Avoid non-essential travel to Ukraine; Sri Lanka advices its citizens

COLOMBO (News 1st): The 49th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council begins in Geneva on Monday (Feb. 28).The UNHRC session is scheduled to conclude on the 1st of April.The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights will present a written update on Sri Lanka to the Council, and an interactive dialogue on Sri Lanka is scheduled on the 3rd of March.Minister of Foreign Affairs Prof.

West Block host Mercedes Stephenson interviews Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly about what more could be done to punish Russia in response to President Vladimir Putin’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.

Delhi metro and trains. Besides, the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) has said that there will be no penalty on people travelling in private vehicles without the mask.

Empty spot where Russian vodka was once stocked at Jacob Liquor Exchange in Wichita, Kansas. HARRISBURG, Pa. - The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) on Sunday instructed all Fine Wine & Good Spirits stores and licensee service centers to remove Russian-made products from their shelves as a show of solidarity and support for the people of Ukraine. According to the PLCB, Russian-made special order products will also no longer be available.The PLCB made it a point to note that only two products stocked in stores are Russian Standard and Ustianochka 80-proof vodkas and about a half-dozen Special Order brands come from Russia."As of today, these products will no longer be sold or procured by the PLCB," said Board Chairman Tim Holden.

BRUSSELS - The European Union agreed Sunday to close its airspace to Russian airlines, spend hundreds of millions of euros on buying weapons for Ukraine and ban some pro-Kremlin media outlets in its latest response to Russia’s invasion, EU officials said.That and Germany’s announcement earlier in the day that it would almost triple its defense budget this year underscored how Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was rewriting Europe’s post-World War II security and defense policy in ways that were unthinkable only a few weeks ago.In what he described as "a defining moment for European history," EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said that the bloc’s 27 foreign ministers had greenlighted the unprecedented support for Ukraine and that those actions would take effect within hours."We have decided to use our capacities to provide lethal arms, lethal assistance, to the Ukrainian army by a value of 450 million (euros) ($502 million) … and 50 more million ($56 million) for non-lethal supplies, fuel, protective equipment," Borrell told reporters.The Russian invasion of Ukraine in its fourth day. A gas pipeline was destroyed in the city Kharkiv.

Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly announced Sunday that Canada will send an additional $25 million of protective equipment to Ukraine.

West Block host Mercedes Stephenson interviews Canada’s ambassador to the United Nations Bob Rae about Russia’s full-scale attack on Ukraine. In response to a question about possible war crimes resulting from Putin’s invasion, Rae says, “Every historical record of a genocide starts with words.

(Office of Gov. Tom Wolf)  ((Office of Gov. Tom Wolf) )PHILADELPHIA - Gov.

Credit: @anastasiia.lenna via Instagram A former beauty queen has apparently traded in her tiara for a rifle to join Ukraine's ongoing resistance to Russia's invasion.Anastasia Lenna, who was Miss Grand Ukraine in 2015, posted on her Instagram account that she was one of the thousands of Ukrainians who have picked up arms to defend their nation."Everyone who crosses the Ukrainian border with the intent to invade will be killed!" she said in one post.Lenna Instagram stories have been filled with calls for assistance for Ukraine and praise for the brave men and women fighting to defend their homeland. According to TMZ, Lenna speaks five languages and worked as a translator and PR manager.Get breaking news alerts in the free FOX5NY News app!  |  Sign up for FOX 5 email newslettersIn a dramatic escalation of East-West tensions over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, President Vladimir Putin ordered Russian nuclear forces put on high alert Sunday in response to what he called "aggressive statements" by leading NATO powers.Ukraine latest: Putin puts Russia's nuclear deterrent forces on alert amid tensions with WestMeanwhile, Ukraine announced that a delegation would meet with Russian officials for talks.AdvertisementUkraine’s health minister reported Saturday that 198 people, including three children, had been killed and more than 1,000 others wounded. It was unclear whether those figures included both military and civilian casualties.

This picture from North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) taken on August 29, 2017 and released on August 30, 2017 shows North Korea's intermediate-range strategic ballistic rocket Hwasong-12 lifting off from the launching pad at an SEOUL, South Korea (AP) - North Korea launched a ballistic missile into the sea on Sunday, its neighbors said, in a resumption of weapons tests following a monthlong hiatus and as the United States and its allies are focused on Russia's invasion of Ukraine.The North Korean launch was the eighth of its kind this year and the first since Jan. 30.

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) - Vladimir Putin put his nuclear forces on increased alert on Sunday in an unprecedented escalation of tension with the West over Russia’s massive conventional assault of Ukraine, which entered its fourth day with fighting in the streets of the country’s second-largest city.Here are the things to know about the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the security crisis in Eastern Europe:MOSCOW, RUSSIA - FEBRUARY 24, 2022: Russia's President Vladimir Putin is seen during a meeting with members of Russian business community in the Moscow Kremlin.

The latest as of 9.35 a.m. ET Sunday:

Almost two years into the COVID-19 pandemic, travelling is about to become less restrictive for Canadians as health officials say the peak of Omicron has subsided across the country.

READ MORE: Russia threatens response to Canadian sanctionsIn this context, concerns that were previously voiced about the future of Arctic security following Russia’s annexation of Ukraine’s Crimea republic in 2014 have heightened enormously in the past 72 hours.In a chilling attempt to justify Russia’s invasion of its neighbour last week, Putin concocted an imaginary history of Ukraine as an illegitimate state on territory integral to Russia’s national identity. Putin is similarly known to view Russian control over the Arctic as a vital expression of the country’s mythic destiny.The idea that Russia might soon be pressured to halt or reverse its imminent conquest of Ukraine — in response, say, to harsh economic sanctions and unified condemnation among Western countries — seems naïve.That makes it equally hard to imagine a world in which Russia will continue to comply with the genteel terms of the UN Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf, the Law of the Sea convention, or with various security, environmental and cultural agreements struck with Canada and other members of the eight-nation Arctic Council — currently chaired by Russia.In flouting the international rules-based order with its unjustifiable invasion of Ukraine, Russia can no longer be counted upon as a constructive partner in any of its multilateral involvements with Canada in the Arctic or elsewhere.READ MORE: Ukrainian Canadians denounce Russian invasion; cities raise Ukrainian flagLong-time Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov is one of Putin’s key lieutenants in the war on Ukraine.

Kyiv curfew extended as Russian troops pound on Ukrainian capital “We have not supported what Russia has done. We have abstained.

Ukraine has been pushing international allies to provide more support and it appears financial assistance will be coming soon, as well as pressure on Russia to end the war with Ukraine. As Jennifer Johnson reports, the move comes as people globally call for more aid from countries as the death toll for both countries climbs.

The Ukrainian government says at least 200 people have been killed on its soil during the invasion by Russia. Crystal Goomansingh is in Poland with more on the ongoing developments. Amid the siege on the Ukrainian capital, residents of Kyiv remain under a curfew as battles continue between Ukrainian and Russian forces.

The Ukrainian government says at least 200 people have been killed on its soil during the invasion by Russia. The country’s president wants peace and to get it through negotiation, not death, and would be willing to engage with Russian President Vladimir Putin, but Volodymyr Zelenskyy is not willing to bow to any Kremlin ultimatums.

Protests are taking place across the globe in support of Ukraine as the invasion by Russia continues, and many are taking to the street right here in Canada with the crisis bringing out a range of emotions. As Mike Drolet explains, it seems like many are trying to do whatever they can to show they’re on Ukraine’s side.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in an address on Saturday that he welcomes moves by various countries to disconnect Russia from “global financial civilization” by cutting the country off from the SWIFT international payment system. Russia still has access to SWIFT, but more countries are pushing for it to happen, including Canada.

Saturday Night Takeaway. ITV launched the campaign in 2019 on Britain's Got Talent by pausing the show for 60 seconds, encouraging people to start a conversation with a loved one.

Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, including cutting off a number of Russian banks from the SWIFT interbank payments system.SWIFT is the world’s main international payments network. Here is more about what it does and why it matters:SWIFT, or the “Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication”, is a secure messaging system that facilitates rapid cross-border payments, making international trade flow smoothly.Banks which connect to the SWIFT system and establish relationships with other banks can use SWIFT messages to make payments.Kyiv curfew extended as Russian troops pound on Ukrainian capitalThe messages are secure so that payment instructions are typically honoured without question.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka’s Director-General of Health Services has announced that fully vaccinated travellers arriving in the country are exempted of a pre-departure COVID-19 test.This measure will come into effect from the 1st of March 2022.Read the latest guidelines for travellers below : 

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Friday that Canada will be placing sanctions on Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

People took shelter in a bowling alley in Cherkasy, Ukraine as Russian strikes continued around Ukrainian cities. Cosmos Bowling posted this footage on Feb. 25 on Instagram of people gathered inside the bowling alley and around snooker tables.

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM - FEBRUARY 26: A protester holds a banner calling for imminent help for Ukraine during a demonstration against Russia's invasion of Ukraine held in front the building of the Permanent Mission of Russia to the E.U. on February 26, 20 The Rev.

The latest as of 2:20 p.m. ET Saturday:

After nearly two years of on and off COVID-19 health measures, Premier Jason Kenney said everyone had different levels of comfort when it comes to relaxing restrictions and asked citizens to be patient and compassionate as people make individual choices about things like continuing to wear masks in public.

An undated file photo of a gas pump.

In early November 2021, Crew-2 ESA astronaut Thomas Pesquet photographed the space station from above during the return trip home aboard the SpaceX Crew Dragon Endeavour (NASA/ESA/SpaceX) In response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, President Joe Biden announced new sanctions Thursday targeting the Russian economy and attempting to cut off access to emerging technology, which could impact the Russian space program, Roscosmos. "Between our actions and those of our allies and partners, we estimate that will cut off more than half of Russia's high-tech imports and will strike a blow to their ability to continue to modernize their military," Biden said Thursday. "It'll degrade their aerospace industry, including their space program, and hurt their ability to build ships, reducing their ability to compete economically."While Russian and U.S.

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) - Kyiv residents braced Saturday for another night sheltering underground, as Russian troops closed in on Ukraine’s capital and skirmishes were reported on the outskirts. Ukraine’s leader, meanwhile, claimed the country’s forces had repulsed the Russian assault, and he vowed to keep up the struggle and appealed for more help from the outside world."The real fighting for Kyiv is ongoing," President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a video message in which he accused Russia of hitting infrastructure and civilian targets."We will win," he said.RELATED: Who is the 'Ghost of Kyiv'? Tale of Ukrainian fighter pilot trends on social mediaCentral Kyiv appeared quiet on Saturday, though sporadic gunfire could be heard.

DECATUR, Ga. - A soldier who’s returning from a year-long deployment said unwanted guests have been living in his house.Duncan Fowler has spent the last year in Poland. He's expected to officially finish his deployment in about a week and was planning on returning to Decatur. Unfortunately, it's not the homecoming he expected. INTERNATIONAL AFFIARS EXPERT BREAKS DOWN RUSSIA-UKRAINE CONFLICT"In the last two years, I’ve only been home for about eight weeks.

Russian troops stormed the city, the State Emergency Service of Ukraine said Saturday morning.The strike set the building on fire and left a massive hole and an evacuation was underway, the government said. There was no immediate word on any potential fatalities or injuries. RELATED: Ukraine crisis: Russian troops close in on Kyiv as residents fleeRussian troops stormed toward Ukraine’s capital Saturday, and street fighting broke out as city officials urged residents to take shelter. Emergency services in Kyiv said six people were injured after a high-rise apartment building was damaged by shelling early on February 26, as the city faced increasing pressure from invading Russian forces. (Credit: Mykola Medinsky via Storyful)"Kyiv, our splendid, peaceful city, survived another night under attacks by Russian ground forces, missiles," Ukraine's Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba tweeted.

Check if you qualify as fully vaccinated for travel to England, including approved vaccines.If you’re travelling to England from within the Common Travel Area (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man) and haven’t been anywhere else within the 10 days before you arrive, there are no entry requirements for coming into England.If you’ve been to a country or territory outside the Common Travel Area within the 10 days before you arrive in England, you must follow the rules for entering England from that country.

Despite seemingly impossible odds of resisting Russia’s vast military, many Ukrainians are still unwilling to yield in the face of an overwhelming invasion. Dawna Friesen looks at how civilians and soldiers alike are standing their ground.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says his country’s fate is being decided right now, as Russian forces close in on Kyiv. Journalist Joe Federman of the Associated Press reports from Ukraine’s capital on the escalating anxiety and chaos, and the resistance among Ukrainians.

As Russian soldiers converge on Kyiv, they have been slowed by a determined defense from Ukrainian armed forces and a growing number of civilians who are taking up arms against the invasion.While Moscow has made it clear its goal is to topple the Ukrainian government it’s facing dogged opposition both in the country and from the international community.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lankan Police launched an investigation on Friday (25) after the carcass of a Sri Lankan Leopard (Panthera pardus kotiya) was discovered from an estate in Norton Bridge.Police received information that a dead Leopard was sighted inside a tea estate in Vidulipura in Wimalasurendra Gama located within the Norton Bridge Police jurisdiction.Initial investigations revealed that the leopard was injured in two areas on the back and another serious wound on its forward right leg.The leopard is believed to be around 6 years of age, and is a species native to Sri Lanka.Officers from the Nallatanniya Wildlife Office had visited the site and taken away the carcass for further investigations.

Canada’s automotive sector and other industries gearing up for an end to the chip shortages of the past year might be waiting longer for relief as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine threatens key supply chains in semiconductor production.

Ukraine says it will posthumously honour a group of Ukrainian border guards who were killed after they reportedly told an officer on board a Russian navy warship to “go f— yourself” when asked to surrender.

KYIV, Ukraine - Russian troops stormed toward Ukraine’s capital early Saturday as explosions reverberated through the city and the president urged the country to "stand firm" against the siege that could determine its future. He refused American help to evacuate, saying: "The fight is here."Hundreds of casualties were reported in the fighting, which included shelling that sliced through a Kyiv apartment building and pummeled bridges and schools.

PHILADELPHIA - Ukraine immigrants were among a crowd of Philadelphians who gathered near City Hall on Friday to rally support for Ukraine as it continues to fight a Russian invasion from Russia. Russian troops bore down on Ukraine’s capital Friday while the president grimly predicted that the conflict would soon intensify, and fears of wider war in Europe triggered new international efforts to make Moscow stop, including direct sanctions on President Vladimir Putin.Amid reports of hundreds of casualties — including shelling that sliced through a Kyiv apartment building and pummeled bridges and schools — there also were growing signs that Russia may be seeking to overthrow Ukraine’s government, which U.S. officials have described as Putin’s ultimate objective.

British Columbia’s Liberal opposition called for Russian products to be pulled from BC Liquor Stores.“I’m calling on the NDP to immediately pull Russian spirits from @bcliquorstores and cease all imports of such products by the BCLDB,” Kevin Falcon wrote on Twitter. Ukraine’s president warns of ‘difficult’ night as Russia closes in on Kyiv “We should do all we can to support the people of Ukraine and not benefit Putin’s regime while this unprovoked aggression continues.”Asked about the proposal earlier Friday, B.C.

Ukrainian military has released a statement thanking a marine for allegedly sacrificing himself in order to demolish a bridge that would allow Russian tanks to advance.The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine released the statement Friday via social media, reporting that Vitaliy Volodymyrovych Skakun, a battalion engineer, had voluntarily undertaken a mission to mine out the support structure of the Genichesky Bridge near the Kyiv before Russian forces could cross it. Shakun did not have time to flee the blast zone before detonating the explosives, and informed his battalion that he would be blowing it up regardless.The Armed Forces reported that the subsequent explosion was immediate and thwarted Russian efforts to mobilize their tank column over the bridge.Ukraine forces blew up the bridge about 30 miles north of Kyiv on Thursday in order to thwart the advance of Russian tanks toward the capital city, according to reports.The nation’s airborne assault troops targeted the bridge, which crosses the Teteriv River at Ivankiv, helping ground forces stop a Russian tank convoy, Ukraine’s Defense Ministry said, according to Newsweek.The invasion efforts reportedly included Russian troops commandeering Ukrainian military vehicles and donning Ukrainian military uniforms in order to ease their way into the city, reports said.Ukraine's foreign minister, Dmytro Kuleba, noted that the last time foreigners attacked Kyiv took place in 1941.RELATED: Ukraine crisis: How you can helpA Ukrainian military tank is seen near Potemkin Stairs in the centre of Odessa after Russia's military operation in Ukraine on Feb.

LOS ANGELES - Cities in the United States and across the globe are displaying blue and yellow lights, the colors of the Ukrainian flag, in a show of solidarity with the European nation as it grapples with a full-on invasion from neighboring Russia.The Empire State Building was illuminated with blue and yellow lights in a display of support for Ukraine currently under siege by Russian forces."Tonight, the Empire State Building will shine its tower lights in the colors of the Ukrainian flag," wrote the official Twitter account for the Empire State Building. In Dallas, the Ukrainian flag’s colors could be seen shining throughout the Texas city’s skyline. In Cincinnati, Ohio, a sister city to Kharkiv, Ukraine, the Duke Energy Convention Center was also lit up as a hat tip to Ukraine.Roughly 200 miles to the north, in Sandusky, Ohio, a tribute to Ukraine could also be found.Tributes to Ukraine could also be seen in Paris, London, Melbourne, Berlin and Rome, Reuters reported. Berlin, which stood as the front line during the Cold War until the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, sent a clear signal to the Kremlin when it lit up the iconic Brandenburg Gate, the city’s most famous landmark, in blue and yellow."We are showing our solidarity with the people of Ukraine, the many Berliners with Ukrainian roots but also with the many Russians who want peace in Russia and Ukraine," Berlin Mayor Franziska Giffey said in a statement."They all want nothing more than an end to the escalation and a peaceful settlement to this threatening conflict," she added.A day after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered military action in the breakaway regions of Ukraine, Russian forces appear to be closing in on the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv.Explosions

Russian forces continue to invade Ukraine. Vancouver Pastor Mykhailo Ozorovych tells Paul Haysom that about his family who are living in one of the towns that have been bombed.

Russian forces pressed on with a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, many Americans are wondering how they can help the Ukrainian people in their time of suffering. Charity Navigator has put together a list of some of the top-rated nonprofits that are aiding in relief and recovery efforts in Ukraine. These charities have earned high ratings for their financial efficiency and for clarity and transparency about their operations. Charity Navigator helps charitable givers make "intelligent giving decisions" by providing objective ratings and analysis of the financial health and accountability of America's largest charities. The following nonprofits are "engaged in relief and recovery efforts in Ukraine and the surrounding region," according to Charity Navigator. While any decision to give should be carefully considered, the groups below earned three or more stars from Charity Navigator.Ukrainian refugees and a child seen at a train station in Przemysl, Poland on Feb. 24, 2022.

Meth disguised as onions in a shipment pallet (Courtesy: U.S. Customs and Border Protection) SAN DIEGO, Calif. - Officials with the U.S.