Senin, 04 September 2023

New details released about Burning Man death as organisers push on with finale – live - The Independent

Thousands stranded at Burning Man Festival after heavy rain

New details have been released about the death of a man at the Burning Man festival after around 70,000 attendees were trapped on the site in the midst of an unexpected storm.

Burning Man descended into chaos over the weekend as severe flooding left thousands stuck on site, the entrance was closed and revellers were urged to conserve water, food and fuel.

Officials revealed on Saturday that one person had died at the Nevada desert festival.

On Sunday, Burning Man Communications said in a statement that the death was “unrelated to the weather”. The Pershing County Sheriff’s Office is still investigating the death.

The drama has led to spread of rampant – and debunked – conspiracy theories online including false claims of an Ebola outbreak.

Meanwhile, Burning Man said that the site is expected to open on Monday morning, though obviously weather-dependant.

The festival is also ploughing on with plans to burn its iconic effigy later today after it was postponed due to the severe rain and flooding.

“The Man burn will not happen tonight, Sunday, it is now scheduled for Monday 9/4, at 9pm,” the festival said in an update on Sunday evening.

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TikTok video shows ‘Burners’ enjoying the festival, despite the mud

Ariana Baio4 September 2023 20:00
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Elon Musk calls Burning Man ‘best art on Earth’ amid chaos that saw thousands stranded and one dead

Elon Musk offered lofty praise to the Burning Man festival - after this year’s event descended into disaster with one person dead and thousands left stranded in the Nevada desert after intense floods.

“Burning Man is unique in the world,” Mr Musk wrote on his platform X on Sunday. “Hard to describe how incredible it is for those who have never been. Best art on Earth.”

Kelly Rissman reports:

Ariana Baio4 September 2023 19:30
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Is it ok to laugh at Burning Man memes?

Burning Man festival is the talk of the internet, with horrendous weather making the Nevada desert festival one of the biggest stories in the news agenda and one of the best meme trend of 2023 – but should it be?

Harry Fletcher from Indy100 reports:

Is it ok to laugh at Burning Man memes?

Burning Man festival is the talk of the internet, with horrendous weather making the Nevada desert festival one of the biggest stories in the news agenda and one of the best meme trend of 2023 – but should it be?Festivals are washed out all the time, after all. Everyone has seen pictures of mud-divi...

Ariana Baio4 September 2023 19:00
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Burning Man officials ask attendees to consider leaving tomorrow

In an update posted on Burning Man’s official website, organisers asked attendees to consider leaving the area on Tuesday 5 September to help alive the large amount of congestion expected to occur when they are cleared to leave today.

“Consider delaying your departure from Black Rock City until Tuesday 9/5. This will alleviate large amounts of congestion throughout the day today, Monday 9/4. “

Though it is not for certain that “Burners” will be allowed to leave on Monday, the area is beginning to dry up thanks to sunny conditions.

Ariana Baio4 September 2023 18:30
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What we know about the death investigation

The Pershing County Sheriff’s Office confirmed a death at Burning Man to KNSD-TV on Saturday but offered few details. The identity of the person and the cause and manner of death have not been released.

The death occurred during the extreme rain that swept over the desert on Friday and Saturday but was not caused due to the rain.

The Independent has reached out to the law enforcement agency.

Ariana Baio4 September 2023 18:00
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Burning Man disaster timeline

21 August - Tropical Storm Hilary strikes

The omens for a sodden festival began days before gates officially opened, when Tropical Storm Hilary slammed into California causing widespread flooding and damage. The unseasonal storm left the festival site in the Black Rock Desert covered in water, with the arid landscape unable to absorb the heavy rainwater.

Organisers warned the thousands of attendees who turn up early to construct the desert encampment for “build week” that gates would remain closed until 23 August.

23 August - Delayed set up begins

Gates officially open to festival workers, allowing artists access to the five mile squared Black Rock City site to build this year’s centerpiece, the Temple of the Heart structure.

27 August - Gates open, with major logjam

Gates officially open, and the majority of the tens of thousands of revellers begin to arrive.

The average wait time at the gate is around two hours, according to festival organisers.

1 September - Months of rain fail in a single day

The festival site is hit with 0.8 inches of rain in a space of 24 hours over the evening of 1 September and into the next day, the inclement weather a result of the long tail of Tropical Storm Hilary. This amounts to 2-3 months worth of rain.

2 September - Revellers look to escape

Some hardy festival goers opt to take matters into their own hands and walk for miles through the mud to nearby pickup points.

Among them are comedian Chris Rock and DJ Diplo, who posted a video to his Instagram account after they were given a lift by a passing truck.

3 September - Thousands left trapped

In a 9am update, Burning Man organisers say roads remain closed due to the mud and an “uncertain weather front” is approaching Black Rock City.

Ariana Baio4 September 2023 17:30
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Grounds remain too wet for most vehicles to leave

Monday morning, officials with Burning Man said the grounds remained too muddy and wet for most attendees to leave, thought they would begin an exodus around 12pm PT.

“Gate Road remains too wet & muddy for most vehicles to safely navigate out of BRC this morning, but is drying. Exodus likely to begin around noon today, Monday 9/4,” an X account associated with Burning Man wrote.

Ariana Baio4 September 2023 17:00
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Fairy Shrimp found on Burning Man grounds after rainstorm

A well-known “three-eyed” insect has been spotted on the freshly rained-upon grounds where Burning Man is hosted every year.

The creature, which is translucent in colour, is nicknamed “fairy shrimp”, and some Burning Man attendees have been found at the bottom of dried-out lake beds that can survive in drought-like conditions for years.

The strange-looking insects can return to the surface of the dried ground after a rainstorm, which is exactly what happened this past weekend at Burning Man in the Las Vegas desert.

On social media, Burning Man attendees who are being forced to remain in place until conditions are safe to drive in have discovered the “fairy shrimp” which are descendants of the triops cancriformis,.

Ariana Baio4 September 2023 16:30
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Marjorie Taylor Greene claims Burning Man disaster was an ‘act of God’

Marjorie Taylor Greene has claimed that Burning Man revellers are being “brainwashed” into believing the washout has been caused by the climate crisis – which she claims was an act of God.

The Republican congresswoman and notorious conspiracy theorist joined fellow conspiracy theorist Alex Jones on his Info Wars show on Sunday night, where they both launched into their beliefs about the festival in the Nevada desert.

“There’s 73 to 75,000 in the Nevada desert right now at this Burning Man. They’re locked in,” the far-right lawmaker said.

Rachel Sharp reports:

Ariana Baio4 September 2023 16:00
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President Biden briefed on Burning Man situation

President Joe Biden was briefed on the situation at Burning Man, according to a White House pool report.

“Administration officials are monitoring the situation are in touch with state and local officials. Event attendees should listen to state and local officials and event organizers,” the pool report says.

Ariana Baio4 September 2023 15:30

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2023-09-04 19:00:51Z
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Turkey's Erdoğan says grain deal to be revived 'soon' after talks with Putin - Financial Times

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2023-09-04 15:38:55Z
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Ukraine's defence minister Oleksii Reznikov dismissed - BBC

Oleksii ReznikovGetty Images

Ukraine's Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov has been dismissed from his post, the country's leader Volodymyr Zelensky has announced.

Mr Reznikov had led the ministry since before the start of Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022.

But in his nightly address, President Zelensky said it was time for "new approaches" in the defence ministry.

Rustem Umerov, who runs Ukraine's State Property Fund, has been nominated by Mr Zelensky as Mr Reznikov's successor.

"I believe that the ministry needs new approaches and other formats of interaction with both the military and society as a whole," the Ukrainian president said in his address from the capital Kyiv.

Ukrainian media has speculated that Mr Reznikov will become Kyiv's new ambassador in London, where he has developed good relations with senior politicians.

The 57-year-old has become a well-known figure since the beginning of the war in Ukraine. Internationally recognised, he has regularly attended meetings with Ukraine's western allies and played a key role in lobbying for additional military equipment.

But his dismissal has been anticipated for some time. Last week, Mr Reznikov told reporters he was exploring other positions with the Ukrainian president.

According to local media, the former defence minister said that if Mr Zelensky offered the opportunity for him to work on another project he would probably agree.

Ukrainian defence advisor Yuriy Sak told the BBC that Mr Reznikov spearheaded the transformation of the ministry, laying the groundwork for future NATO membership.

"His legacy is that he has convinced ministers of defence around the world that the impossible is possible," he said in reference to Mr Reznikov's successful lobbying of foreign governments for arms.

But experts have observed that the cabinet reshuffle is unlikely to lead to any major change in Ukraine's battlefield strategy, with Gen Valery Zaluzhny - the commander of Ukraine's armed forces - overseeing the campaign.

Mr Reznikov's dismissal comes amid a wider anti-corruption drive in Mr Zelensky's administration, with weeding out graft in the state seen as essential to Ukraine's desire to join Western institutions like the EU.

According to the Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index, Ukraine ranks 116th out of 180, but efforts in recent years have seen its position improve significantly.

While Mr Reznikov is not personally accused of corruption, there have been a number of scandals at the ministry of defence involving the procurement of goods and equipment for the army at inflated prices.

Earlier this year Mr Reznikov's deputy, Vyacheslav Shapovalov, resigned in the wake of the scandal. It was widely reported at the time that Mr Reznikov barely held on to his own post.

At the time, he said the stress he had endured was "hard to measure precisely", adding that his "conscience is absolutely clear".

The defence ministry has also been rocked by several recent arrests at regional recruitment offices, where officers have been accused of taking bribes to allow men to avoid Ukraine's military draft.

On Friday, the US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan met with senior Ukrainian anti-corruption officials and urged them to continue prosecuting anti-graft cases "no matter where they lead".

Mr Reznikov will be replaced by Mr Umerov, who represented Ukraine in peace talks at the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion.

The ex-MP allegedly suffered symptoms of suspected poisoning during peace negotiations in March 2022 alongside Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich - who was also part of the negotiating party. In a statement posted to Facebook he later denied the reports, urging people not to trust "unverified information".

Speaking to the BBC at the time, he said it took courage to find solutions but he was determined "to find [a] political and diplomatic resolution to this brutal invasion".

A member of the Crimean Tatar community, he has become a key member of Mr Zelensky's international outreach efforts, focussing on fostering ties in the Islamic world.

Mr Reznikov's dismissal comes as Ukraine wages a slow and bloody counter-offensive after securing more advanced weapons from Western allies.

Progress on the frontline has been slow but top Ukrainian generals said on Sunday that their forces have broken through a key line of Russian defences in the south of the country.

Meanwhile, Russia reported several attempted drone attacks on its territory overnight.

The defence ministry said it shot down two drones over the Kursk region, which borders Ukraine, early on Monday.

The region's governor Roman Stravoit also reported on Sunday that debris from a destroyed drone had caused a fire at a non-residential building in the city of Kurchatov.

Elsewhere, Russia launched its own 3.5-hour overnight assault on the south of Ukraine's Odesa region, with the governor reporting that 17 drones were downed.

"Unfortunately, there are also hits," added Oleh Kiper, who said there had been damage to "several settlements" in the region of Izmail. But he said there were no casualties or injuries.

Izmail is one of Ukraine's two major grain-exporting ports on the Danube River in the Odesa region.

The Danube ports have become Ukraine's major exporting route since the collapse of the Black Sea grain deal in July. Moscow has launched frequent attacks on the Danube since withdrawing from the deal.

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2023-09-04 05:36:18Z
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Minggu, 03 September 2023

Live updates: Death at Burning Man under investigation as thousands stranded - The Independent

Thousands stranded at Burning Man Festival after heavy rain

Burning Man has descended into chaos with one person dead and thousands stranded at the Nevada desert festival after severe flooding.

The death occurred during the event but local law enforcement did not identify the individual or suspected cause of death. An investigation is ongoing.

Tens of thousands of attendees remain stranded at the site in Black Rock desert after severe flooding.

Organisers closed vehicle access on Saturday and told those still trying to enter the festival to turn around and go home.

Revellers were left to trudge through mud, many barefoot or wearing plastic bags on their feet, after being urged to shelter in place and conserve food, water and other supplies.

Organisers have rationed sales of ice and portable toilets are unable to be serviced, the Reno Gazette Journal reported.

The event began on 27 August and was scheduled to end on Monday, according to the US Bureau of Land Management, which oversees the area where the festival is being held.

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Burning Man is a test of ‘radical self-reliance'

The festival is a “temporary metropolis dedicated to community, art, self-expression, and self-reliance”, according to its website.

The six-day event in the Black Rock Desert ends with the torching of a 40-foot effigy of “the man” before Labor Day.

This year the festival was delayed due to flooding caused by Hurricane Hilary. The event has been held since 1986, when co-founders Larry Harvey and Jerry James first burned an improvised wooden figure at Baker Beach during the Summer Solstice.

In 1988, Harvey named the statue “burning man” and began promoting the event to people outside of his circle by handing out flyers and creating t-shirts, according to the Burning Man website.

By 1997, more than 10,000 attended the event and the number only continued growing over the years.

Burning Man did not take place during 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This year, more than 70,000 showed up to the event.

This year, the festival kicked off on 27 August and is set to end on Monday.

A satellite image of the 2023 Burning Man festival

Andrea Blanco3 September 2023 21:30
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DJ Diplo hitched ride out of Burning Man

“I legit walked the side of the road for hours with my thumb out cuz i have a show in dc tonight and didnt want to let yall down,” the DJ wrote on Instagram. “Also shoutout to this guy for making the smart purchase of a truck not knowing it was for this exact moment ❤️”

Chris Rock and Diplo saved from Burning Man by fan in pickup truck
Andrea Blanco3 September 2023 21:09
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Death investigation underway, thousands trapped: What we know about 2023 Burning Man festival’s flooding chaos

Burning Man is already a test of “radical self-sufficiency” for festival goers but the 2023 event brought more hurdles than most would have imagined.

The start of the counter-culture festival was delayed by a rare hurricane on the west coast.

Then climate activists blocked the only road leading to the site in Nevada’s Black Rock Desert before being rammed by a tribal park ranger in his patrol truck. (That incident that is now under investigation.)

From Thursday, heavy rains have poured down on the desert area causing heavy flooding. This weekend, organizers and local authorities closed the roads in for the remainder of the festival and told those en-route to turn around and go home.

More than 70,000 “Burners” at the site have been urged to hunker down and conserve supplies amid mud slicks and unserviced toilets.

On Sunday, police announced an investigation into an unspecified death at the festival but did not disclose the name of the deceased or whether foul play was suspected.

Here’s everything we know about the Burning Man 2023 fiasco:

Andrea Blanco3 September 2023 20:10
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Festivalgoers try to escape mud pit

Only emergency vehicles were authorised to leave the campsite as of Sunday, but people desperate to leave the Black Rock Desert were trying to catch rides to make it out of the festival.

“Everybody else from my camp is from California so they are just going to wait it out. But I need to get back,” Franchesca Cermeno told USA TODAY. “My cat. My daughter. My job. I need to be in Tennessee by tomorrow so I need to be at the airport today.”

Andrea Blanco3 September 2023 19:50
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Stranded burners share their frustration on social media

Andrea Blanco3 September 2023 19:30
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Fyre Fest 2.0? Chris Rock and Diplo escape Burning Man festival as 70,000 stranded in desert

Chris Rock and Diplo have shared their experience of escaping Burning Man festival this weekend, with some 73,000 attendees stranded in the desert following heavy downpours in Nevada’s Black Rock Desert.

The Independent’s Ellie Harrison reports:

Andrea Blanco3 September 2023 19:10
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Five deaths at Burning Man in the last 40 years: Reports

In 2017, Burning Man festival-goers witnessed a disturbing scene during the final day of the event when a man threw himself into the flames of the burning man. Aaron Joel Mitchell, 41, suffered fatal burns when he ran into the fire and died the following day.

Meanwhile, 29-year-old Alicia Louise Cipicchio died in 2014 at Burning Man when she was hit by a party bus.

The San Francisco Gate also reports that in 2003, Katherine Lampman died when she fell from an “art car” and was run over.

Before that, Michael Furey, a friend of Burning Man co-founder Larry Harvey, was killed in a motorcycle accident in 1996.

If you are experiencing feelings of distress and isolation, or are struggling to cope, The Samaritans offers support; you can speak to someone for free over the phone, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch.

If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call National Suicide Prevention Helpline on 1-800-273-TALK (8255). The Helpline is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you.

Andrea Blanco3 September 2023 18:45
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WATCH: Thousands stranded at Burning Man Festival after heavy rain

Thousands stranded at Burning Man Festival after heavy rain
Andrea Blanco3 September 2023 18:17
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WATCH: The muddy scene at Burning Man

<p>Mud covers the ground at the site of the Burning Man festival</p>

Mud covers the ground at the site of the Burning Man festival

Andrea Blanco3 September 2023 17:50
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Former US Principal Deputy Solicitor General manages to leave Burning man

“It was an incredibly harrowing 6 mile hike at midnight through heavy and slippery mud, but I got safely out of Burning Man,” Neal Katyal tweeted on Sunday.

Authorities have advised people stranded at the festival not to leave the desert due to damage to the surface of the playa caused by vehicles.

Andrea Blanco3 September 2023 17:15

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2023-09-03 19:10:40Z
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Volodymyr Zelenskiy sacks defence minister and lines up replacement - The Guardian

Volodymyr Zelenskiy has announced that he intends to dismiss the defence minister, Oleksii Reznikov, from his post and will ask parliament this week to replace him with Rustem Umerov, the head of Ukraine’s main privatisation fund.

The announcement, made in the Ukrainian president’s nightly video address to the nation, sets the stage for the biggest shake-up of Ukraine’s defence establishment since the war was launched by Russia in February 2022.

Reznikov, who was named defence minister in November 2021, has helped secure billions of dollars of western military aid to help the war effort, but been dogged by graft allegations surrounding his ministry that he described as smears.

“I’ve decided to replace the minister of defence of Ukraine. Oleksii Reznikov has been through more than 550 days of full-scale war,” Zelenskiy said. “I believe the ministry needs new approaches and other formats of interaction with both the military and society as a whole.”

The change of defence minister must be approved by parliament, but is likely to be supported by a majority of lawmakers in the Verkhovna Rada. Zelenskiy said he expected parliament to approve Umerov’s appointment.

Umerov, a 41-year-old ex-lawmaker who is a Crimean Tatar, has headed Ukraine’s State Property Fund since September 2022 and has played a role in sensitive wartime negotiations on, for instance, the Black Sea grain deal.

Zelenskiy also said on Sunday night that had struck a “very important agreement on training our pilots in France” in a conversation with the French president, Emmanuel Macron, on Sunday.

“Our coalition of modern fighters is becoming stronger,” he said, adding that Macron had also discussed what France could do to help protect the Ukrainian city of Odesa and the region.

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2023-09-03 20:15:00Z
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Ukraine War: Counter-offensive troops punch through Russia line, generals claim - BBC

A Ukrainian serviceman operates an FPV drone from his positions at a front line, as Russia's attack on Ukraine continues, near the village of Robotyne, Zaporizhzhia region, Ukraine August 25, 2023.Reuters

Ukrainian generals claim they have breached Russia's formidable first line of defences in the south, as the counter-offensive launched earlier this summer may be poised to gather pace.

Since June, Kyiv's territorial gains have been very small - but is Ukraine finally at a turning point?

"Yes, it's true," says Yuriy Sak, an advisor to Ukraine's defence minister, when asked if the breach had happened.

"Little by little, I think we're gaining momentum," he said.

"We are now between the first and second defensive lines," one of Ukraine's top generals in the south, Brig Gen Oleksandr Tarnavskiy told Britain's Observer newspaper.

His words echoed those of the White House spokesman John Kirby, who on Friday told reporters in Washington that Ukrainian forces had "achieved some success against that second line."

The focus of Ukraine's counter-offensive effort in recent weeks has been an expanding bridgehead around the tiny village of Robotyne, some 56km (35 miles) south-east of the city of Zaporizhzhia.

Ukrainian forces raised the country's blue and yellow flag over the village more than a week ago, and are now trying to widen the gap to allow larger infantry and armoured units to pass through without coming under Russian fire.

If that can be achieved, there is a chance Ukraine's offensive can gain momentum as it approaches second and third defensive lines, which may not be quite as robust as the first.

Fighting has been reported east of Robotyne, on the edge of the larger village of Verbove, but like everything so far, it's slow, painstaking work.

A glance at the map shows a mass of overlapping, complex Russian defensive lines, complete with minefields, tank traps and trenches. Some of them converge at Verbove.

Without air cover and in the face of sometimes withering Russian artillery fire, small Ukrainian units have been clearing a way through these hazards, preparing the ground for a larger assault.

"When these openings appear, of course, it makes it easier for our forces to advance," Mr Sak said.

The fog of war

It is hard to assess the significance of the latest claims. Ukrainian officials are extremely tight-lipped when asked for precise details, preferring to allow the fog of war to shroud Kyiv's intentions and extremely reluctant to avoid releasing sensitive information.

It does not help that the forces closest to the fight sometimes give very different accounts of what is happening at the front.

Approached by the BBC on Saturday, Ukraine's 46th Air Assault Brigade said fighting was continuing near Russia's first line of defence, but that "no one has yet managed to go beyond the first line."

This may be less surprising than it sounds. A plethora of units are operating up and down the front, each concentrating on their own narrow section and specific tasks. They do not necessarily know what is going on elsewhere.

A Ukrainian serviceman looks at a destroyed Ukrainian tank, as Russia's attack on Ukraine continues, near the village of Robotyne, Zaporizhzhia region, Ukraine August 25, 2023. REUTERS/Viacheslav Ratynskyi
Reuters

One of those units, a volunteer battalion known by its commander's call sign "Skala", told Reuters news agency that its men had broken through Russia's first line on 26 August.

On Sunday, Skala told us his men were still pushing forward.

"Literally, we are moving along the Zaporizhzhia region to the sea," he said in a voice message, without giving further details.

"I don't want to rush ahead, but both we and the General Staff are doing everything for the fastest victory."

Hard as it is to gauge the precise nature and direction of Ukraine's recent gains, it is clear that the Kremlin is alarmed.

It has recently sent elite troops from other parts of the long front line to bolster defences between Robotyne and the key road and railway hub of Tokmak, 21km to the south.

According to the Washington-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW), this is the third time since June.

"The second lateral deployment in the span of a few weeks suggests an increasing Russian concern about the stability of Russian defences," the ISW reported in its assessment on 1 September.

This, Ukrainian experts claim, is part of Kyiv's plan: forcing Moscow to move front line units from one place to another in an effort to wear them down.

"We're trying to involve their reserves and exhaust them," says Serhiy Kuzan, of the Ukrainian Security and Cooperation Centre, a Kyiv think tank with close ties to the military.

The next job, he says, is to exploit any sign of Russian weakness.

"The main thing is to widen this bridgehead," he says. "There won't be any orders to go deeper until we do that."

Despite the apparently glacial progress of the offensive since June, Mr Kuzan says the fundamental objective has not changed: control of the south.

Map showing Russian military control in Ukraine

What that looks like by the time winter arrives is an open question.

Ideally, Kyiv would like its forces to have reached the Sea of Azov, cutting through Moscow's "land bridge" to the Crimean Peninsula.

But even if this does not happen, Ukraine is determined to cut the supply lines that allow Russian forces to maintain a presence in the southern part of the Kherson region, between the Dnipro river and Crimea.

Some of those links, including the railway that passes through Tokmak, are already highly vulnerable to Ukrainian long range weapons, such as the Himars multiple rocket launcher.

With the other key rail link - the one across the Kerch Bridge - the target of repeated Ukrainian attacks since last October, Mr Kuzan says Russia is transporting 70% of its supplies along the M-14 highway, which runs closer to the coast.

"We have to get the land route… under fire control," he says, meaning that Ukrainian guns need to be close enough to be able to target the road.

That's still a distant goal.

The M-14 is still more than 80km away. There are multiple Russian lines of defence, and Ukrainian forces will be attacked from the ground and air every step of the way.

Another glance at the map shows that Ukraine's territorial gains, since June, have been tiny.

Kyiv's first encounter with Russia's well-entrenched defences was always going to be among the hardest phases. It may be some time before we know if the breach at Robotyne represents a turning point.

"Tough battles are to be expected," Mr Kuzan adds.

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2023-09-03 15:56:30Z
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Live updates: Death at Burning Man under investigation as thousands stranded - The Independent

Thousands stranded at Burning Man Festival after heavy rain

Burning Man has descended into chaos with one person dead and thousands stranded at the Nevada desert festival after severe flooding.

The death occurred during the event but local law enforcement did not identify the individual or suspected cause of death. An investigation is ongoing.

Tens of thousands of attendees remain stranded at the site in Black Rock desert after severe flooding.

Organisers closed vehicle access on Saturday and told those still trying to enter the festival to turn around and go home.

Revellers were left to trudge through mud, many barefoot or wearing plastic bags on their feet, after being urged to shelter in place and conserve food, water and other supplies.

Organisers have rationed sales of ice and portable toilets are unable to be serviced, the Reno Gazette Journal reported.

The event began on 27 August and was scheduled to end on Monday, according to the US Bureau of Land Management, which oversees the area where the festival is being held.

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Festivalgoers try to escape mud pit

Only emergency vehicles were authorised to leave the campsite as of Sunday, but people desperate to leave the Black Rock Desert were trying to catch rides to make it out of the festival.

“Everybody else from my camp is from California so they are just going to wait it out. But I need to get back,” Franchesca Cermeno told USA TODAY. “My cat. My daughter. My job. I need to be in Tennessee by tomorrow so I need to be at the airport today.”

Andrea Blanco3 September 2023 19:50
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Stranded burners share their frustration on social media

Andrea Blanco3 September 2023 19:30
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Fyre Fest 2.0? Chris Rock and Diplo escape Burning Man festival as 70,000 stranded in desert

Chris Rock and Diplo have shared their experience of escaping Burning Man festival this weekend, with some 73,000 attendees stranded in the desert following heavy downpours in Nevada’s Black Rock Desert.

The Independent’s Ellie Harrison reports:

Andrea Blanco3 September 2023 19:10
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Five deaths at Burning Man in the last 40 years: Reports

In 2017, Burning Man festival-goers witnessed a disturbing scene during the final day of the event when a man threw himself into the flames of the burning man. Aaron Joel Mitchell, 41, suffered fatal burns when he ran into the fire and died the following day.

Meanwhile, 29-year-old Alicia Louise Cipicchio died in 2014 at Burning Man when she was hit by a party bus.

The San Francisco Gate also reports that in 2003, Katherine Lampman died when she fell from an “art car” and was run over.

Before that, Michael Furey, a friend of Burning Man co-founder Larry Harvey, was killed in a motorcycle accident in 1996.

If you are experiencing feelings of distress and isolation, or are struggling to cope, The Samaritans offers support; you can speak to someone for free over the phone, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch.

If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call National Suicide Prevention Helpline on 1-800-273-TALK (8255). The Helpline is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you.

Andrea Blanco3 September 2023 18:45
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WATCH: Thousands stranded at Burning Man Festival after heavy rain

Thousands stranded at Burning Man Festival after heavy rain
Andrea Blanco3 September 2023 18:17
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WATCH: The muddy scene at Burning Man

<p>Mud covers the ground at the site of the Burning Man festival</p>

Mud covers the ground at the site of the Burning Man festival

Andrea Blanco3 September 2023 17:50
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Former US Principal Deputy Solicitor General manages to leave Burning man

“It was an incredibly harrowing 6 mile hike at midnight through heavy and slippery mud, but I got safely out of Burning Man,” Neal Katyal tweeted on Sunday.

Authorities have advised people stranded at the festival not to leave the desert due to damage to the surface of the playa caused by vehicles.

Andrea Blanco3 September 2023 17:15
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WATCH: Chris Rock and Diplo saved from Burning Man by fan in pickup truck

Chris Rock and Diplo saved from Burning Man by fan in pickup truck
Andrea Blanco3 September 2023 16:50
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Main entrace to Burning man closed for the year

In a statement to indy100, a spokesperson for the Bureau of Land Management, which oversees the Black Rock Desert site, said: “I can confirm the event entrance was closed for the year because unusual rainfall caused muddy conditions where there was a full stop on vehicles, and not for an ebola outbreak.”

Andrea Blanco3 September 2023 16:28
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Where is Burning Man held?

The popular counter-culture festival is held in northern Nevada’s Black Rock Desert.

There is only one road leading to the land where the festival is held.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the agency which oversees the area where Burning Man is held, said in a statement to The Reno Gazette-Journal that entry will remain closed for the rest of the festival. Burners waiting to get in were told to go home.

“Officials from BLM and the Pershing County Sheriff’s Office have closed ingress to the Burning Man event effective immediately and for the remainder of the event. Participants inbound for the event should turn around and head home,” the statement read.

“Rain over the last 24 hours has created a situation that required a full stop of vehicle movement on the playa. More rain is expected over the next few days and conditions are not expected to improve enough to allow vehicles to enter the playa.”

<p>Burning Man</p>

Burning Man

Andrea Blanco3 September 2023 16:00

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2023-09-03 18:58:51Z
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