Live updates: Russia’s war in Ukraine

Zelensky is seen during a press conference at the European Political Community Summit in Moldova on Thursday. Carl Court/PA Images/Getty Images/FILE Ukraine is ready to launch its much-anticipated counteroffensive in the war against Russia, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in an exclusive video interview with The Wall Street Journal published…

Live updates: Russia’s war in Ukraine

Elina Svitolina of Ukraine is seen refusing to shake the hand of Anna Blinkova during the 2023 French Open in Paris. Tim Clayton/Corbis/Getty Images Ukrainian tennis player Elina Svitolina refused to shake hands with her Russian opponent after winning a match Friday, saying she did so out of respect for…

Exclusive: Inside Ukraine’s secretive drone program | CNN

CNN  —  Under the scorching summer sun at an undisclosed location in Ukraine, an almost invisible drone approaches in the distance. Difficult to spot, the remote-controlled aircraft is also nearly impossible to hear. “It’s very stealthy,” drone maker Valeriy Borovyk says. “We call this one Vidsyich (Ukrainian word for ‘repel’).”…

Live updates: Russia’s war in Ukraine

Vyacheslav Gladkov speaks at Novo-Ogaryovo state residence, outside Moscow, Russia, on January 24. Mikhail Klimentyev/Sputnik/AP A number of Russian governors reported attacks on their regions on Friday, as the war spills over from Ukraine’s borders into Russian territory. Two drones attacked fuel and energy facilities in Smolensk, western Russia early…

Alexander Lukashenko Fast Facts | CNN

CNN  —  Here’s a look at the life of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. Birth date: August 30, 1954 (some sources say August 31) Birth place: Kopys, Belarus Full name: Alexander Grigorievich Lukashenko Father: name unavailable publicly Mother: Yekaterina Lukashenko, milkmaid Marriage: Galina (Zhelnerovich) Lukashenko (1975-present) Children: with Galina (Zhelnerovich) Lukashenko:…

Anger in Kyiv as 3 killed trying to get into closed bomb shelter | CNN

Kyiv, Ukraine CNN  —  Three people, including a young girl, were killed in Kyiv on Thursday while desperately trying to take cover in a closed bomb shelter amid fresh Russian strikes, in an incident that sparked anger in the Ukrainian capital. Internal Affairs Minister Ihor Klymenko condemned the incident as…

NATO is in a race against time to save itself from a major embarrassment | CNN

CNN  —  NATO officials are in a race against time to avoid the embarrassment of seeing the alliance miss its own stated aim of admitting Sweden to the alliance by July 11.  Both Sweden and its neighbor Finland stated their intent to join NATO through its open-door policy in May last year, just weeks after Russia launched its unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. Finland was…

Latest news on Russia’s war in Ukraine

There has been a significant drop in hostilities on the ground around the city of Bakhmut as Russian forces rotate in and out of the area, but shelling continues incessantly, Ukrainian officials say. Serhii Cherevatyi, spokesperson for the Eastern Grouping of the Ukrainian military, said Wednesday there had been only…

Radovan Karadzic Fast Facts | CNN

CNN  —  Here is a look at the life of Radovan Karadzic, who was found guilty of genocide and crimes against humanity related to ethnic violence during the breakup of Yugoslavia in the 1990s. Birth date: June 19, 1945 Birth place: Petnjica, Montenegro Father: Vuk Karadzic Mother: Jovanka Karadzic Marriage:…

Rijksmuseum reborn: Rembrandt’s ‘Night Watch’ explained | CNN

Click on the picture above to reveal the artwork’s secrets. Story highlights Amsterdam’s Rijksmuseum reopens after massive $489m, 10-year rebuilding program The ‘altarpiece’ of the cathedral-like Gallery of Honor is Rembrandt’s ‘The Night Watch’ Curator Pieter Roelofs says the painting is ‘the Dutch national treasure’ CNN  —  Amsterdam’s Rijksmuseum, one…

Live updates: Russia’s war in Ukraine

It’s a familiar routine for Ukrainians: Explosions ring out in the city, then videos emerge of drones overhead. Air defenses spring into action, and the authorities put out preliminary statements confirming a strike. But this time, the shattered glass and concrete is in the Russian capital, not Kyiv. Russia’s war…

Royal baby birth: Everything you ever wanted to know | CNN

Friends and family of the British royals talk to “New Day” co-host Kate Bolduan in a one-hour special “Will and Kate Plus One,” airing Thursday, July 18 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on CNN. Story highlights Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, is expected to give birth any day now Scientists say…

Counter-terror police arrest dozens in Istanbul raids | CNN

Story highlights At least 30 people were detained in the raids, a Turkish news agency reported Relatives of those detained say the raids came early Tuesday morning At least 6 killed, thousands wounded in recent demonstrations Istanbul CNN  —  Turkish counter-terror police launched pre-dawn raids against scores of targets across…

Latest developments in the royal baby watch | CNN

Story highlights William and Catherine lookalikes prompt a flutter of excitement outside hospital The media debate Catherine’s likely due date as the wait for the royal baby continues The queen doesn’t mind if the baby’s a boy or a girl — she just wants it to arrive soon Poll suggests…

Italian lawmaker compares black politician to orangutan, causes uproar | CNN

Story highlights Integration Minister Cecile Kyenge is a Congolese-born Italian citizen Sen. Roberto Calderoli is a member of the anti-immigration Northern League Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta deplores the rhetoric CNN  —  The United States isn’t the only Western country dealing with racial tension. Racism is alive and well in…

Analysis: Drone strikes in capital bring Ukraine war to Russia | CNN

CNN  —  It’s a familiar routine for Ukrainians: Explosions ring out in the city, then videos emerge of drones overhead. Air defenses spring into action, and the authorities put out preliminary statements confirming a strike. But this time, the shattered glass and concrete is in the Russian capital, not Kyiv.…

Italian secret service agents among victims of Lake Maggiore boat accident | CNN

CNN  —  Two Italian secret service agents and a retired member of Israel’s security forces were among the four victims from Sunday’s fatal boat accident on Lake Maggiore, northern Italy. The Italian victims were named as Tiziana Barnobi, 53, and Claudio Alonzi, 62, a delegate of Italy’s secret service confirmed,…

Alleged Russian ‘spy’ whale now in Swedish waters | CNN

CNN  —  A beluga whale widely speculated to be an alleged Russian “spy” has entered Swedish waters, according to OneWhale, an organization set up to protect the animal’s health and welfare. The whale, nicknamed Hvaldimir, garnered international fame in 2019 after being spotted wearing a specially made harness with mounts…

Unfazed by strikes, Ukrainians gear up for a counteroffensive | CNN

Chernihiv, Ukraine CNN  —  The loud engine announces the approach of the Soviet-era armored BTR vehicle long before it appears – racing through a grassy plain on the outskirts of Chernihiv in northern Ukraine. Suddenly it stops, its door opens and Ukrainian soldiers rush out, storming the trench below. “Today…