The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin and his children’s rights commissioner Maria Alekseyevna Lvova-Belova, for war crimes notably, the “unlawful deportation” of Ukrainian children.
Biden Visit Ukraine, Pledges $500m In Military Aid
US President Joe Biden made a surprise visit to Kyiv today, Monday 20th Of February ahead of the first year anniversary of the Russia/Ukraine war. The president made a 10-hour train ride from the border of Poland to the embattled capital of Ukraine on Monday, to show his administration’s unwavering support to the country and President, Volodymyr Zelensky.
Ukraine Interior Minister, Others Killed In Helicopter Crash
Three main figures in Ukraine’s interior ministry have been killed in a helicopter crash beside a nursery in an eastern suburb of the capital Kyiv. The interior minister, Denys Monastyrsky, other senior officials and three children were among those killed after the helicopter crashed into a kindergarten. A number of children at the school in Brovary were injured. All together about 15 people lost their lives. The 42-year-old interior minister was a prominent member of President Volodymy Zelensky's cabinet. He played a key role in updating the public on casualties caused by Russian missile strikes since Ukraine was invaded in February 2022.
Pope Benedict XVI Buried
Pope Francis presided over the funeral mass of his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI who died at the age of 95 on December 31, 2022. According to reports, around 50,000 people including top dignitaries were present for the ceremony which was held on Thursday at St. Peter’s Square, Vatican City, Rome.
Jacinda Ardern Steps Down As New Zealand Prime Minister
Jacinda Ardern has announced she will quit as New Zealand prime minister ahead of this year’s election, saying she no longer has “enough in the tank’, to lead. Speaking at a Labour Party Retreat on Thursday she said “I’m leaving, because with such a privileged role comes responsibility, the responsibility to know when you are the right person to lead and also when you are not. I know what this job takes. And I know that I no longer have enough in the tank to do it justice. It’s that simple,” she said. “I am human, politicians are human. We give all that we can for as long as we can. And then it’s time. And for me, it’s time,” she added.
Russia Verses Ukraine War: Putin Order For Temporary Seize Fire
Russian Federation President, Vladimir Putin, has directed his defense Secretary to order a temporary seize fire in the ongoing Ukraine military operation to allow celebration for an orthodox Christmas celebration. The Seize fire will take effect for 36hrs starting from noon of the 6th through the 7th of January as a tradition celebrated by many orthodox Christians in Russia. Accordingly, the Russian president made the pronouncement in response to an earlier call by the country’s Patriarch Kirill demanding guns to go on silent while the orthodox celebrate its holiday.
Four Dead Others Injured After Two Helicopters Collide In Australia’s Gold Coast
A midair collision between two helicopters in Australia on Monday has left four people dead and three others in critical condition. According to authorities, the collision happened around 2 p.m. local time near the popular tourist strip of Main Beach on the Gold Coast, south of Brisbane. Queensland Police revealed that initial investigations suggest the crash occurred as one aircraft was taking off and the other was landing, leading to the death of four passengers travelling in the same helicopter, while three others passengers are in critical condition.