State Department urges Americans to leave Belarus "immediately" as tensions rise with Russia
CBSN
The State Department urged all Americans in Belarus, which borders Ukraine and Russia, to leave "immediately" on Monday night, amid "concerning Russian military activity" near the border with Ukraine.
The updated guidance, which also tells Americans not to travel to Moldova, comes after a U.S. official told CBS News that Russian units near Ukraine have moved into "attack positions" and that the U.S. believes Russia will attack Ukraine by the end of the week.
The State Department advisory warned, "Due to an increase in unusual and concerning Russian military activity near the border with Ukraine, U.S. citizens located in or considering travel to Belarus should be aware that the situation is unpredictable and there is heightened tension in the region." It's a level 4 advisory, the State Department's most severe "do not travel" warning, which indicates an increased likelihood of life-threatening risks. The advisory was already a level 4 before Monday, but the warning to leave immediately is new.
Sydney, Australia — A shark bit and killed a 17-year-old girl swimming off an eastern Australian island on Monday, officials said, in the country's third reported fatal attack in just over five weeks. Paramedics rushed to Woorim Beach in Queensland to treat the teenager, who had sustained serious injuries to her upper body, an ambulance service spokesperson said.
Tel Aviv — American-Israeli dual national Keith Siegel was among three hostages released by militants in the war-torn Gaza Strip on Saturday, more than 15 months after they were taken captive by Hamas. Siegel was freed in Gaza City about two hours after Israelis Yarden Bibas and Ofer Calderon were released in the southern city of Khan Younis. The Israeli military confirmed Siegel's transfer from militants to Red Cross personnel.
Six Americans who had been detained in Venezuela in recent months were freed by the government of President Nicolás Maduro after he met Friday with a Trump administration official tasked with urging the authoritarian leader to take back deported migrants who have committed crimes in the United States.