Russia blames soldiers killed
Amid anger in Russia over a deadly New Year’s Day attack in Makiivka on Moscow’s forces, the official blame fell on the target soldiers themselves, with the suggestion that their use of cell phones allowed Ukrainian forces to access their location using intercepted calls. The Russian Defense Ministry said soldiers had been using phones despite the ban.
The use of open cell phone lines by Russian soldiers in Ukraine is a known vulnerability for the country’s military, often revealing the positions of forces. The blocked calls have revealed disarray and discontent within Russia’s ranks. Some Russian lawmakers and military bloggers have denied the allegation, calling it an attempt by the military to avoid blaming commanders.
The British Ministry of Defense said that the attack showed “unprofessional activities that contribute to Russia’s high casualty rate”, noting it was likely that ammunition was stored near the makeshift barracks, creating secondary explosions, which contribute to damage.
Detail: Ukraine’s attack on Makiivka, using US-supplied guided missiles, hit a vocational school that Russian soldiers had used as a barracks. Estimates of casualties ranged from 89, according to the Russian Defense Ministry, to “about 400”, according to the Ukrainian military. The claims cannot be independently verified.
In other news from the war:
Rishi Sunak’s promise to England
With Britain’s health system and economy both in dire straits, Rishi Sunak, prime minister, delivered a poignant speech a series of promises to restore the country to prosperity and happiness, challenging the Englishman to take personal responsibility to him. “No tricks, no ambiguity,” he said. “Either we deliver to you or we don’t.”
Sunak makes five promises: cut inflation in half, revive the economy and reduce waiting times in emergency rooms, as well as cut public debt and stem the flow of migrant boats through the English Channel. But some of the most pressing problems, such as an overwhelmed health system, challenge easy solutions and may not be solved simply by more funding.
Budget strains and a cost-of-living crisis have caused widespread labor unrest, with nurses leaving hospital wards and railway workers having to shut down trains. The government is expected to announce new anti-strike legislation, but Sunak admits it is difficult to strike a deal with some unions, despite polls showing Britons are generally supportive of workers.
Forecast: The UK economy is also likely to deteriorate further before bottoming out and starting to recover. Sunak acknowledges that dire reality, noting that many Britons are looking ahead to 2023 with “apprehension”.
React: The leader of the opposition Labor Party, Keir Starmer, is expected to give a speech on his agenda today. Labor led the vote by more than 20 percentage points over the Conservatives.
Pope Benedict’s Complex Legacy
About 200,000 people pay homage to Pope Benedict XVI, pope emeritus, for three days his body was laid to rest in St Peter’s Basilica, Vatican officials said. He will be buried today, following a funeral liturgy that will largely resemble that of a sitting pope, with some changes to the prayers.
Benedict left behind a complex legacy. A report last year commissioned by the Catholic Church in Munich accused him of mishandling cases of sexual abuse by priests. Benedict apologized for any “grave errors” but denied any wrongdoing.
For supporters, he was the first leader to meet the victims and force the church to finally face the devil, change the law, and remove hundreds of abusive priests. But to critics, he has defended the organization against victims in its herd, not blaming even a single bishop for covering up abusers and failing to prove his word. speak by action.
Legal issues: Several abuse claimants have filed civil lawsuits, not only against a priest accused of sexually abusing several boys but also the Archdiocese of Munich and Benedict. Before his death, the pope emeritus hired a major international law firm and said he plans to defend himself in a trial that will begin this year.
LATEST NEWS
Around the world
NFL contains the ready-made interpersonal drama of reality television and the narrative appeal of a best-selling novel. But sometimes, like when Damar Hamlin collapses in a game, it can be more like a horror movie, because athletes put themselves at great risk of harm.
SPORTS NEWS FROM Ethics
A $200 million a year Saudi deal: Cristiano Ronaldo moves to Al Nassr negotiated by Ricardo Regufe, his right-hand man, not Jorge Mendes, his agent for nearly 20 years.
United States men’s soccer coach statement: Gregg Berhalter acknowledges him kick in the leg of current wife in a controversy 31 years ago. An independent investigation is ongoing.
Two Scott Stallings, a Master’s Invitation: The 37-year-old journey golfer is expecting an official invitation to Augusta National. It instead went to a 60 year old broker.
ARTS AND IDEAS
Escape from the #MeToo movie formula
Amanda Hess, a critic for The Times, was hardly excited to attend a screening of “Speaking Women,” a film based on true events about the rapes of more than 100 women and Girls in a Mennonite community in Bolivia were revealed in 2009.
She wrote: “It feels as if I have spent the last 5 years looking at accounts of sexual violence being published in the tabloids. “This made me skeptical, then depressed. I know what happens when women talk.” Instead, she finds herself drawn to a film that is both tragic and hilarious, dividing her way through a pack of plastic tissues that’s about to run out.
In the burgeoning film genre inspired by the #MeToo movement, two very different films stand out: “Women Talking” and “Women Talking”tar,” a portrait of a tyrannical, world-famous conductor headed for demise. “Both are wonderfully destabilizing,” writes Amanda, “they manage to confound our cultural scenarios around sexual violence, cultural abolition, gender, genius, and politics.” storytelling.” Read more about movies.
Related: Other films such as the biopic “Till” and the horror film “Resurrection” use lengthy monologues to create female characters. chance to really be heard.
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