February 26, 2022

'Hank the Tank': DNA evidence spares 500lb burglar bear

BBC News

California's burliest burglar is no longer the lone suspect in nearly 40 home break-ins across the Lake Tahoe region, wildlife officials have said.

Residents have made more than 150 calls since last summer about "Hank the Tank", a 500lb (227kg) black bear with a raging appetite for human food.

But DNA samples have now linked at least two other bears to the crime scenes.

That means officials will no longer seek to put down the wild animal.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-60532151



Obviously it's an organized bear gang. But how on earth did they get a DNA sample?

February 26, 2022

Kyiv high-rise apartment building hit by missile strike

CCTV image from BBC.com

Yahoo News

A high-rise apartment building near the airport in Kyiv was hit by a missile overnight as Russian troops stormed the city, the State Emergency Service of Ukraine said Saturday morning.

The strike set the building on fire and left a massive hole and an evacuation was underway, the government said.

There was no immediate word on any potential fatalities or injuries.

https://news.yahoo.com/kyiv-high-rise-apartment-building-090404600.html



CCTV image from Peaknewsonline.com

February 26, 2022

Loser vs legend

February 26, 2022

Ghost of Kiev artwork

r/warinukraine
•Posted byu/tuxpenguino
4 hours ago
Ghost of Kiev **Artwork** (Share to your hearts content)

February 26, 2022

Kiev authorities ask residents to check roofs for target marks by Russian saboteurs

This is part of a larger story on Daily Beast that I thought was worth highlighting:

"Local residents in Kyiv took to social media to warn that Russian saboteurs appeared to have infiltrated parts of the city, with some spotted in the streets appearing to direct artillery fire at certain buildings.

Ukraine’s National Police issued an ominous warning to residents of the capital, suggesting Russian reconnaissance units were marking residential buildings to help direct aviation forces to their targets.

“The city authorities of Kyiv are appealing to residents of multi-story buildings with access to the roof to urgently check the roof for marks. If any marks are found, please put dirt over them or cover them with something. Such marks probably direct aviation [forces] to objects where strikes can be carried out.”

Main headline:
‘Combat in the Streets’ of Kyiv as Russian Saboteurs Sneak In

https://www.thedailybeast.com/combat-in-the-streets-of-kyiv-as-russian-saboteurs-sneak-in?ref=home

February 26, 2022

Slava Ukraini! Heroiam slava!

transl. "Glory to Ukraine! Glory to the heroes!"

This is the Ukrainian national salute

CNN reports Zelensky posted a video on Facebook tonight in which he said,

“We are all here. Our military are here. Citizens and society are here. We are all here defending our independence, our state and it will remain so. Glory to our defenders! Glory to our women defenders! Glory to Ukraine!"

February 25, 2022

NATO Response Force activated for first time ever in response to Russian invasion of Ukraine

Source: CNN

From CNN's Barbara Starr

For the first time ever, the NATO Response Force has been activated as a defensive measure in response to Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine.

NATO Supreme Allied Commander Gen. Tod Wolters activated the multinational force consisting of land, air, sea and special operations forces from the allies that can deploy quickly in support of the NATO alliance.

The activation of the response troops does not mean that any US or NATO troops will go into Ukraine, which is not a member of the alliance. US President Joe Biden has been clear that US troops are deploying to eastern Europe to help bolster NATO countries nervous about Russia's aggressive actions, and they will not be fighting in Ukraine.

Wolters called it a "historic moment" in his statement.

Read more: https://www.cnn.com/europe/live-news/ukraine-russia-news-02-25-22/index.html

February 25, 2022

Breaking: UK to sanction Putin and Lavrov - PM

Source: BBC

The UK will introduce sanctions against Russian President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov imminently, Boris Johnson has said.

A No 10 spokeswoman said that during a phone call with Nato leaders on Friday, the UK prime minister warned Putin was "engaging in a revanchist mission to over-turn post-Cold War order" and that his "ambitions might not stop there and that this was a Euro-Atlantic crisis with global consequences".

The statement also mentioned the Swift international payments network, which Ukraine has been calling for Russia to be banned from.

"The prime minister urged leaders to take immediate action against Swift to inflict maximum pain on President Putin and his regime," it says.

Read more: https://www.bbc.com/news/live/world-europe-60517447

February 25, 2022

BBC: Nato response force deployed - Stoltenberg

BBC

Nato's Stoltenberg tells reporters that Nato has deployed elements of its rapid response force on land, sea and in the air.

He says that the security bloc has "already strengthened our defence" and that the US, Canada and European nations have already deployed thousands of troops to the region.

More than 100 fighter jets are now operating in 30 defence locations in Europe, accompanied by more than 120 ships and three strike carrier groups, Mr Stoltenberg says.

He emphasises that the forces will defend "every inch of Nato territory" and adds that it will continue to offer support to Ukraine, as well as other nations in the region threatened by Russia - including Georgia, Moldova and Bosnia.

https://www.bbc.com/news/live/world-europe-60517447

February 25, 2022

BBC: We must stand ready to do more - Stoltenberg

More now from Nato Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, who is speaking from Nato headquarters in Brussels.

He says that the invasion has caused enormous suffering and argues that Western leaders must "stand ready to do more, even if it means we have to pay a price, because we are in this for the long haul".

He adds: "The world will hold Russia and Belarus accountable for their actions. Russia as the aggressor, Belarus as the enabler."

Stoltenberg says that the "Kremlin's objectives are not limited to Ukraine" and notes that Russia has demanded legally binding agreements to halt further Nato expansion.

https://www.bbc.com/news/live/world-europe-60517447