Washington sets Russian oil restriction as condition for India trade agreement
The U.S. considers limiting India’s purchases of Russian oil a key requirement for reaching a trade agreement....
Smoke from intense wildfires burning across Canada has spread thick haze over parts of the US Midwest, causing “very unhealthy” air quality in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan on Tuesday.
Over 27,000 Canadians have been forced to evacuate their homes as the fires rage through three provinces, with the smoke plume even drifting all the way to Europe.
In Minneapolis-St. Paul, the smell of smoke hung heavy despite morning rain, prompting the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to issue a statewide alert through Wednesday. The worst air conditions were concentrated around the Twin Cities, but officials expect the smoke to clear by midday Wednesday.
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources warned that much of the state could face unhealthy air until Thursday morning, urging vulnerable groups—especially those with lung or heart problems—to limit outdoor activity and take frequent breaks when outside.
The smoky haze extends beyond the Midwest, reaching as far east as Michigan, west to the Dakotas and Nebraska, and southeast to Georgia. The EPA’s AirNow monitoring system showed air quality in Minneapolis-St. Paul hitting “very unhealthy” levels, while large areas of eastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin recorded “unhealthy” air.
Local hospitals have reported more patients with breathing problems linked to the smoke. Pulmonologist Dr. Rachel Strykowski said wildfire smoke worsens symptoms like coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath, especially for people with asthma or COPD. She recommended staying indoors and using N95 masks, which are effective at filtering out fine particles.
Most of the smoke originates from fires northwest of Winnipeg, Manitoba, where thousands have evacuated, including entire communities in Manitoba and Saskatchewan. The fires have already claimed two lives near Winnipeg in mid-May.
The wildfire smoke has traveled high into the atmosphere, carried by jet streams all the way across the Atlantic to Europe. Though it creates hazy skies there, it is not expected to impact surface air quality. Scientists say this shows just how powerful and extensive the Canadian wildfires have become. Carbon emissions from the fires are nearing record levels last seen in 2023.
As wildfires continue, authorities in North America urge people to stay informed and take precautions to protect their health from the dangerous smoke.
AnewZ has learned that India has once again blocked Azerbaijan’s application for full membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, while Pakistan’s recent decision to consider diplomatic relations with Armenia has been coordinated with Baku as part of Azerbaijan’s peace agenda.
A day of mourning has been declared in Portugal to pay respect to victims who lost their lives in the Lisbon Funicular crash which happened on Wednesday evening.
A Polish Air Force pilot was killed on Thursday when an F-16 fighter jet crashed during a training flight ahead of the 2025 Radom International Air Show.
Video from the USGS (United States Geological Survey) showed on Friday (19 September) the Kilauea volcano in Hawaii erupting and spewing lava.
At least eight people have died and more than 90 others were injured following a catastrophic gas tanker explosion on a major highway in Mexico City’s Iztapalapa district on Wednesday, authorities confirmed.
The UN Security Council on Friday vetoed a draft resolution submitted by Russia and China that sought to delay the “snapback” sanctions on Iran. The resolution received only four votes in favour, with nine members voting against and two abstaining.
The U.S. considers limiting India’s purchases of Russian oil a key requirement for reaching a trade agreement.
On Friday, the UN Security Council vetoed a draft resolution to extend the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on Iran's nuclear program until April 18, 2026.
The Maghreb branch of the Global Sumud Flotilla, en route to Gaza with humanitarian aid, has reported a second encounter with military aircraft this week. According to the group, two unidentified planes flew at low altitude over its vessels while they were sailing in Greek territorial waters.
India dismissed as "incorrect and baseless" claims made by NATO’s Secretary General suggesting that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had contacted Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding the impact of punitive U.S. tariffs on India’s purchases of Russian oil.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment