Wednesday, February 19, 2025

2025 Uvira offensive

Widespread civil disorder arises in Uvira, South Kivu Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo amid M23 rebel advances from Bukavu. At least thirty deaths are reported, along with looting and a prison break of 228 Congolese soldiers imprisoned for desertion.

M23 campaign

Following a meeting between Chadian president Mahamat Déby and a diplomatic envoy of Congolese president Félix Tshisekedi, the Congolese government formally requests military support from Chad in their ongoing conflict against the M23 movement.

M23 campaign

The United Nations Security Council holds an emergency meeting in response to rapid territorial gains made by M23 rebels, with U.N. special envoy for Congo Bintou Keita saying the council needed to take "urgent and decisive steps to avert a wider regional war."

Puntland counter-terrorism operations

Puntland police capture several IS–Somalia militants accused of involvement in extortion and bombings in Bosaso, the capital of the Bari Region, amid ongoing military operations in the Cal Miskaad mountains.

Russian strikes against Ukrainian infrastructure

At least one person is killed and 14 others are injured in Russian missile and drone strikes across Ukraine, including a large drone attack on energy infrastructure in Odesa that leaves 160,000 residents without heating and electricity.

Boko Haram insurgency

The Chad National Army announces the end of its four-month Operation Haskanite, an offensive in the Lake Chad area against Boko Haram, and that 297 terrorists and 27 soldiers have been killed.

Ukraine–United States relations

Amid deteriorating relations between both countries, U.S. President Donald Trump calls Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy a "dictator" and says he has done a "terrible job" while warning "he is not going to have a country left" soon.

Russia–United States relations

Russian President Vladimir Putin praises the high-level talks with the U.S. in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as a "first step" towards restoring full diplomatic ties with the United States.

Belgium–Rwanda relations

Rwanda suspends a humanitarian aid pact with Belgium after Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot criticized Rwanda's military support for the M23 rebel movement in Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo.

2020s European re-armament

Denmark announces 50 billion kroner in defense spending over the next two years, citing an increased threat from Russia, bringing the country's total defense spending to the highest in more than 50 years.

Justice

Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro is formally charged with leading the 2022 Brazilian coup plot, which attempted to overthrow current President Lula da Silva.

Disasters

Twenty-two people are killed after a boat carrying refugees capsizes in Lake Edward, Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Disasters

Two light aircraft, a Lancair 360 MK II and a Cessna 172S, collide midair at Marana Regional Airport near Tucson, Arizona, United States, killing two people.

Science

Polish police inspects several tanks from a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket that crashed in the country after its reentry into the atmosphere during the night.

Science

Apple Inc. announces the iPhone 16e, discontinuing all remaining Lightning port iPhones and the home button third-generation iPhone SE.

2024–25 AFC Champions League Elite

In association football, Chinese club Shandong Taishan withdraw from the AFC Champions League Elite several hours before their match against South Korean club Ulsan HD.