Zelensky replaces the Minister of Defense
Volodymyr Zelensky, the President of Ukraine, said he was replacing his minister of defense, part of the biggest shake-up in the direction of Ukraine’s war effort since the start of the Russian invasion. He spoke of the need for “new approaches” to the war after more than 18 months of conflict.
The fate of Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov has been the subject of speculation in Ukraine as financial irregularities within the ministry were exposed and the government opened investigations into official corruption. He is to be replaced by Rustem Umerov, chairman of the Ukrainian State Real Estate Fund and member of an opposition party.
Ukraine is in the midst of a major counter-offensive, slowly gaining territory to the south and east. Last week, Ukrainian officials said they had captured the southern village of Robotyne, suggesting the offensive had penetrated the first layer of Russian defense between Ukrainian forces and Russian-occupied Crimea.
Quoteable: “Oleksii Reznikov has gone through more than 550 days of full-scale warfare,” Zelensky said in a statement. “I think the ministry needs new approaches and other formats for interacting with the military and society as a whole.”
Other news from the war:
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A few months after the destruction of the Kakhovka dam, which caused untold economic, environmental and human suffering, many communities are still in shock.
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Russian forces launched waves of drones in the Odessa region of southern Ukraine in a nighttime attack that lasted several hours, injuring at least two people.
Heavy rain causes chaos at Burning Man
Thousands of people have been stranded at the Burning Man festival, an annual celebration of art, music and counterculture in a remote part of the Nevada desert, after torrential rains transformed roads and grounds in mud. Participants were asked to save food and water, and authorities are investigating the death of one of the participants. Here’s what we know.
Deteriorating conditions and heavy rain yesterday could delay the departure of participants from the event, which ends today and, under normal conditions, leads to long traffic congestion.
A White House official said President Biden has been briefed on the situation and administration officials are in contact with state and local officials. Tales of mud and effort to leave ricocheted off social media and became something of a sensation in themselves.
Details: Each year, the festival welcomes more than 70,000 people from all over the world to a desolate and arid landscape, more than 220 km from the nearest town. The only access is either via a two-lane rural highway or a small temporary airport, both of which closed yesterday.
South Africa investigates Russian vessel
An investigation by the South African government revealed that weapons were not loaded on a Russian ship under US sanctions, which docked near Cape Town last year, President Cyril Ramaphosa said. This report follows accusations by US officials that South Africa has supplied weapons for the war in Ukraine. A summary will be made public today.
It remains to be seen whether these conclusions will ease relations between South Africa and the United States, which are more strained than they have been in years, in large part because of the dispute over the ship.
THE LAST NEWS
Around the world
The gleaming public swimming pools of Paris are more than just places to score laps. Swimming in it, writes Catherine Porter for The New York Times, is a comprehensive cultural experience, offering “intimate views into the French psyche and lifestyle.”
SPORTS NEWS
The $3 billion transfer window: Premier League spending reach new heights.
US Open: Brad Gilbert, who coached Andre Agassi to victory at the US Open in 1994, advises Coco Gauff at this year’s tournament.
Ultramarathons: What Courtney Dauwalter Learned the agony of running tens of kilometers at once.
Women’s volleyball: Turkey is rejoice in the success of players he calls the “Sultans of the Net”.
ARTS AND IDEAS
New director for an institution in crisis
Almost three weeks after the British Museum was plunged into crisis by the revelation of thefts from its storerooms, the London institution says it has would appoint Mark Jonesformer director of the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, as acting director.
An overflowing plateau awaits: in recent weeks, countries such as Greece and Nigeria have renewed their claims on objects from the British Museum’s collection. The museum is also expected to announce a major renovation project, requiring considerable fundraising.
