Putin announces a "military operation" in Ukraine, explosions in kyiv and in several cities

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday announced a military operation in Ukraine to defend separatists in the east of the country, despite international outcry and Western sanctions. Shortly after this surprise statement by the master of the Kremlin, powerful explosions were heard in kyiv, and in several cities in eastern and southern Ukraine, the head of Ukrainian diplomacy denouncing a "large-scale invasion". US President Joe Biden immediately condemned an "unjustified attack" which will cause "suffering and loss of human life". "The world will hold Russia to account," he promised. France, through its ambassador to the UN, denounced Russia's "contempt" of the United Nations.

Meteor shower at auction, where the Moon outsells Mars

The Moon sold better than the planet Mars during an auction session devoted to fragments of meteorites at Christie's, which also sold a doghouse with a roof holed by one of these stones of extraterrestrial origin. $ 44,100 is the price a buyer will pay for the doghouse of Rocky, a German shepherd fortunately spared by the fall of this carbonaceous chondrite in the garden of a property in Aguas Zarcas, Costa Rica, on April 23, 2019. Much less than the estimate put forward by Christie's, between 200,000 and 300,000 dollars. The stone itself, which measures a little less than 8 cm by 4, sold for 21,420 dollars during these online auctions which took place from February 9 and ended on Wednesday.

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Moroccan justice has confirmed on appeal a severe five-year prison sentence against independent journalist Soulaimane Raissouni, for "sexual assault", an accusation he rejected during his trial, noted a journalist from the AFP.

The Stellantis automotive group, born from the merger in January 2021 of Peugeot-Citroën and Fiat-Chrysler - recorded huge profits for its first year of existence, posting a net profit of 13.4 billion euros, despite sales held back by the semiconductor crisis.

Cristiano Ronaldo remained silent for his return to Madrid but Manchester United snatched a draw against Atlético (1-1) in the round of 16 first leg of the Champions League, like Benfica Lisbon against Ajax Amsterdam (2-2 ).