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Russia-Ukraine War: 12 Latest Updates To Know As Russia Gives Condition For Peace
Published
2 years agoon
By
EditorRussia has agreed to halt its military operations within the Ukrainian territory if the Ukrainian government agrees to alter its constitution, by ceding its quest to join “any bloc” and recognise the Crimean referendum and the independence of the Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics.
The Russian presidential spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, said, “They (Ukrainian authorities) should make amendments to their Constitution according to which Ukraine would reject any aims to enter any bloc.
“We have also spoken about how they should recognise that Crimea is a Russian territory and that they need to recognise that Donetsk and Luhansk are independent states.
“And that’s it. Then, Russia’s military operations will stop in a moment.”
Here are the latest developments in Russia-Ukraine war
– Russian evacuation offer rejected –
Ukraine rejects a Kremlin offer to open escape routes for civilians trapped by the fighting in the cities of Kharkiv, Kyiv, Mariupol and Sumy because several of the routes lead to Russia or its ally Belarus.
Moscow says the proposal was based on a request from French President Emmanuel Macron, which Macron denies, and accuses Ukraine of blocking civilians from leaving, which it calls a “war crime”.
– Shelled while fleeing –
Russia steps up its shelling of cities, including the town of Gostomel near Kyiv, Kharkiv in the east, Sumy in the northeast, Chernihiv in the north and Mykolayiv in the southwest.
Ukraine’s President Volodymr Zelensky accuses Russian troops of the “deliberate murder” of civilians after a family with two children was killed by shelling in the street while trying to flee the town of Irpin, on the outskirts of Kyiv.
Tens of thousands are still trapped without water or power in the besieged southern port of Mariupol after two failed evacuation attempts.
“We saw bodies everywhere, Russians and Ukrainians… We saw that people had been buried in their basements,” one family that made it out tells AFP.
– More talks –
A third round of talks between Ukrainian and Russian delegations gets underway on the Belarus-Poland border to discuss humanitarian corridors.
Turkey announces that it will host Russia’s and Ukraine’s foreign ministers for talks on Thursday.
– Oil, gas prices rocket –
Oil prices hit a near 14-year high and European and UK natural gas prices hit record highs after the United States proposes an embargo on Russian oil imports.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz warns against a ban, saying it could put Europe’s energy security at risk.
– Debts paid in rubles –
Russia says it will allow Russian companies and individuals to repay debts to creditors in “hostile” nations, including the US, EU, Britain, Canada and Japan in the battered national currency, the ruble.
READ ALSO: Ukraine Invasion: Pope Francis Berrates Putin
– Russia snubs international court –
Russia snubs a hearing at the International Court of Justice in The Hague at which Ukraine seeks an immediate order to halt the conflict.
– Russians need clothes: Uniqlo –
Japanese casualwear giant Uniqlo defends a decision to keep Russian stores open even as rivals Zara and H&M suspend operations in the country over the invasion of Ukraine.
“Clothing is a necessity of life,” Tadashi Yanai, president of Uniqlo operator Fast Retailing says.
– Britain visas row –
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson defends his government from accusations of being unwelcoming to Ukrainian refugees, saying it has granted only about 50 visas so far because of the need to screen all newcomers for security reasons.
– 1.7 million refugees –
The UN says 1.7 million people have fled Ukraine, making it the fastest-growing refugee crisis since World War II.
– Kremlin arrests thousands more – Police detain more than 5,000 people protesting the war in some 60 Russian cities Sunday, bringing the numbers held to well over 11,000 since the invasion began.
– Rock-solid friendship – China’s foreign minister says the friendship between Beijing and Moscow is “rock solid” despite the Russian invasion and offers to help mediate.
– Iodine tablets –France is sending iodine tablets and other medical supplies to Ukraine. They are used to protect against the effects of exposure to radiation.
PUNCH.
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JUST IN: One Dead, Many Injured As Deadly Turbulence Hit Singapore-bound Plane
Published
7 hours agoon
May 21, 2024By
EditorOne person died and multiple people were injured on a Singapore Airlines flight that experienced “severe turbulence” while heading from London to Singapore before it was diverted to Bangkok on Tuesday, the company said.
“We can confirm that there are injuries and one fatality on board the Boeing 777-300ER. There were a total of 211 passengers and 18 crew on board,” the airline said on Facebook.
The PUNCH reports that the airline also on its X account, #SingaporeAir, confirmed the incident.
READ ALSO: Iran Gets Interim President After Raisi’s Death
It posted, “Singapore Airlines flight #SQ321, operating from London (Heathrow) to Singapore on 20 May 2024, encountered severe turbulence en-route.
“The aircraft diverted to Bangkok and landed at 1545hrs local time on 21 May 2024. We can confirm that there are injuries and one fatality on board the Boeing 777-300ER. Singapore Airlines offers its deepest condolences to the family of the deceased.
“Our priority is to provide all possible assistance to all passengers and crew on board the aircraft. More details at https://bit.ly/4bLqfCF. Regular updates will be provided on our Facebook and X accounts.”
READ ALSO: JUST IN: Lagos Speaker, Obasa, Loses Father
The airline added that it was working with Thai authorities to provide medical assistance to passengers, and was sending a team to Bangkok to provide any additional assistance needed.
Turbulence during a flight refers to the irregular or unpredictable movement of air that causes the aircraft to experience sudden, erratic motions.
It is a common occurrence and can range from mild bumps to severe jolts.
Details later
Headline
Iran President Had ‘Lot Of Blood On His Hands’ – White House
Published
22 hours agoon
May 20, 2024By
EditorIran President Ebrahim Raisi had a “lot of blood on his hands”, the White House said on Monday despite Washington offering condolences after his death in a helicopter crash.
“This was a man who had a lot of blood on his hands,” National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters, saying Raisi was responsible for “atrocious” rights abuses in Iran and had supported regional proxies including Hamas.
Kirby said, however, that “as in any other case, we certainly regret in general the loss of life and offered official condolences as appropriate.”
READ ALSO: Iran Declares 5 Days Of Mourning Over President Raisi’s Death
Earlier, Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, announced on Monday five days of mourning for President Ebrahim Raisi who died in a helicopter crash.
“I announce five days of public mourning and offer my condolences to the dear people of Iran,” said Khamenei in an official statement a day after the death of Raisi and other officials in the crash in East Azerbaijan province.
Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei assigned vice president Mohammad Mokhber to assume interim duties after the death of president Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash a day earlier.
“In accordance with Article 131 of the constitution, Mokhber is in charge of leading the executive branch,” said Khamenei in a statement, adding that Mokhber will be required to work with the heads of legislative and judicial branches to prepare for presidential elections “within a maximum period of 50 days”.
Recall that President Raisi was confirmed dead on Monday after his helicopter crashed in a mountainous region of the country.
READ ALSO: UK Regulator Reports Air Peace Over Alleged Safety Violation
Raisi was travelling with Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian who also died in the accident.
Rescue teams had been scouring the area since Sunday afternoon after a helicopter carrying Raisi, the foreign minister and other officials had gone missing.
Early Monday, relief workers located the missing helicopter, with state TV saying the president had died.
“The servant of Iranian nation, Ayatollah Ebrahim Raisi has achieved the highest level of martyrdom whilst serving the people,” state television said Monday, with Mehr news agency also saying he was dead.
State television broadcast photos of Raisi, with the voice of a man reciting the Koran playing in the background.
READ ALSO: Iran Declares 5 Days Of Mourning Over President Raisi’s Death
Iran’s vice president for executive affairs Mohsen Mansouri posted on X a Koranic verse used to express condolences.
Meanwhile, Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has announced a five days of mourning for President Raisi.
“I announce five days of public mourning and offer my condolences to the dear people of Iran,” said Khamenei in an official statement a day after the death of Raisi and other officials in the crash in East Azerbaijan province.
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