- Gaza healthcare: Hospitals overwhelmed & running low on supplies Al Jazeera English
- Doctors Without Borders describes ‘incredibly catastrophic’ situation in Gaza, says volunteers are under constant ‘bombardment’ KATU
- Aid coming into Gaza “not nearly enough,” Doctors Without Borders director says CBS News
- People in Gaza — including children – are undergoing surgery without painkillers, says Doctors Without Borders CNN
- Gaza doctors forced to operate on patients without morphine, painkillers as supplies dwindle KATU
- View Full Coverage on Google News
Tag Archives: supplies
Russia says it has foiled a major Ukraine drone attack as concerns grow over Kyiv’s weapons supplies – ABC News
- Russia says it has foiled a major Ukraine drone attack as concerns grow over Kyiv’s weapons supplies ABC News
- In Ukraine, explosive DIY drones give an intimate view of killing The Washington Post
- Ukraine: Russia repels land and drone attacks, Moscow mobilisation plans, West running out of ammo Euronews
- Russia-Ukraine war live: British PM urges west to equip Ukraine to ‘finish the job’; Ukrainian drones attack Russia, says Moscow The Guardian
- Russia-Ukraine war: Russia planning to test nuclear missile? | WION WION
- View Full Coverage on Google News
Karabakh separatists reach agreement with Azerbaijan on humanitarian supplies delivery – FRANCE 24 English
- Karabakh separatists reach agreement with Azerbaijan on humanitarian supplies delivery FRANCE 24 English
- Armenia discusses its International Criminal Court plans with Russia, TASS reports Reuters
- Karabakh Leaders Say Agreement Made On Simultaneous Aid Shipments Through Agdam, Lachin Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty
- Karabakh Separatist Leaders Say Deal Reached With Azerbaijan On Transport Corridors Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty
- Russian Humanitarian Aid Arrives In Nagorno-Karabakh After Deal On Transport Corridors Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty
- View Full Coverage on Google News
US imposes new sanctions aimed at choking off Russia’s access to battlefield supplies and revenue – Yahoo News
- US imposes new sanctions aimed at choking off Russia’s access to battlefield supplies and revenue Yahoo News
- Russia-Ukraine war: US imposes new Russian sanctions Al Jazeera English
- New US sanctions target Russian access to battlefield supplies -Treasury Reuters
- Imposing Additional Sanctions on Those Supporting Russia’s War Against Ukraine – United States Department of State Department of State
- Australia Sanctions More Russian Entities, Individuals In Response To Ukraine Invasion Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty
- View Full Coverage on Google News
Bay Area scrambles to find elusive eggs as avian flu throttles supplies
Joe Warne of San Francisco took one look at the empty shelves on Saturday and all but cracked up: “There’s no freakin’ eggs!”
Not at the Safeway on Monterey Boulevard where Warne hoped to find them, nor at the Trader Joe’s on nearby Winston Drive.
“That’s crazy!” Meghan Berry said as she stared at the barren counters at Trader Joe’s where the eggs were supposed to be. She had hoped to stock up after returning from a trip to Missouri and Florida for the holidays. But what lay before her were just a few open cartons, smeared with cracked contents.
In fact, customers all over California are scrambling to find eggs, and the problem has gotten worse in the last week or so. It’s as if they’ve all been poached.
Meghan Berry of San Francisco was hoping to stock up on eggs at Trader Joe’s on Winston Dr. No such luck.
Nanette Asimov“Due to a nationwide shortage of eggs and to support all customers, we are limiting egg purchases to 2 cartons per customer,” said a notice at the Whole Foods on 20th Avenue in San Francisco. The store had cartons for sale, but the shelves looked like an understuffed omelet, with empty spots.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is reporting that nearly every state was hit by at least one avian flu outbreak throughout the year, with hundreds of cases affecting nearly 58 million wild and domestic birds.
On Saturday, representatives from Whole Foods, Safeway and Trader Joe’s did not return requests for comment.
In San Francisco, a Trader Joe’s customer named Tom stared at shelves as empty as a henhouse at feeding time. A reporter said the avian flu was the apparent cause of the missing eggs, but Tom called that an exaggeration.
Actually, he said, “it’s a pretext for killing chickens.”
Why would chicken farmers want to kill their chickens?
“That’s the trillion-dollar question,” Tom said, declining to give his last name “because of the political situation.” He compared the egg shortage to the war in Ukraine and the pandemic. His girlfriend gave him a look indicating it was time to go.
“We
did
want to buy eggs,” Tom added, as he looked longingly at the sign touting extra large, cage-free eggs for $3.99. “I’ll probably go to Whole Foods, where they’ll be triple the price.”
Not quite. They were $10.49.
Gian Lopez of Daly City loaded his permitted two cartons into a cart.
“Eggs,” he explained, “are part of a healthy diet.”
The Whole Foods on 20th Avenue in San Francisco is limiting egg sales to two cartons per customer.
Nanette AsimovBut Lopez wasn’t about to brood over the shortage. “Things happen,” he shrugged. “They’ll eventually bounce back and get it right. That’s their job.”
It wasn’t clear whether he meant the farmers or the hens.
Over at Safeway, Melissa Le Biavant of San Francisco said she and her husband enjoy eating eggs in the morning, and she’s been thwarted twice recently when trying to buy them.
It’s not only inconvenient, she said, but scary, when you consider the bird flu. “It makes me want to get my own chickens.”
Whole Foods, on 20th Avenue in San Francisco, is limiting egg sales to two cartons per customer.
Nanette AsimovMost stores, Safeway included, had egg substitutes for sale, like “Just Egg.” The yolk-colored container said it was “made from plants.” Its ingredients include mung bean protein isolate, expeller-pressed canola oil, tetrasodium pyrophosphate, salt and sugar.
Warne, who had been shopping for a late breakfast, said he wouldn’t shell out a dime for that product.
“Fake eggs? No, thank you,” he said. “I guess I’ll just get some wine, instead.”
Nanette Asimov is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: nasimov@sfchronicle.com
Pharmacists ‘running low on supplies of cold and flu medicines amid huge demand’
Pharmacists are running out of stocks of the most common cold and flu medicines, amid a huge demand for over-the-counter remedies.
As cases of cold and flu continue to rise, those who are unable to see their GPs are turning to shop-bought treatments which has seen a spike in demand, according to an expert.
The ‘higher demand’ has seen medicines like Lemsip and Day and Night Nurse, as well as other own-brand cold and flu treatments selling out, with pharmacists taking pictures of depleted shelves.
The head of the Association of Independent Multiple Pharmacies, Dr Leyla Hannbeck told MailOnline the problem was ‘widespread’ and not isolated to just one product.
People have been taking picture of depleted shelves as cold and flu medicine stocks run low
Pharmacists have reported low stocks of some over-the-counter cold and flu medicines
Describing the situation as a ‘nightmare at the moment’, she said: ‘Pharmacists can’t get hold of some of the most common cold and flu medicines, and are sending me pictures of how empty shelves are.
‘People cannot get GP appointments and are told to look after themselves not to put pressure on the NHS.
‘With cases of cold and flu being higher this season, this has led to many people buying over the counter medicines and has led to higher demand.’
Dr Hannbeck said a range of products including Lemsip, Day and Night Nurse and own-brand cold and flu treatments were ‘difficult to get hold of’.
Cold and flu medicine appeared in short supply at a Morrisons in the market town of St Ives, Cambridgeshire
Tesco in Bar Hill, Cambridgeshire, also had low stocks on some cold and flu medicines
‘They run out very quickly and it’s very patchy, leading to a situation where we have to tell patients we cannot supply them.
‘The Department for Health (DHSC) and Government are in denial that shortages exist. As long as this is the case we’re going to be seeing this going forward.
‘During the winter period, when so many people are suffering from cold and flu symptoms, as soon as a little bit of demand goes up we’re stuck.’
She continued: ‘It’s not just one brand, it’s a range of products that are unavailable.
‘But we are keen not to create panic. What we are saying is some of these basic medicines that we should have at this time are unavailable.’
Dr Hannbeck said the issues were being caused by ‘problems and delays with manufacturers’ but further exacerbated by the lack of proper robust plans in place for tackling supply chain concerns.
Meanwhile, MailOnline visited some Boots stores in London yesterday and found that Lemsip Max sachets are entirely sold out, with just boxes ‘day and night’ tablets left.
One Boots store worker said: ‘We don’t have any Lemsip powder or our own brand cold and flu sachets at all. Only Beechams.
‘We’ve not had any for two to three weeks. I believe there are supply problems.’
Lemsip manufacturer Reckitt said it was ‘doing all we can to minimise the disruption’ as demand for the product was high during the cold and flu season.
A Boots spokesperson said: ‘We have seen higher than usual demand for Lemsip.
‘There is still availability in many of our stores, and although there may be temporary shortages in some, there will normally be suitable alternatives available.
‘If in doubt, customers should speak to their pharmacist for advice on alternatives.’
Meanwhile Superdrug said it was currently experiencing ‘exceptionally high demand’ both for their branded and own-brand cold and flu products.
Niamh McMillan Superdrug pharmacy superintendent, added that demand for their own-brand remedies had exceeded the demand seen during ‘its biggest week in the Covid-19 pandemic’.
Meanwhile, scores of social media users have reportedly struggled to find any cold and flu remedies this winter.
One woman said: ‘Genuine question. Is there a Lemsip shortage? Been to over 8 different shops since before Christmas and the shelves are totally bare.’
Retailers seeing empty shelves as stock of cold and flu remedies run low during the winter season
Packets of painkillers and cough medicine were out of stock at Morrisons in Cambridgeshire this morning
Another reported a shortage at the Waitrose store in Worthing, West Sussex, while a third – who spent the Christmas break battling a virus – added: ‘I have been floored with a nasty bug since Christmas Day.
‘Started feeling better yesterday and thankfully just cold like symptoms now. There’s so much of it about. Apparently there’s been a shortage of Lemsip and paracetamol round here because of it!’
While one man made light of the shortage, tweeting: ‘Why is no one discussing the shortage of Lemsip! How am I going to deal with this manflu!?’
The DHSC and Haleon have been contacted for a comment.
Pharmacists ‘running low on supplies of cold and flu medicines amid huge demand’
Pharmacists are running out of stocks of the most common cold and flu medicines, amid a huge demand for over-the-counter remedies.
As cases of cold and flu continue to rise, those who are unable to see their GPs are turning to shop-bought treatments which has seen a spike in demand, according to an expert.
The ‘higher demand’ has seen medicines like Lemsip and Day and Night Nurse, as well as other own-brand cold and flu treatments selling out, with pharmacists taking pictures of depleted shelves.
The head of the Association of Independent Multiple Pharmacies, Dr Leyla Hannbeck told MailOnline the problem was ‘widespread’ and not isolated to just one product.
People have been taking picture of depleted shelves as cold and flu medicine stocks run low
Pharmacists have reported low stocks of some over-the-counter cold and flu medicines
Describing the situation as a ‘nightmare at the moment’, she said: ‘Pharmacists can’t get hold of some of the most common cold and flu medicines, and are sending me pictures of how empty shelves are.
‘People cannot get GP appointments and are told to look after themselves not to put pressure on the NHS.
‘With cases of cold and flu being higher this season, this has led to many people buying over the counter medicines and has led to higher demand.’
Dr Hannbeck said a range of products including Lemsip, Day and Night Nurse and own-brand cold and flu treatments were ‘difficult to get hold of’.
Cold and flu medicine appeared in short supply at a Morrisons in the market town of St Ives, Cambridgeshire
Tesco in Bar Hill, Cambridgeshire, also had low stocks on some cold and flu medicines
‘They run out very quickly and it’s very patchy, leading to a situation where we have to tell patients we cannot supply them.
‘The Department for Health (DHSC) and Government are in denial that shortages exist. As long as this is the case we’re going to be seeing this going forward.
‘During the winter period, when so many people are suffering from cold and flu symptoms, as soon as a little bit of demand goes up we’re stuck.’
She continued: ‘It’s not just one brand, it’s a range of products that are unavailable.
‘But we are keen not to create panic. What we are saying is some of these basic medicines that we should have at this time are unavailable.’
Dr Hannbeck said the issues were being caused by ‘problems and delays with manufacturers’ but further exacerbated by the lack of proper robust plans in place for tackling supply chain concerns.
Meanwhile, MailOnline visited some Boots stores in London yesterday and found that Lemsip Max sachets are entirely sold out, with just boxes ‘day and night’ tablets left.
One Boots store worker said: ‘We don’t have any Lemsip powder or our own brand cold and flu sachets at all. Only Beechams.
‘We’ve not had any for two to three weeks. I believe there are supply problems.’
Lemsip manufacturer Reckitt said it was ‘doing all we can to minimise the disruption’ as demand for the product was high during the cold and flu season.
A Boots spokesperson said: ‘We have seen higher than usual demand for Lemsip.
‘There is still availability in many of our stores, and although there may be temporary shortages in some, there will normally be suitable alternatives available.
‘If in doubt, customers should speak to their pharmacist for advice on alternatives.’
Meanwhile Superdrug said it was currently experiencing ‘exceptionally high demand’ both for their branded and own-brand cold and flu products.
Niamh McMillan Superdrug pharmacy superintendent, added that demand for their own-brand remedies had exceeded the demand seen during ‘its biggest week in the Covid-19 pandemic’.
Meanwhile, scores of social media users have reportedly struggled to find any cold and flu remedies this winter.
One woman said: ‘Genuine question. Is there a Lemsip shortage? Been to over 8 different shops since before Christmas and the shelves are totally bare.’
Retailers seeing empty shelves as stock of cold and flu remedies run low during the winter season
Packets of painkillers and cough medicine were out of stock at Morrisons in Cambridgeshire this morning
Another reported a shortage at the Waitrose store in Worthing, West Sussex, while a third – who spent the Christmas break battling a virus – added: ‘I have been floored with a nasty bug since Christmas Day.
‘Started feeling better yesterday and thankfully just cold like symptoms now. There’s so much of it about. Apparently there’s been a shortage of Lemsip and paracetamol round here because of it!’
While one man made light of the shortage, tweeting: ‘Why is no one discussing the shortage of Lemsip! How am I going to deal with this manflu!?’
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: ‘We are having ongoing discussions with suppliers to help ensure there is a wide variety of over-the-counter cold and flu medicines available to buy across the country. Should any supply issues arise, we have well-established procedures to deal with these.
‘We work closely with industry, the NHS and others to prevent shortages and resolve any issues as soon as possible.’
Haleon has been contacted for a comment.
Russian drone attack takes out power supplies in Kyiv; Ruble tumbles
IMF has approved program for Ukraine to help promote donor financing
The International Monetary Fund said on Monday it has approved a four-month program for Ukraine that is aimed at maintaining economic stability following Russia’s invasion of the country, and helping promote donor financing.
It said the four-month “Program Monitoring with Board involvement (PMB)” was approved by the IMF’s management on Dec. 9 and discussed by its board on Monday, adding that it will help Ukraine implement prudent policies and “catalyze” external financing.
“Large and predictable external financial support will be critical for the success of the authorities’ strategy, and frontloaded disbursements would help address strains in early 2023,” IMF First Deputy Managing Director Gita Gopinath said in a statement.
Gavin Gray, the IMF’s mission chief for Ukraine, told reporters that the IMF estimates the country will need between $40 billion and $57 billion in external financing in 2023.
— Reuters
U.S. Treasury official says U.S.-Poland relations are hindering Russia’s war effort
Soldiers from the Ukrainian armed forces’ 10th brigade move a T-72 tank forward as they attempt to repair a track, in the Donetsk region, eastern Ukraine on December 19, 2022.
Sameer Al-doumy | AFP | Getty Images
U.S.-Poland relations are affecting the Russian government’s ability to carry out its unprovoked war in Ukraine, U.S. Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo said.
During a meeting with Anna Moskwa, Polish minister of climate and environment, in Brussels on Monday, Adeyemo praised the nations’ combined support for Ukraine and condemnation of Russia through sanctions, export controls and the $60 price cap on Russian seaborne oil devised by the G-7 countries, according to a readout.
The measures have effectively shut down Russian tank factories and weakened its finances and economic outlook, the officials said. Adeyemo also lauded Poland’s commitment to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and highlighted each nation’s pledge to provide further aid to Ukraine.
— Chelsey Cox
Russia’s war in Ukraine, Iran protests limited U.S. election meddling, official says
In this image provided by U.S. Cyber Command, Army Maj. Gen. William Hartman, who leads the U.S. Cyber National Mission Force, speaks during a ceremony at U.S. Cyber Command headquarters at Fort George E. Meade, Md., Monday, Dec. 19, 2022.
U.S. Cyber Command | AP
Russia’s war in Ukraine and anti-regime protests in Iran limited both Moscow and Tehran’s ability to try to influence or interfere in the recent U.S. midterm elections, a senior American military official said.
U.S. agencies were on high alert before November’s vote for potential cyberattacks or foreign influence operations, particularly after adversaries were judged by intelligence agencies to have meddled in the last two presidential elections. But there was little sign of disruption in the midterms.
“I was surprised by the lack of activity we saw from the Russians, the Iranians, or the Chinese,” said Army Maj. Gen. William Hartman, who leads the U.S. Cyber National Mission Force, which partners with the National Security Agency in detecting and stopping election intrusions.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has been mired in a prolonged war with tens of thousands of casualties since he ordered an invasion of Ukraine in February. And Iran’s leaders are waging a bloody crackdown against street protests sparked by the September death of a 22-year-old woman, in one of the largest sustained challenges to their power since the 1979 revolution.
— Associated Press
Deputy U.S. Treasury secretary meets with German officials on countermeasures against Russia
Economist Adewale “Wally” Adeyemo reacts as he testifies before the Senate Finance Committee during his confirmation hearing to be Deputy Secretary of the Treasury in the Dirksen Senate Office Building, in Washington, D.C., February 23, 2021.
Jim Lo Scalzo | Reuters
Deputy U.S. Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo and top officials in Germany renewed their nations’ commitment to deprive Russian President Vladimir Putin of a funding source for his war in Ukraine through sanctions and the strategic price cap on Russian oil, according to a readout of the meetings.
Adeyemo congratulated Wolfgang Schmidt, German head of the federal chancellery; Susanne Baumann, state secretary of the federal foreign office; and Udo Philipp, state secretary of the federal ministry for economic affairs and climate action, on Sunday for reaching an agreement with the European Union to provide Ukraine an additional 18 billion euros in assistance and for imposing further sanctions on Russia.
The U.S. Treasury’s deputy chief also encouraged joint efforts to hold Russia accountable and to help the Ukrainian government in a time of crisis.
—Chelsey Cox
Moldova fears a Russian offensive in the country’s east next year, spy chief says
Flags of Moldova’s breakaway region of Transdniestria and Russia flutter in central Tiraspol, in Moldova’s breakaway region of Transdniestria May 5, 2022.
Vladislav Bachev | Reuters
Moldova’s spy chief warned of a “very high” risk of a new Russian offensive towards his country’s east next year and said Moscow still aimed to secure a land corridor through Ukraine to the breakaway Moldovan region of Transdniestria.
The comments by Alexandru Musteata, head of the Information and Security Service, echo recent messages out of Ukraine where top army generals have warned in recent days of the threat of a major new Russian offensive early next year.
“The question is not whether the Russian Federation will undertake a new advance towards Moldova’s territory, but when it will do so,” Musteata told the TVR-Moldova television channel.
He said his agency believed Russia was looking at several scenarios to reach Moldova and that it was possible an offensive would be launched in January-February or later in March-April.
— Reuters
Kremlin slams EU price cap measure on natural gas as “unacceptable”
A worker walks past gas pipes that connect a Floating Storage and Regasification Unit ship with the main land in Wilhelmshaven, northern Germany on December 17, 2022. EU energy ministers are wrangling over a proposed price cap on gas.
Michael Sohn | Afp | Getty Images
Moscow lashed out in response to the European Union’s natural gas price capping measure, an agreement which the bloc reached after months of negotiations.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the measure was an attack on market pricing and “unacceptable,” Reuters reported, citing Russia’s Interfax news agency.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and a subsequent rush by the EU to end its heavy reliance on Russian gas has contributed to an energy crunch that has sent prices sharply higher and led to market volatility.
— Natasha Turak
EU approves price cap measure for natural gas in effort to combat energy crisis
European Union energy ministers agreed to a “dynamic” cap on natural gas prices Monday after two months of intense negotiations.
Introducing a limit on gas prices has been controversial for European officials. While many EU member states have argued that the measure is essential to bring down sky-high energy costs for consumers, others have worried about the potential market implications of the policy.
“We did our job, we have the deal. Another mission impossible accomplished,” Jozef Sikela, industry minister of the Czech Republic, which holds the presidency of the Council of the EU, said in a press conference.
Energy ministers overcame their differences and agreed to what they’re calling a market correction mechanism. It will be automatically activated under two conditions: If front-month gas contracts exceed 180 euros ($191) per megawatt hour on the Dutch Title Transfer Facility — Europe’s main benchmark for natural gas prices — for three working days in a row; and the price is 35 euros higher than a reference price for liquid natural gas on global markets for the same period.
The measure will apply from Feb. 15. When applied, it will set a “dynamic bidding limit” on natural gas futures transactions for 20 working days.
Read the full story here.
—Jenni Reid
Shareholders of energy company Uniper clear way for German nationalization
Robert Habeck, Germany’s economy and climate minister, left, Olaf Scholz, Germany’s chancellor and Christian Lindner, Germany’s finance minister, on the Jetty during the inauguration of the Hoegh Esperanza LNG floating storage regasification unit (FSRU) at the Wilhelmshaven LNG Terminal, operated by sniper SE, in Wilhelmshaven, Germany, on Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022. Germany opened its first state-chartered liquefied natural gas vessel as Europes largest economy races to replace Russian gas amid an energy crunch and freezing temperatures. Photographer: Liesa Johannssen/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Liesa Johansson | Bloomberg | Getty Images
Shareholders of German energy company Uniper approved a rescue package for the gas supplier, clearing the way for its nationalization.
The government announced its plan to nationalize Uniper in September, expanding state intervention in the power sector to prevent an energy shortage resulting from Russia’s war in Ukraine. The deal built on an initial rescue package agreed to in July and features a capital increase of 8 billion euros ($8.5 billion) that Germany will finance.
As part of the agreement, the government will gain a nearly 99% stake in the energy supplier, which before now was controlled by Finland-based Fortum. The Finnish government has the largest stake in Fortum.
Uniper said its shareholders “approved the proposed capital measures by a large majority” at an extraordinary general meeting on Monday.
The European Commission’s approval under state aid law “is expected in the near future,” it said.
— Associated Press
Putin arrives in Belarus for talks with Lukashenko
MINSK, BELARUS – DECEMBER 19: (RUSSIA OUT) Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) and Belarussian President Alexander Lukashenko (R) seen during the welcoming ceremony at the Palace of Independence on December 19, 2022, in Minsk, Belarus.
Contributor | Getty Images News | Getty Images
Russian President Vladimir Putin landed in Minsk for talks with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, Russian state media reported Monday afternoon.
The meeting, Putin’s first to the Belarusian capital since 2019, comes amid increasing fears that Moscow may be pushing its ally to increase its military involvement in the war.
Speaking to Russian news agencies earlier Monday, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov called Belarus Russia’s “number one ally,” but said that suggestions that Moscow wanted to pressure Minsk into joining the conflict were “stupid and unfounded fabrications.”
—Karen Gilchrist
UK’s Rishi Sunak in Latvia for meeting with allies to discuss Ukraine
U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is in the Latvian capital of Riga to meet with other members of the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF), a U.K.-led alliance of European militaries that share tactical knowledge and conduct joint training exercises to increase interoperability.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak (L) attends a bilateral meeting with Latvian Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins (R) at the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) countries leaders’ meeting in Riga, Latvia December 19, 2022.
Henry Nicholls | AFP | Getty Images
He is set to announce a new artillery package for Ukraine and urge other member nations to continue their support for Ukraine. He will meet British troops in neighboring Estonia later in the day.
Ahead of the visit, Sunak said in a statement: “From the Arctic Circle to the Isle of Wight, the U.K. and our European allies have been in lockstep in our response to the invasion of Ukraine, and we remain steadfast in our ambition for peace in Europe once again … I know this Joint Expeditionary Force summit will only underline our close friendships and unwavering support for Ukraine.”
The JEF includes the U.K., Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden.
— Natasha Turak
Kremlin dismisses reports that Belarus is to join conflict
The Kremlin on Monday rejected suggestions that President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Belarus signals a ramping up of Minsk’s involvement in the war.
Russian President Vladimir Putin chairs a meeting with members of the government via a video link at the Novo-Ogaryovo state residence outside Moscow, Russia, December 14, 2022.
Sputnik | Reuters
Russia’s RIA Novosti news agency reported Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov as saying the reports were “groundless” and “stupid,” hours before Putin was due to arrive in the Belarusian capital.
Putin’s visit Monday afternoon marks his first to the ex-Soviet ally in more than three years, and comes as Belarus’ defense ministry said it had finalized a series of inspections of its armed forces’ military preparedness.
—Karen Gilchrist
Zelenskyy asks West for weapons systems
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday called on Western leaders meeting in Latvia to provide a wide range of weapons systems in Kyiv’s ongoing war with Russia, Reuters reported.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is displayed on a screen as he speaks via video link during a Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) plenary session in Riga, Latvia December 19, 2022.
Henry Nicholls | Afp | Getty Images
“I ask you to increase the possibility of supplying air defense systems to our country, and to help speed up the relevant decisions to be taken by our partners,” Zelenskyy asked during his speech via video link to the leaders meeting in Riga.
Western allies, including Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden, are meeting in the Baltic nation for the British-led grouping Monday.
—Karen Gilchrist
Belarus says military checks completed ahead of Putin visit
Belarus’ defense ministry said Monday it had finalized a series of inspections of its armed forces’ military preparedness, signaling a potential shift to a more active role in the conflict, Reuters reported.
Russian ally Belarus, which acted as a staging post for Moscow to launch its invasion of Ukraine in February, has been undertaking a string of military maneuvers over recent weeks.
It comes as Russian President Vladimir Putin heads for Minsk Monday, heightening fears that he may pressure his ex-Soviet ally to join a new offensive on Ukraine.
—Karen Gilchrist
Russian ruble dips to six-month low
The Russian ruble plunged to a more than six-month low against the dollar Monday, as low oil prices and mounting sanctions fears threatened to hit the country’s export revenues.
The rouble was 2.4% weaker against the dollar, trading at 66.22 as of around 9:00 GMT Monday. The dip marks the rouble’s lowest level since May 30.
—Karen Gilchrist
‘Fairly serious’ damage caused by Russian drone attack
This photograph shows an object of a critical power infrastructure as it burns after a drone attack to Kyiv, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Sergei Supinsky | AFP | Getty Images
A Russian drone attack caused “fairly serious” damage in the Kyiv region Monday, Governor Oleksiy Kubela said, according to Reuters.
Three areas in the region were left without power supply, the governor said, after Russia unleashed 35 “kamikaze” drones on Ukraine in the early hours of Monday morning.
The assault, which took out critical infrastructure, marks Moscow’s third air attack on Ukraine’s capital in six days, Reuters reported.
—Karen Gilchrist
Read CNBC’s previous live coverage here:
Russian drone attack takes out power supplies in Kyiv; Ruble tumbles
Kremlin dismisses reports that Belarus is to join conflict
The Kremlin on Monday rejected suggestions that President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Belarus signals a ramping up of Minsk’s involvement in the war.
Russia’s RIA Novosti news agency reported Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov as saying the reports were “groundless” and “stupid,” hours before Putin was due to arrive in the Belarusian capital.
Putin’s visit Monday afternoon marks his first to the ex-Soviet ally in more than three years, and comes as Belarus’ defense ministry said it had finalized a series of inspections of its armed forces’ military preparedness.
—Karen Gilchrist
Zelenskyy asks West for weapons systems
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday called on Western leaders meeting in Latvia to provide a wide range of weapons systems in Kyiv’s ongoing war with Russia, Reuters reported.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is displayed on a screen as he speaks via video link during a Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) plenary session in Riga, Latvia December 19, 2022.
Henry Nicholls | Afp | Getty Images
“I ask you to increase the possibility of supplying air defense systems to our country, and to help speed up the relevant decisions to be taken by our partners,” Zelenskyy asked during his speech via video link to the leaders meeting in Riga.
Western allies, including Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden, are meeting in the Baltic nation for the British-led grouping Monday.
—Karen Gilchrist
Belarus says military checks completed ahead of Putin visit
Belarus’ defense ministry said Monday it had finalized a series of inspections of its armed forces’ military preparedness, signaling a potential shift to a more active role in the conflict, Reuters reported.
Russian ally Belarus, which acted as a staging post for Moscow to launch its invasion of Ukraine in February, has been undertaking a string of military maneuvers over recent weeks.
It comes as Russian President Vladimir Putin heads for Minsk Monday, heightening fears that he may pressure his ex-Soviet ally to join a new offensive on Ukraine.
—Karen Gilchrist
Russian ruble dips to six-month low
The Russian ruble plunged to a more than six-month low against the dollar Monday, as low oil prices and mounting sanctions fears threatened to hit the country’s export revenues.
The rouble was 2.4% weaker against the dollar, trading at 66.22 as of around 9:00 GMT Monday. The dip marks the rouble’s lowest level since May 30.
—Karen Gilchrist
‘Fairly serious’ damage caused by Russian drone attack
A Russian drone attack caused “fairly serious” damage in the Kyiv region Monday, Governor Oleksiy Kubela said, according to Reuters.
Three areas in the region were left without power supply, the governor said, after Russia unleashed 35 “kamikaze” drones on Ukraine in the early hours of Monday morning.
The assault, which took out critical infrastructure, marks Moscow’s third air attack on Ukraine’s capital in six days, Reuters reported.
—Karen Gilchrist
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SpaceX launches tomato seeds, other supplies to space station
CNN
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SpaceX is carrying a fresh haul of supplies to the International Space Station this weekend after bad weather at the launch site forced the company to wave off its first attempt.
The mission took off from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida around 2:20 p.m. ET Saturday. The original liftoff date had been Tuesday.
The bounty of supplies on board includes a pair of new solar arrays for the space station, dwarf tomato seeds and a range of science experiments. There will also be treats for the astronauts on the space station, like ice cream and Thanksgiving fare like spicy green beans, cranberry apple desserts, pumpkin pie and candy corn.
The solar arrays will be installed outside the floating laboratory during spacewalks scheduled for November 29 and December 3. They will give the space station a power boost.
SpaceX has launched more than two dozen resupply missions to the space station over the past decade as part of a multibillion-dollar deal with NASA. This launch comes amid SpaceX’s busiest year to date, with more than 50 operations so far, including two astronaut missions.
The cargo on board includes a number of health-related items, such as the Moon Microscope kit. The portable handheld microscope will allow astronauts to collect and send images of blood samples to flight surgeons on the ground for diagnostics and treatment.
Nutrients are a key component of maintaining good health in space. But fresh produce is in short supply on the space station compared with the prepackaged meals astronauts eat during their six-month stays in low-Earth orbit.
“It is fairly important to our exploration goals at NASA to be able to sustain the crew with not only nutrition but also to look at various types of plants as sources for nutrients that we would be hard-pressed to sustain on the long trips between distant destinations like Mars and so forth,” said Kirt Costello, chief scientist at NASA’s International Space Station Program and a deputy manager of the ISS Research Integration Office.
Astronauts have grown and tasted different types of lettuce, radishes and chiles on the International Space Station. Now, the crew members can add some dwarf tomatoes — specifically, Red Robin tomatoes — to their list of space-grown salad ingredients.
The experiment is part of an effort to provide continuous fresh food production in space.
The dwarf tomato seeds will be grown under two different light treatments to measure the impact on the number of tomatoes that can be harvested as well as the plants’ nutritional value and taste. Red Robin tomatoes will also be grown on Earth as a control experiment. The two crops will be compared to measure the effects of a zero-gravity environment on tomato growth.
The space tomatoes will be grown inside small bags called plant pillows installed in the Vegetable Production System, known as the Veggie growth chamber, on the space station. The astronauts will frequently water and nurture the plants.
“Tomatoes will be a new adventure for us on the veggie team, trying to figure out how to keep these thirsty plants well watered without overwatering,” said Gioia Massa, NASA’s space crop production scientist and principal investigator for the tomato study.
The tomatoes will be ready for their first taste test in the spring.
The crew is expecting tomato harvests 90, 97 and 104 days after the plants begin to grow. During taste tests, the crew will rate the flavor, aroma, juiciness and texture of the tomatoes grown using the different light treatments. Half of each tomato harvest will be frozen and returned to Earth for analysis.
Growing plants on the space station not only provides the opportunity for fresh food and creative taco nights, it can also boost the mood of the crew during their long spaceflight.
Surveys will track astronauts’ moods as they care for and interact with the plants to see how nurturing the seedlings enhances the crew’s experience amid the isolation of the space station.
The hardware is still in development for larger crop production on the space station and eventually other planets, but scientists are already planning what plants might grow best on the moon and Mars. Earlier this year, a team successfully grew plants in lunar soil that included samples collected during the Apollo missions.
“Tomatoes are going to be a great crop for the moon,” Massa said. “They’re very nutritious, very delicious, and we think the astronauts will be really excited to grow them there.”