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Polish Foundation Funds Buses for Ukrainian City Vinnytsia Amidst Power Outages and Historical Disputes

Polish Foundation Funds Buses for Ukrainian City Vinnytsia Amidst Power Outages and Historical Disputes

The first shipment of decommissioned Polish city buses is en route to Vinnytsia, Ukraine, following a public fundraising campaign. Three buses from Kielce have already been dispatched, with a total of 15 diesel-powered Solaris buses expected to be delivered in five batches by the end of September. This initiative, organized by the Polish foundation Sikorki na Ukrainie, raised over 620,000 zloty ($163,200) to purchase the equipment. The buses are intended to maintain Vinnytsia’s public transportation system during power outages caused by Russian attacks on Ukraine’s energy grid, as the city heavily relies on electric trams and trolleybuses that are vulnerable to blackouts. This grassroots effort emerged after an initial plan by Kielce authorities to donate buses was canceled due to opposition from local councilors over a street in Vinnytsia named after Stepan Bandera, a controversial Ukrainian nationalist leader from World War II.

Russian holds parliamentary vote in areas it seized from Ukraine in the war

Russian holds parliamentary vote in areas it seized from Ukraine in the war

Russia’s parliamentary election for the first time is being held in Ukraine’s regions that Moscow illegally annexed after the start of its full-scale invasion more than 4 1/2 years ago

UNHCR Reports South Sudan Hosts Over 661,000 Refugees and Asylum-Seekers

UNHCR Reports South Sudan Hosts Over 661,000 Refugees and Asylum-Seekers

South Sudan is currently hosting 661,529 refugees and asylum-seekers across 31 locations nationwide, according to a statement released by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). This total comprises 657,479 registered refugees and 4,050 asylum-seekers. The vast majority of these individuals, 95 percent, are from Sudan, with 2 percent from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the remainder from Ethiopia, Eritrea, the Central African Republic, and other nationalities. The government of South Sudan continues to grant prima facie refugee status to those fleeing the ongoing conflict in Sudan. Among the refugee population, females aged 0-59 constitute 49 percent, and women and children together account for 75 percent. The asylum-seeker population is primarily composed of nationals from Eritrea and Ethiopia, each representing 38 percent, followed by Burundians at 11 percent, and other nationalities.

Russia holds parliamentary vote in areas it seized from Ukraine in the war

Russia holds parliamentary vote in areas it seized from Ukraine in the war

Russia’s parliamentary election for the first time is being held in Ukraine’s regions that Moscow illegally annexed after the start of its full-scale invasion more than 4 1/2 years ago

Widespread sexual violence in Ukraine war, most cases tied to Russia, says UN report

Widespread sexual violence in Ukraine war, most cases tied to Russia, says UN report

By Olivia Le Poidevin GENEVA, Sept 18 (Reuters) - Russian forces committed widespread sexual violence against civilians and prisoners of war in Ukraine, including gang rape and electric shocks to the genitals, while Ukrainian authorities were also responsible for a smaller number of violations, the

Israeli Citizen Detained and Drafted into Ukrainian Army After Uman Pilgrimage

Israeli Citizen Detained and Drafted into Ukrainian Army After Uman Pilgrimage

A 49-year-old Israeli citizen, originally from Ukraine, has been detained and drafted into the Ukrainian military while returning from the annual Rosh Hashanah pilgrimage to Uman. The man, a resident of Beitar Illit and a Breslov Hasid, was stopped at the Ukrainian border with Romania. Ukrainian authorities determined he was subject to military service due to his birth in Ukraine, despite holding Israeli citizenship and having lived in Israel for many years. His family has lost contact with him and is unaware of his whereabouts. This incident is one of four separate detentions involving Breslov Hasidim connected to this year's pilgrimage, with others arrested in Cyprus and Moldova for various reasons including alleged drug trafficking, a vehicle accident, and forged passports. Ukraine has maintained wartime mobilization measures amidst the ongoing conflict with Russia, which includes military obligations for eligible male citizens.

Major US airlines oppose Air China bid to schedule additional US flights

Major US airlines oppose Air China bid to schedule additional US flights

By David Shepardson WASHINGTON, Sept 18 (Reuters) - A group representing major US airlines said on Friday it opposes Air China's bid to schedule additional flights from Beijing to New York and Washington as part of President Xi Jinping's planned meeting with President Donald Trump.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune Considers Ban on U.S. Diesel Exports Amid High Fuel Costs

Senate Majority Leader John Thune Considers Ban on U.S. Diesel Exports Amid High Fuel Costs

U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., has indicated he is open to considering a ban on U.S. diesel exports. This consideration comes as diesel prices have reached high levels, with the average price hitting $6.27 per gallon, an increase of approximately 80 cents from the previous month, according to AAA. Thune suggested that restricting exports could potentially alleviate pressure on domestic diesel prices if sufficient supply is available within the U.S. The surge in diesel prices is attributed to tight global supplies, exacerbated by ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, as well as disruptions in refinery operations. While Interior Secretary Doug Burgum previously stated that an oil or fuel export ban would likely not lower energy prices, Thune remains willing to explore the idea as officials seek solutions to address the elevated fuel costs impacting consumers and industries, particularly farmers.

Take Five: High stakes, low bars

Take Five: High stakes, low bars

Sept 18 (Reuters) - World markets have another high-stakes week in store, with a summit between the US and Chinese presidents in Washington and the United Nations General Assembly taking place against a backdrop of multiplying global crises.

ICRC Facilitates Repatriation of 252 Fallen Ukrainian Soldiers Amidst Ongoing Conflict

ICRC Facilitates Repatriation of 252 Fallen Ukrainian Soldiers Amidst Ongoing Conflict

Ukraine has successfully repatriated the remains of 252 fallen citizens, primarily military personnel, through a coordinated exchange effort. The Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War reported this development, noting that the Russian side confirmed these remains belong to Ukrainian citizens who died in the ongoing conflict. The repatriation involved extensive joint operations by various Ukrainian agencies, including the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), the Armed Forces, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ombudsman’s Office, and the State Emergency Service. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) played a crucial role in facilitating the transfer of these remains. The bodies are currently being transported to specialized state medical institutions for forensic examinations and DNA testing to officially identify the fallen defenders, after which they will be returned to their families for burial. The identification process is complex and carries risks, as Ukrainian...

Trump says progress made toward establishing US Army base in Poland

Trump says progress made toward establishing US Army base in Poland

WASHINGTON, Sept 17 (Reuters) - President Donald Trump said on Thursday that progress is being made toward establishing a US Army base in Poland, crediting "the bold leadership" of Polish President Karol Nawrocki. "If this happens, the location will be announced very soon.

Sustainable Recovery Efforts Highlighted for Conflict-Affected Regions

Sustainable Recovery Efforts Highlighted for Conflict-Affected Regions

The Conflict and Environment Observatory (CEOBS) is advocating for sustainable recovery processes in countries affected by conflict, emphasizing that such efforts are crucial for rebuilding human security and resilience. Conflicts, whether in Ukraine, Syria, Gaza, Yemen, or Lebanon, frequently target or disrupt essential systems that communities rely on daily. This includes damage to energy infrastructure, leading to blackouts; contamination or destruction of water facilities, increasing health risks; and degradation of agricultural land due to military activity, pollution, and unexploded ordnance, which reduces food security. Waste management systems also often collapse, creating long-term environmental and health challenges. CEOBS argues that sustainable conflict recovery is not merely about environmental protection but fundamentally about restoring the foundations of human security and resilience, particularly in the face of global crises like climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.