Friday, February 24, 2023

Wake-Up Call: Life Expectancy Is 4-Hours For Ukraine Soldiers

The war in Ukraine entered its second year on Friday with no end in sight, a U.N. vote demanding Russia withdraw its forces and global leaders set to bolster Ukraine aid and impose new sanctions on Moscow and countries supporting its war effort. As fighting raged on in Ukraine's east and south, its allies around the world showed their support on the first anniversary of Russia's invasion. Paris lit up the Eiffel Tower in the Ukrainian flag colors of blue and yellow and people draped in Ukrainian flags, with hands on their hearts, gathered at a vigil in London holding a banner: "If you stand for freedom, stand for Ukraine".

➤Z CALLS FOR VICTORY: Ukraine’s president pledged to push for victory in 2023 as he and other Ukrainians on Friday marked the somber first anniversary of the Russian invasion that he called “the longest day of our lives.” In a defiant video address, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recalled the terror unleashed a year ago by the Russian assault, triggering Europe’s biggest and deadliest war since World War II.  “We survived the first day of the full-scale war. We didn’t know what tomorrow would bring, but we clearly understood that for each tomorrow, you need to fight. And we fought,” he said.

➤FRONT LINE LIFE EXPECTANCY IS 4 HOURS: The average life expectancy for a soldier fighting on the front lines in the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut is just four hours, according to an American who is fighting against Russian forces in the Donbas.  Former US Marine Troy Offenbecker detailed the intense fighting, some of the deadliest since Russia launched its invasion a year ago, in an interview with ABC News. Fighting in the war-torn city of Bakhmut has gotten so gory that it’s been dubbed “the meat grinder,” Offenbecker told the outlet. “It’s been pretty bad on the ground,” he said. “A lot of casualties. The life expectancy is around four hours on the front line.” 

The struggle to gain control of the eastern city, which had a prewar population of about 73,000, has been the most persistent fight within the war. In recent weeks, Russian forces have strengthened their attacks in eastern and southern Ukraine ahead of an anticipated large-scale offensive to earn a Russian victory. Russian forces have encircled “fortress Bakhmut” for months, as the city is important to Kyiv because it’s located next to a supply route, but have been met with fierce opposition from Ukrainian troops. 

➤YELLEN CALLS FOR ENDING WAR IN UKRAINE: US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said Russia ending the war was “the most important thing” for the global economy as she accused officials from Moscow attending a Group of 20 meeting of being complicit in atrocities taking place in Ukraine. Speaking in a closed-door meeting Friday in Bengaluru, India, where G-20 finance ministers and central bank governors are gathered, Yellen reiterated calls to her counterparts to redouble efforts to restrict Russia’s capacity to wage war. “This war has its most devastating effects in Ukraine, but Putin’s weaponization of food and energy has harmed developing countries and created global economic headwinds that have hurt every nation represented in this room,” Yellen said, according to remarks prepared for delivery.

➤U-S READIES MORE AID FOR UKRAINE: The US will send Ukraine another $2 billion in security assistance, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said Thursday night. The package, to be issued under the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, will build on previous efforts to aid Ukrainian defenses against Russia.  Sullivan confirmed the new assistance during a CNN Town Hall with US Agency for International Development Administrator Samantha Power. The initiative is intended to finance contracts with delivery dates months or even years away to bolster the nation’s long-term security needs, not for immediate battlefield use. Sullivan added that President Joe Biden and Ukrainian President  Volodymyr Zelenskiy had “deep conversations about precisely what kinds of capacities and what kind of training Ukraine needs to be successful in this effort to take back the territory.” Ukraine has asked repeatedly for fighter jets, which the US has been wary of providing because of the risk of provoking Russia. Sullivan said the two presidents had discussed F-16 warplanes.

➤CHINA CALLS FOR PEACE TALKS: The communist state said it wants to prevent the crisis from getting out of control, noting that dialogue and negotiation are the only viable ways to resolve the conflict, a position paper from the Chinese foreign ministry released on Friday said. On the one-year anniversary of Russia invading Ukraine, China called for a comprehensive ceasefire to the fighting and gradually promotes de-escalation and easing of the situation. 'Conflict and war benefit no one. All parties must stay rational and exercise restraint, avoid fanning the flames and aggravating tensions, and prevent the crisis from deteriorating further or even spiraling out of control,' the statement said. The plan issued Friday morning by the Foreign Ministry also urges the end of Western sanctions imposed on Russia, measures to ensure the safety of nuclear facilities, the establishment of humanitarian corridors for the evacuation of civilians, and steps to ensure the export of grain after disruptions caused global food prices to spike.


➤R KELLY GETS MORE PRISON TIME: A federal judge in Chicago on Thursday sentenced R. Kelly to one additional year in prison for his conviction on sex crimes, extending a 30-year sentence handed to the Grammy-winning R&B singer after an earlier trial in New York, local media reported. At a 90-minute hearing, Judge Harry Leinenweber of the U.S. District Court for Northern Illinois in Chicago also ordered Kelly to serve 19 years simultaneously with the previous sentence, a local CBS affiliate and other media reported. In September, Kelly - whose full name is Robert Sylvester Kelly - was convicted in federal court of felony sexual exploitation of a child, enticement of a female, and possession of material containing child pornography. "The nature of this offense is horrible, horrific," Leinenweber said before handing down the sentence, CBS reported.

➤HARVEY WEINSTEIN IS SENTENCED TO 16 YEARS IN PRISON IN L.A. RAPE TRIAL: On Thursday (February 23rd), Harvey Weinstein was sentenced to 16 additional years in prison for a rape conviction in Los Angeles. The disgraced Hollywood mogul is currently serving a 23-year term for his sexual assault conviction in New York in 2020. In December, jurors found Weinstein guilty on three counts in the Los Angeles trial. All counts pertained to a woman referred to as Jane Doe 1, who said Weinstein raped her at her hotel when she was in town for the Los Angeles Italia Film Festival in 2013. Weinstein was also found not guilty of sexual battery involving another accuser, referred to as Jane Doe 2. Jurors were unable to reach decisions regarding accusations by Jane Doe 3 and Jane Doe 4. His legal team filed an appeal requesting a new trial, but Superior Court Judge Lisa B. Lench denied the request.

Adriana Kuch
➤MORE CHARGES FOR ALLEGED SCHOOL BULLY: One of four girls accused of brutally attacking a New Jersey teen who later committed suicide is facing a conspiracy to commit aggravated assault charge on top of a previous harassment charge. Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said in a statement Thursday that one of the four teen girls who allegedly participated in an attack on Adriana Kuch, 14, just days before her death is facing the additional charge.  Video of the February 1 beating was posted online and led to additional harassment and bullying for Kuch, who was just one month from celebrating her birthday. 

➤MURDAUGH: I STOLE MONEY AND LIED, BUT I'M NOT A KILLER: Alex Murdaugh today admitted stealing money from his law firm to fund his 'extremely bad' opioid habit - but smiled proudly as he told jurors he is now sober. The disgraced legal scion, 54, said he was in the grips of a 20-year addiction when he asked his cousin, Curtis 'Eddie' Smith, to shoot him in a botched suicide attempt three months after the murders of his wife and son. He is accused of killing Maggie, 52, and Paul, 22, at the family's hunting estate in Moselle, SC, on June 7, 2021. Prosecutors say he was 'out of time and out of options' after stealing more than $10m from clients and partners at his law firm. 

➤JEAN SMART IS RECOVERING FROM A ‘SUCCESSFUL’ HEART SURGERY: On Thursday, Hacks star Jean Smart revealed on Instagram that she is recovering from a “successful” heart surgery. “February is American Heart Month — a time when the nation spotlights heart health, so it feels important to share with all of you that I’m recovering from a recent, successful heart procedure,” she wrote. “I am fortunate to have excellent professional care and support from family and friends while I continue to recuperate.”

✞JOHN SCHNEIDER REVEALS THAT HIS WIFE ALICIA ALLAIN PASSED AWAY: Dukes of Hazzard star John Schneider took to Facebook on Wednesday (February 22nd) to announce that his wife, Alicia Allain, died at the age of 53. “My beautiful Smile is pain free, living in her new body alongside Jesus. Please respect our privacy during this time of grief. Please do not ask any questions,” he wrote. “If you have any pictures of us and our obvious love and adoration for each other, please post them below. Lastly… hug those you love tight and let them know how you feel. We always did.” According to Today, Allain died at home on Tuesday, surrounded by loved ones.

➤THE VIEW'S JOY BEHARD TRASHES OHIO VOTERS FOR TRUMP: Joy Behar (right) triggered shocked gasps from The View audience after suggesting victims of the Ohio toxic train crash had it coming to them for voting for former U.S. president Donald Trump. During Thursday's show, Behar, 80, declared: 'I don't know why they would ever vote for him, for somebody who, by the way, he placed someone with deep ties to the chemical industry in charge of the EPA's chemical safety office.' 'That's who you voted for in that district,' she said, pointing directly at the camera. 'Donald Trump, who reduces all safety.' The audience were audibly aghast when they heard Behar's comments. 'They need to look past the photo op and say who's doing the job here,' Behar added. As they headed to the break, co-host Hostin said, 'I think this is Donald Trump's fault.' The controversial comment came amid a lively discussion in which Republican criticism of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg's handling of the situation was also brought up.

➤ZOMBIE DRUG DETECTED IN NEW YORK: A horse tranquilizer called xylazine is being mixed with heroin and fentanyl to create a deadly mix known as a “zombie drug.” It is already in 90 percent of Philadelphia’s drug supply and has now been detected in New York City, according to a report in The Hill. In addition to causing zombie-like behavior due to the sedative, the drug is known to cause open sores and swollen limbs. Many addicts have needed a limb amputation.


➤MILLIONS OF AIR FRYERS RECALLED: About two million air fryers branded COSORI have been recalled due to a wire connection that can overheat and cause a burn or fire. The maker has received 205 reports of their air fryers catching fire, burning, melting, overheating or smoking, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. The products were sold at Best Buy, Target, Home Depot, Amazon, and many other retailers at a cost of between $70 and $130.CHECK IT OUT: For model numbers and more information, click here.

🏈BOBBY WAGNER GOES FREE AGENT: Bobby Wagner and the Los Angeles Rams have mutually agreed to a split just one year into his five year, $50 million contract, according to ESPN. That means the All-Pro linebacker will be a free agent. Wagner definitely did his job for the Rams. He played all 17 games and made the All-Pro team for a ninth straight year. He had spent the previous 10 years playing for the Seattle Seahawks. There’s speculation that it’s all about freeing up some space in the salary cap.

🏈ROBERT WOODS CUT BY THE TITANS: Robert Woods has been cut by the Tennessee Titans after just one season. As in Wagner’s case, it looks like Woods’ departure frees up some money against the team’s salary cap.

🏈AARON RODGERS ISN’T IN THE DARK ANY MORE: Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is no longer spending time in total darkness while contemplating his future. He has reportedly left the Sky Cave Retreats in Oregon, where he went to think about his future. No word yet on what he decided. His options include staying with the Packers, seeking a trade, or retiring.

🏒BRUINS ACQUIRE ORLOV AND HATHAWAY: The Boston Bruins have acquired defenseman Dmitry Orlov and right wing Garnet Hathaway from the Washington Capitals. In exchange, Washington is getting right wing Craig Smith, a 2023 first-round pick, a 2025 second-round pick and a 2024 third-round pick.

🏀KEVIN DURANT EDGES TOWARDS A RETURN: Kevin Durant participated in a two-hour workout and scrimmage with his new Phoenix Suns teammates yesterday in what looked like preparation for his debut with the team. He has been ruled out for tonight’s home game against the Oklahoma City Thunder but there’s hope that he could return for the team’s upcoming four-game road trip. Durant is recovering from a knee injury.

➤BLIZZARD WARNINGS POSTED NEAR LOS ANGELES: The famed Hollywood Sign got a dusting of snow on Thursday morning, as a storm that paralyzed Portland, Oregon with almost a foot of snow bore down on Los Angeles. Dubbed Winter Storm Piper by the Weather Channel, the West Coast storm prompted the National Weather Service to issue a blizzard warning for the mountains north and northeast of Los Angeles, the first such warning in the area since 1989. Meanwhile, the remnants of Winter Storm Olive, also a Weather Channel moniker, were headed for the Northeast and New England after bringing heavy snow to parts of the Rockies, Northern Plains and upper Midwest, with parts of Utah seeing two feet.


 

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