Indian PM Narendra Modi has embarked on Euro tour to boost ties. He landed in Berlin today to hold high-level talks. The visit comes as Russian invasion rages on in Ukraine.

Indian PM Modi on Europe trip: India looks to boost ties with Europe

Indian PM Narendra Modi has embarked on Euro tour to boost ties. He landed in Berlin today to hold high-level talks. The visit comes as Russian invasion rages on in Ukraine. Now, PM Modi received Guard of honour in Berlin.

Indian PM Narendra Modi receives Guard of honour in Berlin

Indian PM Narendra Modi has embarked on Euro tour to boost ties. He landed in Berlin today to hold high-level talks. The visit comes as Russian invasion rages on in Ukraine. He will hold first in person meeting with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

Indian PM on a crucial Europe trip: PM Modi to hold first in person meeting with Olaf Scholz

Indian PM Modi in Berlin for high-level talks, visit comes as Russian invasion rages on

Indian PM Narendra Modi is all set to embark on a 3-day trip to Europe where he will visit 3 European Nations- Germany, Denmark and France. This will mark Indian PM's first abroad trip in 2022.

Indian PM Modi to visit European Nations: India looks to boost ties with Europe

The European space agency is ending cooperation with Russia on three missions to the moon. This comes as Russia continues its assault on Ukraine. On the other hand, Moscow has announced that it will be quitting the International space station.

Russia-Ukraine conflict: Europe cancels joint moon missions with Russia

Russia has retaliated against western sanctions by halting its gas supply to Poland and Bulgaria. This decision is impacting different parts of Europe, and in Italy, a new measure is being implemented called 'operation thermostat'.

Ukraine-Russia conflict: Italy launches new measure to save gas

German energy giants like Uniper are planning to comply with Putin's demand to pay for Russian gas in roubles. Palki Sharma tells you how the EU has created a convenient loophole for companies to violate their sanctions.

Gravitas: German companies to buy Russian gas in roubles

Expressing confidence in India's global role Portugal Foreign minister João Gomes Cravinho has said that "with India, we--Portugal, Europe, that we have a partner which we can strategically trust" and both sides "need to do lot more together". The comments come even as European Union, and its members state deepen engagement with India, with high level visits, including the upcoming visit of PM to the continent next week. Important to remember, the idea of starting a India-EU Summit was mooted for the first time by Portugal when the current UNSG Antonio Guterres was the Portuguese Prime Minister.

Can "strategically trust" India, says Portugal Foreign Minister Cravinho; Slams Russia-China nexus

<p>More than 3,000 people died or went missing in the Mediterranean and Atlantic while trying to reach Europe last year — double the toll from 2020, the United Nations said Friday.</p>

<p>A new report from the UN refugee agency demanded urgent action to combat surging deaths among refugees, asylum seekers and other migrants trying to reach Europe.</p>

<p>The report showed a total of 3,077 people were lost while trying to cross the Mediterranean and Atlantic routes to the continent last year, up from 1,544 in 2020.</p>

<p>"Alarmingly, since the beginning of the year, an additional 478 people have died or gone missing at sea," UNHCR spokeswoman Shabia Mantoo told reporters in Geneva.</p>

<p>The report showed that in 2021, 1,924 people were reported dead or missing on the Central and Western Mediterranean routes, while another 1,153 perished on the North African maritime route to the Canary Islands.</p>

<p>"Most of the sea crossings took place in packed, unseaworthy, inflatable boats, many of which capsized or were deflated leading to the loss of life," Mantoo said.</p>

<p>The sea journey from countries on the West African coast such as Mauritania and Senegal to the Canary Islands was particularly perilous, she said, pointing out that the crossing could take up to 10 days.</p>

<p>"Many boats drifted off course or otherwise went missing without trace in these waters," she said.</p>

<p>The UNHCR report cautioned that land routes were also "highly dangerous".</p>

<p><strong>Watch | Migrant boat capsizes of Lebanon, Lebanese officials rescue 50 migrants</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/migrant-boat-capsizes-of-lebanon-lebanese-officials-rescue-50-migrants-473438/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>"Even greater numbers may have died on journeys through the Sahara Desert and remote border areas, in detention centres, or while in the captivity of smugglers or traffickers," Mantoo said.</p>

<p>UNHCR warned that the Covid-19 pandemic and related border closures had complicated movement further and had forced many desperate refugees and migrants to turn to smugglers to make their perilous journeys.</p>

<p>The UN agency also cautioned that political instability and conflicts, as well as climate change could increase such dangerous displacement going forward.</p>

<p>"UNHCR is appealing for support to help provide meaningful alternatives to these dangerous journeys and prevent people from becoming victims of traffickers," Mantoo said.</p>


More than 3,000 people died or went missing in the Mediterranean and Atlantic while trying to reach Europe last year — double the toll from 2020, the United Nations said Friday.

More than 3,000 people died or went missing in the Mediterranean and Atlantic while trying to reach Europe last year — double the toll from 2020, the United Nations said Friday. A new report from the UN refugee agency demanded urgent action to combat surging deaths among refugees, asylum seekers and other migrants trying to reach Europe. The report showed a total of 3,077 people were lost while trying to cross the Mediterranean and Atlantic routes to the continent last year, up from 1,544 in 2020. "Alarmingly, since the beginning of the year, an additional 478 people have died or gone missing at sea," UNHCR spokeswoman Shabia Mantoo told reporters in Geneva. The report showed that in 2021, 1,924 people were reported dead or missing on the Central and Western Mediterranean routes, while another 1,153 perished on the North African maritime route to the Canary Islands. "Most of the sea crossings took place in packed, unseaworthy, inflatable boats, many of which capsized or were deflated leading to the loss of life," Mantoo said. The sea journey from countries on the West African coast such as Mauritania and Senegal to the Canary Islands was particularly perilous, she said, pointing out that the crossing could take up to 10 days. "Many boats drifted off course or otherwise went missing without trace in these waters," she said. The UNHCR report cautioned that land routes were also "highly dangerous". Watch | Migrant boat capsizes of Lebanon, Lebanese officials rescue 50 migrants "Even greater numbers may have died on journeys through the Sahara Desert and remote border areas, in detention centres, or while in the captivity of smugglers or traffickers," Mantoo said. UNHCR warned that the Covid-19 pandemic and related border closures had complicated movement further and had forced many desperate refugees and migrants to turn to smugglers to make their perilous journeys. The UN agency also cautioned that political instability and conflicts, as well as climate change could increase such dangerous displacement going forward. "UNHCR is appealing for support to help provide meaningful alternatives to these dangerous journeys and prevent people from becoming victims of traffickers," Mantoo said.

Over 3,000 migrants lost at sea trying to reach Europe in 2021: UN

Europe is bracing for a gas crisis, Russia is turning off the gas supplies to the region making good on a threat to halt deliveries to "unfriendly" countries that refuse to make payments in rubles. For more perspective, we're joined by Olexi Pasyuk, Energy Expert at CEE Bankwatch Network.

Russia-Ukraine crisis: How dependent is Europe on Russia for gas?

<p>Oil and gasoline prices are climbing. Energy company profits are surging. President Joe Biden, who came into office promising to reduce the use of fossil fuels, has effectively joined the “drill, baby drill” chorus. Europe would love to end its dependence on Russia.</p>

<p>Is this the moment the U.S. oil business has been waiting for? Not exactly.</p>

<p>Production of oil by U.S. energy companies is essentially flat and unlikely to increase substantially for at least another year or two. If Europe were to stop buying Russian oil and natural gas as some of its leaders have promised, it won’t be able to replace that energy with fuels from the United States anytime soon.</p>

<p>U.S. oil production is up less than 2%, to 11.8 million barrels a day, since December and remains well below the record 13.1 million barrels a day set in March 2020 just before the pandemic paralyzed the global economy. Government forecasters predict that American oil production will average just 12 million barrels a day in 2022 and increase by roughly 1 million barrels a day in 2023. That would be well short of the nearly 4 million barrels of oil that Europe imports from Russia every day.</p>

<p>“You had this bombastic, chest-pounding industry touting itself as the reincarnation of the American innovative spirit,” said Jim Krane, an energy expert at Rice University. “And now that they could be leaping into action to pitch in to bring much needed oil to the world, they are being uncharacteristically cautious.”</p>

<p>The biggest reason oil production isn’t increasing is that U.S. energy companies and Wall Street investors are not sure that oil prices will stay high long enough for them to make a profit from drilling lots of new wells. Many remember how abruptly and sharply oil prices crashed two years ago, forcing companies to lay off thousands of employees, shut down wells and even seek bankruptcy protection.</p>

<p>Executives at 141 oil companies surveyed by the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas in mid-March offered several reasons for why they weren’t pumping more oil. They said they were short of workers and sand, which is used to fracture shale fields to coax oil out of rock. But the most salient reason — the one offered by 60% of respondents — was that investors in oil companies don’t want companies to produce a lot more oil, fearing that it will hasten the end of high oil prices.</p>

<p>The Dallas Fed survey found that U.S. companies need oil prices to average just $56 a barrel to break even, a little more than half the current price. But some are worried that the price could fall to as little as $50 by the end of the year.</p>

<p>“There is a tremendous amount of muscle memory from COVID and the dramatic drop in prices,” said Ben Shepperd, president of the Permian Basin Petroleum Association in Midland, Texas. “If we were convinced oil prices would hold at levels of $75 a barrel or more for another three years, you would see a higher level of capital deployment.”</p>

<p>U.S. oil companies are not alone. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and other members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries have also refused to pump a lot more oil since Russia’s war began in late February.</p>

<p>This deep-seated reluctance stands in contrast to how the oil industry has typically behaved when prices have surged.</p>

<p>Over the past two decades, oil companies almost always responded to higher prices by investing and pumping more. A drilling frenzy accompanied the rise in prices in the early 2000s, and again in the recovery that followed the 2008 financial crisis. U.S. oil production has doubled since 2006, and the country has become a major exporter of oil, natural gas and petroleum products like gasoline and diesel.</p>

<p>But every price boom was followed by a huge crash — three in just the past 14 years. Scores of companies have filed bankruptcy cases. Only two years ago, oil prices plummeted by more than $50 a barrel in a single day to less than zero as the pandemic took hold and producers had no place to store oil that nobody needed to buy.</p>

<p>Exxon Mobil’s stock fell so much that the keepers of the Dow Jones Industrial Average kicked it off the index. The company had been in the average in one form or another since 1928, and its departure became a symbol of Wall Street’s growing distaste for fossil fuel stocks as more investors demand that companies reduce the emissions causing climate change.</p>

<p>Oil executives and investors cite a number of scenarios under which prices could again fall quickly. For example, Russia could lose the war and have to retreat. COVID outbreaks and lockdowns in China could hobble that country’s economy, driving down global growth and demand for energy. A new nuclear deal with Iran could open a spigot of oil exports.</p>

<p>Pioneer Natural Resources, a major Texas producer that last year acquired two other oil companies, is no longer aiming to increase production by 20% as it had in years past. It now aims to grow by just 5%. The company’s chief executive, Scott Sheffield, said he aimed to return 80% of its free cash flow — the cash left over after it pays its operating expenses and capital expenditures — to shareholders.</p>

<p>“The model has totally changed,” he said.</p>

<p>Oil executives also argue that they are spending a lot of money on new oil and gas production but that inflation is undercutting their efforts. Exploration and production spending will rise by more than 20% this year but about two-thirds of that increase will go toward paying higher prices for labor, materials and services, among other costs, according to RBN Energy, a research firm based in Houston.</p>

<p>“It is a bit of a sticker shock because we’re seeing inflation across the entire sector,” Jeff Miller, the CEO of Halliburton, which drills wells and performs other services for oil companies, told analysts on a recent conference call.</p>

<p>Smaller private companies, financed by private equity, are responsible for much of the new activity. According to the Dallas Fed survey, the median growth rate for companies that produce fewer than 10,000 barrels a day was projected at 15% this year, compared with only 6% for firms that produce more than 10,000 barrels a day.</p>

<p>Larger oil companies complain that even if they wanted to invest more, it would be hard to because Wall Street isn’t keen on financing new fossil fuel projects. Some investors who are concerned about climate change are instead choosing to put their money into renewable energy, electric cars and other businesses.</p>

<p>It is not that investors have become environmentalists. Many have run the numbers and concluded that the recent jump in fossil fuel prices will be short-lived and that they are better off investing in companies and industries that they believe have a brighter future.</p>

<p>“If you are an investor, has your view of the next five to 10 years actually changed? I think the answer is no,” said Amy Myers Jaffe, managing director at the Climate Policy Lab at Tufts University’s Fletcher School. “History tells us that oil shocks accelerate a shift to alternative energy, not the opposite.”</p>

<p>Many oil executives also complain that the future of their industry is clouded by political and regulatory uncertainty. They acknowledge that Biden has been calling on them to produce more but fear that his administration will go back to emphasizing the need for less oil and gas when prices fall.</p>

<p>“During Earth Day, the president said we have got to get off oil, and at the same time he’s begging us for 2 million additional barrels to send to Europe,” said Kirk Edwards, CEO of Latigo Petroleum, a West Texas producer. “You cannot have it both ways.”</p>

<p>The tension between the strategic advantages of domestic oil and gas production and the environmental costs of fossil fuel use are not likely to go away soon. Environmentalists are worried that awarding more permits for oil drilling on public lands and building new terminals to export natural gas to Europe will increase the world’s dependence on fossil fuels. But administration officials have countered that their emphasis on increasing oil and gas production will not deter longer-term efforts to make a transition to cleaner energy.</p>

<p>“We just can’t transition to green energy in a way that leaves us and our allies dependent on the oil of geopolitical rivals,” said Evan Ellis, a researcher at the U.S. Army War College and former State Department planner. “The ability of the U.S. to put more oil and gas into the market would be a useful weapon, enabling the Europeans to wean themselves off of Russian energy.”</p>

<p>David Braziel, CEO of RBN Energy, said the United States had the capacity to export more than 6 million barrels of oil a day, roughly twice what it is exporting now. While ramping up production will take time, he said the industry could produce 16 million barrels a day by 2027, more than 4 million barrels more than now, assuming prices remain high and investments increase.</p>

<p>“We have plenty of capacity to get extra crude oil out,” Braziel said. “We could be doing much more now than we are currently doing.”</p>


Oil and gasoline prices are climbing. Energy company profits are surging. President Joe Biden, who came into office promising to reduce the use of fossil fuels, has effectively joined the “drill, baby drill” chorus.

Oil and gasoline prices are climbing. Energy company profits are surging. President Joe Biden, who came into office promising to reduce the use of fossil fuels, has effectively joined the “drill, baby drill” chorus. Europe would love to end its dependence on Russia. Is this the moment the U.S. oil business has been waiting for? Not exactly. Production of oil by U.S. energy companies is essentially flat and unlikely to increase substantially for at least another year or two. If Europe were to stop buying Russian oil and natural gas as some of its leaders have promised, it won’t be able to replace that energy with fuels from the United States anytime soon. U.S. oil production is up less than 2%, to 11.8 million barrels a day, since December and remains well below the record 13.1 million barrels a day set in March 2020 just before the pandemic paralyzed the global economy. Government forecasters predict that American oil production will average just 12 million barrels a day in 2022 and increase by roughly 1 million barrels a day in 2023. That would be well short of the nearly 4 million barrels of oil that Europe imports from Russia every day. “You had this bombastic, chest-pounding industry touting itself as the reincarnation of the American innovative spirit,” said Jim Krane, an energy expert at Rice University. “And now that they could be leaping into action to pitch in to bring much needed oil to the world, they are being uncharacteristically cautious.” The biggest reason oil production isn’t increasing is that U.S. energy companies and Wall Street investors are not sure that oil prices will stay high long enough for them to make a profit from drilling lots of new wells. Many remember how abruptly and sharply oil prices crashed two years ago, forcing companies to lay off thousands of employees, shut down wells and even seek bankruptcy protection. Executives at 141 oil companies surveyed by the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas in mid-March offered several reasons for why they weren’t pumping more oil. They said they were short of workers and sand, which is used to fracture shale fields to coax oil out of rock. But the most salient reason — the one offered by 60% of respondents — was that investors in oil companies don’t want companies to produce a lot more oil, fearing that it will hasten the end of high oil prices. The Dallas Fed survey found that U.S. companies need oil prices to average just $56 a barrel to break even, a little more than half the current price. But some are worried that the price could fall to as little as $50 by the end of the year. “There is a tremendous amount of muscle memory from COVID and the dramatic drop in prices,” said Ben Shepperd, president of the Permian Basin Petroleum Association in Midland, Texas. “If we were convinced oil prices would hold at levels of $75 a barrel or more for another three years, you would see a higher level of capital deployment.” U.S. oil companies are not alone. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and other members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries have also refused to pump a lot more oil since Russia’s war began in late February. This deep-seated reluctance stands in contrast to how the oil industry has typically behaved when prices have surged. Over the past two decades, oil companies almost always responded to higher prices by investing and pumping more. A drilling frenzy accompanied the rise in prices in the early 2000s, and again in the recovery that followed the 2008 financial crisis. U.S. oil production has doubled since 2006, and the country has become a major exporter of oil, natural gas and petroleum products like gasoline and diesel. But every price boom was followed by a huge crash — three in just the past 14 years. Scores of companies have filed bankruptcy cases. Only two years ago, oil prices plummeted by more than $50 a barrel in a single day to less than zero as the pandemic took hold and producers had no place to store oil that nobody needed to buy. Exxon Mobil’s stock fell so much that the keepers of the Dow Jones Industrial Average kicked it off the index. The company had been in the average in one form or another since 1928, and its departure became a symbol of Wall Street’s growing distaste for fossil fuel stocks as more investors demand that companies reduce the emissions causing climate change. Oil executives and investors cite a number of scenarios under which prices could again fall quickly. For example, Russia could lose the war and have to retreat. COVID outbreaks and lockdowns in China could hobble that country’s economy, driving down global growth and demand for energy. A new nuclear deal with Iran could open a spigot of oil exports. Pioneer Natural Resources, a major Texas producer that last year acquired two other oil companies, is no longer aiming to increase production by 20% as it had in years past. It now aims to grow by just 5%. The company’s chief executive, Scott Sheffield, said he aimed to return 80% of its free cash flow — the cash left over after it pays its operating expenses and capital expenditures — to shareholders. “The model has totally changed,” he said. Oil executives also argue that they are spending a lot of money on new oil and gas production but that inflation is undercutting their efforts. Exploration and production spending will rise by more than 20% this year but about two-thirds of that increase will go toward paying higher prices for labor, materials and services, among other costs, according to RBN Energy, a research firm based in Houston. “It is a bit of a sticker shock because we’re seeing inflation across the entire sector,” Jeff Miller, the CEO of Halliburton, which drills wells and performs other services for oil companies, told analysts on a recent conference call. Smaller private companies, financed by private equity, are responsible for much of the new activity. According to the Dallas Fed survey, the median growth rate for companies that produce fewer than 10,000 barrels a day was projected at 15% this year, compared with only 6% for firms that produce more than 10,000 barrels a day. Larger oil companies complain that even if they wanted to invest more, it would be hard to because Wall Street isn’t keen on financing new fossil fuel projects. Some investors who are concerned about climate change are instead choosing to put their money into renewable energy, electric cars and other businesses. It is not that investors have become environmentalists. Many have run the numbers and concluded that the recent jump in fossil fuel prices will be short-lived and that they are better off investing in companies and industries that they believe have a brighter future. “If you are an investor, has your view of the next five to 10 years actually changed? I think the answer is no,” said Amy Myers Jaffe, managing director at the Climate Policy Lab at Tufts University’s Fletcher School. “History tells us that oil shocks accelerate a shift to alternative energy, not the opposite.” Many oil executives also complain that the future of their industry is clouded by political and regulatory uncertainty. They acknowledge that Biden has been calling on them to produce more but fear that his administration will go back to emphasizing the need for less oil and gas when prices fall. “During Earth Day, the president said we have got to get off oil, and at the same time he’s begging us for 2 million additional barrels to send to Europe,” said Kirk Edwards, CEO of Latigo Petroleum, a West Texas producer. “You cannot have it both ways.” The tension between the strategic advantages of domestic oil and gas production and the environmental costs of fossil fuel use are not likely to go away soon. Environmentalists are worried that awarding more permits for oil drilling on public lands and building new terminals to export natural gas to Europe will increase the world’s dependence on fossil fuels. But administration officials have countered that their emphasis on increasing oil and gas production will not deter longer-term efforts to make a transition to cleaner energy. “We just can’t transition to green energy in a way that leaves us and our allies dependent on the oil of geopolitical rivals,” said Evan Ellis, a researcher at the U.S. Army War College and former State Department planner. “The ability of the U.S. to put more oil and gas into the market would be a useful weapon, enabling the Europeans to wean themselves off of Russian energy.” David Braziel, CEO of RBN Energy, said the United States had the capacity to export more than 6 million barrels of oil a day, roughly twice what it is exporting now. While ramping up production will take time, he said the industry could produce 16 million barrels a day by 2027, more than 4 million barrels more than now, assuming prices remain high and investments increase. “We have plenty of capacity to get extra crude oil out,” Braziel said. “We could be doing much more now than we are currently doing.”

Why US oil companies aren’t riding to Europe’s rescue

According to a report released by European Union's climate monitoring service, Europe endured record extreme weather in the year 2021 from the hottest day and the warmest summer to deadly wildfires and flooding . Last year earth's surface was 1.2 degree Celsius warmer than pre-industrial levels.

EU's climate monitor raises alarm: dangerous, extreme events to become worse

<p>The Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) on Friday (April 22) said that Europe's average temperature increased by over two degrees last year.</p>

<p>In the fifth edition of its annual report, it revealed that the hottest day ever registered in Europe was in Sicily with a blistering temperature of 48.8C (120 degrees Fahrenheit).</p>

<p>Extreme weather, fuelled by climate change, caused the "greatest ecological disaster in decades" in Greece in the form of wildfires that burned down forests spread across 8,000 square kilometres.</p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/climate-change-is-causing-glacial-melt-in-bolivia-472759/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>The flood in Germany, nourished by a rise in surface water temperature in the Baltic Sea, broke the record for mid-July downpour. More than 200 people were killed in the unprecedented weather extreme.</p>

<p>According to the director of the European Union's climate monitoring service, Carlo Buontempo, "2021 was a year of extremes including the hottest summer in Europe, heatwaves in the Mediterranean, flooding, and wind droughts in western Europe."&nbsp;</p>

<p>"This shows that the understanding of weather and climate extremes is becoming increasingly relevant for key sectors of society." &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;</p>

<p>Meanwhile, Mauro Facchini, head of Earth observation at the European Commission's Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space, said "Scientific experts like the IPCC have warned us we are running out of time to limit global warming to 1.5C."&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/how-climate-change-will-impact-the-worlds-regions-differently-457772">Also see |&nbsp;How climate change will impact the world's regions differently</a></strong></p>

<p>"This report stresses the urgent necessity to act as climate-related extreme events are already occurring."</p>

<p>“There are many parts of the Baltic which are more than 5 degrees (Celsius) above average, which is a lot for seaside temperatures,” said Freja Vamborg, a senior climate scientist at C3S.</p>

<p>Under the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, members have set a target to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.</p>

<p>Although the coronavirus pandemic had caused a dip in carbon dioxide emissions, they have rebounded strongly. An increase in their concentration in the atmosphere traps heat causing heat waves.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


The Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) on Friday (April 22) said that Europe's average temperature increased by over two degrees last year. In the fifth edition of its annual report, it revealed that the hottest day ever registered in Europe was in Sicily with a blistering temperature of 48.

The Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) on Friday (April 22) said that Europe's average temperature increased by over two degrees last year. In the fifth edition of its annual report, it revealed that the hottest day ever registered in Europe was in Sicily with a blistering temperature of 48.8C (120 degrees Fahrenheit). Extreme weather, fuelled by climate change, caused the "greatest ecological disaster in decades" in Greece in the form of wildfires that burned down forests spread across 8,000 square kilometres. The flood in Germany, nourished by a rise in surface water temperature in the Baltic Sea, broke the record for mid-July downpour. More than 200 people were killed in the unprecedented weather extreme. According to the director of the European Union's climate monitoring service, Carlo Buontempo, "2021 was a year of extremes including the hottest summer in Europe, heatwaves in the Mediterranean, flooding, and wind droughts in western Europe." "This shows that the understanding of weather and climate extremes is becoming increasingly relevant for key sectors of society." Meanwhile, Mauro Facchini, head of Earth observation at the European Commission's Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space, said "Scientific experts like the IPCC have warned us we are running out of time to limit global warming to 1.5C." Also see | How climate change will impact the world's regions differently "This report stresses the urgent necessity to act as climate-related extreme events are already occurring." “There are many parts of the Baltic which are more than 5 degrees (Celsius) above average, which is a lot for seaside temperatures,” said Freja Vamborg, a senior climate scientist at C3S. Under the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, members have set a target to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. Although the coronavirus pandemic had caused a dip in carbon dioxide emissions, they have rebounded strongly. An increase in their concentration in the atmosphere traps heat causing heat waves. (With inputs from agencies)

Europe's average temperature increased by over two degrees last year

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle attended the Invictus Games opening ceremony on April 16. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex gave a powerful speech and paid tributes to Ukrainian athletes.

Invictus Games: Duke, Duchess of Sussex pay tribute to Ukrainian athletes

<p>Britain's Prince Harry and his wife Meghan on Friday made their first joint public appearance on this side of the Atlantic since quitting royal life and moving to North America two years ago.</p>

<p>The Sussexes attended an evening reception in the Dutch city of The Hague for the Invictus Games, a day after a visit with his grandmother Queen Elizabeth II in Britain on Thursday.</p>

<p>Harry, who served with the British army in Afghanistan, founded the event for disabled military veterans that starts on Saturday.</p>

<p>The Duke and Duchess of Sussex on Thursday met Queen Elizabeth, who will celebrate her 96th birthday in a few days, at Windsor Castle.</p>

<p>Harry, 37, and his wife, 40, were criticised by British tabloids for skipping Prince Philip's memorial service in Westminster Abbey last month.</p>

<p>Philip, who was married to the queen for 73 years, died last April just weeks short of his 100th birthday.</p>

<p>Harry and Meghan had not visited the UK together since their decision to step aside from the royal family.</p>

<p>More than 500 participants from 20 countries are taking part in the Invictus Games, which have been postponed twice because of the coronavirus pandemic.</p>

<p>- 'In danger of death ' -<br />
Just before the prince's arrival, the Ukrainian team made their arrival to great applause.</p>

<p>The team of 19 people from war-torn Ukraine arrived in the Netherlands to take part but the group regretted the absence of one participant, imprisoned in the besieged Ukrainian city of Mariupol.</p>

<p>The paramedic, Yuliia Paievska, known as Taira, is "in danger of death now", a spokeswoman for the team told AFP.</p>

<p>"She is the only woman on the team and was due to compete in archery and swimming," the team said in a statement.</p>

<p>On Saturday, the royal couple will attend the opening ceremony of the games, with Prince Harry due to deliver a speech.</p>

<p>The Invictus Games, the first of which took place in London in September 2014, have been a recurrent theme in Harry and Meghan's relationship.</p>

<p>It was during the 2017 games that the prince made his first public appearance with the American ex-actress. The following year, they were in Sydney, a few days after announcing she was pregnant.</p>

<p>Harry and his wife quit life as frontline royals and decamped to Canada and then California two years ago.</p>

<p>As a result of their decision, the UK government withdrew his taxpayer-funded protection on visits back to Britain, a decision that Harry is challenging in the courts.</p>

<p>The queen, who has been in fragile health, marks her record-breaking 70th year on the throne in June with public events due to be held over four days to mark the occasion.</p>

<p>The Invictus Games will end on April 22.</p>


Britain's Prince Harry and his wife Meghan on Friday made their first joint public appearance on this side of the Atlantic since quitting royal life and moving to North America two years ago.

Britain's Prince Harry and his wife Meghan on Friday made their first joint public appearance on this side of the Atlantic since quitting royal life and moving to North America two years ago. The Sussexes attended an evening reception in the Dutch city of The Hague for the Invictus Games, a day after a visit with his grandmother Queen Elizabeth II in Britain on Thursday. Harry, who served with the British army in Afghanistan, founded the event for disabled military veterans that starts on Saturday. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex on Thursday met Queen Elizabeth, who will celebrate her 96th birthday in a few days, at Windsor Castle. Harry, 37, and his wife, 40, were criticised by British tabloids for skipping Prince Philip's memorial service in Westminster Abbey last month. Philip, who was married to the queen for 73 years, died last April just weeks short of his 100th birthday. Harry and Meghan had not visited the UK together since their decision to step aside from the royal family. More than 500 participants from 20 countries are taking part in the Invictus Games, which have been postponed twice because of the coronavirus pandemic. - 'In danger of death ' - Just before the prince's arrival, the Ukrainian team made their arrival to great applause. The team of 19 people from war-torn Ukraine arrived in the Netherlands to take part but the group regretted the absence of one participant, imprisoned in the besieged Ukrainian city of Mariupol. The paramedic, Yuliia Paievska, known as Taira, is "in danger of death now", a spokeswoman for the team told AFP. "She is the only woman on the team and was due to compete in archery and swimming," the team said in a statement. On Saturday, the royal couple will attend the opening ceremony of the games, with Prince Harry due to deliver a speech. The Invictus Games, the first of which took place in London in September 2014, have been a recurrent theme in Harry and Meghan's relationship. It was during the 2017 games that the prince made his first public appearance with the American ex-actress. The following year, they were in Sydney, a few days after announcing she was pregnant. Harry and his wife quit life as frontline royals and decamped to Canada and then California two years ago. As a result of their decision, the UK government withdrew his taxpayer-funded protection on visits back to Britain, a decision that Harry is challenging in the courts. The queen, who has been in fragile health, marks her record-breaking 70th year on the throne in June with public events due to be held over four days to mark the occasion. The Invictus Games will end on April 22.

Harry, Meghan make first public appearance in Europe since royal exit

Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle made their first public appearance in Europe for the first time since they quit their royal titles and moved to the United States. They also visited the UK for the first time in two years and paid a visit to the queen.

Harry & Meghan attend Invictus Games, first public appearance in Europe since royal exit

Russia warned Sweden and Finland that if they joined NATO, then it will deploy nuclear weapons in hypersonic missiles in the heart of Europe. Russia's invasion of Ukraine is pushing Finland and Sweden towards NATO

Russia warns of Nuke and Hypersonic deployment to Baltic

European politicians are flocking to Ukraine the latest to do so are the leaders from Poland Lithuania Latvia and Estonia. The visit comes after Biden calls invasion a genocide.

European leaders flock to Ukraine after US President Joe Biden calls Russian invasion a genocide

Top officials from the world's two largest democracies held ministerial-level talks in Washington after their leaders from India and the United States discussed their differences over the Ukraine war.

Lesser than what Europe does in an afternoon: S Jaishankar On Russian Oil deal

<p>European&nbsp;and&nbsp;Asian&nbsp;coal&nbsp;importers are expected to join the&nbsp;scramble&nbsp;for alternative&nbsp;sources&nbsp;of the fuel as a European Union ban on Russian&nbsp;coal&nbsp;imports looms, analysts and company officials said.</p>

<p>But with top exporters Australia and Indonesia having already hit production limits and major producer South Africa constrained by logistical problems, some importers may struggle to maintain supply levels. The expected rush is likely to keep global&nbsp;coal&nbsp;prices elevated.</p>

<p>The&nbsp;EU&nbsp;ban&nbsp;is to take effect from mid-August, a month later than initially planned, according to two&nbsp;EU&nbsp;sources, following pressure from Germany to delay the measure.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-russia-conflict-borodyanka-destruction-more-horrific-than-bucha-says-zelensky-469254">Ukraine-Russia conflict: Borodyanka destruction 'more horrific' than Bucha, says Zelensky</a></strong></p>

<p>In top-10&nbsp;coal&nbsp;producer South Africa, Exxaro Resources&nbsp;told Reuters it had already received numerous requests from European countries wanting to sign supply contracts.</p>

<p>It said it has the right quality of&nbsp;coal&nbsp;for the&nbsp;European&nbsp;market, but that current production has already been allocated, and that South Africa's struggling rail network means miners will not be able to export more to meet the increased demand.</p>

<p>"South African&nbsp;coal&nbsp;producers are able to produce more&nbsp;coal, but significant work will need to be done to improve logistics in order to ramp up&nbsp;coal&nbsp;supply for export," Exxaro said.</p>

<p>State-owned rail company Transnet's capacity to haul mineral exports has been limited by cable theft and vandalism.</p>

<p>German energy company Uniper said it has taken steps to ensure its&nbsp;coal-fired power plants in&nbsp;Europe can be technically operated without&nbsp;Russian&nbsp;coal&nbsp;and decided not to extend its&nbsp;Russian supply contracts.</p>

<p>Toby Hassall, a lead analyst with Refinitiv, said most&nbsp;EU&nbsp;buyers' contracts for&nbsp;Russian&nbsp;coal&nbsp;would be for a year or less.</p>

<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;UK, EU impose new sanctions on Russia in response to reports of Bucha killings</strong></p>

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<p><strong>Very limited spare capacity</strong></p>

<p>Coronado Global Resources, with metallurgical&nbsp;coal&nbsp;operations in Australia and the United States, said it has received queries for&nbsp;coal&nbsp;in recent weeks from&nbsp;Europe.</p>

<p>It expected to be able to meet some of the&nbsp;new&nbsp;demand but said volume, destination and timeframes were confidential. Coronado expects to produce between 18 million and 19 million tonnes in 2022.</p>

<p>"We have plans for growth in future years beyond this," a spokesperson said in emailed comments, without elaborating.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/morning-news-brief-us-ends-normal-trade-ties-with-russia-omicron-lasts-three-days-less-than-delta-and-more-469248">Morning news brief: US ends normal trade ties with Russia, Omicron lasts three days less than Delta, and more</a></strong></p>

<p>Australian producers Whitehaven&nbsp;Coal&nbsp;and&nbsp;New&nbsp;Hope Corp said they have been approached by prospective customers but their priority was to serve existing customers.</p>

<p>In Asia, at least two utilities in Japan and South Korea have halted&nbsp;Russian&nbsp;coal&nbsp;imports. Others may have to follow suit if sanctions are expanded.</p>

<p>Japan, the world's third-largest&nbsp;coal&nbsp;importer, plans to reduce&nbsp;Russian&nbsp;coal&nbsp;imports gradually while looking for alternative suppliers due to the sanctions against Moscow, the country's industry minister said on Friday. He acknowledged, though, that it would be hard to find alternative suppliers immediately.</p>

<p>Japan's Kyushu Electric Power Co Inc stopped buying&nbsp;Russian&nbsp;coal&nbsp;as of end-March, a company spokesperson said.</p>

<p>Kyushu Electric, which bought 7 per cent&nbsp;of its thermal&nbsp;coal&nbsp;from&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;in the year to March 31, 2021, is procuring supplies from other regions, the spokesperson said, without specifying where.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/more-than-50-of-european-population-supports-cannabis-legalisation-report-469008">More than 50% of European population supports cannabis legalisation: Report</a></strong></p>

<p>"We have no plan to buy&nbsp;Russian&nbsp;coal&nbsp;this financial year," he said.</p>

<p>In South Korea, at least one unit of state utility Korea Electric Power Corp (KEPCO) began diversifying&nbsp;coal&nbsp;supply away from&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;in February, a source with knowledge of the matter said.</p>


European and Asian coal importers are expected to join the scramble for alternative sources of the fuel as a European Union ban on Russian coal imports looms, analysts and company officials said.

European and Asian coal importers are expected to join the scramble for alternative sources of the fuel as a European Union ban on Russian coal imports looms, analysts and company officials said. But with top exporters Australia and Indonesia having already hit production limits and major producer South Africa constrained by logistical problems, some importers may struggle to maintain supply levels. The expected rush is likely to keep global coal prices elevated. The EU ban is to take effect from mid-August, a month later than initially planned, according to two EU sources, following pressure from Germany to delay the measure. Also read | Ukraine-Russia conflict: Borodyanka destruction 'more horrific' than Bucha, says Zelensky In top-10 coal producer South Africa, Exxaro Resources told Reuters it had already received numerous requests from European countries wanting to sign supply contracts. It said it has the right quality of coal for the European market, but that current production has already been allocated, and that South Africa's struggling rail network means miners will not be able to export more to meet the increased demand. "South African coal producers are able to produce more coal, but significant work will need to be done to improve logistics in order to ramp up coal supply for export," Exxaro said. State-owned rail company Transnet's capacity to haul mineral exports has been limited by cable theft and vandalism. German energy company Uniper said it has taken steps to ensure its coal-fired power plants in Europe can be technically operated without Russian coal and decided not to extend its Russian supply contracts. Toby Hassall, a lead analyst with Refinitiv, said most EU buyers' contracts for Russian coal would be for a year or less. Watch | UK, EU impose new sanctions on Russia in response to reports of Bucha killings Very limited spare capacity Coronado Global Resources, with metallurgical coal operations in Australia and the United States, said it has received queries for coal in recent weeks from Europe. It expected to be able to meet some of the new demand but said volume, destination and timeframes were confidential. Coronado expects to produce between 18 million and 19 million tonnes in 2022. "We have plans for growth in future years beyond this," a spokesperson said in emailed comments, without elaborating. Also read | Morning news brief: US ends normal trade ties with Russia, Omicron lasts three days less than Delta, and more Australian producers Whitehaven Coal and New Hope Corp said they have been approached by prospective customers but their priority was to serve existing customers. In Asia, at least two utilities in Japan and South Korea have halted Russian coal imports. Others may have to follow suit if sanctions are expanded. Japan, the world's third-largest coal importer, plans to reduce Russian coal imports gradually while looking for alternative suppliers due to the sanctions against Moscow, the country's industry minister said on Friday. He acknowledged, though, that it would be hard to find alternative suppliers immediately. Japan's Kyushu Electric Power Co Inc stopped buying Russian coal as of end-March, a company spokesperson said. Kyushu Electric, which bought 7 per cent of its thermal coal from Russia in the year to March 31, 2021, is procuring supplies from other regions, the spokesperson said, without specifying where. Also read | More than 50% of European population supports cannabis legalisation: Report "We have no plan to buy Russian coal this financial year," he said. In South Korea, at least one unit of state utility Korea Electric Power Corp (KEPCO) began diversifying coal supply away from Russia in February, a source with knowledge of the matter said.

European, Asian coal users scramble for new sources ahead of EU Russia ban

NATO secretary general Jens Stoltenberg held a news conference on the group's response to the Ukraine war. He said that we are not here to provoke but we are focused on prevention.

NATO chief's comments after meet, says not here to provoke but prevent conflict

<p>Taking a strict stance against Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Latvia has ordered the closure of two Russian consulates in the country and told staff to leave the country.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A report by Sputnik mentioned that Latvia will also expel 13 Russian diplomats because of the "unprovoked and unjustified" military operations by Russia in Ukrainian cities.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The so-called "special military operation" ordered by Russian President Vladimir Putin on February 24 has left the country reeling as several towns and cities have been completely destroyed by shelling and bombing by Russian troops.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/zelensky-says-ukraine-had-no-option-but-to-negotiate-with-russia-to-end-war-but-will-putin-hold-talks-468562">Zelensky says Ukraine had 'no option but to negotiate' with Russia to end war. But will Putin hold talks?</a></strong></p>

<p>As per data provided by the Ukrainian authorities, hundreds have been killed, thousands are injured and millions have been displaced in Ukraine.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Russia is also facing wrath as Western countries have slapped multiple economic sanctions to cripple and isolate the nation.</p>

<p>The country has also been accused of committing war crimes in Ukraine after mass graves and evidence of rape and torture were claimed to be found in the town of Bucha, which is west of the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Fresh calls have been made to issue more sanctions against Russia after reports of Bucha atrocities emerged.&nbsp; &nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukrainian-mums-write-family-contacts-on-bodies-of-their-babies-and-europe-is-still-discussing-gas-468513">'Ukrainian mums write family contacts on bodies of their babies and Europe is still discussing gas'</a></strong></p>

<p>As quoted by news agencies, Latvia's&nbsp;ministry said in a statement: "The decision was taken in solidarity with Ukraine in its fight against the unprovoked and unjustified military aggression and war started by Russia."&nbsp;</p>

<p>Quoting the ministry statement, news agencies also mentioned that in Latvia, the consulates in the towns of Daugavpils and Liepaja will have to close and the staff members will have to leave by the end of April.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As reported by Sputnik, Estonia is expelling 14 Russian diplomats, closing the consulate in Narva and the office of the embassy in Tartu. Meanwhile, Spain expelled 'around' 25 Russian diplomats.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In response, Kremlin has said that Europe's expulsion of diplomats is a "short-sighted move".&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;Spain seizes Russian oligarch Viktor Vekselberg's superyacht for US</strong></p>

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Taking a strict stance against Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Latvia has ordered the closure of two Russian consulates in the country and told staff to leave the country.

Taking a strict stance against Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Latvia has ordered the closure of two Russian consulates in the country and told staff to leave the country. A report by Sputnik mentioned that Latvia will also expel 13 Russian diplomats because of the "unprovoked and unjustified" military operations by Russia in Ukrainian cities. The so-called "special military operation" ordered by Russian President Vladimir Putin on February 24 has left the country reeling as several towns and cities have been completely destroyed by shelling and bombing by Russian troops. ALSO READ | Zelensky says Ukraine had 'no option but to negotiate' with Russia to end war. But will Putin hold talks? As per data provided by the Ukrainian authorities, hundreds have been killed, thousands are injured and millions have been displaced in Ukraine. Russia is also facing wrath as Western countries have slapped multiple economic sanctions to cripple and isolate the nation. The country has also been accused of committing war crimes in Ukraine after mass graves and evidence of rape and torture were claimed to be found in the town of Bucha, which is west of the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv. Fresh calls have been made to issue more sanctions against Russia after reports of Bucha atrocities emerged. ALSO READ | 'Ukrainian mums write family contacts on bodies of their babies and Europe is still discussing gas' As quoted by news agencies, Latvia's ministry said in a statement: "The decision was taken in solidarity with Ukraine in its fight against the unprovoked and unjustified military aggression and war started by Russia." Quoting the ministry statement, news agencies also mentioned that in Latvia, the consulates in the towns of Daugavpils and Liepaja will have to close and the staff members will have to leave by the end of April. As reported by Sputnik, Estonia is expelling 14 Russian diplomats, closing the consulate in Narva and the office of the embassy in Tartu. Meanwhile, Spain expelled 'around' 25 Russian diplomats. In response, Kremlin has said that Europe's expulsion of diplomats is a "short-sighted move". WATCH | Spain seizes Russian oligarch Viktor Vekselberg's superyacht for US ×

Latvia closes two Russian consulates, expels staff in a move against 'unjustified' war in Ukraine

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<p><strong><em>Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.</em></strong></p>

<p>Russia has been accused of committing war crimes and genocide after mass graves were allegedly found in Bucha, a town outside Kyiv. Russian troops recently withdrew from that area. But Ukrainian authorities claimed that multiple dead bodies were found and reports of loot, rape and torture also emerged.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Millions have left Ukraine to save their lives and those who are still there speak about the brutality committed by Russian troops. Kremlin, on the other hand, denies all the allegations, labelling them as "fake" and Western "propaganda".&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/swastika-shaped-burns-ukrainian-mp-claims-russian-soldiers-raped-and-branded-girls-shows-gory-image-468336">'Swastika-shaped burns': Ukrainian MP claims Russian soldiers raped and branded girls, shows gory image</a></strong></p>

<p>Meanwhile, such claims keep emerging. In the latest development, Ukrainian mothers, who fear dying and leaving kids behind, are writing family contact details on the bodies of their children.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Photos of the same are going viral on social media forums. An independent journalist Anastasiia Lapatina also posted a similar image on Twitter, claiming that "Ukrainian mothers are writing family contacts on the bodies of their children in case they are killed and their child survives. And Europe is still discussing gas."&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>IN PICS |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/in-pics-russia-destroys-worlds-largest-commercial-airplane-in-ukraine-mriya-468458">Russia-Ukraine war: Antonov AN-225, world's largest plane, in tatters. See pics</a></strong></p>

<p>In the photo, a small girl can be seen with contact details written in the local language on her back. While cross-checking, the same photo was posted by the girl's mother Sasha Makoviy on Instagram three days ago.&nbsp;</p>

<p>After translation, it was revealed that the woman wrote details of family contact "in case something happens, someone would welcome her as a survivor".&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong><em>Disclaimer: WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of photos and videos shared on social media.&nbsp;</em></strong></p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Ukrainian mothers are writing their family contacts on the bodies of their children in case they get killed and the child survives. And Europe is still discussing gas. <a href="https://t.co/sK26wnBOWj">pic.twitter.com/sK26wnBOWj</a></p>
— Anastasiia Lapatina (@lapatina_) <a href="https://twitter.com/lapatina_/status/1511059303611969542?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 4, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;Russian invasion: 4.2 million Ukrainians displaced in 40 days</strong></p>

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<p>Meanwhile, satellite images taken in mid-March and released by the firm Maxar Technologies appeared to show bodies lying in the streets of Bucha.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Moscow has "categorically" denied responsibility for civilian deaths in the area, claiming images were "fakes" and that any killings came after Ukrainian forces entered Bucha.&nbsp;</p>


Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos. Russia has been accused of committing war crimes and genocide after mass graves were allegedly found in Bucha, a town outside Kyiv. Russian troops recently withdrew from that area. But Ukrainian authorities claimed that multiple dead bodies were found and reports of loot, rape and torture also emerged. Millions have left Ukraine to save their lives and those who are still there speak about the brutality committed by Russian troops. Kremlin, on the other hand, denies all the allegations, labelling them as "fake" and Western "propaganda". ALSO READ | 'Swastika-shaped burns': Ukrainian MP claims Russian soldiers raped and branded girls, shows gory image Meanwhile, such claims keep emerging. In the latest development, Ukrainian mothers, who fear dying and leaving kids behind, are writing family contact details on the bodies of their children. Photos of the same are going viral on social media forums. An independent journalist Anastasiia Lapatina also posted a similar image on Twitter, claiming that "Ukrainian mothers are writing family contacts on the bodies of their children in case they are killed and their child survives. And Europe is still discussing gas." IN PICS | Russia-Ukraine war: Antonov AN-225, world's largest plane, in tatters. See pics In the photo, a small girl can be seen with contact details written in the local language on her back. While cross-checking, the same photo was posted by the girl's mother Sasha Makoviy on Instagram three days ago. After translation, it was revealed that the woman wrote details of family contact "in case something happens, someone would welcome her as a survivor". Disclaimer: WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of photos and videos shared on social media. Ukrainian mothers are writing their family contacts on the bodies of their children in case they get killed and the child survives. And Europe is still discussing gas. pic.twitter.com/sK26wnBOWj — Anastasiia Lapatina (@lapatina_) April 4, 2022 × View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sasha Makoviy (@aleksandra.mako) × View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sasha Makoviy (@aleksandra.mako) × WATCH | Russian invasion: 4.2 million Ukrainians displaced in 40 days × Meanwhile, satellite images taken in mid-March and released by the firm Maxar Technologies appeared to show bodies lying in the streets of Bucha. Moscow has "categorically" denied responsibility for civilian deaths in the area, claiming images were "fakes" and that any killings came after Ukrainian forces entered Bucha.

'Ukrainian mums write family contacts on bodies of their babies and Europe is still discussing gas'

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