Entertainment

Ezekiel Has Hilarious Run-In With Kane Before WWE RAW (Video)

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Ezekiel, the younger brother of Elias, had a very eventful RAW this week at the Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, TN.

After interrupting Randy Orton’s 20-year anniversary segment, Ezekiel was part of the 8-Man Tag Team Match main event featuring himself, Cody Rhodes & RK-Bro vs. Kevin Owens, Seth Rollins & The Usos. You can click here for complete RAW results.

WWE has also released an exclusive video of Ezekiel’s run-in with WWE Hall of Famer Kane (Glenn Jacobs) prior to the live episode of RAW. As seen below, Kane was preparing to answer questions on RAW returning to his home state when Ezekiel interrupted the Mayor of Knox County.

“I’m really sorry to interrupt, I just wanted to introduce myself,” Ezekiel told Kane. “I’m Elias’ younger brother.”

Kane responded, “I’ve seen your work. You’re a lot more talented than your older brother. Plus, the last time that Elias was here, he said some horrible things about Knoxville.”

Ezekiel made it clear he wasn’t like his brother, while praising the city of Knoxville.

“Not me, sir. I love Knoxville,” he said. “It’s truly a beautiful city. I have nothing but respect for you. The way Kane would kick ass, I just used to love it…”

Ezekiel name-dropping Kane prompted Jacobs to respond with, “Who?”

“Kane, the Big Red Machine,” Ezekiel responded.

This led to Jacobs clarifying that he and Kane are not the same person.

“Kane? Oh yeah, I’ve heard of him,” Jacobs said. “Hall of Famer, one of the greatest WWE Superstars of all time, but I’m not Kane. I’m Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs, nice to meet you.”

The segment ended with Ezekiel looking perplexed.

EXCLUSIVE: Looks like Ezekiel ran into a certain @WWE Hall of Famer backstage at #WWERaw … or did he? 🤔 https://t.co/7nXvb2ODZA

Have a news tip or correction? Send it to [email protected]

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Technology

Soul Hackers 2 ‘Summoners Guide Vol. 2’ video – The Covenants and the Great One, Milady, and Exploration Guide

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ATLUS [1,844 articles]” href=”https://www.gematsu.com/companies/atlus”>ATLUS has released the second volume in its series of “Summoners Guide” information videos for Soul Hackers 2 [8 articles]” href=”https://www.gematsu.com/games/soul-hackers-2″>Soul Hackers 2.

The official Japanese website was also updated with a “System: Dungeon Exploration” page and a character page for R.S., which features all the new information revealed in today’s Summoners Guide video.

Get the video and full English transcript below.

■ Introduction

Hey there. I’m Ringo of Aion. This program will teach you how to be a Devil Summoner. It’s the Summoner’s Guide Volume 2. I’ve got even more useful info for you today! First, let’s go over the problems that we’re facing right now.
0:33

■ Setting: The Covenants and the Great One

Aion has predicted the world of humanity is coming to an end. Five sources of spiritual energy, known as Covenants, are key in all of this. As their name suggests, they represent a “contract”.

The Covenants have a deep history and are said to be the rainbow that bridges a contract between humans and God. When all five Covenants are gathered, it’s believed that the Great One will descend upon the world.

—Milady: “YOU…! A secret organization known as the Phantom Society pulls the strings behind the scenes and wishes to call forth the Great One.”

They are led by someone known as Iron Mask.

—Iron Mask: “Do you understand now? You can’t stop me. You can’t change fate.”

Along with their comrades within their COMPs, Aion’s agents and the Devil Summoners confront Iron Mask to stop the incoming apocalypse. That Iron Mask is one tough opponent… And he has a lot of people working under him too. I need your help. Yes, you, the Devil Summoner in front of the screen.

■ Milady

How’d you like Milady’s video that was released the other day? I’m going to introduce her in a bit more detail today.

Milady the Devil Summoner… She’s a member of the Phantom Society. Milady was the second person I revived to join me. I guess you could say she’s a level-headed realist. She tends to keep her true thoughts close to her chest… Supposedly, it has something to do with her past.

Past experiences, memories… The fact that human personalities are an accumulation of such data is part of what makes them so fascinating… But it’s intriguing how sometimes, their own past can also be what binds them.

Anyways, she sometimes still gets into arguments with Arrow and his righteous ways, but she gets along with everyone pretty well now.

Speaking of those who have a history with Milady… First, let’s talk about Iron Mask. He’s a Devil Summoner of the Phantom Society. He’s the leader of the mysterious Project “C,” and the one who ordered his subordinate to kill Milady. Supposedly, he’s romantically involved with her… But why would someone kill their own lover? So many unanswered questions…

Then there’s this other guy from Phantom Society: R.S. (voiced by Eiji Takeuchi). He’s the Devil Summoner who killed Milady on Iron Mask’s orders. He may seem ridiculous, but he’s actually very powerful. He communicates through freestyle rapping. It’d be an understatement to say he’s a bit out there.

Anyway, I revived Milady and had her join me… I have to say, she’s a fantastic fighter. She fights with sai-type COMPs, has an affinity for fire skills, and her attacks pack a serious punch. She’s very intelligent too. Maybe she’ll even learn how to recover MP while defeating enemies.

That’s all from me. I hope you all find out Milady’s charms for yourself. I think you’ll find her more and more interesting as you get to know her. As leader, I just want everyone to get along, you know?

■ Exploration Guide

Last time, you learned about the basics of combat. Today, we’ll be going over dungeon exploration. This is important stuff, so pay attention, okay?

Red enemy symbols can be found within dungeons. They will hunt you down once they notice your presence, and if caught, you will be thrown into battle with the enemy getting attack priority. Try to slash enemy symbols with Ringo’s sword. Initiating battle by cutting down enemies will put you in an advantageous state.

You can also walk around downed enemy symbols to avoid battles altogether. A bonus attack may trigger when going into combat with an enemy that was knocked down with slashing. Your allies will attack all enemies as the battle starts, tipping the battle in your favor right away.

Upon stepping into a dungeon, Ringo will send her demons out on Demon Recon. You can reunite with the demons sent on recon while exploring the dungeon. You can reunite with the demons sent on recon while exploring the dungeon.

—Hell Biker: “Frickin’ Arrow… Managed to beat me in a test of strength. He’s a tough one.”

They can find items…

—Obtained Medicine.

…or help you in other ways, such as healing.

—Kurama Tengu: “You in a hurry, Ma’am? When you rush like that, it’s easier to slip up. Why don’t you take a rest?”

Try to find and talk to your demonic allies throughout dungeons.

—Scathach: “I admire how capable you are. Here, a reward for you.”

—Scathach: “Consider this an investment in our future.”

While on Demon Recon, allied demons may introduce you to other demons that appear in the dungeon.

—Mothman: “Thanks to my clever conversational skills, demons of all shapes and sizes turn to putty in my hands.”

—Orthus: “YOU WANT TO BE MY MASTER? WELL, I’M STARVING. HOW ABOUT SOME MEAT?”

—Orthus: “IF THERE’S NO MEAT, THEN GIVE ME SOME OF YOUR TEAM’S STAMINA!”

You can negotiate with demons to enter a contract and recruit them.

—Yes.

—Orthus: “I AM ORTHUS! NICE TO MEET YOU!”

Demons can be set into COMPs to grant access to their skills.

—Milady: “I’ll burn ’em to ashes!” –> Agidyne

The COMP user’s stats are also affected, so be sure to adjust them based on what the situation. Keep an eye out for enemy symbols and strike before they do!

—Zhu Tun She: “If that’s how you feel, then there’s no other choice! I’ll join up with you, Miss!”

Work together with allied demons and conquer perilous dungeons! You have to make full use of not only your own abilities, but your demons’ powers too… Your skills as a Devil Summoner will really be put to the test.

■ Conclusion

Doesn’t that sound exciting? We now have an exciting news to share!

  • Soul Hackers 2 Premiere Hands-On Event Date: Saturday, June 4 and Sunday, June 5. Location: In Tokyo, invite only Check out our official website to apply!

Well, that’s it for today’s Summoner’s Guide. Look forward to the next one, okay? See you next time!

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Entertainment

Sienna Miller says being Jude Law’s girlfriend protected her from convicted rapist Harvey Weinstein

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Sienna Miller said her former relationship with Jude Law saved her from potential sexual harassment at the hands of convicted rapist Harvey Weinstein.

The American-English actress, 40, told The Guardian on Saturday, ‘I was Jude’s girlfriend, and there was probably protection in that.’

The G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra actress noted how Law ‘was a big actor for Harvey,’ appearing in films the disgraced producer backed such as The Talented Mr. Ripley and Cold Mountain.

The latest: Sienna Miller, 40, said her former relationship with Jude Law saved her from potential harassment at the hands of convicted rapist Harvey Weinstein, 70. She was snapped in London earlier this month 

Miller, who was linked to Law on an on-and-off basis from 2003 thru 2011, starred in the Weinstein-backed drama Factory Girl in 2006, portraying socialite Edie Sedgwick.

‘I called Harvey “Pops” from day one, which I’m sure helped,’ Miller said, noting the non-sexual connotations of the nickname.

Miller, who plays Sophie Whitehouse in the new Netflix miniseries Anatomy of a Scandal, told the outlet that Weinstein had once been verbally abusive to her over her active social life when not on set.

‘I was rehearsing one day with Steve Buscemi and Harvey called and asked me to come to his office,’ Miller told the outlet. ‘I said, “I’m in rehearsal.” And he shouted, “Now!” and sent a car.

Weinstein (pictured in 2020) is currently serving a 23-year prison sentence in connection with his February 2020 convictions of first-degree criminal sexual act and third-degree rape

Miller said Weinstein had once been verbally abusive to her over her social life 

‘He sat me down in his office and said, “You’re not f***ing going out any more, you’re not partying, rah rah rah.” I was having a lot of fun, but I managed to go to work on time. And he was standing over me while I was sitting in a chair, lip quivering, and then he slammed the door, and I burst into tears.’

The Golden Globe-nominated actress said that Weinstein then returned to the room and told her, ‘It’s because I’m f***ing proud of you,’ slamming the door a second time upon his exit.

Miller said she looked at the incident as a rite of passage, adding, ‘You weren’t really inaugurated until Weinstein made you cry.’

She continued: ‘I imagined this is what Hollywood producers were like. I genuinely felt he’d given me the biggest validation. I was so grateful. I wasn’t scared of him, actually.

Miller was linked to Jude Law on an on-and-off basis from 2003 thru 2011. The couple was snapped in May of 2010 

‘And I was not aware that he was raping people. He asked for one meeting with me in a hotel, and I brought the other producers and it was innocuous. I’ve never been propositioned by anyone, for a job.’

Weinstein is currently serving a 23-year prison sentence in connection with his February 2020 convictions of first-degree criminal sexual act and third-degree rape.

The Oscar-winning producer’s downfall began in the fall of 2017 after allegations of sexual harassment, abuse and rape against him were detailed in articles from The New York Times and The New Yorker.

Weinstein was subsequently accused of sexual harassment and misconduct by more than 90 women, including actresses such as Gwyneth Paltrow, Angelina Jolie, Salma Hayek, Rose McGowan, Mira Sorvino, Ashley Judd, Annabella Sciorra and Uma Thurman.

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Sports

Mets score five runs in 9th inning to beat Cardinals

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ST. LOUIS — The Mets simply refuse to concede games. It’s difficult not to see them in a different light as a result.

With two men on base and two outs in the ninth inning Monday, Dominic Smith hustled to beat out an infield hit near the first-base bag. As Smith slid headfirst into first, Travis Jankowski and Jeff McNeil both motored around the bases to score the tying and go-ahead runs in a 5-2 win over the Cardinals at Busch Stadium.

The Mets had struggled to score all evening against Miles Mikolas, but Max Scherzer matched him zero for zero. The Cardinals finally broke through with two runs off Trevor May in the eighth, necessitating New York’s late rally. After Smith plated a pair with his infield single, Brandon Nimmo hit a two-run homer to provide the final margin.

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Science

Axiom Mission 1 Private Astronaut Crew Safely Splashes Down Near Florida

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SpaceX’s Dragon Endeavour capsule splashes down in the Atlantic Ocean on April 25, 2022, marking the end of Axiom Space’s Axiom Mission 1 – the first all-private astronaut mission to the International Space Station. Credit: Axiom Space

Axiom Space astronauts Michael López-Alegría, Larry Connor, Eytan Stibbe, and Mark Pathy have safely returned to Earth, marking the end of the Axiom Mission 1 (Ax-1) – the first private astronaut mission to the International Space Station (ISS).

Fresh chile peppers are pictured growing inside the International Space Station’s Advanced Plant Habitat shortly before being harvested late last year. Credit: NASA

The crew spent 15 days in orbit, conducting a variety of science experiments and technology demonstrations. A few highlights include research on cancer cell growth, a demonstration testing a new air purifier for station use, and a study utilizing swarms of autonomous tiles for future applications of in-space construction.

Following splashdown, teams will retrieve science aboard the Dragon spacecraft and transport it to nearby Kennedy Space Center for further investigation. Kennedy’s proximity to the coast allows researchers to study their experiments mere hours after their return to Earth, while the effects of microgravity are still largely intact.

The SpaceX Dragon Endeavour crew ship is pictured docked to the Harmony module’s space-facing international docking adapter. Endeavour carried four Axiom Mission 1 astronauts, Commander Michael Lopez-Alegria, Pilot Larry Connor, and Mission Specialists Eytan Stibbe and Mark Pathy, to the International Space Station for what turned out to be 15 days of research, education, and commercial activities. Credit: NASA

NASA is partnering with commercial companies to establish a robust low-Earth orbit economy – one where government and private astronauts live and work aboard the space station and future commercial habitats. NASA recently selected Axiom Space to negotiate for a second private astronaut mission to the orbiting laboratory and plans to announce a third flight opportunity later this year.



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Entertainment

The Super Mario Movie Has Been Delayed Until April 2023

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Image: Nintendo

The Super Mario animated movie starring Chris Pratt was scheduled to arrive later this year, but it seems plans have now officially changed.

Nintendo’s very own Shigeru Miyamoto has once again hi-jacked the company’s Twitter account to deliver the news. The movie will now jump from 21st December 2022 to April 2023. It’ll be an early April release in North America, and a later one in Japan.

In the same update, Miyamoto apologised noting how it would be “well worth the wait”:

“This is Miyamoto. After consulting with Chris-san, my partner at Illumination on the Super Mario Bros. film, we decided to move the global release to Spring 2023–April 28 in Japan and April 7 in North America. My deepest apologies but I promise it will be well worth the wait.”

Illumination CEO Chris Meledandri has also shared a statement:

“Miyamoto-San and I have been collaborating on all aspects of the Super Mario Bros. film and, together with our partners at Universal, have decided to move the global release to Spring 2023 – April 7 in North America and April 28 in Japan. We are excited to share this incredible film with you.”

Apart from Chris Pratt, the cast will include Charlie Day (Pacific Rim) as Luigi, Anya Taylor-Joy (The Queen’s Gambit) as Princess Peach, Jack Black (School of Rock) as Bowser, Keegan-Michael Key (Toy Story 4) as Toad and Seth Rogan (Pineapple Express) as Donkey Kong.

How do you feel about this delay? Leave a comment down below.



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Technology

PS5 Quietly Gets Nice New Variable Refresh Graphics Feature

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Image: Sony

Any PC gamers among you, or even more serious Xbox owners (who have had this for years), will be familiar with technology called Variable Refresh Rate, or VRR, a feature that allows for “a dynamic display refresh rate that can continuously and seamlessly vary on the fly”. That feature is coming to PS5 consoles later this week.

This is a lot more important than it sounds if you cherish visual fidelity (and consistency) in your games. By syncing your console and display to the same refresh rate there’s less likely to be lags or dips in quality between the two, which means stuff like screen tearing can be cut down or even eliminated

While Sony’s announcement only consisted of words, if you want a video explanation of how it works, with some examples, here’s something Nvidia whipped up for their own G-Sync tech:

Now for the technical details. First, this update is arriving as part of a wider PS5 update later this week, but will only work on TVs and monitors that are HDMI 2.1 VRR-compatible, so you’ll need to check if your display supports it first. Secondly, this won’t just flip a magical switch; games will need to be individually patched to make use of VRR, and so the timing (and ultimate availability) of that support is up to individual studios and publishers.

Sony published a list earlier today showing the games that will be getting patches in “the coming weeks”

  • Astro’s Playroom
  • Call of Duty: Vanguard
  • Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War
  • Destiny 2
  • Devil May Cry 5 Special Edition
  • DIRT 5
  • Godfall
  • Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered
  • Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales
  • Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
  • Resident Evil Village
  • Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands
  • Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege
  • Tribes of Midgard

Game you play not on that list? Or it is, and you’re wondering when exactly support will arrive? Sony says “These are just a few of the PS5 titles receiving VRR support and we’d like to thank their talented development teams. Please stay tuned to their channels for updates as you’ll have the best experience with VRR once their game patches are live.”

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US

Biden Adviser Cedric Richmond Is Leaving the White House

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Cedric Richmond, a senior adviser to President Biden, is expected to step down from his position next month, becoming one of the first senior White House aides to leave the administration as Democrats brace for a difficult midterm election.

Mr. Richmond has informed Mr. Biden of his intentions, according to Democrats familiar with the conversation. Mr. Richmond expected to enter the private sector but also will be a senior adviser to the Democratic National Committee, which has not forged a close relationship with the White House.

“I am thrilled that the president has entrusted me with helping boost the robust work already being done at the D.N.C. to make sure that Democrats grow their majorities in the House and Senate, and increase the number of Democratic governors in state capitals around the country,” Mr. Richmond said in a statement Monday evening, adding that he looked forward to amplifying “the White House’s message as we head toward the midterms.”

In his new role, Mr. Richmond is expected to travel the country to raise funds for Democrats and act as a surrogate for the Biden administration.

Earlier on Monday, the White House press secretary, Jen Psaki, alluded to Mr. Richmond’s new position, telling reporters that when the press office has “something to announce, it will involve a new important role for Cedric Richmond,” something the president is “excited about and has asked him to do.”

A former Louisiana congressman and onetime chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, Mr. Richmond was one of Mr. Biden’s earliest enthusiasts ahead of the 2020 campaign, urging him to run and then endorsing his candidacy.

After claiming the presidency, Mr. Biden named Mr. Richmond as a top White House aide and liaison to the business community, making him one of the most prominent African Americans in the administration.

The former lawmaker, who retains deep relationships with House Democrats, also worked on high-profile issues including voting rights and police reform, but he often strained to unite progressive activists and lawmakers at a moment his party has the thinnest of congressional majorities.

Mr. Richmond was one of a handful of high-profile Black officials in the White House and he grew close to the president over their shared affection for golf. He played a round in Mr. Biden’s native Delaware last weekend.

Mr. Richmond won’t be leaving Mr. Biden’s orbit entirely. He will work with the D.N.C. chairman, Jaime Harrison, who clashed with West Wing officials during the president’s first year in office.

“We look forward to having Cedric join our already strong team as we continue to work in close partnership with the White House, and our sister committees to protect and expand our Democratic majorities,” Mr. Harrison said in a statement.

Mr. Richmond is very close to Mr. Harrison’s political mentor, Representative James E. Clyburn of South Carolina, and is expected to be a conduit between the committee, Congress and the White House.

Mr. Richmond is unlikely to be the last top White House aide to leave this year.

While Vice President Kamala Harris has suffered the most early turnover — losing key aides like Symone Sanders and Tina Flournoy — West Wing officials are also starting to head for the exits.

Ms. Psaki, as well, has been clear she will leave the administration and a handful of other aides may also quit after the midterm elections. Jeffrey Zients, Mr. Biden’s Covid czar, also recently left his post and Gina McCarthy, the White House climate adviser, is said to be doing so in the coming weeks, too.

Mr. Biden’s longtime communications adviser, Anita Dunn, stepped away last year but is expected to return to the White House later this year.

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World

Just As Many Russian Troops Have Died in Ukraine As the Entire 9-Year Soviet-Afghan War

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  • About 15,000 Russian troops have died in the invasion of Ukraine, per UK’s defense secretary.
  • Roughly the same number of Soviet soldiers died during the nine-year war in Afghanistan.
  • At least 2,665 civilians have been killed in Ukraine to date, according to the UN’s OHCHR.

In nearly nine weeks, Russia lost as many troops during its invasion of Ukraine as it did in the nine years of the Soviet War in Afghanistan.

“It is our assessment that approximately 15,000 Russian personnel have been killed during their offensive,” Ben Wallace, UK’s Secretary of State for Defense said in a statement released by the British embassy in Washington on Monday. He also estimated that approximately a quarter of the battalion tactical groups were “not combat effective.”

The Soviet War in Afghanistan lasted from 1979 to 1989. Many scholars partially attributed the Soviet Union’s 1991 collapse to the military failure in the war. About 14,500 Soviet soldiers died then — along with 90,000 Mujahideen soldiers, 18,000 Afghan soldiers, and approximately one million civilians, The Atlantic reported in 2014.

Wallace similarly pointed to a “failure of the Russian Ministry of Defence command and control at all levels.”

He also singled out Russia’s equipment losses, including the Moskva warship, which sank on April 14 after a Ukrainian missile attack.

“Last week Russia admitted that the Slava-class cruiser Moskva has sunk – the second key naval asset that they have lost since invading – significantly weakening their ability to bring their maritime assets to bear from the Black Sea,” he said in his remarks, delivered to the House of Commons on Ukraine.

“Russia has so far failed in nearly every one of its objectives,” he added.

Since Vladimir Putin waged war on Ukraine on February 24, at least 2,665 civilians have been killed in Ukraine, according to the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights on Monday, which says the actual number is likely much higher.

The UK Secretary of State for Defence also estimated that more than 2,000 Russian armored vehicles were totaled or seized, including “at least 530 tanks, 530 Armoured Personnel Carriers and 560 Infantry Fighting Vehicles.” They estimate that the country has also lost at least 60 helicopters and fighter jets. 

Wallace said Ukraine has “endured indiscriminate bombardment, war crimes, and overwhelming military aggression.”

“But they have stood firm, galvanized the international community, and beaten back the army of Russia in the North and the North-East,” he added.

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World

Russia warns ‘serious’ nuclear war risks should not be underestimated

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  • Russia warns U.S. against arming Ukraine
  • U.S. eyes ammunition for howitzers, tanks, grenade launchers
  • UK to send ambulances, fire engines and medical supplies

LVIV, Ukraine/KYIV, April 26 (Reuters) – Russia told the world not to underestimate the considerable risks of nuclear war that it said it wanted to reduce and warned that conventional Western weapons were legitimate targets in Ukraine, where battles raged in the east.

“The risks now are considerable,” Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told Russia’s state television according to a transcript of an interview on the ministry’s website.

“I would not want to elevate those risks artificially. Many would like that. The danger is serious, real. And we must not underestimate it.”

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Lavrov had been asked about the importance of avoiding World War Three and whether the current situation was comparable to the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, a low point in U.S-Soviet relations.

Russia had lost its “last hope to scare the world off supporting Ukraine,” Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba wrote on Twitter after Lavrov’s interview. “This only means Moscow senses defeat.”

During a visit to Kyiv on Sunday, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin promised more military aid for Ukraine.

The U.S. State Department on Monday used an emergency declaration to approve the potential sale of $165 million worth of ammunition to Ukraine. The Pentagon said the package could include artillery ammunition for howitzers, tanks and grenade launchers. read more

Moscow’s ambassador to Washington told the United States to halt shipments, warning Western weapons were inflaming the conflict. read more

Lavrov said: “NATO, in essence, is engaged in a war with Russia through a proxy and is arming that proxy. War means war.”

Russia’s two-month-old invasion of Ukraine, the biggest attack on a European state since 1945, has left thousands dead or injured, reduced towns and cities to rubble, and forced over 5 million people to flee abroad.

Moscow calls its actions a “special operation” to disarm Ukraine and protect it from fascists. Ukraine and the West says this a false pretext for an unprovoked war of aggression by President Vladimir Putin.

The United States is due to host an expected gathering of more than 40 countries this week for Ukraine-related defence talks that will focus on arming Kyiv, U.S. officials said.

Britain said all tariffs on goods coming into the country from Ukraine under an existing free trade deal will be axed and it would send new ambulances, fire engines, medical supplies and funding for health experts to help the emergency services.

Russia has yet to capture any of the biggest cities. Its forces were forced to pull back from the outskirts of Kyiv in the face of stiff resistance.

“It is obvious that every day – and especially today, when the third month of our resistance has begun – that everyone in Ukraine is concerned with peace, about when it will all be over,” President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said late on Monday.

“There is no simple answer to that at this time.”

Having failed to take the capital Kyiv, Moscow last week launched a massive assault in an attempt to capture eastern provinces known as the Donbas, which if successful would link territory held by pro-Russian separatists in the east with the Crimea region that Moscow annexed in 2014.

Russia’s defence ministry said its missiles destroyed six facilities powering the railways that were used to deliver foreign weapons to Ukrainian forces in the eastern Donbas region. Reuters could not verify the report. read more

The head of Ukraine’s state rail company said that one railway worker had been killed and four injured by Russian missile strikes on five Ukrainian railway stations on Monday.

Ukrainian forces have repelled five Russian attacks and killed just over 200 Russian servicemen, said the Ukrainian military command in the southern and eastern sectors.

Five tanks were also destroyed, along with eight armoured vehicles, it said in a statement

Reuters was not able to immediately verify the reports.

Russian forces were continuing on Monday to bomb and shell the vast Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol where fighters are hunkered down in a city ravaged by a siege and bombardment, Ukrainian presidential aide Oleksiy Arestovych said.

Moscow said it was opening a humanitarian corridor to let civilians out of the plant but Kyiv said no agreement had been reached.

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Additional reporting by Reuters journalists; writing by Costas Pitas and Michael Perry; Editing by Rosalba O’Brien and Stephen Coates

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

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