Things Don’t Seem to Be Going Very Well for Vladimir Putin Right Now
From arson attacks at draft centres to furious mothers berating army officers, a faltering war in Ukraine is causing new headaches for the Russian president.
Global Conflicts
They Were Trained to Defend Taiwan From China. They Aren’t Sure They Can.
“I’m not really good at shooting.”
Taiwan Shot Down a Suspicious Drone Flying Over Its Islands Off China’s Coast
Taiwan has had enough of drones encroaching on its airspace.
Nuclear-Armed India Sacks 3 for ‘Accidentally’ Firing a Missile Into Nuclear-Armed Pakistan
Pakistan is not satisfied with the investigation.
Extremism
How COVID ‘Truthers’ Stirred Up a Culture War Over Drag Queen Readings
A UK tour of drag queen reading events for kids has been dogged by fiery protests by COVID conspiracists and the far-right, who falsely claim the events are “grooming” kids.
Germany’s ‘Biggest QAnon Mouthpiece’ Arrested in the Philippines
Oliver Janich, who has 150,000 Telegram subscribers, was arrested over an outstanding arrest warrant in Germany for inciting violence against politicians.
Music Festival Cancelled After City Authorities Realise Bands Are Nazis
"This is of course unacceptable," the local council in Ypres, Belgium, said.
Politics
‘Our Worst Fears Confirmed’: Fiji Politicians and Police React to Meth Report
A VICE World News investigation prompted one political leader to claim that meth use in Fiji had become a “far bigger disaster than climate change.”
Why Japan’s State Funeral for Shinzo Abe Is So Controversial
Thousands marched against the lavish ceremony as crowds lined up at memorial sites to pay their respects to the assassinated former prime minister.
Why Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin Aren’t the BFF They Seem
“The bottom line for China and Russia now is that disagreement does not equate to opposition.”
Climate
The Sinaloa Cartel Is Controlling Water in Drought-Stricken Mexico
“Water is now a valuable asset for us, and as it becomes more scarce, the more we will fight to make sure we have enough,” a cartel operative told VICE World News.
Millions Are Stranded in Pakistan’s Super Floods. Where Are Its Emergency Services?
A third of Pakistan is underwater from floods brought on by record rainfall and melting glaciers.
Yangtze River Dries Up, Revealing 600-Year-Old Buddhist Statues
The relics emerged as the river dips to the lowest level in 150 years amid an unprecedented heatwave.
Privacy
Revealed: US Military Bought Mass Monitoring Tool That Includes Internet Browsing, Email Data
The “Augury” platform includes highly sensitive network data that Team Cymru, a private company, is selling to the military. “It’s everything. There’s nothing else to capture except the smell of electricity,” one cybersecurity expert said.
Firebombs and Shootings: The Rise of IRL Harassment and Violence as a Service
Members of SIM swapping communities have moved from hacking into offering assault, shootings, and bombings in exchange for payment.
Encrypted Phone Firm Ciphr Plans to Shut Down
Ciphr is the last remaining member of the old guard of the encrypted phone industry. After years of providing a technological backbone to organized crime, the company says it plans to shut down at the end of the month.
Drugs
‘Our Worst Fears Confirmed’: Fiji Politicians and Police React to Meth Report
A VICE World News investigation prompted one political leader to claim that meth use in Fiji had become a “far bigger disaster than climate change.”
Drug Smugglers Have Started Coating Liquorice in Heroin
Police discovered one of their biggest drug hauls hidden in a bag of liquorice root, as heroin seizures soar in India.
Third Prosecutor Assassinated in Wave of Drug-Fueled Violence in Ecuador
The latest killing is part of the brazen violence that has plagued the nation as it has grown as a regional drug-trafficking hub.