This year could beamong the worst for global poverty reduction efforts, as high inflation and weak growth spur more hardship, according to new estimates by the World Bank.
Why it matters: A number of economic shocks have undone decades of progress in reducing global poverty. That progress, officials say, has stalled out, with potentially dour consequences for the world economy.
Russian journalist Marina Ovsyannikova, who drew international attention in March for protesting the invasion of Ukraine on live television, confirmed on Wednesday that she has escaped house arrest.
Driving the news: "I consider myself completely innocent, and since our state refuses to comply with its own laws, starting from September 30, 2022, I refuse to comply with the measure of restraint established for me in the form of house arrest and release myself from it," Ovsyannikova wrote in a Telegram post.
"Disturbing accounts" are emerging of torture, widespread enforced disappearances and the arbitrary detention of Ukrainian civilians in territories controlled by Russian forces, United Nations human rights monitors warn.
The big picture: The update to the UN Human Rights Council raising concern about a "dire human rights situation" in Ukraine came as Ukrainian forces recaptured more territory in the east and south, in areas Russian President Vladimir Putin has claimed to have annexed into Russia.
Russian President Vladimir Putin signed laws Wednesday claiming the annexation of Ukraine's Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk and Luhansk regions into Russia.
Why it matters: Russian officials have said the four annexed regions would have Moscow's "full protection," hinting that nuclear weapons may be an option.
The U.S. and South Korean held joint live-fire military drills in response to Pyongyang's longest-range ballistic missile test that caused alarm in Japan as it flew over the country on Tuesday.
Driving the news: The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command tweeted that the exercises were designed to "showcase combined deterrent & dynamic strike capabilities" after the North Korean military's first missile launch over Japan in five years and its fifth test in just over a week.
The Biden administration announced a new $625 million security assistance package for Ukraine on Tuesday that will include key weapons, ammunition and equipment.
Why it matters: This is the U.S.' first military aid package to Ukraine since Russia took the escalatory step of annexing four regions of the country. The package includes advanced mobile rocket launcher systems that have been crucial to Ukrainian forces.
President Biden's visit to Puerto Rico on Monday came as a new report detailed how the Federal Emergency Management Agency mismanaged millions in funds to help the island's residents after the devastating Hurricane Maria in 2017.
The big picture: Puerto Rico is still reeling from the destruction left by Hurricane Fiona two weeks ago.
Despite Mexican PresidentAndrés Manuel López Obrador’s professed opposition to his predecessor’s use of Pegasus spyware on journalists, the practice has continued since he took office, a new report says.
Driving the news: The cellphones of at least two Mexican journalists and a human rights defender were infected with the Pegasus software between 2019 and 2021, according to the report from a group of digital rights organizations, including the Network for the Defense of Digital Rights and Article 19. López Obrador’s term started in 2018.
Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel will receive the United Nations refugee agency's top award for her efforts to accept more than 1 million refugees and asylum seekers during her time in office.
Driving the news: Inaugurated in 1954, each year the UNHCR's Nansen Refugee Award honors individuals, organizations and groups that that go "above and beyond" to protect refugees as well as stateless and internally displaced people.
China has expanded its use of satelliteground stations in South America, leading multiple governments to express concern about Beijing's intentions, according to a new report.
Why it matters: China's space program has close but opaque ties to the country's military, fueling concerns that ostensibly civilian facilities could also be used for intelligence collection and surveillance, according to the report.
Ukrainian officials are considering whether to restart two reactors at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station in order to ensure that its safety equipment remains undamaged and operational, the head of Ukraine's nuclear power operator told AP in an interview Tuesday.
Why it matters: The move could come nearly a month after nuclear power operator Energoatom shut down the plant in order to prevent a radiation disaster.
The European Union parliament voted on Tuesday to approve a new law requiring all mobile phones, tablets and cameras to use the same charging port.
Why it matters: The measure, which was provisionally agreed to by member states in June, is intended to reduce electronic waste and increase convenience for consumers.
More than two weeks after Hurricane Fiona swept across Puerto Rico and caused severe flooding, mudslides and loss of running water, Puerto Ricans are still picking up the pieces, and many are making clear what changes they want to see — starting with the local government.
State of play: President Biden announced Monday a new $60 million investment for flood protections on the island, where over 100,000 Puerto Ricans remain without power. But grassroots groups say they've had to fill in gaping holes in the government’s response and recovery effort.
Australia's government announced a "zero extinctions" drive Tuesday that'll see at least 30% of the country's land mass reserved for conservation in order to protect threatened animals and plants.
Why it matters: "Australia is the mammal extinction capital of the world," said Australian Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek in a statement announcing the 10-year plan to save threatened species including the iconic koala.
Ukrainian forces are making key counteroffensive gains in southern and eastern Ukraine — including in regions Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed to have annexed, according to multiple reports.
The big picture: Russia's lower house of Parliament voted Monday to ratify the annexation of Ukraine's Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk and Luhansk regions and the upper house was set to follow suit Tuesday. But Russian forces no longer have full control of any of those regions.
North Korea's military fired a ballistic missile over Japan on Tuesday morning local time — prompting a warning to residents to take shelter, according to the Japanese prime minister's office.
Why it matters: The action marks a major escalation following a spate of missile tests in recent weeks by Pyongyang — which fired a ballistic missile toward South Korea's eastern waters last week ahead of Vice President Kamala Harris' visit to the country.
