Friday,  February 25th, 2022 

Winter storm hits 100 million people across U.S. A huge storm that has placed more than 100 million people under extreme-weather advisories from Texas to Maine is expected to hit the Northeast on Friday after disrupting travel and knocking out power in parts of the central U.S. on Thursday. More than 1,000 flights were canceled Wednesday and Thursday at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport as an ice storm hit parts of Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, and Arkansas. Hundreds of traffic accidents were reported. A toddler was killed in a wreck in Kentucky. “Prepare now for this major winter storm,” the National Weather Service warned as parts of the Northeast and New England braced for up to a foot of snow. “Widespread hazardous travel and damage to the power infrastructure are expected.” USA TODAY 

Russia invades Ukraine and advances to Kyiv outskirts Russia started its invasion of Ukraine on Thursday with airstrikes on cities and military bases. Russian troops and tanks then entered the country on three sides and reached the outskirts of the capital, Kyiv, on Friday, in the biggest ground offensive in Europe since World War II. Russian President Vladimir Putin warned other countries not to come to Ukraine’s aid, reminding the world of Russia’s nuclear weapons stockpile and threatening “consequences you have never seen.” Ukrainian leaders said their military was fighting back, and that dozens of their soldiers and hundreds of Russian troops had been killed. They said Russian forces had seized control of the decommissioned Chernobyl nuclear power plant in an attack that could “cause another ecological disaster” at the site of the world’s worst nuclear meltdown. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS 

Ukraine’s military reports that at least 137 of its soldiers have been killed in Eastern Ukraine, with a senior Ukrainian government official estimating that hundreds of Ukrainian troops have been killed by airstrikes. Ukraine’s military also says that 50 Russian soldiers have been killed in action. (CNN) 

Explosions are heard around Kyiv as ballistic missiles strike the city. (Newsweek) 

The Ukrainian military shoots down a Russian plane over Kyiv. The plane crashes into a nine-story apartment complex, setting the building ablaze. (The Jerusalem Post) 

The Ukrainian military says that it has blown up a bridge to prevent Russian forces from advancing to Kyiv. (Ukrinform) 

Ukraine says Russian troops have entered Kyiv and heavy fighting is underway. Videos on social media show tanks advancing through the city’s Obolon neighbourhood. (BBC News) 

Heavy gunfire and explosions are reported in Kyiv’s Podilskyi District as Russian troops advance. (The Guardian) 

A column of Russian soldiers are defeated by the Ukrainian army in Starobilsk. (Gazeta.ua) 

Ukrainian airborne assault troops engage Russian soldiers at Ivankiv and Dymer. (Gazeta.ua) 

The Russian Armed Forces says that its “lightning offensive” has crippled the Ukrainian military and suppressed its air defense systems. However, the Ukrainian Air Force says that it is repelling Russian invaders. (BBC News) 

A captain and corporal from the Russian 11th Guards Air Assault Brigade surrender to the Armed Forces of Ukraine near Chernihiv. (Gazeta.ua) 

Russian forces reportedly retreat from Sumy. (Channel 24) 

The Russian Defence Ministry says Russian Airborne Forces have recaptured the strategic Hostomel Airport (Antonov Airport), to the west of Kyiv, after assaulting the airbase with 200 helicopters. (BBC) 

Ukraine says that it has shot down six Russian warplanes and two helicopters, and destroyed dozens of enemy armored vehicles, according to its Joint Centre of Control and Coordination. However, Russian military representatives deny the claims. (First Post) 

Ukrainian OTR-21 Tochka missiles strike Millerovo air base in Rostov oblast, Russia, destroying a number of Russian Air Force warplanes. Images released show the airbase on fire. (Newsweek) (RostovGazeta) 

The Ukrainian government’s State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate says that higher than usual gamma radiation levels have been detected in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone after its capture by Russia. (The Telegraph) 

Two teachers are killed by a shelling of the Ukrainian military at a school in Horlivka, Donetsk People’s Republic. (Tass) 

Ukraine reports that Russian Navy warships have attacked Snake Island near the Danube Delta. (IndiaTV) 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accuses European leadership of “inaction” in face of the Russian invasion, saying “Like World War II, you said never again, but here it is again and you’re not doing enough to respond”. Zelenskyy calls on citizens across the European Union to protest and force their governments into more decisive action. (The Business Standard) 

A Moldovan-flagged chemical tanker is hit with a missile near the Port of Odessa, seriously injuring two crew members, according to Moldova’s naval agency. It is unclear who launched the missile. (Reuters) 

Taiwanese Premier Su Tseng-chang announces that Taiwan will impose sanctions on Russia following the invasion of Ukraine. (Financial Post) 

UEFA announces the relocation of this year’s Champions League final from the Krestovsky Stadium in Saint Petersburg to the Stade de France near Paris, in response to the crisis. (CNN) 

Russia bans all British airlines from its airspace and airports in response to the UK’s ban on its flag carrier Aeroflot. (Reuters) 

International companies shut Ukraine factories after Russia invades International companies operating in Russia and Ukraine started closing offices and factories on Thursday after Russia invaded Ukraine. Danish brewer Carlsberg shut down three breweries in Ukraine and told workers to stay home. Nestlé temporarily closed its three Ukraine factories and urged its 5,000 employees in the country to stay home. Some executives sent workers to the Polish border to get away from the violence. With the rail network and ports closed, and gas supplies disrupted, operations were difficult for businesses remaining open. “Today is a dark day for all of us,” Siemens Energy CEO Christian Bruchtold shareholders at their annual meeting. “The attack on Ukraine represents a turning point in Europe; a war was simply unthinkable for many people, especially the younger generations.” THE WALL STREET JOURNAL 

The European Union freezes any assets held by Russian President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in the EU. (National Post) 

Syria formally recognises the independence of the breakaway Donetsk People’s Republic and Luhansk People’s Republic from Ukraine. The internationally unrecognised Houthi government in Yemen also recognizes the breakaway republics. (Middle East Monitor) 

U.S. President Joe Biden orders Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin to send 7,000 troops to Germany in order to assist NATO allies. (Reuters) 

The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile cancels this year’s edition of the Russian Grand Prix in Sochi initially scheduled for September 25, stating that “it is impossible to hold the Russian Grand Prix in the current circumstances”. (BBC) 

Biden announces more sanctions against Russia President Biden announced more sanctions against Russia on Thursday in response to its invasion of Ukraine. “Putin is the aggressor. Putin chose this war. And now he and his country will bear the consequences,” Biden said. The new sanctions include measures to block technology exports, a move intended to deter Russian military and aerospace advances. Biden also said the sanctions would target Russian banks and “corrupt billionaires,” many of whom have Kremlin ties. The United States also is targeting people in Belarus for that country’s help in Russia’s invasion. U.S. allies, including the European Union, also announced new sanctions. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said his country would impose its “largest ever” penalties against Russia. THE GUARDIAN 

Thousands of Russians protest invasion of Ukraine Thousands of people across Russia took to the streets on Thursday to protest their military’s invasion of Ukraine. A total of 1,745 people were arrested in 54 Russian cities. At least 957 of them were detained in Moscow. Russian President Vladimir said the “special military operation” that began Thursday, Moscow’s biggest foreign offensive since the 1979 Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, was necessary to prevent “genocide” in parts of eastern Ukraine controlled by pro-Russia separatists. Opposition activist Tatyana Usmanova called the invasion “a disgrace” and she asked for “forgiveness” from Ukrainians. “We didn’t vote for those who unleashed the war,” she said. THE GUARDIAN 

U.S. to loosen mask guidelines The Biden administration on Friday is expected to loosen federal guidelines for wearing masks to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, The Associated Press reported, citing two people familiar with the matter. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reportedly will announce that it is changing the metrics for determining whether people should wear face coverings. The guidance currently focuses on caseloads, recommending masks for people in the roughly 95 percent of U.S. counties with substantial transmission. The new recommendations will also look at hospitalizations and local hospital capacity. Under the new guidelines, most Americans will no longer be advised to wear face coverings in indoor public settings, The Associated Press reports. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS 

Biden reportedly has decided on his Supreme Court nominee President Biden has reached a decision on his nominee to replace retiring Justice Stephen Breyer on the Supreme Court, several news organizations reported Thursday night. An announcement is expected as soon as Friday, although the timing remained in flux due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Friday will mark two years to the day since Biden first pledged during a 2020 primary debate in South Carolina to pick the first Black woman for the Supreme Court. Biden has interviewed at least three potential nominees: federal appeals court Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson; South Carolina federal Judge J. Michelle Childs; and California Supreme Court Justice Leondra Kruger. The White House declined to comment. CNN 

U.S. stocks rebound from plunge triggered by Russia’s Ukraine invasion U.S. stocks made a stunning comeback on Thursday, closing with big gains after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine sent shares plummeting early in the day. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed up 92 points, or 0.3 percent, after falling by as much 700 points. The S&P 500 gained 1.5 percent and the tech-heavy Nasdaq jumped 3.3 percent. Despite the turnaround, the S&P 500 remains in correction territory, down more than 10 percent since its record high ont Jan. 3. The Nasdaq Composite started the day in bear market territory, more than 20 percent below its November record, but rebounded and closed about 16 percent below its all-time high. The volatility appeared likely to continue on Friday as Russia’s invasion entered its second day, and U.S. stock futures fell overnight. CNBC 

Parents of teen to stand trial over deadly Michigan school shooting A Michigan judge ruled Thursday that Jennifer and James Crumbley, parents of the 15-year-old boy charged with killing four students at his Michigan high school in November, can be put on trial on involuntary manslaughter charges. Rochester Hills District Court Judge Julie Nicholson held a preliminary examination and said afterwards that there was enough evidence for a trial in circuit court. The Crumbleys are accused of providing access to the gun their son, Ethan Crumbley, is charged with using in the shooting, and failing to act on signs that he was in mental distress. Their lawyer said the parents had no reason to believe their son might attack classmates and teachers at his school, Oxford High School north of Detroit. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS 

DOJ challenges UnitedHealth’s $13 billion Change Healthcare acquisition   The Justice Department on Thursday filed an antitrust lawsuit seeking to block a UnitedHealth subsidiary’s proposed $13 billion acquisition of health-technology firm Change Healthcare. The Justice Department, in the Biden administration’s latest challenge of corporate consolidation, argued that the deal would include technologies that UnitedHealth’s rivals depend on, giving the company access to data it could use to gain advantages over competitors. The suit also said the acquisition would reduce direct competition in the insurance claim transmission and review business, where UnitedHealth and Change both offer services. UnitedHealth said the DOJ’s position was “deeply flawed” and “based on highly speculative theories that do not reflect the realities of the health-care system.” THE NEW YORK TIMES 

Beyond Meat shares drop after larger-than-expected quarterly loss Beyond Meat shares fell 11 percent in after-market trading after the plant-based meat company reported a larger quarterly loss than expected. Beyond Meat reported a loss of $1.27 per share in the last three months of 2021, exceeding the 77 cent loss expected by analysts polled by Refinitiv. Quarterly revenue dropped 1.3 percent due to weak demand, increased discounts, and shrinking market share, the company said. Another leading plant-based meat company lowered its growth forecast, further darkening the outlook for a market that experienced strong growth for several years before slowing down last year. CNBC 

At least seven people are killed and 85 others are injured by an earthquake in Sumatra in Indonesia. The 6.2 earthquake is felt as far away as Malaysia and Singapore. (The Straits Times) 

Thursday, February 24th, 2022 

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin hold a telephone meeting. During the meeting, Modi called for Russia and Ukraine to “end the violence”. (Telangana Today) 

Russian troops enter Sumy and take control of the road leading from Kyiv to Moscow. Battles for strategic cities on the railway to Sumy are also underway. (Novoye Vremya) 

Russian gunships bombard Hostomel Airport near Kyiv. Ukraine says that three helicopters were shot down in defence. Russian Airborne Forces seized control of the airport, but the Ukrainian Ground Forces have recaptured the airport.  (Ukrinform) 

Russia announces that they have taken control of the North Crimean Canal in the Kherson Oblast and have restored the supply of water to Crimea. (Reuters) 

The Russian Defence Ministry says that it has destroyed 83 Ukrainian “above-ground military facilities”, including 11 aerodromes. (Reuters) 

Russia says that two Russian civilian ships have been hit by anti-ship missiles in the Sea of Azov, causing multiple deaths. Russia subsequently restricts access for civilian vessels on the Sea of Azov. (Reuters) 

A Turkish-owned vessel is bombed off the coast of Odessa, according to Turkey’s Directorate General of Coastal Safety. No casualties are reported. (Daily Sabah) 

Romania, Poland, and the Baltic states agree to trigger article 4 of NATO’s North Atlantic Treaty in response to Russian aggression.  (Digi24) 

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock states that Germany will “launch the full package with the most massive sanctions against Russia.” (EURACTIV) 

Ukraine suspends diplomatic relations with Russia in response to the invasion. (The Times of Israel) 

Lithuanian president Gitanas Nausėda announces that he will sign a decree declaring a state of emergency and asks Seimas to ratify it in an extraordinary session. (ERR) 

Moldova declares a state of emergency in response to the invasion. Hundreds of Ukrainians are crossing the border, according to President Maia Sandu. (National Post) 

Ukraine, Belarus and Moldova close their airspaces to commercial aircraft. (Reuters) 

Russian President Vladimir Putin orders a military operation to “demilitarise and denazify” Ukraine. Putin also warns of “consequences you have never seen in history” for anyone who tries to interfere or “create threats for our country”. (CNN) 

Eight polio vaccination workers are killed by unknown gunmen in Kunduz and Takhar, leading to the suspension of the vaccination campaign in the two provinces. The campaign was launched nationwide in November 2021. (VOA) 

Health Canada approves Medicago’s CoVLP COVID-19 vaccine for use in adults, making it the first domestic vaccine to be approved for use in Canada. (The Vancouver Sun) 

Israel fires several missiles towards Damascus, Syria, killing three Syrian soldiers. (The Washington Post) (Times of Israel) 

It is announced that Russia will participate in the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest in Turin, Italy despite invading Ukraine. (AOL) 

Iraq unveils three monumental structures in Hatra in an effort to restore the city after it was destroyed by the Islamic State in 2015. (France24) 

The European Union says that it will introduce the “strongest, harshest package” of sanctions on the Russian economy in response to the invasion. (AP) 

The New Zealand government is expected to introduce a package of sanctions against Russia that includes a ban on the entry into and transit through the country of Russian government officials and other people connected to the invasion, as well as a ban on the export of goods to Russian military and security forces. (RNZ) 

Prime Minister Boris Johnson announces that the United Kingdom will impose sanctions on Russian banks and oligarchs. Russian airline Aeroflot will also be banned from operating flights to the UK due to the invasion. (BBC News) 

Canada terminates all export permits with Russia in response to the invasion of Ukraine. (U.S. News & World Report) 

U.S. President Joe Biden announces sanctions against Russia and vows that additional sanctions could be coming. He also reaffirms that the U.S. will not directly intervene in Ukraine but will continue to defend NATO.  (BuzzFeed) 

Latvia and the Czech Republic suspend issuing visas to Russian citizens. (RusTourismNews) 

Anti-war protesters gather at Russian embassies in many countries to oppose President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. (Axios) 

Protesters gather at 10 Downing Street to denounce Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and to call for Prime Minister Boris Johnson and the United Kingdom to support Ukraine. (The Big Issue) 

Protesters in Russia are detained as people gather in cities across the country in order to protest Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. (The Moscow Times)

Three former Minneapolis police officers, J. Alexander Kueng, Thomas K. Lane and Tou Thao, are found guilty of violating the civil rights of George Floyd under government authority. (NBC News) 

Kyrgyzstan President Sadyr Japarov signs a decree that bans the slaughtering of cattle during funerals in the country. (AKIpress) 

Jennifer Lawrence reportedly welcomes her 1st child The star of Mother! is officially a mother. Jennifer Lawrence has welcomed her first child with husband Cooke Maroney, TMZ reports. The Hunger Games actress has yet to confirm the news, and the report didn’t have information about the baby’s sex or name, but public records reportedly showed she gave birth in L.A. County. Lawrence’s pregnancy was first revealed in September, about two years after she and her art dealer husband were married. She’s been fairly private about her pregnancy, explaining why to Vanity Fair in November: “If I was at a dinner party, and somebody was like, ‘Oh, my God, you’re expecting a baby,’ I wouldn’t be like, ‘God, I can’t talk about that. Get away from me, you psycho!’” she said. “But every instinct in my body wants to protect their privacy for the rest of their lives, as much as I can.” If her hope is to keep the child away from the paparazzi as long as possible, may the odds be ever in her favor.  TMZ 

The Weeknd posts extremely poorly timed tweet amid Ukraine invasion Ladies and gentlemen, the award for worst timing of a tweet in 2022 goes to The Weeknd. On Wednesday night, just as news broke that Russia was launching an attack on Ukraine, The Weeknd tweeted, with no context, “LET’S GOOOOOOOO.” The singer had started teasing something hours earlier, but it still made for a disorienting sight to see that excited message on Twitter in between breaking news updates about the events in Ukraine and concerns about the possible start of World War III — which it might initially seem like he was cheering on. About two hours later, he clarified he was teasing an announcement that has now been postponed, tweeting, “Unfortunately i’m just now seeing what’s happening with the conflict and will pause on tomorrow’s announcement. i pray for everyone’s safety.” And that, kids, is why we don’t schedule tweets in the middle of an international crisis.  THE WEEK 

John Cena criticized for using Ukraine crisis to plug ‘Peacemaker’ When it comes to terrible celebrity tweets amid the Ukraine crisis, the cringe just keeps coming. John Cena weighed in on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on Thursday morning with a tweet declaring that he wishes his DC character, Peacemaker, could help everyone out — bringing some real “Mark Wahlberg claims he could have prevented 9/11” energy to the situation. ” If I could somehow summon the powers of a real life #Peacemaker I think this would be a great time to do so,” Cena tweeted. The WWE star was quickly criticized for appearing to use an actual war breaking out as an opportunity to plug his HBO Max show, even including its hashtag. “Celebrities are so out of touch with reality…it’s embarrassing,” one response read, while another user replied, “Bad time to promote a f—ing TV show. Please delete this. People are dying.” Talk about a social media wipeout.   TWITTER 

AnnaLynne McCord reads bizarre poem to Putin: ‘I’m so sorry that I was not your mother’ But wait, there’s (unfortunately) more! Nip/Tuck and 90210 actress AnnaLynne McCord also made followers cringe on Thursday after posting an absolutely bizarre video of herself reading a poem addressed to Russian President Vladimir Putin. She suggests she might have been able to change the Russian leader had she raised him. “Dear President Vladimir Putin: I’m so sorry that I was not your mother,” she says. “If I was your mother, you would have been so loved.” For the rest of the more than two minute poem, McCord questions whether Putin’s actions were shaped by “soul-stealing pain” he must have gone through as a boy. But, she says, “If I was your mother … I’d have died to protect you from the unjust, the violence, the terror, the uncertainty,” and then “perhaps you would hold dear human life.” That should do it! At this point, if Gal Gadot wants to go ahead and make an “Imagine” video sequel, she might as well — it can’t be worse than this.  THE WEEK 

Over $200,000 worth of props stolen from ‘The Crown’ set Meanwhile, Netflix has a royal headache on their hands after thieves reportedly stole over $200,000 worth of props from the set of The Crown. South Yorkshire police are reportedly investigating after more than 350 items were stolen in a heist, including a replica Imperial Coronation Fabergé coach egg, a grandfather clock clockface, sets of silver candelabra, Russian religious icons, and more. A Netflix spokesperson confirmed the theft, and said “replacements will be sourced, there is no expectation that filming will be held up.” The show’s set decorator, Alison Harvey, said the items are “not necessarily in the best condition and therefore of limited value for resale,” but they’re still “valuable as pieces to the UK film industry.” Police said, though, that “all existing lines of enquiry have now been exhausted.” On a completely unrelated note, has anyone heard from Nicolas Cage lately?  VARIETY

The End Friday 

Thursday, February 24th, 2022 

Oil rises above $100 per barrel for 1st time since 2014 Oil prices jumped by nearly 9 percent on Thursday after Russia invaded Ukraine, pushing U.S. and global benchmarks above $100 per barrel for the first time since 2014. Global benchmark Brent crude was up 8.9 percent and U.S. West Texas Intermediate futures rose 8.7 percent early in the day. Natural gas prices rose by 6.1 percent. Gold, a popular safe haven when investors flee risky assets, rose 3.3 percent. The United States and numerous allies imposed a first wave of sanctions against Russia earlier this week as Russian forces appeared ready to invade and Russian President Vladimir Putin recognized the independence of pro-Russian separatist enclaves in eastern Ukraine. They are expected to unveil a second wave on Thursday. CNBC 

Global stocks plunge after Russia attacks Ukraine Global stocks dropped sharply early Thursday after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the start of a military assault against Ukraine, ending months of speculation about an invasion. The United States and its European allies condemned the attack, which they had long warned would trigger severe economic sanctions. London’s FTSE 100 dropped 2.5 percent. France’s CAC 40 and Germany’s DAX fell 4 percent. Russia’s main index crashed, falling 45 percent. In Asia, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index fell 3.2 percent. Japan’s Nikkei and China’s Shanghai Composite were down 1.8 percent and 1.7 percent, respectively. In the United States, Dow Jones Industrial Average and S&P 500 futures were down 2.5 percent at 6:30 a.m. ET. Nasdaq futures were down 3 percent. CNN 

A massive selloff occurs on the Moscow Stock Exchange, which prompts its operator to trigger circuit breakers twice in three hours. The Russian ruble’s exchange rate jumps to the record low, spiking at ₽89.98 per US dollar. (Rzeczpospolita) (Reuters) 

Formula 1 driver Sebastian Vettel vows to not participate in the 2022 Russian Grand Prix if the event is not cancelled. (RACER) (CTV News) 

Ukraine reports that Russian Navy warships have attacked the Romanian/Ukrainian administrated Snake Island near the Danube Delta. If confirmed it would be the first Russian attack on a NATO state. (IndiaTV) 

The Baltic states, Romania and Poland agree to trigger article 4 of NATO’s North Atlantic Treaty in response to Russian aggression. (ERR) (Digi24) 

Russia says two Russian civilian ships have been hit with anti-ship missiles in the Sea of Azov, causing multiple casualties. (Ynet) 

Russia restricts access for civilian vessels on the Sea of Azov; its Black Sea coast remains open. (Reuters) 

Russian President Vladimir Putin orders a military operation to “demilitarise and denazify” Ukraine. Belarusian soldiers assist Russia in invading Ukraine. (CNN 1) (CNN 2) 

Putin warns of “consequences you have never seen in history” whoever tries to interfere or “create threats for our country”. (AP) 

The Russian Defence Ministry says it has destroyed 74 Ukrainian “above-ground military facilities”, including 11 aerodromes. (Reuters) 

The Russian Armed Forces say its “lightning offensive” has crippled the Ukrainian military and suppressed its air defense systems; the Ukrainian Air Force says it is is repelling Russian invaders. (TASS) (BBC News) 

A Russian missile strikes the Ministry of Defence intelligence headquarters in Kyiv. (Reuters) 

Ukraine’s military reports the killing of about 50 Russian soldiers and at least 40 confirmed killed in action among its armed forces during battles in Eastern Ukraine; a senior Ukrainian government official estimates deaths from airstrikes among the Ukrainian troops in the hundreds. (The Wall Street Journal) (Al Jazeera) 

A Ukrainian Air Force Antonov An-26 is shot down and crashes in Obukhiv, killing five crew members, according to the State Emergency Service of Ukraine. (Interfax) 

Russian troops enter Sumy and take control over the road leading from Kyiv to Moscow in the region; battles for strategic cities on the railway to Sumy are underway. (Novoye Vremya) 

Russian ballistic and cruise missiles strike multiple Ukrainian cities and airfields, including the capital Kyiv and Kharkiv. (CNN) 

Russian tanks enter the city of Kharkiv, the second-largest city in Ukraine. (BBC News) 

Russian gunships bombard Hostomel Airport on the outskirts of Kyiv. Ukraine says three helicopters were shot down in defence. Russian Airborne Forces have seized control of the airport. (The Moscow Times) (Reuters) 

Ukraine confirms that Russian Ground Forces have entered Luhansk Oblast, Sumy Oblast, Kharkiv Oblast, Chernihiv Oblast, Zhytomyr Oblast and crossed the border from occupied Crimea. Russian troops also attack the port cities of Odessa and Mariupol in amphibious landings. (CNN) (The Business Standard) 

Ukraine says it has shot down six Russian warplanes, two helicopters and destroyed dozens of enemy armored vehicles, according to its Joint Centre of Control and Coordination; Russian military representatives deny the claims. (Mil.gov.ua) (First Post) 

Putin announces start of military operation in Ukraine Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday announced the start of a military assault against Ukraine. Putin said the aim of the “special military operation” was the “demilitarization” of Ukraine, but claimed he did not plan to occupy the smaller neighbor. President Biden condemned what he called an “unjustified” and “premeditated” war, and said the U.S. and its allies would respond in a “united and decisive way.” There were reports of explosions in Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, and Kharkiv, the country’s second-largest city. Ukraine’s Interior Ministry said Russian forces were crossing the border and had landed in the Black Sea port city of Odessa, beginning a long-expected invasion. Putin said Russia was responding to a plea for help from Russian-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine. THE WASHINGTON POST

U.S., allies vow to hit Russia with unprecedented sanctions World leaders strongly condemned Russia’s assault on Ukraine and vowed to respond with unprecedented sanctions. President Biden said the United States would impose “severe sanctions” against Russia on Thursday. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said such a “barbaric attack” against an independent nation threatened “the stability in Europe and the whole of the international peace order.” The EU scheduled an emergency summit in Brussels and EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell promised “the strongest package, the harshest package of sanctions we have ever implemented.” Von der Leyen said she would propose “massive” penalties targeting “strategic sectors of the Russian economy by blocking the access to technologies and markets that are key for Russia.” THE NEW YORK TIMES 

U.S. imposes sanctions on company building Nord Stream 2 pipeline The Biden administration on Wednesday imposed sanctions on the company behind the Nord Stream 2 pipeline being built to transport natural gas from Russia to Germany, strengthening economic penalties for Russia’s escalation of the Ukraine crisis. Nord Stream 2 has not started operating, and Germany on Tuesday halted the certification of the project in response to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s decision to send Russian forces into Ukraine. The sanctions target the Nord Stream 2 AG company, which is a subsidiary of the Russian state-owned gas giant Gazprom, and its CEO, Matthias Warnig. The U.S. and the European Union have long expressed concerns that Nord Stream 2, which would double gas flow capacity from Russia to Germany, will increase Europe’s dependence on Russia for energy. REUTERS 

Russian troops enter the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone. (The Independent) 

An attack on a military unit in Podilsk kills six civilians and wounds seven more. Another person is killed in the city of Mariupol. Nineteen more people are reported missing. (BBC News) 

Eighteen people are killed in a missile strike on the port city of Odessa. (NDTV) 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy declares martial law across the country in response to the invasion. (TASS) 

Norbert Röttgen, in a tweet posted by The Guardian, writes that Germany should now allow defensive weapons to be supplied to Ukraine. He states that his previous hesitancy was “in order to keep channels of communication with Moscow open. That’s over for now. What matters now is defence”. (The Guardian) 

Ukraine cuts off diplomatic ties with Russia in response to its invasion. (The Times of Israel) 

The European Union says it will introduce the “strongest, harshest package” of sanctions on the Russian economy in response to the invasion. (AP) 

Moldova declares a state of emergency in response to the invasion. Hundreds of Ukrainians are crossing the border, according to President Maia Sandu. (National Post) 

Ukraine, Belarus and Moldova close their airspaces for commercial aircraft. (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) (Reuters) 

South Korean president Moon Jae-in announces that the country will join economic sanctions against Russia. (Reuters) 

Lithuanian president Gitanas Nausėda announces that he will sign the decree declaring the state of emergency and asks Seimas to ratify it in an extraordinary session.(err.ee) 

Israel fires several missiles towards Damascus in Syria. Around three Syrian soldiers are killed.  (Times of Israel) 

The National Bank of Ukraine pegs the official hryvnia rate to the US dollar at ₴29.25, bans foreign currency purchases on the interbank market and introduces cash withdrawal limits. The central bank also orders to stop servicing transactions with Russian accounts and introduces unlimited short-term liquidity loans for banks. (National Post) (Ekonomichna Pravda) 

Hong Kong begins rolling out COVID-19 vaccine passports for people aged 12 and above. (Reuters) 

Maine reports 53 deaths, bringing the total amount of deaths from COVID-19 to 2,000. (Portland Press Herald) 

Anti-war protesters gather at the Russian Embassy in Washington, D.C. and other countries across the world to oppose Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. (Axios) (CBS News) 

Russian activist Marina Litvinovich is detained by Moscow police after calling for anti-war demonstrations across Russia. (Reuters) 

UEFA announces that the 2022 UEFA Champions League Final will be moved from Saint Petersburg, Russia, in response to the invasion of Ukraine. (Sky News) 

Jury deliberations start in ex-cops’ George Floyd civil rights trial A Minnesota jury on Wednesday started deliberating in the trial of three former Minneapolis police officers accused of violating George Floyd’s civil rights in 2020 by failing to intervene while a fellow officer, Derek Chauvin, pressed his knee into Floyd’s neck for nine minutes, killing him. Former officers Tou Thao, 36, J. Alexander Kueng, 28, and Thomas Lane, 38, helped Chauvin restrain Floyd, who was suspected of using a counterfeit bill to buy cigarettes, even after Floyd stopped moving. “They chose not to aid Mr. Floyd,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Manda Sertich said in closing arguments. “This is a crime.” Defense lawyers said the defendants were inexperienced and deferred to Chauvin’s seniority. CNN 

2 top Manhattan prosecutors in Trump fraud inquiry resign The two lead prosecutors in the Manhattan district attorney’s investigation into former President Donald Trump’s business practices resigned Wednesday. The prosecutors, Carey Dunne and Mark Pomerantz, abruptly left after the new Manhattan district attorney, Alvin Bragg, expressed doubts about continuing the investigation, The New York Times reported, citing people with knowledge of the situation. The developments left the future of the inquiry in question just as it appeared to be picking up steam. Bragg took over at the start of 2022 from his retired predecessor, Cyrus Vance Jr., and since then prosecutors have postponed plans to question at least one witness before the grand jury.  THE NEW YORK TIMES 

Trial starts for ex-officer charged in raid that killed Breonna Taylor The trial of former Louisville police officer Brett Hankison, the only person criminally charged in connection with the raid that killed Breonna Taylor, started Wednesday with opening arguments. Hankison is charged with three counts of wanton endangerment for firing shots that went into a neighbor’s apartment. The neighbor, Cody Etherton, was the first witness. He said he, his pregnant partner Chelsey Napper, and their 5-year-old son were awakened to a loud boom and “gunfire coming through my wall and nearly killing me.” Taylor was sleeping in her apartment when the officers burst in without knocking then opened fire after her boyfriend, thinking the officers were intruders, fired one shot from his handgun, hitting an officer in the leg. Nobody has been charged over the death of Taylor, a Black medical worker. ABC NEWS

Ivanka Trump in talks to cooperate with Jan. 6 committee Ivanka Trump, the eldest daughter and former White House aide of former President Donald Trump, is in talks with the House select committee investigating the Jan. 6 Capitol riot to appear for an interview, her spokesperson told CBS News on Wednesday. In January, the chair of the House committee, Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), sent a letter to Ivanka Trump asking her to appear before the panel. Thompson said the committee believes that on Jan. 6, Ivanka Trump was in the Oval Office during a phone call between her father and former Vice President Mike Pence, and they want to know if she heard or participated in conversations about her father’s plan “to obstruct or impede the counting of electoral votes.” CBS NEWS 

USPS confirms plan to buy gas-powered trucks despite EPA objection The U.S. Postal Service on Wednesday finalized its plan to buy up to 148,000 gasoline-powered mail delivery trucks, despite calls from the Biden administration to add more electric vehicles to help fight climate change. The White House Council on Environmental Quality and the Environmental Protection Agency this month urged the USPS to reconsider its $11.3 billion plan to replace its fleet. The Postal Service plans for 90 percent of the delivery trucks in its new fleet to be gas-powered, and 10 percent electric, resulting in a 0.4 mile-per-gallon improvement over the current fleet’s fuel economy. Vicki Arroyo, EPA’s associate administrator for policy, said the Postal Service’s decision to stick with the plan instead of buying more electric vehicles is a “crucial lost opportunity.” THE WASHINGTON POST 

Late comedy icon Jerry Lewis accused of sexual harassment, assault The late comedian Jerry Lewis has been accused by former co-stars of sexual harassment and assault. In a new Vanity Fair article and documentary called “The Dark Side of a Hollywood Icon,” actresses who worked with Lewis told Kirby Dick and Amy Ziering, the filmmaking team behind the Woody Allen documentary Allen v. Farrow, about their experiences with Lewis, the star of classic comedies like The Nutty Professor. Karen Sharpe, who starred with Lewis in 1964’s The Disorderly Orderly, alleged that the comedian, who died in 2017, once “grabbed me” and “began to fondle me.” She recounted that when he “unzipped his pants,” she said, “Wait a minute. I don’t know if this is a requirement for your leading ladies, but this is something I don’t do.” VANITY FAIR 

New COVID vaccine 100 percent effective against hospitalizations European drugmakers Sanofi and GSK announced that their new coronavirus vaccine proved 100 percent effective in preventing COVID-19 hospitalizations in late-stage clinical testing. The drug, which will be named Vidprevtyn, was 58 percent effective at preventing COVID-19 symptoms and 75 percent effective at preventing moderate illness. That’s below the efficiency seen in trials of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, but the Sanofi vaccine is the first to be tested with more infectious variants, including Omicron, circulating. The companies plan to seek authorization for the two-shot vaccine in the United States and Europe. Their drug is a more traditional vaccine than the mRNA types made by the other companies. It can be stored at refrigerator temperatures and more easily distributed. CNN 

Wednesday, February 23rd, 2022 

Ukraine announces the mobilization of its military reserves with a maximum service length of one year for reservists between the ages of 18 and 60 years. (Le Figaro)  

Ukraine urges all citizens to leave Russia immediately, following an increase in tensions in the region. (MSN) 

Ukraine closes its civilian airspace nationwide due to potential hazards. Russia also closes its airspace in a region to the east of its border with Ukraine. (Reuters)  

Brent Crude oil reaches its highest price since its 2014 peak, at $99 per barrel, amid rising tensions between Russia and Ukraine. (BBC News) 

South Korea approves the use of the Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children between the ages of 5 and 11 years. (AP) 

Hong Kong reports a record 8,674 new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the territory-wide total of confirmed cases to 75,248. (South China Morning Post) 

Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau revokes the state of emergency that was declared under the Emergencies Act on February 14. (Reuters) 

 
Lizzo wanted to ‘make Ursula a THOT’ in ‘The Little Mermaid’ remake We poor unfortunate souls may never get to see Lizzo play Ursula, but she’s opening up about what could have been. The “Truth Hurts” singer discussed auditioning for the villain role in Disney’s live-action The Little Mermaid. “I didn’t get it,” she told Variety. “But you know, I’m fine as hell. That has nothing to do with Ursula, but I was down to make Ursula a THOT, shaking ass.” The role of Ursula ended up going to Melissa McCarthy, and Lizzo recalled running into McCarthy and noting that she auditioned. “She was like, ‘Well, why the hell did I get the part?,’” Lizzo said. “I was like, ‘Girl, because my audition was terrible.” Actually, though, Lizzo told Variety “my audition was good,” and we’ll have to ask Disney why they went another way. Lizzo was previously open about wanting the part, posting a video of herself singing “Poor Unfortunate Souls” while dressed as Ursula in 2018 and writing, “I’M URSULA. PERIOD.” It sounds like she would have been good as hell, but alas. VARIETY 

Tom Brady to produce and star in a road trip comedy It’s a tale as old as time: an NFL legend retires, then pivots to starring in road trip comedies with Lily Tomlin, Jane Fonda, Rita Moreno, and Sally Field. Tom Brady is set to do just that by both producing and acting in 80 for Brady, a comedy about four best friends and New England Patriots fans who go on a road trip to see their hero, Brady, play in the Super Bowl in 2017. The legendary actresses will play the friends, and Brady is producing the movie through his company, 199 Productions. Just a few weeks ago, Brady confirmed he would retire from the NFL after 22 seasons, teasing, “The future is exciting.” The movie, The Hollywood Reporter says, will depict “the chaos that ensues” as the friends “navigate the wilds of the biggest sporting event in the country,” perhaps leading them to learn that the real Tom Brady was the friends we made along the way.  THE WRAP 

Kanye West samples Kim Kardashian praising him Those who shell out the big bucks to listen to Kanye West’s new album will be treated to the sound of his estranged wife praising him. West held a listening party in Miami for Donda 2, and at one point, he sampled Kardashian’s Saturday Night Live monologue. He included Kardashian saying she “married the best rapper of all time,” and calling West “a talented, legit genius,” but unsurprisingly left out the part when she says she divorced him because of “his personality.” West also raps that he’s going to “beat Pete Davidson’s ass,” continuing his public attacks against Kardashian’s current boyfriend, and he appeared to reference Davidson hiring additional security with the lyric, “Never stand between a man and his kids. Y’all ain’t got enough security for this.” Vice President Kamala Harris also makes an appearance on the album — her famous “we did it, Joe!” exclamation was sampled. Somewhat surprisingly, Donda 2 did actually drop on Wednesday after the listening party — if you bought his $200 Stem Player, that is.  PAGE SIX 

‘Star Trek’ stars reportedly caught off guard by sequel announcement An announcement last week that the cast of Star Trek will return for a new movie apparently came as a surprise to … the cast of Star Trek. During Paramount’s recent investor day, director J.J. Abrams declared “we are hard at work on a new Star Trek film that will be shooting by the end of the year that will be featuring our original cast.” He seemed to be indicating stars like Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto are returning. But The Hollywood Reporter says “most, if not all” of the actors’ representatives had no idea Abrams was going to announce this, and “certainly not that their clients would be shooting a movie by year’s end.” In fact, the script is still in the works, and the actors don’t actually have deals in place — meaning, the Reporter notes, Paramount may have to pay them more since they forfeited their leverage by promising investors the cast would be back. Most illogical.  THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER 

Oscars slammed for plan to skip some live awards The Academy is now so desperate to boost the Oscars’ ratings, they’re reviving old ideas everyone already hated the first time. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced that during next month’s Oscars, eight awards won’t be presented live. Instead, these awards (for crafts that are clearly completely unimportant to the art of filmmaking such as “editing,” “score,” and “sound,”) will be given out prior to the telecast, then edited into the show. The Academy floated a similar idea in 2019, but it sparked such widespread outcry that they backed down. The disastrous ratings in 2021, though, apparently prompted the Academy to try again. The decision again drew significant backlash, leading #PresentAll23 to trend on Twitter. “This is a dumb and disrespectful move,” comedian Patton Oswalt tweeted, arguing, “You’re giving in to short-term ratings panic and forgetting what The Oscars are all about.” Stay tuned for a potential rare example of the exact same dumb idea being walked back twice.  DEADLINE 

The End