Prima ballerina Olga Smirnova, one of the leading stars of Russia's celebrated Bolshoi Ballet, has left the country and joined the Dutch National Ballet, the company announced Wednesday.
Why it matters: Smirnova's decision to quit the Bolshoi makes her one of the most significant cultural figures to leave the country following Russia's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, per the New York Times.
The head of the World Health Organization on Wednesday warned of the increasingly dire and "catastrophic" humanitarian crisis in Ethiopia's Tigray region, saying, "There is nowhere on Earth where the health of millions of people is more under threat."
Driving the news: As world leaders focus on Russia's war in Ukraine and the growing refugee crisis in Europe, UN bodies and humanitarian groups are urging nations to not forget other crises around the globe.
The UN aid chief on Wednesday said it's a "disappointment" that nations have only pledged $1.3 billion of the $4.27 billion requested for the UN's humanitarian efforts in Yemen this year.
Driving the news: Russia's war in Ukraine and the rapidly growing refugee crisis in Europe have overshadowed other humanitarian crises worldwide. An estimated 23.4 million people — about three of every four people in Yemen — need assistance in what has been called the world's worst humanitarian crisis, according to the UN.
Melitopol Mayor Ivan Fedorov, who was abducted by Russian forces last week, has been freed, Ukrainian diplomat Olexander Scherba confirmed via Twitter on Wednesday.
Driving the news: The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs decried Fedorov's kidnapping as a war crime and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that his capture could signal "a new stage of terror" in the war.
President Biden announced Wednesday that the U.S. will provide Ukraine with an additional $800 million in military aid, including direct transfers of anti-aircraft systems and drones to help the Ukrainian military defend itself.
Why it matters: The announcement, which came just hours after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky delivered an emotional address to Congress pleading for more assistance, brings the total amount of military aid to Ukraine authorized in the past week to over $1 billion.
The Biden administration is working to maintain calm in Jerusalem ahead of an unusual situation that happens once every 10 years (when important Jewish, Muslim and Christian holidays coincide), U.S. ambassador to Israel Tom Nides said yesterday.
Why it matters: The fact that Passover, Ramadan and Easter take place during the same time in mid-April heightens the potential for violence in Jerusalem. Israeli officials say there is no specific intelligence that an escalation will take place.
"Servant of the People," a comedy series featuring now Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, is once again available on Netflix, the streaming service announced on Wednesday.
Driving the news: The series, in which Zelensky plays a Ukrainian high school teacher who unexpectedly becomes president, first aired in Ukraine in 2015. It has now found its way back on several streaming platforms worlwide, as Zelensky became the face of the resistance amid Russia's unprovoked attack of Ukraine.
About 35% of Americans favor the U.S. taking military action in Ukraine, even if it risks sparking a nuclear conflict, a new Pew Research Center survey found.
Why it matters: The U.S. has categorically declined to commit to the establishment of a no-fly zone — a key request by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky — for fear that it would potentially bring NATO and the U.S. into direct conflict with Russia, a nuclear power.
Sudanese media are reporting that several Arab countries are trying to promote a behind-the-scenes initiative to bring former Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok back to the political scene.
Driving the news: The army chief and chairman of the sovereign council Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan appears unable to bring about any form of political reconciliation amid persistent waves of street protests and rising casualties among demonstrators.
Secretary of State Tony Blinken is planning a possible trip to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Israel and the occupied West Bank later this month, according to five U.S., Israeli and Palestinian sources.
Why it matters: This would be Blinken’s first trip as secretary of state to Saudi Arabia and the UAE. It comes at a time of tensions between the Biden administration and two Gulf allies as it pushes them to increase oil production.
The Biden administration is considering removing Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps from a terror blacklist in return for a public commitment from Iran to de-escalation in the region, three Israeli officials and two U.S. sources tell me.
Why it matters: An agreement to restore the 2015 nuclear deal is nearly complete, but Iran's demand that President Biden reverse Donald Trump's decision to designate the IRGC as a Foreign Terrorist Organization is a key remaining sticking point.
The United Nations' International Court of Justice ruled on Wednesday that Russia should immediately suspend its military operations in Ukraine.
Why it matters: This constitutes the first decision by an international court regarding Russia's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. But while rulings by the ICJ are considered binding, the court doesn't have the means to enforce them, per Deutsche Welle.
President Volodymyr Zelensky's impassioned pleas Wednesday rekindled congressional talk of supporting a no-fly zone over Ukraine.
Why it matters: While most members of Congress still maintain having the U.S. and NATO enforce such a zone would drag Americans into a superpower conflict with Russia, the openness of a few members to consider various options for air involvement represented a shift in tone from recent days.
Fox News journalist Benjamin Hall, who was injured outside of Kyiv on Monday, has been transported out of Ukraine, according to a memo from CEO Suzanne Scott obtained by Axios.
Driving the news: Hall was hospitalized in Ukraine due to injuries he suffered while newsgathering. Fox News cameraman Pierre Zakrzewski and Ukrainian journalist Oleksandra Kuvshynova, who was working with the network, were killed while traveling alongside him.
A magnitude 7.3 earthquake was recorded off the coast of Fukushima and Miyagi, Japan, on Wednesday, tripping tsunami alerts in the northeastern regions, according to the country's meteorological agency.
The big picture: The earthquake struck just days after the 11th anniversary of the 9.0 magnitude earthquake and tsunami that devastated Fukushima and triggered a nuclear crisis.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly urged Western leaders to impose a "no-fly zone" over Ukraine, but establishing one appears unlikely any time soon.
Why it matters: Imposing a no-fly zone (NFZ) would mark a significant escalation in the war — potentially bringing NATO, which Ukraine is not a member of, directly into a conventional conflict with a nuclear power.
National security adviser Jake Sullivan spoke to the Russian Security Council on Wednesday and reiterated U.S. disapproval of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, according to the White House.
Why it matters: It's the first public disclosure of a high-level call between U.S. and Russian officials since Moscow's attack on Ukraine started in late February.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky asked President Biden to be "leader of the world" during his address to Congress, pleading for more assistance as Russia's unprovoked invasion of his country continues.
What he's saying: "Being the leader of the world means to be the leader of peace. Peace in your country doesn't depend anymore only on you and your people. It depends on those next to you, on those who are strong. Strong doesn't mean weak. Strong is brave and ready to fight for the life of his citizens and citizens of the world. For human rights, for freedom, for the right to live decently," Zelensky said in English, towards the end of his speech.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky summoned some of the darkest days in U.S. history in a virtual address to Congress, pleading for America to do more to stop Russia's assault on his country and calling on President Biden to “be the leader of the world.”
What he's saying: "Remember Pearl Harbor, the terrible morning of Dec. 7, 1941, when your sky was black from the planes attacking you,” Zelensky told a packed auditorium in the basement of the Capitol. “Remember Sept. 11, a terrible day in 2001 when evil tried to turn your cities, independent territories, into battlefields. When innocent people were attacked from the air.”
Afghans in the U.S. as of Tuesday can avoid deportation and obtain work permits for the next 18 months through Temporary Protected Status (TPS), the Department of Homeland Security announced Wednesday.
Why it matters: The new designation will ensure Afghans in the U.S. without proper documentation, whose temporary visas may soon expire or who were recently brought to the U.S. on parole can continue living and working in the U.S. without fear of return to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan for at least the next year and a half.
The German economy is at the epicenter of the Russian energy shock, and expectations for growth are collapsing.
Why it matters: With the world's fourth-largest gross domestic product, Germany's trade-dependent economy could be poised for a painful period of transition as the cornerstones of its model — free-flowing energy from Russia and strong demand from China — seem to be crumbling more every day.
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky can be expected to call out the U.S. on Wednesday when he addresses Congress virtually — as he did with the Canadian parliament, and as he has done with the world.
Why it matters: Three weeks into Russia's invasion, Zelensky has invoked Winston Churchill, Hamlet, Canadian cultural landmarks and his own demise as he's made deeply emotional appeals to Western leaders and lawmakers.
A reporter in Mexico was shot and killed Tuesday, the eighth such killing in the country this year.
Why it matters: The string of killings in such a short period is unprecedented, even for Mexico, which has been considered one of the most dangerous places in the world for journalists.
The unprecedented sanctions the West imposed on Russia have hobbled its economy and are hurting the global system, too. But their primary purpose, arguably, is to stop the fighting. And that's not yet happening.
Why it matters: Sanctions are increasingly one of the go-to tools in American foreign policy, all over the world — that doesn't mean they always work.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Wednesday peace talks were beginning to "sound more realistic," as the war entered its third week with Russian forces intensifying attacks on Kyiv and Mariupol.
What they're saying: "Efforts are still needed, patience is needed," Zelensky said during a televised address. "Any war ends with an agreement," added Zelensky, who thanked the U.S. ahead of his congressional address later Wednesday for a $13.6 billion aid package.
Russian troops seized control of a hospital in the city of Mariupol on Tuesday and were holding about 500 people hostage, according to regional leader Pavlo Kyrylenko.
Driving the news: Kyrylenko said on Telegram that the troops drove 400 people into the hospital. One hundred doctors and patients were also inside he said, adding that no one is allowed to leave. He alleged the hostages were being used as human shields.
Why it matters: Trump, who maintained a close working relationship with Putin during his presidency, has condemned the invasion as a "crime against humanity" but called Putin "very savvy" for recognizing two breakaway "republics" in eastern Ukraine as independent two days before Russian forces launched an attack on the entire country.
Slack has begun cutting off access to some customers in Russia as it looks to comply with both international sanctions and the policies of parent company Salesforce.
Why it matters: Slack is the lifeblood for internal communications at many businesses and organizations and often contains data and messages not stored in any other format.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky asked the Canadian parliament Tuesday to envision waking at 4am to bombs dropping on Ottawa's airport or Toronto's CN Tower. "Justin, can you imagine?" he bluntly asked Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Why it matters: Zelensky's virtual address to Congress on Wednesday is expected to build on this signature blend of praising, chastising and pleading with his audience to understand the global stakes of Ukraine's resistance.
