World

As it happened: Russia urged to agree to ceasefire Calls mounted for Russia to agree to a ceasefire, with the focus on halting hostilities long enough to protect civilians and open safe channels for humanitarian relief. Appeals for a pause in fighting underscored the immediate need to reduce risk to populations caught near front lines and to create space for diplomacy. Across the day’s developments, the thrust of the message was consistent: a ceasefire—temporary or longer-term—would be a practical step to de-escalate, curb…

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres marked the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine with an urgent appeal for an “immediate, full and unconditional ceasefire,” calling the war “a stain on our collective conscience” and warning of escalating global risks if the fighting continues. Speaking at a United Nations Security Council session convened to commemorate the anniversary, Guterres said “the cascading consequences of this blatant violation of international law” have rippled far beyond…

Savannah Guthrie said her family is offering up to $1 million for information leading to the recovery of her mother, Nancy Guthrie, who was kidnapped 24 days ago from her home in Tucson, Arizona. The US TV anchor acknowledged in an emotional Instagram post that her 84-year-old mother may be dead, a stark admission that underscores the urgency and anguish surrounding a case that has gripped the country and baffled investigators since Feb. 1. “We need her to come home,” Guthrie said, fighting back tears. “For that reason, we…

PARIS — The head of the Louvre, Laurence des Cars, has resigned after months of mounting crises at the world’s largest museum, including a high-profile robbery of French crown jewels, the French presidency announced. President Emmanuel Macron accepted Des Cars’ resignation, with the Elysee hailing it as “an act of responsibility at a time when the world’s largest museum needs appeasement and a new strong impetus to carry out major security projects.” Macron appointed Des Cars to lead the Louvre in 2021. Des Cars had come…

Sheinbaum says Mexico has ‘all the guarantees’ for 2026 World Cup after cartel leader’s death sparks unrest MEXICO CITY — Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum said there is “no risk” to visitors and “all the guarantees” for the 2026 FIFA World Cup to proceed in the country, after the capture and death of Mexico’s most-wanted cartel leader triggered roadblocks, arson and security clashes, notably in Jalisco state. Sheinbaum, speaking at a morning news conference, said the situation was continuing to normalize even as…

Thailand alleges truce breach in border flare-up with Cambodia; Phnom Penh denies weapons use Thailand’s military said its troops exchanged fire with Cambodian forces along their disputed border after a grenade was launched near a Thai patrol in Sisaket province, accusing Phnom Penh of violating a December ceasefire. Cambodia’s government rejected the claim as “entirely false,” insisting no weapons were fired. In a statement, the Thai army said Cambodian forces “fired a single 40mm grenade round” near a patrol, prompting…

US airlines said they plan to ramp up operations after a powerful Nor’easter crippled travel across the Northeast, forcing thousands of cancellations and leaving hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses without power. The disruption has rippled across the Atlantic. Nine flights to or from Dublin Airport and one to or from Shannon were canceled today on New York, Boston and New Jersey routes. Passengers are advised to check with their airlines before traveling. The storm hammered major corridors overnight with heavy snow…

Blizzard slams U.S. Northeast with more than 30 centimeters of snow, crippling travel and cutting power A powerful blizzard dropped more than 30 centimeters of snow across the U.S. Northeast today, grinding travel to a near standstill and knocking out power to thousands as high winds and whiteout conditions shut roads, halted trains and forced airlines to cancel more than 5,700 flights. Officials urged millions of residents to stay home while crews worked to clear streets. “I’m urging every New Yorker to please stay home,”…

Four years into Russia’s full-scale invasion, Ukraine marks a grim anniversary as President Volodymyr Zelensky declares that Vladimir Putin has failed to break the country and vows to seek a “strong, dignified, and lasting” peace on Ukraine’s terms. In a video address to the nation on the fourth anniversary of the February 2022 invasion, Zelensky said Ukraine had “preserved” its statehood and would “do everything to achieve peace — and to ensure there is justice.” Any agreement, he added, “must not simply be signed, it must…

KYIV, Ukraine — On the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said “Putin has not achieved his goals,” reaffirming Kyiv’s message of defiance as the war grinds into a fifth year. The anniversary underscores the scale and persistence of Europe’s largest conflict since World War II. Russia launched its full-scale assault on Feb. 24, 2022, expanding an eight-year war that began with the Kremlin’s seizure of Crimea and support for separatists in eastern Ukraine in 2014. The…