Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Kherson resident Vladyslav Nedostup witnessed Russian forces entering his city and decided to join the anti-Russian resistance. Nedostup, a car part salesman with no prior combat experience, became a partisan, initially joining Kherson's territorial defense. As the Ukrainian military was overwhelmed, he and others continued resistance efforts, including gathering intelligence. Nedostup collaborated with friends Mykhailo Kuanov, a taxi driver, and Nastya Burlak, a bar manager, to spy on and target Russian soldiers. Kuanov gathered information on Russian movements, while Burlak observed Russian soldiers' behavior at her bar. Their efforts contributed to Ukrainian strikes, including one that destroyed a warehouse used by Russians. Nedostup also claimed to have killed a Russian soldier in a personal encounter. NBC News could not independently verify this account, but other partisans corroborated his story after Kherson's liberation.

Yevgeny Prigozhin's private jet crashed north of Moscow, with evidence suggesting sabotage. The Embraer Legacy 600's wing was found miles from the crash site, supporting the theory of an in-flight breakup. U.S. intelligence and aviation experts indicate an explosion may have occurred, but no missile heat signature was detected. The Pentagon and British defense ministry believe Prigozhin was likely killed. President Biden and German Foreign Minister Baerbock hinted at foul play, while Russia denies Kremlin involvement. The Embraer model's safety record and the clear weather conditions further point to an unusual catastrophic event.

Boyan Petrov, a renowned European mountaineer and zoologist, has been missing for over a week on Shishapangma, a peak in Tibet. Despite his history of surviving cancer and a coma, his current situation is precarious as he was last seen at 7500 meters without supplementary oxygen or his satellite phone. Rescue efforts are underway with China granting visas to Nepalese pilots to operate helicopters for the search. The Bulgarian Consulate and Embassy are involved, and a land-rescue expedition is also in progress. Petrov's partner and friends remain hopeful but acknowledge the urgency as the weather conditions pose significant challenges to the rescue operations.

Americans abroad are struggling to return home amid global travel restrictions due to the coronavirus outbreak. Phil McMannis and his wife, unable to leave Morocco, have received no assistance from the U.S. government. The State Department has evacuated some citizens but advises against relying on government-organized flights. Mary Marland, in Morocco for a wedding, faces cancellations and high costs. Embassies worldwide urge Americans to leave while they can. The global case count exceeds 185,000 with over 7,330 deaths. Students like Etta Moen from Spain and Reid Richesin from France are also racing to return to the U.S. before lockdowns fully take effect.

Two months following Hurricane Dorian's devastation of the Bahamas, Green Turtle Cay residents are facing critical health risks due to the necessity of burning debris, which has resulted in a polluted haze and potential for disease spread. The Ministry of Health is monitoring for vector-borne diseases, while the CDC warns of the toxicity of burning debris. Nonprofits like Samaritan’s Purse are aiding in debris removal, but many residents rely on American aid for recovery. The Bahamian government is challenged by infrastructure damage and a strained budget, with recovery efforts expected to impact future generations. Prime Minister Hubert Minnis has announced tax-free zones and the formation of the Bahamian Disaster Reconstruction Authority to stimulate local businesses.

NASA satellite images reveal the extent of recent blackouts in Venezuela, particularly around Caracas and Valencia. The time-lapse from March 2 to March 12 shows a significant reduction in light, indicating power outages. While some areas reported easing blackouts, others continued to experience them. Venezuelan officials attribute the blackouts to a cyber attack and international sabotage, and opposition leader Juan Guaido is under investigation for allegedly sabotaging the national power grid. The National Assembly declared a state of emergency, and the US government has withdrawn staff from its embassy in Caracas.

Zhores Alferov, a Russian physicist and the 2000 Nobel prize laureate in physics, has passed away at 88 in St Petersburg. His pioneering work in the 1970s led to significant advancements in information technology, contributing to the development of computers, CD players, and mobile phones. Alferov was a prominent figure, having served as director of the A.F. Ioffe Physico-Technical Institute and chairman of the Russian Academy of Science’s nanotechnology committee. A committed communist, he was born in Belarus and named after French socialist Jean Jaurès.

The 91st Academy Awards recognized top film talent, with 'Green Book' winning Best Picture. Rami Malek and Olivia Colman won Best Actor and Actress, respectively. Alfonso Cuarón won Best Director and Best Cinematography for 'Roma', which also received Best Foreign Language Film. Other winners included Mahershala Ali, Regina King, and films such as 'Bohemian Rhapsody', 'The Favourite', and 'Black Panther'.

Thirty-four migrants were intercepted in the English Channel by the UK Border Force and brought to Dover. The Home Office reported the group consisted of men, women, and children, and three men were arrested on suspicion of immigration offences. Dover MP Charlie Elphicke emphasized the need for air surveillance to prevent dangerous crossings and trafficking. The Home Office noted a decrease in crossing attempts and highlighted a joint action plan with France to strengthen border security, including a £6 million investment in new equipment and enhanced CCTV monitoring.

Plovdiv, the oldest city in Bulgaria, was officially inaugurated as the European Capital of Culture for 2019.

Theresa May experienced a defeat in the UK Parliament when MPs voted for a three-day deadline to present alternative Brexit plans if her deal is rejected. The vote was 308 to 297 against the government's expectation for more time. May defended her deal in the House of Commons against criticism from Jeremy Corbyn, who questioned the lack of legal changes to the withdrawal agreement and called for ruling out a no-deal Brexit. The Brexit debate included contributions from Stephen Barclay and Keir Starmer, with Barclay supporting the deal and Starmer criticizing its lack of new commitments.

Thousands protested in Belgrade against President Aleksandar Vucic and his government, marking the fourth consecutive weekend of demonstrations. The opposition movement demands electoral reform, media freedom, and an end to what they perceive as autocratic rule. The protests began after an opposition politician was assaulted, and have since grown, with the latest estimates suggesting 50,000 participants. Vucic denies involvement in the attack and is open to calling elections, despite his party's strong lead in polls. The opposition seeks to maintain momentum to influence the government and Vucic, who has shifted from far-right nationalism to pro-European values while maintaining ties with Russia and China.

The article discusses the role of Bits x Bites, China's first food tech accelerator, in investing in start-ups that are innovating in the food technology sector. With China being the largest food consumer and producer, there is a significant demand for sustainable and efficient food solutions. Bits x Bites, founded by Matilda Ho, provides capital and coaching to start-ups, focusing on sustainable business models. A key area of interest for the accelerator is meat alternatives, given China's increasing meat consumption. Bugsolutely, a Bangkok-based company, is one of the start-ups incubated by Bits x Bites, known for its cricket pasta and is now developing silkworm-based snacks for the Chinese market. This initiative aligns with Beijing's goal to reduce meat consumption by 50 percent before 2030.

The article discusses the efforts of companies like Green Common and JUST to revolutionize the food industry in Asia with sustainable, plant-based products. Green Common, led by David Yeung, is a plant-based dining and shopping store in Hong Kong that is expanding its reach by introducing products like the Beyond Burger and Just Scramble, an egg alternative made from mung beans. JUST's CEO, Josh Tetrick, is motivated by the need to feed Asia's growing population sustainably. The article also mentions the influence of Starbucks in China and the growth of the organic food platform Ekowarehouse, co-founded by Sonalie Figueiras. The overarching theme is the push for a sustainable, healthy food industry in Asia, driven by both environmental concerns and consumer health.