United States
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has begun naval exercises in the Strait of Hormuz. This comes amid rising tensions with the US and the resumption of nuclear program talks.
President Zelenskyy announced that the Ukrainian delegation is already in Geneva for the next round of negotiations on February 17. Russia rejects proposals for a ceasefire, continues assaults and strikes on cities.
At the Munich Conference, the US announced plans to provide Ukraine with $15 billion in weapons in 2026. Europe is discussing the creation of its own army, and Ukraine is ready for elections after a ceasefire.
Ukraine and the US discussed large-scale sanctions against Russia, particularly its nuclear energy sector, as well as deepening cooperation in the gas and nuclear spheres. The discussion included the supply of American liquefied natural gas and the use of Ukrainian gas storage facilities.
President Zelenskyy met with US Senators Richard Blumenthal and Sheldon Whitehouse. The use of frozen Russian assets to purchase Patriot missiles was discussed.
Users of the social network X (formerly Twitter) from Ukraine, the USA, Poland, Great Britain, France, and Germany are reporting outages. The problems concern the operation of the website, the application, and server connection.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the United States is the only country that can compel Ukraine and Russia to negotiate. The US is not imposing an agreement, but merely seeks to help end the devastating war.
Germany and France are discussing possible formats for cooperation in the field of nuclear deterrence. The talks are not aimed at weakening the US role in European security.
On February 17, 2026, a solar eclipse in Aquarius will occur, bringing reform, new technologies, and the destruction of old systems. This period promises a sharp leap forward, revolutionary sentiments, and the formation of new alliances.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said that Hungary would support US peace efforts to end Russia's war against Ukraine. Orbán believes that the war would not have started if Donald Trump had been the US president.
Donald Trump is ready to help Hungary in case of financial difficulties. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed Trump's commitment to Orban's success.
President Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine is ready for compromise, but not at the cost of its territories. He emphasized the importance of security guarantees, which must precede any territorial concessions.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that a wider range of issues, including territories, would be discussed at the trilateral talks in Geneva. The Russian delegation will be headed by Vladimir Medinsky, and Kirill Dmitriev and Igor Kostyukov will also participate.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Donald Trump could impose sanctions against Russia's entire energy sector. This would be a serious signal for Europeans who have not yet sanctioned Russian nuclear energy.
A Ukrainian refugee was killed in North Carolina by her ex-boyfriend, who traveled from Ohio. He shot her and her new partner while she was caring for her younger siblings.
Shares of Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. led a sell-off in Chinese tech stocks after the Pentagon added it to a list of companies aiding the military. The Pentagon later withdrew the list without explanation, but the shares had already fallen.
Russian media reported that Switzerland allegedly pledged to ensure safe passage for the Russian delegation to the talks in Geneva. The negotiations on settling Russia's war against Ukraine will take place on February 17-18 in a trilateral format.
US military boarded the tanker Veronica III in the Indian Ocean after tracking the vessel from the Caribbean Sea. This is part of US efforts to stop the illegal transport of oil linked to Venezuela.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu demands the elimination of all uranium enrichment equipment in Iran. He also proposed reducing US military aid to zero, transitioning to a partnership.
Oil is getting cheaper amid IEA forecasts of a record surplus of 3. 7 million barrels per day by 2026. The softening of US rhetoric towards Iran also affects prices.
Global gold prices stabilized above $5,000 per ounce, despite profit-taking and a slight decline. Analysts predict a rise to $5,800 per ounce by the end of the second quarter.
Experts are calling for severe autism to be recognized as a separate diagnosis to ensure proper care and research. This would allow for more precise allocation of public funds and the creation of specialized housing programs.
Comedian Jimmy Fallon and music mogul Tommy Mottola have teamed up to create a new line of Italian sauces called "Pasta Sauce. " The product, based on family recipes, will soon appear on store shelves in the US.