Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico has given Ukraine a deadline to restart the flow of Russian oil through a key pipeline. If Ukraine does not comply, Slovakia may stop providing emergency electricity to Ukraine. This situation is part of ongoing energy tensions involving Ukraine, Slovakia, and Hungary, related to Russian oil and the EU's policies.
Key Facts
Slovakia demands Ukraine restart Russian oil flow via the Druzhba pipeline by a certain date.
Slovakia threatens to cut emergency electricity supply to Ukraine if the oil flow is not restarted.
The pipeline was shut down due to damage Ukraine says was caused by a Russian drone strike.
Slovakia and Hungary are heavily reliant on Russian oil and want Ukraine to resume deliveries.
Hungary and Slovakia oppose a new EU loan package to Ukraine and are using energy supply as leverage.
The Slovak leader criticizes Ukraine and refuses to support a new EU loan for it.
Slovakia provided 18% of Ukraine's electricity imports last month.
Ukraine proposes alternative ways to supply non-Russian oil to affected countries.
Students at several Iranian universities have started anti-government protests, marking the first major rallies since a deadly crackdown on earlier protests. These demonstrations come amid tensions between the United States and Iran over its nuclear program, with discussions taking place and possible military actions being considered by President Donald Trump.
Key Facts
Students at Sharif University in Tehran and other locations are holding anti-government protests.
This is the first large-scale student protest since the government's violent response to protests last month.
The protests honor thousands of people reportedly killed in earlier nationwide protests.
The U.S. is increasing its military presence near Iran, with President Trump considering a limited military strike.
The U.S. and its European allies are concerned Iran may develop nuclear weapons, but Iran denies this.
U.S. and Iranian officials recently met in Switzerland to discuss Iran's nuclear program.
President Trump said the outcome of these talks will be clear in about 10 days.
The Human Rights Activists News Agency reports at least 6,159 people have been killed since unrest began, while Iranian authorities claim most victims were security forces or bystanders.
NASA will not launch the Artemis 2 moon mission in March due to problems with the rocket's helium flow. The mission is the first crewed moon flyby in over 50 years and aims to help prepare for future human flights to Mars. The next possible launch dates are at the beginning or end of April.
Key Facts
NASA identified an issue with helium flow in the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, crucial for pressurizing fuel tanks.
Artemis 2 is a crewed mission, part of the larger Artemis program, aiming to return humans to the moon.
The mission includes a 10-day flight around the moon with three US astronauts and one Canadian astronaut.
It is intended as a step towards a future manned mission to Mars.
NASA initially aimed for a March launch, but the technical issue delayed it.
The next possible launch windows are in early or late April.
The Artemis 2 crew includes astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen.
Artemis 2 will be the first crewed moon mission since the Apollo program over 50 years ago.
In Manchester, a far-right group, Britain First, held an anti-Islam protest, which led to a larger counterprotest by people with antiracist and antifascist views. Tensions rose as both groups interacted, and police were present to manage the situation.
Key Facts
The protest was organized by Britain First, a far-right political group.
Britain First supports deportations and the removal of migrants and Muslims from the UK.
The counterprotest was larger, involving antifascist and antiracist demonstrators.
The counterprotest was planned for the same day as the Britain First protest.
Both protests involved chants and slogans; some were directed at British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Police were present to manage the interactions between the two groups.
Britain First protesters had confrontations with counterprotesters during the march.
Chelsea, under head coach Liam Rosenior, has faced challenges with discipline and home performance. They have dropped the most points at home in the Premier League this season and have received a league-high six red cards. Rosenior believes the team needs to address these issues quickly.
Key Facts
Chelsea has dropped 17 points at home this Premier League season.
The team has received six red cards, the most in the league this term.
Wesley Fofana's red card contributed to Chelsea's draw against Burnley.
Chelsea has not fielded a player over 28 years old this season.
Coach Liam Rosenior stresses the importance of accountability over youth.
Chelsea is bottom of the Fair Play table, having received 60 yellow cards.
Rosenior was appointed after Enzo Maresca left at the start of the year.
Tammy Abraham has returned to Aston Villa and scored an important goal to help the team draw against Leeds United. Abraham, who previously helped Villa get promoted to the Premier League, recently joined the team from Besiktas. Aston Villa is currently third in the Premier League standings with eleven games left in the season.
Key Facts
Tammy Abraham scored a late goal in the match against Leeds United, resulting in a 1-1 draw.
The goal was Abraham's second since rejoining Aston Villa from the Turkish club Besiktas in January.
Abraham helped Aston Villa win promotion to the Premier League in the 2018-2019 season by scoring 25 goals.
Aston Villa is currently in third place in the Premier League, seven points behind leaders Arsenal.
Abraham expressed happiness about returning to Aston Villa and playing in front of supportive fans.
Villa manager Unai Emery acknowledged that a title win is unlikely but emphasized the team's strong standing and potential in the league.
Abraham's return gives Villa more attacking options alongside player Ollie Watkins.
Scotland's rugby team came back to win against Wales in a Six Nations match held in Cardiff. They managed to turn the game around after being behind for most of it, eventually winning 26-23.
Key Facts
Scotland won the game against Wales with a final score of 26-23.
Scotland scored four tries, with George Turner's try in the 74th minute sealing their victory.
Scotland was trailing 20-5 and 23-12 during the match before making a comeback.
Kyle Steyn, Darcy Graham, Finn Russell, and George Turner scored tries for Scotland.
Wales scored through Rhys Carre and Josh Adams, with Sam Costelow adding 10 points from conversions and penalties.
Wales has not won a Six Nations match in three years.
Scotland will win the Triple Crown if they defeat Ireland in their next match on March 14.
The match took place in Cardiff, and the referee was Matt Carley.
Giant tortoises have been reintroduced to Floreana Island in the Galápagos for the first time in over 180 years. This effort is part of a conservation project to restore the island's ecosystem after the native tortoises were driven to extinction in the 1840s.
Key Facts
158 juvenile giant tortoises were released on Floreana Island.
The project is led by the Galápagos National Park Directorate.
Floreana's original tortoise species went extinct due to sailors taking them for food.
The reintroduction began after a breeding program found tortoises with Floreana ancestry on Isabela Island.
By 2025, over 600 hatchlings had been bred, and many are now big enough to live in the wild.
Giant tortoises help restore ecosystems because they change the landscape through their activities.
An army medic and TikTok personality named Corporal Lucy Wilde was found dead at her barracks in Warminster, Wiltshire, at the age of 25. The Ministry of Defence is investigating the circumstances of her death. Wilde was known for her engaging TikTok videos, and her military service included recognition for bravery.
Key Facts
Corporal Lucy Wilde was an army medic and TikTok star from the Royal Yorkshire Regiment.
She was found dead at her barracks on 5 February, and the cause of death is under investigation.
Wilde had 18,000 followers on TikTok and shared content about her daily life and exercise routines.
She served in the Welsh Guards before transferring to the Royal Yorkshire Regiment.
Wilde's brother described her as strong and caring; her regiment highlighted her courage.
She received a commendation for helping at an accident scene in the Falklands.
The Welsh Guards paid tribute to her ability to uplift those around her.
NASA's planned moon mission, Artemis II, is likely to be delayed due to a problem with the helium flow system in its rocket. The mission was set to launch in early March and aims to send astronauts on a 10-day trip around the Moon and back. Engineers found an interruption in helium flow, a crucial part of launch operations, which could push back the launch date.
Key Facts
NASA planned to launch the Artemis II mission in early March.
The mission intended to send astronauts to and around the Moon for the first time in 50 years.
A helium flow issue in the rocket's system was identified, likely delaying the mission.
Helium is used to pressurize fuel tanks and cool rocket systems.
Four astronauts are set to participate: three Americans and one Canadian.
The mission aims to prepare for future lunar landings by 2028.
The Artemis II mission involves a 10-day journey to the Moon's far side and back.
NASA conducted a 50-hour test simulating launch conditions, revealing the helium issue.
Israeli air strikes in Gaza killed two Palestinians during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. This incident broke a truce made with the group Hamas four months ago. Meanwhile, international efforts, supported by President Trump, aim to rebuild Gaza, although challenges like disarming Hamas remain unresolved.
Key Facts
Israeli air strikes killed at least two people in Gaza.
The attack happened during Ramadan, a holy month for Muslims.
The truce with Hamas was signed over four months ago.
Since the ceasefire began, 614 Palestinians have died, and 1,640 have been injured.
Israeli military claimed one attack was necessary due to an immediate threat.
President Trump's Board of Peace secured commitments for $17 billion to rebuild Gaza.
Five countries pledged to send troops to a new peacekeeping force in Gaza.
Hamas refuses to disarm while Israel occupies Gaza.
The Trump administration fired James W. Hundley, a prosecutor appointed by judges in Virginia, shortly after his appointment. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche stated that it is the President's role to appoint U.S. Attorneys, not the judges. This event is part of ongoing conflicts involving appointments and prosecutions under President Trump's administration.
Key Facts
The Trump administration fired James W. Hundley, chosen by judges as an interim U.S. Attorney in Virginia.
Judges appointed Hundley after Erik Siebert resigned in September.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche stated the President has the authority to appoint U.S. Attorneys.
This is the second time judges have appointed and then the administration fired a prosecutor in a month.
The Justice Department argues that the President and Attorney General decide on interim U.S. Attorney appointments.
Hundley has over 30 years of experience as a litigator.
Siebert, the previous appointee, handled investigations related to New York Attorney General Letitia James and former FBI Director James Comey.
President Trump had previously expressed dissatisfaction with Siebert over prosecutorial decisions.
Pakistan and New Zealand's T20 World Cup match was canceled due to rain, without any play taking place. The game was scheduled at Colombo’s R Premadasa Stadium but was called off because of continuous rain, resulting in both teams receiving one point each.
Key Facts
The T20 World Cup match between Pakistan and New Zealand was abandoned due to rain.
Rain started just after Pakistan's captain won the toss and chose to bat first.
The match was at Colombo’s R Premadasa Stadium.
No play occurred, and more than 60 ground staff tried to protect the field.
The match was officially called off at 9:05 pm local time.
Both teams received one point each as the match did not happen.
The following Group 1 and Group 2 matches were scheduled between India and South Africa, and Sri Lanka and England, respectively, on Sunday.
A mini-bus carrying Chinese tourists fell into a fissure in the ice on Lake Baikal, Siberia, leading to the deaths of seven tourists and their Russian driver. Divers retrieved their bodies from the lake's bottom. Authorities are investigating the cause of the incident.
Key Facts
Seven Chinese tourists and a Russian driver died when their bus fell into the icy Lake Baikal.
The incident happened when the bus crossed a three-meter-wide ice crack.
Lake Baikal is the world's deepest lake, reaching depths of up to 1,642 meters.
A Chinese tourist managed to escape from the bus after the accident.
All Chinese tourists in the accident had traveled on their own, not with a tour group.
Irkutsk's Governor warned against traveling on the lake's ice due to safety risks.
Authorities have launched a criminal investigation to determine what led to the accident.
Additional rescues took place on the lake, involving other individuals trapped on the ice.
President Trump announced that he would increase global tariffs to 15% after the Supreme Court ruled that certain import taxes were illegal. The new tariffs will replace the previous ones and are set to take effect next week under a different trade law.
Key Facts
President Trump plans to raise global tariffs to 15%.
The announcement came a day after the Supreme Court deemed some import taxes illegal.
The Supreme Court's decision was a 6-3 ruling.
President Trump used a separate trade law, Section 122, to implement the new tariffs.
Section 122 allows tariffs of up to 15% for addressing payment issues.
These measures can last for 150 days unless Congress extends them.
Jorrit Bergsma, a 40-year-old speed skater from the Netherlands, won an Olympic gold medal in the men's Mass Start Speed Skating event. He is now the oldest speed skater to achieve this at the Olympics.
Key Facts
Jorrit Bergsma is 40 years old.
He is from the Netherlands.
Bergsma won a gold medal in speed skating.
The event he won is called the Mass Start Speed Skating.
He is the oldest athlete to win Olympic gold in this event.
Ireland defeated England with a record away win in the Six Nations rugby match held at Allianz Stadium. Ireland scored 42 points against England's 21, boosting their chances for the Six Nations title and the Triple Crown. The match marked Ireland's first away win at Twickenham since 2022.
Key Facts
Ireland won against England 42-21 in a Six Nations match.
The game took place at Allianz Stadium.
This victory was Ireland's biggest margin of win against England away since 2022.
Ireland scored five tries, while England scored three.
Irish player Jack Crowley contributed with four conversions and three penalty goals.
With this win, Ireland's chances to win the Six Nations and the Triple Crown improved.
England's chances to win the championship were greatly reduced after this loss.
Ireland will next face Wales on March 6, and England will play in Rome on March 7.
President Donald Trump announced he will impose a 15% tariff on all goods entering the U.S. This announcement came after the Supreme Court struck down his earlier import taxes. The new tariffs will start on February 24 and last for about five months unless Congress approves them.
Key Facts
President Trump aims to set a 15% tariff on all imports into the U.S.
The decision follows a Supreme Court ruling that nullified his previous tariffs.
The new tariffs will begin on February 24, 2024.
These tariffs can last for about five months without congressional approval.
President Trump shared the increase from 10% to 15% on Truth Social.
For the tariffs to continue beyond five months, congressional approval is necessary.
The U.S. Supreme Court has blocked President Donald Trump's global tariffs. This decision might mark the start of changes to Trump's tariff policies. The discussion also touches on comments by Boris Johnson about actions related to Ukraine.
Key Facts
The U.S. Supreme Court blocked global tariffs imposed by President Trump.
The ruling might signal changes in Trump's tariff policies.
Laura Kuenssberg and Paddy O’Connell discussed the decision with Gary O'Donoghue.
Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson suggested sending non-combat troops to Ukraine.
Johnson commented that the UK and allies didn't act firmly enough during the Ukraine invasion.
The article mentions how to listen to the Newscast podcast and join its online community.
UK Members of Parliament (MPs) will meet to discuss whether to start an inquiry into the role of UK trade envoys. This comes after Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office but has since been released. The inquiry may focus on governance issues within the trade envoy system, not just on Andrew himself.
Key Facts
MPs are considering an inquiry into the role of UK trade envoys.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was the UK's trade envoy from 2001 to 2011.
He was arrested for suspected misconduct in public office and released after 11 hours.
There are allegations that Andrew shared confidential government files with Jeffrey Epstein.
The UK government might remove Andrew from the royal line of succession.
Any legislation to remove Andrew would need approval from Parliament and the 14 Commonwealth countries.
The Business and Trade Committee is exploring governance issues in the envoy system.
Andrew lost his prince title in 2025, after a formal process initiated by King Charles.
