A quick catch up on today’s top stories…
1) ‘Govt may not be able to pay salaries’ in 3 months time – Bagbin hints
Speaker Alban Bagbin has told Members of Parliament that information available to him indicate that if something is not done in the next three months, the government may not be able to pay the salaries of workers.
Speaking to the MPs in the chamber, Alban Bagbin said, the government may struggle to honour some financial obligations, therefore, they must show leadership.
“Honourable members, the information at my disposal, this is not something to discourage the committees from doing their work, if something is not done within the next three months government may not even be able to pay salaries.”
2) Russian troops pummel Ukrainian with missiles as troops look to capture Kyiv; leader cries for help
Missiles pounded the Ukrainian capital on Friday as Russian forces pressed their advance and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy pleaded with the international community to do more, saying sanctions announced so far were not enough.
A senior Ukrainian official said Russian forces would enter areas just outside the capital, Kyiv, later on Friday and that Ukrainian troops were defending positions on four fronts despite being outnumbered. An estimated 100,000 people fled as explosions and gunfire rocked major cities. Dozens have been reported killed.
3)Â Reddit launches Discover feature for photos, videos on app
Online message board platform Reddit Inc said on Thursday it is launching a new Discover tab that will feature photos and videos from across the site to make its mobile app more visually appealing.
The new feature comes after Reddit confidentially filed for an initial public offering in December. The company is aiming for at least a $15 billion valuation, Reuters has previously reported.
4) Hollywood director Sean Penn in Ukraine filming documentary on Russia’s invasion
Hollywood actor and director Sean Penn is in Ukraine filming a documentary about Russia’s invasion, Kyiv and Hollywood publication Variety have said.
Pictures released by Ukraine’s presidential press service on Thursday showed the Oscar winner attending a media briefing at the presidential office in Kyiv as Russian military invaded the country.
“The director specially came to Kyiv to record all the events that are currently happening in Ukraine and to tell the world the truth about Russia’s invasion of our country,” the presidential office said in a translated statement on its Facebook page.
5) UEFA moves Champions League final to Paris in wake of Russia’s invasion
UEFA has moved this year’s Champions League final from St Petersburg to Paris in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, European soccer’s governing body said in a statement on Friday.
UEFA also said the home games of Ukrainian and Russian club and national teams competing in UEFA competitions would be played at neutral venues “until further notice”. It added that it would “fully support multi-stakeholder efforts to ensure the provision of rescue for football players and their families in Ukraine who face dire human suffering, destruction and displacement”.
