Russian Drone Attack Against Ukraine
According to local officials and emergency services, Russian drones were launched overnight Sunday across Ukraine, reported by AP News on March 23. The attacks, which killed at least seven, happened before the ceasefire negotiation in Saudi Arabia. Ukraine and Russia were expected to discuss a pause in long-range attacks that targeted energy facilities and civilian infrastructure. AP News also reported that the Ukrainian delegation is expected to meet with U.S. officials in Saudi Arabia. Ukraine is planning to send a technical team to discuss the details of the partial ceasefire. In a statement on social media, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said attacks like those in Kyiv were a daily occurrence. Russia’s Ministry of Defense claimed it shot down 59 Ukrainian drones overnight on Sunday as well.
Iceland Minister for Children Quits
Ásthildur Lóa Thórsdóttir, 58, resigned from her position as Iceland’s Children’s Minister after national broadcaster RUV revealed she had a child when she was 23 and the father was 16. RUV said the relationship began after they met at a church youth group. According to AP News, Iceland’s age of sexual consent is 15, however, it is a crime for an adult to have sex with a teenager they teach, employ or mentor. Thórsdóttir confirmed the relationship after saying she was not the leader of the church group, just a member. RUV reported that the father was granted only occasional visits, but he paid child support for 18 years. AP News stated on March 23 that Thórsdóttir officially stepped down at a State Council meeting. Despite leaving the government, she remains a lawmaker for a party in the Social Democratic Alliance. Thórsdóttir served as the Children’s Minister for four months before she resigned.
Hamas leader killed by Israel strike
A hospital in Gaza was attacked early this week by an Israeli air strike, which killed a senior leader of Hamas, BBC reported on Monday, March 24. Ismail Barhoum was Hamas’ finance chief and was hit in Nasser Hospital, located in Khan Younis. Hamas claimed Barhoum was being treated in Nasser for wounds due to an air strike four days earlier. However, Israel Defense Forces believe that claim to be false. IDF Spokesman Lt Col Nadav Shoshani believed Barhoum was in the hospital to commit acts of terrorism and had been inside for weeks, he told officials. Israel has repeatedly accused Hamas of using hospitals as hiding places for weapons and command centres. BBC wrote that Hamas will continue to deny it. Since the ceasefire ended, Israel resumed its military campaign. Israeli officials blamed Hamas for rejecting a US proposal that would extend the truce. In turn, Hamas accused Israel of abandoning the original deal back in January.
