
Russian strike on Ukraine's Kharkiv kills 3, injures 60 amid stalled peace talks
KHARKIV: Fresh Russian strikes on Ukraine's northeastern city of Kharkiv killed three people and wounded 60 including children early on Wednesday, authorities said, as Moscow pushed ahead with its relentless attacks after rejecting an unconditional ceasefire.
Russia has fired record numbers of drones and missiles at Ukraine over recent weeks, escalating three years of daily bombardments as it outlines hardline demands -- rejected by Kyiv as "ultimatums" -- to halt its invasion.
The northeastern city of Kharkiv, just 30 kilometres (18 miles) from the Russian border, again bore the brunt of the attack.
"Seventeen strikes by enemy UAVs (drones) were carried out in two districts of the city tonight," Kharkiv Mayor Igor Terekhov said on Telegram.
Kharkiv Governor Oleg Synegubov said three people had been killed.
AFP journalists in the city saw damaged apartment blocks, burnt out cars and streets strewn with debris after the attacks.
Olena Khoruzheva had run into the hallway -- away from the windows -- with her two children when she heard the incoming drones. "The younger one lay on the floor, hands on his head. I was on top of him," the 41-year-old pharmacist told AFP.
"We heard it approaching. Silence, and then we were thrown against the wall ... there were more explosions, then we heard people shouting 'Help! Help!" Her 65-year-old neighbour was one of those killed in the attack.
Early on Wednesday morning, an AFP reporter saw first responders removing the body of one killed resident from a block of apartments in a black body bag.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Hindustan Times
24 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Amit Shah reaches Ahmedabad hours after Air India plane crash
New Delhi: Union home minister Amit Shah reached Ahmedabad on Thursday, hours after the horrific crash of the Air India flight to the UK as condolences poured from world over. The London-bound aircraft with 242 people on board crashed within minutes of taking off from the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. On board and among the casualties was the former state CM, Vijay Rupani, who was on his way to meet his family. According to people aware of the details, the former CM's son lives in London. Shah left for Ahmedabad soon after news of the crash. 'Pained beyond words by the tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad. Disaster response forces have been quickly rushed to the crash site. Spoke with the Gujarat Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel, Home Minister Shri Harsh Sanghavi, and Commissioner of Police Ahmedabad to assess the situation,' he said in a post on X. Shah visited the plane crash site in Ahmedabad to take stock of the situation on Thursday evening. In the state, the government called off functions, including media interactions that had been planned on the 11th anniversary of the union government. 'A few union ministers were in the state to address the media and take part in programmes about the 11 years of being in power, but these events were called off and the state unit workers have been instructed to join the rescue and relief work, in addition to helping the injured in hospitals and relatives of those who died in the crash,' said a BJP leader based in Gujarat. Several world leaders shared condolence messages on social media. 'The scenes emerging of a London-bound plane carrying many British nationals crashing in the Indian city of Ahmedabad are devastating...I am being kept updated as the situation develops, and my thoughts are with the passengers and their families at this deeply distressing time,' UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer wrote on X. British foreign minister David Lammy also condoled the crash and said the UK is working with local authorities in India to urgently establish the facts and provide support. 'Heartbroken to hear the news of a tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad, India. My prayers are with all who lost their loved ones in this horrible incident. We continue to monitor developments and stand with the emergency responders working to help those impacted,' US secretary of state, Marco Rubio, wrote on X. Russian President Vladimir Putin sent condolences to President Droupadi Murmu and Modi over the passenger plane crash in Ahmedabad.. 'Please accept the deepest condolences over the tragic consequences of a passenger plane crash in Ahmedabad. Kindly convey the words of sincere sympathy and support to the families and near ones of the victims, as well as wishes for a speedy recovery to all those injured in this catastrophe,' said Putin Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also posted a message of condolence on social media 'Horrible news of a passenger plane crash in India. My deepest condolences to Prime Minister @narendramodi and the entire people of India on this tragic day. Our thoughts are with all victims' relatives and close ones in India, the UK, Portugal, and Canada. We share your shock and grief on this tragic day. We all pray for as many lives to be saved as possible and wish a speedy recovery to those injured.'


United News of India
2 hours ago
- United News of India
Fraudster held by Odisha EOW for duping crores from lakhs of investors across India
Bhubaneswar, June 12 (UNI) The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Odisha Crime Branch has arrested a fraudster, Jitendra Mallick, from Bengaluru for allegedly collecting crores of rupees from lakhs of investors across the country. EOW sources said on Thursday that Mallick was produced before the Designated Court under the OPID Act in Berhampur on June 9 and was taken on police remand. He was arrested based on an FIR registered following a complaint from over 800 duped investors from the Ganjam district. Allegedly, the complainants, along with lakhs of others across various states in India, were induced to invest in with promises of high returns. The investors were lured with promises of attractive benefits such as 3 percent daily compound returns on investment,recharge bonuses, referral bonuses, extra bonuses from the earnings of downline members, salary bonuses, and daily withdrawal options The fraudsters reportedly collected crores of rupees nationwide. While the promised returns were paid for the initial few days, the payouts eventually stopped as the number of members grew, and the app was subsequently shut down. According to the EOW, the accused, Jitendra Mallick, was responsible for promoting and publicizing in Ganjam and across Odisha. He enrolled many new investors and organized meetings at various hotels in Berhampur and Bhubaneswar. Mallick was also reportedly linked to a foreign national, George Enzo, who managed the group on WhatsApp and Telegram. Investigation revealed that an amount of Rs. 21,05,836 was credited to Jitendra Mallick's HDFC Bank account by his downline members. Other bank accounts linked to the accused are under scrutiny. The scammers allegedly used multiple shell companies and fake firms, along with their directors, to launder the money. They also operated mule accounts to create complex layers of transactions to evade law enforcement detection. During the investigation, a total of Rs. 1.25 crore lying in suspicious accounts has been frozen. Earlier, four individuals were arrested in connection with the case from West Bengal, Rajasthan, and Kerala. They remain in judicial custody. A Look Out Circular has also been issued against Md. Saif, a Dubai-based operator and promoter of this scam. The fraud has nationwide ramifications, and the total amount involved is suspected to exceed Rs. 1,000 crore, of which the EOW has so far traced transactions amounting to approximately Rs. 446 crore. The investigation is ongoing. UNI DP BD
&w=3840&q=100)

First Post
2 hours ago
- First Post
Indian football team: Crisis runs deeper than missing OCI players, retired legends; major changes needed
India's football team lost again and this time to lower-ranked Hong Kong in a crucial AFC Asian Cup qualifier match. Many fans are blaming the ban on foreign-based Indian-origin players, but is that really the issue here? The real problem lies in poor planning, a weak youth system, and bad decisions by those running Indian football. read more Advertisement Indian football team sings the national anthem before a match. Image: AFP Another day, another defeat for the men's Indian national football team. This time, to a lower-ranked Hong Kong side. There has, unsurprisingly, been an outpouring of emotion and frustration since. Fans have vented their displeasure. Bhaichung Bhutia, one of India's most famous footballers, has had a shot at the current regime too. But the overriding theme, somehow, has been that India's lack of success and development is because they have not allowed Overseas Citizen of India (OCI)/ Person of Indian Origin (PIO) players to be a part of the national team. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD That could not be farther from the truth. These footballers could improve the team. But to argue that that is the only thing holding India back is to miss the whole point. Which, again, would not be unlike Indian football. One manager, two jobs Let's go back in time. When Manolo Marquez was appointed as the head coach. Appointed, reportedly, after bypassing the committee formed to decide on such matters, and while also being the manager of FC Goa. And no, this is not sarcasm, this is exactly how it was. Two concurrently running teams, and one 56-year-old manager. There was still optimism due to Marquez's experience in the ISL and working with Indian players. But if you cast a glance at him post the defeat to Hong Kong, all that was visible was a man broken and bereft of ideas. India have only won once under him and have failed to score in five matches (out of eight). Instead of working with what they had to resolve their goal-scoring problems, India went back to Sunil Chhetri. There is still no clarity on who hauled the legendary forward out of retirement. But by every possible marker, it felt like the wrong decision. And that assessment has not changed. Previous national team managers have often complained about Indian strikers not starting for ISL clubs. But maybe none of the strikers coming through are good enough, and that has to come down to the existing youth structure and its shortcomings – both in terms of how much they are playing, how much they are learning, and what they are learning. OCI/PIO players only a PR gimmick? There is also an issue of Indian footballers' inclination not to step out of their comfort zone. The financial aspect is, undeniably, a consideration and that is completely understandable. But it does lead to a paucity of good-quality players, given even the second or third division league in a European country might be of a better standard than what is found in India. And now, that has led to the advocacy of OCI/PIO players. Even though none of those who might be eligible instantly and might want to play for India are…strikers. That is not a guarantee of success either. Afghanistan and Pakistan have such provisions, but do not uproot trees on the continental stage. Compare that to a country like Uzbekistan, placed just two spots above India in 2018 in the FIFA rankings, but now dreaming of causing upsets at the World Cup next year. All because they invested in their youth structure and age-group teams, allowing that talent to percolate into the senior side. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The propaganda of bringing in OCI/PIO players thus seems a PR gimmick. Just to tap into some of the frustration, give it a cool new name, make it a fashionable fad, and give the average Indian football fan something to cling on to, ignoring how feasible and irrational it seems. While taking the focus away from what actually plagues the system. The seeds of this particular campaign were sown, most notably, by Kalyan Chaubey, the AIFF President, who also happens to be the face of the 'Vision 2047' football project, and offered, rather ludicrously, prize money if India were to win against Hong Kong. No qualification incentive, no cry for bragging rights or a fight for pride. But a financial objective. By an organization that is not exactly rolling around in cash and reportedly still holds debts to players. All of these attempts sound and look good, especially when social media influencers parade with it, swell their views, and link it to that proverbial awakening of the sleeping giant. But it does not benefit the national team, or the youth structure, nor does it make the nation a footballing force. A memo that the AIFF and its president have clearly missed. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Deeper problems exist India, of course, seem light years away from calling themselves a force or using football and force in the same sentence. And they will drift further apart if they continue with this utopian idea in a country whose footballing structure is muddled (administratively, technically, you name it) at almost every possible juncture. A lot of this current approach, in not wanting to invest where investment is needed - especially when a cash-crunch exists - and instead hoping that an OCI/PIO player will rescue India from the doldrums, that someone reincarnated as Crisitano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi or Thierry Henry will spawn out of nowhere, is wishful thinking, at best. Just like papering over a crack. And very similar to Indian street food, where cheese is added to anything and everything to make it more presentable, and to ensure no one picks faults with what lies under it. This may sound crude, damning and scathing. And that is because it is. A sorry state of affairs, where the attention no longer is on whether the right questions are being asked and if the correct answers are being sought; rather, on whether any questions are being asked at all, and if there is any attempt being made to even come close to a solution, let alone arriving at it. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Is the time already up? A new manager, a 40-year-old legend coming out of retirement, countless social media reels, and innumerable interviews without tangible action have not solved the current malaise. And it never will. Expecting a different result while repeating that same process of finding the latest PR tool to hang your hat on, along with just waiting for something to happen, is, to put things mildly, unwise. Time, tide, and football wait for none. It swats aside those who dawdle, and obliterates those looking for outward fixes and hoping for outlandish fantasy. And even though time running out might seem apt in the Indian footballing context, the AIFF has probably gone past that stage long, long ago.