5 Things posted Feb 12, 2024 @ 08:00am by Iain Burns

5 things you need to know this morning: Feb. 12, 2024

Start your day off right with five things you need to know this morning.

Five things you need to know

1. Girl, 2, taken to hospital after putting needle in her mouth

A two-year-old girl has been treated in hospital after her mother discovered a needle in her mouth. The toddler reportedly found the needle at a park in Ottawa. The Civic Hospital Neighbourhood Association Facebook group later said that drug-taking paraphernalia was found on a play structure at the park.

2. Monty Python star working at 80 because he needs cash

Monty Python star Eric Idle has admitted he is still working despite being 80 years old, explaining that he needs the cash. The actor and writer said he had to sell his home last year, adding: "I never dreamed that at this age the income streams would tail off so disastrously."

Monty Python star Eric Idle: ‘I’m still working at 80 for financial reasons’ https://t.co/jm9oJo2s6N
— The Guardian (@guardian) February 12, 2024

3. Marathon world record holder dies at 24

The marathon world record holder has died at the age of 24. Kelvin Kiptum was involved in a car crash in Kenya, his home country, officials said.

Eliud Kipchoge's tribute to Kelvin Kiptum captures the feeling of so many: a "rising star" with "a whole life ahead of him to achieve incredible greatness."

Here's our CNN tribute to the marathon world record holder, killed in a road accident at just 24 pic.twitter.com/G0JUFeckBA
— Larry Madowo (@LarryMadowo) February 12, 2024

4. Ukraine struggling to find new recruits for war with Russia

It is growing increasingly difficult to recruit Ukrainian men to fight off Russian soldiers in the country's east. One conscription officer told a BBC reporter "it's like people still don't care," adding: "I don't get it. People are out and about, like the war is somewhere far away."

Exhausted Ukraine struggles to find new men for frontline https://t.co/I0qHX2pCRq
— BBC News (UK) (@BBCNews) February 12, 2024

5. Biden account posts 'Dark Brandon' meme

President Joe Biden's official X account has sparked confusion and hilarity across the internet after posting a "Dark Brandon" meme. The meme, used as an attempt at an insult by opponents of the president, features the smiling octogenarian with glowing red eyes.