Ukraine
US-backed Ukraine secret project studied ways in which bats can infect humans
The Russian Defense Ministry said on Thursday that it will soon release additional documents pertaining to the operation of Pentagon-funded biolabs in Ukraine. Moscow believes they have been involved in bioweapons research, RT reported. Russian military specialists in weapons of mass destruction are analysing documents obtained from staff members of the Ukrainian labs, ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said in a daily briefing.
Russia denies 'significant progress' in talks with Ukraine
The Kremlin has termed a report in the Financial Times about a supposed 15-point draft peace plan with Ukraine as false. The sides held several rounds of talks after Russia attacked Ukraine on February 24, later switching to regular discussions via video link. Replying to a reporter's question on Thursday as to if Russia and Ukraine were close to signing a peace deal, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: "No, the work continues [on the matter]."
Amid war, Ukraine sees surge in HIV, TB, Covid cases
Russian forces invaded Ukraine on February 24. While many have fled the country, those remaining are huddled in basements, subway stations and temporary shelters to protect themselves from bombardment, increasing the risk of Covid spread. Besides, with lack of water and sanitation, cases of diarrhoeal diseases are certain to rise, and the risk of polio and measles outbreaks is also high.
Russia's offensives in Ukraine have largely stalled on all fronts: UK
Russia's offensives in Ukraine have "largely stalled on all fronts", the UK's Defence Ministry said in its latest assessment of the ongoing Moscow-Kiev war. According to Ukraine's military, Russia's efforts have now switched to aerial attacks, bombing and shelling civilian populations, because they've been "unsuccessful" in their ground operations. Moscow has only recorded about 500 troop deaths so far, but US intelligence estimates it to be closer to 7,000 personnel, said the BBC report.
Indian Judge votes against Russia as ICJ asks Moscow to halt military operations
Indian Judge Dalveer Bhandari was among the 13 judges at the International Court of Justice who on Wednesday voted against the Russian invasion and ordered Moscow to immediately halt the military operations against Ukraine. “The Russian Federation, pending the final decision in the case, must immediately suspend the military operations it commenced in the territory of Ukraine on February 24, 2022,” the order said.
Australia threatens China with sanctions for backing Russia
Asked whether any penalties were in store for China over its refusal to condemn the ongoing Russian assault, the Prime Minister said that Australia would join with allies in sanctioning the country, RT reported."We will move in lockstep with our partners and allies on these issues, and the United States has made some very clear statements about this and we support those statements," he said on Wednesday, calling on "the whole world" to "put an end to this terrible violence and aggression by Russia".
FAO chief economist warns of Ukraine conflict's toll on food security
To assess the potential impact on international food prices caused by a conflict-induced reduction in cereal and vegetable oil exports from Ukraine and Russia, simulations have been carried out, Xinhua news agency quoted Torero as saying to reporters at the UN Headquarters in New York. On the basis of their already elevated baseline values, wheat price would increase by 8.7 per cent in a moderate-shock scenario and by 21.5 per cent in a severe-shock scenario, he said.
FB removes deepfake video of Ukrainian President
In the video, Zelensky appears to stand behind a presidential podium and in front of a backdrop, both of which feature the Ukrainian coat of arms. Wearing a green shirt, Zelensky speaks in Ukrainian, appearing to tell his countrymen to put down their weapons, reports Sky News. However, Nathaniel Gleicher, Meta's head of security, on Wednesday tweeted that the video had been removed from the company's platforms.
'Ukrainian, Russian Presidents may hold talks in coming days'
"Obviously, the only way to end this war is direct talks between the two presidents, and this is what we are working on in the current talks," Podolyak, also a member of the Ukrainian delegation to the peace talks with Russia, was quoted as saying. Work is underway to prepare the documents that could be signed during the meeting of the two leaders, the official was quoted as saying by Xinhua news agency.
Volodymyr Zelensky makes direct appeal to Congress for no-fly zone rejected by Biden
"Russia has turned the Ukrainian sky into a source of death for thousands of people," Zelensky said over a video link from Ukraine and asked, "To create a no-fly zone over Ukraine to save people, is this too much to ask?" In an emotional speech, he invoked the powerful symbols of US crises of foreign attacks, the 1941 Pearl Harbour attack by Japan and the 9/11 terrorist attack, to reinforce his plea for help. "Our country experiences the same, every day, right now at this moment," he said.
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