Ukraine urges evacuations as Russia claims gains
Ukraine urged civilians near the northeastern front line to evacuate on Thursday as Russia ramped up an assault to capture the territory already...
2023-08-10 21:49
Colombian President Gustavo Petro slammed for claiming 4 children involved in plane crash found alive
The plane crash reportedly happened on May 1 and the bodies of the pilot and two adults have been discovered so far
2023-05-18 18:48
Coco Gauff picks up her 13th win in 14 matches to stay on course to meet Iga Swiatek at the US Open
Coco Gauff has taken another step toward a possible quarterfinal showdown against No. 1 Iga Swiatek at the U.S. Open
2023-08-31 08:57
Kramatorsk pizza restaurant missile strike kills 11 including twin sisters aged 14
A Russian missile attack on a pizza restaurant in the eastern city of Kramatorsk has killed at least 11 people, including three teenagers, and left more than 60 people injured. Authorities in the city have named 14-year-old twins, Yuliya and Anna Aksenchenko, as being among the dead. In a Telegram post, the city's council extended its condolences to the parents of the girls, saying that "a Russian rocket stopped the beating of the hearts of two angels". Another girl, aged 17, was also killed "We share the grief of your family and together with you we bow our heads in deep sorrow," the city council said. What happened in the attack? The Pizza RIA restaurant was popular with both locals, as well as aid workers and journalists – and was said to be crowded when it was hit on Tuesday evening. "I ran here after the explosion because I rented a cafe here.... Everything has been blown out there," said Valentyna, a 64-year-old woman who declined to give her surname. "None of the glass, windows or doors are left. All I see is destruction, fear and horror. This is the 21st century," she told Reuters. Police said around 60 people were injured in the strike, which turned the restaurant into a pile of twisted beams. Emergency services posted pictures online of rescue teams sifting through the site with cranes and other equipment. The Donetsk regional governor – the area where Kramatorsk is located – Pavlo Kyrylenko told national television that people were visible under the rubble. Their condition was unknown, he said, but "we are experienced in removing rubble". Video footage on military Telegram channels showed one man, his head bleeding, receiving first aid on the pavement. Eight people had been rescued alive from the rubble and at least three more were believed to be trapped, Veronika Bakha, the spokeswoman for the Donetsk region emergency services said. The attack also damaged 18 multi-story buildings, 65 houses, five schools, two kindergartens, a shopping center, an administrative building and a recreational building, the regional governor, Mr Kyrylenko, said. Why Kramatorsk? Russia has been keeping up an aerial assault across Ukraine for months. Kramatorsk is a major city west of the frontlines in Donetsk province, a key logistics hub. It would likely be a key objective in any Russian advance westward seeking to capture all of the region. The city has been a frequent target of Russian attacks, including a strike on the town's railway station in April 2022 that killed dozens. It was one of the worst single air strikes of the war. There were at least two strikes on apartment buildings and other civilian sites earlier this year. Officials initially blamed the strike in Kramatorsk on an S-300 missile, a surface-to-air weapon that Russia's forces have repurposed for loosely targeted strikes on cities, but the National Police later said Iskander short-range ballistic missiles were used. Russia denies targeting civilian sites in its invasion of Ukraine – which began in February 2022 – a claim rubbished by Ukrainian officials and Western allies of Kyiv. Kramatorsk's position in the Donetsk region, one of four Ukrainian provinces that Russia claimed to annex last September but does not fully control. Russia annexed the region of Crimea almost a decade ago. Ukrainian-held parts of the partially occupied provinces have been hit especially hard by Russian bombardment. The Kremlin demands that Kyiv recognize the annexations, while Kyiv has ruled out any talks with Russia until its troops pull back from all occupied territories. Kyiv recently launched a much-anticipated counteroffensive to take back occupied territory. What other strikes have there been in the last 24 hours? A second missile hit a village on the fringes of Kramatorsk on Tuesday, injuring five. A Russian missile also hit a cluster of buildings in Kremenchuk, about 230 miles west in central Ukraine, exactly a year after an attack on a shopping mall there that killed at least 20. No casualties were reported in the latest attack. On Wednesday morning, the head of the Kharkiv region said three civilians have been killed in Russian shelling. "Unfortunately, as a result of this shelling, three civilians in the village of Vovchanski Khutory were killed near their homes," governor Oleh Synehubov wrote on the Telegram messaging app. What has been the Ukrainian response? On Wednesday, Ukrainian authorities arrested Wednesday a man they accused of helping Russia direct the missile strike. The Security Service of Ukraine alleged in a message on Telegram that the man had filmed the restaurant for the Russians and informed them about its popularity. Vasyl Malyuk, the head of the Security Service of Ukraine, said in a statement: “The agent of the Russian Federation will definitely answer to the Ukrainian court. But his detention is also a signal to all other adjusters and traitors who work for the enemy. Remember – the punishment is inevitable!” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in his nightly video message on Tuesday that the attacks showed that Russia "deserved only one thing as a consequence of what it has done – defeat and a tribunal". Ukraine has been pushing for a war crimes tribunal to deal with Russia's actions in Ukraine, and have been gathering evidence. Reuters and Associated Press contributed to this report Read More The Body in the Woods | An Independent TV Original Documentary The harrowing discovery at centre of The Independent’s new documentary Cambodian leader Hun Sen, a huge Facebook fan, says he is jumping ship to Telegram Footage shows scale of destruction after Russian strike on Kramatorsk restaurant Joe Biden says Putin is ‘clearly losing the war in Iraq’
2023-06-29 02:18
How Austin Riley outsmarted Bryce Harper on Braves final out
Braves star Austin Riley can do it all. After hitting Game 2's go-ahead homer, he completed a wild double-play to end the game.
2023-10-10 11:29
Sarkozy loses appeal against corruption conviction
France's ex-president loses his appeal against a 2021 conviction but can wear a tag instead of going to jail.
2023-05-17 15:56
Rob Page delighted with Wales response after speculation over future
Rob Page welcomed Wales putting automatic qualification for Euro 2024 in their own hands after admitting he had been “fighting fires” before the stunning 2-1 victory over Croatia. Harry Wilson, winning his 50th cap, scored twice as Wales climbed above the 2022 World Cup semi-finalists in to second place in Group D. The two teams are tied on 10 points, six behind group leaders Turkey who secured qualification by beating Latvia 4-0 on Sunday. Wales are second by virtue of having a better head-to-head record against Croatia after also drawing 1-1 with them in Split in March. Wales’ win over Croatia, ranked sixth in the world and 27 places above the Dragons, came after pre-match reports that manager Page’s job could be in jeopardy. Football Association of Wales chief executive Noel Mooney had said earlier in the week that a “serious review” would take place on Page’s position following the final group games against Armenia and Turkey next month. Page is currently just over 12 months into a four-year deal. Page said: “I would say it’s the best performance (of his three-year reign), I am immensely proud. “There was unnecessary noise coming into it, with me fighting fires. I didn’t need any player to speak, I see the players want to play for me. “I had a text from the chief executive today, before that, not for five weeks. “I just want to concentrate on the football, we are two games away from qualifying for another major tournament, a fourth in five. “We believe we can do it. We need to do the same (in November) as we did in this camp.” Wales had never beaten Croatia in seven previous attempts, drawing three and losing four. But Wales had the better first-half chances – Dominik Livakovic denying Wilson and Neco Williams with smart saves – and took control after the break. Wilson raced on to David Brooks’ pass to score with a splendid chip and then converted Daniel James’ cross with a glancing header. Mario Pasalic ensured home anxiety 15 minutes from time with a close-range header, but Wales held on for a famous victory. Page said: “In all aspects, how we defended against an excellent team with one of the best midfields in the world was outstanding. “We are in a transition period where we’ve lost one of the best players in the world (Gareth Bale). We are introducing young players to strengthen us and improve us. “Seven of our 11 are not starting for their club. Chris Mepham’s last game was against Latvia. Kieffer Moore isn’t playing for his club. “But when they turn up for Wales they produce a performance like that. I am really proud of them as a group. “The players are an incredible bunch and it’s in our hands now. “I understand not everyone is going to be a fan of mine, but when you have a group of players playing like that for you, it makes you immensely proud.” Croatia head coach Zlatko Dalic believes the 2022 World Cup semi-finalists face a tough task to qualify automatically after successive defeats to Turkey and Wales. Dalic said: “It is going to be difficult. We understand it is not all in our hands any more. We have to believe that we are going to be able to turn this around. “We just played both games without energy, we didn’t play well, we didn’t create any chances. Our opponent was more aggressive, tougher than us and we deserved to lose.” Read More Stephen Kenny not dwelling on past as Ireland return to Faro focused on victory Wales defeat Croatia to boost Euro 2024 qualification hopes Steve Borthwick hails ‘written off’ England after reaching World Cup semi-final Stephen Kenny puts speculation to one side for Gibraltar clash Jos Buttler tells England to ‘let it hurt’ after World Cup loss to Afghanistan Baltimore boss John Harbaugh thrilled to end ‘heck of a week’ in London on high
2023-10-16 06:53
Trump appealing narrow gag order imposed on him in federal election interference case
Former President Donald Trump’s lawyers say they are appealing a narrow gag order imposed on him in his federal 2020 election interference case
2023-10-18 03:50
Nomura Eyes Extra $100 Million Cost Cuts in Wholesale Banking
Nomura Holdings Inc. is aiming for an additional $100 million in cost reductions in its wholesale banking division,
2023-11-29 10:59
'Go Al Go': 'Today' meteorologist Al Roker gets hearty welcome in Memphis as he embarks on new NBC show assignment
'Today' host Al Roker addressed his absence via Instagram as he received a warm response from followers for a short assignment in Memphis, Tennessee
2023-08-23 12:29
Poland's newly elected parliament meets for the first time
The Polish parliament is meeting for the first time after an election last month heralded a change of course for the Central European nation at a time of war across the border in Ukraine
2023-11-13 17:22
Jeremie Frimpong and Leverkusen are thriving with coach Xabi Alonso. Now to take the next step
Much will depend on Jeremie Frimpong if Bayer Leverkusen can take the next step to challenge for the German title
2023-09-04 20:46
You Might Like...
Internet baffled as Jada Pinkett Smith claims Will Smith's Oscars slap helped her recommit to marriage
The Association of American Indian Physicians Launches Campaign Aimed at Increasing Influenza and Shingles Vaccinations Among American Indian and Alaskan Natives
‘Succession’ Season 4 Episode 9 Review: The Roy siblings unleash the ultimate political dystopia over America
UK government faces deadline to hand Boris Johnson's messages to coronavirus inquiry
In post-Roe era, House Republicans begin quiet push for new restrictions on abortion access
Ange Postecoglou expects Brennan Johnson to ‘fit in really well’ at Tottenham
Olivia Dunne wears blue bikini with stars on Fourth of July to display love for America, Internet says 'same pronouns: red white and blue'
After SpaceX, NASA taps Bezos's Blue Origin to build Moon lander