Author: staff

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed Kyiv’s backing for the plan, writing in a letter to EU leaders that he “welcome[s] and accept[s]” the EU’s offer of “necessary technical support and funding” to complete repairs and explore longer-term solutions. The push follows strikes on the pipeline in January that interrupted oil flows, von der Leyen and Costa said, adding they have held “intense discussions” with member states and Ukraine to “repair and restore the flow of oil.” “Our priority is to ensure energy security for all European citizens,” they said, with the Commission also working on “alternative routes for the transit…

Cuba was plunged into darkness on Monday after a nationwide power outage cut electricity to the island’s 11 million residents, highlighting the severity of its ongoing energy crisis. The Ministry of Energy and Mines reported a “complete disconnection” of the national grid, with no immediate technical failure identified, raising concerns about systemic weakness. By late evening, state media said electricity had been restored to just five per cent of Havana, or around 42,000 customers, as crews prioritised hospitals and key services. Residents spent the night in stifling heat, with some relying on candles and open doors for relief. In recent…

Published on 17/03/2026 – 11:23 GMT+1•Updated 11:36 One notable absence at this year’s Oscars was Sean Penn, who wasn’t there to collect his Best Supporting Actor award for his scene-stealing turn in One Battle After Another. Kieran Culkin, who won last year for A Real Pain, presented the honour. Once Penn was announced as the winner, he quipped: “Sean Penn couldn’t be here this evening – or didn’t want to – so I’ll be accepting the award on his behalf.” People were bemused and wondering why a performer would choose to skip the biggest night of awards season. Especially since…

„Wir wollen das schon vor der Überarbeitung des ETS angehen“, sagte Hoekstra. Der Grund sei, dass dieser Schritt klarer abzugrenzen sei und deutlich weniger Themen umfasse als die gesamte Reform. Deshalb könne der Vorschlag wohl früher kommen. Ganz festlegen wollte sich Hoekstra aber nicht. Es gebe noch eine gewisse Unsicherheit. Hintergrund: Brief von Kommissionspräsidentin Hintergrund ist ein Schreiben von Kommissionspräsidentin Ursula von der Leyen an die Staats- und Regierungschefs der EU vom Montag. Darin kündigte sie an, die Kommission wolle die “Reserve stärken”, “starke Preisschwankungen begrenzen” und “die Preise unter Kontrolle halten”. In diesem Zusammenhang kritisierte Hoekstra Bundeskanzler Friedrich Merz.…

Afghanistan’s government has said that an airstrike by Pakistan hit a drug rehabilitation hospital in the capital Kabul late on Monday, killing at least 400 people. In a post on X, Afghanistan’s deputy government spokesperson Hamdullah Fitrat said the airstrike had hit the hospital in Kabul at about 9 pm local time, destroying large sections of the 2,000-bed facility. He said the death toll had “so far” reached 400 people, with around 250 reportedly injured. In a post before the death toll rose into the hundreds, Afghan government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said that those killed and injured were patients at…

Sun belt in focus Marseille, France’s second-biggest city, perfectly illustrates both the National Rally’s advances and its dilemma. National Rally candidate Franck Allisio (35 percent) almost tied with incumbent left-wing Mayor Benoît Payan (36.7 percent) in the first round. That’s more than 15 percentage points higher than the National Rally’s previous score in the 2020 local election.   Still, Allisio now faces an uphill battle to beat the current mayor, with the two main centrist and conservative forces discussing the best strategy to beat him shortly after polls closed.  The conservative candidate, who came third, will not be pulling out — reducing the prospect of her votes going to Allisio. The…

In Khan Younis, women and children line up with pots, waiting for cooked meals from charity-run Tikkiyya kitchens, a daily ritual for many families. Food remains scarce as border crossings limit aid inflows, leaving local market prices unaffordable for most. Displaced residents report struggling for even one meal a day, a challenge that intensifies during Ramadan as demand surges at sunset. Living conditions grow increasingly hazardous. In Khan Younis, a collapsing wall crushed tents sheltering displaced families, killing two women and a child. Survivors initially mistook the incident for an airstrike. Most of Gaza’s population now relies on humanitarian aid…

Global insecurity and transatlantic tensions dominate the agenda for Sir Keir Starmer – but is the UK about to edge closer to the EU? Chancellor Rachel Reeves will deliver a speech on plans to deepen the ties with the European Union, as Donald Trump ramps up the rhetoric on Britain’s limited involvement in the Iran war. But – with oil and gas supplies under pressure – how long can the prime minister hold back from supporting the US president before needing Washington’s help to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to stabilise global supply chains? Back in London, Ukrainian President Volodymyr…

US President Donald Trump vowed Monday to “take” Cuba as the island’s national power grid collapsed under an oil embargo imposed by Washington. “I do believe I’ll be having the honour of taking Cuba,” Trump told reporters at the White House. “Whether I free it, take it — think I could do anything I want with it, you want to know the truth. They’re a very weakened nation right now.” Cuba’s national electricity grid suffered a complete shutdown on Monday, leaving the island of 10 million people without power, according to state-owned grid operator Union Nacional Electrica de Cuba. The…

Rio de Janeiro in Brazil has a new tourist attraction. If you’re thinking of going to the city of Rio de Janeiro, as well as queuing for a photo under the Christ the Redeemer, taking the Sugar Loaf cable car or sitting on one of the steps of the Selarón Staircase, get ready to queue for the “Terrace of the Gate of Heaven”. More than just an experience, it has become a trend on social media, where the aim is to climb up to a rooftop in Rio de Janeiro’s largest favela and pose for a drone that moves away,…