was there -- during Tuesday's MTV Video Music Awards.
2023-09-13 08:50

Meghan Markle apologises for being late as she finally joins Harry at Invictus Games
Making her first speech at the Invictus Games, Meghan Markle apologised for being late as she was reunited on stage with Prince Harry. Ms Markle addressed 1,600 competitors, friends and family at the event in Dusseldorf, having travelled from the Sussexes’ family home in California. The couple appeared on a stage as the duchess described the Invictus Games as an “amazing event”. The pair were in high spirits as they spoke during the event’s party for friends and family of the competitors. Acknowledging her lateness to the games – she did not attend the opening days of the games as she spent time with her two young children in Los Angeles – she joked about buying them milkshakes and taking her eldest child to school before her departure for Germany. “It’s so special to be here and I’m sorry I’m a little late for the party”, she said. “I had to spend a little more time getting our little ones settled at home and get them to drop off. “Three milkshakes and a school drop-off and I just landed a couple of hours ago, and I am thrilled that the first event I can do for Invictus is here with all of you,” she continued. “It’s amazing and I hear it has got off to a good start so far.” The duchess said she was “thrilled” to be a part of the event, and welcomed competitors and fans as her “Invictus family”. “I’m really proud to be a part of this Invictus family with all of you – I’m grateful for all of you here”, she said, noting that one day she’d like to bring her children to the games. Harry launched the sporting event for wounded military personnel and veterans on Saturday night. The couple famously appeared in public together for the first time at the Toronto Invictus Games in 2017. On Monday, Harry, the founding patron of the Invictus Games, warmly embraced a wheelchair rugby player by kissing him on the head. He then watched an eight-team wheelchair rugby knockout tournament, presenting medals and conversing with players after Team US defeated the UK 21-13. His attendance at the games comes after a brief visit to the UK, where he joined the WellChild Awards and visited St George’s Chapel in Windsor on the anniversary of the death of his grandmother, the late Queen Elizabeth II. His wife did not join him. The pair also attended the first night of the US leg of Beyoncé’s Renaissance tour in Los Angeles on 1 September, where they danced from a box at the SoFi stadium. Read More Meghan Markle grabs In-N-Out Burger while Prince Harry is at Invictus Games Harry and Meghan snubbed the Queen on Lilibet’s birthday, former staffer claims Prince Harry cheers as he watches track and field finals at the Invictus Games Prince Harry loses penalty shootout on live TV to German minister What Meghan and Harry could learn from Edward and Wallis Simpson ITV ‘vigorously defended’ Piers Morgan in Ofcom probe over Meghan Everything we learned from the new Finding Freedom epilogue Harry and Meghan will not name person who commented on Archie’s skin
2023-09-13 05:27

Apple just killed the iPhone Lightning connector. What to do with your old chargers
At long last, Apple is killing its proprietary Lightning port in the iPhone 15 and embracing a charging cable that's compatible with non-Apple products. That's one less extra cord cluttering your nightstand. One less thing to forget when packing for a weekend getaway.
2023-09-13 05:23

Mercosur splits dampen EU outlook for trade deal as window narrows
By Anthony Boadle and Philip Blenkinsop BRASILIA/BRUSSELS (Reuters) -Splits within South American trade bloc Mercosur have dampened hopes in the
2023-09-12 21:28

Serbia and Greece: What countries will participate in the 2023-24 EuroLeague season?
EuroLeague basketball is a continental competition that pulls in teams from all across Europe. Here are the nine countries that will participate in the 2023-24 EuroLeague season.
2023-09-12 20:53

Exclusive-EU antitrust regulators seeking views on Microsoft's remedies to UK watchdog
BRUSSELS EU antitrust regulators are asking Microsoft's rivals and customers whether they are affected by the U.S. tech
2023-09-12 19:23

European shares muted, SAP drags Germany's DAX down
By Bansari Mayur Kamdar European shares were flat on Tuesday as losses in technology stocks offset gains by
2023-09-12 16:58

Live lobsters, cases of wine and bulletproof carriages: Inside Kim Jong-un’s train to meet Putin
Kim Jong-un appears to have chosen his favoured means of transportation for his first journey outside North Korea in nearly four years – a lavishly adorned, heavily fortified and slow-moving train. Mr Kim reached Russia on Tuesday after boarding the train on Sunday. He was accompanied by top arms industry and military officials besides North Korea’s foreign minister. The green-coloured and armoured train carrying Mr Kim reached Khasan station, the main rail gateway to Russia’s far east that is about 127km south of Vladivostok, on Monday, Japan’s Kyodo news agency reported, citing an unnamed Russian official source. Vladimir Putin and Mr Kim are expected to discuss arms shipments that could aid Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine, in a regional summit taking place in Vladivostok. The trip has happened as Russia leans closer to the east Asian country even though Washington has warned against an arms deal. Few have travelled in the North Korean leader’s private train besides the isolated country’s political elite, but pictures posted in state media depict a train full of luxuries. The train cars are painted military green on the outside and have a yellow streak across the body. The interiors are glossy white, with long tables for meetings. Other pictures also show red leather armchairs. The train has conference rooms, audience chambers and bedrooms, with satellite phones and flat-screen televisions installed for briefings. “It was possible to order any dish of Russian, Chinese, Korean, Japanese and French cuisine,” Russian official Konstantin Pulikovsky had recounted, while on a trip across Russia’s far east with Kim Jong Il in a book called Orient Express, the Washington Post had reported. The Russian official had said there were cases of Bordeaux and Burgundy wines and live lobsters. The travellers were reportedly entertained by live singers who were introduced as “lady conductors”. The train has a total of 90 rail cars, with some designed to carry vehicles as well. Reports say each carriage is bulletproof, making the train thousands of pounds heavier. The train is, hence, slow. The reduced speed of the train is frequently attributed to its substantial weight – a consequence of the additional armour incorporated into the train’s structure. Georgy Toloraya, another Russian diplomat who travelled with Kim Jong Il in 2001, said, during an examination of the train by Russian technicians, they discovered armoured sheets positioned beneath two primary railcars employed by the North Korean leader for both residential and official functions. The technicians reportedly also discovered that the railcars originated from the Soviet Union, but had undergone extensive modifications at some later date. According to a report by South Korean newspaper Chosun Ilbo, approximately 100 security agents are dispatched in advance to railway stations to conduct security sweeps for potential threats. Power is deliberately shut off at these stations to prevent other trains from departing. The report from 2009 also noted the presence of a substantial logistical support contingent, which includes Soviet-made Il-76 air force transport planes and Mi-17 helicopters. Read More North Korea’s Kim Jong-un arrives in Russia ahead of meeting with Putin – report Ukraine-Russia war – live: Kim Jong-un arrives in Russia in ‘absolute secrecy’ ahead of weapons talk with Putin Kim Jong-un heading for Russia by train ahead of weapons talks with Putin The Body in the Woods | An Independent TV Original Documentary The harrowing discovery at centre of The Independent’s new documentary
2023-09-12 16:18

UK Posts Record Wage Growth Even as Job Market Cools Down
UK wage growth held at a record high in the three months through July, a sign of persistent
2023-09-12 14:48