Live Updates Today is Day 26 of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Ukraine rejects Russia's ultimatum in Mariupol . Russia said people could leave the besieged port city if they surrendered. About 300,000 are trapped. Strategically important Mariupol has been turned to rubble with weeks of Russian shelling, with 90 percent of buildings estimated to be damaged. Olena Zelenska , Ukraine's first lady, tells citizens in the city: "Please hold on, dear people, I beg you." In Kyiv, shelling that struck a shopping mall has reportedly left eight dead. Across Ukraine, about 10 million have fled their homes, according to the United Nations' refugee agency; about 3.4 million traveled abroad . Joe Biden will seek to rally U.S. allies in Europe this week, speaking with leaders in Germany, Britain, France, and Italy later Monday. He will travel to Belgium on Wednesday for a NATO emergency meeting about the war and then visit with Polish President Andrzej Duda in … [Read more...] about Ukraine War: Chernobyl staff rotate after working 27 days
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Exclusive extract from Amber Gill’s debut novel, Until I Met You
Until I Met You is Amber Gill’s first novel for romantic publishers Mills & Boon . It follows Samantha on what was supposed to be the holiday of a lifetime with the imminent launch of her travel blog, her best friend’s wedding and – hopefully – her own marriage proposal. Until she finds herself on her way to Tobago – single. Read on for an exclusive peek at the opening of the novel. ‘Ladies and gentlemen, this is the pre-boarding announcement for flight BA209 to Miami, Florida. At this time we ask passenger Samantha Roberts to proceed to the British Airways check-in desk. Passenger Samantha Roberts, please proceed to the check-in desk.’ The insistent monotone roused Samantha from her meditation. She hopped to her feet, grabbed the handle of her carry-on suitcase and made a beeline for the desk. Tall, curvy, with cinnamon brown skin and a head of wild corkscrew curls, she stood out in most crowds. But the Heathrow departure gate was packed. She had to elbow … [Read more...] about Exclusive extract from Amber Gill’s debut novel, Until I Met You
Tuesday evening UK news briefing: Rishi Sunak and Sajid Javid resign from the Cabinet
Rishi Sunak has quit as Chancellor and Sajid Javid has resigned as health secretary as Boris Johnson's leadership faced a fresh crisis following the Chris Pincher scandal. Mr Sunak said "the public rightly expect government to be conducted properly, competently and seriously", adding "I believe these standards are worth fighting for and that is why I am resigning." In an incendiary letter, Mr Javid said the British people "expect integrity from their government" but voters now believed Mr Johnson's administration was neither competent nor "acting in the national interest". Mr Johnson had tonight admitted "it was a mistake" to give Mr Pincher his job as deputy chief whip and said: "I apologise for it". Mr Sunak and Mr Javid's resignations come after Downing Street was accused of lying over the Chris Pincher scandal this morning, as Lord McDonald said Mr Johnson was briefed "in person" about concerns relating to the then Foreign Office minister. The publication of the … [Read more...] about Tuesday evening UK news briefing: Rishi Sunak and Sajid Javid resign from the Cabinet