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The United States and the United Kingdom have banned Russian oil, and the European Union has ended its reliance on Russian gas, ratcheting up the economic response to Ukraine's invasion. The move, according to US President Joe Biden, is aimed at "the main artery of Russia's economy." Energy exports are a major source of income for Russia, but the decision is expected to have an impact on Western customers. Meanwhile, major corporations have continued to withdraw from Russia, with McDonald's and Coca-Cola being the most recent to do so. The economy of Russia is strongly reliant on energy. After Saudi Arabia and the United States, it is the world's third-largest oil production. The economy of Russia is strongly reliant on energy. After Saudi Arabia and the United States, it is the world's third-largest oil production. Russia warned of "catastrophic" consequences for the world economy before the sanctions were revealed, and suggested it might shut d

The Florida Senate has passed a law prohibiting primary school students from discussing their sexual orientation or gender identity. The bill, which would prohibit instructors from teaching these themes to children under the age of ten, is expected to be signed by Governor Ron DeSantis. The bill's opponents claim that it will alienate LGBT youth. Proponents argue that it is about giving parents more control over their children's education. It's been called the "Don't Say Gay" bill by activists. The Parental Rights in Education Bill is the official name for it. Between kindergarten and third grade, when pupils are between the ages of five and nine, it is illegal to teach about sexual orientation or gender identity. It also urges school districts to steer clear of LGBT issues "when not age- or developmentally appropriate for pupils." Jen Psaki, the White House press secretary, denounced the passage of "hateful legislation targeting vulnerable stud

In the city of Grand Rapids, jury selection for the federal trial of four men accused of plotting to abduct Michigan's Democratic governor has begun. Prosecutors say the men targeted Gretchen Whitmer because of Covid rules she imposed early in the pandemic. The government's case is insufficient, according to the accused's lawyers, who have suggested an entrapment defense. The study, which will be keenly followed, is planned to run roughly six weeks. The men planned to blow up a bridge near the governor's vacation house, abduct her, and put her on a "treason trial," according to the FBI, which says it foiled the plot 17 months ago. In the end, 14 suspected plotters were apprehended. Six members of the gang were arrested and charged in federal court. The other eight are facing separate charges from the state. Two of the individuals facing federal charges have already pled guilty, and the remaining four are anticipated to testify against them during the trial. Th

Russian planes owned or chartered by Russians would be prosecuted if they cross UK airspace, according to ministers. Russian-owned aircraft are already barred from flying to the UK, but the latest measure is aimed at affluent Russians who charter private jets registered in a third nation. The administration stated that the sanctions will be aimed at Kremlin insiders. One plane at Hampshire's Farnborough Airport is already being investigated. The Luxembourg-registered private plane is being seized by UK officials as part of an investigation into whether it is Russian-owned and carried a Russian passenger to the UK in violation of sanctions. New commercial sanctions have also been declared by the government, prohibiting all UK exports of aviation or space-related technology to Russia, as well as associated services such as insurance. Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said the latest penalties will cause more "economic damage to Russia and people close to the Kremlin" when she ann

People waiting for visas at a "understaffed" UK application centre are angry and frustrated, according to the daughter of a Ukrainian refugee. "It does feel like there will be rioting," Marianne Kay of Yorkshire says if the delays continue much longer. She traveled to Rzeszow, Poland, to assist her 79-year-old mother Antonina Kolodii in obtaining asylum in the United Kingdom. She said that people began congregating outside the center in the early morning, despite the frigid conditions. MPs have chastised the Home Office for its poor reaction to the influx of over two million people fleeing Ukraine, claiming that individuals seeking asylum are being held up or turned away by bureaucracy. The Ukraine Family Scheme has granted about 500 visas, with more than 10,000 people applying to join family in the UK. A second visa path is also being developed, which will require a British sponsor. The "large and very generous" immigration program, according to Prime Min

As a result of the Ukraine conflict, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has advocated for a "step-by-step" transition away from Russian oil and gas. Following talks with the Prime Ministers of Canada and the Dutch, Mr Johnson stated that nations must work together to secure alternatives. Justin Trudeau, the Prime Minister of Canada, stated that Europe did not want to repeat the error of being overly reliant on Russia. However, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte warned that imposing a boycott at this time would have "huge consequences." Chancellor Olaf Scholz of Germany warned against banning Russian oil and gas. He said in a statement that Europe had "deliberately exempted" Russian energy from sanctions because its supply could not be secured "any other way" right now. Meanwhile, Russia has warned that if the West halts oil imports over the invasion of Ukraine, oil prices may rise to $300 per barrel, and it may block the main gas pipeline to Germany. &quo

More than 1.7 million people have fled Ukraine, most traveling at first to central European nations, including Hungary According to the Home Office, the number of Ukrainian refugees awarded visas under the UK's new system has increased from roughly 50 on Sunday to 300. It said 17,700 applications to re-join family have been launched, and it has expanded staff and appointments. However, more than 500 refugees remain stranded in Calais, with many claiming they were turned away due to a lack of documentation. According to French officials, nearly 300 people have been turned away while attempting to cross into the United Kingdom. People in Calais have been encouraged to apply for their visas in Paris. Some Ukrainians said that they had to wait more than a week just to get an appointment in Paris. More than 1.7 million people have fled Ukraine's conflict, the majority of whom have sought refuge in Poland. Unlike the European Union - which is offering Ukrainians three-year residency

A south Florida teacher was taken to the hospital last week after she was attacked by a 5-year-old student, leaving her "dazed" and "unresponsive," officials said Monday. The unidentified instructor was found by first responders “sitting on the ground against the wall" and "appearing to be in a faint state" at Pines Lakes Elementary School, about 15 miles southwest of downtown Fort Lauderdale, according to a heavily redacted Pembroke Pines Police Department incident report. The victim was "obviously weak and bewildered," according to the report, able to "blink and breathe regularly but was unable to speak answer or show indicators of a response." According to authorities, the disturbing episode began when a 5-year-old kid was removed from class for "throwing stuff around" and "turning the chairs." The youngster was taken to an empty “cool down” room, where the attack on the teacher allegedly took place, police s

Authorities say two boys were stabbed in the head and their mother was badly injured during an attack in Philadelphia on Sunday afternoon. A 15-year-old was stabbed twice in the back of the head, while a 10-year-old was wounded once in the back of the head and once in the left leg, according to the injured brothers. The mother of the boys, who was in her late 30s, was stabbed multiple times in the body.  She was initially listed in critical condition while the boys were stable.l On Monday afternoon, Philadelphia police declined to disclose any details. However, a department spokesman stated via email that a suspect was in custody and that more information will be disclosed once the booking procedure was completed. The stabbing victims were assisted by a good Samaritan who did not want to be identified. "Then she started rambling," the woman continued. "'Help me,' she pleaded. 'Please assist me.' She stumbled down the stairwell. 'I called the ambulance

More than 75 million people from Atlanta to Philadelphia were threatened by severe storms on Monday, just days after a horrific tornado outbreak in Iowa killed seven people, including an EF-4 twister. According to CNN meteorologist Haley Brink, other cities that could see severe weather include Washington, DC, and Baltimore. The main threats include isolated tornadoes and damaging winds. Monday's storms will bring heavy rain, especially throughout the Ohio River Valley, with rainfall rates of one to two inches per hour possible, she said. Flood warnings have been issued for sections of Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, and West Virginia, and the area's soil has already been soaked by torrential rains over the last two weeks. Any extra rain, according to Brink, will exacerbate the current river flooding. As broad swaths of the country prepare for the possibility of additional severe weather, recovery efforts in Iowa continue, where several tornadoes struck near Des Moines on Saturday, ki