Latest news with #OrthodoxEaster
Time of India
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Russia Warns West, Ukraine Over Crackdown On Russian Orthodox Church: 'Will Be Defend At All Costs'
/ May 20, 2025, 10:48PM IST Russia has issued a fresh warning tied to its deepening standoff with Ukraine. Foreign Minister Lavrov made a pointed declaration regarding Russia's role in protecting Orthodox believers across Ukrainian territories. The statement came during a key Orthodox Easter event attended by top Russian clergy and diplomats. President Putin has reportedly endorsed the move, signaling possible expansion in Russia's Ukraine strategy. Watch.
Perth Now
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Perth Now
Ukraine stands by offer of 30-day ceasefire: Zelenskiy
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy says his country has stood by its offer to observe a 30-day ceasefire in its war with Russia, while the Kremlin had made no response to the proposal. A spokesperson for Russia's Foreign Ministry, meanwhile, rejected any suggestion that Moscow had opposed or was hindering efforts to introduce a ceasefire. Both were speaking on Wednesday hours before a three-day ceasefire proposed by Russia was to go into effect to mark the anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany in World War II. "Ukraine's proposal to cease strikes and establish at least a 30-day ceasefire remains in force," Zelenskiy said in his nightly video address. "We are not withdrawing this proposal, which could give diplomacy a chance." Zelenskiy also appeared to acknowledge the numerous drone attacks that have been targeting Russian sites, including the city of Moscow, as the World War II commemorations approached. "It is absolutely fair that Russian skies, the skies of the aggressor, are also not calm today, in a mirror-like way," he said. Russia, he said, had made no response to the 30-day offer "except for new strikes. This clearly and obviously demonstrates to everyone who the source of the war is". The US proposed the 30-day ceasefire in March and Ukraine agreed. Russia has said such a measure could only be introduced after mechanisms to enforce and uphold it are put in place. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Russia had observed a separate 30-day moratorium on attacks on energy sites and had also observed a ceasefire to coincide with the observance of Orthodox Easter in April. "The only obstacle to the ceasefire is Kyiv, which violates agreements and is unwilling to seriously discuss the terms of a long-term ceasefire," Zakharova said in response to comments by US envoy Keith Kellogg. "Russia has never been opposed to a ceasefire. All the more so, we have done this twice," Zakharova said in a comment posted on the Foreign Ministry's website. "Having Kyiv observe them could have been a step towards a long-term ceasefire. Unfortunately, Kyiv sabotaged both. The Ukrainian military violated the moratorium 135 times and the Easter ceasefire nearly 5000 times."
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First Post
06-05-2025
- Politics
- First Post
Poland accuses Russia of 'unprecedented' interference ahead of May 18 presidential election
Poland's government has long viewed itself as a frontline state in Europe's response to Russian aggression, particularly given its role as a central hub for delivering military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine read more Russian President Vladimir Putin attends the Orthodox Easter service at the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour in Moscow, Russia on Sunday. Reuters Poland's digital affairs minister has warned that the country is facing an 'unprecedented attempt' by Russia to interfere in its upcoming presidential election, as the campaign enters its final stretch ahead of the first round of voting on May 18. Speaking at a defence conference on Tuesday (May 6), Krzysztof Gawkowski said the Kremlin was stepping up its hybrid warfare against Poland, combining disinformation campaigns with cyberattacks aimed at paralysing critical infrastructure and disrupting democratic processes. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'During the current presidential elections in Poland, we are facing an unprecedented attempt to interfere in the electoral process from the Russian side,' Gawkowski said. 'This is being done… (by) spreading disinformation in combination with hybrid attacks on Polish critical infrastructure in order to paralyse the normal functioning of the state,' he added. Gawkowski detailed a surge in cyber intrusions targeting water and sewage systems, power plants, heating facilities, and various state administration bodies. He claimed the level of Russian cyber activity in Poland had more than doubled compared to last year. 'Today in Poland, during every minute of my speech, a dozen or so incidents targeting critical infrastructure were recorded,' he said. Poland's government has long viewed itself as a frontline state in Europe's response to Russia'a moves, particularly given its role as a central hub for delivering military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine. Officials have repeatedly sounded the alarm over Moscow's efforts to destabilise Polish institutions through digital means. Warsaw said in March that the Polish space agency was hit by a cyberattack, and last year, the state news agency was also likely targeted in a separate incident linked to Russian actors. Allegations of Russian involvement in subversive activities have not been confined to Poland. cancelled its presidential election in December amid similar concerns over Russian meddling. Moscow, for its part, has consistently denied involvement in foreign electoral interference and criticised Romania's decision to suspend the vote. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Russian embassy in Warsaw did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Poland and its allies have also accused Russia of being behind a wider campaign of sabotage across Europe, including suspected acts of arson. The Kremlin has dismissed those claims as unfounded. With less than two weeks until Poles head to the polls, officials in Warsaw remain on high alert, bracing for further attempts to destabilise the election process. With inputs from Reuters
Daily Mirror
29-04-2025
- Daily Mirror
Brits' favourite holiday destination in Greece is named - it's not Mykonos
Athens - the Greek capital - has seen a 17 per cent increase in travellers in the last year, and the ancient city sees more than 74,000 Google searches by Brits every month Mykonos, step aside - there's a new Greek hotspot that Brits are flocking to. As summer holidays approach and relaxation is on the cards, data from Welcome Pickups has revealed that Athens is now the top choice for Brits. The ancient city has seen a 17 per cent surge in British travellers over the past year, with more than 74,000 Google searches per month. Steeped in history and culture, Athens is one of the world's oldest cities and is famed as the cradle of democracy. It boasts iconic landmarks such as the Acropolis, the Parthenon, and the Ancient Agora, offering a window into classical Greek civilisation. Brits are also being lured by Athens' buzzing neighbourhoods like Plaka and Monastiraki, renowned for their vibrant atmosphere, traditional cuisine, and quaint architecture. Moreover, the city's fusion of ancient and contemporary life, coupled with its close proximity to stunning beaches and islands, makes it an irresistible destination for Brits abroad, reports the Express. While Athens can be incredibly crowded during peak season, the shoulder seasons of April-May and September-October offer milder temperatures and fewer tourists - making it easier to fully enjoy this bustling city. However, if you're planning a visit in April or May, be mindful of the biggest holiday of the year - Orthodox Easter. Orthodox Easter in Greece is a week-long celebration with dates that change annually. As everyone in the country goes on holiday, hotels can quickly fill up - so it's wise to book your accommodation well in advance. Athens is a city that's perfect for exploring on foot. The main attractions are easily accessible, and spending a day meandering through the city's enchanting alleyways and markets is a fantastic way to spend your holiday. The city also boasts some breathtaking beaches just a stone's throw away. From Athens, you can hop on a tram to Alimos beach and bask on the stretch of white sand before taking a plunge in the crystal clear sea. The beach offers both paid and free areas, making it ideal for those holidaying on a budget.
CNN
25-04-2025
- Politics
- CNN
Photos this week: April 17-24, 2025
An explosion is seen during an Israeli strike on a tent camp sheltering displaced people in Khan Younis, Gaza, on Saturday, April 19. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to continue the war in Gaza in the face of growing opposition to Israel's ongoing military campaign. Hatem Khaled/Reuters Oleksandr, a former Ukrainian prisoner of war, embraces his mother, Olha, after a prisoner swap with Russia on Saturday, April 19. The war is now in its fourth year. Alina Smutko/Reuters A meteor streaks through the sky over the Dimitrios shipwreck near Gythio, Greece, on Saturday, April 19. The shipwreck, on Valtaki beach, has been there since 1981. Alkis Konstantinidis/Reuters NASA astronaut Don Pettit is carried to a medical tent shortly after he and two Russian cosmonauts landed near the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan, on Sunday, April 20. They were returning after a seven-month stay aboard the International Space Station. It was Pettit's fourth time in space. See some of Pettit's best photos. Bill Ingalls/NASA Sherlyn, 4, hugs her mother, Maria Pomaquiza, at a naturalization ceremony in Lexington, Massachusetts, on Tuesday, April 22. Pomaquiza, who is originally from Ecuador, was sworn in as a US citizen. Brian Snyder/Reuters Wild bluebells, which bloom around mid-April, surround trees in Halle, Belgium, on Tuesday, April 22. Yves Herman/Reuters Police officers in Kyiv, Ukraine, help an injured woman leave her house, which was damaged by a Russian airstrike on Thursday, April 24. Moscow sent 70 missiles and 145 drones toward Ukraine, mainly targeting Kyiv. At least 12 people died in the strikes, according to Ukraine's emergency services, and more people may be trapped under rubble. Evgeniy Maloletka/AP In this long-exposure photo, people walk with candles around a church during an Orthodox Easter service in St. Petersburg, Russia, on Sunday, April 20. Dmitri Lovetsky/AP A team member of the 'Unbreakable' football club kicks a ball during a training session in Kharkiv, Ukraine, on Monday, April 21. The club was founded a month ago by Ukrainian veterans and civilians with amputated limbs. Ivan Samoilov/AFP/Getty Images US Sen. Chris Van Hollen, right, meets with Kilmar Abrego Garcia at a hotel restaurant in San Salvador, El Salvador, on Thursday, April 17. Garcia, a Maryland man who was wrongly deported to El Salvador, is still being held in a maximum-security mega-prison in the Central American nation. US officials have alleged that Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran national, is a member of the MS-13 gang, which the Trump administration has designated as a foreign terrorist organization. His attorneys, however, dispute the claim and a federal judge has voiced skepticism toward it. Press Office Senator Van Hollen/AP Arafat al-Qafarna, a Palestinian displaced by Israeli attacks in Gaza, plays with a pigeon at the large conference hall of the Islamic University, which has been turned into a temporary shelter in Gaza City, on Sunday, April 20. See last week in 30 photos. Mahmoud Abu Hamda/Anadolu/Getty Images
