Europe

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainian artillery hit a strategic bridge essential for Moscow to supply its forces occupying Ukraine’s southern region, using a U.S.-supplied precision rocket system to deliver a morale-lifting punch.

The Ukrainian military struck the Antonivskyi Bridge across the Dnieper River in southern Ukraine late Tuesday, the deputy head of the Moscow-appointed administration for the Kherson region, Kirill Stremousov, said.

He said Wednesday the bridge was still standing but its deck was pierced with holes, preventing vehicles from crossing.

KHIMKI, Russia (AP) — American basketball star Brittney Griner testified Wednesday at her drug trial in Russia that a language interpreter translated only a fraction of what was said during her questioning and officials instructed her to sign documents without providing an explanation.

Griner was arrested at a Moscow airport in February. She acknowledged in court earlier this month that she had vape cartridges containing cannabis oil in her luggage when she arrived in Russia but contends she had no criminal intent and packed the cartridges inadvertently.

BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union’s commissioner for health is urging the bloc’s governments to step up their efforts to tackle the expanding monkeypox outbreak in the region, which she says is “the epicenter of detected cases.”

In a letter to the EU’s 27 health ministers obtained by The Associated Press, EU Health Commissioner Stella Kyriakides called Wednesday for a “reinforced, concerted and coordinated action.”

“There is no time for complacency and we need to continue working together to control the outbreak,” she wrote.

BERLIN (AP) — The German government plans to reduce incentive payments for buyers of electric cars and end subsidies for buying plug-in hybrids at the end of this year.

The government had announced shortly after taking office in December that, starting in 2023, it would only provide payments for electric vehicles that “demonstrably have a positive climate-protection effect.” It unveiled details of the new system late Tuesday.

(AP) --- Shipping companies are not rushing to export millions of tons of trapped grain out of Ukraine, despite a breakthrough deal to provide safe corridors through the Black Sea. That is because explosive mines are drifting in the waters, ship owners are assessing the risks and many still have questions over how the deal will unfold.

The complexities of the agreement have set off a slow, cautious start, but it’s only good for 120 days — and the clock began ticking last week.

27 July 2022; MEMO: The European Union's foreign policy chief said yesterday he has proposed a new draft text to revive the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, saying there is no room left for further major compromises, Reuters reported.

MOSCOW, July 26. /TASS/: The Russian Security Council’s Scientific Board discussed Moscow’s strategy towards the West, taking into account national security interests and the results of NATO’s Madrid summit in June, the Security Council’s press office reported on Tuesday.

"Experts of Russia’s Security Council pointed to mounting NATO efforts aimed at creating direct military threats to Russia," the press office said in a statement following a meeting of the Security Council’s group on global problems and international security.

MOSCOW, July 26. /TASS/: ATMs in Cuba began to accept Russia’s Mir payment cards, Juan Carlos Escalona, adviser to the embassy of the republic on tourism, told the Association of Tour Operators of Russia (ATOR) on Tuesday. He said that until the end of 2022 they will be accepted at all sale outlets in the country.

MOSCOW, July 26. /TASS/: The Kremlin has confirmed that talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan will take place in Sochi on August 5.

"Yes," Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in response to a question by TASS as to whether such a meeting is planned.

Earlier on Tuesday, the administration of the Turkish leader said that Erdogan was planning to come to Sochi on August 5 on a one-day visit for a meeting with Putin. According to Ankara, it is planned to discuss bilateral and regional issues.

MOSCOW, July 26. /TASS/: Only a part of Russia’s armed forces is involved in its special military operation in Ukraine and the number of troops engaged is sufficient to fulfill the tasks set forth by the commander-in-chief, Russia’s Defense Ministry said on Tuesday with regards to the plans to hold the Vostok 2022 (East 2022) strategic command and staff exercise.