Headlines:

Marcus struggles offensively in return to lineup in Celtics

The Celtics

The Celtics got back their Defensive Player of the Year for Game 3 in their second-round series against the Bucks. But it wasn’t enough, with the Celtics falling 103-101 on Saturday. Playlist Error: This content is currently unavailable from within your country. Marcus Smart started and played without any minute restrictions in Game 3 after … Read more

Civilians now out of Azovstal plant in Mariupol

Azovstal

All elderly people, women and children have been evacuated from the besieged Azovstal steelworks in Mariupol, Ukraine and Russia have announced. The operation began a week ago, co-ordinated by the UN and Red Cross, which have not confirmed the news. Ukrainian forces are holding out at the heavily bombed plant, the last part of the … Read more

Escapees recount terror of Russian-occupied Izyum

“We thought those were our last minutes. It was extremely scary but we were lucky.” Elena is recalling the moment Russian troops started shelling, after she and a group of escapees passed through one of their checkpoints. After two months living in the basement of a kindergarten in the Russian-occupied town of Izyum in Ukraine, … Read more

Sinn Féin wins most seats in historic election

Sinn Féin

Sinn Féin will be the largest party in the Northern Ireland Assembly for the first time, pushing the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) into second place. Sinn Féin has 27 seats, compared to the DUP’s current tally of 24. The result means Michelle O’Neill will be entitled to become first minister – unprecedented for a nationalist. … Read more

Ukrainian government working to evacuate military, medic, and wounded from Azovstal, Zelensky says

Zelensky

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says his government is now preparing for the second stage of the evacuation mission from Azovstal, focusing on “the wounded and medics.” “Of course, if everyone fulfills the agreements. Of course, if there are no lies,” Zelensky said during his evening message. “Of course, we are also working to evacuate our military. … Read more

High casualties feared after school shelter in Ukraine bombed

Ukraine

Ukraine has accused Russia of dropping a bomb on a school in Luhansk region where 90 people were taking shelter. Serhiy Hayday, the head of the Luhansk region military administration, said a Russian aircraft had dropped a bomb on the school in the village of Bilohorivka, which is about 7 miles from the front lines. … Read more

9/10 Lukaku let down by defence as Chelsea draw with Wolves

Chelsea

Chelsea drew 2-2 against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, meaning that Arsenal will go within a point of them in the battle for third if they can win on Sunday. The Blues had the ball in the back of Wolves’ net twice in the first period, but Timo Werner’s goal was chalked off for a foul on Romain Saiss and Ruben Loftus-Cheek’s was ruled … Read more

Ukraine’s Donetsk separatists appoint ‘envoy to Russia’

President Vladimir Putin

Days before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, President Vladimir Putin formally recognised self-proclaimed independent republics in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions of eastern Ukraine. The pro-separatist Donetsk News Agency now reports that the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) has its own ambassador to Russia. DPR leader Denis Pushylin appointed Olha Makeyeva, a vice-speaker of the DPR parliament, … Read more

UN issues statement but avoids word ‘war’

“war”

The UN Security Council has adopted its first statement on Ukraine, but it does not use the words “war”, “conflict” or “invasion”. The unanimous statement instead “expresses deep concern regarding the maintenance of peace and security of Ukraine”. It voiced “strong support” for Secretary General Antonio Guterres in seeking a peaceful solution to the 10-week … Read more

Zelensky: Stay out of the forests

Zelensky

Ukrainian officials are warning that Russian forces may escalate missile and air strikes over the weekend, ahead of Russia’s planned Victory Day celebrations on Monday. In his daily late-night address, President Volodymyr Zelensky called on citizens to “strictly follow the public order and curfew regulations” in their communities. “I ask all our citizens – especially … Read more

US first lady visits Romania and Slovakia

US First Lady

US First Lady Jill Biden has arrived in Eastern Europe on a four-day trip intended to reaffirm the US commitment to Ukraine. Biden will meet national leaders and US troops, as well as displaced Ukrainian parents, children, educators and aid workers in Romania and Slovakia. She began her visit on Friday by greeting and serving … Read more