söndag 30 augusti 2026
Economy
Tariff crisis Trump's tariff policy
US tourism industry lures Canadians with discounts
The tourism industry in several American cities is doing everything in its power not to miss out on the travel budgets of its northern neighbors during the trade war, writes the Financial Times.
In New York, businesses are offering "Northern neighbor deals" with heavily discounted prices on hotels, flights, restaurants and attractions.
"New York loves Canada. We're lucky to have neighbors like you!" says the state's official tourism website.
In Las Vegas, Canadians are being offered the opportunity to exchange one Canadian dollar for one American, even though the exchange rate is 72 cents.
The Jay Peak Resort in Vermont has written an open letter to Canadians.
"We don't want to tell people what to think about tariffs, trade and politics, but we have an opinion on anything that increases the distance between good neighbors. We don't like it," writes manager Steve Wright.
Russian invasion Ukraine's response
Fired minister sets up defense fund for Ukraine
Ukraine's fired defense minister Mykhailo Fedorov has set up a defense technology fund for which he is now seeking American investors, he tells the Financial Times.
“It's not a classic venture capital fund. We're writing about the history of war,” he says.
The fund has three focus areas: war robots that can replace human soldiers on the front lines, fast and cheap air defense drones that can shoot down Russia's new jet-powered attack drones, and cheap AI-guided missiles.
Fedorov also says he would be happy to help the United States build a "drone army" in exchange for Patriot air defense missiles so that Ukraine can protect itself against Russian ballistic missile attacks.
Latest news
Himalayan Floods
Principal saves 1,600 schoolchildren in Nepal
Principal Rajendra Dawadi in Nepal saved the lives of 1,600 students by evacuating his school ten minutes before the tsunami, several media outlets report.
Shortly after 9 a.m. local time, he received several warning calls and met a parent who had heard that a tsunami was coming and had come to pick up his daughter.
“I decided not to wait. Even if there was no tsunami, it was only a day of classes,” Dawadi told the BBC.
He told the children to get to higher ground and instructed fully loaded school buses on their way to school to turn around. 900 children were in the school and 700 on the buses.
“I am proud that we saved so many lives,” he says.
Climate Threat Extreme Weather in Europe
Europe's Fish Stocks Declining in Severe Drought
The extreme heat and drought of the summer are taking a toll on fish stocks in several European countries, reports the AP.
Ecosystems and businesses have been hit hard in Hungary, Serbia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Slovenia, the Czech Republic and Romania. The fishing industry's losses amount to millions of euros.
In Hungary, severe or extreme drought prevails in 99 percent of the country. 1,588 of the 27,000 hectares that make up the country's fish farms have dried up, and 280 tons of fish have died in 20 farms.
In Slovenia, eight million liters of water have been pumped into the popular fishing lake Pristava to prevent a mass death among the fish.
In Bosnia-Herzegovina, which is famous for its trout, fish farmers are on their knees.
- Trout need cold water with a lot of oxygen. In the summer, we reduce the stock and feed so that the business can barely survive, says fish farmer Veljko Budjen.
Netherlands warns of Trump-shaped drugs
Ecstasy pills shaped like Donald Trump's face have begun to spread in the Netherlands, Politico reports.
The tablets are potentially fatal and should not be taken "under any circumstances," warns the Trimbos Institute, a drug and addiction research institute in Utrecht.
They contain very high levels of the substance PMMA, which can cause life-threatening overheating in the body.
It is unclear how much the tablets are in circulation, but "several" test sites have received them, according to the Trimbos Institute.
Ferry sinks off Cyprus - seven dead and 23 missing
At least seven people have died and 23 are missing after a ferry with 267 people on board sank north of Cyprus. This is stated by the president of Northern Cyprus for CNN Türk.
“The ship capsized and sank at a depth of 514 meters. We have not yet been able to find 23 people. Our rescue workers are working intensively,” he said.
The others on board have been rescued.
In an earlier statement, the region’s transport minister said the captain noticed the ship taking on water in the bow and tried to turn back. The maneuver failed, causing the ship to capsize.
Plan: Girls exposed in deadly mudslide
Vulnerable groups
Krishnan, who is the global humanitarian director at Plan International based in the UK, highlights the organization's focus in Nepal: children under five, especially newborns who are at risk of health in the second wave of the disaster.
- And then girls, around 10-18 years old. Girls are vulnerable. I'm not talking about this disaster specifically, but experiences are clear. Girls are threatened by abuse, being exploited and exposed in crises and conflicts, says Krishnan.
- We must ensure that security is immediately created for them.
Plan is investing in rapid deliveries of hygiene items for girls and women, among other things. Equally important is to begin mental preparations to avoid trauma and psychological crises that often only come after three months and beyond.
– I usually compare it to a balloon that is inflated and deflated and then explodes. Children must feel safe, feel like children.
The telephone line is cut, communications are also vulnerable at the crisis center headquarters at Trishuli.
Wounds after earthquake
Reconnected, Krishnan says that Nepal has been devastated by the earthquake in 2015. Nearly 9,000 people died and 22,000 were injured, the destruction is still acutely felt by residents.
Disaster authorities were strengthened, but it is still uncertain how the efforts will work. China's role in affected Tibet is difficult to assess as few independent observers are allowed there.
Unni Krishnan notes that survivors can still be found in the mudslides, but that efforts to secure drinking water and basic infrastructure are now urgent – as well as international aid.
– The tourist season is starting. So I hope that those who are planning to travel here or have been here will give their thoughts and support to Nepal. It is needed.
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