’20 Days in Mariupol’ wins Sundance audience award
Mstyslav Chernov's documentary "20 Days in Mariupol," a first-person account of the early days of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, won the audience prize for world cinema documentary at the Sundance Film Festival. Juries for the various sections at the festival announced the winners at an awards ceremony Friday in Park City, Utah. “I want to thank everyone who believed in us: AP, Frontline and Sundance and all the audiences who did not turn away,” Chernov said. In total, 12 films premiered in the world cinema documentary section, including films about climate change, Syria, growing up during apartheid and the International Chopin Piano Competition. Other prize winners in the category included “Fantastic Machine,” for creative vision, “Against the Tide” for verité filmmaker, and “Some Sauna Sisterhood” for directing.
wftv.comFrench, Dutch ministers visit NATO battlegroup in Romania
The foreign ministers of France and the Netherlands have paid an official visit to a military base in Romania where both nations station troops as a part of a NATO battlegroup that was bolstered in the wake of Russia’s invasion of neighboring Ukraine
washingtonpost.comFrench, Dutch ministers visit NATO battlegroup in Romania
BUCHAREST, Romania — (AP) — The foreign ministers of France and the Netherlands paid an official visit on Friday to a military base in Romania where both nations station troops as a part of a NATO battlegroup that was bolstered in the wake of Russia’s invasion of neighboring Ukraine. Catherine Colonna of France and Wopke Hoekstra of the Netherlands visited the military base in Cincu, central Romania, along with their Romanian counterpart, Bogdan Aurescu. The drill involved some 200 military vehicles, including four French Leclerc battle tanks that practiced firing live ammunition. They will also discuss developments in Moldova, which has been impacted in a multitude of ways since Moscow launched its war against Ukraine, Moldova's neighbor. ___Follow AP’s coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraineCopyright 2023 The Associated Press.
wftv.comIn Romania, French, Dutch FMs sign agreement to boost ties
The foreign ministers of France and the Netherlands paid an official visit to Romania on Friday where they visited a NATO battlegroup, and later signed an agreement to strengthen ties between the three countries amid Russia’s war in neighboring Ukraine.
Auschwitz anniversary marked as peace again shattered by war
OSWIECIM, Poland — (AP) — Survivors of Auschwitz-Birkenau are gathering Friday to commemorate the 78th anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi German death camp in the final months of World War II, amid the horror of war again shattering peace in Europe. In all, some 1.1 million people were killed at the vast complex before it was liberated by Soviet troops on Jan. 27, 1945. Russian President Vladimir Putin attended observances marking the 60th anniversary of the camp’s liberation in 2005. Bartnikowski was among several survivors of Auschwitz who spoke about their experiences to journalists on the eve of Friday's commemorations. About 6 million European Jews were killed in the Holocaust and millions more were killed in the global war that lasted from 1939 to 1945.
wftv.comRussia outlaws top independent news site in latest crackdown
The site was blocked in Russia nearly a year ago, shortly after the invasion of Ukraine began, along with websites of multiple other independent news outlets. Russian authorities also evicted from its property a human rights center named in honor of Nobel Peace Prize laureate Andrei Sakharov, and they closed the country’s oldest human rights organization. The crackdown intensified after Russia sent troops into Ukraine 11 months ago and passed another law penalizing information that is seen as discrediting Russian troops. Also Thursday, the human rights center named after Sakharov said Moscow city authorities had ordered it to vacate its premises. Russia this week also shut down the country’s oldest human rights organization, the Moscow Helsinki Group.
wftv.comUS expands sanctions on Russia's 'brutal' Wagner Group
WASHINGTON — (AP) — The Biden administration on Thursday expanded U.S. sanctions against Russia's Wagner Group and related companies and individuals for their role in the war in Ukraine and mercenary activities, including human rights abuses, in Africa. The sanctions also hit the Chinese company Changsha Tianyi Space Science and Technology Research Institute Co. LTD, also known as Spacety China, which has supplied Wagner Group affiliates with satellite imagery of Ukraine that support Wagner's military operations there. The announcements re-designate the Wagner Group, a private Russian military group owned by a close associate of President Vladimir Putin, as a “significant transnational criminal organization.” The firm had already been identified as such but the re-designations expand the sanctions. “As sanctions and export controls on Russia from our international coalition continue to bite, the Kremlin is desperately searching for arms and support — including through the brutal Wagner Group — to continue its unjust war against Ukraine,” Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said in a statement. In addition, the State Department imposed separate but related sanctions on five companies and one person linked to the Wagner Group and 23 others for being part of Russia's military-industrial complex.
wftv.comUkraine's Intelligence publishes Russians' intercepted conversation about deserters near Belgorod, Russia
Ukraine's Defence Intelligence has published intercepted conversations of the invaders about deserters near Russian Belgorod and their punishment. Source: Press service of Ukraine's Defence Intelligence Quote: "I got newcomers.
news.yahoo.comGermany apologizes for leopard jibe that upset some Africans
CAPE TOWN, South Africa — (AP) — Germany apologized on Thursday for using a leopard emoji in a jibe at Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Twitter that ended up offending some Africans. The German foreign ministry poked fun at Russia's top diplomat during his tour of Africa when it tweeted that he wasn't there looking for leopards, but using the trip to try and justify Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The tweet, and the leopard emoji the foreign ministry used on its official account, played off Germany's decision to send some of its advanced Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine to help its military fight off Russian forces. But an African Union official took offense at what she said was the continent being portrayed as only about wild animals. South Africa was one of several to abstain from a U.N. vote last year condemning Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
wftv.comGermany apologizes for leopard jibe that upset some Africans
Germany apologized on Thursday for using a leopard emoji in a jibe at Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Twitter that ended up offending some Africans. The German foreign ministry poked fun at Russia's top diplomat during his tour of Africa when it tweeted that he wasn't there looking for leopards, but using the trip to try and justify Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The tweet, and the leopard emoji the foreign ministry used on its official account, played off Germany's decision to send some of its advanced Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine to help its military fight off Russian forces.
news.yahoo.comUkraine war moves ‘Doomsday Clock’ to 90 seconds to midnight
WASHINGTON — (AP) — With Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the specter of nuclear weapon use, Earth crept its closest to Armageddon, a science-oriented advocacy group said, moving its famous “Doomsday Clock” up to just 90 seconds before midnight. The advocacy group started in 1947 to use a clock to symbolize the potential and likelihood of people doing something to end humanity. It moved the clock 10 seconds closer than last year, making it the closest it has ever been to striking 12. at the Disco to disband; singer Brendon Urie will ‘focus on family’“We are sending a message that the situation is becoming more urgent,” Bulletin President Rachel Bronson said at the online announcement. Russia attacks Ukraine: What you need to know Ukraine urged caution after Russia announced withdrawal from the city of Kherson.
wftv.comBiden announces U.S. will send 31 Abrams tanks to Ukraine
Speaking at the White House on Wednesday, President Biden said the U.S. will send 31 Abrams tanks to support Ukraine in its battle against Russia’s invasion. In his remarks, Biden also praised German Chancellor Olaf Scholz for agreeing to contribute tanks to support Ukraine, saying, “Germany has really stepped up.”
news.yahoo.comPanel seeks to allow re-exports of Swiss weaponry to Ukraine
“The majority of the committee believes Switzerland must offer its contribution to European security, which requires more substantial aid to Ukraine,” the committee said. Authorizations for the re-export of Swiss weaponry to Ukraine, let alone direct shipments from Switzerland, have been off the table. Last week, Spain requested authorization to transfer to Ukraine two 35 mm anti-aircraft guns that were imported from Switzerland. In complex and significant situations like the Ukraine war, it can seek input and decision-making from the Federal Council. ___Follow AP's coverage of the war in Ukraine: https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraineCopyright 2023 The Associated Press.
wftv.comGermany agrees to send tanks to Ukraine; US expected to announce it will send Abrams tanks
Both the United States and Germany are planning to send tanks to Ukraine to aid in its fight against Russia, according to The Associated Press. >> Read more trending newsGermany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced Wednesday that Germany had decided to not only send 14 of its Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine but to allow other nations that have the Leopard tanks to send their own. Poland, which is planning to send 14 Leopard tanks, had threatened to do so with or without Berlin’s permission. The decision to send the Abrams tanks comes just days after the Biden administration argued against sending the tanks. Germany has said for weeks that it would not send the Leopard tanks if the US does not send Abrams to Ukraine.
wftv.comGermany's Scholz to unveil Ukraine tank plan to parliament
BERLIN — (AP) — After weeks of hesitation that saw growing impatience among Germany's allies, Chancellor Olaf Scholz was expected to announce Wednesday that his government will approve supplying German-made battle tanks to Ukraine. Scholz had insisted that any move to provide Ukraine with powerful Leopard 2 tanks would need to be closely coordinated with Germany's allies, chiefly the United States. By getting Washington to commit some of its own tanks Berlin hopes to spread the risk of any backlash from Russia. The pressure on Scholz mounted this week after Poland formally asked Germany to approve sending Leopard 2 tanks from Polish stocks to Ukraine. Germany news weekly Der Spiegel reported that Berlin could initially approve the supply of one tank company, comprising 14 vehicles.
wftv.comJournalist deaths jumped 50% in 2022, led by Ukraine, Mexico
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — (AP) — Killings of journalists around the world jumped by 50% in 2022 compared to the previous year, driven largely by attacks in Ukraine, Mexico and Haiti. The effect is particularly notable in Haiti, where seven journalists were killed in 2022, a huge number for a small island country of about 12 million people. The CPJ noted that more than half — 35 of the 67 killings — took place in just three countries: Ukraine, Mexico and Haiti. Mexico saw 13 news workers killed, according to the committee. The 2022 killings also included four journalists in the Philippines, and two each in Colombia, Brazil and Honduras.
wftv.comUkraine war moves 'Doomsday Clock' to 90 seconds to midnight
WASHINGTON — (AP) — With Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the specter of nuclear weapon use, Earth crept its closest to Armageddon, a science-oriented advocacy group said, moving its famous "Doomsday Clock" up to just 90 seconds before midnight. “We are really closer to that doomsday,” former Mongolian president Elbegdorj Tsakhia said Tuesday at the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists annual announcement rating how close humanity is from doing itself in. The advocacy group started in 1947 to use a clock to symbolize the potential and likelihood of people doing something to end humanity. It moved the clock 10 seconds closer than last year, making it the closest it has ever been to striking 12. “We are sending a message that the situation is becoming more urgent,” Bulletin President Rachel Bronson said at the online announcement.
wftv.comParis rushing to finish 2024 Olympics construction work
PARIS — (AP) — Paris is rushing to finish construction work in time for the 2024 Olympics with just 18 months to go. The steel that was going to be used for the arena was initially going to be provided by Ukraine, said Christophe Rosa, the deputy general delegate of the Paris Olympic and Paralympic delegation at Paris City Hall. The construction work, which costs about 138 million euros ($150 million), requires 1,500 tons of steel. Two gymnasiums next to the venue will provide sport facilities that are much needed in one of the poorest areas of the capital, according to Paris City Hall. “It’s the only venue that we’re having to build in the city of Paris for the Olympic Games," said Eve Brunelle, equipment project manager at the Paris Olympic and Paralympic delegation at city hall.
wftv.comJournalist deaths jumped 50% in 2022, led by Ukraine, Mexico
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — (AP) — Killings of journalists around the world jumped by 50% in 2022 compared to the previous year, driven largely by attacks in Ukraine, Mexico and Haiti. The effect is particularly notable in Haiti, where seven journalists were killed in 2022, a huge number for a small island country of about 12 million people. The CPJ noted that more than half — 35 of the 67 killings — took place in just three countries: Ukraine, Mexico and Haiti. Mexico saw 13 news workers killed, according to the committee. The 2022 killings also included four journalists in the Philippines, and two each in Colombia, Brazil and Honduras.
wftv.comFirst delivery of S. Korean heavy weapons comes to Poland
Polish President Andrzej Duda and the country's defense minister have taken delivery of a first shipment of tanks and howitzers from South Korea, hailing the swift implementation of a deal signed in the summer in the face of the war in neighboring Ukraine.