The first Sesame Street theme park on the west coast of the United States is set to open next month, boosting the San Diego tourism market as it recovers from the pandemic impact of the industry and easing restrictions.

Featuring Big Bird’s Beach, Oscar’s Rotten Rafts and Cookie-Monster towers, San Diego’s 17-acre (6.5 hectares) year-round theme park Sesame Place – in Chula Vista, south of San Diego – opens on March 26 for season card holders. The first Sesame Place theme park opened more than 40 years ago outside of Philadelphia.

Sesame Place San Diego is the first theme park in nine years to be opened by SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, which has a longstanding relationship with Sesame Workshop, the non-profit organization behind the popular educational show, which airs in more than 150 countries.

Sesame Place San Diego (pictured above) will have child-friendly canals, slides and a lazy river, as well as one of the largest wave pools in Southern California

The new park will have 18 Sesame Street attractions, including a child-friendly roller coaster roller coaster ride and an Elmo Choo Choo train (pictured above)

Owned by SeaWorld, Sesame Place San Diego (pictured above) is the company’s latest offer to retire from live animal shows, sparking worldwide criticism of its attitude toward whales since the 2013 release of the Blackfish documentary.

The park is the latest move by Florida-based SeaWorld to move away from live animal shows, which have sparked worldwide criticism for their impact on whales and caused profits to plummet, especially in the San Diego Park. SeaWorld’s Orlando Park opened a section of Sesame Street in 2019.

And the San Diego Park could not open in a better time as people emerge from the pandemic boredom and itch for a new experience, said Dennis Speigel, owner of International Theme Park Services Inc., a global industry consultant.

“2021 was an amazing year of recovery for theme parks,” he said. “People came back en masse.”

Sesame Street is also witnessing a resurgence of popularity among families, Spiegel said.

Visitors will enter an interactive neighborhood on Sesame Street, a copy of the one in the TV show with 123 Lean forward. It will include Elmo’s window, where Elmo’s bedroom window comes to life so children can play, dance and sing with him and his friends.

The park will also have 18 attractions on the theme of Sesame Street. These include Cookie Climb, which leads to the top of Cookie Monster-themed towers; Elmo’s Rockin ‘Rockets, which flies on an imaginary space trip; and Super Grover’s Box Car Derby, a kid-friendly roller coaster ride. It also has a swimming pool with waves of 500.00 gallons, one of the largest in Southern California.

The theme park area for the street food truck (presented above) will offer Sesame Street snacks, including sweet treats for all visiting monster cookies

Visitors will enter an interactive replica of the neighborhood on Sesame Street (presented above), which will include the window of Elmo’s bedroom, where children can play, dance and sing with the hairy red doll

Employees will be specially trained to work with children with autism and other special needs. In recent years, SeaWorld has offered specialized services in its parks for visitors with autism.

SeaWorld announced the end of its breeding program in March 2016, after years of pressure from animal rights activists and a change in public opinion about killer whales.

Protests have intensified since the release of the 2013 documentary Blackfish, which focuses on the life of Tilicum, the killer whale responsible for killing a trainer when he dragged her into a pool in front of shocked visitors in 2010.

CEO Mark Swanson, who took office in 2020, is taking steps to rebuild the company. He previously worked at the original Sesame Place in Pennsylvania. He said he expects families to create similar “lifelong memories” in California.

“We are excited to debut in this new park and add a premier tourist destination in California that is so attractive to families,” Swanson said in a statement.

Seasonal gaps before opening are on sale now for $ 129 (£ 95) and the SeaWorld Pass can be added for $ 84 (£ 62). The park was built on the site of the former Aquatica water park in San Diego of SeaWorld, which was closed in 2020.

Taiwan climbs fighter jets as nine Chinese planes enter its air defense zone on the day Russia invades Ukraine

• Taiwan, which China claims as its own territory, has complained of regular similar missions by China’s air force over the past two years.
• The number of planes involved is much lower than the last large-scale invasion, 39 Chinese planes on January 23, and since then such flights have been sporadic with far fewer planes.
• The ministry said the latest mission included eight Chinese J-16 fighters and one Y-8 reconnaissance aircraft.
• Taiwanese fighter jets were sent to warn Chinese planes, and air defense missiles were deployed to “monitor activities.”

from Isabella Nikolic for Mailonline

Published: 15:05 GMT, 24 February 2022 | Updated: 3:14 PM GMT, February 24, 2022

TaiwanRussia’s air force castrated its fighter jets on Thursday to warn nine Chinese planes that entered its air defense zone on the day of Russia’s invasion Ukraine.

Taiwan, which China claims as its own territory, complains of regular similar missions by the Chinese Air Force over the past two years, although the plane does not approach Taiwan itself.

The number of planes involved is much lower than the last large-scale invasion, 39 Chinese planes on January 23, and since then such flights have been sporadic with far fewer planes.

The ministry said the latest mission included eight Chinese J-16 fighters and a Y-8 reconnaissance plane that flew over an area northeast of Taiwan-controlled Pratas Islands in the upper South China Sea.

Taiwan, which China claims as its own territory, has complained of regular similar missions by China’s air force over the past two years, although the planes have not come close to Taiwan itself. Pictured: J-16 fighter

The ministry said the latest mission included eight Chinese J-16 fighters and one Y-8 reconnaissance aircraft (pictured).

Taiwanese fighter jets were sent to warn Chinese planes, and air defense missiles were deployed to “monitor activities,” the ministry said, using standard wording on how Taiwan described its response.

Taiwan is closely watching the crisis in Ukraine, nervous that China may try to take advantage to move to the island.

Although Taipei did not report unusual movements of Chinese forces, the government has raised its alert.

China has never given up on using force to bring Taiwan under its control and routinely condemns US arms sales or other acts of support from Washington.

Speaking in Beijing earlier Thursday when asked about the US’s new Indo-Pacific strategy, Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman Tang Kefei reiterated that Taiwan was a “major problem” for China and would not tolerate any foreign interference.

“We call on the United States to recognize the high sensitivity of the Taiwan issue, to stop interfering in China’s internal affairs and to stop playing with fire on the Taiwan issue,” Tan said.

In a 12-page review of the Indo-Pacific Strategy released earlier this month, the Biden administration promised to devote more diplomatic and security resources to the region.

With regard to Taiwan, Washington will work with partners inside and outside the region to maintain peace and stability in the strait separating the island from China, the statement said.

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She means business! Queen Letizia of Spain is perfectly dressed in a navy striped suit while attending the annual Madrid Contemporary Art Fair

• Queen Letizia of Spain looked like a picture of balance and elegance in Madrid today
• She attended the opening of a contemporary art fair in the country’s capital
• The 49-year-old mother of two wore a navy striped suit while attending the event

from Jessica Green for Mailonline

Published: 15:14 GMT, 24 February 2022 | Updated: 3:16 PM GMT, February 24, 2022

the queen Leticia from Spain it looked like a picture of poise and elegance as he attended the opening of a contemporary art fair in Madrid.

The royal mother of two, 49, wore a navy blue striped suit as she attended the opening of the ARCO 2022 contemporary art fair in Ifema, the country’s capital today.

Looking seamlessly stylish, art lover Leticia combines her ensemble with a pair of matching high heels.

Queen Letizia of Spain (pictured) looked at the picture of balance and elegance as she attended the opening of a contemporary art fair in Madrid

The royal mother of two (pictured), 49, wore a navy striped blue suit as she attended the opening of the ARCO 2022 contemporary art fair in Ifema, the country’s capital today.

Demonstrating her slender figure, the Spanish queen’s costume features details for a tight waist, as well as sharp shoulders and a V-neck.

Leaving the ensemble to talk about everything, Leticia chose to give up most of the accessories, except for a pair of exquisite gold earrings, which included a green gem.

The king, the wife of King Felipe, kept his hair cut back and had only a white face covered with his clothes.

Looking stylish effortlessly, art lover Leticia (pictured) combines her ensemble with a pair of matching high heels

Demonstrating her slender figure, the costume of the Spanish queen (pictured) features tight waist details, as well as sharp shoulders and a V-neck

Leaving his ensemble to say it all, Leticia (pictured) decided to give up most of the accessories, except for a pair of exquisite gold earrings that included a green gem.

The royal person (pictured), King Felipe’s wife, kept her hair shaved back and wore only a white face covered with her clothes.

The royal person (pictured looking at the work of art) finished his outfit by choosing a classic make-up look, with just a little bronzer and a smoky eye.

She finished her outfit by choosing a classic make-up look, with only a little bronzer and a smoky eye.

The event was hosted by ARCO Madrid, the international contemporary art fair in Spain, which has been held since 1982.

It was a busy week for the King, who went out with King Felipe on Monday when he made his first public appearance, after a positive test for coronavirus earlier this month.

The event was hosted by ARCO Madrid, the international contemporary art fair in Spain, which has been held since 1982.

It was a busy week for the Royal King (pictured), who went out with King Felipe on Monday when he made his first public appearance after a positive coronavirus test earlier this month.

The mother of two (pictured) chose a stylish black mussel dress, which included a detail with a ruffle and a skirt with a high slit on the leg across the thigh with appropriate accessories

The event was the inaugural gala held as part of the celebrations of the 5th anniversary of the death of Spanish humanist Antonio de Nebria. In the photo Leticia on today’s occasion

The 54-year-old Spanish king cut out a polite figure in a stylish black suit with a navy tie while going out with his wife at the Royal Theater in Madrid.

The mother of two opted for a stylish black mussel dress, which included a detail with a ruffle and a skirt with a high slit on the leg across the thigh with appropriate accessories.

The event was the inaugural gala held as part of the celebrations of the 5th anniversary of the death of Spanish humanist Antonio de Nebria.

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Nearly every state in the United States is taking steps to remove remaining Covid mandates and introduce a “return to normal” – despite the federal government’s reluctance to leave the pandemic behind.

Analysis by CBS News found that 49 U.S. states had revoked or eased the mandate for indoor masks, or set a date for this in the near future. The only detention is Hawaiithe island nation, which has had the strictest mandates anywhere in the country during the pandemic so far.

These decisions from both the Democratic and republican leaders in America are coming as cases are declining almost everywhere. 49 states have seen a drop in Covid cases in the past two weeks, with Maine being the only deviation.

Across the country, the United States recorded 79,668 cases a day – the first time the seven-day average has fallen below 80,000 since Nov. 29. The number of cases has decreased by 38 percent in the last seven days and by 90 percent since Omicron caused a peak in mid-January of about 800,000 per day.

Last week, California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Thursday that his state – the most populous in the United States – would soon switch to treating COVID-19 as endemic, moving from a pandemic as the state marks two years since the virus first became known. found in the United States

Hawaii is the only state in America that has not set out plans to end its mandate for indoor masks in the coming weeks. Pictured: A man wearing a mask on a beach in Honolulu, Hawaii, on April 28, 2020.

Cases in California have dropped 80 percent in the past two weeks, and only 24 out of every 100,000 people test positive for the virus every day.

“We are going through a phase of crisis into a phase in which we will work to live with this virus,” Newsham told a news conference, announcing the “Smarter” plan on Thursday.

“People are looking forward to turning the page,” he added. “They also need to know that we have their backs, we will keep them safe and we will stay on top of that.”

California is now the first state in the United States to declare the virus “endemic,” and the most populous state is now joining a growing list that has begun to rescind mandates as cases continue to decline.

Newsom revoked his mandate for a state mask in the state for vaccinated residents in mid-February, although he left open opportunities for county and city officials to re-apply mandates at their discretion.

While almost all blue states, such as California, have removed these mandates for most indoor public places, masks are still required in many schools. School mask mandates are one of the most controversial policies in America right now, and some states such as New York, Delaware and Maryland still require children to disguise themselves at school without a deadline.

Federal leaders are also reluctant to revoke their mandates. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) still recommends universal camouflage in public schools and requires people to wear masks when traveling on planes and trains.

However, officials opened the door to lift restrictions during a press briefing last week. Covid White House Response Coordinator Jeff Zients said the federal government was already looking for a life outside of Covid.

“As a result of all this progress and the tools we all have, we are moving to a time when Covid is not a crisis, but something we can protect ourselves from and treat,” Zients said.

“The president and our Covid team are actively planning for this future.”

“We want to give people a break from things like wearing masks when those indicators are better, and then have the opportunity to reach out to them again if things get worse,” said Dr. Rochelle Valenski, director of the CDC. , at a briefing last week.

“If and when we update our guidelines, we will make this clear. And it will be based on data and science.

However, a new threat may be around the corner. World Health Organization (WHO) officials warn global health leaders not to remain vigilant as Omicron’s stealth version spreads around the world.

The “stealth” variant, or BA.2, as officially classified, is a pedigree of the Omicron variant, lacking some key indicators that allow it to be easily ranked – hence the nickname “stealth”. It is not thought to cause a more severe infection than the original, BA.1, version of the variant, but is about 30 percent more portable.

The WHO reports that 35 percent or more of one in three Covid cases worldwide is stealth. The family quickly established itself in Denmark and the United Kingdom last month and halted a sharp drop in the number of cases.

The latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that pedigree still accounts for less than five percent of cases in the United States, while its predecessor, BA.1, still accounts for almost every new case in the United States. America.

WHO officials say they are monitoring the situation and looking at data from multiple countries to determine the potential level of threat to the line.

“We are watching not only how fast these peaks are rising, but also how they are coming down,” said Maria Van Kerkhove, a WHO epidemiologist. said.

“And as the decline in cases occurs… we must also consider: Is there a delay in this decline? Or will we start seeing an increase again?

U.S. health officials, while monitoring the situation, do not appear to be particularly concerned about the new strain and are making plans to move through the Covid pandemic phase.

Covid deaths also continue to decline, giving US-based health officials even more reason to feel comfortable with the current pandemic. Daily deaths have fallen by 20 percent in the past week, with 1,782 Americans exposed to the virus every day.

The brave Ukrainian doctor abandons her three children to join the army while her country goes to war against Russia.

Dr. Marta Yuzkiv joined UkraineRussia’s army as a reservist in April last year, when smoldering tensions with Russia began to escalate, and underwent weekly training in the event of war.

After bombs and rockets rained down on her nation on Thursday, the mother, who is based in the capital Kiev, is now preparing to leave her home and defend Ukraine on the front lines.

‘I have to go [start serving]”Dr. Yuzkiv told Australia’s A Current Affair.

“I will not allow them (Russia) to take our land and our freedom. They do not believe in our right to exist. We must defend ourselves and we will win.

Ordinary Ukrainian citizens such as Dr. Yuzkiv have undergone military training in preparation for such an invasion by Russia (pictured showing civilians learning shooting skills in Lviv, Ukraine, on Thursday)

A Ukrainian military tank caught fire after a Russian air strike in Mariupol on Thursday

Dr Yuzkiv said he was packing to head to a base in Kiev and would leave his children at home with the family’s pets.

Her mother, friends and eldest son – who no longer lives at home – will move to help while she is away.

She is one of many ordinary Ukrainians who have heeded President Vladimir Zelensky’s call for arms, who has asked anyone with military experience to provide.

The Ukrainian leader said the weapons would be distributed to anyone who asked.

After Dr. Yuzkiv arrived at the military base, she said the commanders would instruct her and the other reservists where they would be sent.

While studying territorial defense, Dr. Yuzkiv takes lessons on how to defend his country every Saturday for the past 11 months.

In addition to the weekly sessions, she also took additional weapons courses and completed training in tactical medicine.

Although training has prepared her, she still feels nervous.

“I’m really nervous because you still can’t believe you’re still here. It is unbelievable – the 21st century – we live somewhere in the middle of Europe and we are under attack, “she said.

Explosions erupted over Kiev in the early hours of Thursday morning after Russian rockets, shots and bombs were dropped on the country’s eastern, northern and southern parts.

Dr. Marta Yuzkiv (pictured) joins the armed forces to fight the Russian invasion of Ukraine

Dr Yuzkiv said about 53 per cent of Ukrainians were ready to take up arms to defend their country, with shelves nationwide devoid of weapons and ammunition before the invasion.

She said many civilians have attended courses on how to shoot and how to support others as paramedics.

Morally united, Dr Yuzkiv said the Ukrainians would resist until the last Russian troops left the country, although she acknowledged that this could take a long time due to their aggressor’s superior military power.

Rockets and bombs rained down from the sky, tanks rolled across the border, helicopters buzzed and explosions were seen across the country after Vladimir Putin ordered an attack on Thursday.

Soldiers are seen riding a Russian military tank in the city of Armyansk, Crimea, on Thursday

Simultaneous attacks on the south, east and north by land and air were carried out, with one Ukrainian official saying “hundreds” had been killed at the start of the fighting, while another named 40 dead.

Cruise missiles, guided bombs and GRAD missiles are destroying targets from east to west – aimed at airports, military bases, ammunition depots and command posts, including in the capital. Six Russian planes were shot down from the skies over the Eastern Donbass region, killing 50 Russian soldiers, Ukraine claims.

Ukrainian border guards said they were attacked by heavy artillery, tanks and troops from Russia and Belarus, while Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko threw up his forces in the battle – although he refused to take part. Luhansk, Sumy and Chernihiv in eastern Ukraine were also attacked.

Dr Yuzkiv said many Ukrainians were ready to take up arms and join the battle to defend their country. Pictured: Ukrainian tanks move into the city after Russian President Vladimir Putin authorizes a military operation in eastern Ukraine, in Mariupol

Explosions have also been reported in the west, in Zhytomyr and Lviv, near the Polish border. Extraordinary videos showed what looked like a Kalibur cruise missile hitting Ivano-Frankivsk airport. A block of flats in Kharkov was also hit, leading to civilian casualties, including a young boy.

A video has also surfaced confirming that the cruise missiles were fired by Russian troops stationed in Moldova.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has condemned the “brutal” and “unprovoked” Russian invasion of Ukraine and announced a new tranche of sanctions.

Another 25 Russians, including army commanders, deputy defense ministers and mercenaries responsible for the attacks, will be sanctioned, as well as four additional financial institutions.

“We need to ensure that this violent, unacceptable and rude behavior comes at a price,” Mr Morrison said.

Footage shared on social media from Odessa appears to indicate a landing attack

“There will be further waves of sanctions as we identify those responsible for these heinous acts, including the relocation of more than 300 members of the Russian parliament.”

The prime minister condemned the Kremlin’s “unilateral, hostile actions” when he addressed reporters in Sydney hours after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a special military operation in Ukraine’s Donbass region.

“The Russian government has launched a brutal invasion – unprovoked – in Ukraine,” he said.

Russia has chosen war.

Mr Morrison again declined to say what technical military support Australia would provide after excluding troops on the ground.

“We are involved with our partners in these types of activities, but it would not be appropriate for me to go into details.”

He said there was no change in the decision not to expel the Russian ambassador.

“But you can’t doubt the very harsh messages sent to the ambassador on behalf of the Australian government,” he said.

Explosions could be heard in the Ukrainian capital, Kiev, and Russia’s defense ministry has since said it uses “high-precision weapons” to target military infrastructure and air defense without risking civilians.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison condemns “brutal” and “unprovoked” Russian invasion of Ukraine

There have been reports of rocket attacks in the capital and military planes targeting the outskirts of the city, with hundreds of victims from the initial strike.

Ukraine called the movement a full-scale invasion.

In an online video, President Zelensky declared martial law and said Russia was targeting military sites across the country.

It is reported that Belarusian troops have joined the Russian troops with clashes on the northern border of Ukraine with Belarus.

Earlier in the day, Mr Morrison officially signed the first tranche of sanctions against Russia.

Sanctions against Russian banks and people of strategic and economic importance will become law on Friday and take effect in late March.

Mr Morrison said the sanctions would send a message about the cost of Russian aggression.

“It is important that all countries commit to these sanctions against these people,” he said.

“It simply came to our notice then. You sanction, support, benefit from this kind of violence, then you will be isolated, you will be the target.

Opposition leader Anthony Albanese says Putin’s decision marks a major moment for humanity and joins in condemning the government.

The attack has reached Ukraine on all fronts, with bombs and missiles hitting targets across the country, ground forces targeting Belarus, Crimea, Donetsk and Luhansk, and paratroopers throwing over Kharkiv

A huge explosion is observed at the Vinnytsia military base in central Ukraine as the country comes under widespread attack from Russia.

“This attack is completely unprovoked and without justification. “All Australians are with the people of Ukraine and are united in condemning the shameful act of Russian aggression,” he said.

“This is not just an attack on Ukraine, this is a contemptuous attack on one of the basic principles of order after World War II. Australia must unite with our allies in holding Russia accountable.

Russia’s ambassador responded to the sanctions, accusing Australia of being indifferent to the discrimination faced by Russian-speakers.

In a statement, the embassy said the decision to recognize the Donetsk and Luhansk districts for humanitarian reasons was taken to “protect” civilians, including hundreds of thousands of Russian citizens.

But Mr Morrison said any suggestion by Russian Ambassador Alexei Pavlovsky that Russian troops in Ukraine were peacekeepers was an “offensive” for legitimate peacekeepers.

“They are not peacekeepers, they are invaders. That’s how we see him and we’ll call him. If they don’t like it, it’s hard.

More than 180 Australians in Ukraine have asked for help to leave the country, and approximately 1,400 Australians remain there.

To the right of the image, tanks can be seen crossing a border post between Ukraine and Belarus in the early hours of Thursday.

The Russians launched a total war against Ukraine today with rockets falling from the sky, tanks rolling across the Belarusian border and masses of paratroopers descending to the eastern regions after Vladimir Putin personally ordered an attack.

“Hundreds” of Ukrainian soldiers have already been killed in early clashes, Kiev said, because the battle came to them on all fronts at one time. Cruise missiles, guided bombs and GRAD missiles are destroying targets from east to west – aimed at airports, military bases, ammunition depots and command posts, including in the capital.

The first sign that an invasion was imminent came shortly before 12 noon Ukrainian time (10 pm in Britain), when Russian-backed rebel leaders in eastern Ukraine demanded military assistance from Moscow in what is widely seen as a “fake” flag “operation to justify Putin’s decision to attack.

A moment later, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed a provocative message to the nation, promising that his compatriots would “retaliate” in the event of an invasion, telling Moscow: “When you attack us, you will see our faces, not our backs.”

A fierce series of diplomatic maneuvers, including an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council in New York, were not enough to dissuade Putin from announcing a “special military operation” around 3 a.m. Ukrainian time.

Around 6 a.m., Zelensky declared martial law in a video message recorded on his phone, urging his people “not to panic” and promising, “We will all win because we are Ukraine.”

As Europe faces its worst military crisis in decades, this is how dramatic events unfolded this morning, minute by minute. All times are displayed first in Ukrainian time, with the GMT equivalent in parentheses.

12:00 (22h)

“We will retaliate”: Ukrainian president delivers emotional televised address

Vladimir Zelensky has promised that the Ukrainian people will “strike back” if Putin launches a full-scale invasion.

His comments follow a request from Moscow-backed rebel leaders in the east for military aid to repel Ukrainian “aggression” – considered by the West a “false flag” – to justify the invasion.

Solemn President Zelensky says: “The people of Ukraine and the Government of Ukraine want peace.

“But if we are attacked, if we face an attempt to take away our country, our freedom, our lives and the lives of our children, we will defend ourselves. When you attack us, you will see our faces, not our backs.

The Ukrainian president said he had tried to call Putin earlier in the evening, but there was no answer, only silence, adding that Moscow had about 200,000 troops near Ukraine’s borders.

At the request of Ukraine, the UN Security Council quickly scheduled an extraordinary meeting – the second in three days.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba called the separatists’ demand a “further escalation of the security situation”.

Ukraine is preparing for conflict and enters a one-month state of emergency, which takes effect at midnight.

3:30 in the morning (1:30 GMT)

Explosions were heard in the strategically important port city of Mariupol

Residents of the Ukrainian port city of Mariupol were awakened at 3.30 am by the sounds of explosions.

The videos appear to show clouds of smoke rising in the nearby night sky, but it has not been confirmed whether this was the result of shelling.

Mariupol, located on the Black Sea 50 miles from the Russian border, handles 50 percent of Ukraine’s steel and mineral exports.

Occupying the strategic location will give the people’s republics of Donbass access to the sea and will stifle a vital economic artery for the legitimate government of Ukraine.

4:30 AM (02:30 GMT)

UN summit at which the Ukrainian ambassador tells his Russian counterpart: “war criminals go straight to hell”

The UN Security Council is holding an emergency meeting in New York to try to dissuade Russia from sending troops to Ukraine.

During the accused session, Ukrainian Ambassador Serhiy Kislitsya begged the council, chaired by Russia, to “do everything possible to stop the war.”

He is urging the Russian ambassador to step down as chairman.

“There is no purgatory for war criminals. They go to hell, Ambassador, “says the emotional Kislica.

At a meeting of the UN Security Council, Ukrainian Ambassador Sergei Kislitsa accused his Russian counterpart: “There is no purgatory for war criminals. They’re going to hell, Ambassador

Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called on Putin to stop his tanks.

“If surgery is really being prepared, I have only one thing to say from the bottom of my heart,” he said.

“President Putin, stop your troops from attacking Ukraine. Give peace a chance. Too many people have already died.

Mr Guterres says he is witnessing “the saddest moment of my term as UN Secretary-General” and that Europe is at risk, “the worst war of the century”.

He then warned that Russia’s actions would be “not only” devastating for Ukraine “and” tragic “for Russia,” but also with an impact we cannot even foresee in terms of their consequences for the global economy. “

“At a time when we are leaving Covid and so many developing countries, there must be room for recovery, which would be very, very difficult with high oil prices, wheat exports from Ukraine and rising interest rates caused by instability. international markets, “he added.

5 am (3 am GMT)

Putin declares a “special military operation” and threatens the West

Putin has declared a “special military operation” in eastern Ukraine, claiming it aims to protect civilians.

In a televised address, Putin said the action came in response to threats coming from Ukraine.

He claims that Russia wants to “denazify, not occupy” Ukraine. Putin says the Ukrainian regime is responsible for the bloodshed.

Putin warns the countries that any attempt to interfere in Russia’s actions will lead to “consequences they have never seen.”

The strong man could be seen wearing the same suit and red tie he wore on Monday to expose his de facto inaccurate version of Ukraine’s history, essentially saying it had always been part of Russia.

Looking back, Putin’s attempts to rewrite history when it suits him can be interpreted as proof that he has already decided to invade Ukraine and that he has deceived Western leaders who are asking him for diplomacy.

5:30 a.m. (3:30 a.m. GMT)

Explosions were heard in Kiev just minutes after Putin’s speech ended

After Putin’s speech, explosions were reported in Kiev, Odessa, Ukraine’s third-largest city, and the city of Kramatorsk in the eastern Donetsk region.

A CNN reporter in Kiev said: “I just heard a big bang right here behind me. I’ve never heard anything like it.

Matthew Chance, a senior international correspondent for the network, said he heard between seven and eight explosions.

Chance quickly put on his bulletproof vest and hat as he continued to report from a balcony in the Ukrainian capital.

A CNN reporter in the Ukrainian capital Kiev wears a bulletproof vest when he hears explosions shortly after 5.30 am

“There are big explosions. I can’t see them or explain what they are. but I will tell you that the United States has warned the Ukrainian authorities that there may be air and ground attacks throughout the country, including in the capital.

“I don’t know if this is happening now, but it is a remarkable coincidence that the explosions came just minutes after Putin delivered his speech,” Chance said.

“It simply came to our notice then. It was absolutely quiet. This is the first time. It must be more than a coincidence.

“I think it’s safe where I am. I have a bulletproof vest, ”Chance said before bending down to put on his protective gear.

He suggested that the explosions he heard were still some distance from the center.

6 a.m. (4 a.m. GMT)

The Ukrainian president declared martial law

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is imposing martial law and urging his people to stay at home and not panic as Russian troops enter the country.

In a video message released shortly after the Kremlin launched its attacks in Ukraine, Zelensky said Russia had launched missile strikes on Ukrainian infrastructure and border guards and that explosions had been heard in many cities.

The Ukrainian president also said that he had talked on the phone with US President Joe Biden.

He pleaded: “Dear Ukrainian citizens, this morning President Putin announced a special military operation in Donbass. Russia has struck at our military infrastructure and our border guards. Explosions were heard in many cities of Ukraine. We are imposing martial law on the entire territory of our country.

“I had a conversation with President Biden a minute ago. The United States has already begun to unite international support. Today, each of you must remain calm. Stay home if you can. We work. The army is working.

“The whole defense and security sector is working. No panic. We are strong. We are ready for anything. We will all win because we are Ukraine.

Paratroopers are descending on Ukraine’s second-largest city as Russians carry out multiple attacks

From about 6 in the morning onwards

The footage appears to show masses of paratroopers landing in Kharkiv, Ukraine’s largest city.

The United States seems to have known there was an invasion, according to ABC’s Martha Radac.

She said she had received a message from a senior Pentagon official three hours before the invasion, saying: “You are probably in the last few hours of peace on the European continent for a long time to come. Be careful.’

As the violence spread, Anton Gerashchenko, an adviser to Ukraine’s interior minister, wrote on Facebook that the Russian military had launched missile strikes on Ukrainian military command posts, air bases and military depots in Kiev, Kharkiv and the Dnieper.

Later in the morning, five Russian planes were reportedly shot down from the skies over Donbass before Moscow boasted that it was removing all air defenses, giving them control of the skies.

Ukrainian border guards say they have been attacked by heavy artillery, tanks and troops from Russia and Belarus – while Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko throws his forces into battle.

Luhansk, Sumy, Kharkiv and Chernihiv were reportedly under attack in eastern Ukraine, but explosions were also reported in the west, in Zhytomyr and Lviv, near the Polish border.

Extraordinary videos show what appears to be a cruise missile crashing into Ivano-Frankivsk airport, also in the west.

Meanwhile, pro-Russian rebel forces have been pushed out of the occupied Donbass region, capturing two villages and claiming to have shot down two Ukrainian planes from the sky. The port city of Odessa, home to Ukraine’s main naval base, is also under attack.

The queen of the organization shares her THREE favorite food tricks that will save you time and money – and why flossing is perfect for slicing watermelon

• Chantel Mila reveals three methods of preparing popular fruits to save money and time
• She shared how to cut a watermelon, squeeze lemon juice and cut kiwi fruit into cubes.
• To prepare the fruit, the mother uses dental floss, a stirrer and a wooden stick

from Amelia Roach for the Daily Mail Australia

Published: 02:46 GMT, 24 February 2022 | Updated: 7:43 AM GMT on February 24, 2022

The queen of home hackers has revealed the three food tricks she swears to save time and money in the kitchen.

Melbourne mother of two children Chantella Milabetter known as Mamma Mila, shared how to effectively slice a watermelon, squeeze lemon juice and slice a kiwi fruit to get the most out of the fruit.

To cut watermelon into perfectly even slices without losing an inch, the mother uses dental floss; she first runs it along the base of the watermelon, which is still attached to the rind.

Scroll to watch a video

The mother of two in Melbourne Chantella Mila, better known as Mamma Mila, shared how to cut watermelon, squeeze lemon juice and cut kiwi cubes into cubes.

By tracing the inside of the peel with the thread, the fruit can be easily cut into even triangles.

To squeeze lemon juice without drying it out, she simply rolls it on the bench to loosen the flesh inside, and then drills a hole in the top.

The hole inside the fruit will allow the juice to drain immediately when needed, without drying out over time.

To squeeze lemon juice without drying it, she simply rolls it on the bench to loosen the flesh inside and then drills a hole in the top of it.

To chop kiwis with ease, Chantel uses a smashing head from an electric mixer

To chop kiwis with ease, Chantel uses a smashing head from an electric mixer.

She presses the stirrer into the fruit, then gently rotates it to remove the fleshy part of the skin and reveals perfect bite-sized pieces.

The mother’s simple fruit hacks have impressed thousands and many have left comments, saying they can’t wait to try the tricks on their own.

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The Americans held back Ukraine fled the war-torn country by bus this morning after the Russian president Vladimir Putin they invaded the country with a torrent of air strikes that none of them imagined would happen.

DailyMail.com spoke to a group of 23 US citizens as they were transported from Kiev to Romania in two vehicles – a minibus and a car – organized by Brian Stern, a 23-year-old Army and Navy veteran who rescued 2,000 people from Kabul last year with his volunteer group Project Dynamo.

He gathered the American evacuees at 5 a.m. in Kiev as “rockets fell from the sky” around them. They are now driving for 18 hours to Romania, taking quieter, smaller roads in hopes of avoiding Russian troops and fighters.

“The rockets landed at 5 in the morning. The sun rose and we rolled an hour later on a bus full of evacuees, “Stern told DailyMail.com this morning as he drove a car full of evacuees.

The other vehicle is driven by his translator, who also runs a bus company. Stern agreed to take the man and his family to safety in exchange for using the vehicle.

The group includes several children, a group of business colleagues and a Ukrainian-American woman who attended her father’s funeral in Kiev yesterday and woke up to airstrikes this morning.

“None of them expected that to happen. There is just complete distrust. Deep down, we thought he was not Saddam Hussein. He’s not that bad. But that’s right, he has achieved the status of a war criminal, “Stern told Putin.

It remains unclear exactly how many Americans or Ukrainian Americans are still stuck in Ukraine. The death toll remains unclear, but is already in the dozens.

The State Department said earlier this month that there were between 10,000 and 20,000 people in the country. Biden warned on February 10 that the government would not save anyone abandoned, as it did with the Taliban in Kabul last summer.

US evacuees today are being rescued from Ukraine by buses organized by Project Dynamo, a volunteer group formed by former Army Lieutenant Brian Stern. Among the group were three children smiling from the back seat of a bus as Russian fighters flew over them.

Among the people in the evacuee group are American-Ukrainian business men and women and their families. None of them thought Putin was really going to invade, and they were stunned to wake up to air strikes this morning.

An explosion lit up the night sky over Kiev in the early hours of Thursday as Russia launched a full-scale attack on Ukraine from the north, south and east with bombs, cruise missiles and rockets falling from the sky.

A huge explosion is observed at the Vinnytsia military base in central Ukraine as the country comes under widespread attack from Russia.

The attack has reached Ukraine on all fronts, with bombs and missiles hitting targets across the country, ground forces targeting Belarus, Crimea, Donetsk and Luhansk, and paratroopers throwing over Kharkiv

Stern said Thursday that the differences between the two operations are huge. On the one hand, he said it was easier to prepare for the Ukrainian crisis because it was well expected.

On the other hand, the Russian army is much better and more complex than the Taliban, which had no real air presence and limited arsenal.

“The downside is that we did not have to face the Russian military machine in Kabul. The Taliban did not have air missiles, they did not have air supremacy. “They have other problems, but they don’t have the fierce military machine of the Red Army,” he said.

Project Dynamo founder Brian Stern is a 26-year-old U.S. military veteran who has rescued more than 2,000 people from Kabul since August and is now expelling evacuees from Ukraine.

Stern and his group were already driving for eight hours when DailyMail.com spoke to them, and they had another 10 hours on the road.

The group is divided into what they want to do next.

Stern said some plan to stay in Romania, in hotels, apartments or elsewhere, until the situation calms down.

Some are desperate to return to America and must now find a way to reach a country where airspace is not limited and they can take a commercial flight home.

He said he had not asked them why they had not fled earlier and that he was not prosecuting them.

“At least two people cried in my arms. We have a little girl, 11, who is very scared. Of course, they would be scared.

“Rockets were falling around them.”

He and his group have strategically taken lesser-known routes to try to avoid trouble. They passed through Ukrainian police checkpoints while talking on the phone to DailyMail.com, but Stern said he was worried about what awaited them at the border.

“We have three small children on the bus. I hope he’s asleep. We stop from time to time.

“There is a lot of traffic, so we take the smaller roads, which are also less of a destination. This is a marathon, not a sprint. I told the bus driver not to drive fast enough to burst a tire. You will not overtake a helicopter or a tank.

– We are moving expeditiously. There were maybe 2,000 Americans in Kabul, but ten times as many in Ukraine, maybe 50,000. It’s a very, very big country, and everyone is trying to get out at once.

“I expect Kabul’s chaos and chaos 100 times. This is a very big country with a lot of people and almost every one of them doesn’t want to live here anymore. You cannot go east, north or south. It only goes in one direction.

In this rescue operation, he must also fight Russian cybersecurity attacks and air strikes.

Stern said he would return to take more Americans and others if he had the money and if it was safe enough.

He launched Project Dynamo last year while watching the Kabul disaster unfold.

“If I have a little money and it’s a bigger threat, then I’ll move it to smaller groups. There are currently thousands of Americans and NATO allies in Ukraine.

New Jersey-born James Burke lives in Kiev with his Ukrainian wife and baby (left). It is unclear whether they are still in Ukraine. Earlier this week, the family headed west to Poland when tensions erupted. Catherine Quinn-Dwarf (right) is a Kiev-based analyst. It is still unclear whether she managed to escape the conflict

An injured woman was seen in an air strike in a residential complex outside Kharkov, Ukraine

Ukrainian security forces escort a wounded man after an air strike on a residential complex in Chukhuyev, Kharkov

Damage to a residential building in Chukhuyev, Kharkiv region, can be seen in footage released by the Ukrainian National Guard

Vladimir Putin is pictured in the early hours of Thursday morning declaring war on Ukraine in what he called a “special military operation.”

“Our team in America and Canada is building manifestos. We are trying to unite people. We do not know exactly how many there are, but to put it this way – there is never a shortage of customers in such a situation.

“As long as we have money, we will continue to work. After 23 years in the army, we say “no one is abandoned”. Our oath is to support and defend … whether in uniform or not.

“I hate just sitting there watching TV, knowing we can help.”

The Project Dynamo website – where people stranded in Ukraine can ask for help and where donations can be made – has been found here.

On February 10, about two weeks before the first air strikes, Biden warned in an interview with NBC News: “American citizens must leave now.

“It’s not like dealing with a terrorist organization. We are dealing with one of the largest armies in the world. The situation is very different and things can go crazy quickly, “he said.

He was referring to how US troops managed to evacuate Kabul citizens in August during an outrageous operation that killed 13 US servicemen.

Ukraine closed its airspace last night, before the first air strikes, pending the conflict.

Many fled to Lviv, one of Ukraine’s westernmost cities, earlier this week as the situation escalated. Lviv is about 62 miles from the Polish border.

Stern still urges anyone who has the means to get out without help to do so.

“The ability to get out is getting worse by the minute.

“If you’re an American stuck in that zoo, it’s going to be pretty awful. That is why we are here to mitigate this as much as possible, “he warned earlier this week.

Russian soldiers raise flag over Kakhovka hydroelectric plant after helicopter attack

Ukrainian servicemen are preparing to repel an attack in the Ukrainian region of Luhansk

Stern, who has toured extensively in both the military and navy, added: “If you can go out, leave. We are not a travel agency. If you have the means to go, go.

Among those who hesitated to leave earlier in the week was New Jersey native James Burke, who lives in Kiev with his Ukrainian wife and one-month-old daughter.

He fled to the west when tensions erupted earlier in the week, but it is unclear where he is now.

The pressure on President Biden is intensifying to take a stronger position.

In a statement Thursday morning, former President George W. Bush said: “The US government and people must stand in solidarity with Ukraine and the Ukrainian people as they seek freedom and the right to choose their future.

“We cannot tolerate the authoritarian harassment and danger that Putin poses. “Ukraine is our friend and democratic ally and deserves our full support in this most difficult time,” he said.

Former President Donald J. Trump said the situation would never have escalated to such an extent if he were still in office.

“Some people say why this hasn’t happened in the last four years.

“It wasn’t for a very good reason, and I’ll explain it to you one day, but it wasn’t going to happen, and it wasn’t going to happen right now. This is a sad thing for the world and the country and many people who will be killed unnecessarily, “he told FOX last night in a telephone interview.