Inflation is more than a change in your purchasing power. Inflation can give rise to dictators like Hitler. It can also force a country into irrelevance, like Venezuela. As our world battles record inflation, Palki Sharma brings you the 4 'P's you need to watch out for.

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Crypto&nbsp;hedge&nbsp;fund&nbsp;Three&nbsp;Arrows&nbsp;Capital (3AC) is seeking protection from creditors in the United States under&nbsp;Chapter&nbsp;15&nbsp;of the U.S.&nbsp;Bankruptcy&nbsp;Code, which allows foreign debtors to shield US&nbsp;assets, according to a court filing on Friday.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-crypto-firm-harmony-hit-by-100-million-heist-491627">Hackers steal $100 million worth digital coins from US crypto firm Harmony</a>

Singapore-based 3AC is one of the highest-profile investors hit by the sharp sell-off in&nbsp;crypto&nbsp;markets and is being liquidated, Reuters reported on Wednesday, citing a person familiar with the matter.

Watch |&nbsp;Cryptoqueen Ruja Ignatova on the FBI most-wanted list

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Representatives for 3AC filed a petition in the US&nbsp;Bankruptcy&nbsp;Court for the Southern District of New York on Friday, according to court documents.

On Thursday, Singapore's financial regulator had accused embattled the&nbsp;fund&nbsp;of exceeding its assets threshold and providing false information.

Non US-companies use&nbsp;Chapter&nbsp;15&nbsp;to block creditors who want to file lawsuits or tie up assets in the United States.

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Crypto hedge fund Three Arrows Capital (3AC) is seeking protection from creditors in the United States under Chapter 15 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, which allows foreign debtors to shield US assets, according to a court filing on Friday.

Crypto hedge fund Three Arrows Capital (3AC) is seeking protection from creditors in the United States under Chapter 15 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, which allows foreign debtors to shield US assets, according to a court filing on Friday. Also read | Hackers steal $100 million worth digital coins from US crypto firm Harmony Singapore-based 3AC is one of the highest-profile investors hit by the sharp sell-off in crypto markets and is being liquidated, Reuters reported on Wednesday, citing a person familiar with the matter. Watch | Cryptoqueen Ruja Ignatova on the FBI most-wanted list Representatives for 3AC filed a petition in the US Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York on Friday, according to court documents. On Thursday, Singapore's financial regulator had accused embattled the fund of exceeding its assets threshold and providing false information. Non US-companies use Chapter 15 to block creditors who want to file lawsuits or tie up assets in the United States. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Crypto hedge fund Three Arrows files for Chapter 15 bankruptcy

In pics: Migrant caravan leaves southern Mexico days after Texas tragedy

As Russia's military continues to pound Ukraine with missiles and other lethal weapons, Western nations have responded in part by targeting Russia's&nbsp;defence&nbsp;industry with sanctions. The latest round came on Tuesday, when the United States issued new sanctions on some arms makers and executives at the heart of what it dubbed Russian President Vladimir Putin's "war machine". 
 
But a Reuters examination of companies, executives and investors underpinning Russia's&nbsp;defence&nbsp;sector shows a sizable number of players have yet to pay a price: Nearly three dozen leaders of Russian weapons firms and at least 14&nbsp;defence&nbsp;companies have not been sanctioned by the United States, the European Union or the United Kingdom. In addition, sanctions on Russia's arms makers and tycoons have been applied inconsistently by these NATO allies, with some governments levying penalties and others not, the Reuters review showed. 
 
Among the weapons moguls who have not been sanctioned by any of those three authorities is Alan Lushnikov, the largest shareholder of Kalashnikov Concern JSC, the original manufacturer of the well-known AK-47 assault rifle. Lushnikov owns a 75 per cent&nbsp;stake in the firm, according to the most recent business records reviewed by Reuters. 
 
The company itself was sanctioned by the United States in 2014, the year Russia invaded and annexed the Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea. The EU and UK&nbsp;levelled&nbsp;their own sanctions against Kalashnikov Concern this year.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-iron-curtain-descending-between-russia-and-west-says-defence-minister-493684">New ‘iron curtain’ descending between Russia and West, says defence minister</a> 
 
The company accounts for 95 per cent&nbsp;of Russia's production of machine guns, sniper rifles, pistols and other handheld firearms, and 98 per cent&nbsp;of its handheld military machine guns, according to its website and most recent annual report. Its weapons include the AK-12 assault rifle, an updated version of the AK-47, some of which have been captured from Russian forces by Ukrainian soldiers. The Kalashnikov Concern also produces missiles that can be fired from aircraft or on land. 
 
A former Russian deputy transport minister, Lushnikov once worked for commodities tycoon Gennady Timchenko, a longtime friend of Putin. The United States sanctioned Timchenko in 2014 following Russia’s invasion of Crimea, naming him as a member of the Kremlin’s “inner circle”. 
 
Neither Lushnikov, Timchenko or the Kalashnikov Concern responded to requests for comment. 
 
It’s the same pattern with Almaz-Antey Concern, a Moscow-based&nbsp;defence&nbsp;company&nbsp;specialising&nbsp;in missiles and anti-aircraft systems. The company has been sanctioned by the United States, EU and UK, but CEO Yan Novikov has not been punished. 
 
Almaz-Antey’s website displays the motto “Peaceful Sky is Our Profession”. The company makes Kalibr missiles, which Russia’s Ministry of&nbsp;Defence&nbsp;has credited with destroying Ukrainian military installations. In a statement last month, the ministry said Russia had fired long-range Kalibr missiles at a Ukrainian command post near the village of Shyroka Dacha in eastern Ukraine, killing what the ministry claimed were more than 50 generals and officers of the Ukrainian military. 
 
Neither Almaz-Antey nor CEO Novikov responded to requests for comment. 
 
In response to a list of questions submitted by Reuters about Western sanctions aimed at Russia, a Kremlin spokesperson said "the consistency and logic of imposing sanctions, as well as the legality of imposing such restrictions, is a question that should be put directly to the countries that introduced them". 
 
The Reuters findings come as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has said that current Western sanctions against Russia “are not enough” as Russian troops make gains in their assault on Ukraine’s eastern regions of Luhansk and Donetsk. 
 
The Ukrainian military has been outgunned by Russian artillery in places such as the industrial city of Sievierodonetsk, which it ceded to Russian forces last week after weeks of intense fighting. 
 
Putin has portrayed his military’s assault on Ukraine as a “special military operation” aimed at&nbsp;demilitarising&nbsp;and “denazifying” its democratic&nbsp;neighbour. On Tuesday, Russia’s Foreign Ministry announced it would bar Jill Biden and Ashley Biden, the wife and daughter of US&nbsp;President Joe Biden, from entering Russia indefinitely in what it said was a response to “constantly expanding US&nbsp;sanctions against Russian politicians and public figures”. 
 
US National Security advisor Jake Sullivan said on Tuesday that Russia's action was not surprising because "the Russian capacity for these kinds of cynical moves is basically bottomless". 
 
The Russian invasion has killed thousands of Ukrainian soldiers and civilians, but the exact number is unknown. The United Nations human rights office said, as of Monday, that 4,731 civilians had been killed in Ukraine since Russia’s invasion began on Feb&nbsp;24, including more than 300 children, with another 5,900 civilians injured in the conflict. The agency said most of the casualties were caused by the use of “explosive weapons with a wide impact area, including shelling from heavy artillery and multiple launch rocket systems, and missile and air strikes”,&nbsp;and that the actual number of dead and wounded was likely far higher.

Watch |&nbsp;Vladimir Putin signs a new decree as Russia takes over the Sakhalin gas project

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The West has levied sanctions on a swath of Russia’s economy to punish Moscow, an effort that so far has done little to deter the Russian&nbsp;offencive. Like the bans on other Russian firms, sanctions on weapons companies are meant to hamper their ability to sell to foreign customers. These penalties limit their access to imported components and generally make it more costly and time-consuming to produce weaponry. Levying sanctions on the people behind those firms goes a step further to make the pain personal. It allows Western nations to go after any mansions, yachts and other offshore wealth of those who supply Russia’s military, and it limits where they can travel abroad. 
 
“You’re demonstrating that being a regime collaborator comes with a cost”,&nbsp;said Max Bergmann, a former State Department official during the Obama administration who worked on U.S. arms transfers and safeguarding US&nbsp;military technology. “They feel it very personally. You’re creating a disgruntled class of people that are tied to the Kremlin”, said Bergmann, now director of the Europe&nbsp;programme&nbsp;at the&nbsp;Centre&nbsp;for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington-based national security think tank.

<h2> 
Ammunition makers unscathed</h2>

Other companies in Russia’s&nbsp;defence&nbsp;industry identified by Reuters that have not been sanctioned by the United States, EU or UK include the VA&nbsp;Degtyarev Plant, a facility 165 miles northeast of Moscow that makes machine guns, anti-tank and anti-aircraft weapons that are sold to the Russian military. Its weapons include the Kalashnikov PKM and PKTM machine guns, as well as Kord rifles and machine guns, some of which are mounted on&nbsp;armoured&nbsp;vehicles. 
 
The Degtyarev Plant did not respond to a request for comment. 
 
Also not sanctioned is the Klimovsk&nbsp;Specialised&nbsp;Ammunition Plant, south of Moscow, where “world-famous cartridges” for pistols and Kalashnikov assault rifles are produced, according to an archived version of its website. Neither is the Novosibirsk Cartridge Plant, an ammunition manufacturer that calls itself “one of the leading engineering enterprises of the military-industrial complex of Russia”. 
 
Neither ammunition plant responded to requests for comment. 
 
Last month, Reuters sought comments from sanctions officials in the UK, EU and United States regarding the news agency’s findings that they had failed to punish a raft of Russian&nbsp;defence&nbsp;firms and tycoons&nbsp;fuelling&nbsp;Putin’s war effort. As part of that process, Reuters provided those Western authorities with a detailed list of more than 20 companies and more than three-dozen people that had escaped sanctions. 
 
The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, which levies sanctions for Britain, said it could not comment on future sanctions. It added that London and its allies had levied "the largest and most severe economic sanctions that Russia has ever faced, to help cripple Putin’s war machine".&nbsp;Elizabeth Rosenberg, assistant secretary for terrorist financing and financial crimes at the Treasury Department, said in a statement that sanctions have "made it harder for Russia to obtain what it needs to procure and produce weapons". 
 
According to a report by Reuters, on Tuesday, in conjunction with a meeting of leaders of the G7 nations in the German Alps, the Treasury Department released a new round of&nbsp;defence-related sanctions that included eight of the weapons firms and two of the executives on the list provided earlier.

One of those newly sanctioned executives, Vladimir Artyakov, has played key roles in Russia’s weapons industry for decades, and serves as the No.&nbsp;2 executive at Rostec, a military-industrial giant with hundreds of subsidiaries employing more than half a million people, according to its website and annual reports. Artyakov is also the chairman of at least five Russian weapons firms, among them Russian Helicopters JSC, which builds several lines of military helicopters including the Ka-52 "Alligator", some of which have been shot down and documented in Ukraine. 
 
He has not been sanctioned by the EU or UK. 
 
Artyakov and Russian Helicopters did not respond to requests for comment. 
 
Rostec has been sanctioned by Washington since 2014. On Tuesday the United States targeted the company again, levying sanctions on more than 40 Rostec subsidiaries and affiliates. Among those hit was Avtomatika Concern, a company linked to cyber warfare. It was on the list of Russian&nbsp;defence&nbsp;firms that Reuters had submitted to the Treasury Department last month seeking an explanation as to why the companies had not been sanctioned. 
 
Rostec and Avtomatika Concern did not respond to requests for comment. 
 
Other firms on the list that were sanctioned just this week by the Treasury Department include PJSC Tupolev, a maker of fighter jets such as the Tu-22M3 bomber. The Ukrainian military said Tu-22M3 bombers were responsible for a missile strike at a crowded shopping&nbsp;centre&nbsp;in the central Ukrainian city of Kremenchuk on Monday, which killed at least 18 people and injured about 60.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-accuses-russia-of-firing-phosphorus-bombs-on-snake-island-493706">Ukraine accuses Russia of firing phosphorus bombs on Snake Island</a> 
 
PJSC Tupolev and another firm on the list, JSC VNII Signal, have not been sanctioned by the EU or UK. JSC VNII Signal is a producer of mechanical and navigational systems that power Russian military tanks and some of the country’s most advanced missile systems. 
 
PJSC Tupolev and JSC VNII Signal did not respond to requests for comment.

<h2>Top brass untouched</h2>

Executives at a host of Russian weapons firms, meanwhile, have largely escaped sanctions from Western authorities. 
 
Nearly three months after a Tochka-U ballistic missile hit a train station in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kramatorsk on April 8, Russian weapons executives linked to the company that makes those missiles have yet to pay a price. The strike killed more than 50 people, including children, and injured more than 100 others. 
 
The Russian firm JSC Research and Production Corporation Konstruktorskoye Byuro Mashynostroyeniya, known as KBM, has been the primary manufacturer of Tochka-U missiles, according to a US&nbsp;Army database of worldwide military equipment. Neither Washington, Brussels or London have sanctioned Sergey Pitikov, KBM’s chief executive. 
 
The three Western allies have likewise spared Alexander Denisov, the CEO of NPO High Precision Systems, KBM’s parent company. High Precision Systems oversees production of a wide range of missiles, artillery, grenade launchers and machine guns used by Russian troops and outfitted on military helicopters, aircraft, tanks and warships. 
 
Sanctions on Russia’s arms companies and tycoons have been applied inconsistently by the Western allies. The United States and EU have sanctioned High Precision Systems, for example, while the UK has not. The United States has sanctioned KBM, but the EU and UK have not. 
 
High Precision Systems, Pitikov and Denisov did not respond to requests for comment. KBM confirmed that Pitikov is its chief executive. 
 
Europe and the United States have failed to coordinate sanctions even on makers of banned weapons. 
 
Since the outset of Russia’s invasion in late February, Western governments and human rights groups have decried its use of cluster munitions: small bombs delivered by missiles or rockets, which scatter and explode over an area as large as a city block. A 2008 international treaty bans their use or production under any circumstances because of the devastating effects on civilians. 
 
Russia used a Uragan – which translates to “Hurricane” – rocket launcher system to fire cluster bombs in Kharkiv on March 24, killing eight civilians and injuring 15 others, according to the U.N. human rights office and Ukrainian officials. 
 
The Uragan is made by JSC Scientific and Production Association Splav, a Russian firm whose systems have been sold abroad to countries including India. The company has been sanctioned by the United States, but not by the UK or EU. Its CEO, Alexander Smirnov, has escaped sanctions altogether. 
 
Splav and Smirnov did not respond to requests for comment. 
 
It’s much the same for Splav’s parent company, NPK Techmash. The United States and the EU have sanctioned the firm, but the UK has not. Techmash CEO Alexander Kochkin has not been targeted by American or European authorities. 
 
Techmash and Kochkin did not respond to requests for comment. 
 
In a June 10 statement, the European Commission said there is an effort to align sanctions lists “as much as legally possible” among allies to achieve “the maximum cumulative effect of the sanctions with all our like-minded partners”. In cases where the lists do not align, the Commission statement said, people and companies not currently on the EU’s sanctions list could be added later if there is sufficient evidence. 
 
"Nothing is off the table", the statement said. 
&nbsp;

<h2>Western connections</h2>

One of the highest-profile Russian firms to escape Western sanctions is VSMPO-Avisma Corp, which is the world’s largest titanium supplier and 25 per cent&nbsp;owned by Rostec. It supplies Russia’s&nbsp;defence&nbsp;industry, but also counts major Western aerospace companies among its clients. 
 
Based in Verkhnyaya Salda, in central Russia, VSMPO-Avisma has subsidiaries with facilities in the United States, Switzerland and the UK, as well as sales and distribution staff in the United States, Europe and Asia, according to its website and annual reports. That’s no doubt a factor that has allowed the company to escape punishment, according to three sanctions and Russian&nbsp;defence&nbsp;experts who spoke with Reuters. 
 
VSMPO-Avisma’s vice chairman and majority shareholder, Russian billionaire Mikhail Shelkov, ranked by Forbes this year as Russia’s 59th-richest person, likewise has not been sanctioned. 
 
According to past press releases, VSMPO-Avisma has long-term contracts to supply titanium to United Aircraft Corp, a Rostec subsidiary that oversees production of Russian fighter jets such as the Su-34 that have been shot down in Ukraine. United Aircraft has been sanctioned by the United States, EU and UK. 
 
VSMPO-Avisma also sells to Europe’s Airbus, and it supplied US&nbsp;aerospace behemoth Boeing Co up until March, when the Arlington, Virginia-based company said it stopped purchasing titanium from Russia. Boeing had announced just months earlier, in November 2021, that VSMPO-Avisma would be its largest titanium supplier “for current and future Boeing commercial&nbsp;aeroplanes”. 
 
VSMPO-Avisma and shareholder Shelkov declined to comment. Boeing said in a statement that it has worked since 2014 to diversify its sources of titanium around the world, and that its current inventory and sources "provide sufficient supply for&nbsp;aeroplane&nbsp;production". 
 
Airbus did not answer specific questions about its relationship with VSMPO-Avisma. But in an emailed statement it said potential sanctions on Russian titanium “would massively damage the entire aerospace industry in Europe” while doing little to harm Russia because those sales are but a small portion of that nation's overall exports. 
 
In 2020, foreign sales accounted for about two-thirds of VSMPO-Avisma’s 1.25 billion dollars in revenue, according to the company’s most recent annual report. 
 
That puts Western officials in a tough spot, said Richard Connolly, director of Eastern Advisory Group, a UK consultancy that advises governments and businesses on the Russian economy and its&nbsp;defence&nbsp;industry. Slapping sanctions on VSMPO-Avisma would curtail its lucrative export trade, but it would also force major players in global aviation to switch suppliers or risk sanctions themselves. 
 
“That’s the classic sanctions conundrum: If you want to hurt somebody, you’re going to hurt yourself”, Connolly said.

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As Russia's military continues to pound Ukraine with missiles and other lethal weapons, Western nations have responded in part by targeting Russia's defence industry with sanctions.

As Russia's military continues to pound Ukraine with missiles and other lethal weapons, Western nations have responded in part by targeting Russia's defence industry with sanctions. The latest round came on Tuesday, when the United States issued new sanctions on some arms makers and executives at the heart of what it dubbed Russian President Vladimir Putin's "war machine". But a Reuters examination of companies, executives and investors underpinning Russia's defence sector shows a sizable number of players have yet to pay a price: Nearly three dozen leaders of Russian weapons firms and at least 14 defence companies have not been sanctioned by the United States, the European Union or the United Kingdom. In addition, sanctions on Russia's arms makers and tycoons have been applied inconsistently by these NATO allies, with some governments levying penalties and others not, the Reuters review showed. Among the weapons moguls who have not been sanctioned by any of those three authorities is Alan Lushnikov, the largest shareholder of Kalashnikov Concern JSC, the original manufacturer of the well-known AK-47 assault rifle. Lushnikov owns a 75 per cent stake in the firm, according to the most recent business records reviewed by Reuters. The company itself was sanctioned by the United States in 2014, the year Russia invaded and annexed the Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea. The EU and UK levelled their own sanctions against Kalashnikov Concern this year. Also read | New ‘iron curtain’ descending between Russia and West, says defence minister The company accounts for 95 per cent of Russia's production of machine guns, sniper rifles, pistols and other handheld firearms, and 98 per cent of its handheld military machine guns, according to its website and most recent annual report. Its weapons include the AK-12 assault rifle, an updated version of the AK-47, some of which have been captured from Russian forces by Ukrainian soldiers. The Kalashnikov Concern also produces missiles that can be fired from aircraft or on land. A former Russian deputy transport minister, Lushnikov once worked for commodities tycoon Gennady Timchenko, a longtime friend of Putin. The United States sanctioned Timchenko in 2014 following Russia’s invasion of Crimea, naming him as a member of the Kremlin’s “inner circle”. Neither Lushnikov, Timchenko or the Kalashnikov Concern responded to requests for comment. It’s the same pattern with Almaz-Antey Concern, a Moscow-based defence company specialising in missiles and anti-aircraft systems. The company has been sanctioned by the United States, EU and UK, but CEO Yan Novikov has not been punished. Almaz-Antey’s website displays the motto “Peaceful Sky is Our Profession”. The company makes Kalibr missiles, which Russia’s Ministry of Defence has credited with destroying Ukrainian military installations. In a statement last month, the ministry said Russia had fired long-range Kalibr missiles at a Ukrainian command post near the village of Shyroka Dacha in eastern Ukraine, killing what the ministry claimed were more than 50 generals and officers of the Ukrainian military. Neither Almaz-Antey nor CEO Novikov responded to requests for comment. In response to a list of questions submitted by Reuters about Western sanctions aimed at Russia, a Kremlin spokesperson said "the consistency and logic of imposing sanctions, as well as the legality of imposing such restrictions, is a question that should be put directly to the countries that introduced them". The Reuters findings come as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has said that current Western sanctions against Russia “are not enough” as Russian troops make gains in their assault on Ukraine’s eastern regions of Luhansk and Donetsk. The Ukrainian military has been outgunned by Russian artillery in places such as the industrial city of Sievierodonetsk, which it ceded to Russian forces last week after weeks of intense fighting. Putin has portrayed his military’s assault on Ukraine as a “special military operation” aimed at demilitarising and “denazifying” its democratic neighbour. On Tuesday, Russia’s Foreign Ministry announced it would bar Jill Biden and Ashley Biden, the wife and daughter of US President Joe Biden, from entering Russia indefinitely in what it said was a response to “constantly expanding US sanctions against Russian politicians and public figures”. US National Security advisor Jake Sullivan said on Tuesday that Russia's action was not surprising because "the Russian capacity for these kinds of cynical moves is basically bottomless". The Russian invasion has killed thousands of Ukrainian soldiers and civilians, but the exact number is unknown. The United Nations human rights office said, as of Monday, that 4,731 civilians had been killed in Ukraine since Russia’s invasion began on Feb 24, including more than 300 children, with another 5,900 civilians injured in the conflict. The agency said most of the casualties were caused by the use of “explosive weapons with a wide impact area, including shelling from heavy artillery and multiple launch rocket systems, and missile and air strikes”, and that the actual number of dead and wounded was likely far higher. Watch | Vladimir Putin signs a new decree as Russia takes over the Sakhalin gas project The West has levied sanctions on a swath of Russia’s economy to punish Moscow, an effort that so far has done little to deter the Russian offencive. Like the bans on other Russian firms, sanctions on weapons companies are meant to hamper their ability to sell to foreign customers. These penalties limit their access to imported components and generally make it more costly and time-consuming to produce weaponry. Levying sanctions on the people behind those firms goes a step further to make the pain personal. It allows Western nations to go after any mansions, yachts and other offshore wealth of those who supply Russia’s military, and it limits where they can travel abroad. “You’re demonstrating that being a regime collaborator comes with a cost”, said Max Bergmann, a former State Department official during the Obama administration who worked on U.S. arms transfers and safeguarding US military technology. “They feel it very personally. You’re creating a disgruntled class of people that are tied to the Kremlin”, said Bergmann, now director of the Europe programme at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington-based national security think tank. Ammunition makers unscathed Other companies in Russia’s defence industry identified by Reuters that have not been sanctioned by the United States, EU or UK include the VA Degtyarev Plant, a facility 165 miles northeast of Moscow that makes machine guns, anti-tank and anti-aircraft weapons that are sold to the Russian military. Its weapons include the Kalashnikov PKM and PKTM machine guns, as well as Kord rifles and machine guns, some of which are mounted on armoured vehicles. The Degtyarev Plant did not respond to a request for comment. Also not sanctioned is the Klimovsk Specialised Ammunition Plant, south of Moscow, where “world-famous cartridges” for pistols and Kalashnikov assault rifles are produced, according to an archived version of its website. Neither is the Novosibirsk Cartridge Plant, an ammunition manufacturer that calls itself “one of the leading engineering enterprises of the military-industrial complex of Russia”. Neither ammunition plant responded to requests for comment. Last month, Reuters sought comments from sanctions officials in the UK, EU and United States regarding the news agency’s findings that they had failed to punish a raft of Russian defence firms and tycoons fuelling Putin’s war effort. As part of that process, Reuters provided those Western authorities with a detailed list of more than 20 companies and more than three-dozen people that had escaped sanctions. The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, which levies sanctions for Britain, said it could not comment on future sanctions. It added that London and its allies had levied "the largest and most severe economic sanctions that Russia has ever faced, to help cripple Putin’s war machine". Elizabeth Rosenberg, assistant secretary for terrorist financing and financial crimes at the Treasury Department, said in a statement that sanctions have "made it harder for Russia to obtain what it needs to procure and produce weapons". According to a report by Reuters, on Tuesday, in conjunction with a meeting of leaders of the G7 nations in the German Alps, the Treasury Department released a new round of defence-related sanctions that included eight of the weapons firms and two of the executives on the list provided earlier. One of those newly sanctioned executives, Vladimir Artyakov, has played key roles in Russia’s weapons industry for decades, and serves as the No. 2 executive at Rostec, a military-industrial giant with hundreds of subsidiaries employing more than half a million people, according to its website and annual reports. Artyakov is also the chairman of at least five Russian weapons firms, among them Russian Helicopters JSC, which builds several lines of military helicopters including the Ka-52 "Alligator", some of which have been shot down and documented in Ukraine. He has not been sanctioned by the EU or UK. Artyakov and Russian Helicopters did not respond to requests for comment. Rostec has been sanctioned by Washington since 2014. On Tuesday the United States targeted the company again, levying sanctions on more than 40 Rostec subsidiaries and affiliates. Among those hit was Avtomatika Concern, a company linked to cyber warfare. It was on the list of Russian defence firms that Reuters had submitted to the Treasury Department last month seeking an explanation as to why the companies had not been sanctioned. Rostec and Avtomatika Concern did not respond to requests for comment. Other firms on the list that were sanctioned just this week by the Treasury Department include PJSC Tupolev, a maker of fighter jets such as the Tu-22M3 bomber. The Ukrainian military said Tu-22M3 bombers were responsible for a missile strike at a crowded shopping centre in the central Ukrainian city of Kremenchuk on Monday, which killed at least 18 people and injured about 60. Also read | Ukraine accuses Russia of firing phosphorus bombs on Snake Island PJSC Tupolev and another firm on the list, JSC VNII Signal, have not been sanctioned by the EU or UK. JSC VNII Signal is a producer of mechanical and navigational systems that power Russian military tanks and some of the country’s most advanced missile systems. PJSC Tupolev and JSC VNII Signal did not respond to requests for comment. Top brass untouched Executives at a host of Russian weapons firms, meanwhile, have largely escaped sanctions from Western authorities. Nearly three months after a Tochka-U ballistic missile hit a train station in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kramatorsk on April 8, Russian weapons executives linked to the company that makes those missiles have yet to pay a price. The strike killed more than 50 people, including children, and injured more than 100 others. The Russian firm JSC Research and Production Corporation Konstruktorskoye Byuro Mashynostroyeniya, known as KBM, has been the primary manufacturer of Tochka-U missiles, according to a US Army database of worldwide military equipment. Neither Washington, Brussels or London have sanctioned Sergey Pitikov, KBM’s chief executive. The three Western allies have likewise spared Alexander Denisov, the CEO of NPO High Precision Systems, KBM’s parent company. High Precision Systems oversees production of a wide range of missiles, artillery, grenade launchers and machine guns used by Russian troops and outfitted on military helicopters, aircraft, tanks and warships. Sanctions on Russia’s arms companies and tycoons have been applied inconsistently by the Western allies. The United States and EU have sanctioned High Precision Systems, for example, while the UK has not. The United States has sanctioned KBM, but the EU and UK have not. High Precision Systems, Pitikov and Denisov did not respond to requests for comment. KBM confirmed that Pitikov is its chief executive. Europe and the United States have failed to coordinate sanctions even on makers of banned weapons. Since the outset of Russia’s invasion in late February, Western governments and human rights groups have decried its use of cluster munitions: small bombs delivered by missiles or rockets, which scatter and explode over an area as large as a city block. A 2008 international treaty bans their use or production under any circumstances because of the devastating effects on civilians. Russia used a Uragan – which translates to “Hurricane” – rocket launcher system to fire cluster bombs in Kharkiv on March 24, killing eight civilians and injuring 15 others, according to the U.N. human rights office and Ukrainian officials. The Uragan is made by JSC Scientific and Production Association Splav, a Russian firm whose systems have been sold abroad to countries including India. The company has been sanctioned by the United States, but not by the UK or EU. Its CEO, Alexander Smirnov, has escaped sanctions altogether. Splav and Smirnov did not respond to requests for comment. It’s much the same for Splav’s parent company, NPK Techmash. The United States and the EU have sanctioned the firm, but the UK has not. Techmash CEO Alexander Kochkin has not been targeted by American or European authorities. Techmash and Kochkin did not respond to requests for comment. In a June 10 statement, the European Commission said there is an effort to align sanctions lists “as much as legally possible” among allies to achieve “the maximum cumulative effect of the sanctions with all our like-minded partners”. In cases where the lists do not align, the Commission statement said, people and companies not currently on the EU’s sanctions list could be added later if there is sufficient evidence. "Nothing is off the table", the statement said. Western connections One of the highest-profile Russian firms to escape Western sanctions is VSMPO-Avisma Corp, which is the world’s largest titanium supplier and 25 per cent owned by Rostec. It supplies Russia’s defence industry, but also counts major Western aerospace companies among its clients. Based in Verkhnyaya Salda, in central Russia, VSMPO-Avisma has subsidiaries with facilities in the United States, Switzerland and the UK, as well as sales and distribution staff in the United States, Europe and Asia, according to its website and annual reports. That’s no doubt a factor that has allowed the company to escape punishment, according to three sanctions and Russian defence experts who spoke with Reuters. VSMPO-Avisma’s vice chairman and majority shareholder, Russian billionaire Mikhail Shelkov, ranked by Forbes this year as Russia’s 59th-richest person, likewise has not been sanctioned. According to past press releases, VSMPO-Avisma has long-term contracts to supply titanium to United Aircraft Corp, a Rostec subsidiary that oversees production of Russian fighter jets such as the Su-34 that have been shot down in Ukraine. United Aircraft has been sanctioned by the United States, EU and UK. VSMPO-Avisma also sells to Europe’s Airbus, and it supplied US aerospace behemoth Boeing Co up until March, when the Arlington, Virginia-based company said it stopped purchasing titanium from Russia. Boeing had announced just months earlier, in November 2021, that VSMPO-Avisma would be its largest titanium supplier “for current and future Boeing commercial aeroplanes”. VSMPO-Avisma and shareholder Shelkov declined to comment. Boeing said in a statement that it has worked since 2014 to diversify its sources of titanium around the world, and that its current inventory and sources "provide sufficient supply for aeroplane production". Airbus did not answer specific questions about its relationship with VSMPO-Avisma. But in an emailed statement it said potential sanctions on Russian titanium “would massively damage the entire aerospace industry in Europe” while doing little to harm Russia because those sales are but a small portion of that nation's overall exports. In 2020, foreign sales accounted for about two-thirds of VSMPO-Avisma’s 1.25 billion dollars in revenue, according to the company’s most recent annual report. That puts Western officials in a tough spot, said Richard Connolly, director of Eastern Advisory Group, a UK consultancy that advises governments and businesses on the Russian economy and its defence industry. Slapping sanctions on VSMPO-Avisma would curtail its lucrative export trade, but it would also force major players in global aviation to switch suppliers or risk sanctions themselves. “That’s the classic sanctions conundrum: If you want to hurt somebody, you’re going to hurt yourself”, Connolly said. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Dozens of Russian weapons tycoons have faced no Western sanctions

China&nbsp;will&nbsp;loosen&nbsp;entry&nbsp;restrictions&nbsp;on US&nbsp;citizens, allowing entrance in case of&nbsp;transit&nbsp;via&nbsp;a third&nbsp;country, notices issued late on Friday by the Chinese embassy in Washington said, relaxing rules imposed in Beijing's drive to curb COVID-19.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="Covid-19 fourth wave? Cases rise across India, check THESE latest guidelines">Covid-19 fourth wave? Cases rise across India, check THESE latest guidelines</a>

China's "dynamic COVID zero" policy, which aims to minimise the risk of infected travellers arriving from abroad, has resulted in many barriers to international travel, from&nbsp;restrictions&nbsp;on the issue and renewal of passports for Chinese&nbsp;citizens&nbsp;to tough quarantine requirements upon arrival.

Watch |&nbsp;Hong Kong's 25th Handover Anniversary: Chinese President swears in HK's new leader John Lee

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According to an updated policy statement, US&nbsp;citizens&nbsp;with valid negative COVID test results looking to enter&nbsp;China&nbsp;may&nbsp;now&nbsp;apply for and receive a green health code for travel in from either the United States or a third&nbsp;country. In the past, the embassy would only grant the codes to U.S.&nbsp;citizens&nbsp;flying directly from the United States.

China&nbsp;has&nbsp;loosened the same&nbsp;restrictions&nbsp;recently for&nbsp;citizens&nbsp;of other countries.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/user-data-not-shared-with-chinese-communist-party-tiktok-tells-us-lawmakers-493714">User data not shared with Chinese Communist Party: TikTok tells US lawmakers</a>

The&nbsp;restrictions, coupled with a limited number of direct flights from the United States to&nbsp;China, caused ticket prices to cost as much as 10,000 dollars.

The changes follow a similar slight relaxation of COVID testing rules for people arriving in&nbsp;China&nbsp;from countries including the United States announced on May 18.

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China will loosen entry restrictions on US citizens, allowing entrance in case of transit via a third country, notices issued late on Friday by the Chinese embassy in Washington said, relaxing rules imposed in Beijing's drive to curb COVID-19.

China will loosen entry restrictions on US citizens, allowing entrance in case of transit via a third country, notices issued late on Friday by the Chinese embassy in Washington said, relaxing rules imposed in Beijing's drive to curb COVID-19. Also read | Covid-19 fourth wave? Cases rise across India, check THESE latest guidelines China's "dynamic COVID zero" policy, which aims to minimise the risk of infected travellers arriving from abroad, has resulted in many barriers to international travel, from restrictions on the issue and renewal of passports for Chinese citizens to tough quarantine requirements upon arrival. Watch | Hong Kong's 25th Handover Anniversary: Chinese President swears in HK's new leader John Lee According to an updated policy statement, US citizens with valid negative COVID test results looking to enter China may now apply for and receive a green health code for travel in from either the United States or a third country. In the past, the embassy would only grant the codes to U.S. citizens flying directly from the United States. China has loosened the same restrictions recently for citizens of other countries. Also read | User data not shared with Chinese Communist Party: TikTok tells US lawmakers The restrictions, coupled with a limited number of direct flights from the United States to China, caused ticket prices to cost as much as 10,000 dollars. The changes follow a similar slight relaxation of COVID testing rules for people arriving in China from countries including the United States announced on May 18. Watch WION LIVE HERE: You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

China to loosen entry restrictions on US citizens, transit via 3rd country now permitted

A&nbsp;Venezuelan&nbsp;indigenous&nbsp;leader&nbsp;who&nbsp;was an opponent of armed groups and&nbsp;illegal&nbsp;mining&nbsp;was shot dead on Thursday in the Amazonas state capital, a non-governmental organisation and three people with knowledge of the case said.

Virgilio Trujillo Arana, a 38-year-old&nbsp;indigenous&nbsp;Uwottuja man, was a defender of the&nbsp;Venezuelan Amazon and had set up community groups to act as guardians of the Autana municipality of Amazonas.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/venezuela-resumes-oil-exports-to-europe-as-russia-ukraine-war-triggers-high-gas-prices-report-489291">Venezuela resumes oil exports to Europe as Russia-Ukraine war triggers high gas prices: Report</a>

"In life, Trujillo Arana strongly&nbsp;opposed&nbsp;the presence of foreign groups and&nbsp;illegal&nbsp;mining&nbsp;exploitation in the&nbsp;indigenous&nbsp;territories of the Uwottuja people, in the Alto Guayapo area", indigenous&nbsp;rights&nbsp;NGO&nbsp;A C Kape Kape wrote Friday on Twitter.

The Uwottuja community is made up of about 15,000 people.

Watch | Iran and Venezuela sign 20-year cooperation plan

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According to a report by Reuters, Kape Kape's director general Armando Obdola said that Trujillo had received threats for his activism, and that his case echoed the murders of environmental and social activists in neighbouring Colombia.

Communities from the town of Uwottuja announced last February their decision to defend their territory against a "silent invasion" by criminal groups, rejecting&nbsp;illegal&nbsp;mining&nbsp;exploitation as well as the use of their land for illicit activities.

"Virgilio was accompanying the Armed Forces as a territorial guard during operations into areas where there are irregular groups", said Obdola,&nbsp;who&nbsp;added that there are other&nbsp;leaders in hiding&nbsp;who&nbsp;fear for their lives.

The Ministry of Communication and Information and the Prosecutor's Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-bars-cuba-venezuela-from-americas-summit-mexican-leader-sits-out-485873">US bars Cuba, Venezuela from Americas summit; Mexican leader sits out</a>

Non-governmental organisations and a United Nations report have denounced the presence of violent criminal groups that control gold mines in the jungle.

Mining&nbsp;has been prohibited since 1989 in&nbsp;Venezuela's southern Amazonas state, which is not part of the so-called Arco Minero, a gold exploitation zone 111,000 square km created by decree in 2016 by the government of President Nicolas Maduro covering.&nbsp;

The Office of United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet has asked the government to regularise&nbsp;mining&nbsp;activities and guarantee that they are carried out under international and environmental standards.

The Universidad de Los Andes Working Group on&nbsp;Indigenous&nbsp;Affairs called for an investigation into Trujillo's killing, and said&nbsp;indigenous&nbsp;organisations have so far not received responses from the Inter-America Commission on Human Rights regarding protection measures for other environmental defenders.

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&nbsp;

A Venezuelan indigenous leader who was an opponent of armed groups and illegal mining was shot dead on Thursday in the Amazonas state capital, a non-governmental organisation and three people with knowledge of the case said.

A Venezuelan indigenous leader who was an opponent of armed groups and illegal mining was shot dead on Thursday in the Amazonas state capital, a non-governmental organisation and three people with knowledge of the case said. Virgilio Trujillo Arana, a 38-year-old indigenous Uwottuja man, was a defender of the Venezuelan Amazon and had set up community groups to act as guardians of the Autana municipality of Amazonas. Also read | Venezuela resumes oil exports to Europe as Russia-Ukraine war triggers high gas prices: Report "In life, Trujillo Arana strongly opposed the presence of foreign groups and illegal mining exploitation in the indigenous territories of the Uwottuja people, in the Alto Guayapo area", indigenous rights NGO A C Kape Kape wrote Friday on Twitter. The Uwottuja community is made up of about 15,000 people. Watch | Iran and Venezuela sign 20-year cooperation plan According to a report by Reuters, Kape Kape's director general Armando Obdola said that Trujillo had received threats for his activism, and that his case echoed the murders of environmental and social activists in neighbouring Colombia. Communities from the town of Uwottuja announced last February their decision to defend their territory against a "silent invasion" by criminal groups, rejecting illegal mining exploitation as well as the use of their land for illicit activities. "Virgilio was accompanying the Armed Forces as a territorial guard during operations into areas where there are irregular groups", said Obdola, who added that there are other leaders in hiding who fear for their lives. The Ministry of Communication and Information and the Prosecutor's Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Also read | US bars Cuba, Venezuela from Americas summit; Mexican leader sits out Non-governmental organisations and a United Nations report have denounced the presence of violent criminal groups that control gold mines in the jungle. Mining has been prohibited since 1989 in Venezuela's southern Amazonas state, which is not part of the so-called Arco Minero, a gold exploitation zone 111,000 square km created by decree in 2016 by the government of President Nicolas Maduro covering. The Office of United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet has asked the government to regularise mining activities and guarantee that they are carried out under international and environmental standards. The Universidad de Los Andes Working Group on Indigenous Affairs called for an investigation into Trujillo's killing, and said indigenous organisations have so far not received responses from the Inter-America Commission on Human Rights regarding protection measures for other environmental defenders. Watch WION LIVE HERE: You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Indigenous leader who opposed illegal mining killed in Venezuela: NGO

Ever wondered what a woman goes through during menopause? Well, a male can hardly imagine the pain when it occurs. But not anymore as a new vest has been developed, which stimulates menopause hot flushes. In other words, this pad shows one of the most common and unpleasant symptoms of menopause. Yes, we are not kidding. It was recently tried by some male members of parliament (MPs) and their reactions were life-changing. Some MPs called it “volcanic” and “very uncomfortable”. It all happened during an event organised at Portcullis House in Westminster on Tuesday to raise awareness about the acute shortages of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) products in the UK. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/one-in-10-women-left-job-due-to-menopausal-symptoms-in-uk-finds-survey-475718">One in 10 women left job due to menopausal symptoms in UK, finds survey</a> &nbsp;&nbsp;

The politicians, who donned the vest with heated pads, included Stephen Kinnock, Wes Streeting, Nick Thomas-Symonds, Tim Loughton and Allan Dorans. &nbsp;

The Reaction

After trying on the vest, Streeting, said, “It’s deeply unpleasant and an enveloping heat. How you would crack on with life I don’t know. I can’t wait to take this off.” &nbsp;

Watch | Superfetation: Can a woman get pregnant again while already being pregnant?

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Kinnock said it as “a very intense kind of heat and an internal feeling, not like being warmed by the sun, but almost volcanic inside”. &nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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The magnificent <a href="https://twitter.com/carolynharris24?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@carolynharris24</a> gives male MPs a chance to feel a hot flush with the MenoVest. Thanks to Ian Duncan Smith and <a href="https://twitter.com/SKinnock?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SKinnock</a> MP for being <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/maleallies?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#maleallies</a> in the menopause 🤪💪 <a href="https://t.co/cWLX10d8a3">pic.twitter.com/cWLX10d8a3</a>
— Everything About the Menopause... (@MenoScandal) <a href="https://twitter.com/MenoScandal/status/1542040723901583361?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 29, 2022</a></blockquote>
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“I’m feeling this on my back now. Imagine making a speech in the House of Commons and suddenly getting a hot flush. If [men] had this, we’d be complaining a lot,” said former Conservative party leader Iain Duncan Smith, after putting the vest on. &nbsp;&nbsp;

“If you pass out, we’ve got water. Welcome to my world. I don’t need the vest to be hot and bothered,” said MP Carolyn Harris. &nbsp;&nbsp;

What is this vest, actually?&nbsp;

This special vest, which has been developed by a group called ‘Over the Bloody Moon’, boasts electric pads for recreating the heat women experience during menopause. &nbsp;&nbsp;

“Hot flushes are one of top three symptoms that impact on the lives of menopausal women – disrupting sleep, increasing levels of anxiety and often affecting women’s performance at work. For those who haven’t experienced the feeling, it is easy to underestimate its intensity and fail to appreciate just what an impact it has on daily life,” said Lesley Salem, founder, Over the Bloody Moon. &nbsp;

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(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

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Ever wondered what a woman goes through during menopause? Well, a male can hardly imagine the pain when it occurs. But not anymore as a new vest has been developed, which stimulates menopause hot flushes.

Ever wondered what a woman goes through during menopause? Well, a male can hardly imagine the pain when it occurs. But not anymore as a new vest has been developed, which stimulates menopause hot flushes. In other words, this pad shows one of the most common and unpleasant symptoms of menopause. Yes, we are not kidding. It was recently tried by some male members of parliament (MPs) and their reactions were life-changing. Some MPs called it “volcanic” and “very uncomfortable”. It all happened during an event organised at Portcullis House in Westminster on Tuesday to raise awareness about the acute shortages of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) products in the UK. Also Read: One in 10 women left job due to menopausal symptoms in UK, finds survey The politicians, who donned the vest with heated pads, included Stephen Kinnock, Wes Streeting, Nick Thomas-Symonds, Tim Loughton and Allan Dorans. The Reaction After trying on the vest, Streeting, said, “It’s deeply unpleasant and an enveloping heat. How you would crack on with life I don’t know. I can’t wait to take this off.” Watch | Superfetation: Can a woman get pregnant again while already being pregnant? Kinnock said it as “a very intense kind of heat and an internal feeling, not like being warmed by the sun, but almost volcanic inside”. The magnificent @carolynharris24 gives male MPs a chance to feel a hot flush with the MenoVest. Thanks to Ian Duncan Smith and @SKinnock MP for being #maleallies in the menopause 🤪💪 pic.twitter.com/cWLX10d8a3 — Everything About the Menopause... (@MenoScandal) June 29, 2022 × “I’m feeling this on my back now. Imagine making a speech in the House of Commons and suddenly getting a hot flush. If [men] had this, we’d be complaining a lot,” said former Conservative party leader Iain Duncan Smith, after putting the vest on. “If you pass out, we’ve got water. Welcome to my world. I don’t need the vest to be hot and bothered,” said MP Carolyn Harris. What is this vest, actually? This special vest, which has been developed by a group called ‘Over the Bloody Moon’, boasts electric pads for recreating the heat women experience during menopause. “Hot flushes are one of top three symptoms that impact on the lives of menopausal women – disrupting sleep, increasing levels of anxiety and often affecting women’s performance at work. For those who haven’t experienced the feeling, it is easy to underestimate its intensity and fail to appreciate just what an impact it has on daily life,” said Lesley Salem, founder, Over the Bloody Moon. WATCH WION LIVE HERE (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. ×

Now, world can understand what a woman goes through during menopause. Find out how

In this segment, we will take a look at political crises from around the world. From the leadership crisis in the UK to Maharashtra political crisis in India, Watch all of it here.

Political crises around the globe: Leadership crisis in the UK; Maharashtra political crisis in India; Israel election

Living a luxurious life is everyone’s dream. But very few people get to live it. There are several expensive cars, homes, etc, but have you ever wondered about an expensive pillow, which comes at the price of a fortune? It is hard to imagine, right? But yes, it is true, a pillow is priced at a cost of $ 57,000 (Rs 45 lakh). What is special about this world’s most expensive pillow is that it has been specially designed by a physiotherapist from the Netherlands, media reports said. This pillow was produced after the hard work of around 15 years. It has been specially designed for extra comfort. The maker of the pillow has put in a lot of research to finally come up with this marvel. &nbsp;

Now, let’s get acquainted with its features. The pillow is highly costly as it is studded with gold, diamond, sapphire, etc. The cotton inside this pillow is from a robotic milling machine. In the zip of this pillow, four diamonds have been placed.&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

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The pillow is not sold randomly and is packed in a branded box. It can be really helpful in sleeping for people, who have insomnia. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

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Living a luxurious life is everyone’s dream. But very few people get to live it. There are several expensive cars, homes, etc, but have you ever wondered about an expensive pillow, which comes at the price of a fortune?

Living a luxurious life is everyone’s dream. But very few people get to live it. There are several expensive cars, homes, etc, but have you ever wondered about an expensive pillow, which comes at the price of a fortune? It is hard to imagine, right? But yes, it is true, a pillow is priced at a cost of $ 57,000 (Rs 45 lakh). What is special about this world’s most expensive pillow is that it has been specially designed by a physiotherapist from the Netherlands, media reports said. This pillow was produced after the hard work of around 15 years. It has been specially designed for extra comfort. The maker of the pillow has put in a lot of research to finally come up with this marvel. Now, let’s get acquainted with its features. The pillow is highly costly as it is studded with gold, diamond, sapphire, etc. The cotton inside this pillow is from a robotic milling machine. In the zip of this pillow, four diamonds have been placed. WATCH WION LIVE HERE The pillow is not sold randomly and is packed in a branded box. It can be really helpful in sleeping for people, who have insomnia. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. ×

Most expensive pillow in world costs a whopping $57,000. Find out why

In Pics: These cities are the most liveable in the world

A researcher discovered a large stingray discovered in northern Cambodia exceeding 300kg (661 pounds) and 3.9m (13 feet) was the world's "biggest freshwater fish."

World's largest Stingray discovered in Cambodia

The world has witnessed its steepest weekly slide in world stocks since March 2020. Tighter monetary rules are worrying investors. Swiss Bank had to announce the first hike in 15 years.

Steepest weekly slide in World stocks: Markets heading to recession after record inflation?

The&nbsp;leaders&nbsp;of seven nations comprising the&nbsp;East&nbsp;African Community bloc will&nbsp;meet&nbsp;Monday&nbsp;to&nbsp;discuss&nbsp;the security situation in the Democratic Republic of&nbsp;Congo's violence-torn&nbsp;east, the Kenyan presidency said.

The meeting comes as heavy fighting revives decades-old animosities between Kinshasa and Kigali, with the DRC blaming neighbouring Rwanda for the recent resurgence of the M23 rebel group.

Rwanda has repeatedly denied backing the rebels while both countries have accused each other of carrying out cross-border shelling.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uks-rwanda-migrant-flight-cancelled-in-last-minute-after-european-court-ruling-488250">UK's Rwanda migrant flight cancelled in last minute after European court ruling</a>

People in the eastern DRC "have long suffered and continue to pay an inordinately heavy price in loss of lives, property and elusive peace", the Kenyan presidency said in a statement announcing&nbsp;Monday's meeting in Nairobi.

On Wednesday, Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta called for the deployment of a regional EAC force in eastern DRC to restore peace, but Kinshasa said it would not accept Rwanda's participation in the operation.

DRC President Felix Tshisekedi&nbsp;has accused Rwanda of seeking "to occupy our land, rich in gold, coltan and cobalt, for their own exploitation and profit" and urged the international community to condemn Kigali.

Watch |&nbsp;UK's Johnson believes in legality of Rwanda migrant plan

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Regional commanders of the EAC were expected to&nbsp;meet&nbsp;on Sunday to finalise preparations for the deployment of the joint force.&nbsp;

A UN force, known by its French acronym MONUSCO, is already operating in the DRC.

Kenyatta said the regional force will work alongside local provincial authorities and in close coordination with MONUSCO to disarm anyone bearing illegal firearms.&nbsp;

The mineral-rich DRC is struggling to contain dozens of armed groups in the&nbsp;east&nbsp;of the vast nation, many of which are a legacy of two regional wars a quarter of a century ago.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/rwanda-deportations-will-uk-ditch-european-rights-pact-priti-patel-says-preparing-for-the-next-flight-488550">Rwanda deportations: Will UK ditch European rights pact? Priti Patel says preparing for the next flight</a>

A primarily Congolese Tutsi militia, the M23 or "March 23 Movement" this week claimed control of the key town of Bunagana, forcing thousands to flee their homes.

The militia leapt to global prominence in 2012 when it captured Goma.

It was forced out shortly afterwards in a joint offensive by UN troops and the Congolese army.

The group took up arms again in late November having accused the Kinshasa government of failing to respect a 2009 agreement that involved incorporating its fighters into the army.

Relations between Kinshasa and Kigali have been strained since the mass arrival in the DRC of Rwandan Hutus accused of slaughtering Tutsis during the 1994 Rwanda genocide. &nbsp;

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The leaders of seven nations comprising the East African Community bloc will meet Monday to discuss the security situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo's violence-torn east, the Kenyan presidency said.

The leaders of seven nations comprising the East African Community bloc will meet Monday to discuss the security situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo's violence-torn east, the Kenyan presidency said. The meeting comes as heavy fighting revives decades-old animosities between Kinshasa and Kigali, with the DRC blaming neighbouring Rwanda for the recent resurgence of the M23 rebel group. Rwanda has repeatedly denied backing the rebels while both countries have accused each other of carrying out cross-border shelling. Also read | UK's Rwanda migrant flight cancelled in last minute after European court ruling People in the eastern DRC "have long suffered and continue to pay an inordinately heavy price in loss of lives, property and elusive peace", the Kenyan presidency said in a statement announcing Monday's meeting in Nairobi. On Wednesday, Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta called for the deployment of a regional EAC force in eastern DRC to restore peace, but Kinshasa said it would not accept Rwanda's participation in the operation. DRC President Felix Tshisekedi has accused Rwanda of seeking "to occupy our land, rich in gold, coltan and cobalt, for their own exploitation and profit" and urged the international community to condemn Kigali. Watch | UK's Johnson believes in legality of Rwanda migrant plan Regional commanders of the EAC were expected to meet on Sunday to finalise preparations for the deployment of the joint force. A UN force, known by its French acronym MONUSCO, is already operating in the DRC. Kenyatta said the regional force will work alongside local provincial authorities and in close coordination with MONUSCO to disarm anyone bearing illegal firearms. The mineral-rich DRC is struggling to contain dozens of armed groups in the east of the vast nation, many of which are a legacy of two regional wars a quarter of a century ago. Also read | Rwanda deportations: Will UK ditch European rights pact? Priti Patel says preparing for the next flight A primarily Congolese Tutsi militia, the M23 or "March 23 Movement" this week claimed control of the key town of Bunagana, forcing thousands to flee their homes. The militia leapt to global prominence in 2012 when it captured Goma. It was forced out shortly afterwards in a joint offensive by UN troops and the Congolese army. The group took up arms again in late November having accused the Kinshasa government of failing to respect a 2009 agreement that involved incorporating its fighters into the army. Relations between Kinshasa and Kigali have been strained since the mass arrival in the DRC of Rwandan Hutus accused of slaughtering Tutsis during the 1994 Rwanda genocide. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

East Africa leaders to meet Monday to discuss DR Congo conflict

Russia&nbsp;has&nbsp;promised to continue&nbsp;gas&nbsp;shipments&nbsp;to&nbsp;Hungary&nbsp;and that Gazprom will fulfil its contractual obligations to the country,&nbsp;Foreign&nbsp;Minister&nbsp;Peter Szijjarto said in an interview on public service radio on Sunday.

In&nbsp;Russia's response to Western sanctions imposed on Moscow since its invasion of Ukraine, state energy giant Gazprom&nbsp;has&nbsp;cut supplies to Denmark's Orsted&nbsp;and to Shell Energy&nbsp;for its contract to supply&nbsp;gas&nbsp;to Germany.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/indias-russian-coal-buying-spikes-as-traders-offer-steep-discounts-489537">India's Russian coal buying spikes as traders offer steep discounts: Report</a>

It also cut supplies to Dutch&nbsp;gas&nbsp;trader&nbsp;GasTerra along with Bulgaria, Poland and Finland for refusing to make payments for&nbsp;Russian&nbsp;gas&nbsp;in roubles under a new rouble scheme.

Szijjarto said that Gazprom CEO Alexey Miller and&nbsp;Russia's deputy prime&nbsp;minister&nbsp;Alexander Novak had both&nbsp;assured&nbsp;him in a phone call that the company would fulfil its obligations towards&nbsp;Hungary&nbsp;set out in its contract.

The&nbsp;minister&nbsp;did not say when the phone call took place. The&nbsp;foreign&nbsp;ministry did not immediately reply to a request for comment.

Watch |&nbsp;NATO chief warns Russia-Ukraine war might last long

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Under a deal with Gazprom signed last year,&nbsp;Hungary&nbsp;receives 3.5 billion cubic metres (bcm) of&nbsp;gas&nbsp;per year via Bulgaria and Serbia under its long-term deal with&nbsp;Russia, and a further one bcm via a pipeline from Austria.

The agreement is valid for 15 years, with an option to modify purchased quantities after 10 years.

Szijjarto also said on Sunday that&nbsp;Hungary's energy security, including its&nbsp;gas&nbsp;supply, is stable and that&nbsp;gas&nbsp;shipments&nbsp;have been arriving daily as per the contract, on schedule, and without any disruptions.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-has-nothing-against-ukraine-joining-eu-putin-489203">Russia has 'nothing against' Ukraine joining EU, says Vladimir Putin</a>

Russian&nbsp;gas&nbsp;flows to Europe fell short of demand on Friday as Italy and Slovakia reported receiving less than half of the usual volumes through the Nordstream 1 pipeline, which crosses the Baltic Sea from&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;to Germany and accounts for around 40 per cent&nbsp;of&nbsp;Russian pipeline flows to the European Union.

On Sunday Germany announced further steps to boost&nbsp;gas&nbsp;storage levels to prepare for the next winter season, when it fears&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;could reduce or even completely halt supplies.

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Russia has promised to continue gas shipments to Hungary and that Gazprom will fulfil its contractual obligations to the country, Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said in an interview on public service radio on Sunday.

Russia has promised to continue gas shipments to Hungary and that Gazprom will fulfil its contractual obligations to the country, Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said in an interview on public service radio on Sunday. In Russia's response to Western sanctions imposed on Moscow since its invasion of Ukraine, state energy giant Gazprom has cut supplies to Denmark's Orsted and to Shell Energy for its contract to supply gas to Germany. Also read | India's Russian coal buying spikes as traders offer steep discounts: Report It also cut supplies to Dutch gas trader GasTerra along with Bulgaria, Poland and Finland for refusing to make payments for Russian gas in roubles under a new rouble scheme. Szijjarto said that Gazprom CEO Alexey Miller and Russia's deputy prime minister Alexander Novak had both assured him in a phone call that the company would fulfil its obligations towards Hungary set out in its contract. The minister did not say when the phone call took place. The foreign ministry did not immediately reply to a request for comment. Watch | NATO chief warns Russia-Ukraine war might last long Under a deal with Gazprom signed last year, Hungary receives 3.5 billion cubic metres (bcm) of gas per year via Bulgaria and Serbia under its long-term deal with Russia, and a further one bcm via a pipeline from Austria. The agreement is valid for 15 years, with an option to modify purchased quantities after 10 years. Szijjarto also said on Sunday that Hungary's energy security, including its gas supply, is stable and that gas shipments have been arriving daily as per the contract, on schedule, and without any disruptions. Also read | Russia has 'nothing against' Ukraine joining EU, says Vladimir Putin Russian gas flows to Europe fell short of demand on Friday as Italy and Slovakia reported receiving less than half of the usual volumes through the Nordstream 1 pipeline, which crosses the Baltic Sea from Russia to Germany and accounts for around 40 per cent of Russian pipeline flows to the European Union. On Sunday Germany announced further steps to boost gas storage levels to prepare for the next winter season, when it fears Russia could reduce or even completely halt supplies. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Russia has assured Hungary of continued gas shipments: Foreign Minister

E-commerce startup Mixe is looking to source edible items worth USD 100 million from India in the next 18 months to sell it to South Asian expat communities across Europe, a top official said.

Venture capitalist firm Antler-backed startup's co-founder and CEO Jagan Vysyaraju at Vivatech 2022 said that the company has partnered with 12 brands, including MTR, India Gate, Bikaji, Britannia and 4700 BC, to source products and sell them to expats in European countries.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/reliance-industries-plans-to-buy-american-bankrupt-company-revlon-489146">Reliance Industries plans to buy American bankrupt company Revlon</a>

"We started operations 14 months ago. At present we are sourcing edibles in single digit in USD millions from South Asian countries with most of it coming from India".

"We are looking to increase our partnership with more brands in India. In the next three month we are looking to partner with over 80 brands in the Indian subcontinent, out of which 50 will be from India", Vysyaraju said.

Watch |&nbsp;Cryptocurrency market tumbles as fear of global recession grips investors

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He said that the startup is helping the brands reach the European market and reducing the burden of building export infrastructure.

"We are looking to source USD 125-130 million worth of edibles from the Indian subcontinent out of which about USD 100 million will come from India".

"We will enter into white labels soon which will provide us more scale and higher participation from firms from India in the European market",&nbsp;Vysyaraju said.

Mixe has also received funding support from Ventures Together and Kima Ventures.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/police-recover-gold-worth-rs-500000-from-clutches-of-rats-in-mumbai-city-489282">Police recover gold worth Rs 500,000 from clutches of rats in Mumbai city</a>

"We are closing our seed funding round by September to scale up our operations. We have received the funds from some other leading investors as well".

It is in single digit USD million but it can be disclosed only after due diligence is completed in September", he added.

He also said the company will foray into the B2B segment by September with products that are sourced from the Indian subcontinent.

"We have established a product market fit for the B2B segment which is untapped and has immense potential growth. We are running pilots in France and Belgium. We will start full fledged operation from September", Vysyaraju said. 
 
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E-commerce startup Mixe is looking to source edible items worth USD 100 million from India in the next 18 months to sell it to South Asian expat communities across Europe, a top official said.

E-commerce startup Mixe is looking to source edible items worth USD 100 million from India in the next 18 months to sell it to South Asian expat communities across Europe, a top official said. Venture capitalist firm Antler-backed startup's co-founder and CEO Jagan Vysyaraju at Vivatech 2022 said that the company has partnered with 12 brands, including MTR, India Gate, Bikaji, Britannia and 4700 BC, to source products and sell them to expats in European countries. Also read | Reliance Industries plans to buy American bankrupt company Revlon "We started operations 14 months ago. At present we are sourcing edibles in single digit in USD millions from South Asian countries with most of it coming from India". "We are looking to increase our partnership with more brands in India. In the next three month we are looking to partner with over 80 brands in the Indian subcontinent, out of which 50 will be from India", Vysyaraju said. Watch | Cryptocurrency market tumbles as fear of global recession grips investors He said that the startup is helping the brands reach the European market and reducing the burden of building export infrastructure. "We are looking to source USD 125-130 million worth of edibles from the Indian subcontinent out of which about USD 100 million will come from India". "We will enter into white labels soon which will provide us more scale and higher participation from firms from India in the European market", Vysyaraju said. Mixe has also received funding support from Ventures Together and Kima Ventures. Also read | Police recover gold worth Rs 500,000 from clutches of rats in Mumbai city "We are closing our seed funding round by September to scale up our operations. We have received the funds from some other leading investors as well". It is in single digit USD million but it can be disclosed only after due diligence is completed in September", he added. He also said the company will foray into the B2B segment by September with products that are sourced from the Indian subcontinent. "We have established a product market fit for the B2B segment which is untapped and has immense potential growth. We are running pilots in France and Belgium. We will start full fledged operation from September", Vysyaraju said. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Mixe looks to facilitate export of food items worth USD 100 mn from India in 18 months

Four Moroccan&nbsp;women&nbsp;pressed charges against&nbsp;French&nbsp;insurance&nbsp;tycoon&nbsp;Jacques Bouthier on May 21.&nbsp;He is&nbsp;currently under arrest in Paris on charges of raping a minor, a rights group said on Friday.

The four alleged victims are&nbsp;aged from 26 to 28 and had been employed by Bouthier's firm.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/huge-europe-morocco-migration-begins-after-covid-hiatus-485342">Huge Europe-Morocco migration begins after COVID-19 hiatus</a>

Bouthier, 75 and one of France's richest men, is ex-CEO of insurance group Assu2000, later renamed Vilavi.

Karima Salama, a lawyer from the&nbsp;Moroccan&nbsp;Association for the Rights of Victims (AMDV) said that "the women have accused Jacques Bouthier&nbsp;of various acts of people trafficking, sexual&nbsp;harassment&nbsp;and verbal and moral violence,&nbsp;between 2018 and this year".&nbsp;

"An enquiry has been opened and we have faith in the justice system", she added.

Watch |&nbsp;French legislative elections begin: First key test for President Macron

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One of the victims said,&nbsp;"He asked to sleep with me and when I said no, he asked me to introduce him to a sister, a female cousin or a friend, saying he would give me a nice present in exchange".

According to an AFP report, three of the&nbsp;alleged victims told journalists on Friday about their experiences, using sanitary masks and dark glasses to hide their identities and that they&nbsp;had been sacked after refusing to "give in to&nbsp;harassment&nbsp;and blackmail" over their employment by Bouthier and other&nbsp;French&nbsp;and&nbsp;Moroccan&nbsp;executives.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/he-kept-on-sexually-molesting-me-pakistan-cricket-board-suspends-coach-after-shocking-allegations-489437">Also read |&nbsp;'He kept on sexually molesting me': Pakistan cricket Board suspends coach after shocking allegations</a>

They further mentioned that with repeated sexual harassment, they also were given threats about being thrown out of the job and expressed concerns that finding work is very&nbsp;difficult&nbsp;in the city, hence they couldn't speak up earlier.

One even said that Bouthier had presented them to men working at the firm, telling them, "If you bring in contracts, there will be beautiful&nbsp;Moroccan&nbsp;girls".

Bouthier was arrested by Paris prosecutors after an investigation regarding the accusations&nbsp;of people trafficking and the rape of a minor.&nbsp;He is also being prosecuted for other charges against him.&nbsp;

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Four Moroccan women pressed charges against French insurance tycoon Jacques Bouthier on May 21. He is currently under arrest in Paris on charges of raping a minor, a rights group said on Friday.

Four Moroccan women pressed charges against French insurance tycoon Jacques Bouthier on May 21. He is currently under arrest in Paris on charges of raping a minor, a rights group said on Friday. The four alleged victims are aged from 26 to 28 and had been employed by Bouthier's firm. Also read | Huge Europe-Morocco migration begins after COVID-19 hiatus Bouthier, 75 and one of France's richest men, is ex-CEO of insurance group Assu2000, later renamed Vilavi. Karima Salama, a lawyer from the Moroccan Association for the Rights of Victims (AMDV) said that "the women have accused Jacques Bouthier of various acts of people trafficking, sexual harassment and verbal and moral violence, between 2018 and this year". "An enquiry has been opened and we have faith in the justice system", she added. Watch | French legislative elections begin: First key test for President Macron One of the victims said, "He asked to sleep with me and when I said no, he asked me to introduce him to a sister, a female cousin or a friend, saying he would give me a nice present in exchange". According to an AFP report, three of the alleged victims told journalists on Friday about their experiences, using sanitary masks and dark glasses to hide their identities and that they had been sacked after refusing to "give in to harassment and blackmail" over their employment by Bouthier and other French and Moroccan executives. Also read | 'He kept on sexually molesting me': Pakistan cricket Board suspends coach after shocking allegations They further mentioned that with repeated sexual harassment, they also were given threats about being thrown out of the job and expressed concerns that finding work is very difficult in the city, hence they couldn't speak up earlier. One even said that Bouthier had presented them to men working at the firm, telling them, "If you bring in contracts, there will be beautiful Moroccan girls". Bouthier was arrested by Paris prosecutors after an investigation regarding the accusations of people trafficking and the rape of a minor. He is also being prosecuted for other charges against him. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Four Moroccan women accuse French tycoon of harassment

UNHCR: 100 million people have been forced to flee their homes What are the most urgent refugee crises around the world? We tell you why UK's bid to export some refugees to Rwanda is 'all wrong'. Watch 'Uprooted: Life as a Refugee' on WION Wideangle

Uprooted: Life as a refugee | WION Wideangle

Steepest weekly slide in world stocks since March 2020 as tighter monetary rules worry investors

India is hosting the meeting of foreign ministers of association of southeast Asian nations otherwise known as ASEAN marking three decades of the country's dialogue relationship and also the 10th anniversary of strategic partnership with the 10 nation group.

ASEAN Meet: India hosts 2-day special ASEAN-Foreign ministers meet

Between 2019 and 2020, the number of solid organ transplants fell dramatically in the world, researchers said. It highlights the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on health services and patients. &nbsp;

Due to the rise in the number of COVID-19 cases around the world, several hospitals were forced to delay potentially life-saving organ transplant surgeries as the resources like intensive care beds were needed for coronavirus patients.

Watch:&nbsp;South African scientists detect new COVID variant

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There were also concerns about treating these transplant recipients in hospitals at that time. &nbsp;

A report in July from NHS Blood and Transplant depicted in the year 2020-21 transplant activity was down to around 80% of normal levels. &nbsp;&nbsp;

In the UK, there were only 3,391 transplants carried out in comparison with 4,761 in the previous 12 months. Overall, around 487 patients died while waiting for a transplant in comparison to 372 in 2019-20. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/in-a-first-indian-ceo-declares-netflix-and-chill-holiday-for-staff-gets-flooded-with-employment-requests-409589" hreflang="en">In a first, Indian CEO declares ‘Netflix and chill holiday’ for staff, gets flooded with employment requests</a>

It also estimated that about 7,000 people were likely waiting for a transplant in the UK, a figure was last seen in 2012-13. &nbsp;

“Temporal trends revealed a marked worldwide reduction in transplant activity during the first three months of the pandemic, with losses stabilising after June 2020, but decreasing again from October to December 2020,” the team said.&nbsp;

Between 2019 and 2020, the number of solid organ transplants fell dramatically in the world, researchers said. It highlights the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on health services and patients.

Between 2019 and 2020, the number of solid organ transplants fell dramatically in the world, researchers said. It highlights the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on health services and patients. Due to the rise in the number of COVID-19 cases around the world, several hospitals were forced to delay potentially life-saving organ transplant surgeries as the resources like intensive care beds were needed for coronavirus patients. Watch: South African scientists detect new COVID variant × There were also concerns about treating these transplant recipients in hospitals at that time. A report in July from NHS Blood and Transplant depicted in the year 2020-21 transplant activity was down to around 80% of normal levels. In the UK, there were only 3,391 transplants carried out in comparison with 4,761 in the previous 12 months. Overall, around 487 patients died while waiting for a transplant in comparison to 372 in 2019-20. Also Read: In a first, Indian CEO declares ‘Netflix and chill holiday’ for staff, gets flooded with employment requests It also estimated that about 7,000 people were likely waiting for a transplant in the UK, a figure was last seen in 2012-13. “Temporal trends revealed a marked worldwide reduction in transplant activity during the first three months of the pandemic, with losses stabilising after June 2020, but decreasing again from October to December 2020,” the team said.

Number of organ transplants dip as COVID-19 grips world  

India is hosting the meeting of foreign ministers of association of southeast Asian nations otherwise known as ASEAN marking three decades of the country's dialogue relationship.

ASEAN Meet: 12th edition of Delhi Dialogue to last for two days

Many states across the United States are facing scorching heat right now. This year, the US has recorded a historic heat wave, with temperatures going up to 10 to 30 degrees above normal.

Many states across the United States are facing scorching heat right now. This year, the US has recorded a historic heat wave, with temperatures going up to 10 to 30 degrees above normal. The National Weather Service has advised people to stay indoors as much as possible, take care of their health and stay hydrated. More than 100 million people are expected to be affected by the heatwave. The warnings were also issued for Illinois and Indiana along with parts of southern Michigan and north-western Ohio from Tuesday through Wednesday night according to the National Weather Service. Many parts of the Midwest and South were mainly affected. Many areas suffer power outages in United States Due to the extreme weather conditions and severe storms in the many areas of the Midwest, more than 620,000 people had to go without power early Tuesday, according to Power Outage US, with more than 370,000 outages in Ohio alone. Also read | Extreme heat wave in US: 100 million Americans asked to stay indoors Many people tweeted and mentioned the problems they are facing due to the power outage. Ballina Shire Council mayor, Sharon Cadwallader said that "the resulting power outages have left residents in a communication black-hole". While some said that they are unable to do the daily chores. Concerns for animals rise Heatwaves not only affect humans but also animals. Due to the temperatures increasing rapidly, it’s difficult for the animals to grasp all the changes. Drought-like conditions are increased temperatures that have resulted in wildfires, which result in the death of many wildlife animals. Heat can dry up rivers and plants, which are a source of food and water for animals. According to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, an estimated 80 per cent of the shrub-steppe has been lost. While researchers estimate that more than a billion marine animals along the coast were killed by extreme temperatures in Pacific Northwest. Rabbits, cattle and stationary organisms are at a higher risk. Watch | Severe storms wreak havoc in South US, government buildings and houses destroyed Florida, Ohio, Chicago, Kansas, Texas, Georgia are majorly affected According to statesatrisk.org, Florida currently has an average of 25 dangerous heatwaves each year. The temperature may go the to upper 90s and the heat indices near 110 degrees this week. A heat advisory is already in effect for the state of Florida. In Ohio, Kansas and Chicago as well an excessive heat warning is in effect. The temperature is expected to rise between 100 to 110 degrees, according to the National Weather Service. Chicago is also one of the worst affected states. Texas has broken the power demand record during the heat wave. Georgia officials have also raised health concerns over heat waves. According to a report it currently averages about 20 dangerous heat days a year. When will the heatwave end? As of now, no information is given by the respected departments and officials about the end of the heatwave. However, last year's temperature dipped gradually for some weeks. Causes of the heatwave Many experts have already said about the linkage of the heatwave with climate change. Due to increased global warming, and pollution, the earth is getting warmer day by day. They have also pointed out the importance to take necessary steps to protect our environment, in order to prevent future problems. We can easily see with the adverse climate conditions in the US as well as other parts of the world, including Spain, India, etc. that there is an urgent need to take necessary steps for environmental protection. Along with the heatwaves, the US is also suffering from other climate-related catastrophes. Everyone hopes that the conditions get better soon. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Historic heatwave scorches US: When is it expected to end?

Ryanair&nbsp;has dropped a requirement for South African passengers to prove their nationality before travelling by completing a test in Afrikaans, Chief Executive Michael O'Leary said after the policy drew a backlash among South Africans.

The South African government said last week it was taken aback by the low cost carrier's decision to force UK-bound travelers holding the country's passport to take the test, calling the move a "backward profiling system".

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/european-airport-labour-strife-staff-shortages-disrupt-summer-travel-486652">European airport labour strife, staff shortages disrupt summer travel</a>

Afrikaans is spoken by just 12 per cent&nbsp;of the 58 million people in the country and often associated with apartheid and white minority rule.

O'Leary, whose airline does not operate flights to and from South Africa but carries more passengers around Europe than anyone else, described the South African government's profiling accusation as "rubbish" but said the test had been dropped.

Watch |&nbsp;Europe's largest Airline Ryanair faces outrage over test in Afrikaans for South Africans

"The South African government have acknowledged that there's a problem with the vast number of false or fake South African passports", O'Leary told a news conference in Brussels on Tuesday, citing a surge in false South African passports on a route between Turkey and Ireland.

"Our team issued a test in Afrikaans of 12 simple questions like what's the name of the mountain outside Pretoria. They have no difficulty completing that, but we've we didn't think it was appropriate either. So we have ended the Afrikaans test because doesn't make any sense".

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Ryanair has dropped a requirement for South African passengers to prove their nationality before travelling by completing a test in Afrikaans, Chief Executive Michael O'Leary said after the policy drew a backlash among South Africans.

Ryanair has dropped a requirement for South African passengers to prove their nationality before travelling by completing a test in Afrikaans, Chief Executive Michael O'Leary said after the policy drew a backlash among South Africans. The South African government said last week it was taken aback by the low cost carrier's decision to force UK-bound travelers holding the country's passport to take the test, calling the move a "backward profiling system". Also read | European airport labour strife, staff shortages disrupt summer travel Afrikaans is spoken by just 12 per cent of the 58 million people in the country and often associated with apartheid and white minority rule. O'Leary, whose airline does not operate flights to and from South Africa but carries more passengers around Europe than anyone else, described the South African government's profiling accusation as "rubbish" but said the test had been dropped. Watch | Europe's largest Airline Ryanair faces outrage over test in Afrikaans for South Africans "The South African government have acknowledged that there's a problem with the vast number of false or fake South African passports", O'Leary told a news conference in Brussels on Tuesday, citing a surge in false South African passports on a route between Turkey and Ireland. "Our team issued a test in Afrikaans of 12 simple questions like what's the name of the mountain outside Pretoria. They have no difficulty completing that, but we've we didn't think it was appropriate either. So we have ended the Afrikaans test because doesn't make any sense".

Ryanair drops Afrikaans test after backlash in South Africa

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