Russian missile attack injures more than 50
Kyiv, Dec 13: A nighttime Russian ballistic missile attack targeted Kyiv early Wednesday, injuring at least 53 people including eight children, officials said, as the Ukrainian president went to Scandinavia in pursuit of further international military support for his country after a trip to Washington secured no new pledges. A series of loud explosions could be heard in Kyiv at 3 am as the city’s air defences were activated for the second time this week. Ukraine’s air force said Russia launched 10 ballistic missiles toward the capital and all were intercepted by air defences. The attack on the capital underscored the continuing threat to Ukraine from the Kremlin’s missile arsenal in the 21-month war. Russia has in recent months been stockpiling its air-launched cruise missiles from its heavy bomber fleet, according to a recent assessment by the UK Ministry of Defence. That may herald another heavy winter bombardment of Ukraine’s power grid. Moscow last year targeted energy infrastructure in an effort to deny Ukrainians heat, light and running water and break their fighting spirit. (AP).
Imran Khan, his aide indicted in cipher case
Islamabad, Dec 13: A special court in Pakistan on Wednesday indicted former prime minister Imran Khan and his close aide former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi in the cipher case for allegedly leaking state secrets and violating the laws of the country. Judge Abual Hasnat Zulqernain conducted the proceedings of the case in the Adiala Jail Rawalpindi where the two leaders have been incarcerated in the case. The judge read out the charges against the two leaders, who were present inside the courtroom, but both of them pleaded not guilty. This was the second time that they were indicted. Earlier, they were indicted on October 23 but the process was nullified by the Islamabad High Court. The case is based on the allegation that a diplomatic document sent by the Pakistan embassy in March last year was mishandled by Khan and Qureshi and they violated the secret laws of the country. (PTI)
Rubasingham
first woman to lead Britain’s National Theatre
London, Dec 13: Britain’s National Theatre announced on Wednesday that Indhu Rubasingham will be the next artistic director of the United Kingdom’s pre-eminent public stage company. Rubasingham, who currently runs the small but influential Kiln Theatre in north London, will be the first woman and first person of colour to lead the National, whose six previous artistic directors include Laurence Olivier, Peter Hall and Nicholas Hytner. She will join as director-designate in the spring of 2024 and take over in early 2025 from Rufus Norris, who is stepping down after a decade at the helm. Rubasingham will also become the company’s joint chief executive alongside Kate Varah, who is currently executive director of the theatre. Rubasingham said it was “a huge honour” to lead a venue that “has played an important part in my life”. At the Kiln, Rubasingham has been praised for innovative shows that reflect the diverse communities of the surrounding area. (AP)