List of All Articles with Tag 'person'

The U.N. says the conflict in Sudan has driven more than 3 million people from their homes

President Joe Biden on Wednesday hailed the “unbroken” people of Ukraine and the “incredible dignity” with which they’ve acted to repel Russia’s invading forces as he pledged on behalf of the Western world to maintain support for Kyiv’s defence for as long as necessary. Mr Biden delivered his remarks to a boisterous crowd who’d gathered hours ahead of time to hear him speak in the Great Court at Vilnius University, following the conclusion of this year’s Nato leaders’ summit, at which leaders of the 31-member defence alliance agreed to expedite Ukraine’s bid for membership in the bloc once the war with Russia has been brought to a close. The president, who was also met with one person in the crowd who held a sign marking him as a supporter of his predecessor, Donald Trump, noted the history of the place where he was speaking, and recalled how the Lithuanian yellow, green and red tricolour flag remained aloft outside the country’s diplomatic mission to Washington, even throughout the Soviet occupation of Lithuania. He said some of the older attendees in the crowd would “know better than anyone how precious the right to determine your own future is,” and praised Lithuania and the other Baltic states — Estonia and Latvia — for their strenuous advocacy for Ukraine’s defence and for Kyiv’s bid for membership in Nato. Mr Biden said that all parties involved “want this war to end,” but only on terms that will “uphold the basic principles” of the UN charter concerning national sovereignty and territorial integrity, calling those concepts “two pillars of peaceful relations among nations”. “One country cannot be allowed to seize his neighbour territory by force,” he said, adding that Moscow “could end this war tomorrow” by pulling back Russian forces from all of Ukraine’s territory, with the caveat that Moscow “has shown thus far no interest” in such an outcome because Russian president Vladimir Putin “still wrongly believes that he can outlast Ukraine”. “He can't believe it's their land, their country and their future and even after all this time, Putin still doubts their staying power,” Mr Biden said, adding that the Russian leader is “still making a bad bet” by thinking that the “conviction and the unity among the United States and our allies and partners will break down”. “He still doesn't understand that our commitment, our values, our freedom is something he can never, never, ever ever walk away from. It's who we are,” he said. “The defence of freedom is not the work of a day or a year. It's the calling of our lifetime — of all time. We’re steeled for the struggle ahead, our unity will not falter, I promise you”. Mr Biden added that the US and Western commitment to Ukraine’s defence “will not waver”. “Our commitment to Ukraine will not weaken. We will stand for liberty today, tomorrow, and for as long as it takes,” he said. The president’s remarks echoed another rousing speech he delivered in Warsaw five months ago, when he pledged “unwavering” support for Ukraine’s defence and Nato’s unity less than 24 hours after a surprise visit to Kyiv. At the time, he pledged that Ukraine “will never be a victory for Russia,” and it appears that the rest of the West is on board with Mr Biden’s plans. In addition to the Nato leaders who gathered in Vilnius this week, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida travelled there to unveil a new joint declaration from the Group of Seven in support of Kyiv’s defence. In remarks delivered following the G7 leaders’ session, Mr Biden said the joint declaration will “make it clear” that support for Kyiv from the world’s largest democracies “will last long into the future”. “This starts a process by which each of our nations and any other nation who wishes to participate will negotiate long-term bilateral or security commitments with him to Ukraine. We’re going to help Ukraine build a strong capable defence across land, air and sea ... which will enforce stability in the region and deter against any and all threats,” he said. Mr Biden reiterated the same sentiment a short time later during a bilateral meeting with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky. He praised Mr Zelensky, the actor-turned-politician who has served as Ukraine’s leader since 2019, as having “done an enormous job” and promised that the US and its allies would “make sure that you get what you need”. “And I look forward to the day when we’re having the meetings celebrating your official membership in Nato, so thank you for what you’re doing,” he said. For his part, Mr Zelensky thanked the US president for his recent decision to provide Kyiv with cluster munitions for use against Russian troops on Ukrainian soil, telling Mr Biden that the move “will help us to save us”. The announcement of the joint declaration and the meeting between Mr Biden and Mr Zelensky came after days of tension between the Ukrainian leader and his other Western counterparts over Ukraine’s prospects for membership in Nato. While the US and many other Nato nations had been skittish about giving Ukraine a path to rapid membership while the war with Russia continues, other states have pushed for an immediate change in Kyiv’s status. But the joint declaration — and an announcement from Nato that Ukraine could skip the Membership Action Plan previously laid out for the country’s membership bid and join at a future date post-war — appeared to smooth over the tension between the allies and the Ukrainian leader. Asked how long it would take for Nato to accept Ukraine once the war was over, Mr Biden quipped: “An hour and 20 minutes”. Read More Biden says support for Ukraine ‘will not waver’ in fiery Vilnius speech after Zelensky Nato meeting - live Biden and Zelenskyy praise each other despite divisions over Ukraine war Ukraine’s greatest weapon isn’t on the battlefield The Body in the Woods | An Independent TV Original Documentary The harrowing discovery at centre of The Independent’s new documentary

Veteran news anchor Huw Edwards was on Wednesday revealed by his wife as the BBC presenter accused of paying for explicit images but police said...

London police say there's no evidence that a BBC presenter who allegedly paid a teenager for sexually explicit photos committed a crime

The Army officer tapped to be the service’s next chief of staff is outlining his plan to fix what he described as the service’s top challenge — rebuilding recruiting — as it becomes clear the Army will again fall short of its enlistment goal

By Sarah N. Lynch WASHINGTON FBI Director Chris Wray rejected Republicans' wide-ranging criticism at a congressional hearing on

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on Wednesday launched into a condemnation of Western attitudes on homosexuality during a visit to Uganda which has just introduced some of...

Carlos Alcaraz stayed on track for a Wimbledon title showdown against defending champion Novak Djokovic on Wednesday as Ons Jabeur avenged her painful...

By Moira Warburton and Ann Saphir WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. President Joe Biden's three Federal Reserve Board nominees, including his pick

The most iconic shirt in Manchester United’s history had gone unworn in matches since November. There had been no No. 7 in eight months, since Cristiano Ronaldo’s valedictory appearance in defeat to Aston Villa. Mason Mount is only Ronaldo’s successor in terms of shirt number; he is unlikely to touch the heights the Portuguese did at Old Trafford or exit in as explosive a manner. But his unofficial debut, in a 2-0 friendly win against Leeds in Oslo, brought slight echoes of another of United’s battalion of brilliant No. 7s. David Beckham took set-pieces for the best part of a decade and Mount was on free kicks and corners – when Alvaro Fernandez headed wide, he ought to have had an early assist – though he will probably be relieved of some of those duties when he is on the pitch with some of Bruno Fernandes, Christian Eriksen and Marcus Rashford. But Beckham’s most famous goal for United was a long-range chip; Mount almost scored his first in similar style, albeit from 35 yards rather than 60. It was, nevertheless, an illustration of why Erik ten Hag has made him United’s first summer signing. There was the prowess at pressing to close down and rob defender Jeremiah Mullen and the speed of thought to loft the ball over goalkeeper Kristoffer Klaesson; his effort landed on the roof of the net. It was a chance created by his energy. “I am sure he will bring dynamism,” Ten Hag had said an hour earlier. “We need more dynamism in our midfield department.” Mount’s awareness was apparent again with a run behind the Leeds defence to meet Raphael Varane’s pass, when he was perhaps wrongly given offside. Each indicated that United paid £55 million in part for a sharp footballing brain. They also bought a player whose versatility has allowed him to play different positions. Mount spent most of his Chelsea career in the front three; the indications were already that he would be in a midfield trio for United, and not merely because Ten Hag has never shared Thomas Tuchel’s fondness for 3-4-3. He has not been bought to be a winger, even if he offers an option on the flanks. His first appearance suggested he will be found more at the heart of his new team. Not since Bryan Robson has a United No. 7 played regularly in the middle of midfield. On his United bow, Mount collected possession immediately in front of the centre-backs more than he used to for Chelsea. He was involved further back in the build-up than before. He played as a prompter, passing forward with crisp purpose. He enjoyed it. “I really like that role today,” he said. “Being able to drop in deep and get on the ball and start the play from a bit deeper but also having that freedom to be able to get forward, get in the box and try and make the runs in behind and start the press from the front.” Ten Hag was impressed. “Great but we could expect this. He has so much skills and I am sure we will take so much joy from him and he will contribute to our performance.” Further contributions should come with different sidekicks. Mount was the senior figure in a trio with a difference, in a midfield with Kobbie Mainoo and Hannibal Mejbri. He is more likely to team up with Casemiro and Fernandes in competitive games, but it was notable that Hannibal operated more as a No. 10 with Mount often behind him. “His ambition is to play offensive but also he wants to be multi-functional and also complete,” Ten Hag had said. If that is what United require, an all-rounder in midfield, an encouraging element was that Mount looked fit on his first appearance since April after injury curtailed the worst season of his career. He went off after 45 minutes as Ten Hag made 11 changes. The second-half side was so inexperienced that United were captained by Charlie Savage – Raphael Varane had the armband before the break, while alongside him Lisandro Martinez made his comeback from injury – but the youngsters got United’s pre-season off to a winning start. The 20-year-old Frenchman Noam Emeran slotted in the first and the 19-year-old Joe Hugill added a second. He was the only specialist centre-forward in the squad Ten Hag took to Norway, with Anthony Martial injured and Rashford yet to return to training. In the first half, Jadon Sancho operated as a false nine for a club who are trying to recruit an out-and-out striker this summer. But the one signing they have made is a midfielder and, while stiffer tests await, it was an auspicious start for Mount. Read More Mason Mount makes debut as Man Utd begin pre-season with win over Leeds Mason Mount’s sale is one part of Chelsea’s ‘masterplan’, but what comes next? David de Gea confirms Manchester United exit with ‘farewell message’ to fans Mason Mount makes debut as Man Utd begin pre-season with win over Leeds Mason Mount’s sale is one part of Chelsea’s ‘masterplan’, but what comes next? Mauricio Pochettino tells Chelsea to banish last season and deliver from day one

The US economy showed an overall increase in activity since late May, though most regions expect the pace

A spot in the Wimbledon semifinals was as good as guaranteed from where Ons Jabeur was sitting on Centre Court