Thousands of Ukrainian civilians are being held in Russian prisons;Tourists are packing European hotspots, boosted by Americans;Nuclear waste: How America’s push for the atomic bomb spawned enduring radioactive waste problems in St. Louis

 

By Sarah Naffa July 13, 2023 In the news today: Ukraine civilians held in Russian prisons; Americans boost tourism in Europe; and Kosovo-Serbia relations on the mend. Also, a close-up of 50 baby stars. Seen through a peephole, a sheet covers the window of a jail cell in Izium, Ukraine. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)  RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR Thousands of Ukrainian civilians are being held in Russian prisons Thousands of Ukrainian civilians are being detained across Russia and the Ukrainian territories it occupies, in centers ranging from brand-new wings in Russian prisons to clammy basements. A Russian government document obtained by The Associated Press outlined plans to create 25 new prison colonies and six other detention centers in occupied Ukraine by 2026. Russia does not acknowledge holding civilians at all. Read more. Why this matters: The AP spoke with dozens of people, whose accounts, along with satellite imagery, social media, government documents and copies of letters delivered by the Red Cross, confirm a widescale Russian system of detention and abuse of civilians that stands in direct violation of the Geneva Conventions. Civilians face arbitrary detention for minor offenses such as speaking Ukrainian and are often held without charge. Hundreds are used for slave labor by Russia’s military, and torture is routine. Many former prisoners told the AP they witnessed deaths. The prisoners serve as future bargaining chips in exchanges for Russian soldiers, and the U.N. has said there is evidence of civilians being used as human shields near the front lines. Related coverage ➤  Russia’s Defense Ministry says Wagner mercenaries are surrendering their weapons to the military Desperate Ukrainians take long and uncertain journey to escape Russian occupation Inside Russia’s penal colonies: A look at life for political prisoners caught in Putin’s crackdowns TRAVEL Tourists are packing European hotspots, boosted by Americans After three years of pandemic limitations, tourism is expected to exceed 2019 records in some of Europe’s most popular destinations this summer. Read more. Why this matters: While European tourists edged the industry toward recovery last year, the upswing this summer is led largely by Americans, boosted by a strong dollar and in some cases pandemic savings. The return of mass tourism is a boon to hotels and restaurants, which suffered under COVID-19 restrictions. But there is a downside, too, as pledges to rethink tourism to make it more sustainable have largely gone unheeded. Related coverage ➤ The wait for US passports is creating travel purgatory and snarling summer plans Florence bans new short-term vacation rentals in Italian city’s historic center Europe’s interest rates to stay high as long as needed to defeat inflation, central bank chief says WORLD NEWS Kosovo takes a step toward improving relations with Serbia Kosovo on Wednesday took steps to tamp down tensions with Serbia. The neighbors have feuded on and off for decades, and tensions again turned violent this spring as they clashed over elections and Kosovo’s ethnic Albanian police presence in the Serb-dominated north, raising fears of another bloody conflict like the one that killed 10,000 in the late 1990s. Read more. Why this matters: Both Serbia and Kosovo aim to join the European Union, which could help quell regional instability and economic decline. But normalization of relations is the key condition for Kosovo and Serbia to move forward with EU membership. Kosovo declared independence in 2008, but Serbia has refused to recognize its statehood. The United States and most European Union nations have recognized Kosovo’s independence, while Russia and China have sided with Serbia. Earlier this week, former allies Serbia and Montenegro agreed to patch up strained relations.  Related coverage ➤ Why do Kosovo-Serbia tensions persist? Serbia to seek meeting with NATO chief, UN Security Council session on Kosovo tensions For Cuban asylum seekers, options dwindle after Serbia, under EU pressure, slaps restrictions on visas ADVERTISEMENT HAPPENING TODAY Thailand's parliament will choose a new prime minister. Hollywood actors’ guild members are expected to take a strike vote. Manhattanhenge, when the sun sets in alignment with the New York City street grid, will be viewable if the weather cooperates. IN OTHER NEWS Travel disruption: Tornado touches down near Chicago’s O’Hare airport, disrupting hundreds of flights Senate tiebreaking: Vice President Kamala Harris makes history with tiebreaking votes in Senate  Media lawsuit: A former Trump supporter who got caught up in a January 6 conspiracy theory sues Fox News Nuclear waste: How America’s push for the atomic bomb spawned enduring radioactive waste problems in St. Louis Estate planning: Court fight over Aretha Franklin’s will provides a cautionary tale Updated forecast: Northern Lights viewing options scaled back  ADVERTISEMENT TODAY IN HISTORY On July 13, 2013: A jury in Sanford, Florida, cleared neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman of all charges in the shooting of Trayvon Martin, the Black teenager whose killing unleashed furious debate over racial profiling, self-defence and equal justice. The Black Lives Matter movement is marking 10 years since its founding in response to the acquittal. (AP Photo/Julie Fletcher)   A look at what else happened in history on July 13 A CHANGE OF PACE NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope captures the Rho Ophiuchi cloud complex, the closest star-forming region to Earth, displaying a star birth. (NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, Klaus Pon via AP) Webb Space Telescope captures stellar close-up of 50 baby stars The Webb Space Telescope is marking one year of cosmic photographs with a dramatic close-up of dozens of stars at the moment of birth. WATCH: Meet the cat who greets world leaders at Downing Street Larry the Cat, the Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office at Downing Street, has served through five prime ministers. ADVERTISEMENT Please let us know what you think of this newsletter. We also have several others you may like. We’d love it if you invite a friend to sign up. - Sarah *Advertisers have no control over editorial decisions or content. If you're interested in advertising, contact us here. ADVERTISEMENT