infrastructure

UN urges Russia to halt strikes on Ukraine’s energy grid as fresh barrages kill civilians, cripple heat and water supplies The United Nations on Thursday called on Russia to stop its attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure after another nationwide barrage killed two people and plunged parts of the country into darkness and subzero cold. “The relentless attacks by the Russian Federation on energy infrastructure across Ukraine are depriving an already long-suffering civilian population of adequate warmth, water and…

Russia launched its most powerful barrage of the year against Ukraine’s energy infrastructure overnight, Ukrainian officials said, knocking out heating for hundreds of thousands as temperatures plunged below minus 20 C and ahead of a new round of talks aimed at halting the four-year war. The strikes hit as an arctic cold snap gripped the country and damaged the base of Kyiv’s iconic Soviet-era Motherland monument, adding a symbolic wound to widespread utility outages. “Taking advantage of the coldest days of winter to…

Gaza’s Reconstruction, Between Vision and Reality: Why Rebuilding Will Take Decades Mountains of rubble, thousands of unexploded munitions and a gutted web of water, sewage and power lines define Gaza’s landscape today. More than 80% of structures are damaged or destroyed, according to United Nations assessments, and the price tag to rebuild runs to more than $70 billion over several decades. Against that backdrop, a glossy vision of a “New Gaza” rising in three years—skyscrapers, beach tourism and data centers—has landed…

Ukraine says it will halt long-range strikes on Russian energy facilities if Moscow stops hitting its grid, President Volodymyr Zelensky said, after U.S. President Donald Trump raised hopes for a short pause in attacks on Kyiv and other cities amid a brutal cold snap. Zelensky welcomed Trump’s announcement and set a clear condition: “If Russia does not strike our energy infrastructure, generation facilities or any other energy assets, we will not strike theirs.” He said he is counting on Washington to help secure the pause,…

MOGADISHU — Somalia’s lower house of parliament on Saturday approved a sweeping Cybersecurity Law designed to protect the country’s digital infrastructure, safeguard information systems and strengthen defenses against cyber threats amid rapid growth in online services. The legislation creates a national framework for preventing, reporting and responding to cyber incidents. It assigns policy leadership to the Ministry of Communications and Technology, gives the National Communications Authority a technical oversight role, and…

EU warns of sabotage risk as Finland seizes ship suspected in Baltic cable damage Europe “remains vigilant” as its critical infrastructure faces a high risk of sabotage, EU foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas said, after Finnish authorities seized a cargo vessel suspected of damaging a subsea telecommunications cable between Helsinki and Tallinn. Finnish police detained the Fitburg, a 132-meter cargo ship, and its 14 crew members as part of an investigation into damage to a telecoms cable in the Gulf of Finland. Authorities…

"In Mykolaiv, Ukraine, November 17, 2024, a firefighter is in the thick of a catastrophic scene—another grim chapter in Russia's ongoing assault on Ukraine, marked by a residential house engulfed in turmoil after a drone strike," reported via a handout from the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, circulated by REUTERS. It's crucial to comprehend the relentless nature of the conflict to grasp the physical and psychological toll it is taking on the population. Russia launched a substantial offensive, the fiercest in nearly…

Mogadishu (AX) — Somalia’s Ministry of Fisheries and Blue Economy has inked a transformative pact with Abu Dhabi PORTS Group, aiming to revolutionize the nation's fisheries and port infrastructures. This move is hoped to bolster both stability and economic growth along Somalia’s coastline, which has been marred by decades of turmoil. Approved by Somalia’s Council of Ministers, this memorandum of understanding (MoU) sets forth a visionary plan to revamp fishing facilities, upgrade ports, and initiate training programs to arm…

Infrastructure Woes Push Dekedaha SC to Play Both CAF Champions League Legs in Tunisia The decision to host both fixtures in Tunisia—home to one of Africa's most fervent football fanbases—paints a stark picture of the challenges plaguing Somali football. Limited by financial woes and subpar facilities, teams like Dekedaha look outward for venues, with their historic win over AS Arta coming at Tanzania's Azam Sports Complex—a neutral ground. This inability to host matches on home turf due to inadequate stadiums underscores…

China Commits $51 Billion to Africa: A Pledge for Jobs, Infrastructure, and Sustainable Energy In a significant address to representatives from over fifty African nations, Xi Jinping declared, "We have built roads, railways, schools, and hospitals together, transforming countless lives." This statement underscores China's determination to forge a "shared future" with Africa while advancing development across the Global South. Chinese state media reports that the colossal $51 billion commitment includes about $29.6 billion…