CHIP SOMODEVILLA / GETTY IMAGES VIA AFP [file picture]
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has awarded US first lady Melania Trump a state honour for her role in helping to organise a humanitarian evacuation from a frontline town last week, according to a decree published on Wednesday.
The presidential decree, dated November 2, cited her "significant personal contribution" to humanitarian support for Ukraine and her work to help Ukrainian children, including those deported or forcibly moved from Russian-occupied territory.
The award - the Order of Princess Olga, 1st class - honours women who have made exceptional contributions in spheres including science, education, culture and charitable work.
Ukrainian officials have said Melania Trump played a pivotal role in organising the six-day ceasefire to evacuate civilians from the Russian-occupied southern Ukrainian town of Oleshky, which concluded on Sunday.
It was the longest local pause in fighting since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022.
Nearly 800 people were evacuated, Melania Trump said.
US Vice President JD Vance distanced himself from President Donald Trump's war on Iran on Wednesday, blaming it for Republicans' election losses that handed Democrats control of both chambers of Congress.
Flag-waving protesters marched through French cities and public workers went on strike on Thursday, in a renewed challenge to President Emmanuel Macron after weeks of unrest that have rattled his government five months before a presidential election.
Airlines across Europe received a series of bomb threats on Thursday morning for the second time this week, forcing many to make unplanned or escorted landings, although none of the threats immediately proved to be genuine.
NASA's Swift satellite telescope, which spent two decades studying the most powerful known blasts of energy in the cosmos, tumbled out of orbit as expected on Wednesday and burned up in Earth's atmosphere over Indonesia, the space agency reported.
Dozens of pilot whales have been found stranded on a beach in New Zealand's North Island and rescuers are trying to refloat a handful of the survivors, the country's conservation department said on Thursday.
Democrats and Republicans squared up on Wednesday for what could be two years of deadlock in Washington, with the resurgent Democrats vowing to use their resounding midterm election victory to rein in President Donald Trump, who signalled he was ready to continue flexing the executive branch's considerable powers.
President Donald Trump acknowledged that the war in Iran played a role in Republicans' losses in Tuesday's midterm elections, as Democrats prepared to take control of both the US House and Senate and challenge his legislative agenda.
Switzerland said on Wednesday it will pay medical costs of Italian victims of the Crans-Montana fire, backing down after its initial demand for reimbursement from Rome was described by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni as "disgraceful".
Welcome to Pinoy Bulletin, your go-to source for staying informed about important announcements, exciting group activities, community events, and job opportunities!
Vance repudiates Iran war after US electoral defeat
France hit by more protests, strike, Macron seeks to contain unrest
New wave of bomb threats hits passenger flights across Europe
NASA's 22-year-old Swift satellite telescope falls from orbit in fiery finale
Dozens of pilot whales stranded on New Zealand coast
Democrats seize Congress in sweeping midterm repudiation of Trump
Trump acknowledges Iran role in Democratic sweep
Switzerland agrees to pay medical bills for Italian victims of Crans Montana fire
