‘Killed in Their Strollers’
In a heartfelt in-person address Ukraine’s first lady begged the U.S. Congress for more weapons to “help us stop this terror.” Six-time former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was sworn in as Sri Lanka’s president, to the dismay of many. Mario Draghi resigned as Italian prime minister after his broad parliamentary coalition collapsed. And the Nord Stream 1 pipeline resumed pumping Russian gas to Europe — but for how long? All this and more in today’s PDB.
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IMPORTANT
Give us More Guns
Ukraine’s First Lady Makes Impassioned Plea to Congress
On the same day that Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced Russia would be expanding its “special military operation,” to include the “denazification” of Kherson, Zaporizhzhia and a “number of other territories” in Ukraine, Olena Zelenska went cap in hand to the U.S. Congress. “I’m asking for weapons,” she said. “I’m asking for air defense systems in order for rockets not to kill children in their strollers. ” Washington has already sent billions of dollars of military aid Ukraine’s way, but officials in Kyiv say they’ll need even more Western weapons to definitively turn the tide of the war. (Sources: Fox, AP)
Déjà Vu
Sri Lanka Braces as Rajapaksa Loyalist Sworn In as President
Ranil Wickremesinghe took the oath Thursday morning, after winning the support of lawmakers. “I am absolutely disgusted at the result,” said activist Jeana De Zoysa. “I cannot believe that 134 people … that are supposed to represent the people, have completely disregarded the wants of the people.” Wickremesinghe agreed to stand down as prime minister during protests that led to former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s ouster — but then backtracked on his promise and vowed to crack down on “fascist” protesters. “Ranil will be chased away,” said toy exporter Anura Goonaratna. “He is a crook and he doesn’t have a mandate.” (Sources: BBC, The Guardian)
Not-So-Super Mario
Mario Draghi Quits as Italian PM
For the second time in a week, Draghi tendered his resignation — and this time President Sergio Mattarella reluctantly accepted. The former central banker continues to enjoy huge support among Western leaders, Italian mayors and the voting public — but the broad parliamentary coalition he’d put together crumbled after parties led by Matteo Salvini, Silvio Berlusconi and Giuseppe Conte boycotted a confidence vote. Draghi was widely seen as the only hope of unlocking Italy’s economic potential — and he was also instrumental in imposing the tough sanctions on Russia. Mattarella is expected to call an early election, with polls suggesting the Putin-admiring conservative bloc will win. (Sources: FT, Reuters)
Taps On
Temporary Relief for Europe, as Russian Natural Gas Flows Again
Germany breathed a collective sigh of relief as the Nord Stream 1 resumed pumping gas Thursday after a 10-day maintenance shutdown — albeit at only 30%-40% capacity. Officials in Berlin had feared that the pipeline, which supplies a third of the country’s gas, might not reopen at all. Still, Europe is bracing itself for a winter of discontent, with the European Commission proposing that all member nations cut their gas usage by 15% in anticipation of a total cutoff from Moscow. The German government has already said utility companies can fire up 10 dormant coal-fired plants and six oil-fueled ones. (Source: AP)
Briefly
Here are some things you should know about today:
Never again. A bipartisan group of senators proposed a new law that would overhaul the Electoral Count Act in the hopes of ensuring the peaceful transfer of power from one president to the next. (Source: NYT) Two to tango. The race to succeed U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson was narrowed to two. Conservative party members will choose between Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss — with polls naming Truss as favorite. (Source: BBC) End of an era. An An, the world’s oldest male giant panda in captivity, was euthanized following health problems. The 35-year-old’s “cleverness and playfulness” will be sorely missed. (Source: CNN)
INTRIGUING
Malignant
OSU Confirm Plagiarism in Croce’s Cancer Lab
An internal Ohio State University investigation into the cancer research laboratory run by controversial professor Carlo Croce found two scientists — Michela Garofalo and Flavia Pichiorri — guilty of multiple instances of data falsification and plagiarism. The investigation stopped short of accusing Croce of research misconduct, as it didn’t find evidence of him personally cooking the books. But investigators did say that the “inappropriate behaviors” of scientists in his lab were “due in part to Dr. Croce’s poor mentorship and lack of oversight.” Croce’s been stripped of an endowed chair but he remains employed by OSU — on a salary in excess of $820,000. (Source: Nature)
Snooze For Moos
As the UK Hots Up, Farmers Give Cow Siestas a Go
Nothing beats an afternoon nap on a hot day. Dairy cows, with their built-in heat-producing “fermentation tanks,” aren’t designed for 77 degrees — let alone 104. Extreme heat reduces cows’ milk production, affects fertility and leads to pregnancy complications. Several U.K. farms have started bringing cows into barns during the heat of the day. Other options include pivoting to breeds like Jerseys that tolerate heat better and, said dairy farmer Helen Browning, planting more trees: “They bring benefits for wildlife and carbon but also shade and shelter — but they would take 20 years to grow now.” We could also try drinking less milk. (Source: The Guardian)
Hangover From Hell
Couple Arrested 8 Months After Daring $1.7M Wine Theft
The long arm of the law finally caught up with the Mexican beauty queen and her Romanian-Dutch co-conspirator when they attempted to enter Croatia from Montenegro. Investigators allege that after checking into Spain’s Michelin-starred Atrio hotel and restaurant last October, the 29-year-old Mexican distracted waiters by ordering room service after the kitchen had closed. Her male accomplice sneaked down to the cellar and stashed 45 bottles, including an 1806 Chateau d’Yquem of “incalculable” value, into rucksacks padded with hotel towels. They checked out at 5:30 a.m. the following day — setting off a cross-continental police chase worthy of a Hollywood remake. (Sources: Reuters, DW)
Flying the Coop
Vermont Chicken Hitches a Ride in Downtown Misadventure
Lo Fasano had just finished her coffee in downtown Burlington when she noticed a chicken wandering the main street. After the police told her they “don’t do chickens,” Fasano decided to take the bird home and use social media to find its owner. A Facebook post led her to the chicken’s mom, Rebecca Thibeault, who was swiftly reunited with her treasured fowl. After comparing notes the women figured out that the bird had hitched a 13-mile ride from Hinesburg to Burlington in the undercarriage of Thibault’s Ford — and that she’d been doing 65 mph on Interstate 89 at one point. (Source: WCAX)
You Go, Girl!
Russian Tennis Star Daria Kasatkina Defies Risks to Come Out as Gay
The country’s highest-ranked female player broke the news in an interview with a local blogger. “I think there is nothing easier in this world than being straight,” she said. “Why make your life harder, especially in Russia?” The interview was aired just hours after a bill was introduced in parliament which would expand on 2013’s “gay propaganda” law by outlawing public discussion of LGBTQ+ issues in a positive or neutral light. Nadya Karpova, the first openly gay player on Russia’s national soccer team heaped praise on Kasatkina: “The timing is so symbolic as well, with all the f***ed-up things happening in Russia.” (Sources: CNN, The Guardian)
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