Italy
Eight countries and the EU will boycott the opening ceremony of the 2026 Paralympic Games due to the admission of Russians and Belarusians. Ukrainian diplomats are working to increase the number of such states.
The Finnish Paralympic Committee refused to participate in the opening ceremonies of the 2026 Paralympics. This decision is a protest against the return of Russian and Belarusian athletes to competitions under national symbols.
G7 leaders reaffirmed their support for Ukraine and Trump's peace efforts. They also welcomed assistance to Ukraine for getting through the winter.
The XXV Winter Olympic Games 2026 have concluded, with Ukraine represented by 46 athletes, achieving eight top-10 finishes. The closing ceremony took place in Verona, Milan, and Cortina d'Ampezzo.
In Assisi, Italy, on the occasion of the 800th anniversary of the death of Saint Francis, his remains were displayed for veneration. Around 400,000 people have booked a place to see the relic by March 22.
Dmytro Kotovskyi and Anhelina Brykina, freestyle skiers, represented Ukraine at the closing ceremony of the 2026 Winter Games in Italy. Approximately 1,500 Olympians marched together, symbolizing friendship and unity.
The US men's hockey team won gold at the Milan Cortina Olympics, defeating Canada 2-1 in overtime. Jack Hughes scored the game-winning goal, securing the USA's third Olympic title.
In the Austrian Alps, five people died as a result of a series of avalanches due to heavy snowfall. Among the victims are a 42-year-old German and three skiers near the resort of St. Anton.
The Center for Countering Disinformation at the National Security and Defense Council has recorded a new wave of coordinated Russian attacks aimed at discrediting Ukrainian citizens in EU countries. Russian propaganda is using the 2026 Olympics to spread fabricated stories about refugee crimes.
Oleksandr Okipniuk took 10th place in the ski acrobatics final at the Olympic Games in Italy. He failed to make it to the super final, scoring 101 points.
A moderate eruption of the Canlaon volcano occurred on the Philippine island of Negros, lasting two minutes. A plume of smoke rose over 2000 meters, leading to an elevated alert level.
The Italian government has expressed disagreement with the decision of the International Paralympic Committee to admit athletes from Russia and Belarus to the Milan-Cortina 2026 Paralympic Games. Italy calls on the IPC to reconsider this decision.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the results of the negotiations in Geneva are insufficient. He emphasized the need for further meetings, preferably in February, with the participation of European countries.
At the 2026 Olympic Games, biathlete Daryna Chalyk, in her debut relay, moved the Ukrainian team up one position, finishing the race in 9th place. The athlete will continue the competitive season, despite her desire to return home.
UNN tells about the uniqueness of American aircraft, how much the machines cost, and what made them popular.
A study has found that the tropical disease chikungunya can be transmitted by mosquitoes across much of Europe. Rising temperatures allow the infection to spread as far north as southern England.
President Zelenskyy held a meeting with Ukrainian negotiators before the second day of talks in Geneva. He noted that Russia is trying to prolong the negotiations and set the task of making them productive.
Rustem Umerov met with representatives of the USA, France, Great Britain, Germany, Italy, and Switzerland. The parties discussed the results of the negotiations and synchronized approaches for further steps.
The Ministry of Energy discussed the consequences of Russia's massive attack on infrastructure, especially in the Odesa region and on the left bank of Kyiv. Ukraine will receive 10 generators from Estonia, 32 boilers from Italy, and equipment from other countries.
Trilateral talks between the US, Ukraine, and Russia are taking place in Geneva. National security advisors from France, Germany, Italy, and Great Britain are "monitoring the third negotiation session."
Snow avalanches in the European Alps have claimed the lives of several skiers, and a train has derailed in Switzerland. A high risk of avalanches persists due to unstable snow cover.
Italian musician Gabry Ponte will be the main performer at the closing ceremony of the 2026 Winter Olympic Games. The ceremony will take place on February 22 at the Arena di Verona.
Donald Trump announced the attraction of over $5 billion from the founding countries of the Peace Council for humanitarian needs and infrastructure restoration in Gaza. The funds will be finalized on February 19 in Washington.
American skier Lindsey Vonn has been discharged from an Italian hospital after a severe fall that resulted in a fractured tibia. The 41-year-old athlete underwent her fourth surgery and is preparing for a long recovery.
Damage to railway infrastructure caused train delays and is being treated as a criminal offense against the transport system.
The United Kingdom will allocate over 460 million euros for the development of new long-range and hypersonic missiles in cooperation with European allies. These missiles will be able to hit targets at a distance of over 2000 km and will replace Storm Shadow cruise missiles.
Italian tax police raided Amazon's headquarters in Milan and the homes of seven managers as part of a new tax evasion investigation. The company is suspected of failing to declare income and having a hidden permanent establishment in Italy from 2019 to 2024.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reacted to the IOC's disqualification of Vladyslav Heraskevych due to his "helmet of memory," stating that it is not about the principles of Olympism. He emphasized that sport does not mean oblivion, and the Olympic movement should help stop wars.
Ukraine is forming a new defense model based on technological solutions and innovations. The country is ready to share these developments with partners.
Olena Stetskiv and Oleksandra Mokh took 7th place in the debut Olympic discipline — women's doubles luge — at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Games. Italians Andrea Vötter and Marion Oberhofer became the first Olympic champions.