While You Were Sleeping: 5 stories you might have missed, Feb 20, 2025
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (left) was described as a dictator on Feb 19, by US President Donald Trump.
PHOTO: AFP
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Trump brands Ukraine’s Zelensky a ‘dictator’
US President Donald Trump called Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky a “dictator” on Feb 19, widening a personal rift with major implications for efforts to end the conflict triggered by Russia’s invasion three years ago.
The United States had provided funding and arms to Ukraine, but in an abrupt policy shift since coming to power, Mr Trump has opened talks with Moscow.
“A Dictator without Elections, Zelenskyy better move fast or he is not going to have a Country left,” Mr Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform of the Ukrainian leader, whose five-year term expired in 2024.
Martial law introduced following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 bans any wartime elections. The Constitution says the president serves until a newly elected one takes office.
Global glacier melt is accelerating, scientists say
AFP
Ice loss from the world’s glaciers has accelerated over the past decade, scientists said on Feb 19, warning that melting may be faster than previously expected in the coming years and drive sea levels higher.
The world’s glaciers, which are important climate regulators and hold freshwater resources for billions, are rapidly melting as the world warms.
In a first-of-its-kind global assessment, an international team of researchers found a sharp increase in melting over the past decade, with around 36 per cent more ice lost in the 2012 to 2023 period than in the years from 2000 to 2011.
Florence bans check-in keyboxes amid too much tourism
REUTERS
Florence’s local government has ordered owners of holiday rental properties to remove self check-in keyboxes by Feb 25 in a move against over-tourism in the Italian Renaissance city.
Rental companies such as Airbnb increasingly use self check-in keyboxes to save time for property owners and holidaymakers, who no longer need to meet to hand over keys and complete check-in procedures.
However, critics say the boxes are ugly and argue that check-ins without a physical encounter between guest and renter pose a security risk.
SpaceX debris enters atmosphere over Poland: Agency
PHOTOS: REUTERS
Debris from a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket that blasted off in the United States on Feb 1 entered the Earth’s atmosphere over Poland on Feb 19, the Polish space agency said.
A 1.5m by 1m chunk from an unidentified object was found near the western city of Poznan, but no casualties or damage was reported, police said.
The Polish Space Agency said a stage of the Falcon 9 R/B rocket made “an uncontrolled re-entry into the atmosphere” at about 0346 GMT (11.46am in Singapore).
Apple adds lower-price iPhone 16e to line-up
PHOTOS: EPA-EFE
Apple on Feb 19 introduced a new iPhone 16e model with a lower price tag as the company seeks to revive sales of its iconic device.
Apple touted the iPhone 16e as having many features found in more expensive models, including Apple-tailored artificial intelligence features and integration with OpenAI’s ChatGPT.
“iPhone 16e packs in the features our users love about the iPhone 16 lineup, including breakthrough battery life, fast performance powered by the latest-generation A18 chip, an innovative 2-in-1 camera system, and Apple Intelligence,” Apple vice-president of worldwide iPhone product marketing Kaiann Drance said in a release.
