Ukraine says Russian drone hit Chernobyl amid talks of ending war

All eyes are on Munich as an American delegation attempts to make progress in ending the war between Russia and Ukraine. And after infernos devastated homes and businesses in Southern California, heavy rain could cause another potential disaster in the region. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Friday, Feb. 14, 2024.

Russian drone hit Chernobyl amid talks of ending war: Zelenskyy

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said a Russian drone with a high-explosive warhead hit the protective confinement shell of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in the Kyiv region Friday, Feb. 14. It comes as Russian and U.S. leaders are set to meet in Munich, Germany, to begin talks of ending the war in Ukraine. 

Radiation levels at Chernobyl have not increased, according to Zelenskyy and the U.N. Atomic Agency.

Last night, a Russian attack drone with a high-explosive warhead struck the shelter protecting the world from radiation at the destroyed 4th power unit of the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant.

This shelter was built by Ukraine together with other countries of Europe and the world,… pic.twitter.com/mLTGeDYgPT

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) February 14, 2025

Meanwhile, at least one Ukrainian official has denied President Donald Trump’s claim that Ukraine will participate in a joint meeting between U.S. and Russian representatives.

On Thursday, Feb. 13, Trump told reporters U.S., Russian and Ukrainian officials will have a sideline meeting at the annual Munich Security Conference to discuss ending the war in Ukraine. 

However, the Kyiv Post reported that one of Zelenskyy’s top advisors, Dmytro Lytvyn, released a statement indicating that this is not being considered. 

“Ukraine’s position remains unchanged,” Lytvyn said. “Ukraine must first speak with America. Europe must be part of any serious conversation for a genuine and lasting peace. Only a coordinated, unified position should be on the table for talks with the Russians. We don’t meet with Russians at an empty table.” 

Russia, which is not officially attending the annual forum in Germany, has not commented on the apparent meeting either. 

Ukraine’s president will attend the conference and meet with Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday. 

Rubio’s arrival was delayed Thursday night when his plane had to turn back to Joint Base Andrews in Maryland due to a mechanical issue. While he was able to get on a different plane, it’s unclear if the delay will impact his ability to attend the meeting with the Ukrainian leader.

Earlier this week, Trump posted on his Truth Social platform, stating that he spoke by phone with both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukraine’s Zelenskyy. He mentioned that both leaders wanted peace and an end to the war and killing.

Multiple federal prosecutors resign after NY mayor corruption case dropped

The top federal prosecutor in New York and two senior federal prosecutors in Washington have resigned after declining to follow a Justice Department order to dismiss the corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams. 

Danielle Sassoon stepped down as acting U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York on Thursday. Her resignation followed a memo sent on Monday, Feb. 10, by Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove, instructing prosecutors in Manhattan to abandon the five-count indictment 

Bove previously stated that the Biden administration rushed through Adams’ indictment in September 2024 after Adams criticized Biden’s “failed immigration policies.” 

NBC News reported that on Thursday, multiple sources said that Justice Department officials tried to move Adams’ case to the agency’s Public Integrity Section in Washington, which oversees all federal public corruption cases. John Keller, the acting head of the Public Integrity Section, refused to drop the case and resigned, along with three other section members. 

Kevin Driscoll, the acting head of the department’s criminal division, which oversees federal criminal cases nationwide, also refused to drop the charges and resigned. 

Trump denied instructing the Department of Justice to order the dismissal of the criminal prosecution of Adams. In December 2024, after getting elected, Trump said he believed Adams had been treated “very unfairly.”

14 states file lawsuit challenging DOGE’s constitutionality

Attorneys general from 14 states have filed a lawsuit challenging the authority of Elon Musk and the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The suit claims that the organization possesses virtually unchecked power regarding access to sensitive government data. 

DOGE is responsible for eliminating billions of dollars in what Trump considers excessive government spending. 

The lawsuit, led by the state of New Mexico, asserts that DOGE has “undermined federal agencies, accessed sensitive data and caused significant harm to state and local governments, federal employees and the American public.”

The AGs are seeking a court order to prevent Musk and DOGE from mandating changes in the disbursement of public funds, canceling government contracts and taking actions to dismantle agencies 

In a video call to the World Governments Summit in Dubai on Thursday, Feb. 13, Musk called on the U.S. to “delete” entire agencies to cut spending and restructure priorities.

Winter storm brings new dangers to fire-ravaged Southern California

The strongest storm of the winter continues to pound Southern California on Friday. While experts indicated that the worst of the rain has passed and the flooding is beginning to recede, the area remains unsafe. 

Current concerns include the potential for dangerous mud, rockslides and debris flows, especially in the Los Angeles area, where massive wildfires last month charred homes and buildings.

By the time the storm fully exits the area Friday, up to three inches of rain is expected to have fallen in most coastal and valley areas, with up to six inches anticipated in the foothills and mountains. 

Forecasters said while scattered showers are still expected throughout Friday, the area will start to dry out over the weekend.

TikTok returns to Google Play, Apple app stores

After nearly a month, TikTok has returned to the Apple and Google Play app stores. The popular social media app was removed from stores last month when a law banning the app in the U.S. took effect. 

Under the law, Apple and Google cannot host TikTok as long as ByteDance, a China-based tech company, controls it. However, sources told media outlets Attorney General Pam Bondi sent the tech giants letters Thursday saying the Trump administration will not prosecute them for hosting the app. 

The Biden administration passed a law banning the app on Jan. 19, citing national security concerns that the Chinese government could have access to Americans’ sensitive information. 

When Trump took office, he promptly signed an executive order postponing the ban’s enforcement until April 5. This gave his administration time to find an American buyer for the app.

Trump has also said he would “like the United States to have a 50% ownership” of TikTok in a “joint venture.”  

Experts said about 52% of TikTok downloads are from the Apple App Store and 48% from Google Play.

Caught on camera: Humpback whale swallows kayaker, spits him out

Here’s a whale of a tale that would be pretty unbelievable if it weren’t caught on camera.

A kayaker got a brief glimpse of what Jonah must have experienced when he was briefly gobbled up by a humpback whale while on the water around Chile’s southernmost Patagonia region.

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Adrian Simancas, 24, was paddling through the icy waters of the Strait of Magellan with his dad last Saturday, Feb. 9, when the whale suddenly surfaced, snatched him up and quickly spat him back out. 

Wildlife experts said the whale was not trying to eat Simancas. They said it was likely looking to snack on krill or fish and Simancas was just in the way.