When the world gets closer.

We help you see farther.

Sign up to our expressly international daily newsletter.

Geopolitics

Extra! 'Relentless' Fires Wreak Havoc In Northern California

Fires rage in Santa Rosa, California on Tuesday
Fires rage in Santa Rosa, California on Tuesday

Hellish firestorms in northern California have killed at least 17 people and razed entire neighborhoods, destroying more than 2,000 structures. Dozens of other people have been reported missing, raising fears that the death toll could rise sharply.

The "disaster is relentless," Wednesday's front page of the San Francisco Chronicle reads above a photograph of the Coffey Park neighborhood in Santa Rosa, one of the areas hardest hit. It is also widespread, with multiple focal points, making it especially difficult for firefighters to control. As of early Wednesday, fires were still raging in Napa, Sonoma, Mendocino and Yuba counties, all north of San Francisco.

Weather conditions aren't helping matters. Offshore winds that helped fuel the fires initially are expected to return Wednesday afternoon and continue into Thursday, the California daily reports. The blazes have also produced the "worst air quality ever in many parts' of the populous Bay Area, south of the fire zone. The cities and towns in the Bay Area together have more than 7.5 million residents.

You've reached your limit of free articles.

To read the full story, start your free trial today.

Get unlimited access. Cancel anytime.

Exclusive coverage from the world's top sources, in English for the first time.

Insights from the widest range of perspectives, languages and countries.

FOCUS: Russia-Ukraine War

The Only Path To Peace With Russia? A New Iron Curtain On Ukraine's Eastern Border

With a decisive deal with Putin out of the question, the only way to create a lasting peace is to recreate some fundamental dynamics of the Cold War.

Image of president Joe Biden walking with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the streets of Kyiv, Ukraine.

President Joe Biden walking with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky down the Walk of the Brave on Constitution Square in Kyiv, Ukraine.

Klaus Geiger

-Analysis-

BERLIN — Volodymyr Zelensky was allowed three minutes, but he spoke for 20. In his speech at the G20 summit in November last year, the Ukrainian president laid out, in greater detail than ever before, how peace with Russia can be achieved – and maintained.

Stay up-to-date with the latest on the Russia-Ukraine war, with our exclusive international coverage.

Sign up to our free daily newsletter.

His main point: “Ukraine is not a member of any of the alliances. And Russia was able to start this war precisely because Ukraine remained in the grey zone – between the Euro-Atlantic world and Russian imperialism. Now, we do not have any security assurances either ... We need effective security assurances.”

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz echoed these words in parliament recently. “At the G20 summit, President Zelensky set out his suggestions for how to achieve a lasting, fair peace,” Scholz said. “We will help Ukraine to achieve such a peace. That is why we are talking to Kyiv and other partners about future security assurances for Ukraine.”

Scholz did not specify precisely what kind of “security assurances” he meant. But Zelensky was very specific in his G20 speech.

Keep reading...Show less

You've reached your limit of free articles.

To read the full story, start your free trial today.

Get unlimited access. Cancel anytime.

Exclusive coverage from the world's top sources, in English for the first time.

Insights from the widest range of perspectives, languages and countries.

The latest