Russia-Ukraine crisis updates | Angelina Jolie makes surprise Ukraine visit, meets children
The Hindu
Here are the latest developments from the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict
Ukraine said Russia is seizing large quantities of grain in territories they hold.
“There are confirmed facts that several hundred thousand tonnes of grain in total were taken out of the Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, Donetsk and Luhansk regions,” Ukraine’s Deputy Agriculture Minister Taras Vysotsky was quoted as saying to a television channel.
According to Kremlin’s state media, Russia will quit the International Space Station over sanctions imposed on it after the Ukraine invasion. Roscosmos General Director Dmitry Rogozin said that the partners will be informed about the end of Russia’s work onboard the ISS with a one year notice.
In a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, French President Emmanuel Macron said France would increase military and humanitarian support to Ukraine.
The dialogue between Russia and the U.S. on strategic stability is formally “frozen”, a Russian foreign ministry official as told news agency TASS on Saturday.
Hollywood actor and UN humanitarian Angelina Jolie made a surprise visit to the western Ukrainian city of Lviv on Saturday, the Lviv regional governor said on Telegram.
According to Maksym Kozytskyy, Ms. Jolie — who has been a UNHCR Special Envoy for Refugees since 2011 — had come to speak with displaced people who have found refuge in Lviv, including children undergoing treatment for injuries sustained in the missile strike on the Kramatorsk railway station in early April. - AP
President Biden signs legislation designating the bald eagle as the official national bird of the United States.
Kurdish-led SDF launches counter-offensive against Ankara-backed SNA near Syria's border, intensifying clashes post-Assad era.
Iran lifts ban on WhatsApp after two years, sparking debate among officials and lawmakers over internet restrictions.
Israeli troops evacuate Indonesian Hospital in Gaza, amid ongoing conflict with Hamas, displacing patients to Gaza City.
Russian cargo ship Ursa Major sank in Mediterranean, leaving two missing crew members, according to Spanish and Russian authorities.
Syria's new leader consolidates rebel factions under Defence Ministry to prevent clashes, appoints former rebel as defence minister.
American Airlines grounds all U.S. flights due to technical issue, disrupting Christmas Eve travel plans for thousands of passengers.
Gene Spector, a former executive in Russia, faces espionage charges after a previous bribery conviction, receiving a 15-year jail term.
Indian Ocean tsunami 2004: Former Indian Navy Officer Commodore G Prakash reflects on the 2004 Asian tsunami, emphasizing the importance of disaster response and management.
India to provide ₹2,371 million to Sri Lanka for 33 development projects in education, health, and agriculture sectors.
After the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s 15-year regime on August 5, Bangladesh has experienced a sharp rise in mob violence, fabricated cases, robbery, mugging and extortions.