Friday, March 20

Business

Biden adding ‘fuel to fire’, Kremlin says – as Ukraine allowed to fire US missiles into Russia | World News
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Biden adding ‘fuel to fire’, Kremlin says – as Ukraine allowed to fire US missiles into Russia | World News

The Kremlin has criticised President Joe Biden for adding "fuel to the fire" after giving Ukraine permission to launch US missiles into Russia.Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters: "It is obvious that the outgoing administration in Washington intends to... continue adding fuel to the fire and provoking further escalation of tensions around this conflict." Russia's Foreign Ministry added that the action by Mr Biden's administration would fundamentally alter the nature of the war and trigger "an adequate and tangible" response.The UK has refused to reveal if it plans to follow suit, for example extending the use of British-supplied Storm Shadow missiles by Ukraine to hit targets inside Russia. Follow latest: Ukraine war live updatesBritain's Defence Secretary John Healey told the H...
Ukrainians mourn their war dead after almost 1,000 days of war – but US move sparks hope | World News
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Ukrainians mourn their war dead after almost 1,000 days of war – but US move sparks hope | World News

Barely anyone speaks – there is virtual silence apart from the sounds of passing vehicles and the wind whipping through flags and photographs commemorating the dead in a war that started 1,000 days ago when Russia invaded.What is really striking is the sheer number of people who have died, and this memorial in Kyiv's Maidan Square represents just some of those who gave their lives defending their country. Soldiers in camouflage fatigues pause to pay their respects to comrades, civilians stop and stare, heads often bowed. At the same time, on mobile phones, news alerts announce another missile strike on Ukraine. This time in the port city of Odessa.More dead, more injured, it never stops here. As this war grinds on, with Russia making significant gains in the eas...
Joe Biden allows Ukraine to begin firing US rockets deep into Russia – as politician warns it ‘risks World War Three’ | World News
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Joe Biden allows Ukraine to begin firing US rockets deep into Russia – as politician warns it ‘risks World War Three’ | World News

Joe Biden has authorised Ukraine to begin firing US-supplied rockets deep into Russia - as Sir Keir Starmer prepares to push for "further support" for Kyiv at the G20 summit.Mr Biden's policy shift means Kyiv will now be able to use Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) for long-range attacks, two American officials have told Sky News' US partner network NBC News. Follow latest: Ukraine war live updatesUkraine plans to conduct its first such attacks in the coming days, the sources said, without revealing details due to operational security concerns.The US has eased restrictions on the use of ATACMS, which have a range of up to 190 miles, after Russia began deploying North Korean ground troops to supplement its own forces in the conflict. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said such a move wo...
Two British men killed in Spain after car crashes into suspected drug trafficking boat in dual carriageway pile-up | UK News
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Two British men killed in Spain after car crashes into suspected drug trafficking boat in dual carriageway pile-up | UK News

Two British men have been killed in Spain after their car hit a suspected drug trafficking boat when it fell out on a dual carriageway.A third man, aged 54, is seriously injured after the crash which happened on the RM-12 road near the La Manga resort in Murcia. A 49-year-old and 57-year-old died after the collision at around 9.30pm on Saturday.Another eight people suffered minor injuries after six vehicles were also involved in the pile-up.The driver transporting what was described as an "inflatable boat" fled the scene, according to the Spanish Civil Guard. A spokesperson said the boat fell out on the dual carriageway after becoming detached from a trailer.The Britons' car was travelling behind the trailer.Police officers investigating the collision suspect the boat "may be related to dr...
Gisele Pelicot rape case: Sons face ‘devil’ father in court as they speak of disgust and ‘lost childhood’ | World News
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Gisele Pelicot rape case: Sons face ‘devil’ father in court as they speak of disgust and ‘lost childhood’ | World News

Gisele Pelicot's sons have faced their "devil" father in court, with one saying he wanted to vomit when his mother revealed how he had let strangers rape her for years.Ms Pelicot, 72, was allegedly sedated and repeatedly raped by Dominique Pelicot and at least 50 other men while she was unconscious. She has waived her right to anonymity and insisted the trial in southern France should be public to shame her attackers.Her eldest son, 50-year-old David Pelicot, testified on Monday and described how revolted he was when he discovered what had been going on."My mother told me that this man in court before us delivered her strangers to rape her. When I was told, I wanted to vomit," he said."We wanted to make this man disappear from the house. Within two days there were no more photos, no more c...
Western powers won’t be worried about Kremlin’s public fury – what happens behind the scenes is more important | World News
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Western powers won’t be worried about Kremlin’s public fury – what happens behind the scenes is more important | World News

The Kremlin's reaction to reports that Washington has lifted restrictions on how Ukraine uses its weapons was nothing we haven't heard before.It follows a well-worn theme of anger, warnings and accusations. If confirmed, the decision will spark a "new round of tension", we were told. The Biden administration wants to "throw oil on the fire". They are the ones guilty of escalation, not Russia.There was no mention of the thousands of North Korean troops Moscow has reportedly deployed to the frontline in Russia's Kursk region to repel the Ukrainian incursion. But that's to be expected.Follow latest: Moscow warns US over missile decision That's because this sort of rhetoric is now very much part of the script for the Kremlin. It's trying to ensure the public here continues to buy into its narr...
Beauty queen in South Africa citizenship row takes Miss Universe runner-up spot – representing Nigeria | World News
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Beauty queen in South Africa citizenship row takes Miss Universe runner-up spot – representing Nigeria | World News

A beauty queen who found herself at the centre of a citizenship row in South Africa has come second in the Miss Universe competition - representing Nigeria.Chidimma Adetshina sparked controversy earlier this year after she attempted to compete for Miss South Africa. Although she has South African citizenship, due to her father being Nigerian, her participation in the competition raised questions and she later dropped out.She was then invited to run for Miss Universe Nigeria - a beauty pageant to decide who would represent the country in the Miss Universe contest.Adetshina won that, and at the Miss Universe contest at the weekend the 23-year-old finished runner-up to Denmark's Victoria Kjær Theilvig. It is the first time a Danish contestant has been crowned Miss Universe. ...
Typhoon Man-yi: Family of seven among people killed in Philippines | World News
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Typhoon Man-yi: Family of seven among people killed in Philippines | World News

At least eight people have died in the northern Philippines after high winds and torrential rain from Typhoon Man-yi triggered storm surges and landslides.A family of seven, including an eight-year-old girl, died on Monday when a landslide in the town of Ambaguio in Nueva Vizcaya buried their home, officials said.Army troops, police and villagers were searching for three other people who were believed to have been hit by the avalanche of mud, debris and uprooted trees.A 72-year-old man was killed in Camarines Norte province when hanging cables brought down in the winds caused his vehicle to crash.Officials said rescuers were searching for a couple and their child after their home was swept away in rampaging rivers in northern Nueva Ecija province, on the island of Luzon. ...
Vladimir Shklyarov: Russian ballet star dies aged 39 after ‘fall from building’ | World News
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Vladimir Shklyarov: Russian ballet star dies aged 39 after ‘fall from building’ | World News

An acclaimed Russian ballet dancer has died aged 39 after reportedly falling off a balcony while on painkillers.Vladimir Shklyarov, one of the world's top male ballet stars, died on Saturday night, according to the Mariinsky Theatre, where he was a principal dancer. The St Petersburg theatre said: "This is a huge loss for the entire staff of the Mariinsky Theatre."We express our condolences to the family, friends of the artist and all the many fans of his work and talent."A spokesperson for the theatre also told Russian media at the weekend he had fallen from the fifth floor of a building, and that he had been taking "serious painkillers" for a back injury. Image: Vladimir Shklyarov performing in London in 2009, with fellow dancer Alina Somov...
New Delhi air pollution: Schools closed and construction stopped as smog worsens to levels far above WHO safety limit | World News
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New Delhi air pollution: Schools closed and construction stopped as smog worsens to levels far above WHO safety limit | World News

Schools have been shut in New Delhi after "hazardous" toxic smog worsened.Authorities in India's capital, which is home to more than 33 million people, have also halted construction as part of efforts to control the air pollution. Airlines have warned of delays due to visibility dropping to around 100 metres due to the worst pollution of the season so far.The air quality is many times worse than the World Health Organization's (WHO) recommended safety limit.Live rankings by Swiss technology company IQAir warn New Delhi is the most polluted city in the world, according to Reuters. IQAir also says the air quality is "hazardous", with pollution levels which can cause diseases and cardiac problems. India's main environmental agency SAFAR has said the pollution is severe. ...