Category: International

US Targets Two Russian Spies It Says Tried to Influence Local US Election

WASHINGTON—The United States slapped sanctions on Friday on two Russian intelligence officers who attempted to interfere in a local American election as part of Moscow’s “global malign influence operations,” the Treasury Department said. The two officers, Yegor Sergeyevich Popov and Aleksei Borisovich Sukhodolov, both members of Russia’s Federal Security Service, have worked to undermine democratic…


The Latest on the Titan Submersible Tragedy and What’s Next in the Investigation

The around-the-clock search for the missing Titan submersible engrossed the world for days, but after news of the catastrophic implosion that killed the pilot and his four passengers near the Titanic shipwreck, investigators are focusing on how it happened—and if it could have been prevented. Deep-sea robots will continue searching the North Atlantic sea floor…


Nuclear Warfare: Assessing the Geopolitical Landscape

On this episode of International Reporters Roundtable, we put a spotlight on the threat of nuclear war. Those terrifying words have been appearing in the news with increasing frequency in statements made by presidents Joe Biden and Vladimir Putin. Those who’ve lived through the Cold War are familiar with mushroom clouds and fallout shelters. Nuclear…


Hong Kong’s International Dragon Boat Races Return After 4-year Hiatus

HONG KONG—Thousands of paddlers descended on Hong Kong on Saturday to take part in the financial hub’s International Dragon Boat competition, held for the first time in more than 4 years after they were halted amid massive pro-democracy protests and the COVID-19 pandemic. The two-day event, organized by Hong Kong’s tourism board and the Hong…


Drone Wars: UAVs Shape the Tide of Conflict Between Russia and Ukraine

On the morning of June 21, Russian air defenses foiled an airborne drone attack—the third in two months—just outside Moscow, according to officials. In a statement, the Russian Defense Ministry said three Ukrainian drones had been destroyed after approaching sensitive facilities in the Moscow region. The Russian press later reported that the attack had been…


CDC Panel Divided on Recommending RSV Vaccine for All Older Adults 

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) panel of experts voted on Wednesday against recommending the RSV vaccine for all older adults. Instead, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) concluded that anyone aged 60 and older “may” consider receiving a single dose of either Pfizer’s or GSK’s new RSV vaccine and that the…


Questions Emerge About Titanic-Bound Sub’s Regulation, as Investigators Hunt for Reason It Imploded

Authorities hunted Friday for the reason a submersible carrying people to the wreck of the Titanic imploded deep in the North Atlantic, as questions emerged about how such expeditions are regulated and tributes poured in for the five aboard who were killed. The announcement that no one survived Thursday brought a tragic end to a…


Australia’s New Cyber Coordinator Says Threat Levels ‘Dire’

Australia’s newly appointed national cybersecurity coordinator says the world faces a “dire” challenge keeping safe from cyber threats. Air Marshal Darren Goldie, appointed by the Albanese government on June 23, said Australians need to be educated as cyber challenges grow. “That challenge will continue to increase in its complexity and severity, and I think we are all…


Officials Unsure When Hydrogen Production Can Be Profitable Despite Billions in Taxpayer Funding

Despite billions being pumped into trying to kickstart Australia’s hydrogen industry, department officials concede reaching profitability may be a long way off. Jo Evans, the deputy secretary of the Department of Climate Change and Energy, said costs were still too high for hydrogen production. “There’s no way they’ll make a profit at those costs,” Evans…


Wimbledon Tennis Tournament to Introduce AI-Generated Commentary

Tennis fans tuning into the next Wimbledon tennis tournament in July can also tune into AI-generated commentary. IBM is working with the All England Club to launch the new feature that will be accessible via the Wimbledon app and website, while fans can still choose to listen to regular commentary from the BBC. The feature…