February 24, 2022

*) Putin launches 'military operation' in Ukraine Russian President Vladimir Putin has launched a military operation in Ukraine. In a surprise address, Putin justified the move by claiming Kiev was overseeing a "genocide" in eastern Ukraine. He called on Ukrainian soldiers to lay down their arms. US President Joe Biden urged world leaders to speak out against Putin's "aggression" and vowed Russia would be held accountable. *) Explosions in Ukraine as Russia targets military infrastructure Explosions were heard in Ukraine's capital, Kiev, and several other cities on Thursday. Ukrainian border guards reported being under attack along the Russian and Belarusian frontiers. Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a Facebook post that Russia was attacking his country's "military infrastructure". He urged citizens not to panic and vowed victory. His foreign minister said Ukraine will defend itself and will win. *) UAE plans to buy Chinese aircraft after attacks by Yemen rebels The United Arab Emirates has said it plans to buy a dozen Chinese L15 aircraft. The move comes at a time when it is seeking to bolster its defences after a series of attacks by Yemeni rebels. Meanwhile, the United States has announced sanctions against what it said were members of an international financing network for Yemen’s Houthi rebels. *) US truckers launch convoy in pandemic protest Hundreds of truckers and their supporters have set off from southern California on a convoy to protest against pandemic restrictions. "The People's Convoy" began its journey on Wednesday and is expected to reach the Washington DC area on March 5. The organisers say they want an end to mask mandates, vaccination requirements and business shutdowns. The protest is inspired by demonstrations that crippled Canada's cities for weeks. *) Neolithic-era ritual complex found in Jordan desert Archaeologists deep in the Jordanian desert have discovered a 9,000-year-old ritualistic complex. The Stone Age shrine site was used by gazelle hunters