Biden calls Ukraine's leader, pledges "unwavering support" in the face of Russian "aggression"
CBSN
Moscow — President Joe Biden spoke for the first time on Friday with his Ukrainian counterpart as tension mounted between the American ally and its neighbor, Russia. The White House said Mr. Biden had confirmed to President Volodymir Zelenskyy "the United States' unwavering support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity in the face of Russia's ongoing aggression."
Zelenskyy said in a tweet that he was "glad to talk to" Mr. Biden, and that he appreciated the "U.S. support on different levels. We stand shoulder to shoulder when it comes to preservation of our democracies." Moscow and Ukraine have exchanged hostile remarks this week as a buildup of Russian troops and military hardware near the countries' shared border stokes fears of a fresh wave of violence. A military conflict between Russian-backed separatists and Ukraine's NATO-backed army has ground on in the east of Ukraine for seven years.Noumea — France's president held a flurry of meetings with local representatives in the restive Pacific territory of New Caledonia on Thursday, urging calm after deadly rioting, and vowing thousands of military reinforcements will stay in place to quell what he called an "unprecedented insurrection."
Kathmandu — Nepali climber Phunjo Lama on Thursday reached Mount Everest's summit in 14 hours and 31 minutes, smashing the record for the world's fastest ascent of the mountain by a woman. Climbers usually take days to reach the top of the 29,032-foot mountain, spending nights on its different camps to rest and acclimatize.
New Delhi — Indian justice officials have changed course amid outrage over the bail terms set for a teenager accused of killing two people while driving a Porsche at high speed while drunk and without a license. The 17-year-old son of a wealthy businessman had been ordered to write a 300-word essay and work with the local traffic police for 15 days to be granted bail — a decision that was made within 15 hours of his arrest.
Zurich — A woman jogger was killed by a naked man who was screaming and attacking people in a lakeside park in Switzerland, police said Wednesday. The attack happened Tuesday evening in Mannedorf on Lake Zurich, around 12 miles southeast of Switzerland's biggest city, the Zurich cantonal police said.
Norway, Ireland and Spain said Wednesday they are recognizing a Palestinian state in a historic move that drew condemnation from Israel and jubilation from the Palestinians. Israel immediately ordered back its ambassadors from Norway and Ireland and appeared ready to do the same with its ambassador to Spain.