Author: staff
KYIV — Hungary shouldn’t “disrespect” the EU’s decision to give €90 billion to Ukraine, which Budapest has blocked after originally agreeing last December, European Council President António Costa told POLITICO. “We need to implement what we agreed on the 18th of December, to deliver the €90B loan to Ukraine,” Costa said in Kyiv, where he traveled with other leaders to mark the fourth anniversary of Moscow’s full-scale invasion. “And nobody can disrespect the decision from the European Council.” Budapest has threatened to block the €90B loan over a dispute with Ukraine about an oil pipeline connecting Russia to Central Europe,…
For the Morgenstreich, city lights go out and thousands gather in the dark. Masked musicians march through the old town, playing fifes and drums. They carry large painted lanterns that glow from within. Many lanterns mock politics. This year several targeted Donald Trump, shown as a butcher slicing the US flag or with a pig’s snout. Basel Carnival, or Basler Fasnacht, dates back more than 700 years and is listed by UNESCO. What began as pagan winter rites now runs for three days, mixing satire, music and long nights in the cold.
Peter Mandelson is arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office, a seismic moment in British politics — but will the pain of Epstein files continue to haunt Sir Keir Starmer’s government over the coming days, weeks and months? With an active police investigation and limited scope of what he can reveal, the prime minister will face tough questions over his decision to appoint Mr Mandelson as the UK’s top man in Washington. Sam and Anne consider: — Will the arrest impact the upcoming Gorton and Denton by-election? — Will the Liberal Democrats use the humble address to force the…
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen arrived in Kyiv. She was met at the station by Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga, who handed her yellow and blue flowers. It was her tenth visit since the war began. Von der Leyen said Europe would stand with Ukraine through the winter, providing financial and military support. She wrote that the EU would not relent until peace is restored on Ukraine’s terms. On the eve of the anniversary, EU buildings in Brussels and Strasbourg were lit in Ukraine’s colours, a sign of continued solidarity.
By Dianne Apen-Sadler with AP Published on 23/02/2026 – 9:45 GMT+1•Updated 24/02/2026 – 8:16 GMT+1 Tourists in parts of Mexico have been warned to stay inside after violence erupted across the country following the killing of a cartel boss. Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho”, was killed during a shoot-out in his home state of Jalisco as the Mexican military attempted to capture him on Sunday 22 February. Cartel members responded with violence, blocking roads and setting fire to vehicles. While the situation has returned to normal in many parts of the country, the US State Department is still advising its…
On the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, European leaders gather in Kyiv to signal unity and solidarity. But back in Brussels, Hungary blocks a new sanctions package against the Kremlin and a €90 billion loan to Ukraine. Host Ian Wishart is joined by senior finance reporter Kathryn Carlson. We also hear from Zoya Sheftalovich on the train to Kyiv with Ursula von der Leyen and António Costa, as she describes the mood around the trip — and how Hungary’s veto cast a shadow over the anniversary. Plus: Aging EU buildings are showing their wear — from water…
By Theo Farrant & AP Published on 24/02/2026 – 7:01 GMT+1 Robotaxis could begin operating on London’s streets as early as this year. But does the technology work, and is it better than a human brain that’s memorised the many thousands of streets around central London? In north London, a steering wheel turns smoothly through traffic with no hands touching it. The vehicle, developed by UK autonomous driving company Wayve, moves through congested streets, responding to traffic lights, cyclists, junctions and pedestrians in real time. A safety operator sits behind the wheel, ready to intervene if necessary, as required under current UK regulations…
Friedrich Merz reist nach China. Mit einer 30-köpfigen Wirtschaftsdelegation und klaren Worten im Gepäck. Kurz vor dem Abflug hat der Kanzler das Land als globalen Machtfaktor beschrieben, der Abhängigkeiten ausnutzt, Taiwan unter Druck setzt und die internationale Ordnung in seinem Sinne neu deutet. Gordon Repinski analysiert, wie der Kanzler die kritische Perspektive darauf und wirtschaftspolitische Interessen Deutschlands auf seiner Reise in Einklang bringen will. Im 200-Sekunden-Interview spricht BDI-Hauptgeschäftsführerin Tanja Gönner über Wettbewerb mit China, De-Risking, Exportkontrollen bei Seltenen Erden und die Balance zwischen strategischer Eigenständigkeit und wirtschaftlicher Kooperation. Bei den Grünen steht eine weitreichende Parteireform an. Maximilian Stascheit über ein…
By César Olmos with AP Published on 24/02/2026 – 7:02 GMT+1 Nearly 150 years after the last giant tortoises were removed from Floreana Island in Ecuador’s Galápagos archipelago, the species made a comeback on Friday (20 February), when dozens of juvenile hybrids were released to begin restoring the island’s depleted ecosystem. The 158 newcomers, aged 8 to 13, have begun exploring the habitat they are destined to reshape over the coming years. Their release was perfectly timed with the arrival of the season’s first winter rains. “They are large enough to be released and can defend themselves against introduced animals such as rats…
As the war of words continued, Ukraine’s Sybiha said Hungary and Slovakia should “send their concerns to the Kremlin.” Russian oil accounted for 92 percent of Budapest’s energy imports last year, according to the Center for the Study of Democracy, a European policy institute. Orbán has frequently argued his country has no viable alternatives to Russian imports. Funding war Budapest last week called on Croatia to supply it with seaborne shipments of Russian oil via its Adria pipeline in order to replace the supplies lost as a result of the Druzhba closure. Croatia has long offered to step in to…