Ukrainians listen to Bon Jovi as they prepare 'fortifications' in viral video, band responds

Piers Morgan has shocked people by jumping to the defence of author J.K. Rowling, claiming she has been treated "despicably" for airing her views recently.J.K.

JK Rowling has responded to Vladimir Putin after seemingly referencing her during a speech condemning ‘cancel culture’ in the West.Likening the portrayal of Russia in the West to the backlash of the Harry Potter author, the president said Rowling had been cancelled ‘because she did not satisfy the demands of gender rights’ He made the comments during a televised meeting with Russian cultural figures, during which he also claimed Western countries were trying to cancel the works of composers Tchaikovsky, Shostakovich and Rachmaninoff.Sharing an article about incarcerated Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny on Twitter, Rowling wrote: ‘Critiques of Western cancel culture are possibly not best made by those currently slaughtering civilians for the crime of resistance, or who jail and poison their critics.’The writer also shared the hashtag #IStandWithUkraine.In a subsequent tweet, she detailed the work her Lumos charity is doing in the country.Critiques of Western cancel culture are possibly not best made by those currently slaughtering civilians for the crime of resistance, or who jail and poison their critics. #IStandWithUkraine https://t.co/aNItgc5aiW‘Children trapped in orphanages and other institutions are exceptionally vulnerable right now,’ she wrote.‘Thank you so, so much to everyone who has already donated to Lumos’s Ukraine appeal.’Rowling said she was personally matching all donations to the Lumos emergency appeal up to £1 million.Putin is reported as saying earlier today: ‘They cancelled Joanne Rowling recently, the children’s author.To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video‘Her books are published all over the world.

The Executive Committee of the International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences has announced it will bar all Russian programs from this year’s International Emmys competition in support of Ukraine.

Harry Potter author during a speech about cancel culture.During a televised meeting with cultural figures, Putin claimed there was a campaign against Russian culture in response to the world’s reaction after he ordered the country’s military to launch a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24.“Today they are trying to cancel a whole thousand-year culture – our people”, Putin said. “They are banning Russian writers and books.”Putin was reported as saying: “They cancelled Joanne Rowling recently, the children’s author. Her books are published all over the world. Just because she did not satisfy the demands of gender rights,” he said, in reference to the backlash Rowling has received for her views on transgender issues.He went on: “They are trying to cancel our country.

Vladimir Putin decides to unleash deadly chemical or nuclear weapons in Ukraine.The White House has quietly assembled a so-called "Tiger team" of national security officials to sketch out scenarios of how the United States and its allies, according to the New York Times.NATO’s secretary-general, Jens Stoltenberg stressed that the plans were urgent following Putin's threats on Russian propaganda TV channels.He said that he expects that "allies will agree to provide additional support, including cybersecurity assistance and equipment to help Ukraine protect against chemical, biological, radiologic and nuclear threats.” UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and President Joe Biden have also made statements since reports of the threats as they claim Ukraine will not stand alone against Kremlin forces. The PM said: "The message Putin can take is: Ukraine is not alone.

Vladimir Putin is conducting a witch-hunt inside his inner circle to root out the `guilty men’ behind his bungled Ukraine invasion. Sources claim the Russian president is `incandescent’ the US and UK discovered details of his military plans which were passed onto Ukrainians.That is seen as the reason why five leading Russian generals and a top naval officer have been killed in fighting.Mr Putin is said to have grown wary of his defence minister Sergei Shoigu - a close ally and holiday pal - who is in overall charge of the invasion.His public appearances have been curtailed in the past week while his daughter Ksenia, 31, was seen posing in the blue and yellow colours of the Ukrainian flag.Putin has been dismissive in private of long-time ally Alexander Bortnikov - FSB security service head - and snapped in meetings at Valery Gerasimov, chief of the Russian general staff.Bortnikov has been spoken of as a stand-in leader should Putin fall in a coup.Another reported target of presidential rage is Igor Kostyukov, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Armed forces, who faces imminent removal.Putin has also publicly humiliated SVR foreign intelligence chief Sergey Naryshkin.

Bon Jovi’s hit song “It’s My Life” has inspired Ukrainians to gear up for battle with Russia’s invading forces.

Bon Jovi’s hit song “It’s My Life” has inspired Ukrainians to gear up for battle with Russia’s invading forces.

Russia's president Vladimir Putin.Measuring a staggering 459ft, and containing more luxuries than most five star hotels, the yacht has been seized by Italian officials.But it's the name of the yacht which has raised a few eyebrows.Called Scheherazade, the origin can be traced by to a a collection of stories penned in Asia known as One Thousand and One Nights, with hints of the classic Brothers Grimm tales. According to the stories, Scheherazade was the daughter of a powerful leader centuries ago – strap in, because this story has more turns than an EastEnders Christmas special..

Russian President Vladimir Putin's spokesman is 'upset' over international travel sanctions preventing her going on holiday.Elizaveta Peskova, 24, who is Dmitry Peskov's daughter, reportedly told Business Insider in a telephone interview last Friday that the sanctions imposed on her family have not harmed her financially but are still "completely unfair and unfounded".The young woman also complained about missed travel opportunities, as she reportedly said: "I'm upset because I would like to travel and love other cultures."She also seemed baffled at the fact she was facing sanctions at all, adding: "I was really surprised because it is weird to introduce sanctions on someone who is 24 years old and has nothing to do with the situation."Peskova is reportedly the founder of a communications company and the director of a historical foundation.She also has a Master's degree in International Relations.It is currently unclear how much money she has, but her Instagram account, which boasts 250,000 followers, shows her regularly posting images of her lavish lifestyle.In a post at the beginning of last month, the young woman revealed that she has her own political aspirations as she posed with two men in front of a portrait of Putin.

Staind‘s Aaron Lewis shared right wing conspiracy theories about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine during an onstage rant last week (March 17).While playing a solo show, Lewis seemingly backed a baseless argument that Russian President Vladimir Putin is invading Ukraine in order to dismantle the so-called ‘Deep State’ – a clandestine government sect formed to undermine former President Donald Trump.“So, I’m not gonna go into some big get-myself-in-trouble dissertation. All I’m gonna say is this: question everything. Everything that they’re telling you right now is a lie.

Billy Bragg has criticised Ukrainian band Beton for their supposed far-right links, after they released a cover of The Clash’s ‘London’s Calling’.Last week, the Ukrainian punk band reworked The Clash’s iconic track to create ‘Kyiv Calling’, a protest song against the Russian invasion.Ukraine has officially severed diplomatic ties with Russia, and declared martial law, after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered an attack on the neighbouring nation on February 24. Since then, The United Nations’ Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights has estimated that the conflict has claimed 1,900 civilian casualties.

Ukrainian civilians are being rounded up by Russian troops and sent to “work camps” thousands of miles from their homes, a Ukrainian MP has claimed. Inna Sovsun told Times Radio yesterday that as many as 5,000 civilians had been being taken to “very distant parts of Russia” and “forced to sign papers saying that they will stay in that area for two or three years and they will work for free in those areas”.

A small band of Moscow’s elite is plotting to topple Vladimir Putin, Ukrainian intelligence officials claim.

The Clash‘s ‘London Calling’ into a protest song against the Russian invasion – listen to ‘Kyiv Calling’ below.Ukraine has officially severed diplomatic ties with Russia, and declared martial law, after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered an attack on the neighbouring nation on February 24. Since then, The United Nations’ Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights has estimated that the conflict has claimed 1,900 civilian casualties.

Russia firing deadly thermobaric multiple launch rockets in UkraineThe weapons are known to "melt" enemy targets, with the vacuum that follows the horrifying explosions understood to be strong enough to rupture organs and cause deadly internal damage.The clip seen on social media has caused widespread fear and anger – with many people slamming the Russian President Vladimir Putin as "evil".In the terrifying footage, the large rocket launcher can be seen firing 11 times in quick succession, as fire blasts out the back and catches to the surrounding area.The tweet from @JimmySecUK states: "The first visual confirmation of the Russian TOS-1a thermobaric MLRS being fired in Ukraine."One person wrote in response: "It sets fire to everything around it. That's a very nasty weapon."Another said: "These weapons create long-lasting fireballs that kill over massive areas, even in buildings." It was previously reported that Russia has access to a range of thermobaric weapons, including the TOS-1 "Buratino" and TOS-1A "Solntsepek".They have been named as some of the most dangerous weapons currently available on the battlefield.

Since Russian President Vladimir Putin declared his invasion of Ukraine the news has been flooded with heartbreaking stories of innocent people fleeing their homes.Thousands of Ukranian citizens have crossed the border into neighbouring countries like Poland and Moldova, forced to leave behind treasured possessions in search of safety. But one woman who wouldn’t leave her pride and joy behind was Alisa Teptiuck.The 35 year old broke hearts after sharing a snap of her dog - a 12-year-old German Shepherd named Pulya (or Bullet, in English) - being carried to the Polish border on her husband’s shoulder.The photo went viral and left the internet praying for their safety. Belfast Live has exclusively shared the real story behind the powerful image and what happened to the fleeing family.

Russia’s Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu has called for the country to ban all the work of Ukraine-born super-producer Alexander Rodnyansky as well as any film and TV work of Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky, according to Russian news site The Insider.

Ukrainians have been praised for their impeccable sense of humour as they ask for 'red caviar' from Russian troops allegedly trying to bribe them with food.Bizarre footage of Russian troops trying to persuade Ukrainian people to switch sides with food rations to get them to turn over to their side was originally posted to TikTok before it began circulating on Reddit.The video shows Russian troops walking through the streets, trying to hand out bags of food to people who are standing mocking them with what has been described as "priceless humour".Reddit user u/Tupreoram wrote: "Humor of Ukrainians these days is priceless."In temporally occupied Kherson Russian military is trying to bribe people with their food handouts and turn them to their side."They got an answer: “If it’s red caviar, I will take. I do not agree with something else.”However, the video also angered other social media users as they claim Vladimir Putin is using a classic 'hearts and minds' tactic to win over Ukrainian civilians.One user said: "They try to make it look that they care about people they shoot at."Another added: "It's classic hearts and minds tactics to try and hold captured territory."A third said: "I wonder if it’s the same food they stole from the Ukrainians waiting in line who were shot unarmed?"A fourth wrote: "I would not be surprised if the food was looted from local grocery stores."To stay up to date with all the latest news, make sure you sign up for one of our newsletters here. The news comes after Russia proposed a local replacement for fast food giants McDonald's - and social media users have ruthlessly mocked its new logo.

Ukrainians are burying bodies in mass graves after one of the bloodiest days in the Russian invasion of the country.Fifty-three people were killed in a devastating bomb blast in Chernihiv, including three children, with reports indicating some of the casualties included US citizens. Russian troops have been blasting cities and slaughtering civilians with Vladimir Putin's planned invasion of Ukraine stalling into its fourth week after being met with Ukrainian resistance.