World

Hong Kong -- once lauded as a zero-Covid success story -- is now battling a deadly outbreak reminiscent of the early days of the pandemic, despite having had more than two years to prepare.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly demanded that Western powers enforce a no-fly zone over Ukraine to prevent more Russian attacks.

Putin also denied that the Russian army is targeting civilians after Macron urged him not to endanger civilians, in line with international law.

He did not provide details but supported an appeal by former British prime minister Gordon Brown and a swathe of international law experts for a special tribunal.

China's foreign ministry on Friday urged all sides to ensure the safety of nuclear facilities in Ukraine, after a fire broke out in a building adjacent to a nuclear plant there during intense fighting.

More than 600 Indian citizens and students were evacuated as of Friday morning, more evacuations are expected later on in the day.

Russian troops were trying to break through a barricade to the plant erected by local residents and territorial defence forces, Ukraine said.

Russians also used social media to connect to each other and the outside world, the State Department said.

Ukraine has received weapons shipments from NATO members to help withstand a full-scale military invasion unleashed by Russian forces.

The MEA spokesperson said that the first batch of humanitarian aid to help Ukrainian citizens will be dispatched today.

The visit comes at a time when Taiwan has stepped up its alert level, wary of China taking advantage of a distracted West to move against it.

According to an earlier UNHCR count, more than 280,000 people fled Ukraine into Poland alone.

The referendum was held Sunday as the ex-Soviet country's neighbour Ukraine is under attack from Russian troops and delegations from Moscow and Kyiv are expected to meet for talks on the Belarusian border.

Alphabet said it had taken the action for the safety of local communities in the country, after consulting with sources including regional authorities.

The statement was made when asked for the reaction of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to Putin's move as part of the Ukraine crisis.

Earlier Sunday he had said that Russian forces' light vehicles broke into the city, with fighting breaking out in the streets.