lördag 21 februari 2026

Latest news

Russian invasion The fighting
Slovakia threatens to cut off emergency energy supplies to Ukraine

Slovakia is threatening to cut off emergency energy supplies to Ukraine if the country does not allow Russia to pump oil through Ukraine within two days, Prime Minister Robert Fico said, according to Reuters.

"If oil supplies to Slovakia are not resumed by Monday, I will ask SEPS, the state-owned joint-stock company, to stop emergency electricity supplies to Ukraine," he wrote on X.

Slovakia accounted for 18 percent of Ukraine's electricity imports last month. But since oil supplies via the Soviet-era Druzhba pipeline were stopped on January 27, Slovakia has become increasingly vocal.

The supplies were stopped after Ukraine said a Russian drone had damaged pipeline equipment in western Ukraine.

In a letter seen by Reuters, Ukraine proposes several alternative routes for oil supplies to the EU.

Middle East Crisis  Gaza War
Hamas chooses path – veteran or hardline Sinwar copy

Hamas has begun an internal vote on who will be the next leader of the terrorist group, a source tells the BBC.

The choice is between two candidates. Gaza leader Khalil al-Hayya, who was close to the slain leader Yahya Sinwar and who has strong ties to Iran. Or veteran Khaled Meshaal, who has long worked abroad and who previously led Hamas for two decades. He has stronger ties to Qatar and Turkey and is seen as less radical by Hamas standards, according to The Guardian.

The choice of path will be decisive for what Hamas should be like, cooperation in the region, the view of Israel and how much it wants to cooperate with the US-led peace plan, writes Haaretz. A decision should be made before Ramadan ends on March 19.

Epstein affair Norwegian connections
Record low trust in the monarchy in Norway

Norwegians' trust in the monarchy has plummeted in the wake of the trial of "bonus prince" Marius and the revelations about Crown Princess Mette-Marit's connections to Jeffrey Epstein, writes NRK.

Around 60 percent today say they support the monarchy. Just a month ago, it was 70 percent.

However, trust in the royal couple remains strong. On a scale of one to ten, King Harald is given a 9.2 rating by Norwegians, and Queen Sonja 8.6.

However, trust in Mette-Marit has halved in a month, from 7.4 to 3.7.

Political situation in France
Macron urges calm ahead of memorial march

Ahead of today's demonstration in Lyon in memory of the killed right-wing extremist Quentin Deranque, French President Emmanuel Macron is calling for calm, reports Le Monde.

– I urge everyone to remain calm, and the government is obviously very vigilant to ensure that everything goes as smoothly as possible, says Macron.

He also says that next week he will hold a meeting with several ministers to carry out a comprehensive review of all violent groups with party links, regardless of affiliation.

In addition to Lyon, commemorative demonstrations are also planned in Rennes as well as counter-demonstrations. 130 police officers have been called in and there are fears of unrest.

In a statement, Rennes Mayor Nathalie Appéré says that she regrets the prefect's decision to allow the commemorative demonstration. To avoid clashes, the demonstrations are being held at different locations in the city.

The Artemis II mission
Nasa backs off – there will be no moon trip in March

As late as Friday, Nasa announced that they plan to send a manned spacecraft around the moon on March 6. But on Saturday, Nasa chief Jared Isaacman wrote on X that this is no longer the case after a technical fault was discovered.

“I understand the disappointment over this. That disappointment is felt most by the team at NASA, who have worked tirelessly to prepare for this great mission,” he writes.

He also writes that NASA has a history of doing what others thought was impossible by encountering setbacks.

Artemis II is the first manned space mission to the moon in over 50 years. The mission has been delayed after several technical problems.


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