Russian-Ukraine War Update:

A brief update on the Russian-Ukraine war- Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken is meeting with his counterparts from five Central Asian countries on a two day trip to the region. A U.S diplomatic push arrives in the heart of the former Soviet sphere. Concerns about the coast of sending weapons to Kyiv intensify in Congress. Zelesky says the situation in Bakmut is “getting more and more difficult”. Russian officials accuse Ukraine of launching several attack drones over its territory. Finland begins reinforcing its border with Russia to deter illegal migration. The Biden administration took its push to isolate Russia into the heart of the former Soviet sphere of influence on Tuesday, with the top U.S diplomat meeting with Central Asian leaders to push them not to help Russia evade sanctions imposed by the West over its invasion of Ukraine.

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/live/2023/02/28/world/russia-ukraine-news

Hong Kong Abruptly ends its Mask Mandate:

On Tuesday, Hong Kong’s leader said that the city would lift its mask mandate. This was one of the last mask policies in the world, effectively ending what had been one of the pandemic’s strictest COVID regimes. In Chief Executive John Lee’s statement during a briefing, he said “evidence shows that the coronavirus is under control in Hong Kong, without major signs of rebound”. Starting on Wednesday, people in Hong Kong will no longer be required to wear masks indoors, outdoors, or during public transportation. Prior to this, Hong Kong had such extreme strict COVID guidelines that if people didn’t wear their masks where they were supposed to, they would get a fine of $635.

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/27/world/asia/hong-kong-mask-mandate.html

SAG Awards 2023:

The SAG awards of 2023 recently happened, and here’s what went down. The Screen Actors Guild handed its top award for Outstanding Cast on Sunday night to the cast of Everything, Everywhere, All at Once. This motion picture now appears to be a strong candidate for Best Picture at the 2023 Oscar Awards. Later during the night, the movie’s leading lady Michelle Yeoh won the Best Actress prize and gave a heartfelt speech on stage. Fans anticipate the leading male actor will win awards during the 2023 Oscar awards for his work in the movie.