The Donald Trump administration has reacted sharply to the growing trend in the European Union toward a "Buy European" policy, threatening Brussels and EU member states with retaliatory measures, including possible trade restrictions and tariffs. According to Politico, the Pentagon and Trump administration officials sent a formal warning to the...
Britain sets course for its own payment system
London, February 2026. The heads of the UK's largest banks are preparing for a historic step in financial policy: the first coordinated meeting to discuss the creation of a national payments system, an alternative to the international payment networks Visa and Mastercard. The meeting, chaired by Barclays UK CEO Wim...
Italy opposes allowing Russians and Belarusians to compete in the 2026 Paralympics under their national flags
The Italian government has expressed strong opposition to the International Paralympic Committee (IPC)'s decision to allow a limited number of athletes from Russia and Belarus to compete in the 2026 Winter Paralympics in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo under their national flags and with their national anthems played. A joint statement...
UK police arrest around 1,000 suspected pedophiles each month
The National Crime Agency (NCA) has stated that the threat of child sexual abuse in the UK has reached critical levels and continues to grow. According to the agency, police across the country arrest an average of around 1,000 suspects in child sexual abuse cases each month. An NCA representative...
From legend to reality: How a “shadow fleet” turned sailors into prisoners of ghost ships
Historically, the term "ghost ship" was associated with legends of drifting vessels without crews. However, in the 21st century, it has acquired a new, far more sinister meaning. This refers not to mysterious disappearances, but to the systemic practice of abandoning seafarers by shipowners. According to the definition enshrined in...
Poland has officially banned Chinese-made vehicles from entering military bases
Poland has banned vehicles manufactured in the People's Republic of China from entering military bases and protected military structures. This was announced by representatives of the General Staff of the Polish Army on Tuesday evening. The decision was made based on an analysis of the risks associated with the increasing...
Minister Simons under question over Labour Together report
A major political scandal has erupted in the UK surrounding Labour Together, an influential Labour think tank closely associated with Prime Minister Keir Starmer. According to investigations by The Sunday Times, BBC, and The Guardian, the center paid the American consulting company APCO Worldwide at least £30,000–£36,000 in 2023 to...
Germany introduces age limits on social media
In Germany, there is active discussion about introducing strict restrictions on social media use by children and adolescents. The ruling coalition is promoting initiatives aimed at protecting minors from harmful content, cyberbullying, addiction, and psychological abuse. On February 16, 2026, the Social Democrats published a position paper proposing a differentiated...
The number of crewed “ghost ships” in the world’s oceans increased by 31% in 2025
According to the International Transport Workers' Federation, 2025 will be a record year for the number of cases of crew abandonment on board ships, so-called "ghost ships" with living but abandoned sailors. According to published ITF statistics, 410 abandonment incidents involving 6,223 seafarers were recorded during the year. Compared to...
The heads of Britain’s top banks are beginning to create an independent payment system
The heads of leading UK banks will gather on February 19 for the first official meeting dedicated to the launch of a national payment system, which is intended to become an independent alternative to American giants Visa and Mastercard. The meeting will be chaired by Vim Maru, CEO of Barclays...