🌍 World News Update: Top Global Headlines and Key Developments from Around the World Today:
Stay informed with the latest world news and international headlines from across the globe. In this update, we cover major political developments, breaking news, economic trends, diplomatic affairs, technology updates, natural events, and other significant stories shaping the world today.
✨ 01: What's going on in Kyiv?
Over 24 hours ago, Putin announced the invasion of Ukraine during a televised address. This was followed by shelling and fighting in several Ukrainian cities, leading to the death of a minimum of 137 people, consistent with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.
Many in Kyiv took to underground metro stations; a serious highway was gridlocked as citizens sought to escape from the capital city. A missile strike hit a Ukrainian border post within the southeastern region of Zaporizhzhya, killing and wounding some guards, the border guard service said on Friday.
The region has no land border with Russia, which launched an operation against Ukraine on Thursday, but is found on the coast of the Azov Sea, which the neighbors share. After using airstrikes on cities and military bases, Russian military units have moved swiftly to seize Ukraine's seat of state and its largest city. US officials suspect the explosions are a brazen attempt by Putin to dismantle the govt and replace it with his own regime.
✨ 02: I'm Russia's target number 1, says Ukraine president:
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said during a televised address that he's Russia's favorite target, and his family is the number two target.
"They want to destroy Ukraine politically by destroying the top of the state," he said, adding that he's staying within the government quarter alongside all those who are needed for the central government to work.
He also ordered a full military mobilization against the Russian invasion. It is now forbidden for Ukrainian men aged 18-60 to leave the country's borders, reported the Guardian, quoting the State Border Guard Service.
✨ 03: Ukraine lost its control over the Chernobyl nuclear site:
Ukraine said that it lost control of the Chernobyl nuclear site after Ukrainian forces waged a fierce battle with Russian troops. A Ukrainian official said that the staff had been "taken hostage". The US expressed alarm, saying it could hamper efforts to take care of the nuclear facility.
✨ 04: PM Modi spoke on the phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin:
Earlier in the day, PM Modi spoke on the telephone with Russian President Vladimir Putin, during which he reiterated India's long-standing conviction that the differences between Russia and the NATO group can only be resolved through honest and sincere dialogue.
The prime minister appealed for an instantaneous cessation of violence and involved concerted efforts from all sides to return to the trail of diplomacy and dialogue, consistent with a readout issued by the Ministry of External Affairs.
This is a crucial signal to the Western bloc, which has been pressing on India to condemn the Russian action. PM Modi also stressed that India attaches the very best priority to the safe exit and return of its citizens from Ukraine.
✨ 05: Consultations with India on the Ukrainian crisis:
"We are getting to have consultations with India (on the Ukrainian crisis). We haven't resolved that fully,” Biden told reporters during a White House press conference on the Ukrainian crisis.
It is believed that the Biden administration at various levels, starting from the White House, the State Department, and its National Security Council, has reached out to their Indian counterparts at multiple levels seeking full support from them on the Ukrainian crisis.
However, behind the scenes, US officials have expressed their displeasure with their Indian counterparts at the newest Indian position. India, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has maintained its own strategic independence.
The US and its allies impose sanctions to block the assets of four large Russian banks, put in place export controls, and sanction oligarchs. New US sanctions also target the military and financial institutions of Belarus, which Russia is using as a staging ground for its troops.
✨ 06: China continues support for Russia:
China continues to support Russia. Its customs agency on Thursday approved imports of wheat from all regions of Russia in a bid to dull the pain of Western sanctions.
China's embassy in Ukraine on Friday said Chinese nationals could register for chartered flights to leave the eastern European country after Russia unleashed the biggest attack on a European state since World War Two. In a notice posted on the embassy's official WeChat account, China said traveling on the charter flights is up to the individual, and registrations are going to be open until Feb. 27.
✨ 07: India's defense deals with Russia may be in the lurch:
Besides spares and supplies for existing equipment, adverse sanctions could impact the delivery of at least three systems, including the S-400 air defense system and Talwar-class frigates. These are in the advanced stages of delivery, with payments being made through European banking channels.
✨ 08: Gold rises with Russia-Ukraine situation in focus:
Gold prices rose on Friday, steadying after a volatile session, as investors reassessed things surrounding Russia's invasion of Ukraine and fresh sanctions against Moscow from the West.
✨ 09: Russia's effects on the market:
Shares rose in Japan, South Korea, and Australia.
U.S. contracts slipped after a choppy Wall Street session Thursday that left the S&P 500 with a 1.5% gain and the tech-heavy Nasdaq 100, which briefly fell into a bear market, up 3.4%.
Singapore-traded SGX Nifty, an early indicator of India's Nifty 50 Index’s performance, rose 2.12% to 16,582 as of 6:30 am.
✨ 10: Oil at $100: What it means for the Indian economy:
"Indeed, it's very bad news not only for India, but also for the entire world. Just as economies try to claw their answer to the Covid setbacks, inflation may be a major concern around the world, and central banks try to tighten monetary policy. The last thing we need is crude above $100, and still, it does not look like a blip to me. It looks like it could sustain and it could continue going higher until the Ukraine crisis is resolved," said Vandana Hari, Founder & CEO, Vanda Insights.
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