A US citizen has been arrested in Moscow on drug trafficking charges and could face up to 20 years in prison. The Moscow courts later confirmed the charges as “illegal production, sale or shipment of narcotic drugs on a large scale.” The individual will remain in custody until 6 August.
World
Paratrooper Musician’s Drug Arrest
A former US paratrooper turned musician has been arrested in Moscow on drug trafficking charges, with Moscow courts stating that he has been charged with “illegal production, sale or shipment of narcotic drugs on a large scale”, an offense that carries a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment.
Unabomber Found Dead
Ted Kaczynski, the infamous “Unabomber,” was found dead in his North Carolina prison cell at the age of 81. Kaczynski was serving a life sentence without parole for a series of bombings targeting scientists, which killed three people and injured 23 others between 1978 and 1995. His deadly homemade bombs delivered by mail changed the way Americans sent packages and boarded airplanes.
Blinken’s China Visit Criticized
The Biden administration is ensuring a high-stakes visit to China by top U.S. diplomat Antony Blinken goes ahead as planned, but critics contend that the White House has repeatedly downplayed increasingly provocative actions by China in the process. Critics and some China hawks have questioned the administration’s approach, accusing the White House of pulling its punches and being too eager to maintain the prospect of possible high-level meetings with Chinese counterparts.
Kakhovka Dam Destruction
The destruction of the Kakhovka dam in Ukraine has led to catastrophic environmental impacts in the region, with millions of fish washed up dead and other animals and plant life likely affected. The dam was destroyed in a Russian-controlled area on the front lines of the war, and both Ukraine and Russia have blamed each other for the incident. The Nizhnyodniprovskyi National Nature Park warned of mass animal and plant deaths due to flooding, while experts have noted that industrial, agricultural, residential and energy pollutants may impact species and habitats.
Pope Francis’ Successful Surgery
Pope Francis has undergone a successful surgery to remove intestinal scar tissue and repair a hernia in his abdominal wall. The 86-year-old pontiff is in “good general condition” and is awake, alert, and breathing on his own. He is spending his first post-surgery day resting in Rome’s Gemelli hospital. The operation was Francis’s second major abdominal surgery in two years, following a 2021 procedure to remove part of his colon. The pope is expected to remain in the hospital for several days, with papal audiences canceled through June 18.
Biden Downplays China Provocations
The Biden administration has been accused of downplaying provocative actions by China, including reported plans to build an electronic listening facility in Cuba, in order to secure a visit to China by top US diplomat Anthony Blinken. Blinken’s trip would be the first for a secretary of state since 2018, and insiders claim the White House is eager to avoid jeopardizing the visit. The administration has been vague in its response to reports of the Cuba project, maintaining only that articles on the issue were inaccurate.
Nuclear Plant Cold Shutdown
Europe’s largest nuclear power plant went into a “cold shutdown” following catastrophic flooding from a dam collapse. All six reactors at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant are now in a state of cold shutdown, which is the facility’s safest operating mode. This comes as analysts suggest that Ukraine has launched a counteroffensive in the south, potentially aiming to retake territory near the plant.
Ukraine Dam Blast Catastrophe
The environmental impact of the flooding caused by a dam blast in war-torn Ukraine has been described as “catastrophic” by experts. Already millions of fish have washed up dead, and plant life and countless other animals are being significantly impacted. Furthermore, pollution caused by flooding and the flushing out of military and industrial sites will potentially cause ecological damage, which could negatively affect human health for years after the conflict ends. The ecosystems will recover, but the habitats that emerge after the disturbance will be less diverse and less resilient to change.
Donbas Floods: Mines, Diseases
Heavy flooding in Ukraine is elevating previously contained risks from mining, disease and conflict. The flooding is washing away landmines and igniting chemical or fuel fires in abandoned mines, while also worsening the spread of coronavirus. Additionally, the water is accumulating and washes into contested regions, putting frontline troops and other first responders at risk.