Latest news updates LIVE | NATO will support Ukraine 'for as long as it takes,' says Stoltenberg

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Tuesday NATO allies, working closely with the EU, will continue supporting Ukraine "for as long as it takes" so that Kyiv can "uphold its right to self-defense."

The United States said that it has so far found no evidence that three unidentified aerial objects shot down this month were connected to China or any foreign spying program. 

 "Thus far (US) haven't seen any indication or anything that points specifically to the idea that these three objects were part of the PRC's spy balloon program or that they were definitely involved in external intelligence collection efforts," National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters, using the Chinese state's official acronym. 

The world will mark a “grim milestone” next week during the anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, he said, adding Moscow has “inflicted a year of tragedy and terror” on its neighbour.

Ukrainian forces have reportedly blown up a bridge near the eastern town of Bakhmut where the Russian mercenary, Wagner Group, is advancing.

According to a local Donetsk region news site, the blown-up bridge is reportedly located between Bakhmut and Konstantivka, the next major town under Ukrainian control.

Ukrainian forces, for now, deny they intend to leave the town, despite six months of heavy fighting and reportedly dwindling stockpiles.

Air Moldova, the national airline, said earlier the temporary closure was to "ensure the safety and security of civil aviation". The aviation authority said it would provide more information later.

Moldova shares a border with Ukraine and part of its territory, Transnistria, is controlled by pro-Russian forces.

Earlier this month Russian missiles crossed Moldovan airspace on the way to western Ukraine.

Israel’s finance minister Tuesday casted aside US criticism of new settlement construction in the West Bank and vowed to legalise dozens of wildcat settlement outposts in the occupied territory.

Bezalel Smotrich's remarks come a day after the US said it strongly opposed Israeli plans to build extensively in West Bank settlements and retroactively legalize nine outposts.

Moldova on Tuesday temporarily closed its airspace, citing "security reasons". It did not provide further further details. This comes amidst tensions between the former Soviet republic and Russia.

"Right now the Republic of Moldova airspace is closed, we are waiting for the flights to resume. The planned schedule will suffer changes," Air Moldova said in a Facebook post

"We are closely monitoring reports of tax surveys conducted at the offices of the BBC in India," UK govt sources said. 

Nikki Haley, a former South Carolina Governor and Donald Trump’s ambassador to the United Nations, announced Tuesday that she’s running for president. 

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius on Tuesday announced that the country will ramp up ammunition production in light of Russia's increased offensive in Ukraine.

Speaking to reporters in Brussels ahead of a two-day NATO Defense Ministers meeting, Pistorius pointed out Russia's increasing efforts to "regain the initiative in the Donbas."

The defense minister called the “issue of air defense and ammunition supply“ much “more important than fighter jets”.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos on Tuesday summoned Beijing's envoy to Manila to express "serious concern" after a Chinese security vessel was accused of using a military-grade laser light against a Philippine patrol boat.

In the latest series of measures taken against Russia since the invasion of Ukraine last year, the European Union on Tuesday added Moscow to its tax haven blacklist. 

The European bloc in a statement said that Russia's 2022 tax legislation had failed to allay concerns over its opaque treatment of the tax affairs of international holding companies.

"In addition, dialogue with Russia on matters related to taxation came to a standstill following the Russian aggression against Ukraine," the European Council said.

The European Union parliament has voted in favour of imposing ban on petrol and diesel cars by 2035.