Middle East Experience

Russia pressed its invasion of Ukraine to the outskirts of the capital Friday after unleashing airstrikes on cities and military bases and sending in troops and tanks from three sides in an attack that could rewrite the global post-Cold War security order.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Explosions sounded before dawn in Kyiv and gunfire was later heard near the government quarter as Western leaders scheduled an emergency meeting and Ukraine’s president pleaded for international help to fend off an attack that could topple his democratically elected government, cause massive casualties and ripple out damage to the global economy.Among the signs that the Ukrainian capital was increasingly threatened, the military said Friday that a group of Russian spies and saboteurs was seen in a district of Kyiv about 5 kilometers (3 miles) north of the city center. Earlier, the military said that Russian forces had seized two Ukrainian military vehicles and some uniforms and were heading toward the city to try to infiltrate under the guise of being locals.US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Kyiv “could well be under siege” in what US officials believe is a brazen attempt by Russian President Vladimir Putin to install his own regime.The assault, anticipated for weeks by the US and Western allies, amounts to the largest ground war in Europe since World War II. After weeks of denying plans to invade, the autocratic Putin launched his attack on the country, which has increasingly tilted toward the democratic West and away from Moscow’s sway.His grasp on power increasingly tenuous, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appealed to global leaders for even more severe sanctions than the ones imposed by Western allies and for defense assistance.“If you don’t help us now, if you fail to offer a powerful assistance to Ukraine, tomorrow the war will knock on your door,” said the leader, who cut diplomatic ties with Moscow, declared martial law and ordered a full military mobilization that would last 90 days.As air raids sirens sounded in Kyiv early Friday, guests of a hotel in the city center were directed to a makeshift basement shelter, lined with piles of mattresses and bottles of water. Workers, all local university students, served tea and cookies to the guests. Some people ducked out to a courtyard to smoke or get fresh air.“We’re all scared and worried. We don’t know what to do then, what’s going to happen in a few days,” said one of the workers, Lucy Vashaka, 20.The invasion began early Thursday with a series of missile strikes on cities and military bases, and then quickly followed with a multi-pronged ground assault that rolled troops in from several areas in the east; from the southern region of Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014; and from Belarus to the north.Ukrainian officials said they lost control of the decommissioned Chernobyl nuclear power plant, scene of the world’s worst nuclear disaster, and civilians in many parts of the country piled into trains and cars to flee.Read more: Two children dead after Russia hits 33 civilian sites in Ukraine: Ministry officialUK Defense Secretary says Russia plans to take whole of Ukraine but is failing
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Gunfire heard near government quarter of Ukrainian capital

Jackson, if confirmed by the Senate, would become the sixth woman ever to serve on the court, which currently has three female justices.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Biden to announce Jackson as historic US Supreme Court pick, sources say

You don’t need any excuses to eat avocado every day, but if you have a guilty conscience about it for some reason, here are the results from five studies that will absolve your feelings.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: What are the main benefits of eating avocado?

"We always look to Israel as one of the most prominent possible intermediaries for Mr. Putin," Ukraine's Ambassador to Israel Yevgen Korniychuk said.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Ukraine wants Israel to ask Putin to stop the war

The restoration work is being carried out by Iraqi experts in collaboration with Italy’s International Association for Mediterranean and Oriental Studies..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Iraq unveils restoration work at ancient city of Hatra

Spartan Race, the world’s biggest obstacle course race is in Qatar and launching from Longines Arena at Al Shaqab. The Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) announced on Monday that it will organise the first ever Spartan Race in Qatar on the 25-26 March, hosted by Al-Shaqab. The spartan race is a series of obstacle races of ..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Qatar Olympic Committee to organise inaugural Spartan Race in Qatar

The mission is poised to launch on a United Launch Alliance Vulcan rocket and would be the first American spacecraft to land on the moon in nearly 50 years.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Tiny robots made in Mexico to explore moon in scientific first

They discussed Israel's plan to offer humanitarian aid, particularly medical assistants, to the Ukrainian people.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Israel stands with the Ukrainian people, Bennett tells Zelensky

In partnership with the World Bank, the Lebanese government is also working on drafting a roadmap for the reconstruction of the port which, Hamie said, should be ready by August..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Spain to finance master plan to revive Lebanon rail network

More than 300 people are currently in detention in Algeria over links to the Hirak or rights activism, the CNLD says..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Algeria charges free speech activist with ‘praising terrorism’