German chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz declares the rapid re-militarization of Germany and Europe as a whole to be an immediate priority, in order to provide military support for Ukraine against Russia, as well as to pursue European military independence from the United States and possibly NATO.
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February 24, 2025 (Monday)
1.8 minutes to read
Armed conflicts and attacks
The Ryazan Refinery in Ryazan, Russia, suspends operations after an overnight drone attack by Ukraine destroys the main crude distillation unit at the facility. Locals report hearing at least five explosions during the attack.
Three molotov cocktails are thrown at the Russian consulate in Marseille, France. No perpetrators are apprehended, but police suspect terrorism.
Puntland forces capture key locations, including Dararmadobe, Uraar and the Four Corners of Mountains in Gaatir Oodan, which have served as command and defense bases for the Islamic State militias. Troops uncover mass graves, including the bodies of senior Middle East ISIL members killed in UAE and US airstrikes. Vehicles and motorbikes rigged with explosives were found in the Cal Miskaad mountains of Puntland’s Bari Region.
Druze militia leaders announce the formation of the Suwayda Military Council as a coalition of southern Syrian forces for promoting regional secularism and democracy. The council accuses the Syrian transitional government of committing ethnic cleansing operations and extrajudicial killings, and vows to prevent Syrian Armed Forces from entering Druze settlements.
Business and economy
American coffeehouse chain Starbucks announces that it is cutting 1,100 jobs across its stores in the United States as part of cost reduction measures. The company also announces that its menu will be "simplified" and shrunk by 33%.
Health and environment
Over 50 people die after an unknown virus outbreak in northwestern Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The Department of State Health Services in Texas, United States, places several major cities in the state on high alert due to a measles outbreak that spreads to 99 people in Texas and New Mexico, the third-largest outbreak since it was considered eliminated in the U.S. in 2000.
International relations
The United Nations General Assembly votes 93–18, with 65 abstentions, to pass a resolution condemning Russia’s war against Ukraine. The 18 countries that voted against include the United States, Russia, Israel, Belarus, and North Korea.
Law and crime
The Australian eSafety Commission fines instant messaging service Telegram A$1 million (US$640,000) for delaying its response to inquiries on preventing child exploitation and extremist content.
Science and technology
NASA formally announces that asteroid 2024 YR4 now poses "no significant threat" to Earth in 2032 and beyond as the chances of an impact drop to 1-in-59,000 (0.0017%). This means a planetary defense mission to intercept and deflect the object in 2028 during a close flyby of Earth is no longer necessary.
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