Category World News

On Monday, September 8, 2018, this is how things are going.

Fighting

At least four people were killed, including a one-year-old baby, and 44 others were hurt in Russia’s biggest airstrike against Ukraine on Sunday, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
• The main government building in central Kyiv also caught fire as a result of the attack. The building had been struck for the first time since the start of the war.
• In a new appeal to allies to strengthen Ukraine’s air defenses, Zelenskyy wrote in a post on social media that “these killings are a deliberate crime and a prolongation of the war.”
• According to the Ukrainian Air Force, Russia launched 810 drones and 13 missiles during the attack, which reportedly damaged the entire nation, including the cities of Zaporizhzhia, Kryvyi Rih, Odesa, Sumy and Chernihiv, as well as the Sumy and Chernihiv regions.
• According to Ukrainian officials, a 54-year-old man was killed in the Dnipropetrovsk region, a 66-year-old woman in Kharkiv, a 51-year-old woman in Sumy, and a 54-year-old man in the Zaporizhia region, two more were killed in Donetsk.
• Six civilians were hurt in a Ukrainian attack in Donetsk, according to the TASS news agency. Denis Pushilin, the head of the Donetsk-based authorities, was cited by the Russian state media.
• The commander of Ukraine’s drone forces, Robert Brovdi, said on Telegram on Sunday that Ukrainian forces also attacked the Bryansk oil pipeline in Russia, inflicting “comprehensive fire damage.”
• In a 24-hour period, the Russian Ministry of Defense reported that its forces had defused 210 Ukrainian drones and three aerial bombs.
• Additionally, TASS reported that the Russian military is occupying the Dnipropetrovsk region of Ukraine’s Khoroshe&nbsp settlement.

Sanctions and the state of the economy

By imposing more sanctions on Moscow and “secondary tariffs” on the nations that buy Russian oil, according to US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, the US and Europe could encourage Russian President Vladimir Putin to strike up peace talks with Ukraine. On NBC’s Meet the Press, Bessent predicted that the Russian economy would be in full decline and that would bring President Putin to the table.
• Donald Trump, the president of the US, said he is ready to begin a second phase of Russia’s sanctions. He didn’t go into more detail.
• Ship tracking data revealed on Sunday that a tanker carrying liquefied natural gas from Russia’s approved Arctic LNG 2 project left from a Chinese port. According to LSEG data, the Russian-flagged tanker, which had a cargo of 150, 000 cubic meters (approximately 40 million gallons of LNG), was the second vessel from the approved project to dock in China this year.

Politics and diplomacy

After issuing an evacuation threat against the building, the Israeli army said it struck Al-Ruya Tower on Sunday as displaced residents and neighborhood residents were forced to flee.

Amjad Shawa, the head of the Palestinian NGOs Network, reported to Al Jazeera that the situation was “funny” and that people were starting to panic.

“Sixty families have lost their shelters today. Everyone is aware that there is no safe place in the south or any humanitarian zone, but Israel [is] attempting to force Palestinians into southern areas,” Shawa said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made the claim that Israel frequently repeats that it is “eliminating terrorist infrastructure and nefarious terrorist high-rises” as it destroys civilian infrastructure in Gaza.

Following an earlier attack on the Al-Ruya Club in central Gaza City, which also claimed the lives of displaced families, tents were also damaged.

The 15-storey Soussi Tower and the 12-storey Mushtaha Tower were both targeted by Israel on Saturday and Friday. Several Palestinians who were sheltered in tent camps close to those towers suffered injuries.

Gaza City’s escalation by Israel

In August, Netanyahu claimed that the security cabinet of Israel had already ordered 100 000 Palestinians to flee Gaza City as a result of the military’s plan to occupy the city.

Palestinians have complained that nowhere in the territory is safe as Israel presses to relocate residents from Gaza City to the south of the border.

Palestinians in Gaza City should not believe Israel’s claim that it has established a humanitarian zone in the al-Mawasi region of Khan Younis, according to a statement from Gaza’s ministry of interior on Sunday.

In a statement, the occupation warns of the lies made by its residents in Gaza City about the existence of a humanitarian safe zone.

In its campaign against Gaza, the Israeli army immediately designated al-Mawasi a “humanitarian zone.” It has since been repeatedly bombed since then.

According to Hani Mahmoud of Al Jazeera, “you can hear the sounds of explosions from all directions in Gaza City, including heavy bombing in the Sabra and Zeitoun neighbourhoods, every five to ten minutes.”

He claimed that Israeli forces are detonating remotely controlled explosive robots in residential areas and destroying neighbourhoods. Homes, public buildings, schools, and a mosque were all hit in Sheikh Radwan, according to Mahmoud.

In an airstrike on the Shati neighborhood in northwest Gaza City, at least six people were killed and several others were hurt, according to emergency services.

In the Nuseirat camp in central Gaza, an Israeli drone attack also claimed the lives of two people and injured many more.

At least 65 Palestinians were killed on Sunday in Gaza, according to medical sources.

Since October 2023, Israel’s war on Gaza has claimed the lives of at least 64, 368 Palestinians, and 162 776 people, according to Gaza’s health authorities. As famine spreads throughout the region, thousands more are still buried beneath the rubble.

The atrocities committed by Israel in Gaza have been characterized as a genocide by academics, UN experts, and leading human rights organizations.

Donald Trump, the president of the United States, suggested later on Sunday that he make a new proposal to end the Gaza war, calling it a “final warning” for Hamas.

As Donald Trump and his entourage watched Alcaraz win his second US Open title on Sunday, Alcaraz won 6-2, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4, 6-4. Due to extensive security checks conducted on the spectators, Trump’s presence caused the game to start later.

Alcaraz’s second New York title brought him back to the top of the world rankings in a perfect resounding way from the success that first propelled him to the top in 2022, displacing Sinner and bringing his Grand Slam winning total to six.

“I want to start with Jannik,” he said. Alcaraz increased his win-loss record with Sinner to 10-5, saying, “I’m seeing you more than my family. I’m seeing you all the way through the entire season.

“It’s wonderful to share a court, the locker room, and everything with you.”

I’m just incredibly proud of the people I surround myself. You are responsible for every success I’m having, and you are responsible for every success I’ve had.

As a result of a false start to hit a winner that wrong-footed Sinner, Alcaraz continued to deliver the sunshine tennis that has lit up Flushing Meadows over the past two weeks as grey clouds hung over the iconic Arthur Ashe Stadium.

After pulling off an outrageous half-volley at the net, he beamed and wrapped up the opening set with a big serve that Sinner’s metronomic precision briefly sent him out. After saving a crucial early break point, Sinner responded by taking the next set.

This was the duo’s third successive Grand Slam final.

Alcaraz blasted his way to a 5-0 lead in the third set before Sinner got on the board, missing a few steps to drop his first championship set, which was followed by a monster serve.

In the fourth game’s opening volley, Sinner created two breathtaking volleys that were met with roaring cheers and held serve before being pushed to the limit once more. In the fifth game, he succumbed to the pressure and gave Alcaraz the crucial break.

Alcaraz celebrated by raising his fists before receiving a warm embrace from his rival and wild celebrations with his team as he flew ahead to claim the victory on his third match point while resembling a flamingo in his bright pink vest.

After falling short in their French Open epic in June, a dejected Sinner was forced to consider a second Grand Slam final defeat this year against Alcaraz. He did, however, defeat the Spaniard to win the following month’s Wimbledon.

After quickly writing himself, Sinner said, “A lot of big stages and matches we played this season.

“I did my best today,” I said. I was unable to do more.

Spain’s dominance of the hosts on Sunday was undone by the visitors’ speed and finesse, with a helpless Turkish defense torn apart on every counterattack.

The group currently has six points from its two matches, with Turkiye and Georgia grabbing three. Bulgaria was defeated by Georgia 3-0 earlier on Sunday.

In the sixth minute, Pedri slotted past goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir before striking early in the second.

In the 22nd minute, Merino doubled Spain’s lead with a straightforward unmarked strike that escaped the Turkish defense.

In stoppage time, Merino again struck, latching on to a pull-back to equalize Spain’s three-goal lead.

Eight minutes into the second half, a Turkish corner backfired, and Ferran Torres led a swift counterattack before completing a daring exchange inside the box to tie the game.

Merino, who was brimming with confidence, added a stunning left-footed curler from distance that soared into the top corner for Spain’s fifth, cappending his hat-trick just four minutes later.

In the 62nd minute, Pedri slotted home his second of the night after being unmarked at the end of yet another quick break.

Four-time world champions Germany struggled for more than an hour against Northern Ireland in other UEFA qualifiers before scoring twice in three minutes to earn a 3-1 victory on Sunday.

Germany’s first win in Group A came thanks to a tap-in by substitute Nadiem Amiri in the 69th minute and a Florian Wirtz free kick.

It was also Julian Nagelmann’s team’s first victory in their opening group game, coming after their shock 2-0 defeat to hosts Slovakia on Thursday, their first ever away defeat.

Slovakia defeated Luxembourg 1-0 in the other Group A game on Sunday.

Kevin De Bruyne’s stunning goal in Brussels helped Belgium break the deadlock and cruise to a comfortable 6-0 victory over Kazakhstan in their World Cup qualifying match on Sunday.

Before the 42nd-minute strike, the Belgians were about to have a frustrating night at Constant Vanden Stock Stadium, but they continued to earn a comfortable victory with the goals of De Bruyne and Jeremy Doku.

In Group J, Belgium leads Wales in terms of goals scored, but it is only two points ahead of leaders North Macedonia, who lost to Liechtenstein by a point earlier on Sunday. Wales and North Macedonia have only played five games each.

Memphis Depay’s double helped the Netherlands survive a scare by defeating Lithuania 3-2 in their qualifier on Sunday, setting a new scoring record for the Netherlands.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has indicated that Russia is prepared to impose more stringent sanctions on it and urged European allies to press Russia’s economy by putting pressure on nations that still purchase its oil.

Bessent said the conflict has become “a race between the Russian economy and the Ukrainian military,” as he told NBC News on Sunday.

Additional sanctions and secondary tariffs on countries importing Russian crude, in Bessent’s opinion, would “into total collapse” and “at the table” President Vladimir Putin, according to Bessent.

Our European partners must follow us, said Bessent, but “we are prepared to put pressure on Russia.”

One of the highest levies Washington has ever imposed on any nation comes a month after US President Donald Trump’s administration imposed 50 percent tariffs on India for its continued purchases of Russian oil.

Russia launched its largest air assault since the invasion started in 2022, according to Ukrainian officials, hours before Bessent’s remarks. At least four people were killed and a government building in Kyiv was sparked by the overnight strikes.

The attack was condemned on Sunday by US envoy to Ukraine Keith Kellogg, who claimed on X that Moscow “appears to be escalating with the largest attack of the war, hitting offices of the UKR Cabinet in Kyiv.”

He continued, “The attack did not indicate that Russia wanted to diplomatically end this war.”

Trump also made hints about a more stern stance on Sunday, suggesting he was prepared to impose sanctions on Moscow or its oil aces.

The US president responded, “Yeah, I am,” but he declined to provide further details when asked whether he was ready to enter “the second phase” of sanctions.

Trump has repeatedly threatened to put more pressure on Russia, but he has vehemently avoided taking any specific actions, despite his struggles to fulfill his pledges to put an end to the war asap.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the president of Ukraine, welcomed the possibility of sanctions against states that still conduct business with Moscow.

He stated in an interview with ABC on Sunday that he was “very thankful to all the partners,” but “some of them, I mean, they continue to buy oil and Russian gas, and this is not fair.” “I think the idea of imposing tariffs on the nations that continue to make deals with Russia is the right thing to do,” he said.

Trump has been trying for months without success to find a diplomatic solution to the conflict.

He met with Putin for the first time since taking office in his second term last week in Alaska. He met with European leaders in Washington shortly after for a discussion on ending the war.