World Updates: Russia attacks Ukraine with 242 drones and 35 missiles; Zelenskyy says 4 killed, dozens injured
Russia launched a major aerial attack on several areas of Ukraine, including the capital Kyiv, on Thursday night. According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, at least four people were killed and dozens injured in the attack.
The attack disrupted electricity and heating supplies in several areas. Zelenskyy said every effort is being made to restore normalcy, and a meeting of energy staff will be convened to review repairs and resources.
A building housing the Qatari embassy in Ukraine was also hit by a drone during the attack.
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Ministry of External Affairs says PM Modi and President Trump have a friendly relationship, both speak to each other with respect
Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump have had a friendly relationship.
He said that both leaders have always spoken to each other according to diplomatic protocols and with mutual respect. According to Jaiswal, Prime Minister Modi and President Trump have maintained good and positive relations in every conversation.
Earlier on Tuesday, US President Donald Trump had said that
"PM Modi himself came to meet me. He came to me and said, 'Sir, can I meet you?' And I said, 'Yes.'"
However, Trump did not specify when and where this conversation took place.
Jaishankar had to travel 670 km by road in the US; he was in New York to meet the UN Chief
India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar had to travel approximately 670 kilometers by road to reach New York.
This information came to light in a report from the US State Department. Jaishankar had a pre-scheduled meeting with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in New York.
According to a report by the Diplomatic Security Service (DSS), which falls under the US State Department, commercial flights were grounded nationwide due to the shutdown.
Security agents received Jaishankar at the Lewiston-Queenston Bridge on the Canada-US border. From there, it was approximately a seven-hour drive to Manhattan. 27 security agents were involved in the entire operation.
Due to the cold weather, low visibility, and the long journey, the drivers were rotated. Security agencies had made prior arrangements considering the weather conditions.
Israel says Pakistani army will not be deployed in Gaza; will work only with countries it trusts
Israel has categorically rejected the deployment of the Pakistani army in the proposed International Stabilization Force (ISF) for Gaza. Israel's ambassador to India, Reuven Azar, said that in any arrangement concerning Gaza, Israel will only work with countries it trusts.
In an interview with NDTV, Azar said that a fundamental condition for any process moving forward in Gaza is the complete elimination of Hamas.
The ambassador stated that the US has held discussions with some countries regarding their contribution to the proposed force for Gaza, but Israel is not comfortable with the participation of the Pakistani army.
The reason cited was the increasing contact between Hamas and Pakistan-based terrorist organizations. According to Azar, Hamas has further strengthened its international network after the October 7 attack.
He said that senior Hamas leaders are constantly active in different regions and are in contact with Pakistan-based organizations such as Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed.
Venezuelan leader Maria Corina Machado to visit Washington to meet Trump; release of political prisoners begins in Venezuela
President Donald Trump said on Thursday that Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado will travel to Washington D.C. next week. Trump said he was eager to meet with Machado.
A few days earlier, the president had told reporters that Machado was a very good woman, but that she lacked the necessary support within Venezuela to lead the country. Machado had previously dedicated her Nobel Peace Prize win to President Trump.
On the other hand, at Trump's urging, Venezuela has begun releasing several high-profile prisoners, including politicians.
Among those released on Thursday were former presidential candidate Enrique Márquez and businessman and former Venezuelan congressman Biagio Pilieri. They had been held in a prison called El Helicoide in Caracas.
NASA halted a space station mission midway and canceled a spacewalk due to an astronaut's ill health.
