TOP NEWS

Russian invasion  The world's response
EU condemns Zelensky's statement: "Unacceptable"

The European Commission criticizes Volodymyr Zelensky after what was perceived as a threat from the Ukrainian president directed at Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, writes Politico.

Without mentioning Orbán by name, Zelensky said this week that "a certain person" is stopping a large aid package from the EU and that "the person's" address may be sent to the Ukrainian army.

Such language is unacceptable, says EU Commission spokesman Olof Gill.

- Threats against EU countries must not occur.

Hungary has vetoed an aid package to Kyiv worth just over 900 billion kronor.

 

Middle East crisis  Situation in Iran
Iran's Council of Experts to appoint new Supreme Leader within 24 hours

Iran's Council of Experts is to meet within 24 hours to appoint a new Supreme Leader after the death of Ayatollah Khamenei. This is announced by one of the council members, according to Iranian media.

The Council of Experts is the constitutional body tasked with overseeing and appointing the Supreme Leader in Iran.

Previously, there have been reports that Khamenei's son, Mojtaba Khamenei, has been appointed as the new Supreme Leader by the Council of Experts. But Iran has not officially announced who will succeed the ayatollah for security reasons.

Trump's USA  US-Cuba Relations
Trump: Cuba is negotiating an agreement with the US

Donald Trump says that Cuba wants to sign an agreement with the US, and is in the process of negotiating with himself and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Trump did not give any further details about the negotiations. This is reported by Reuters.

He also says that the US will turn its attention to Cuba after the war with Iran.

During the day, Trump participated in a meeting in Miami with several Latin American leaders. Trump is said to have encouraged other nations to use their militaries to put an end to drug trafficking and cartels.
 

Political situation in Iceland
Opposition leader critical of Icelandic EU plans

Parts of the opposition in Iceland are strongly criticizing the government's attempt to call a referendum on joining the EU, reports Morgunbladid.

The leader of the Centre Party, Sigmundur David Gunnlaugsson, believes that the government has misled the population, as it did not say anything about joining the EU during the election campaign. He describes the period leading up to the referendum as an almost existential struggle.

– Now it begins again. The struggle for Iceland's future and independence.

For there to be a referendum, the Althingi must first vote yes, but since the government has its own majority, it will probably be a mere formality.

Middle East Crisis  Voices on
Scientists warn: War could cause devastating oil spills

Several oil tankers have been fired upon by Iran this week. Environmental scientist Maria Granberg warns that the consequences of an oil spill would be dangerous and long-lasting, writes TV4 Nyheterna.

She believes that it would be difficult to quickly intervene and limit an oil spill in a war situation.

– This is one of the many downsides of war – it is extremely dangerous if it happens, she says.

According to Björn Forsman, a senior expert on maritime risks and oil spills, a single ship can release 100,000 tons of oil. The largest oil spill ever occurred in connection with the Kuwait War.