U.S. deploys carrier near Israel; countries urge citizens to leave region
The United States has deployed the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford near Israel as part of a growing military build-up amid tensions with Iran, whi...
European Union leaders on Thursday denounced a wave of hybrid attacks against the bloc, attributing them to Russia and Belarus, and called for stronger measures to protect critical infrastructure and enhance resilience.
In conclusions issued during an ongoing summit in Brussels, the European Council emphasised the need to prevent, deter, and respond to threats ranging from cyberattacks and disinformation to infrastructure sabotage. Leaders warned that these activities, coupled with the ongoing war in Ukraine, continue to pose a serious challenge to both European and global security.
“The European Council strongly condemns all recent hybrid attacks against the European Union and its Member States,” the statement read. It added that the EU is ready to deploy all relevant tools, including additional restrictive measures against Russia and Belarus if necessary.
The summit also reviewed European defence initiatives, including boosting readiness, reducing reliance on external suppliers, and addressing critical capability gaps. Leaders stressed that strengthening collective security remains a top priority.
Middle East concerns
The Council addressed the Middle East, urging all parties to implement UN resolutions and stabilise the security situation in Gaza. Leaders reaffirmed support for a two-state solution, under which Israel and Palestine coexist within recognised and secure borders, and called for unobstructed humanitarian aid delivery throughout Gaza.
On Syria, EU leaders reiterated support for a peaceful, inclusive transition, stressing respect for the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity while warning against foreign interference one year after the fall of the Assad regime.
The death toll from heavy rains and flooding in Brazil’s Minas Gerais state has risen to 46, authorities said, with 21 people still reported missing. The storms triggered landslides and widespread flooding, displacing thousands across Juiz de Fora and Uba.
The situation in Cuba was heating up and called for restraint following a deadly incident involving a Florida-registered speedboat off the coast of the Caribbean island, the Kremlin said on Thursday (26 February).
Syria’s economy is showing clear signs of recovery, with economic activity accelerating in recent months, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said on Wednesday.
The United States has deployed the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford near Israel as part of a growing military build-up amid tensions with Iran, while governments around the world urge their citizens to leave parts of the region.
Venezuela’s Attorney General Tarek William Saab and Ombudsman Alfredo Ruiz tendered their resignations to the National Assembly on Wednesday. Neither official has publicly provided reasons for stepping down.
Speaking during a closed-door deposition in New York on Thursday (February), former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said she did not “recall” ever meeting the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and had “no knowledge of his crimes”.
Britain’s Ministry of Defence is reviewing military flight records after files appeared to show that Jeffrey Epstein’s private jet landed at Royal Air Force bases, adding fresh pressure on police who are already examining his movements through several civilian airports.
Pakistan’s overnight air strikes on Afghanistan’s major cities have deepened a volatile standoff between the neighbours, straining a fragile ceasefire and prompting Islamabad to call the confrontation an “open war.”
Melania Trump, the First Lady of the United States, will chair a session of the United Nations Security Council on Monday in an historic first, becoming the first sitting first lady to preside over a council meeting during Washington’s monthly presidency of the body.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved an $8.1 billion, four-year Extended Fund Facility programme for Ukraine on Thursday, aimed at preserving macroeconomic and financial stability as the war with Russia continues into its fifth year.
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