Finland urges NATO, EU to shield critical networks after undersea cables damaged – POLITICO

Finland urges NATO, EU to shield critical networks after undersea cables damaged – POLITICO

This marks the second time in a year that Baltic Sea infrastructure — which includes communications cables and energy pipelines such as Nord Stream — has been damaged, raising concerns over security and sabotage. Another telecom cable in the Baltic Sea between Lithuania and Sweden’s Gotland Island was damaged Sunday morning, telecom company Telia Lietuva, … Read more

Valencia’s leader apologizes for ‘mistakes’ in handling deadly floods — but won’t resign – POLITICO

Valencia’s leader apologizes for ‘mistakes’ in handling deadly floods — but won’t resign – POLITICO

As the head of the regional government, “I want to apologize,” to the people who had “the feeling that the aid did not arrive or was not enough,” he added on Friday. As Mazón was speaking, around 300 protestors gathered outside Valencia’s parliament chanting slogans demanding his resignation, Spanish newspaper El País reported. Around 130,000 … Read more

What China is doing to make ports ‘smart’ and not prone to work stoppages

What China is doing to make ports ‘smart’ and not prone to work stoppages

On the western coastline of the southern tech hub, CMG’s port unit has turned Mawan, a terminal that used to handle break bulk cargo of grains and sandstone, into a showcase that features remote-controlled quay cranes, autonomous-driving container trucks and a digitally managed flow of goods. Operating the quay cranes and rubber-tyred gantry cranes used … Read more

Ukraine faces toughest winter yet as energy shortages loom  – POLITICO

Ukraine faces toughest winter yet as energy shortages loom  – POLITICO

Attacks on Ukraine’s nuclear plants would be particularly serious, said Kharchenko, the analyst. Kyiv’s reactors currently provide 60 percent of the country’s total power output and any missile strikes on the energy infrastructure supporting those plants could put them out of commission.  Last month, Ukraine urged the European Union for help, fearing Russia would soon … Read more

Brussels is bursting out of its borders. That’s helping the rise of the right. – POLITICO

Brussels is bursting out of its borders. That’s helping the rise of the right. – POLITICO

Speaking Dutch is central to this, van den Broeck believes. “Dutch is part of our DNA” as Flemish people, he said. Migration drives shifts “Brussels has always been a multilingual city because it’s centered at the border between the Roman- and the German-speaking territories,” explained VUB researcher Saeys. Waves of migration after World War II … Read more

Spain’s ‘monster’ floods expose Europe’s unpreparedness for climate change – POLITICO

Spain’s ‘monster’ floods expose Europe’s unpreparedness for climate change – POLITICO

But the intensity of the rainfall that hit areas around Spain’s third-largest city, Valencia — in some places, roughly a year’s worth of rain in a single day — exposed the country’s unreadiness and led the Socialist-led national government to slam the center-right regional authorities for failing to pass on early warnings to people in … Read more

Why more young Singaporeans are volunteering in ‘unfamiliar’ Laos

Why more young Singaporeans are volunteering in ‘unfamiliar’ Laos

Ms Kang from Singapore Polytechnic said the situation “forced us to think on our feet, be adaptable and patient, and rely on non-verbal communication such as hand gestures, drawings, and demonstrations”. Her team also learnt basic Laotian phrases, which helped build mutual respect and deeper connections with their hosts. Apart from language barrier issues, the … Read more

Schadenfreude reigns as Berlin pays the price of its tough line on debt  – POLITICO

Schadenfreude reigns as Berlin pays the price of its tough line on debt  – POLITICO

The standard playbook calls for a healthy dose of government spending that would inject money into the economy to fight the ongoing recession. In theory Berlin has plenty of fiscal room, with low debt compared to its European peers. But the rules it introduced — European and national — tie its hands. A slower rate … Read more

South Adams County Water and Sanitation District runs Ballot Issue 6A

South Adams County Water and Sanitation District runs Ballot Issue 6A

A water provider in metro Denver has faced a lose-lose situation: Apply for state funding for water projects and risk giving up tax revenue — or abstain from seeking the millions of dollars of available grant money altogether. It’s a bad choice voters can help an Adams County water district avoid by passing a ballot … Read more

Russia launches attacks on Kyiv and Odessa, Ukraine says – POLITICO

Russia launches attacks on Kyiv and Odessa, Ukraine says – POLITICO

“The enemy once again used its drones against Kyiv,” Serhiy Popko, head of Kyiv’s military administration, said in a post on Telegram. “Russian drones entered the capital of Ukraine in several waves and from different directions.” The State Emergency Service said one person was wounded and warehouses and cargo trucks were damaged in Odessa during the … Read more