Bridge Collapse Leads to Fatal Train Derailment in Russia

Researchers have identified Zavaritski, a volcano on Simushir island in the Kuril Islands, as the likely cause of a significant climate shift recorded in 1831, according to a study published in December 2024. This eruption cooled the Northern Hemisphere's climate by approximately 1.8°F (1°C) during that year, coinciding with reports of gloomy weather and unusual sunsets. Simushir, a small Russian island that was once a Soviet naval base, is home to four prominent volcanoes, and Zavaritski was previously considered dormant outside of an eruption in 1957. The breakthrough came as scientists matched ash deposits found in polar ice cores to the eruption, revealing its pivotal role in altering global climate conditions, said lead author William Hutchison from the University of St Andrews. The archipelago sits within the Pacific's "Ring of Fire," a known hotspot for volcanic activity. The findings mark a significant development in understanding the impacts of volcanic eruptions on climate, especially given the isolated nature of Simushir.

Russia has officially designated Amnesty International as an “undesirable organisation,” according to a statement from the Russian Prosecutor General’s office released on May 19, 2025. This ruling, which stems from a 2015 law criminalizing involvement with such groups, forces Amnesty International to cease all activities within the country. This latest move marks a significant escalation in Russia's ongoing crackdown on dissent, which intensified following the country’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Currently, Russia’s blacklist of "undesirable organisations" includes 223 entities, comprising various independent news outlets and human rights groups. The Prosecutor General's office accused Amnesty International of engaging in “Russophobic projects” aimed at fostering political and economic isolation of Russia. The international human rights organization, established in 1961, has been vocal in documenting human rights abuses and calling for the release of unjustly imprisoned individuals. Amnesty International has yet to respond to this recent development.

Russia has officially designated Amnesty International as an "undesirable organization," making any involvement with the group a criminal offense. This decision, announced by the Russian Prosecutor General’s office on May 19, 2025, places Amnesty among 223 entities deemed undesirable under a 2015 law. The move marks a continuation of the Kremlin's sweeping repression of critics, activists, and journalists that has escalated following the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The Prosecutor General's statement accused Amnesty of conducting "Russophobic projects" that threaten Russia's political and economic interests. In its long history since 1961, Amnesty has documented human rights violations worldwide, including allegations of crimes committed by Moscow during the Ukraine conflict. The organization has also condemned the Russian government's crackdown on dissent, which has led to widespread arrests. Following this designation, individuals or groups cooperating with Amnesty in Russia are at risk of prosecution. Amnesty International has yet to respond to this recent ban.