The Daily Star - Europe



World experienced warmest September on record: EU

Earth’s surface was warmer last month than during any September on record, with temperatures since January tracking those of the hottest ever calendar year in 2016, the European Union’s Earth Observation Programme said yesterday.

Russia, China hackers targeting US vote

Microsoft said Thursday it thwarted recent cyberattacks from China, Russia and Iran targeting both Republican and Democratic presidential campaigns, as technology giants scrambled to protect election security less than two months ahead of the US vote.

Australian journalists flee China fearing arrest

Two Australian journalists yesterday fled China under diplomatic protection, fearing arrest as political pawns in the rapidly worsening relationship between Canberra and Beijing.

Key protest leader detained at border

Prominent opposition leader Maria Kolesnikova was detained by Belarusian authorities, a border official said, after thwarting what a Ukrainian government minister described as an attempt to expel her from Belarus.

First batch produced for public circulation

In some good news for millions living in hope for a Covid-19 vaccine shot, the Russian Health Ministry yesterday said that the first batch of Sputnik V vaccine has been produced for civilian circulation.

EU warns Serbia over Jerusalem embassy move

The EU voiced “serious concern and regret” on Monday over Belgrade’s commitment to move its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, casting a shadow over the resumption of Serbia-Kosovo talks.

Frenchman blows up house to kill a fly

A French pensioner blew up his kitchen while trying to kill a fly that was disturbing his dinner.

UK warned over Brexit deal commitments

Britain yesterday faced warnings it risked its international reputation if it reneged on its agreement to leave the European Union, as Brexit trade talks reached a crucial final stage.

Russia promoting distrust in US vote-by-mail plans

Russia is actively trying to undermine voters’ faith in the US electoral system and especially in voting by mail ahead of the November 3 election, according to a Department of Homeland Security analysis Thursday.

Trial of Charlie Hebdo attack accomplices begins

Fourteen alleged accomplices to the Islamist gunmen who attacked the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo in 2015 went on trial on Wednesday, as the country recalled a dark episode that marked the onset of a wave of militant violence.

Beirut blast toll rises to 154

The death toll from the Beirut port explosion has risen to 154, state news agency NNA reported yesterday as authorities detained sixteen staff members at the port amid public anger.

‘No one cares if you live or die’

Thousands of migrants have died after suffering “extreme” abuse while crossing Africa, according to a UN report that estimated 72 people perish each month on the continent’s routes.

Ethics probe: Trudeau to testify

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will give much-anticipated testimony this week over his role in awarding a government contract to a charity that paid members of his family large sums of money, the House of Commons said Monday.

No evidence of Russian meddling in Brexit vote

There is no evidence of Russian meddling in the 2016 Brexit referendum and Britain’s spies did not take their eyes off the ball on Russia, British Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said yesterday.

Student files first climate change lawsuit against Australia

A 23-year-old student has filed a lawsuit against Australia’s government alleging it has failed to disclose climate change-related risks to investors in the country’s sovereign bonds, in the first such action.

UK virus deaths could reach 1,000 per day at Easter peak

UK deaths from coronavirus could reach as many as 1,000 per day around the peak of the country’s epidemic, which could come around Easter Sunday, health secretary Matt Hancock warned yesterday.

Worship that set a virus time bomb in France

From the stage of an evangelical superchurch, the leader of the gospel choir kicked off an evening of prayer and preaching: “We’re going to celebrate the Lord! Are you feeling the joy tonight?”

Germany ramps up virus testing

In the race against the coronavirus, Germany is betting on widespread testing and quarantining to break the infection chain, a strategy borrowed from South Korea whose success in slowing the outbreak has become the envy of the world.

Nature takes back world’s empty city streets

As humans retreat into their homes as more and more countries go under coronavirus lockdown, wild animals are slipping cover to explore the empty streets of some of our biggest cities.