Month: March 2022

President Joe Biden announced on Wednesday that another $800 million in military aid will be approved for Ukraine; this after President Volodymyr Zelensky made an appeal for assistance before a joint session of Congress.  Biden said the military support will include 800 anti-aircraft systems, 9,000 anti-armor systems, 7,000 small arms, drones and other equipment.  Biden said in an address from the White House: ‘This could be a long and difficult battle. But the American people will be steadfast in our support of the people of Ukraine in the face of [Russian President Vladimir] Putin’s immoral, unethical attacks on civilian populations. We are united in our abhorrence of Putin’s depraved onslaught. And we’re going to continue to have their backs as they fight for their freedom, their democracy, their very survival.”

Biden’s announcement came just hours after Zelensky urged lawmakers to do more to help Ukraine. Presenting a video that showed graphic footage on the ground in Ukraine, Zelensky said: “Russia has turned the Ukrainian sky into a source of death for thousands of people. To create a no-fly zone over Ukraine, to save people, is this too much to ask? Humanitarian, no-fly zone, something that Russia would not be able to terrorize our free cities. If this is too much to ask, we offer an alternative. You know what kind of defense systems we need, such as 300 and similar other systems. You know how much depends on the battlefield, on the ability to use aircraft. Powerful, strong aviation to protect our people.”

In his address, Zelensky directly asked Biden:“I wish you to be the leader of the world. Being the leader of the world means to be the leader of peace.”  His appeals came as negotiators resumed peace talks on Wednesday, where Zelensky said that discussions are coming along slowly and that they’re beginning to “sound more realistic.”

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The Texas Department of Public Safety announced Wednesday that a college van carrying the University of Southwest’s men’s and women’s golf teams collided head-on with a pickup truck in West Texas, killing nine people and injuring two. Among the casualties were six students and their coach, as well as the driver and passenger in the other involved vehicle.  University President Quint Thurman said in a statement: “We are still learning the details about the accident, but we are devastated and deeply saddened to learn about the loss of our students’ lives and and their coach.”

The crash killed Tyler James, USW’s golf coach who was driving the van at the time, as well as 38-year-old truck driver Henrich Siemens, of Seminole. Siemens’ passenger, a 13-year-old boy, also died in the collision. The USW students killed were Mauricio Sanchez, 19, of Mexico; Travis Garcia, 19, of Pleasanton, Texas; Jackson Zinn, 22, of Westminster, Colo.; Karissa Raines, 21, of Fort Stockton, Texas; Laci Stone, 18, of Nocona, Texas; and Tiago Sousa, 18, of Portugal.  Two other students, Dayton Price and Hayden Underhill, were transported to the hospital in critical condition.

USW is a private Christian university based in Hobbs, N.M. James was entering his first season as head coach of both the men’s and women’s golf teams  The team was headed to a tournament in Midland, Texas, on Thursday and was scheduled to play in a tournament at Midland College.

In a statement, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said: “We grieve with the loved ones of the individuals whose lives were horrifically taken too soon in this fatal vehicle crash near Andrews last night.” 

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