Number of millionaires worldwide falls by 3.5 Million

The number of millionaires worldwide fell by 3.5 million last year, to 59.4 million at the end of 2022, according to the 2023 edition of the World Wealth Report by Swiss banks Credit Suisse and UBS, Le Figaro reports, as picked up by news.ro.

Canada's fire season reaches record-breaking levels

Tens of thousands of people have been ordered to evacuate their homes in western Canada as wildfires rage out of control, AFP and news.ro report.

EU reserves reach all-time high, facilitating commitment to not buy Russian gas until 2027

The European Union's natural gas reserves have reached a new all-time high of 90% of capacity, according to the publication Politico. This is the target set by Brussels that had to be met by November.

NATO could respond to Russian maritime escalations in Black Sea

Former NATO Supreme Allied Commander in Europe James Stavridis has warned that Russia risks triggering a direct conflict with NATO by intercepting vessels in international waters and attempting to assert economic control over Ukraine, according to digi24.ro.

Sakharov Centre dissolution signals crackdown on dissent in Russia

A Moscow court on Friday dissolved the Sakharov Centre, one of Russia's last remaining human rights associations, in a further sign of the rollback of freedoms and the repression of opposition voices in the country.

Ukrainian forces make significant gains in southeast, analysts say

Russian forces launched airstrikes on nine Ukrainian regions on Tuesday, targeting critical infrastructure and residential neighbourhoods. The attacks killed two civilians and wounded four others.

Russia responds to Moldova's decision to reduce diplomatic staff

The Russian Foreign Ministry summoned Moldova's Ambassador to Russia Lilian Darii on Friday in response to Chisinau's decision to reduce the number of employees of Russian foreign missions in Moldova.

Ukrainian PM to discuss aid, grain transit in Romania

Ukrainian Prime Minister Denis Shmyhal is visiting Romania on Friday. At 12:30 p.m., he is scheduled to meet with Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu to discuss, among other things, Romania's aid to Ukraine and grain transit, Digi 24 reports.

Kiev refuses to negotiate Russian gas transit. German Galushchenko: "Ukraine is able to guarantee the security of supply for Europe"

Ukraine has refused to negotiate with Russia to extend the gas transit contract with European countries, said Ukrainian Energy Minister German Galushchenko, according to the Russian newspaper Izvestia and the Ukrainian publication Strana, Hotnews.ro reports.

Canada's largest northern city evacuated as wildfires rage

Residents of Yellowknife, the capital of the Northwest Territories, have been ordered to evacuate the city by the weekend due to the rapid spread of wildfires, local authorities said, quoted by AFP and Agerpres.

Ukraine ramps up drone production in fight against Russia

Ukraine is increasing its production of drones in a bid to counter the Russian invasion, President Volodymyr Zelensky, according to DPA, quoted by Agerpres.

Hawaii wildfires: Death toll rises to 106, search for victims continues

The death toll from the wildfires that ravaged the historic town of Lahaina on Hawaii's island of Maui has risen to 106, as emergency crews continue to search the scorched area for new victims.