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Ukraine Claims 410 Bodies Found in Recaptured Towns; Zelenskyy Accuses Russia of Genocide. Follow Our Live Updates

This is CNBC’s live blog tracking Sunday’s developments on the war in Ukraine. See below for the latest updates. Ukraine’s top prosecutor said 410 bodies were found in towns near Kyiv as part of an investigation into possible war crimes by Russia. Some witnesses, however, are so traumatized by their ordeal that they are unable to speak, said Iryna Venedyktova, Ukraine’s prosecutor general. After Russia withdrew from some areas around Kyiv, the mayor in Bucha, a liberated town 23 miles northwest of the capital, said that 300 residents had been killed by Russian forces while fighters from Chechnya controlled the area. Russia has denied allegations its troops killed civilians in Bucha. Ukrainian prosecutors were only able to enter the towns of Bucha, Irpin and Hostomel for the first time on Sunday and they need more time to work out the extent of the crimes, Venedyktova said. We need to work with witnesses, Venedyktova said. People today are so stressed that they are physically unable to speak. For his part, Ukrainian Interior Minister Denys Monastyrskiy said it was clear hundreds of civilians had been killed but that he did not want to say exactly how many there were, as efforts were still under way to clear mines in the area Earlier, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russia of genocide against Ukrainian people, saying in an interview that: We have more than 100 nationalities. This is about the destruction and extermination of those nationalities. Zelenskyy made those comments after warning that forces want to seize the east and south of the country. He also said Ukrainian forces had regained control over communities in Kyiv and Chernihiv. Zelenskyy has also called for a ceasefire before meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Reuters Russia is using ‘a lot of manipulation’ to prop up the value of its currency, Blinken says Jakub Porzycki Nurphoto Getty Images Russian one ruble coin and Russian flag displayed on a screen are seen in this multiple exposure illustration photo taken in Krakow, Poland on March 8, 2022. The dramatic recovery in the value of the Russian ruble is due, in large part, to a lot of manipulation from the government in Moscow, U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken claimed in an interview Sunday. The ruble traded at 84.62 per dollar, as of Friday, which is back near levels seen before the Kremlin’s invasion of Ukraine prompted historic economic sanctions against Russia. The ruble’s value initially plummeted, trading as low as 151.5 per dollar on March 7, according to FactSet data. When it comes to the ruble, it’s more than a little manipulation, it’s a lot of manipulation. People are being prevented from unloading rubles, Blinken said in an interview on NBC’s Meet the Press, referring to capital controls implemented by Russia’s central bank. That’s artificially propping up the value. That’s not sustainable, so I think you’re going to see that change, Blinken said, suggesting that the strict sanctions combined with Western businesses leaving Russia will, over the long term, weigh on the currency and economy writ large. The export controls that we’ve imposed on Russia, denying it the technology it needs to modernize industry after industry, that’s going to have an increasing bite, he said. Kevin Stankiewicz Wreckage of the Antonov An-225, once world’s biggest aircraft, seen in Hostomel, Ukraine A view of the wreckage of the Antonov An-225 Mriya cargo plane at an airshed in Hostomel, Ukraine, on April 3, 2022. The Mriya was once the world’s biggest aircraft but it was destroyed on or about Feb. 27, 2022, by Russian shelling as Russia’s attack on Ukraine continued. Metin Aktas Anadolu Agency Getty Images The wreckage of the world’s largest cargo plane Antonov An-225, which was severely damaged and rendered unusable due to Russian bombardments, was viewed by Anadolu Agency. Metin Aktas Anadolu Agency Getty Images A view of the wreckage of Antonov An-225 Mriya cargo plane, the world’s biggest aircraft, destroyed by Russian shelling as Russia’s attack on Ukraine continues, at an airshed in Hostomel, Ukraine on April 03, 2022. Metin Aktas Anadolu Agency Getty Images A view of the wreckage of Antonov An-225 Mriya cargo plane, the world’s biggest aircraft, destroyed by Russian shelling as Russia’s attack on Ukraine continues, at an airshed in Hostomel, Ukraine on April 03, 2022. Metin Aktas Anadolu Agency Getty Images A view of the wreckage of Antonov An-225 Mriya cargo plane, the world’s biggest aircraft, destroyed by Russian shelling as Russia’s attack on Ukraine continues, at an airshed in Hostomel, Ukraine on April 03, 2022. Metin Aktas Anadolu Agency Getty Images The wreckage of the world’s largest cargo plane Antonov An-225, which was severely damaged and rendered unusable due to Russian bombardments, was viewed by Anadolu Agency. Metin Aktas Anadolu Agency Getty Images A view of the wreckage of Antonov An-225 Mriya cargo plane, the world’s biggest aircraft, destroyed by Russian shelling as Russia’s attack on Ukraine continues, at an airshed in Hostomel, Ukraine on April 03, 2022. Anadolu Agency Russia denies killing civilians in Bucha, calls photos, film of alleged war crimes’staged’ EDITOR’S NOTE: Image in this post contains graphic content Russia denied widely reported allegations it had killed civilians in the Ukrainian town of Bucha, describing footage and photographs of dead bodies as a provocation and a staged performance by Kyiv. Ukraine has accused the Russian military of massacring residents in the town, located northwest of the capital, an area Ukrainian troops said they recaptured on Saturday. All the photos and videos published by the Kyiv regime, allegedly testifying to the ‘crimes’ of Russian servicemen in the city of Bucha, Kyiv region, are another provocation, Russia’s defense ministry said, in a statement. Sergei Supinsky AFP Getty Images A mass grave is seen behind a church in the town of Bucha, northwest of the Ukrainian capital Kyiv on April 3, 2022. During the time that Russian armed forces were in control of this settlement, not a single local resident suffered from any violent actions, it said. Moscow has previously denied allegations that it has targeted civilians, and has rejected accusations of war crimes. Reuters Polish PM calls for EU meeting to impose harsh sanctions Metin Aktas Anadolu Agency Getty Images A photo shows damages from conflict areas in the Hostomel region, as Russian attacks on Ukraine continue, on April 03, 2022 in Bucha, Ukraine. Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki called for a meeting with European heads of state as soon as possible to impose hard-hitting sanctions on Russia following reports that the nation’s forces executed scores of Ukrainian civilians. The massacre in Bucha is more than an alarm bell for Europe and the world. It is a terrible cry for justice, freedom and the right to life; for basic and universal values, Morawiecki said in a Facebook post. He added that Russian troops committed acts of genocide. The EU must confiscate all Russian assets in its western banks as well as those of Russian oligarchs. It must sever all trade relations with Russia without delay. European money must stop flowing to the Kremlin. Putin’s criminal and increasingly totalitarian regime needs to have one thing imposed on it: SANCTIONS WHICH ACTUALLY WORK, he said. Jessica Bursztynsky Ukraine foreign minister: Russia’s war crimes make it ‘worse than ISIS’ Sopa Images Lightrocket Getty Images Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, pictured here at the Ukrainian Embassy in Warsaw, Poland, called Russia worse than ISIS after apparent evidence emerged of civilian atrocities near Kyiv. Ukraine minister of foreign affairs Dmytro Kuleba said in a video on Sunday that Russia is worse than ISIS, referring to the Islamic extremist group. In its atrocities, in its crimes both the scale of these crimes and the ruthlessness of the behavior of the Russian army in Ukraine, Kuleba said in a video on Twitter. I don’t know where these soldiers were educated what kind of values they have, if any, Kuleba added. It’s unspeakable. Rapes, tortures, murders of civilians. He noted that Ukraine has begun work to prosecute everyone involved in these crimes. Kuleba also said that he is trying to prepare myself for images and videos which will come from Mariupol when we liberate it. Probably they will be even more devastating, Kuleba said. Michael Sheetz Scholz says West to agree more sanctions on Russia in coming days Hannibal Hanschke Reuters German Chancellor Olaf Scholz gives a press statement about the war crimes discovered the day before in Bucha, Ukraine, at the Chancellery in Berlin, Germany April 3, 2022. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Sunday Western allies would agree further sanctions on Russia in the coming days over its invasion of Ukraine and the atrocities committed by Russian troops in a town near Kyiv. Russian President Vladimir Putin and his supporters will feel the consequences of their actions, he said, in a statement to reporters in the chancellery. And we will continue to make weapons available to Ukraine so the country can defend itself against the Russian invasion. Reuters Civilians take shelter from Russian artillery in Kharkiv Civilians are seen taking shelter from Russian artillery in the Kharkiv area of Ukraine. Wolfgang Schwan Anadolu Agency Getty Images Civilians are seen taking shelter from Russian artillery in the Kharkiv area of Ukraine on April 3, 2022. Wolfgang Schwan Anadolu Agency Getty Images Civilians are seen taking shelter from Russian artillery in the Kharkiv area of Ukraine on April 3, 2022. Wolfgang Schwan Anadolu Agency Getty Images Civilians are seen taking shelter from Russian artillery in the Kharkiv area of Ukraine on April 3, 2022. Wolfgang Schwan Anadolu Agency Getty Images Civilians are seen taking shelter from Russian artillery in the Kharkiv area of Ukraine on April 3, 2022. Wolfgang Schwan Anadolu Agency Getty Images Civilians are seen taking shelter from Russian artillery in the Kharkiv area of Ukraine on April 3, 2022. Getty Images U.S. to send more aid as Moldova embraces Ukraine war refugees Lev Radin Lightrocket Getty Images US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield makes a statement at a stakeout at the Security Council at UN Headquarters. Meeting was convened at the request of the Russian Federation who accused Ukraine of developing biological weapons under the tutelage of the United States without providing any evidence. The United States will give Moldova $50 million to help it cope with the impacts of Russia’s war against Ukraine, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield said during a visit to the former Soviet republic on Sunday. She said the funding would support programs, training and equipment for border management, efforts to counter human trafficking, help to improve accountability and transparency in the justice sector, and combat corruption and cybercrime. Nearly 400,000 refugees have already fled Ukraine through Moldova, with about a quarter remaining in the country, since Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24. Moscow says it is carrying out a special military operation that aims to destroy Ukraine’s military infrastructure. The money pledged to Moldova by the United States on Sunday comes on top of $30 million announced last month to assist refugee relief efforts in Moldova over the next six months. Moldova, sandwiched between Ukraine and European Union member Romania, is one of Europe’s poorest countries and has 2.6 million people. Like Ukraine it aspires to join the EU. Reuters U.S. Secretary of State responds to claims of ‘genocide’ in Ukraine Jacquelyn Martin AFP Getty Images US Secretary of State Antony Blinken addresses the Media after meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, at the prime minister’s office in Jerusalem, on March 27, 2022. America’s top diplomat on Sunday stopped short of agreeing with those who claim Russia is committing genocide against Ukrainian civilians during its invasion. We will look hard and document everything that we see, put it all together, and make sure the relevant institutions and organizations that are looking at this, including the State Department, have everything they need to asses exactly what took place in Ukraine, who is responsible and what it amounts to, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on CNN’s State of the Union. In a CBS interview that aired Sunday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy claimed the Russian military is committing genocide against Ukrainian people. The U.S. government has formally accused Russia of committing war crimes in Ukraine. That’s one of four main crimes over which the International Criminal Court has jurisdiction. Genocide, crime against humanity and crime of aggression are the other three. However, the U.S. is not a member of the ICC, which defines genocide as the specific intent to destroy in whole or in part a national, ethnic, racial or religious group by killing its members or by other means. Kevin Stankiewicz EU must discuss import ban on Russian gas, German defense minister says Michele Tantussi Reuters German Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht speaks with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock during the weekly cabinet meeting at the Chancellery in Berlin, Germany, January 26, 2022. Germany’s defense minister said on Sunday that the European Union must discuss banning the import of Russian gas after Ukrainian and European officials accused Russian forces of committing atrocities near Kyiv. There has to be a response. Such crimes must not remain unanswered, the defense ministry quoted Christine Lambrecht as saying in an interview with the public broadcaster ARD. Berlin has so far resisted growing calls to impose an embargo on energy imports from Russia, saying its economy and that of other European countries are too dependent on them. Russia supplies 40 of Europe’s gas needs. But Lambrecht said EU ministers would now have to discuss a ban, according to a tweet from her ministry. Reuters Boris Johnson says Putin and his troops ‘are committing war crimes’ Thomas Coex AFP Getty Images Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaks during a press conference at NATO Headquarters in Brussels on March 24, 2022. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said graphic reports coming out of Bucha and Irpin are more evidence that Russian President Vladimir Putin and his forces are committing war crimes in Ukraine. I will do everything in my power to starve Putin’s war machine, Johnson said in a statement. We are stepping up our sanctions and military support, as well as bolstering our humanitarian support package to help those in need on the ground. Ukrainian officials have accused Russian forces of executing civilians prior to their retreat of areas surrounding the capital of Kyiv. Ukraine’s Defense Ministry posted a video early Sunday that showed bodies in civilian clothing on the side of the road, accusing Russian forces of executing the residents. Earlier in the day, British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss called for the attacks to be investigated as war crimes, adding the U.K. would support any investigations by the International Criminal Court. Russia has denied committing the atrocities, according to The New York Times. No denial or disinformation from the Kremlin can hide what we all know to be the truth Putin is desperate, his invasion is failing, and Ukraine’s resolve has never been stronger, Johnson said in a statement. Jessica Bursztynsky Zelenskyy says U.S. has not yet offered Ukraine security guarantees Ukrainian Presidential Press Service via Reuters Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy attends an interview with some of the Russian media via videolink, as Russia?s attack on Ukraine continues, in Kyiv, Ukraine March 27, 2022. The U.S. has not provided Ukraine an official security guarantee, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told CBS’ Face the Nation. In an interview that aired Sunday, Zelenskyy said he was grateful for the support Washington has offered Ukraine to date to assist the country in defending against Russia’s invasion. The U.S. has provided Ukraine more than $1 billion in security assistance, which includes more than 1,000 Stinger anti-aircraft systems and other military equipment like ammunition and body armor. But nevertheless, the United States have not provided the security guarantees to us, Zelenskyy said, according to a full CBS transcript. Ukrainian officials have recently focused on the concept of security guarantees in their diplomatic peace talks with Russia. According to Reuters, Ukraine has said it would be willing to adopt neutral status if it’s able to enter agreements with a group of countries that pledge to militarily defend Ukraine if Ukraine is attacked in the future. Zelenskyy described the security guarantees as an enforceable document, not just a piece of paper. He suggested that receiving such commitments from allies are critical for peace discussions with Russia to advance because so far, sanctions have yet to deter Russian aggression. We don’t believe in papers any longer. So we are very grateful for the support of the United States, Zelenskyy said. It’s a very powerful support. But in terms of security guarantees, we have not received them yet from anyone, and we have to get them. Kevin Stankiewicz At least 1,417 civilians killed in Ukraine, UN says Alexander Ermochenko Reuters Local resident Pavel, 42, stands next to the grave of his friend Igor, who was killed by shelling while they were riding together in a car during Ukraine-Russia conflict, in a residential area in the besieged southern port city of Mariupol, Ukraine March 30, 2022. At least 1,417 civilians, including 121 children, have been killed since Russia began its invasion of Ukraine, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said. An additional 2,038 have been injured, including 171 children, from Feb. 24 to April 2, it added. The agency expects the actual figures to be considerably higher. It’s been difficult for officials to determine the extent of injuries and deaths in areas with heavy fighting or that have been taken over by Russian forces. The bulk of the injuries have been caused by the use of explosive weapons with a wide impact area, such as shelling from heavy artillery and missile and air strikes, the agency said. Jessica Bursztynsky The war is exacerbating supply-chain disruptions that have sent U.S. auto prices sky-high Pablo Monsalve Corbis News Getty Images View of a used car dealership in Ridgewood, Queens New York on January 19, 2022. Inflation spiked to its highest level in four decades, sending consumer prices soaring 7 percent for the year ended. Russia’s war against Ukraine has thrown up a new obstacle to the global auto industry’s attempts to recover from a Covid-related global shortage of semiconductor chips and other key parts and the result is likely to keep prices of new and used vehicles sky-high for a while longer, The Associated Press reports. Ukraine is a key supplier of automotive wiring harnesses to automakers, particularly European automakers including BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Volkswagen or at least it was before the invasion. Now, the Associated Press is reporting that automakers find themselves scrambling to replace the Ukrainian production further hampering their efforts to restore full production and ease the new-car supply crunch that has driven auto prices sharply higher since the beginning of the pandemic. The average price of a new vehicle in the U.S. is up 13 in the past year, to $45,596, according to an Edmunds.com report cited by The Associated Press. Average used prices have surged far more: They’re up 29 to $29,646 as of February. Before the war, S&P Global had predicted that global automakers would build 84 million vehicles this year and 91 million next year. Now it’s forecasting fewer than 82 million in 2022 and 88 million next year, according to the AP. John Rosevear European leaders call on Russia to pay for ‘war crimes’ in Bucha EDITORS NOTE: Image contains graphic content European leaders are calling for Russia to be held accountable amid allegations that its forces killed scores of civilians in the Ukrainian town of Bucha. Ukraine’s Defense Ministry posted a video early Sunday that showed bodies in civilian clothing on the side of the road, accusing Russian forces of executing the residents. Mykhailo Podolyak, an advisor to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, shared several photos of casualties, some with their hands tied behind their backs. These people were not in the military. They had no weapons. They posed no threat. How many more such cases are happening right now in the occupied territories? Podolyak said on Twitter. Sergei Supinsky AFP Getty Images EDITORS NOTE: Graphic content: Communal workers carry a civilian in a body bag after he was killed during Russian army shelling in the town of Bucha, not far from the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv on April 3, 2022. CNBC could not immediately independently verify the claims of execution. But reporters on the ground from The New York Times, Associated Press and Reuters said they saw bodies in civilian clothing on the streets. The AP saw some with their hands tied behind their backs, and also saw two bodies wrapped in plastic, bound with tape and thrown into a ditch. Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, called for an independent investigation into the atrocities. She added that perpetrators of war crimes would be held accountable. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said the country would issue more severe sanctions in response to the reports. The images from Bucha are unbearable. Putin’s rampant violence is wiping out innocent families and knows no bounds, Baerbock said on Twitter, according to a translation. French President Emmanuel Macron said the images of dead civilians were unbearable. The Russian authorities will have to answer for these crimes, Macron said in a tweet. Jessica Bursztynsky Zelenskyy accuses Russia of committing ‘genocide’ in Ukraine Oleksandr Ratushniak Reuters Local residents ride bicycles past flattened civilian cars, as Russia’s attack on Ukraine continues, on a street in the town of Bucha, in Kyiv region, Ukraine April 1, 2022. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused the Russian military of committing genocide against Ukrainian people. Zelenskyy made the comments in an interview on CBS’ Face the Nation, in light of the reported devastation in the town of Bucha, near the capital Kyiv. Russian forces have now retreated from the city after occupying it for weeks. This is genocide, Zelenskyy said. We have more than 100 nationalities. This is about the destruction and extermination of those nationalities. We are the citizens of Ukraine, and we don’t want to be subdued to the policy of Russian Federation. This is the reason we are being destroyed and exterminated. Ukrainian officials say bodies of dead civilians in Bucha show signs of torture and appear to be executed. Reuters reported some victims laid in mass graves while others were still on the city’s streets. Sergei Supinsky AFP Getty Images Editors Note: Graphic Content: A body of a civilian man with hands tied behind his back lies in the street as a communal worker prepares a plastic body bag to carry him to a waiting car in town of Bucha, not far from the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv on April 3, 2022. The International Criminal Court is traditionally where claims of alleged war crimes are adjudicated. The ICC defines genocide as the specific intent to destroy in whole or in part a national, ethnic, racial or religious group by killing its members or by other means. Kevin Stankiewicz GOP Rep. Kinzinger: Tucker Carlson and politicians who supported Putin should ‘answer’ for their support Kevin Dietsch Getty Images Rep. Adam Kinzinger speaks after the Republican House caucus voted to remove Rep. Liz Cheney of her leadership, at the U.S. Capitol on on May 12, 2021 in Washington, DC. In a tweet from his personal account, Rep. Adam Kinzinger, R-Ill., said that members of Congress and media figures who have expressed support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine should now be held to account, given the emerging evidence of Russian atrocities in Bucha and other areas near Kyiv. He specifically called out Fox News’ Tucker Carlson and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy in the tweet. Carlson’s and McCarthy’s offices didn’t immediately respond to CNBC’s request for comment. John Rosevear Russia’s move away from Kyiv not a ‘withdrawal’ but a ‘repositioning,’ NATO’s Secretary General says Halil Sagirkaya Anadolu Agency Getty Images NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg gives a press conference after the Extraordinary Summit of NATO Heads of State and Government in Brussels, Belgium on March 24, 2022. Appearing on CNN’s State of the Union, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said that Russia’s retreat from Kyiv does not appear to be a withdrawal, but rather a shift in strategy. What we see is not really a withdrawal, we see that Russia is repositioning its troops, Stoltenberg told CNN’s Dana Bash. They are taking some of them back to rearm them, to reinforce them, and to resupply them. We should not in any way be too optimistic, the attacks will continue, and we are also concerned about potential increased attacks in the south and in the east. So this is not really a withdrawal, more a shift in strategy, focusing more on the South and East, he said. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken echoed Stoltenberg’s comments, telling NBC’s Meet the Press that Russian forces may be regrouping. They may be recalibrating. We’re focused on on what they’re doing, not what they’re saying. John Rosevear Pope Francis prays for end to’sacrilegious’ war Grzegorz Galazka Mondadori Portfolio Getty Images General audience of Pope Francis with the presence of a small group of faithful in masks after the long pause due to the coronavirus pandemic in the Cortile San Damaso. Vatican City, May 26th, 2021. Pope Francis prayed Sunday for an end to the sacrilegious war in Ukraine and for the world to show kindness and compassion to refugees as he concluded a two-day visit to Malta that was dominated by his concern for the devastation unleashed by Russia’s invasion. Francis asked for prayers for peace in Ukraine, a day after he blasted Russia’s invasion as infantile and based on anachronistic claims of nationalistic interests. He urged the faithful to think of the humanitarian tragedy unfolding in the martyred Ukraine, which continues to be bombarded in this sacrilegious war. May we be tireless in praying and in offering assistance to those who suffer. The Associated Press Zelenskyy calls for ceasefire before meeting with Putin Ukrainian Presidential Press Service via Reuters Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrives for a meeting with European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, as Russia’s attack on Ukraine continues, in Kyiv, Ukraine April 1, 2022. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for a ceasefire so that he can meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin. I can’t even have a meeting when the shelling is going on, Zelenskyy said on CBS’ Face the Nation. So, first the ceasefire and then we can have a meeting with the Russian president we will discuss a point in time where the end of the war will come. After discussions, Zelenskyy said Russian troops need to exit Ukrainian borders. This is the bare minimum, he said. Jessica Bursztynsky Ukraine says Bucha ‘massacre’ was deliberate, demands new Russia sanctions EDITORS NOTE: Image contains graphic content Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba accused Russia on Sunday of carrying out a deliberate massacre in the town of Bucha outside Kyiv and called on the G-7 to impose devastating new sanctions on Moscow. We are still gathering and looking for bodies, but the number has already gone into the hundreds. Dead bodies lie on the streets. They killed civilians while staying there and when they were leaving these villages and towns, his ministry quoted him as saying on Twitter. Sergei Supinsky AFP Getty Images EDITORS NOTE: Graphic Content: A communal worker standing inside a van loaded with body bags, waits for another body to be wrapped and collected by a colleague following Russian shelling of the town of Bucha, not far from the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv on April 3, 2022. Russia has so far not commented publicly on the claims. Moscow has previously repeatedly denied Ukrainian claims that it has targeted civilians. Reuters Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister says more humanitarian corridors are set to open Iryna Vereshchuk, Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister, said in a message on the Telegram messaging app that more evacuations are planned. We continue to evacuate people from Mariupol to Zaporizhia, Vereshchuk wrote. There are currently 17 buses near Berdyansk 10 of them are for the evacuation of Mariupol residents and local residents. If they are not allowed into the city, we ask people to come to the checkpoint at the entrance to Berdyansk there they will be waiting for you. Seven additional buses will attempt once again to get near the battered port city of Mariupol, Vereshchuk said. Evacuations are also planned out of the towns of Lysychansk, Nyzhne, Popasna, Rubizhne, Severodonetsk, she added. Terri Cullen Russia will soon ask for ruble payments for other exports, Kremlin warns Dado Ruvic Reuters Russian rouble coins are seen in this illustration taken February 24, 2022. Russia will soon ask for ruble payments for other exports, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has warned, saying heavy economic sanctions imposed by the West have accelerated diminishing confidence in the dollar and euro. I have no doubt that it will in the future be extended to new groups of goods, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, Reuters reported, citing RIA news agency. Peskov’s comments referred to Moscow’s repeated demands that so-called unfriendly countries pay for Russian natural gas in rubles. The U.S. and international allies have imposed an unprecedented barrage of economic sanctions against Russia, seeking to isolate the Kremlin following its unprovoked onslaught in Ukraine. Sam Meredith Several missile strikes hit Ukraine’s southern port city of Mykolaiv, mayor says The Mayor of Mykolaiv Olexandr Senkevych has reported that several rocket attacks have hit Ukraine’s southern port city. Friends, we have had several missile strikes in the city. We are collecting data now, Senkevych said via Telegram, according to a translation. It comes shortly after a series of explosions could be heard in Ukraine’s southern city of Odesa, prompting thick black smoke to cover the sky. Like Mykolaiv, Odesa is a strategically important port hub on the Black Sea coast. Sam Meredith Ukraine sees sharp drop in March grain exports, economic (https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/business/money-report/missiles-slam-into-port-city-of-odesa-zelenskyy-says-russians-aim-to-seize-east-and-south-ukraine-follow-our-live-updates/2930821/)

EXPLAINER: Why the Term ‘Genocide’ Matters in Russia-Ukraine War

When President Joe Biden declares Russia’s Ukraine war genocide, it isn’t just another strong word. Calling a campaign that’s aimed at wiping out a targeted group genocide not only increases pressure on a country to act, it can oblige it to do so. That’s partly because of a genocide treaty approved by the U.N. General Assembly after World War II, signed by the United States and more than 150 other nations. The convention was the work of, among others, a Polish Jew whose family was murdered by Nazi Germany and its accomplices. The advocates pushed for something that would make the world not just condemn but actually prevent and ensure prosecution for future genocides. In comments Tuesday, Biden accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of trying to wipe out the idea of even being a Ukrainian. Other world leaders have not gone as far. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said Russia’s behavior in Ukraine doesn’t look far short of genocide, but the U.K. has not officially used the term, saying only a court can make such a designation. A look at what’s involved in that decision, and what it means when a world leader declares a genocide: What Does ‘Genocide’ Mean? It’s a surprisingly modern word for an ancient crime. A Jewish lawyer from Poland, Raphael Lemkin, coined it at the height of World War II and the Holocaust. Lemkin wanted a word to describe what Nazi Germany was then doing to Europe’s Jews, and what Turkey had done to Armenians in the 1910s: killing members of a targeted group of people, and ruthlessly working to eradicate their cultures. Lemkin paired geno, a Greek word meaning race, and cide, a Latin word meaning kill. Lemkin dedicated his life to having genocide recognized and criminalized. In 1948, after Adolf Hitler and his accomplices systematically murdered 6 million Jews in Europe, the U.N. General Assembly approved the Convention on the Prevention of the Crime of Genocide. More Russia-Ukraine War Coverage Coverage Russia-Ukraine War Apr 12 Biden: Russia War a ‘Genocide,’ Trying to ‘Wipe Out’ Ukraine business Apr 5 Zelenskyy Calls for a Nuremberg-Style Tribunal to Investigate and Prosecute Russian War Crimes What Is the Legal Definition of Genocide? Under the genocide convention, the crime is trying to destroy a national, ethnic, racial or religious group, in part or in whole. That includes mass killings, but also actions including forced sterilization, abuse that inflicts serious harm or mental suffering, or wrenching children of a targeted group away to be raised by others. Is Russia Committing Genocide in Ukraine? The case may hang in part on Putin’s own words. Russian forces are widely accused of carrying out wholesale abuses of Ukraine’s civilians, including mass killings. Those would be war crimes. But do they amount to genocide? It’s all about intent, argues Bohdan Vitvitsky, a former U.S. federal prosecutor and former special adviser to Ukraine’s prosecutor general. Any attempt to determine whether the crimes committed by Russian troops in Ukraine are driven by genocidal intent must necessarily focus on the statements of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Vitvisky wrote for the Atlantic Council think tank this week. Putin long has denied any standing for Ukraine to exist as a separate nation, or Ukrainians as a separate people. He cites history, when Ukraine was part of the Russian empire, and later of the Soviet Union. In a long essay last year, On the Historical Unity of Russians and Ukrainians, Putin made clear the depth of his determination on the matter. He called the modern border dividing Russia and Ukraine our great common misfortune and tragedy. Putin and Russian state media falsely call Ukrainian leaders Nazis and drug addicts. Putin has called his military campaign in Ukraine one of de-Nazification. Gissou Nia, a human-rights lawyer who worked on war crime trials at the Hague, points to two alleged acts by Russia in Ukraine as also possibly showing intent of genocide: Reports of deportation of thousands of Ukrainian children to Russia, and an account, from Ukraine’s government, of Russian soldiers telling 25 detained women and girls in Bucha that the Russians aimed to rape them to the point that they never bear any Ukrainian children. What Does It Matter If World Leaders Use ‘Genocide’ to Describe Russias Actions? Embedded in the genocide convention is an obligation that the U.S. and other signers of the treaty have treated warily if they acknowledge a genocide is occurring, they’re committed to ensuring investigation and prosecution, at the least. People and countries committing genocide shall be punished, the treaty declares, seeking to crush any wiggle room. U.S. leaders for decades dodged using the word genocide to avoid increasing the pressure on them to act as mass killings targeted classes of people or ethnic groups in Cambodia, Bosnia, Iraq, Rwanda and elsewhere. Regretting his failure to do more to stop the killing of 800,000 ethnic Tutsis by Hutus in Rwanda in 1994, Bill Clinton in June 1999 became the first U.S. president to recognize an act of genocide as it was playing out, saying Serb forces carrying out a deadly campaign against ethnic Albanians in Kosovo were attempting genocide. NATO intervened, lobbing 78 days of airstrikes that forced Serbian fighters’ withdrawal from Kosovo. An international tribunal charged Serbian leader Slobodan Milosevic with war crimes, although Milosevic died before his trial concluded. Starting in 2005, world leaders embraced in principle responsibility for collective action to stop genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity. Atrocities and targeted campaigns against groups continue around the world, however, and the so-called responsibility to protect is seldom invoked. What Happens If the U.S. Does Declare Russian Actions to Be Genocide? U.S. leaders long have feared that acknowledging genocide would require them to intervene, even to send in troops, with all the risks, costs and political backlash that would entail. It’s been a main reason leaders limit themselves to angry statements and humanitarian aid. Biden is adamant the U.S. will not use its own military to confront Russian forces on behalf of Ukraine. Doing so would risk World War III, he says. He and allies in Europe and elsewhere already are intervening by sanctioning Russia and by sending weapons and other support to Ukraine for its defense. Biden and other Western leaders also have called for war crimes trials. The International Criminal Court already has started an investigation. But longstanding U.S. opposition to the International Criminal Court, over worries that U.S. troops could face prosecution there one day, complicates such prosecutions. So can Russia’s veto power on the U.N. Security Council. And practically speaking, bringing Putin before a court is a long shot. In the past, Americans’ opposition to entanglement in foreign wars also has helped discourage U.S. leaders from doing more to stop possible acts of genocide. But Russia’s invasion of a neighboring country and brutality against Ukraine’s people have angered Americans in a way that genocidal campaigns in Cambodia, Kurdish areas of Iraq and elsewhere did not. A recent poll by the Associated Press and NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that 40 of people in America believe the U.S. should have a major role in ending Russia’s invasion. Just 13 think the U.S. shouldn’t be involved at all. Click here for complete coverage of the crisis in Ukraine. (https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/national-international/explainer-why-term-genocide-matters-in-ukraine-war/2940146/)

Secret Intelligence Has Unusually Public Role in Ukraine War

The war in Ukraine is the conflict where spies came in from the cold and took center stage. Since Russia invaded its neighbor in late February, intelligence agencies in the U.S. and Britain have been remarkably willing to go public with their secret intelligence assessments of what is happening on the battlefield and inside the Kremlin. The U.S. this week declassified intelligence findings claiming Russian President Vladimir Putin is being misinformed about his military’s poor performance in Ukraine by advisers scared to tell him the truth. On Thursday a British spy chief said demoralized Russian troops were refusing to carry out orders and sabotaging their own equipment. Jeremy Fleming, who heads Britain’s electronic intelligence agency GCHQ, made the comments in a public speech where he said the pace and scale at which secret intelligence is being released really is unprecedented. NATO Alliance Positions Forces on Europe’s Eastern Flank Thousands of troops have been deployed across eastern Europe to protect allies near Russia and Ukraine. The U.S. has sent around 4,700 service members to Poland, 1,000 to Romania and over 7,000 to Germany with discussions of possibly sending more. According to NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, it is the first time the NATO Response Force has been activated. Source: The North Atlantic Treaty Organization Credit: Andrew Williams/NBC Mark Galeotti, a Russia expert at University College London, agreed that the very public intelligence campaign reflects the fact that we now live in a different age, politically and internationally. And this is a different kind of war. Officials say the stream of declassified intelligence which includes regular briefings to journalists in Washington and London and daily Twitter updates from Britain’s defense ministry has several aims. Partly it’s to let Putin know he is being watched, and to make him question what he’s being told. It’s also designed to embolden the Russian military to tell Putin the truth, and to convey to the Russian public that they have been lied to about the war. The U.S. and Britain also have released intelligence assessments in a bid to deter Russian actions. That was the case with recent warnings Russia might be preparing to use chemical weapons in Ukraine. It’s all part of a closely coordinated trans-Atlantic strategy that has been in the works for months. Biden administration officials say they decided to aggressively share intelligence and coordinate messaging with key allies, including Britain, as U.S. concerns about Russian troop movements in autumn 2021 put the intelligence community on high alert. In early November, President Joe Biden dispatched CIA director William Burns to Moscow to warn that the U.S. was fully aware of Russian troop movements. The White House has typically been tight-lipped about the director’s travels, but the Biden administration calculated that in this situation they needed to advertise the visit far and wide. The U.S. Embassy in Moscow announced that Burns had met with top Kremlin officials shortly after his trip was over. Soon after Burns’ Moscow mission, U.S. officials decided they needed to accelerate intelligence sharing. Russia-Ukraine War 12 hours ago Ukraine Accuses Russia of Massacre, City Strewn With Bodies business Apr 2 A Ukrainian Techie Combined ‘Code and People’ to Raise $3.5 Million So Far for Families Back Home Officials shared sensitive intelligence with other members of the Five Eyes alliance Britain, Canada, Australia and New Zealand and also with Ukraine. Director of national intelligence Avril Haines was dispatched to Brussels to brief NATO members on intelligence underlying growing American concerns that Russia seemed intent on invasion, according to a U.S. official familiar with the matter, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive issue. Some allies and analysts were skeptical, with memories lingering of past intelligence failings, like the false claim Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction that was used to justify the 2003 U.S.-led invasion of Iraq. Late last year, France and Germany led a group of European countries that appeared to be seeing similar military intelligence as the U.S. and Britain, but were less convinced that an invasion of Ukraine was imminent. At NATO, Germany initially blocked the use of a system for helping Ukraine to acquire certain military equipment. France and Germany also blocked NATO from launching an early crisis planning system in response to the buildup, before relenting in December. This week, French media reported that the head of France’s military intelligence agency, which failed to anticipate the Russian invasion, has been removed from his post. Eric Vidaud’s departure comes amid soul-searching among France’s leadership about why it was taken by surprise by the war which was particularly embarrassing for President Emmanuel Macron, who speaks regularly with Putin. Some see Vidaud as a scapegoat, and note that his removal comes just ahead of this month’s French presidential election. In January, as Russia amassed troops near Ukraine’s border, Britain’s Foreign Office issued a statement alleging that Putin wanted to install a pro-Moscow regime in Ukraine. The U.K. said it was making the intelligence assessment public because of the exceptional circumstances. Russia’s invasion on Feb. 24 largely silenced the doubters, and drew a unified response from NATO. The release of U.S. and British intelligence is partly designed to shore up that Western unity, officials and analysts say. Both Biden and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson doubt Putin is serious about negotiating an end to the war and want to keep up the West’s military and moral support of Ukraine. The Breakdown: U.S. Security Aid for Ukraine The U.S. has commited over $2 billion to Ukraine in security assistance since the start of the Biden Administration $1 bilion of it in March alone. Security assistance takes the form of equipment from the Department of Defense and is meant to help Ukrainians defend their country against Russia. Note: Not all pledged government funding has been allocated yet Source: The White House Credit: Andrew Williams/NBC The impact inside Russia is hard to measure. The U.S. official who spoke to the AP said the White House hopes divulging intelligence that Putin is misinformed could help prod the Russian leader to reconsider his options in Ukraine. But the publicity could also risk further isolating Putin or make him double down on his aim of restoring Russian prestige lost since the fall of the Soviet Union. The official said Biden is in part shaped by a belief that Putin is going to do what Putin is going to do, regardless of international efforts to deter him. Galeotti said Western intelligence agencies likely don’t know how much impact their efforts will have on Putin. But there’s no harm in giving it a try, he said. Because when it comes down to it, in this kind of intensely personalistic system, if one line, or one particular notion, happens to get through and lodge itself in Putin’s brain, then that’s a really powerful result. ___ Madhani reported from Washington. Associated Press writers Ben Fox and Nomaan Merchant in Washington, Lorne Cook in Brussels and Angela Charlton in Paris contributed to this story. (https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/national-international/secret-intelligence-has-unusually-public-role-in-ukraine-war/2930850/)

The 5 most memorable moments from the 2022 BRIT Awards

Awards shows can be long, but you can normally count on them to produce at least a handful of moments that get everyone talking. The 2022 BRIT Awards, which celebrates the best in music from the UK and the globe, was no exception, bringing together the likes of Adele, Dave, and Olivia Rodrigo at London’s O2 Arena for a night of viral performances and more than a few powerful speeches. This year’s event made headlines for ditching gendered categories for the artist of the year award, won by Adele, who also took home song of the year for “Easy on Me,” and album of the year for 30. Little Simz grabbed best new artist, while Billie Eilish grabbed international artist of the year, while Olivia Rodrigo won international song of the year with “Good 4 U.” SEE ALSO: Taylor Swift delivers moving BRITs acceptance speech about proving your critics wrong Dave took home the award for hip hop/grime/rap act, Ed Sheeran took out songwriter of the year, performing big hit “Bad Habits” onstage with Bring Me The Horizon, while Dua Lipa grabbed best pop/R&B act. Wolf Alice won best group, Silk Sonic scored best international group, Sam Fender and Becky Hill won for best alternative/rock and dance, respectively, and Holly Humberstone won the rising star award. And fans praised Anne-Marie after getting right back up after a fall onstage performing with KSI. Plenty of highlights, so we’ve rounded up some of the most standout moments below. 1. Little Simz bringing her mum onstage. Credit: Karwai Tang / WireImage After winning the award for best new artist, London rapper Little Simz brought her mum who seemed extremely happy to be there up on stage with her. “Mum.” she said, after thanking the crowd. “Look at what you’ve done, mum.” Her mum covering her hands with her face pretty much said it all. 2. And then making a powerful acceptance speech. “Anyone that is watching this at home, I want to say I am living proof that if you work hard at something, no matter where you come from, no matter your background, no matter your race, you can do something extraordinary,” Little Simz said. “So this is for all the kids dreaming. Keep dreaming, keep pushing. I am you, you are me.” 3. Adele’s powerful performance of “I Drink Wine”. Tweet may have been deleted You can always rely on Adele to give an awesome live performance. This year she donned a gold dress, perched on a piano, and belted out a beautiful rendition of the ballad “I Drink Wine” from her recent album 30. Truly shiver-inducing. 4. Adele dedicating her award to her son and ex. Adele had a great night all round at the BRITS, winning three major awards for the inaugural artist of the year, song of the year for “Easy on Me”, and album of the year for 30. For the latter, she gave a moving speech, dedicating a moment to her ex-husband Simon Konecki Adele has spoken publicly about writing 30 about their divorce and their son. SEE ALSO: Adele talks about the meaning behind ‘Easy on Me’ as if she’s having a cuppa in your kitchen “I’d like to dedicate this award to my son,” Adele said. “And to Simon, to his dad, this album was all of our journey, not just mine. I’m very proud of myself for sticking to my guns and putting out an album that was about something so personal to me. Because not many people do stuff like that anymore. And my son has been so gracious, and kind, and patient with me over the last couple of years.” 5. Dave’s fiery performance. Dave’s performance of “Black” was one of the standout moments from the 2020 BRIT Awards, so expectations were high ahead of his appearance this year. Taking home the award for hip hop/grime/rap act, he surpassed all hopes, bringing rappers Giggs, Ghetts, Meekz, and Fredo onstage to perform “In the Fire” from his recent album We’re All Alone In This Together. We already knew he could play piano, but the flaming guitar was certainly something new. (https://mashable.com/article/brit-awards-best-moments)

10 Observations: Blackhawks Dominated by Lightning in Lopsided Loss

10 observations: Hawks fall to Lightning originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago The Blackhawks fell to the Tampa Bay Lightning 5-2 at Amalie Arena on Friday. Here are 10 observations from the loss: 1. Watching the Lightning play hockey reminds me of the Blackhawks during their Stanley Cup years. They play fast. They play hard. Loaded with superstars. Lots of depth. Great goaltending. The only question I have for a potential Lightning three-peat: Will they have enough gas? The East is a gauntlet, and then you’ll have a team like Colorado or Calgary waiting for them at the end. 2. It was very weird to see Brandon Hagel in a blue sweater. Interim head coach Derek King summed it up perfectly before the game when asked what it’ll be like to see him on the other side: I’m not going to like that at all. Hagel, who scored an empty netter, is playing in a third-line role and has only two points in seven games for Tampa Bay but it’s going to take him a bit to get acclimated. He’s a playoff-type player, so don’t be surprised if he’s a potential postseason breakout guy. 3. The Blackhawks got dominated during 5-on-5 action, where the Lightning led in shot attempts, shots on goal, scoring chances and high-danger chances, per Natural Stat Trick. The 40 scoring chances are the most Chicago has given up in a game this season; their previous worst was 37 in a 1-0 loss to St. Louis on Oct. 30. 4. Alex DeBrincat scored his fifth goal in six games, and now has 39 on the season two shy of tying his career-high of 41. He needs 11 more to hit the 50-goal plateau for the first time in his NHL career. There are 13 games left. It’s a tall order but within reach if he finishes on a heater, which he did last season with nine goals in his final seven contests. It would be an amazing accomplishment if he hits 50, considering only Alex Ovechkin and Leon Draisaitl have hit that mark since the start of the 2012-13 season. Auston Matthews just joined that club on Thursday. 5. Andrei Vasilevskiy improved to 13-0-0 in the regular season against the Blackhawks. He had a 2.15 goals-against average,.931 save percentage and one shutout in his previous 12 appearances. I said this last time the two teams played and I’ll say it again: I think he will go down as a Top 5 goaltender in NHL history. He’s that great. 6. Stick-tap to the coaching staff for putting Tyler Johnson, Boris Katchouk and Taylor Raddysh on a line together for the opening faceoff against their former teams. Johnson, specifically, received a nice video tribute and standing ovation from the home fans after helping the Lightning win two Stanley Cups. 7. This pass by Nick Paul was nasty. It’s one of the best assists you’ll see this season, from a player who had only seven of them prior to Thursday. Oh my, this pass by Nick Paul. #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/GqL7haoYh5 Charlie Roumeliotis April 2, 2022 8. Collin Delia and Kevin Lankinen faced a combined 44 and 42 against Florida and Tampa Bay and each of them held their own. I wonder how the starts will be divided down the stretch with only one set of back to backs left. Lankinen will probably get the majority of the work, but has Delia at least earned a longer look? 9. The Blackhawks committed another too many men on the ice penalty, which gives them 12 bench minors on the season. That’s tied for the most in the league. 10. Calvin de Haan found the back of the net for the second time in three games. He had two goals in his previous 117 games combined, dating back to the 2019-20 season. I guess you could say he’s got a hot stick right now.. Click here to subscribe to the Blackhawks Talk Podcast for free. Download Download MyTeams Today. (https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/sports/nbcsports/10-observations-blackhawks-dominated-by-lightning-in-lopsided-loss/2797485/)

Brandon Hagel Has ‘Mixed Emotions’ After Being Traded From Blackhawks

Hagel has ‘mixed emotions’ after being traded from Hawks originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago Brandon Hagel’s name first surfaced in the rumor mill at the end of February, and it was hard for even him to ignore. A big reason why? Chicago’s reported asking price made his eyes light up. Seeing what they want for me, you’ve got to take it as a compliment, no? a smiling Hagel said on Feb. 22. I mean, come on, I was a sixth-rounder brought in as a 20-year-old, just this kid who came and played. And they want that? I’ll take that any day. Three days later, Hagel scored his first career hat trick in his 100th NHL game and was jokingly asked by a reporter whether he upped his trade value even more after a performance like that. Two firsts, a couple of prospects, Connor McDavid, maybe, Hagel laughed. I don’t know. Turns out he wasn’t far off. On Friday afternoon, Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson began the rebuilding process by trading Hagel along with a pair of fourth-round picks in 2022 and 2024 to the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for two first-round picks in 2023 and 2024 and forwards Boris Katchouk and Taylor Raddysh. Hagel was made aware of the news after practice, which he participated in. He was scheduled to travel with the team to Minnesota but got pulled aside by Davidson as he was preparing to head to his car. I was just about to go drive there and they just pulled me upstairs in the room and kind of gave me the low-down, Hagel said in a virtual conference call. At the time, they said they couldn’t tell me where yet but it was going to be a good team, so I had no idea. And then obviously seeing stuff all over the internet, I still wasn’t told, but I was getting a lot of text messages that I was going there. Obviously a little bit of a crazy day, mixed emotions, made tons of friends and memories there, but that being said, I’m also excited and happy to be coming to Tampa, especially with the team they have. One of the first texts Hagel got was from Tyler Johnson, who was traded from Tampa Bay to Chicago over the offseason. The two of them were teammates for a brief amount of time with the Blackhawks and Johnson had nothing but positive things to say about the Lightning, which allowed Hagel to feel more comfortable as he processed the trade. He texted me because a lot of the guys already took off from the plane, Hagel said. He asked if I was going to Tampa and I said, ‘Yeah I’m pretty sure that’s where it is,’ and he basically said, ‘You’ll love it, there’s nothing bad to say about it.’ So I’m excited. Even him being able to tell me that, it makes me just as excited. Hagel was an attractive trade chip for a contending team like the Lightning because of his age, production and value. His contract is quietly becoming one of the league’s best bargains, in large part because of his style of play and ability to play anywhere in the lineup. While he would’ve loved to have been a building block in Chicago, Hagel is looking forward to playing for, not just a contender, but the two-time defending Stanley Cup champions. I’m excited to be on this winning team and a team that’s done it before and learn from the older guys as well, Hagel said. I’m new to the league, as well as obviously a new team, and they have a lot of veteran guys there that know how to win and know what it takes to win, so I’m excited to do that. I’m ready to learn from those guys, but at the same time I’m ready to show what I got and be a big part of this organization. Click here to subscribe to the Blackhawks Talk Podcast for free. Download Download MyTeams Today. (https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/sports/nbcsports/brandon-hagel-has-mixed-emotions-after-being-traded-from-blackhawks/2787176/)

Boris Johnson: Russian win would bring ‘age of intimidation’

By JILL LAWLESS Associated Press LONDON British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has called Russia’s invasion of Ukraine a turning point for the world. He argued Saturday that victory for Russian President Vladimir Putin’s forces would herald a new age of intimidation across Eastern Europe. Speaking to a Conservative Party conference, Johnson claimed that The post Boris Johnson: Russian win would bring ‘age of intimidation’ appeared first on KTVZ. (https://ktvz.com/news/ap-national-news/2022/03/19/boris-johnson-russian-win-would-bring-age-of-intimidation/)

Lochhead Calls on PM Chancellor to Resign as Both Fined for Lockdown Parties

Richard Lochhead MSP has commented on the announcement that both the Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, and the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak, are to be issued with fines by the Metropolitan Police over parties held in Downing Street during lockdown. Commenting, Moray’s MSP said: Prime Minister Boris Johnson must immediately resign as well as The post Lochhead Calls on PM & Chancellor to Resign as Both Fined for Lockdown Parties first appeared on The Highland Times. (https://thehighlandtimes.com/lochhead-calls-on-pm-chancellor-to-resign-as-both-fined-for-lockdown-parties%ef%bf%bc/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=lochhead-calls-on-pm-chancellor-to-resign-as-both-fined-for-lockdown-parties%25ef)

Prime Ministers Visit to Scotland Must Mark U-Turn on Cost of Living Inaction

Ahead of the Prime Minister’s visit to Scotland today, where he will address delegates at the Scottish Tory Conference, the SNP has challenged the Prime Minister to U-turn on his lack of intervention on the cost of living crisis. SNP Depute Leader Keith Brown said Boris Johnson’s failure to act on soaring household bills The post Prime Ministers Visit to Scotland Must Mark U-Turn on Cost of Living Inaction first appeared on The Highland Times. (https://thehighlandtimes.com/prime-ministers-visit-to-scotland-must-mark-u-turn-on-cost-of-living-inaction%ef%bf%bc/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=prime-ministers-visit-to-scotland-must-mark-u-turn-on-cost-of-living-inaction%25)

No ifs, no buts. Boris heading for furious 12bn showdown PM to confront Tory tax rebel

Boris Johnson is heading for a showdown with Tory tax rebels after vowing to press ahead with his 12billion-a-year National Insurance hike “no ifs, no buts.” In a significant hardening of tone, Downing Street officials yesterday moved to quash speculation that the Prime Minister is poised to u-turn on the flagship policy following concern about the cost of living. (https://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/1557545/Boris-Johnson-National-Insurance-tax-rise-Tory-rebel-latest-Commons)

What’s actually happening with Brexit? Three updates as Anne-Marie Trevelyan takes brief

BREXIT, although realised by Boris Johnson’s Government in early 2021, has left the UK with a host of unresolved issues that have complicated Britain’s position. With Liz Truss reassigned to the Foreign Office, Anne-Marie Trevelyan has taken charge of the UK’s trade negotiations. (https://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/1562874/Brexit-news-latest-timeline-Anne-Marie-Trevlyan-evg)

Boris Johnson offered huge lifeline from Sue Gray. but then he opened his mouth

BORIS JOHNSON was handed a huge lifeline by Sue Gray when her report into illegal parties in No10 failed to accuse him of personal wrongdoing. But just hours later the Prime Minister’s appearance in the Commons has put him on the brink again. (https://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/1558727/boris-johnson-no-confidence-vote-tory-party-sue-gray-commons-statement)

Keir Starmer claim fact-check: Boris Johnson’s ‘baseless’ Savile comments debunked

LABOUR leader Sir Keir Starmer was accused of “failing to prosecute” the paedophile Jimmy Savile during his time as Director of Public Prosecutions by Prime Minister Boris Johnson but the claim has been thoroughly debunked. Express.co.uk explains. (https://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/1562629/keir-starmer-jimmy-savile-fact-check-boris-johnson-claim-spt)

‘No country has done more.’ Lord Hannan hits out at Britons blasting Ukraine support

BRITAIN has been furiously defended by Lord Daniel Hannan against any claims it has not done enough to support Ukraine over recent months and years as Russia continues its horrifying invasion into the country. (https://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/1573806/Ukraine-news-uk-support-training-troops-russia-invasion-boris-johnson-vladimir-putin)

Energy crisis: Argument erupts over Carrie role in PM ‘woke agenda’ for ‘rush to net zero’

AN argument erupted on GB News after panellist Andrew Pierce accused the Prime Minister, Boris Johnson’s wife of being behind the “rush to net-zero” as he accused her of pushing a “woke” green agenda in Britain. (https://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/1562336/energy-crisis-carrie-johnson-lord-ashcroft-green-agenda-net-zero-andrew-pierce-vn)

Have your say: What MUST Boris and Rees-Mogg do to make Brexit a success for Britain?

BORIS JOHNSON is on the brink and facing increased pressure to use his time to finish off Brexit, as estimates suggest the EU continues to pull up to 100,000 an hour from the UK. So what now must the Prime Minister do to make Brexit a success? (https://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/1562748/Boris-Johnson-Brexit-success-have-your-say-evg)

‘I doubt it.’ Tory MP trashes forecast 54 no-confidence letters ready to oust Johnson

TORY MP Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown said he is dubious that 54 letters of no confidence in Boris Johnson can be amassed as he warned the constant leaks have created an atmosphere of mistrust in the Conservative Party. (https://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/1557468/Boris-Johnson-Tory-MP-Sue-Gray-report-Police-Sir-Geoffrey-Clifton-Brown-VN)

‘Surrealism.’ Verhofstadt savages Rees-Mogg as he mocks ’50-year’ Brexit benefits claim

JACOB Rees-Mogg has come under furious attack from Guy Verhofstadt, who ripped into his new Brexit role by digging up comments over how long it would take for the UK to feel the benefits of leaving the EU. (https://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/1562981/brexit-news-jacob-rees-mogg-boris-johnson-cabinet-reshuffle-guy-verhofstadt-tweet)

Have your say: Is Nigel Farage right has Boris Johnson ruined Brexit?

NIGEL FARAGE laid into “Remainer” Boris Johnson this weekend while answering questions from Express.co.uk readers, accusing the Prime Minister of using the landmark vote as a “career opportunity”. Did Boris Johnson ruin Brexit? (https://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/1569065/Nigel-Farage-Boris-Johnson-ruin-Brexit-have-your-say-evg)

‘Looks like collusion.’ Met under fire as they DENY Gray report delay release ‘imminent’

THE EX-CHIEF superintendent of the Met has said it “looks like” the police and the Government are “colluding” on the bombshell Sue Gray report despite the force denying they have delayed its release. (https://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/1557574/Sue-Gray-report-latest-Met-Police-Boris-Johnson-Partygate-No10-Covid-Party-Lockdown)

‘Wouldn’t believe him anyway.’ Express readers against Boris Johnson apology

BORIS JOHNSON should not apologise to Sir Keir Starmer for his erroneous Jimmy Savile claim, Express.co.uk readers asserted in a new poll, with one commenter pointing out that “people would not believe him” anyway. (https://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/1562867/boris-johnson-poll-results-keir-starmer-jimmy-savile-apologise-spt)

UK govt labeled ‘distinctly shifty’ by ex-PM

Former prime minister John Major has unleashed a scathing criticism of Boris Johnson’s government, describing it as distinctly shifty Read Full Article at RT.com (https://www.rt.com/news/548941-uk-govt-major-distinctly-shifty/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=RSS)

Boris Johnson questioned under police caution in UK first media

Boris Johnson has become the first UK prime minister to be questioned under police caution, as alleged lockdown-breaches probe proceeds Read Full Article at RT.com (https://www.rt.com/news/550328-first-uk-pm-police-caution/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=RSS)

Boris Johnson says Russian attack on Kharkov reminiscent of Sarajevo

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said that a Russian offensive on the city of Kharkov reminds him of the 1990s bombing of Sarajevo Read Full Article at RT.com (https://www.rt.com/news/550985-boris-johnson-kharkov-attack/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=RSS)

UK Defense Secretary explains why more ‘Boris & bubbly’ leaks are expected

The photo of Boris Johnson with a bottle of sparkling wine may be part of a campaign to oust him, Defense Secretary Ben Wallace has said Read Full Article at RT.com (https://www.rt.com/news/548907-johnson-party-more-photos/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=RSS)

How Cressida Dick’s resignation affects Boris Johnson and partygate police enquiry

CRESSIDA DICK resigned from her post as Metropolitan Police Commissioner on Thursday. But, how could this affect the ongoing investigation into allegations of Government parties in breach of Covid regulations? (https://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/1564262/Cressida-Dick-resignation-Boris-Johnson-partygate-enquiry-evg)

Jacob Rees-Mogg tore Tory Party apart over Boris Johnson criticism: ‘It’s abuse of power.’

JACOB REES-MOGG tore the Conservative Party apart over its response to criticism levelled at Boris Johnson over his burqa comments, as he warned his fellow Conservatives over an “abuse of power”. (https://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/1562873/jacob-rees-mogg-news-conservative-party-boris-johnson-reshuffle-brexit-spt)

‘That’s how you stand up to Putin’ Germany shamed as UK leads fight to’stabilise’ global

BORIS JOHNSON has claimed that Britain is standing up to Putin by teaming up with other countries to help “stabilise” global energy markets, while Germany has been shamed for keeping up its ties with Putin. (https://www.express.co.uk/news/science/1582437/germany-uk-stabilise-global-unrest-putin-energy-boris-johnson)

Get on with it. Widdecombe tells Boris ‘ignore Hampstead liberals’ to get Brexit on track

BORIS Johnson must stop appeasing “Hampstead liberals” and get on with delivering the benefits of Brexit in order to get his Premiership back on track, former Tory minister Ann Widdecombe has said. (https://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/1562733/brexit-news-boris-johnson-partygate-northern-ireland-ann-widdecombe)

UK readies 1,000 troops as Boris jets to Poland in face of imminent Russian invasion

BRITAIN is putting 1,000 troops on standby amid growing fears of a horrific “humanitarian disaster” if the current Russian build-up and potential invasion of Ukraine leads to war. (https://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/1563636/russia-news-ukraine-invasion-uk-troops-boris-johnson-poland-trip-nato-vladimir-putin)