Stepan Haftko
Poland activated all available forces and resources in response to Russia's missile strike on Ukraine on February 17. Fighter jets were scrambled and air defense was put on alert.
Belgium summoned US Ambassador Bill White over his statements regarding the investigation into the moguls. The ambassador called it an "antisemitic" persecution, violating diplomatic norms.
On February 17, global gold prices fell by 1% to $4948 per ounce. This happened due to a stronger dollar and low liquidity in Asian markets.
Over the past day, the Ukrainian Defense Forces eliminated 890 Russian occupiers. Also destroyed were 614 UAVs, 71 units of automotive equipment, 4 artillery systems, 3 armored combat vehicles, and 2 tanks.
The third round of trilateral talks between Ukraine, Russia, and the US begins in Geneva. Moscow's territorial claims remain the main stumbling block.
On February 17, Russian troops launched a massive cruise missile attack on Ukraine. Air defense is actively working, but the threat remains high, especially for the western regions.
Two people were injured as a result of a drone attack on Odesa. A multi-story building was hit, and retail outlets and a car service station were damaged.
In the Krasnodar Krai, the Ilsky oil refinery caught fire after a UAV attack. The fire engulfed fuel tanks and a private residential building, injuring two people.
Former Rockstar North president Leslie Benzies has been accused of sexual assault as part of the 'Epstein files'. Benzies' lawyers deny the allegations, calling them 'categorically false'.
California is experiencing a powerful winter storm with thunderstorms, hurricane-force winds, and extreme precipitation, causing transportation collapse and the threat of landslides. Los Angeles authorities have declared maximum readiness and are calling for evacuation in at-risk areas.
The Kremlin has turned the Russian Orthodox Church into a soft power tool to solidify its position in Africa. Through the Patriarchal Exarchate, Moscow is luring clergy and spreading propaganda.
In Madagascar, Cyclone Gezani claimed the lives of 59 people, destroying over 25,000 homes. 420,000 residents are in need of assistance after the disaster.
ByteDance will restrict its video generation model Seedance 2. 0 after threats of lawsuits from Disney. Hollywood studios accused the developers of using "pirated libraries" to train the neural network.
Slovakia plans to acquire four more F-16V Block 70/72 Viper fighter jets to strengthen its air defense. This decision is related to the transfer of its entire fleet of MiG-29s to Ukraine.
FCA US has been hit with a class-action lawsuit over a faulty electric seat height adjuster in millions of its models. The defective part can lead to the collapse of the seat frame during a collision, endangering the lives of the driver and passengers.
Colombia's State Service for the Search for Missing Persons has confirmed the identification of the remains of Camilo Torres Restrepo, a Catholic priest and ideologue of "liberation theology. " He died in 1966 and will be reburied on the grounds of the National University of Colombia in Bogotá.
In Ecuador, the number of deaths in prisons has risen again, casting doubt on the effectiveness of President Noboa's government measures. Gangs have adapted to the new conditions and continue to carry out mass executions.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi on February 16 in Geneva. The meeting took place ahead of the second round of talks between Tehran and Washington.
Thomas Pritzker, chairman of Hyatt Hotels, announced his resignation after the US Department of Justice released documents in the Jeffrey Epstein case. The billionaire called it a voluntary step to protect the hotel chain's reputation.
Due to the mass breakdown of garbage trucks, the capital of Cuba is on the verge of an ecological catastrophe. This is caused by financial restrictions from the United States and the inability to purchase spare parts.
Approximately 100 US military personnel have arrived in Nigeria to provide advisory and technical support in the fight against militants. American advisors will train Nigerian units and share intelligence.
France plans to acquire Polish Piorun MANPADS under the SAFE program, despite its own Mistral production. Some of the systems will be transferred to Ukraine to strengthen its defense against enemy aircraft.
Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger stated that the volume of military aid to Kyiv is constrained by a lack of funding. The company is ready to increase supplies but requires clear financial guarantees.
Trump expressed dissatisfaction with California Governor Newsom's clean energy deal with Great Britain. The White House considers it an interference in US foreign policy, while Newsom calls it a technical partnership.
Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković rejected Hungary's and Slovakia's request for Russian oil transit, accusing Budapest of manipulation. Hungary called Croatia an "unreliable transit country" seeking a monopoly.
Czech President Petr Pavel stated that there were attempts to interfere with ammunition purchases for Ukraine, but no corruption was recorded. Czechia involved 15 countries and supplied over 4.4 million rounds of ammunition.
At the Karasovići border crossing in Croatia, border guards discovered 500,000 euros in cash with a 24-year-old Ukrainian citizen. The money was hidden in the side panels of a car with Czech registration, which was heading to Montenegro.
A secret international F-16 squadron of US and Dutch veterans is patrolling the skies over Kyiv region. The pilots detect and destroy cruise missiles and drones, sharing their experience with Ukrainian pilots.
Within a day, the Armed Forces of Ukraine eliminated 1180 occupiers and destroyed 601 drones. Additionally, 26 artillery systems and 169 units of automotive equipment were disabled.
Poland will denounce the Ottawa Convention from February 20, 2026, to produce anti-personnel mines for border protection. The decision is part of the "Eastern Shield" strategy due to Russian aggression and the experience of the war in Ukraine.