While You Were Sleeping: 5 stories you might have missed, March 14, 2025
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Russian President Vladimir Putin has listed a number of obstacles standing in the way of a ceasefire with Ukraine.
PHOTO: AFP
Zelensky slams Putin’s statements on ceasefire
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on March 13 condemned Russian President Vladimir Putin’s ambivalent response to a proposed ceasefire as “very manipulative”.
“We now have all heard from Russia Putin’s very predictable, very manipulative words in response to the idea of a ceasefire,” Mr Zelensky said in his nightly address.
Mr Putin said on March 13, in his first public comments on a 30-day ceasefire proposed by the United States and backed by Ukraine, that he was in favour but had “serious questions” about how it would work.
Washington has called for Russia to accept a ceasefire without preconditions but Mr Putin listed a number of obstacles in the way.
Trump tells Nato chief the US needs Greenland
NYT
President Donald Trump told Nato Secretary-General Mark Rutte on March 13 that US control of Greenland is necessary to enhance international security, escalating his campaign to annex the strategic Arctic island.
“You know, Mark, we need that for international security, not just security - international - we have a lot of our favourite players cruising around the coast, and we have to be careful,” Mr Trump told Mr Rutte as they sat side-by-side in the White House Oval Office for talks. “We’ll be talking to you.”
Asked directly about the prospect of annexation, Mr Trump said: “I think that will happen.” Mr Trump has made the US annexation of Greenland a major talking point since he took office on Jan 20.
Protesters occupy Trump Tower after student’s arrest
AFP
Scores of people poured into the lobby of Trump Tower in New York City on March 13 to protest the arrest and detention of Columbia University student Mahmoud Khalil, whom the Trump administration aims to deport over his pro-Palestinian activism.
The arrest of Khalil, who is in immigration custody in Louisiana after his arrest in New York on March 8, has sparked an outcry by Democratic lawmakers, the United Nations special rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian territories, and civil liberty advocates, among others.
Jewish Voice for Peace, which describes itself as a progressive Jewish anti-Zionist organisation, carried out the March 13 demonstration.
Brain surgery bear emerges ‘happy’ from hibernation
AFP
A bear cub that underwent pioneering life-saving brain surgery has come out of hibernation and appears to have made a “remarkable” recovery, British zoo chiefs said on March 13.
The bear named Boki went under the knife for fluid on the brain in October 2024, just before going into hibernation.
Vets had been waiting to observe how Boki would wake up to gauge the success of the surgery, the first of its kind on a brown bear.
Donatella Versace to give up creative reins of brand
AFP
Donatella Versace will end nearly 30 years as creative director of fashion label Versace, handing the reins of the flashy luxury brand to Miu Miu’s Dario Vitale, the brand’s owner said on March 13.
The shuffling comes amid reports that larger Italian rival Prada – which owns Miu Miu – is in talks to buy Versace, which was co-founded by Donatella Versace’s brother, Gianni, in 1978.
The development brings to an end the family control over the creative direction of Versace, a brand beloved of jet-setters and famous for its showy, skin-baring looks and Medusa logo.
