Major-Ukraine-dam-destructed
A significant Ukrainian dam, the Kakhovka dam and electricity plant in southern Ukraine, was destroyed yesterday, causing floods of water through the break to force tens of thousands of people to evacuate.
Russia and Ukraine accused each other of the disaster, but the responsible party is unknown. Kyiv officials claim that Russian forces had caused the breach on the Dnipro River in predawn hours.
Over 40,000 people may be at risk of flooding, a Ukrainian official stated. Here is the damage map.
Downstream, over 1,300 people were evacuated by officials, consisting of floodwater carrying trees and debris from already washed-out houses. Conservationists warned of a significant and long-lasting environmental disaster. An expert informed that the waters are expected to peak today.
“People here are shocked,” said Marc Santora, the colleague who was present in southern Ukraine. “They’ve adapted to all sorts of Russian bombardments, all sorts of horrors, but this is just so much more significant in magnitude and repercussions that it will have across society.”
The dam’s destruction comes a day after U.S. officials announced that a Ukrainian counteroffensive had started. President Volodymyr Zelensky blamed “Russian terrorists,” while the Kremlin’s spokesperson said Ukraine had carried out a “sabotage” attack.
The dam serves as a source of drinking and agricultural water, and it cools reactors and spent fuel at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant; however, the U.N. nuclear watchdog guaranteed that there is “no immediate nuclear safety risk.”
Analysis: The dam’s site lies away from intense fighting in the eastern Donetsk region. But its destruction could draw resources from both sides’ counteroffensive operations.
Other concerns: The destruction may also wash away underground mines that Russian and Ukrainian forces had planted on the Dnipro banks, creating new hazards in once-safe regions.
LIV Golf Merges with PGA Tour, Bankrolled by Saudi Arabia
Yesterday, the PGA Tour and LIV Golf, funded by Saudi Arabia, announced a merger, ending a costly rivalry for dominance in men’s professional golf. The unexpected deal delighted the Gulf kingdom, which aims to influence global sports actively.
“The news is surprising,” comments Kevin Draper. The PGA Tour and LIV have spent the past two years competing with and suing each other. Some PGA members had criticized LIV for dividing golf and for partnering with Saudi Arabia with its negative human rights record. All former rivals’ lawsuits will be terminated.
The new golf company emerged so quickly that no name is attached, yet much remains unknown. Nonetheless, LIV gained a foothold, ensuring its significant influence on the sport’s future. The Saudi sovereign wealth fund governor will lead the company as chairman.
Author: OpenAI
