World

Ukrainian refugee in US: ‘I don’t believe that we’re here’ after crossing the southern border

Published

3 years ago

March 21, 2022

Ukrainian refugee in US: ‘I don’t believe that we’re here’ after crossing the southern border

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For weeks, Mayrna Sokolovska has watched from afar as Russian artillery, gunfire, and airstrikes devastate her dwelling nation of Ukraine.

“I nonetheless can not consider it,” Sokolovska instructed Fox Information from her dwelling of Beverly Hills, Calif. “The whole lot, the place I grew up — all my homeland — is simply burnt out [and] destroyed.”

RUSSIA INVASION: PUTIN BECOMING ‘PARIAH’ BEFORE WORLD STAGE, EXPERTS SAY

Lots of the photographs Sokolovska sees of Russia’s renewed invasion of Ukraine, now in its fourth week, come from her 24-year-old brother Roman, a soldier with the Ukrainian navy. She says he texts her movies from the entrance strains displaying hollowed-out buildings, destroyed tanks and the our bodies of lifeless troopers lining the streets.

She additionally obtained common updates throughout video chats along with her cousin and greatest pal, Anna Bilonozhko, who lived in Kyiv along with her 6-year-old son, Mark. The 2 girls grew up collectively within the japanese Ukrainian metropolis of Donetsk and she or he says their tight bond remained robust even after Sokolovska moved to the USA in 2008.

“She picked up the cellphone and I see it in her eyes,” Sokolovska mentioned, describing how the battle had been affected her cousin. “I instructed her, ‘it’s a must to depart now.’”

ZELENSKYY BLASTS RUSSIAN ‘TERROR’ AS MARIUPOL ART SCHOOL SHELTERING 400 IS STRUCK

Whereas her brother should stay in Ukraine due to a Presidential decree forbidding military-aged males from leaving the nation, she says she turned decided to convey Bilonozhko and her son to her dwelling in Beverly Hills. Sokolovska mentioned she was additionally motivated by her personal historical past. Her father was killed in an explosion as he walked dwelling from work in Could of 2014, one month after Russian troopers first invaded Ukraine.

“I can not lose her,” Sokolovska mentioned. “She’s the closest human on this earth for me.”

Sokolovska mentioned she first secured a driver to take the pair to Kyiv’s central prepare station so they might get to Poland by rail. She mentioned that journey took two days, because the automobile slowly navigated across the Ukrainian capital to keep away from bombed-out or blocked bridges and roadways.

After they lastly bought on the prepare to Poland, Sokolovska mentioned she flew from Los Angeles to Warsaw and met them at a bus station.

PUTIN’S WAR AGAINST UKRAINE MAY HAVE SPIRITUAL, RELIGIOUS FOUNDATIONS: ‘GOOD VS. EVIL’

Over the following week, Sokolovska says they traveled to 4 extra European nations attempting to get visas to the USA however have been unsuccessful. She says they finally obtained a visa from the Mexican Embassy in Budapest.

“We went by way of plenty of nations throughout this journey,” Sokolovska mentioned. “I instructed her, ‘do not hand over.’”

After two extra flights and lengthy hours in passport management, the trio lastly arrived on the U.S.-Mexico border between Tijuana and San Diego. That’s the place Sokolovska says Bilonozhko utilized for – and obtained — entry to the U.S. for herself and her son below non permanent humanitarian parole.

“She’s [a] hero for me,” Bilonozhko mentioned of her cousin whereas preventing again tears. “It is superb, . It is like a dream…I simply smile.”

PUTIN HAS ‘NO WAY OUT’ OF FAILED UKRAINE INVASION, FORMER NATO AMBASSADOR SAYS

“I used to be simply scared and crying…for him, for my life… it was horrible, ” Bilonozhko continued, as she described attempting to relax her son whereas they have been nonetheless in Kyiv, because the sounds of planes rumbled overhead and explosions rattled the partitions and home windows.

Sokolovska hopes different Americans with household in Ukraine will even look into bringing their family members to the U.S. if they’ve the means to take action.

“If they’ve the power to do it, simply do it,” mentioned Sokolovska.

If not, Bilonozhko encourages individuals who can to donate clothes, meals, and different gadgets for these fleeing or nonetheless in Ukraine, which incorporates her mother and father, who she has not been capable of attain for over per week. A lot of her household stay within the war-torn Donetsk area.

ATTORNEYS HELP UKRAINIAN IMMIGRANTS STAY IN US, BRING FAMILY MEMBERS FROM WAR-TORN HOME

“I am so grateful they’re protected,” Sokolovska mentioned. “Each time once I see them… I wish to cry as a result of like, , it is arduous to see them. We went by way of so much.”

“I hope to return to my dwelling, to my nation, however not now,” Bilonozhko mentioned. “Now, it’s inconceivable.”

Fox Information’s Christina Coleman contributed to this report.

World

China Box Office: ‘Octopus With Broken Arms’ Leads Quiet Start to 2025

Published

55 minutes ago

January 6, 2025

Press Room

China Box Office: ‘Octopus With Broken Arms’ Leads Quiet Start to 2025

The Chinese box office opened 2025 with “Octopus with Broken Arms” leading the first weekend, earning $16.1 million (RMB117.5 million), according to data provided by consultancy firm Artisan Gateway.

The As One Production release climbed from its second-place debut last week to take the top spot. Directed by Jacky Gan, the crime thriller follows Zheng Bingrui (Xiao Yang), a wealthy businessman whose daughter is kidnapped during a holiday celebration. The film’s cumulative total now stands at $74.7 million.

Last week’s leader, Gengxi Pictures’ “Big World,” slipped to second place, adding $11.4 million in its second weekend. Directed by Yang Lina, the drama stars Jackson Yee as a young man with cerebral palsy preparing for college exams while assisting his grandmother (Diana Lin) with a stage play. The film’s cumulative total has now reached $77.8 million.

Newcomer “Honey Money Phony,” released by Maoyan Pictures on Dec. 31, debuted in third place with $7.5 million. Directed by Su Biao, the comedy follows Lin Qinglang (Jin Chen), a working woman who unexpectedly finds herself deeply in debt after a sweet promise turns sour. Her journey intertwines with Ouyang Hui (Sunny Sun), a scammer whose involvement brings unexpected changes to both their lives.

“Hot Pot Artist,” released by Chengdu Film Group on Jan. 3, entered the chart in fourth place with $1.8 million. Directed by Cui Zhijia, who also stars as Li Ruyi, the film tells the story of a young man from Northeast China pursuing his dream of becoming a director. When his career doesn’t go as planned, he returns home to inherit his father-in-law’s hot pot restaurant, leading to unexpected challenges and personal growth.

In fifth place, “Detective Conan: Crossroad in the Ancient Capital” – originally released in Japan in 2003 – fell two spots from last week’s third position. The anime titled grossed $1.5 million over the weekend, bringing its cumulative earnings to $13.8 million. Directed by Kodama Kenji, the film follows Conan Edogawa and Heiji Hattori as they solve a mystery involving a stolen Healing Buddha statue.

Meanwhile, “Paddington in Peru” debuted in sixth place and has collected $3.9 million over five days of release, per data from Ent Group. In eighth place, “Mufasa: The Lion King” has a $14 million cume after 17 days in release, according to Ent Group.

The weekend’s total box office reached $44.3 million, down from the $68.3 million grossed during the final weekend of 2024. Despite the quieter start, the cumulative gross for 2025 stands at $95.9 million, up 5.9% compared to the same period last year.

World

Canadian PM Justin Trudeau to announce resignation as early as Monday: report

Published

2 hours ago

January 6, 2025

Press Room

Canadian PM Justin Trudeau to announce resignation as early as Monday: report

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is reportedly expected to resign from his position as early as Monday, according to Canadian media.

The news was first reported by the Globe and Mail on Sunday night, citing three sources. The outlet said that it is unclear when exactly the Liberal Party leader will step down, but a resignation is expected to come before a national caucus meeting on Wednesday.

The news comes as Trudeau’s popularity continues to dwindle in Canada, which has a national election planned for Oct. 20 of this year. The country continues to suffer from a housing crisis, a declining per-capita GDP and high inflation, among other issues.

According to Canadian pollster Angus Reid, Trudeau has a disapproval rate of around 68% as of Dec. 24, with a meager 28% of Canadians supporting him.

TRUMP SUGGESTS CANADA BECOME 51ST STATE AFTER TRUDEAU SAID TARIFF WOULD KILL ECONOMY: SOURCES

Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau could announce his resignation as early as Monday, Canadian media reports. (DAVE CHAN/AFP via Getty Images)

The potential resignation would also come after Trudeau, who became prime minister in 2015, braved a difficult few months in politics. In September, he faced a no confidence vote in parliament that later failed, despite efforts from the Conservative Party to remove him from office.

On Dec. 16, Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland announced that she was stepping down from Trudeau’s cabinet, dealing a significant blow to the prime minister. In her resignation letter, she claimed that the only “honest and viable path” was to leave the Cabinet.

“For the past number of weeks, you and I have found ourselves at odds about the best path forward for Canada,” Freeland, who was previously seen as a Trudeau loyalist, wrote.

“Our country is facing a grave challenge,” the letter added. “That means keeping our fiscal powder dry today, so we have the reserves we may need for a coming tariff war.”

Later in December, one of Trudeau’s key allies, New Democratic Party leader Jagmeet Singh, said that he planned to present a formal motion of no-confidence on Jan. 27.

CANADA’S TRUDEAU FACING REVOLT FROM WITHIN AS POPULAR CONSERVATIVE LEADER LOOKS TO CAPITALIZE

Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has been facing dwindling popularity in his country. (DAVE CHAN/AFP via Getty Images)

“No matter who is leading the Liberal Party, this government’s time is up. We will put forward a clear motion of non-confidence in the next sitting of the House of Commons,” Singh said.

Trudeau’s personal choices have also invited backlash from his opponents. At the end of November, Trudeau faced international criticism after he was seen dancing at a Taylor Swift concert in Toronto while a destructive riot took place in his home city of Montreal.

Don Stewart, a Member of Parliament (MP) representing part of Toronto, called out the prime minister in a post on X.

“Lawless protesters run roughshod over Montreal in violent protest. The Prime Minister dances,” the Canadian politician wrote. “This is the Canada built by the Liberal government.”

“Bring back law and order, safe streets and communities in the Canada we once knew and loved,” Stewart added. Trudeau later denounced the lawlessness, calling the riot “appalling.”

Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will step down, according to the Globe and Mail. (DAVE CHAN/AFP via Getty Images)

Fox News Digital has reached out to Trudeau’s office for comment.

Fox News’ Chris Massaro, The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.

Andrea Margolis is a writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business. Readers can send story tips to andrea.margolis@fox.com.

World

The Take: What lies ahead for world politics in 2025?

Published

2 hours ago

January 6, 2025

Press Room

The Take: What lies ahead for world politics in 2025?

Podcast, The Take

Al Jazeera’s correspondents look ahead to global politics in 2025.

As 2025 unfolds, the world faces significant shifts. From climate crises in West Africa to continuing wars in Gaza and Sudan, Al Jazeera correspondents share their insights on the key events and challenges shaping the year ahead.

In this episode:

Kimberly Halkett (@KimberlyHalkett), Al Jazeera White House correspondent
Dorsa Jabbari (@DorsaJabbari), Al Jazeera correspondent
John Holman (@Johnholman100), Al Jazeera Mexico and Latin America correspondent
Nicolas Haque (@NicolasHaque), Al Jazeera correspondent
Tony Cheng (@tlcbkk), Al Jazeera Asia correspondent
Maram Humaid (@maramgaza), Al Jazeera digital correspondent

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Ashish Malhotra and Chloe K Li with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline and Malika Bilal.

The Take production team is Marcos Bartolome, Sonia Bhagat, Spencer Cline, Sari el-Khalili, Tamara Khandaker, Phillip Lanos, Chloe K Li, Ashish Malhotra, Khaled Soltan, and Amy Walters. Our editorial intern is Hagir Saleh and the host is Malika Bilal. Our engagement producers are Adam Abou-Gad and Vienna Maglio. Aya Elmileik is the lead of audience engagement.

Our sound designer is Alex Roldan and Hisham Abu Salah and Mohannad al-Melhem are our video editors. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio. We’ll be back tomorrow.

Connect with us:

@AJEPodcasts on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube