(NEW YORK) — Russian President Vladimir Putin’s “special military operation” into neighboring Ukraine began on Feb. 24, with Russian forces invading from Belarus, to the north, and Russia, to the east. Ukrainian troops have offered “stiff resistance,” according to U.S. officials.
The Russian military last month launched a full-scale ground offensive in eastern Ukraine’s disputed Donbas region, attempting to capture the strategic port city of Mariupol and to secure a coastal corridor to the Moscow-annexed Crimean Peninsula.
Here’s how the news is developing. All times Eastern:
May 03, 10:24 am
Civilians evacuated from plant have arrived safely in Zaporizhzhia: UN
Civilians trapped for weeks inside the Azovstal Iron and Steel Works plant in Mariupol have arrived safely in Zaporizhzhia, according to the United Nations.
“I’m relieved to confirm that the safe passage operation from Mariupol has been successful,” tweeted Osnat Lubrani, the U.N.’s resident coordinator and humanitarian coordinator in Ukraine. “The people I travelled with told me heartbreaking stories of the hell they went through. I’m thinking about the people who remain trapped. We will do all we can to assist them.”
Ukraine’s deputy prime minister, Irina Vereshchuk, said 156 civilians were part of the convoy, organized by the International Committee of the Red Cross.
Many more people remain trapped at the plant. The sprawling industrial site is the last holdout for the Ukrainian resistance in Mariupol, as Russian forces accelerate their efforts to fully capture city. The Mariupol City Council has previously said there are at least 1,000 people, including Ukrainian troops, on the grounds of the Azovstal plant. Vereshchuk has said that civilians, including women and children, are also sheltering there.
-ABC News’ Zoe Magee and Christine Theodorou
May 03, 9:47 am
‘He’s the main war criminal of the 21st century’: Ukrainian prosecutor on Putin
Ukraine’s lead prosecutor, Iryna Venediktova, said Russian President Vladimir Putin should “absolutely” be prosecuted for the war crimes she says occurred in the town of Irpin and surrounding communities.
“He’s the main war criminal of the 21st century,” she said.
“We all know who started this war. And this person is Vladimir Putin,” she said.
Venediktova said the first phase of the war crimes investigation in Irpin has ended. She said investigators found evidence of rape, torture and the use of banned weapons of war in the city.
May 03, 5:32 am
Russia’s military ‘now significantly weaker,’ UK says
Russia’s military is “now significantly weaker, both materially and conceptually,” than it had been prior to its invasion of Ukraine, the U.K. Ministry of Defense said on Tuesday.
“Recovery from this will be exacerbated by sanctions,” the ministry said in an intelligence update. “This will have a lasting impact on Russia’s ability to deploy conventional military force.”
Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine – 03 May 2022
Cyndi Lauper‘s life story is about to get the documentary treatment in the forthcoming film Let the Canary Sing. The movie will explore the “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” singer’s rise to fame — and it has her seal of approval.
The movie will be helmed by Emmy-nominated director Alison Ellwood, who will take the audience on a deep dive into Cyndi’s history and accomplishments.
According to a press release, the documentary will explore “how Lauper found her voice growing up in working class Queens, New York, a meteoric rise to stardom following the smashing success of her debut album She’s So Unusual, and the generations she has influenced with her songs, her inimitable ever-evolving punk style, unapologetic feminism and devotion to advocating for others.”
Cyndi has already given her “full participation and support” for the film.
“Like many people, I assumed when Cyndi Lauper burst onto the music scene in the early ’80s, that she was another young star experiencing a meteoric rise to fame and success thanks to MTV,” Ellwood said in a statement. “Her music videos were wild and colorful, her songs like ‘Girls Just Want to Have Fun‘ were infectious. But as it turns out, her story is one of hard knocks, hard work and dogged determination. Cyndi wanted her voice not just to be listened to, but a voice to be heard.”
The director continued, “The documentary will be a full portrait of Cyndi Lauper — her ‘True Colors’ shining through.”
The pop legend has sold over 50 million records during her explosive career. Her standout hit “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” has been viewed over a billion times on YouTube.
Sony Music Entertainment is financing the film, for which a release date has yet to be announced.
(NEW YORK) — Even though the U.S. successfully negotiated the release of Trevor Reed from a Russian prison, after nearly three years of captivity, the brother of another detained American isn’t sure that his family member will follow suit.
David Whelan, the brother of Paul Whelan, who’s been held by Russian officials since 2019, gave an update on his sibling’s condition to ABC News on Monday.
Paul Whelan spoke with his parents after Reed’s release and said the news was hard for him, according to David Whelan.
“He asked, ‘Why was I left behind?’ And we still don’t really have a good answer for that,” David Whelan told ABC News.
Paul Whelan was discharged from the Marines for bad conduct in 2008 after being convicted of larceny. He later worked as a global security executive for the auto parts supplier BorgWarner.
He was arrested in December 2018 while visiting Moscow for a friend’s wedding and charged with espionage by Russian intelligence officials.
Paul Whelan and American officials have denied the charges.
Paul Whelan, an avid traveler who has Irish, British and Canadian citizenship, visited Russia numerous times in the 2010s, and previously told ABC News he was intrigued by the country’s the language and culture.
In June 2020, Paul Whelan was convicted and sentenced to 16 years in a Russian prison camp. His family has repeatedly called for his release.
Reed was also arrested in Moscow in 2019 after Russian authorities said he struck an officer. Reed and American officials refuted the charges.
Reed’s parents pushed President Joe Biden to bring him back home with a prisoner transfer. Last week, that request was fulfilled.
Reed was exchanged for Russian pilot Konstantin Yaroshenko, a convicted drug trafficker.
Joey and Paula Reed, Trevor Reed’s parents, also advocated for Whelan during their discussions with the president and other officials.
David Whelan said now that Yaroshenko has been released to the Russians, he is concerned there are fewer concessions the U.S. can make.
“I think those sorts of negotiations, they take time, and they’re also very sensitive. It’s not just a matter of who’s involved,” David Whelan said. “It’s not really clear what their next steps are going to be.”
Biden has repeatedly called for Paul Whelan to be released and reiterated his commitment to bringing him back last week after Reed was released.
David Whelan said he hasn’t spoken with Biden recently but did talk with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken over the weekend.
“Hearing President Biden last summer in Geneva say that he wouldn’t walk away from Paul’s case, [and] hearing him this week on Wednesday say that he was still going to be working to bring Paul home to his loved ones, that’s really important for us,” David Whelan said. “That sort of outreach, both in private and in public is huge for us.”
The U.S. has also called on Russia to release WNBA star Brittney Griner, who was arrested in Russia in February, right before the invasion of Ukraine, on drug charges.
David Whelan said he hopes the U.S. can bring back American citizens who are in similar situations.
“Paul is one of dozens and dozens who are arbitrarily detained by sovereign nations around the world. And they’re all very tricky, each one.” he said.
(WASHINGTON) — The Supreme Court and Chief Justice John Roberts put out rare, written statements Tuesday to address the leak of a draft opinion showing the panel’s conservative majority of justices is poised to overturn nearly 50 years of established abortion rights.
The statement on behalf of the court said, “Although the document described in yesterday’s reports is authentic, it does not represent a decision by the Court or the final position of any member on the issues in the case.”
In a separate statement but released together, Roberts called the leak a “singular and egregious breach” of trust — but defended the court’s workforce and integrity, saying this will not undermine its operation.
“To the extent this betrayal of the confidences of the Court was intended to undermine the integrity of our operations, it will not succeed. The work of the Court will not be affected in any way,” Roberts said.
“We at the Court are blessed to have a workforce — permanent employees and law clerks alike — intensely loyal to the institution and dedicated to the rule of law. Court employees have an exemplary and important tradition of respecting the confidentiality of the judicial process and upholding the trust of the Court,” he said. “This was a singular and egregious breach of that trust that is an affront to the Court and the community of public servants who work here.”
Roberts said he’s directed the Marshal of the Court — its chief operations and security officer — to launch an investigation into the leak.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
(WASHINGTON) — Politicians and organizations are reacting to an unprecedented leaked draft opinion suggesting the U.S. Supreme Court could be poised to overturn the landmark Roe v. Wade case that legalized abortion nationwide nearly 50 years ago.
While some conservatives were quick to praise the draft opinion, many liberals decried it and people on both sides criticized the extraordinary breach of the covert deliberation process of the nation’s highest court.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., issued a joint statement late Monday, warning: “If the report is accurate, the Supreme Court is poised to inflict the greatest restriction of rights in the past fifty years — not just on women but on all Americans.” Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., however, had not commented as of Tuesday morning.
The 98-page document, obtained by Politico and published online Monday night, was dated Feb. 10, 2022, and labeled a “1st Draft” of the “Opinion of the Court” in a case known as Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which is challenging Mississippi’s ban on abortion after 15 weeks.
Politico said it received “a copy of the draft opinion from a person familiar with the court’s proceedings in the Mississippi case along with other details supporting the authenticity of the document.” ABC News has not independently confirmed the draft. A Supreme Court spokeswoman declined to comment.
The draft opinion, apparently written by Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr., appears to show the court’s conservative majority voted to strike down the 1973 ruling on Roe v. Wade as well as a subsequent decision in Planned Parenthood v. Casey. That 1992 case upheld Roe’s finding of a constitutional right to abortion services but allowed states to impose some restrictions on the controversial practice. The immediate impact of the ruling as drafted would be to end the federally guaranteed right to abortion and effectively allow each state to decide whether to restrict or outright ban it, according to Politico.
“Roe was egregiously wrong from the start,” Alito appeared to write in the draft opinion.
“We hold that Roe and Casey must be overruled,” he added. “It is time to heed the Constitution and return the issue of abortion to the people’s elected representatives.”
In the wake of the Politico report and the rare leak, elected officials from both sides of the aisle are speaking out.
Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., along with a number of congressional Democrats, including Sens. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., Patty Murray, D-Wash., as well as Reps. Peter Welch, D-Vt., and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., all called for Congress to codify Roe v. Wade into law, even if that meant eliminating the filibuster.
If #SCOTUS is going to legislate from the bench and turn back the clock 50 years on #RoeVWade, then the Senate needs to pass my Women’s Health Protection Act, and if we need to eliminate the filibuster to get it done, we should do that too. #WHPA
— Sen. Tammy Baldwin (@SenatorBaldwin) May 3, 2022
We need to fight back with everything we’ve got right now. The right to abortion is on the line, and I’ll never stop fighting to protect it.
— Senator Patty Murray (@PattyMurray) May 3, 2022
We must fight. We fight by passing the House-passed Women’s Health Protection Act in the Senate. We fight by getting rid of the filibuster. We can’t go back, we must fight. https://t.co/w1ysGzDrAh
— Rep. Peter Welch (@WelchForVT) May 3, 2022
Gubernatorial Democrats from California to Maine vowed to protect abortion rights in their respective states.
Our daughters, sisters, mothers, and grandmothers will not be silenced.The world is about to hear their fury.California will not sit back. We are going to fight like hell. https://t.co/EhwSWXiZhx
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) May 3, 2022
Hell no! In Illinois, we trust women. We cannot let their most profound and personal rights be violated. https://t.co/ksvR0vkgw1
— Governor JB Pritzker (@GovPritzker) May 3, 2022
I want to be very clear: unlike an apparent majority of the Supreme Court, I do not consider the rights of women to be dispensable. As long as I am Governor, I will fight with everything I have to protect reproductive rights and to preserve access to reproductive health care. https://t.co/RYSnxxJVb9
— Governor Janet Mills (@GovJanetMills) May 3, 2022
While the co-chairs of the House Pro-Life Caucus had not commented as of Tuesday morning, the leaders of the House Pro-Choice Caucus, Reps. Diana DeGette (D-Co.) and Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), released a joint statement, saying: “Such a move would be an unconscionable rollback of a fundamental right and would have devastating impacts throughout the country.”
Some Republicans, including Sens. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Rick Scott (R-Fla.), condemned the leak as an attempt to “intimidate” the court, while others, such as Reps. Marjorie Taylor Green (R-Ga.), Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.) and Mike Kelly (R-Pa.), hailed the draft opinion.
The Supreme Court’s confidential deliberation process is sacred & protects it from political interference. This breach shows that radical Democrats are working even harder to intimidate & undermine the Court. It was always their plan. The justices cannot be swayed by this attack. https://t.co/S5eMGO0dxd
— Rick Scott (@SenRickScott) May 3, 2022
The Supreme Court is preparing to overturn Roe—the most significant and glorious news of our lifetime. Join me in praying to God for the right outcome. Life begins at conception. Let’s protect it. pic.twitter.com/SNdb6WUBXO
— Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (@RepMTG) May 3, 2022
If the reports are true about the U.S. Supreme Court’s upcoming decision, this is a major victory for the pro-life movement.My full statement⬇️https://t.co/QDcy5kyw9K
— Rep. Mike Kelly (@MikeKellyPA) May 3, 2022
Gubernatorial Republicans in Alabama, Arkansas and South Dakota expressed their hope that Roe v. Wade would in fact be overturned.
I have advocated for the reversal of Roe v. Wade all my political career. The leak from someone within the court is reprehensible and should lead to an investigation but I do hope the court returns authority to the states.
— Gov. Asa Hutchinson (@AsaHutchinson) May 3, 2022
If this report is true and Roe v. Wade is overturned, I will immediately call for a special session to save lives and guarantee that every unborn child has a right to life in South Dakota. https://t.co/oIiGibCP7B
— Governor Kristi Noem (@govkristinoem) May 3, 2022
Meanwhile, anti-abortion organizations March for Life and Susan B Anthony List are withholding comment until the final decision is announced; though the latter noted that it would “wholeheartedly applaud the decision” if the leaked draft opinion was the final opinion.
Friends, @March_for_Life will not be providing comment on an official decision of #scotus possible leak until a decision is officially announced.
— Jeanne F. Mancini (@jeannemfl) May 3, 2022
Regarding the SCOTUS leak on Dobbs, SBA List will not be commenting until an official decision is announced by the Court.
— Susan B. Anthony List #ModernizeOurLaw (@SBAList) May 3, 2022
Abortion-rights organizations Planned Parenthood and NARAL Pro-Choice America emphasized that the leaked draft opinion “is not final” and “abortion is still legal.”
Let’s be clear: This is a draft opinion. It’s outrageous, it’s unprecedented, but it is not final. Abortion is your right — and it is STILL LEGAL. https://t.co/s9R7w99n71
— Planned Parenthood (@PPFA) May 3, 2022
The leaked draft of the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization is not final. While this leak is unprecedented, it’s important to know that Roe still stands and abortion is still legal. But it’s clear that we need to fight harder than ever before.
— NARAL (@NARAL) May 3, 2022
Lizzo was named among the best dressed at Monday night’s Met Gala, and the “Rumors” singer said she was “moved to tears” by the praise.
Lizzo reposted a video from fashion critic Mandy Lee highlighting her outfit, which consisted of a dramatic black coat with gold embroidery, a form-fitting black Thom Browne dress with a long corset, a gold choker, long black nails and, as an accessory, a golden flute.
“When I look at this, I see fashion-forward, passionate It Girl,” Lee proclaimed.
“I wasn’t gonna post this to my page but I was moved to tears… so I gotta follow my heart— society says fashion = thinness… but b**** I’m undeniable,” Lizzo captioned the post. “My silhouette *is* fashion. *IS* sexy, *IS* art.”
The Grammy winner continued, “I’ve been showing out, carpet after carpet w my incredible team— not because I have something to prove, but cus I f***ing can! Like it or not- this big body is here baby, and we ain’t goin NO-WHERE.”
“Thank you to everyone who put me on they best dressed lists… thank you to anyone who sees me for me,” Lizzo closed. “I remember when the world didn’t care about fat bodies and now we are front & center.”
The “Truth Hurts” singer told Variety of her outfit on Monday night, “It took 22,000 hours to make this coat. I’m just so happy to be in it, I feel like a piece of art.”
She also revealed that gold flute in her hands was “rare” and valued at $55,000. She also played a few notes on the golden flute and remarked, “That’s what I got for you today!”
The Afghan Whigs have announced a new album called How Do You Burn?, set to be released on September 9.
The record will feature the late Mark Lanegan, who’d previously collaborated with Whigs frontman Greg Dulli in the band The Gutter Twins. According to a press release, Lanegan sings backup vocals on two How Do You Burn? songs.
“It was Mark who named the album,” Dulli says.
How Do You Burn? features the previously released song “I’ll Make You See God,” which eerily premiered on the same day that Lanegan passed away this past February. A second track, “The Getaway,” is out today via digital outlets.
The Afghan Whigs will launch a U.S. tour May 11 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. They’ve also announced a fall U.S. leg set to kick off in September.
Here’s the How Do You Burn? track list:
“I’ll Make You See God”
“The Getaway”
“Catch a Colt”
“Jyja”
“Please, Baby, Please”
“A Line of Shots”
“Domino and Jimmy”
“Take Me There”
“Concealer”
“In Flames”
While the couple has yet to confirm the reports that they’re expecting their second child, Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner weren’t hiding anything Monday night at the Met Gala in New York City.
The two wore matching Louis Vuitton outfits, and Sophie’s growing baby bump was on full display; she also cradled it, in case anyone wasn’t certain. Joe was also seen lovingly putting his hand on her belly.
According to People magazine, Joe’s outfit was mostly womenswear from the label’s spring-summer 2022 collection, including a white tail jacket and a black-and-white lace top. Sophie wore an archival embroidered long-sleeved gown, platform sandals and Louis Vuitton white-gold-and-diamond earrings.
The two are already parents to daughter Willa, born July 2020. According to the New York Post, this was the couple’s first time on the Met Gala carpet since 2019, when they appeared at the event as newlyweds.
(LONDON) — An intruder infiltrated the barracks housing the soldiers who protect Queen Elizabeth in Windsor, The Sun newspaper revealed Tuesday.
The man, who was posing as a priest, talked his way into the Victoria Barracks, situated just outside the confines of Windsor Castle. According to The Sun, the man, who has not been named, claimed to be a friend of the chaplain for the Cold Stream Guards — one of the regiments that protects the queen. Soldiers allowed him in without checking for any identification.
The UK’s Ministry of Defense issued a statement saying it’s taking the breach “extremely seriously,” adding “it will be thoroughly investigated as a matter of priority.”
The intrusion took place while the Queen was away at Sandringham. The imposter was reportedly entertained by officers, eating and drinking with them before being offered a bed for the night. The police were eventually called the following morning, April 27.
“We received a report of an intruder at Victoria Barracks in Sheet Street, Windsor, at 9.20am on Wednesday,” Thames Valley Police said in a statement. “Officers attended and removed the intruder from the barracks. No further action was required.”
According to The Sun, which quoted TalkTV sources, “The man was known to local police as having mental health issues.”
An anonymous source told the newspaper: “The guy turned up at the gate, said his name was Father Cruise and claimed to be a friend of the battalion’s Padre, the Rev. Matt Coles. He was invited in and offered something to eat.”
The source added: “It was only later when he started talking about how he had worked as an ejector-seat test pilot and had some organs replaced that the chaps started to get suspicious.”
The incident was not the first security breach in Windsor; a man was apprehended last year on the grounds of the castle with a crossbow, police said.
ABC News Royal Contributor Robert Jobson explained that it’s harder to protect the Queen at Windsor Castle than it is at Buckingham Palace.
“Buckingham palace is like the White House; it has a strong parameter with very stringent security protocols and Scotland Yard officers within the compound,” Jobson said. “But Windsor Castle is more difficult to protect — it’s open to the public and it’s a vast area with many different entrances.”
Jobson added, “But it’s important to note that in this instance the castle grounds weren’t penetrated. That said if this had been a serious terrorist intent on causing mayhem the consequences could have been catastrophic.”
An increase in security ahead of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June is therefore likely as a result of this incident, according to Jobson.
The UK will celebrate Queen Elizabeth’s 70 years on the throne with a holiday weekend in June. There will be a special Trooping of the Colour, a thanksgiving service at St. Paul’s cathedral and a concert at the palace. The finale to the four days of celebration will be a pageant through the streets of London.
Unfortunately, Rihanna skipped the red carpet at Monday night’s Met Gala, robbing us all of the opportunity to see what kind of fabulous maternity fashion she would’ve come up with. However, she was still there in spirit — in the form of a statue.
Vogue created what looks like a marble statue of the star, based on Rihanna’s latest Vogue cover, in which she poses in a form-fitting Alaïa bodysuit with her pregnant belly prominently on display. It was erected inside one of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s sculpture galleries for the event, taking the place of another female figure.
“The statue of “Eirene (The Personification of Peace)” is usually the highest-profile marble goddess @themetmuseum Greco-Roman galleries,” reads the caption. “But now we’ve got @badgalriri, straight off this month’s Vogue cover.”
A delighted Rihanna re-posted Vogue‘s video of the statue, with the caption, “shut down the met in marble! what’s more gilded than that? Lol! Thank you @metmuseum and @voguemagazine for this historic tribute! y’all bad for this one!”
Rihanna and boyfriend A$AP Rocky are expecting their first child. Speaking about her out-and-proud maternity looks, Rihanna told Vogue for its cover story, “My body is doing incredible things right now, and I’m not going to be ashamed of that. This time should feel celebratory. Because why should you be hiding your pregnancy?”
