An invasion of Ukraine has begun, with Russian President Putin declaring war
Here’s what you need to know:
The White House has made a dire warning saying Vladimir Putin has “greater ambitions” than simply Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Zelensky: today we lost 137 military and civilians, including 10 officers. All defenders of the Snake island are dead.
There have been reports about 11 female soldiers who died after Putin’s missile hit their barracks.
Meanwhile the Russian army lost more than 30 tanks, up to 130 armoured fighting vehicles, 5 aircraft and 6 helicopters on the first day of the full-scale invasion, said Zaluzhny, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Authorities in the Ukrainian city of Lviv have ordered a city-wide lights out as a precautionary message.
There is fierce fighting across multiple fronts. An adviser to the Ukrainian presidential office said Russian forces had captured the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. Heavy exchanges of fire were also taking place in the regions of Sumy and Kharkiv in the northeast and Kherson and Odessa in the south.
Ukraine says 57 people have been killed on the first day of conflict with 169 wounded.
Ukrainian President Zelenskiy says a new iron curtain was falling and closing Russia off from the civilised world.
A cerfew is in place in Kyiv, but the government has handed out 10,000 automatic rifles to civillians in Kyiv.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson unveiled a package of “severe” sanctions against Russia targeting banks – even blocking Russian airline Aeroflot from the UK.
European Union leaders will implement further sanctions. But Moscow has threatened to respond with “tit-for-tat” measures
Woman flees as her apartment in bombed / Image: Fox
White House: Chernobyl staff ‘held hostage’
White House press secretary Jen Psaki just told reporters at her daily briefing that there are reports Russian soldiers are holding the staff of the Ukrainian nuclear site hostage.
“We are outraged by credible reports that Russian soldiers are currently holding the staff of the Chernobyl facilities hostage,” she said.
“This unlawful and dangerous hostage-taking, which could upend the routine civil service efforts required to maintain and protect the nuclear waste facilities, is obviously incredibly alarming and gravely concerning.
“We condemn it and we request their release.”
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki holds a press briefing, Tuesday, October 12, 2021, in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House. (Official White House Photo by Hannah Foslien)
Downing street says Ukraine is ready to combat
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson told his government on Thursday evening that Ukrainian soldiers have been putting up a fight – defending their nation.
FILE PHOTO: Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson walks on Downing Street in London, Britain, July 14, 2021. REUTERS/Peter Nicholls/File Photo
What would Swift sanctions mean for Russia?
President Joe Biden and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz have both said that cutting Russia off from the global banking system, Swift, is not being proposed right now.
But what would happen if it was?
Excluding Russia from Swift would risk severe repercussions for banks that are owed money – either now or in the longer term.
This is particularly true in Germany, which has deep financial ties with Russia and feels it has done its share of economic sacrifice by suspending certification of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline.
Although being de-Swifted would be disruptive for Russia, there is an alternate system – called CFPS – that Russia set up after it annexed Crimea in 2014.
Similarly, China has also set up a secondary system, CIPS.
Expelling Russia would probably only push it closer to China and play into the hands of the Xi administration, which is keen to “de-dollarise” the world’s financial architecture. This would accelerate that trend and ambition.
Anthony Lucas is reporter, presenter and social media producer with ticker News. Anthony holds a Bachelor of Professional Communication, with a major in Journalism from RMIT University as well as a Diploma of Arts and Entertainment journalism from Collarts. He’s previously worked for 9 News, ONE FM Radio and Southern Cross Austerio’s Hit Radio Network.
In a world increasingly reliant on technology, Tottenham Hotspur’s head coach, Ange Postecoglou, has cautioned against the belief that advanced tools and systems will eliminate errors in the world of sports.
While the integration of technology in sports has undoubtedly improved accuracy and decision-making, Postecoglou emphasizes that it won’t render sport error-free. Speaking in a recent interview, the Australian coach highlighted that the human element, including players, referees, and officials, will always introduce an inherent margin of error.
Postecoglou’s perspective comes at a time when VAR (Video Assistant Referee) and various data-driven analytics are increasingly prevalent in football and other sports. These technologies have been adopted to reduce controversial decisions and enhance the overall fairness of games. However, they have not been without their share of controversies and debates.
The coach suggests that while technology can assist in decision-making and enhance fairness, it cannot entirely eradicate errors or eliminate the subjective nature of some sporting judgments. He believes that the beauty of sports lies in its unpredictability and occasional human errors, which make each match unique and emotionally charged.
Ange Postecoglou’s viewpoint underscores the importance of embracing technology as a tool for improvement but reminds us that the essence of sports lies in its imperfections. As sports enthusiasts, we should appreciate both the precision of technology and the human element that adds excitement and drama to every match.
Andrew Tate, the controversial 36-year-old influencer, has been granted a partial reprieve from the travel restrictions imposed on him.
Since August, Tate had been confined to the Bucharest area, requiring judicial approval for any travel beyond these limits. However, a recent court decision has slightly eased these restrictions, allowing him to move within Romania.
Andrew Tate has faced a litany of serious allegations, including human trafficking, rape, and involvement in an organized crime group. These accusations stem from his alleged exploitation of women to generate income for his webcam business. Multiple women have come forward, claiming they were deceived with promises of love and marriage, only to be subjected to sexual exploitation and control.
Despite the loosening of travel restrictions, it’s important to note that Tate remains unable to leave Romania. This development comes following his appearance in court this Tuesday, where he and his brother, Tristan, vehemently denied all allegations against them.
Outside the courthouse, Andrew Tate expressed cautious optimism, stating that “things are moving in the correct direction.” This statement reflects the ongoing legal battle and uncertainty surrounding his future. It remains to be seen how these legal proceedings will unfold and whether further changes in travel restrictions will occur.
The case of Andrew Tate continues to be a matter of intense public interest and debate, as the allegations against him are of a grave nature. As legal proceedings progress, many will be watching closely to see how this controversial influencer’s story unfolds.
Citigroup’s CEO, Jane Fraser, has unveiled a major restructuring plan that includes layoffs as the company seeks to streamline its operations and enhance profitability.
In a recent statement, Fraser emphasised the need to eliminate inefficiencies and ensure that every employee contributes actively to the bank’s success.
Fraser stated, “We don’t have room for bystanders. Citigroup is committed to being a leaner, more agile organization, and that means making tough decisions.”
This move comes as the financial industry faces increased competition, changing customer preferences, and technological advancements that require banks to adapt swiftly.
The overhaul plan aims to reduce costs significantly by cutting jobs across various departments. While specific numbers have not been disclosed, it is expected that thousands of employees will be affected. The restructuring will also involve consolidating certain business units and reallocating resources to areas with higher growth potential.
Citigroup’s CEO stressed that the goal is not just cost-cutting but also fostering innovation and digital transformation. The bank aims to invest in technology and modernize its services to meet the evolving needs of its customers.
As the financial industry continues to evolve, Citigroup’s decision to take proactive steps to remain competitive is in line with broader industry trends. Fraser’s leadership in making tough decisions reflects the bank’s commitment to staying relevant in a rapidly changing landscape.