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Category News

Russia-Ukraine war: List of key events – day 1,098

By in News, World News

Here is the situation on Tuesday, February 25:

Fighting

  • Russian attacks in the Ukrainian capital injured a 19-year-old woman, according to Kyiv’s Regional Governor Mykola Kalashnyk, and set a residential building on fire. He claimed the woman had a head injury and was being treated.
  • At least one person was killed and 13 more were injured by Russian shelling in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kramatorsk, German news agency Deutsche Presse-Agentur (DPA) reported, citing the governor of the Donetsk region, Vadym Filashkin.
  • According to DPA, at least two civilians were hurt by Russian bombs in the Kharkiv-area’s neighbor.
  • Kyiv’s military said air force units shot down six missiles and 133 of 213 drones launched at Ukraine overnight. 79 more drones reportedly failed to land on their intended targets.
Servicemen of the 24th Mechanized Brigade, named after King Danylo, of the Ukrainian Armed Forces fire a BM-21 Grad multiple-launch rocket system towards Russian troops, on a front line near the town of Chasiv Yar in Donetsk region, Ukraine February 23, 2025]Handout/Oleg Petrasiuk via Reuters]
  • Veniamin Kondratyev, the Russian governor for the Krasnodar region, claimed Ukraine launched a drone attack that damaged infrastructure, including Tuapse’s Black Sea port. No injuries were reported.
  • Russia’s state-owned RIA Novosti reported that a 17-year-old was arrested on suspicion of gathering intelligence to help Ukraine target Russia’s Ryazan oil refinery with drones. According to reports, the teenager reportedly admitted to the questioning.
  • A Russian man was convicted of filming an air defense system in Podolsk and providing Ukraine with images and location data for 16 years, according to the Russian Investigative Committee.

Politics and diplomacy

  • Donald Trump, the president of the United States, confirmed earlier rumors in the media that he had negotiated with Ukraine for access to the continent’s rare earth minerals and other natural resources.
  • A new study by the World Bank, United Nations, European Commission and the Ukrainian government found that about $524bn would be needed to rebuild Ukraine’s economy after Russia’s three-year war on the country. This was a 7% increase over the estimated $ 486 billion budget of the previous year.
  • Despite Trump claiming that Russian President Vladimir Putin had consented to it, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov reiterated Moscow’s disapproval of European peacekeepers stationed in Ukraine.
The UK ambassador to the UN, Barbara Woodward, casts a vote during a UNSC meeting on the third anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine
On February 24, 2025, at the UN headquarters in New York, United States, UK envoy Barbara Woodward casts a vote.
  • Russians have a lot of rare metal deposits, according to Dmitry Peskov, a spokesman for the Kremlin. Trump stated in his campaign that there would be “major economic development transactions with Russia.”
  • Norway will provide funding for Ukraine’s purchase of natural gas, according to Naftogaz, an organization in Ukraine. The European Bank of Reconstruction and Development is reportedly funding the $400 million aid package.

Trump To Sell ‘Gold Card’ US Visas For $5m

By in News, Nigeria News

Trump, the president of the United States, announced plans to sell additional “gold card” residency permits for $5 million each, and alleged that Russian oligarchs might be eligible.

Trump claimed that sales of the new visa, a high-priced version of the green card, would encourage new jobs and help the US’s economy reduce.

“We’re going to be selling a gold card. You have a green card, this is a gold card. We’re going to be putting a price on that card of about $5 million”, Trump told reporters in the Oval Office.

The Republican president claimed the new card would lead to a highly sought-after US citizenship, calling for the deportation of millions of undocumented immigrants as a top priority during his second term.

“A lot of people are going to want to be in this country, and they’ll be able to work and provide jobs and build companies”, Trump said. “It’ll be people with money”.

READ ALSO: One-Third Of Musk’s DOGE Staff Resign In Protest

Sales of the cards would start in about two weeks, Trump added.

“We might be able to sell a million of these cards,” the statement read. We have it all worked out from a legal standpoint”, Trump added.

The billionaire former real estate mogul claimed that all potential gold cards applicants would be thoroughly checked.

But asked if wealthy Russians would also be able to apply, Trump said it was a possibility.

“Possibly. Some Russian oligarchs are very nice, and I’m one of them. It’s possible”, Trump said. “They’re not as wealthy as they used to be. I think they can. I think they can afford $5 million”.

Since Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine three years ago, sanctions have been applied to a number of Russian oligarchs.

Trump has suddenly begun discussions with Russia to end the war, raising concerns that he might be ready to short sell Ukraine.

The US president claimed that lifting sanctions against Russia “at some point,” but that this was not the case at the time.

US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, standing at Trump’s side in the Oval Office, said of the gold cards that “we can use that money to reduce our deficit”.

Trump even suggested that the new cards be named after him, adding that he has branded a number of hotels and casinos throughout his long career.

“Somebody said, ‘ Can we call it the Trump gold card? ‘ I said, ‘ If it helps, use the name Trump, ‘” he said.

If BVAS, IREV Are Automated, We Won’t Hear About Glitches – Jonathan

By in News, Nigeria News

There will be more trust in the electoral process, according to former president Goodluck Jonathan, who argued that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) could automate the BVAS and its Results Viewing Portal (IREV).

At the YIAGA Africa reflection conference on democratic elections in West Africa on Tuesday, Jonathan made the statement in Abuja.

He claimed that if the IREV’s malfunction had been properly automated to reduce human factors, the controversy that resulted from the 2023 presidential election would have been avoided.

READ ALSO: Jonathan, Jega Decry Political Interference On INEC Appointments

“If BVAS captures data, that data should be automatically uploaded to the IREV, which is a contentious issue with BVAS and IREV,” says one source.

It shouldn’t depend on a human factor’s presence at the interface to notify us of glitches. Since it is so completely automated that no human factor will interfere, it will of course be seamless.

However, if I want to direct the BVAS before the BVAS is supposed to complete the automated work, Jonathan said, “I can do what I think will sooth my interest.”

He claimed that technology can’t be eliminated, but that it still needs improvement if it isn’t completely resolved the majority of Nigeria’s electoral issues.

The electoral body has introduced new technologies for the accreditation and electronic voting for elections, such as the BVAS and IREV.

The IREV will enable INEC to transmit the results of the elections in real time during the elections in 2023, according to INEC’s pledge to use it. The electoral body, however, cited glitches as the failure to fulfill this promise made during the presidential election.

There are “too many ghost voters in Nigeria.”

The former Nigerian leader also attributed the low voter turnout to ghost voter registration in the country.

“I also have some concerns, particularly in Nigeria,” I said. At the end of elections, you hardly get up to 40 per cent of Nigerians voting. Do you believe that is correct? My belief is that we have too many ghost voters”, he said.

Chile declares emergency as power outage plunges country into darkness

By in News, World News

After a devastating power outage that left millions of people without electricity and plunged Santiago into darkness, Chile’s government declared a state of emergency.

Tuesday’s widespread blackout, the country’s largest in years, was caused by a high-voltage transmission line failure in Chile’s north, Interior Minister Carolina Toha said, ruling out sabotage.

Chile’s president, Gabriel Boric, attributed the outage to private companies in a late-night television address to the country, which he delivered to eight million homes.

“What happened today is outrageous because it’s not tolerable that one or several companies impact the everyday life of millions of Chileans, and that’s why it’s the state’s duty to hold them responsible”, Boric said.

Chile’s national disaster response service, Senapred, said 14 of the country’s 16 regions were affected.

Chile’s government has established a curfew from 10pm to 6am on Wednesday (01: 00 to 09: 00 GMT) from the northernmost port of Arica to the southern region of Los Lagos.

In an effort to keep things order, the government of the interior announced that it would be sending armed forces across the nation, which would be spread along the southern Pacific coast, at a distance of 4,300 kilometers (more than 2,600 miles).

People listen to instructions from the staff at the closed entrance of the metro during a blackout in Vina del Mar, Chile, on February 25, 2025]Rodrigo Garrido/Reuters]

Early on Wednesday, Chile’s power operator said most of the country’s electrical demand was back online, with “90 percent of consumption” restored.

Ernesto Huber, executive director of Chile’s National Electricity Coordinator, said earlier that the body had “activated several power stations, mainly hydroelectric stations” to try and meet demand.

Streetlights in Santiago went dark and sirens blared on Tuesday, as the capital’s metro – which transports millions of passengers a day – was closed and passengers evacuated, the Reuters news agency reported.

Chile’s transport minister, Juan Carlos Munoz, urged people to stay home, as he cautioned that only about 27 percent of Santiago’s traffic lights were working.

“There’s nothing. There’s no cash. No money. Nothing”, Santiago resident Jose Luis Orlandini told Reuters.

Terminals are using emergency power, according to authorities at Santiago’s Arturo Merino Benitez International Airport, and flights are running normally.

The global metal markets were shocked when a large copper mine shut down in northern Chile, the country’s top producer, as a result of the outage.

Petition to strip Musk of Canadian citizenship gathers 280,000 signatures

By in News, World News

Elon Musk, the CEO of Google, has signed a petition asking Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to remove his Canadian citizenship because of his actions against Canada’s interests.

The parliamentary petition, which was published on February 20, claims that Donald Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency, headed by Musk, has “become a member of a foreign government that is attempting to oust Canadian sovereignty.”

It also accuses him of being “engaged in activities that go against the national interest of Canada” and using his “wealth and power to influence]Canadian] elections”.

Musk, the world’s richest man, holds South African, US, and Canadian passports ­– the latter of which he gained through his Canadian-born mother.

Musk is best known for being the owner of X and Tesla, as well as the CEO of SpaceX, but he has since become one of Trump’s closest confidants in US politics.

Trump has benefited from the billionaire’s influence by threatening to impose a 25% tariff on Canadian and Mexican goods, which would effectively end the US-Canada and Mexico’s three-decade-old free trade zone.

Trump announced on Monday that he would start the tariffs the following week, but he put them on hold for 30 days in early February to allow for negotiations with Mexico City in Washington, Ottawa, and elsewhere.

Additionally, he has threatened to impose a 25% tariff on all US-sourced steel and aluminum, including those from Canada.

Trump and Musk have made remarks suggesting that Canada should become the “51st state” of the US, with Musk referring to Trudeau as “Canada’s governor”. In response to the petition, Mussk claimed on X that “Canada is not a real country.”

The petition, which New Democratic Party MP Charlie Angus has sponsored, is open until June 20 when it will be presented to Parliament for a potential response.

Ottawa’s response to the petition is unsure.

Today’s horoscope for February 26 has Capricorn contemplate a romantic risk

By in Entertainment News, News

It’s Wednesday, and one star sign should prioritise their own happiness, while another will discover something valuable.

There are 12 zodiac signs – Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces – and the horoscopes for each can give you the lowdown on what your future holds, be it in work, your love life, your friends and family or more.

Astrologer Russell Grant, who has studied star signs for over 50 years, compiles these daily forecasts. From horoscopes/aries/daily/”>Aries through to Pisces, here’s what today could bring for your horoscope – and what you can do to be prepared.

Aries (Mar 21 – Apr 20)

A small mix-up or misunderstanding has the potential to escalate. This could lead to feelings of resentment. Do you really want to look into this further if a housemate or workmate made a mistake or oversight? Doing so could strain a relationship with someone you almost always see.

Taurus (Apr 21 – May 21)

You’re reluctant to modify your plans to include a housemate or workmate’s suggestions. Your relationship won’t benefit from the pressure this is putting on you. A lawyer or accountant’s opinion is wise if family tension is being exacerbated by financial issues.

Gemini (May 22 – June 21)

Today, the person who recently requested assistance is expecting you to do the same. You don’t mind stepping in but you also need to feel a sense of achievement. This only comes from thought-provoking and imaginative activities. You must collaborate on interesting projects while meeting with interesting people.

Cancer (June 22 – July 23)

You might find yourself feeling a mix of anxiety, frustration, or even a burst of energy regarding certain aspects of your life. Whatever the circumstances may be, things are about to start moving in the right direction.

Leo (July 24 – Aug 23)

Make sure to prioritize your own happiness when planning what you can do with your free time. You might try to get your friends to join in their loud and lively activities, but you might prefer something subdued. Choose a holiday activity you are confident will enjoy.

Virgo (Aug 24 – Sept 23)

Are conversations or the behavior of someone you are reading too much into? Pause and consider whether your interpretation is true before you say something you might regret later. This is particularly crucial when dealing with complex issues that are unfamiliar.

Libra (Sept 24 – Oct 23)

When you reveal that you have reconsidered a choice you’ve already made, people close to you are unlikely to be surprised. As the day progresses, your habit of changing your mind will grow. Rather than wasting time in uncertainty, trust the feelings you had early on.

Scorpio (Oct 24 – Nov 22)

You no longer think of fresh ideas as naturally as you would, especially when they are most needed. Others around you are overflowing with suggestions. You’ll suddenly start feeling motivated and can come up with some original ideas from others if you pay attention to their viewpoints.

Sagittarius (Nov 23 – Dec 21)

Communicate with care and care in situations where there appears to be some confusion. Avoid becoming depressed by issues that might not otherwise seem as daunting. Daydreaming might be a fun and enjoyable way to escape reality.

Capricorn (Dec 22 – Jan 20)

The desire to impress someone will be both exciting and risky when emotions are high. You might find yourself facing a romantic challenge due to your intense emotions. If you are already in a relationship, this could complicate your current situation. Do you really want this, or something else?

Aquarius (Jan 21 – Feb 19)

A generous impulse could drain your finances, and even worse, it will start to feel as if someone isn’t valuing all your efforts. You might be focusing too much on the wrong person and not supporting those who truly deserve it.

Pisces (Feb 20 – Mar 20)

You can learn more about the world around you and how you can play a role in some situations by speaking in person and online. Pay attention to the words you use and the voice’s pitch. Find the root of your inner irritability and you’ll discover something valuable.