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Mariupol evacuation corridors ‘in the hands of the occupiers’ as mayor tells everyone to leave.

Ukrainian forces "continue to maintain circular defense" in the besieged Ukrainian city of Mariupol, the Ukrainian general staff said early Tuesday, even as Russian forces consolidated control around the southeastern port city.On Monday, the mayor of Mariupol said that evacuation corridors had come largely under the control of Russian forces, after weeks of bombardment left the city in pieces, killed an unknown number of civilians and forced hundreds of thousands of residents from their homes."Not everything is in our power," said Mayor Vadym Boichenko, in a live television interview. "Unfortunately, we are in the hands of the occupiers today."

Russian forces fire at an apartment building in Mariupol, Ukraine on March 11, 2022.Russian forces fire at an apartment building in Mariupol, Ukraine on March 11, 2022. Boichenko called for a complete evacuation of the remaining population of Mariupol, which was home to more than 400,000 people before Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine on February 24.

"According to our estimates, about 160,000 people are in the besieged city of Mariupol today, where it is impossible to live because there is no water, no electricity, no heat, no connection," he said. "And it's really scary."

It was unclear if there was still active fighting inside the city.

300 people were killed in Russian airstrike on Mariupol theater, Ukrainian authorities say

300 people were killed in Russian airstrike on Mariupol theater, Ukrainian authorities sayUkrainian officials have alleged that Russian forces have prevented humanitarian convoys from safely approaching or exiting the city.

A pro-Russian separatist leader said on Sunday that about 1,700 Mariupol residents were being "evacuated" daily from the city and its surroundings. Ukrainian officials, however, say thousands were being forcibly "deported" to Russia."We need a complete evacuation from Mariupol," Boichenko said. "Our most important mission today is to save every life ... And there are hopes that we will succeed. For example, there are 26 buses that have to go to Mariupol to evacuate, but unfortunately, they haven't received permission to move," he said."And this game is played every day. A cynical game like, 'Yes, we are ready. You can drive there,' but in fact it does not work," he said. "Our heroic drivers under the fire are trying to reach the places where Mariupol residents can be picked up, and they are waiting with the hope that they will have such an opportunity. But the Russian Federation has been playing with us since day one."Statistics released by Ukrainian officials on Sunday paint a grim picture of what has come from weeks of shelling and urban combat in Mariupol.Some 90% of residential buildings in the city were damaged, the data shows. Of those, 60% were hit directly and 40% were destroyed.Local resident Valentina Demura, 70, next to the building where her apartment was destroyed in Mariupol, on March 27.Local resident Valentina Demura, 70, next to the building where her apartment was destroyed in Mariupol, on March 27.Seven of the city's hospitals -- 90% of the city's hospital capacity -- were damaged, of which three were destroyed. Also damaged were three maternity hospitals (one destroyed), seven institutes of higher education (three destroyed), and 57 schools and 70 kindergartens, with 23 and 28 destroyed, respectively.

A number of factories were damaged and the city's port sustained damage.According to those official statistics, up to 140,000 people left the city before it was surrounded, and around 150,000 managed to leave during the blockade. Ukrainian officials claim 30,000 people from Mariupol were deported to Russia

Biden says he was ‘expressing my outrage’ but not making a policy change when he said Putin ‘cannot remain in power’

Biden says he was 'expressing my outrage' but not making a policy change when he said Putin 'cannot remain in power'

President Joe Biden reiterated on Monday that he was not announcing a change in US policy when he had said that Russian President Vladimir Putin "cannot remain in power" -- a remark that caught American and international officials off-guard, sending the White House into clean-up mode over the weekend."I just was expressing my outrage. He shouldn't remain in power, just like, you know, bad people shouldn't continue to do bad things," Biden said in response to a question from CNN's Kaitlan Collins at the White House. "But it doesn't mean we have a fundamental policy to do anything to take Putin down in any way."Two days after Biden's return from Europe, the improvised comment made at the end of an address in Warsaw about Putin -- "For God's sake, this man cannot remain in power" -- has hovered over the White House.

The White House and Biden have repeatedly tried to downplay the remark. The administration and allies say Biden wasn't calling for regime change to remove Putin from power. Rather, they argue that Biden was saying Putin cannot be allowed to exercise power over neighboring nations.

"I was talking to the Russian people," Biden said on Monday at the White House when asked by Collins why he ad-libbed the line.

"The last part of the speech was talking to Russian people," he said. "I was communicating this to, not only the Russian people but the whole world. This is ... just stating a simple fact that this kind of behavior is totally unacceptable. Totally unacceptable. And the way to deal with it is to strengthen and keep NATO completely united and help Ukraine where we can."Biden emphasized that he was speaking from the heart following a meeting with Ukrainian refugees in Warsaw.

"I'd just come from being with those families," he said, adding, "I make no apologies for it."The President also dismissed the suggestion that his remarks might escalate the conflict in Ukraine. Biden said the suggestion that other leaders may take issue with his unscripted remarks during his address in Poland has not weakened NATO."NATO has never ever, ever, ever, ever, ever been as strong as it is today," Biden said.The improvised comment about Putin wasn't planned and surprised aides who were watching Biden's speech on television or at the event site. And the words hadn't been something Biden raised as potentially including in his speech -- previously, US officials were adamant that changing the government in Moscow wasn't one of their objectives. In closed-door meetings earlier in the week, Biden told fellow leaders at NATO that he did not want to escalate the West's confrontation with Russia.Yet his off-the-cuff line did more to pit him directly against Putin than anything so far in the conflict.

Ukraine: Russian airstrikes hit apartment building in Kyiv — live updates

ussian forces are escalating their attacks on Ukraine's capital. Meanwhile, negotiators will meet for another round of cease-fire talks. Follow DW for the latest.

Rescuers work next to a residential building damaged by shelling, as Russia's attack on Ukraine continues, in Kyiv

Russian attacks on Kyiv intensify

Strikes on residential areas in Kyiv killed at least two people early on Tuesday morning, emergency services said, as Russian troops intensified their attacks on the Ukrainian capital.

The casualties came after a strike hit a 16-storey building in the Sviatoshynsky district, the emergency service said in a Facebook post, adding that 27 people had been rescued from the site. 

Another residential building in the Podilsk area also came under attack, the emergency service said.

Zelenskyy adviser: Peace agreement likely by May

The war is likely to be over by May when Russia runs out of resources to continue its onslaught, according to an adviser to the Ukrainian president's chief of staff.

"I think that no later than in May, early May, we should have a peace agreement, maybe much earlier, we will see, I am talking about the latest possible dates," Oleksiy Arestovich said.

"We are at a fork in the road now: there will either be a peace deal struck very quickly, within a week or two, with troop withdrawal and everything, or there will be an attempt to scrape together some, say, Syrians for a round two and, when we grind them too, an agreement by mid-April or late April."

Even once peace is agreed, skirmishes could continue for a year, according to Arestovich, although Kyiv insists on the complete removal of Moscow troops from Ukraine.

China denies that Russia asked for help

China has refuted claims by US officials that Russia had sought military assistance from Beijing.

"The US has repeatedly spread malicious disinformation against China on the Ukraine issue," the Chinese embassy in London told news agency Reuters in a statement.

"China has been playing a constructive role in promoting peace talks," the statement continued.

"The top priority now is to ease the situation, instead of adding fuel to the fire, and work for diplomatic settlement rather than further escalate the situation."

Russia has also denied making such a request. 0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 90% Watch video06:57

NATO insider: ‘One of the most critical points of the war so far’

Met opera holds special Ukraine benefit

The Metropolitan Opera in New York, known as the "Met," held a special benefit concert for Ukraine on Monday night.

The 90-minute program started with a rendition of Ukraine's national anthem led by Ukrainian bass-baritone Vladyslav Buialskyi.

Last week, the Met dropped Russian soprano Anna Netrebko from future performances as she declined to condemn Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"Members of the Metropolitan Opera company stand in solidarity with the proud Ukrainian people, so strong in the face of such injustice, destruction and death," Met general manager Peter Gelb said while speaking from the stage.

The concert was broadcast on Ukrainian public radio.

Zelenskyy: Russia didn't expect such resistance

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a video address late on Monday that Russia "didn't expect such resistance" in Ukraine.

Zelenskyy said that the Russian military was responsible for war crimes and vowed to hold Russian leadership accountable.

"We are working with our partners on new punitive measures against the Russian state," Zelenskyy said.

Zelenskyy confirmed that negotiations between Ukraine and Russia would resume on Tuesday.0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 90% Watch video02:47

Women in Kyiv give birth in bomb shelters

UK to host Joint Expeditionary Force meeting

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will on Tuesday host leaders from a number of European countries belonging to the Joint Expeditionary Force.

Besides the United Kingdom, the force includes Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands and Sweden.

Leaders of the group will meet in London, where they are expected to discuss measures to be taken against Russia.0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 90% Watch video08:13

Press monitor: Ukraine becoming more dangerous every day for journalists

Oil prices dropping sharply again after spike

Crude oil prices dived sharply in early trading in Asia on Tuesday, with the West Texas Intermediate price dipping back below $100 per barrel. 

The other major oil price indicator, Brent Crude, sank to $100.54 but remained in three-figure territory.

Oil prices have risen sharply during the conflict in Ukraine, amid concerns over shortages and supply amid sanctions against Russia. Both prices peaked above $120 per barrel, near 14-year highs.

Possible falling demand in China, as the government shuts down the tech hub of Shenzen in a bid to control COVID cases, was attributed to the reduction in price. 

Continued talks between Russia and Ukraine also led to cautious optimism among some investors.

Brazil's government also said late on Monday that, after talks with the US, it was willing to increase its oil production in a bid to compensate for any missing Russian stock.

Slovakia expels three Russian diplomats

The Foreign Ministry in Bratislava said late on Monday that Slovakia had given three Russian embassy staff 72 hours to leave the country. 

The ministry said they had broken diplomatic rules, without disclosing their identities or their roles at the Russian Embassy. 

Meanwhile, Defense Minister Jaoslav Nad told news site Pravda.sk that Slovakia had detained three of its citizens suspected of spying for Russia. He said, "This is just the beginning."

Police confirmed they were investigating suspected espionage but did not comment on domestic media reports on the individuals' identities. Reportedly, they included an officer from the Defense Ministry, an employee at domestic intelligence service SIS, and an employee for pro-Russian media. The SIS said nobody detained was a current employee at the agency.

Russia said it would take retaliatory steps in response to Slovakia's expulsions. 0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 90% Watch video25:59

The Day with Brent Goff: Food & Nuclear Worries

Summary of events in Ukraine-Russia crisis on Monday

Another round of direct talks between Russia and Ukraine closed with little meaningful progress, save a plan for another round later on Tuesday. 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy asked Ukrainian lawmakers to extend martial law for another 30 days.

Russian authorities were halting grain exports to the countries of the Eurasian Economic Union, which includes Belarus, Armenia, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan in addition to Russia itself. The Russian government was also temporarily stopping the exports of white sugar and raw sugar to countries outside the bloc.

The move comes amid fears that the war in Ukraine would disrupt the food supply in Europe.

Over 4,000 civilians were transported away from the fighting on Monday, according to Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk, including a convoy of vehicles that left the besieged city of Mariupol.0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 90% Watch video00:58

Guterres: Further escalation of the war threatens all of humanity

Jake Sullivan, security adviser to US President Joe Biden, met with Chinese Foreign Policy Advisor Yang Jiechi in Rome for the seven-hour negotiations concerning Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

During talks, Sullivan warned China against supporting Russia.

The World Bank said it was making nearly $200 million (€183 million) in additional and reprogrammed financing to bolster Ukraine's social services for vulnerable people.

Marina Ovsyannikova, an editor at Channel One interrupted a live broadcast on Russian state TV waving a placard reading: "No war, stop the war."

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz made a renewed call for a cease-fire during a visit to Turkey, speaking alongside President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. 0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 90% Watch video01:20

Chancellor Scholz on inaugural visit to Turkey

At least nine people were killed and nine more wounded in an airstrike on a television tower in Ukraine's northern Rivne region, Governor Vitaliy Koval said. Meanwhile, Russia said a Ukrainian strike killed 20 civilians in the rebel-held city of Donetsk, which Ukraine later disputed.

China has expressed some openness to providing military and financial aid to Russia, US cable suggests

The US has information suggesting China has expressed some openness to providing Russia with requested military and financial assistance as part of its war on Ukraine, a Western official and a US diplomat told CNN, and is conveying what it knows to its NATO allies.It is not yet clear whether China intends to provide Russia with that assistance, US officials familiar with the intelligence tell CNN. But during an intense, seven-hour meeting in Rome, a top aide to President Joe Biden warned his Chinese counterpart of "potential implications and consequences" for China should support for Russia be forthcoming, a senior administration official said.The series of events underscored the growing concern among American officials at the budding partnership between Moscow and Beijing as Biden works to isolate and punish Russia for its aggression in Ukraine. While officials have said the Chinese President was alarmed at what has taken place since Russia invaded, there is little to indicate China is prepared to cut off its support entirely.

That leaves open a troubling possibility for American officials -- that China may help prolong a bloody conflict that is increasingly killing civilians, while also cementing an authoritarian alliance in direct competition with the United States.

In a diplomatic cable, the US relayed to its allies in Europe and Asia that China had conveyed a willingness to assist Russia, which has asked for military support. The cable did not state definitively that assistance had been provided. One official also said the US warned in the cable that China would likely deny it was willing to provide assistance.

Biden expected to ban Russian energy imports today

From CNN's Kaitlan Collins, Jeremy Diamond, Kevin Liptak and Phil Mattingly

US President Joe Biden is expected to today ban Russian oil, natural gas and coal imports to the US, according to three sources familiar with the decision.

The US will make the move unilaterally, without its European allies, due to disagreement among European nations about whether to ban Russian energy. EU countries have significantly more exposure to Russian energy than the US.  

US officials decided, given the extreme political pressure at home, they could move without the coalition and not create major issues. 

Biden is expected to address the news at 10:45 a.m. ET.

US imports from Russia make up a small slice of the energy universe — roughly 8% in 2021, of which only about 3% was crude oil. White House economic officials have been engaged for more than a week in how to manage any decision to cut off those imports, according to officials.

Biden administration officials traveled to Venezuela over the weekend for talks on potentially allowing the country to sell its oil on the international market, helping to replace Russian fuel. Biden may travel to Saudi Arabia as the US works to convince the kingdom to increase its production. And a looming nuclear deal could bring significant volumes of Iranian oil back to the market.

At least 4,640 people were detained during protests in Russia on Sunday, OVD-Info, an independent monitoring group that tracks detentions in Russia, reports.

People have been detained in 147 cities, according to OVD-Info. Since the invasion, more than 13,000 people have been arrested in Russia in anti-war demonstrations, OVD-Info calculates.

CNN cannot independently verify these numbers.

Russian state news agency TASS cited the Russian Interior Ministry, which said it arrested 3,500 people “who took part in unauthorized public events” on Sunday. 

“The units of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia, in cooperation with other law enforcement agencies, ensured law and order in places where unauthorized public events were held in a number of constituent entities of the Russian Federation," Irina Volk, the official representative of the Russian Interior Ministry said, TASS reported.

Some of the cities where arrests were made included Moscow and St. Petersburg.

The detainees were “taken to the territorial police departments for investigation,” Volk said, adding "the issue of bringing them to justice is being decided.”8 hr 27 min ago

At least 964,000 refugees have fled from Ukraine into Poland, says Polish gover

Ghana To Support Saudi Arabia Host 2030 World Expo In Riyadh.

His Excellency President Akufo Addo, President of the Republic of Ghana has expressed the endorsement of his country towards the bid of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to host Expo 2030.

He made this pronouncement during a meeting with His Excellency Ahmad Bin Abdul Aziz Kattan, Advisor at the Royal Court of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, who was in Ghana for a three-day visit.

During the courtesy call on the President at the Jubilee House, Mr. Ahmad Kattan conveyed to His Excellency President Akufo Addo and the people of Ghana the greetings of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman, Deputy Premier and Minister of Defense (may Allah preserve them both) and the good people of Saudi Arabia, as well as wish the country more progress and prosperity.

During the meeting, both sides discussed the bilateral relations between the two States and ways of improving it in all fields to meet the expectations of both nations. The meeting also discussed new regional and international events and other issues of mutual interest.
His Excellency Ahmad Kattan expressed his profound gratitude to His Excellency the President of the Republic for his outstanding reception and more particularly his pledge to support the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's bid to host the 2030 Expo.

Expo 2030 is a proposed world's fair to be held in 2030. Russia, South Korea, Italy, Ukraine and Saudi Arabia have submitted bids to hold the event. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has received several endorsements for its bid to host Expo 2030, with many countries in the African continent such as Djibouti, Zambia, Morocco and Mauritania pledging their support to Saudi Arabia. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman announced the bid in October of 2021.

In November, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation pledged its support for Saudi Arabia. The Republic of Ghana's pledge to support Saudi Arabia host this world's fair comes within the framework of the outstanding bilateral relations between the two states, especially with the later being Ghana's long standing bilateral partner in the Gulf region.

Putin: Western sanctions are the “equivalent of a declaration of war”

Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a series of threats against Ukraine and Western powers Saturday, as Ukrainian officials accused Russia of shelling evacuation routes out of two battered cities.

Ukrainian authorities said thousands of civilians remained trapped in the southeastern cities of Mariupol and Volnovakha and accused Russian forces of breaching an agreement to pause fire to allow safe passage out.

Putin, meanwhile, used a meeting with Russian flight crew members at an Aeroflot training center in Moscow, to make his first expansive remarks since the invasion nine days ago.

"The current leadership needs to understand that if they continue doing what they are doing, they put under question the future of Ukrainian statehood," Putin said. "And if that happens, it will be entirely on their conscience."

Putin also said Western sanctions were the "equivalent of a declaration of war," and warned he would consider countries imposing a no-fly zone over Ukraine as "participants in a military conflict."

President Volodymyr Zelensky and other Ukrainian leaders have repeatedly pleaded with NATO and Western officials to impose a no-fly zone over Ukraine, a move which could prevent Russian forces from carrying out airstrikes against their country.

But NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on Friday that a no-fly zone is not an option being considered by the alliance.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Friday that establishing such a zone could lead to a "full-fledged war in Europe," but added Washington would continue to work with its allies to provide Ukrainians with the means to defend themselves from Russian aggression.

MP dismantles community boreholes after losing election

A disgruntled politician who suffered a defeat in Uganda's parliamentary elections has reacted by removing boreholes he commissioned while in office.

The boreholes have been a major source of water supply for residents in Nebbi Municipality, a district in northern Uganda, for over two decades, local media reported.

Patrick Okumu-Ringa was reported to have dismantled around 10 boreholes earlier in the week and told locals to find another source of water.

The politician told Uganda's New Vision he believed locals abused "his generosity" and refused to support his bid for a re-election.

"Our people are not appreciative. All I wanted from them was votes. I have educated so many children, but all they tell me is I have done nothing," Okumu-Ringa was reported as saying in the newspaper.


Okumu-Ringa (pictured above)

When CNN contacted Okumu-Ringa for a comment, his representative said he was not immediately available as he was unwell.

Water is not a readily available natural resource for many Ugandans. Around 24 million Ugandans cannot access suitable water for drinking and sanitation, according to estimates from the American

Okumu-Ringa accepted responsibility for the damage and boasted that his actions would be of no consequence since he funded the water project.

"I used my money to sink the boreholes, and in any case, even National Water and Sewerage Corporation doesn't supply free water," he said.

The former lawmaker was Uganda's state minister for public service when he lost his seat in 2006 and has subsequently made several unsuccessful attempts to return to the parliament.

The politician ran as an independent candidate in the country's July's municipal by-elections after he lost the ruling party's primaries.