World
Ukrainian Embassy Honors Slovak Reporter Stanislava Harkotova for War Coverage
The Ukrainian Embassy in Slovakia presented awards at Bratislava's Primate's Palace to recognize individuals who provided assistance during the four-year war in Ukraine. Among the recipients was Slovak reporter Stanislava Harkotova, who was honored for her journalistic work covering the conflict. The ceremony highlighted the contributions of those who have supported Ukraine since Russia's invasion began in 2022, with the embassy acknowledging both Slovak citizens and others who have aided the war effort through various means including media coverage and humanitarian assistance.
World
Iranian Frigate Sunk by US Submarine Leaves at Least 87 Dead
An Iranian naval frigate was sunk by an American submarine, resulting in at least 87 casualties, according to security officials. Search and rescue operations are continuing for 61 crew members who remain missing following the incident. The circumstances surrounding the sinking and the current status of diplomatic relations between the two nations following this naval confrontation have not been detailed in initial reports.
World
Dassault CEO Accuses Airbus of Obstructing FCAS Fighter Jet Project
The head of French aerospace company Dassault has accused European rival Airbus of undermining the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) project, a major multinational defense initiative. The FCAS program was launched in 2017 with the ambitious goal of developing next-generation fighter jets to replace France's Rafale aircraft and the Eurofighter jets currently operated by Germany and Spain. The accusation highlights growing tensions within one of Europe's most significant defense cooperation projects, which aims to maintain European competitiveness in military aviation against American and other international competitors.
World
Georgia Tightens Oversight of Grants for Political Organizations Amid Political Crisis
Georgia has implemented stricter supervision of grants provided to political organizations as the country continues to face a deepening political crisis following its recent parliamentary elections. The opposition has rejected the election results, claiming they were manipulated, and has refused to recognize both the newly elected parliament and the government formed from it. The move to tighten grant oversight comes as Georgia grapples with ongoing disputes over the legitimacy of its democratic institutions, with opposition parties maintaining their stance that the electoral process was fundamentally flawed.
World
European Commission Says EU Oil and Gas Supplies Not Currently Threatened by Iran Conflict
The European Commission stated that it does not currently anticipate immediate threats to oil and natural gas supplies to the European Union due to the ongoing conflict involving Iran. The assessment comes amid concerns about potential disruptions to energy markets in the region that could impact European energy security.
World
Slovak Foreign Minister Holds Phone Call with Omani Counterpart Over Security Incidents
Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár conducted a telephone conversation with his Omani diplomatic counterpart, during which he expressed solidarity regarding recent security incidents affecting Oman. The call reflects Slovakia's diplomatic engagement with Middle Eastern partners and demonstrates the country's support for Oman during what appears to be a period of security challenges, though specific details about the nature of the incidents were not disclosed.
World
EU Warns Trump Against Embargo on Spain Over Military Base Restrictions
The European Union has issued a warning to US President Donald Trump against imposing an embargo on Spain. The potential embargo stems from Madrid's decision to prohibit the United States from using Spanish military bases for attacks against Iran. The White House has cited this restriction on US military operations as justification for considering economic sanctions against the NATO ally and EU member state.
World
Progressive Slovakia Calls for Strengthened Diplomatic Personnel in Middle East
Progressive Slovakia (PS), a liberal opposition party, is calling for increased diplomatic presence in the Middle East amid ongoing regional tensions. Ivan Korčok, a PS member and former foreign minister, believes several steps need to be taken in response to the current situation. According to Korčok, Slovakia should deploy intervention teams to the region and strengthen its diplomatic personnel to better address the crisis. The call comes as the Middle East continues to experience heightened instability and conflict.
World
Slovakia and Ukraine Clash Over Druzhba Pipeline Disruption After Russian Bombing
Slovakia and Ukraine are locked in a dispute over the disruption of Russian oil flows through the Druzhba pipeline following recent Russian bombardment. Robert Fico, Slovakia's prime minister and leader of the ruling social-democratic Smer-SD party, claims the pipeline remains functional and accuses Ukraine of deliberately blocking oil deliveries to Slovakia. At a press conference Wednesday, Fico presented what he said were satellite images proving the pipeline's operational status, but refused to publicly release the images for verification.
Ukraine, meanwhile, has denied access to the bombed pipeline site to European Union representatives, preventing independent assessment of the damage. The Druzhba pipeline is a critical oil supply route that carries Russian crude through Ukraine to several European countries, including Slovakia. The disruption has created tensions between the two neighboring countries as Slovakia seeks to maintain its energy supplies while Ukraine deals with ongoing Russian attacks on its infrastructure.
World
Germany rejects fuel price caps, says oil and gas supplies remain stable after Iran attack
The German government has rejected calls to implement price caps on fuel and is working to calm market concerns following recent geopolitical tensions. Economy Minister assures that both oil and gas supply chains remain stable despite the attack on Iran. The German administration appears focused on maintaining market mechanisms rather than intervening with direct price controls, signaling confidence that current supply levels can weather the regional instability without requiring emergency measures.
World
UK PM Starmer Defends Allowing US Strikes from British Bases as Parliament Questions Iran Policy
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer faced parliamentary pressure over his decision to allow the United States to launch attacks on Iran from British military bases. Speaking in Parliament, Starmer defended the controversial move as evidence of the special relationship between London and Washington, while arguing that the policy aims to protect lives in the Middle East. The decision has drawn criticism from opposition lawmakers who questioned the wisdom of escalating tensions with Iran and potentially drawing Britain deeper into regional conflicts.
World
Ukraine Makes Largest Territorial Gains in Two Years as February Marks Best Month Since 2022
February marked Ukraine's most successful month in two years of fighting against Russia, with Ukrainian forces advancing more territory than they lost for the first time in an extended period, according to Finnish military analysts. The gains came despite continued intense Russian attacks, including a record number of glide bomb strikes. However, analytical sources disagree on the exact territorial calculations, with the Ukrainian monitoring group DeepState UA providing different figures than the Finnish assessment. Ukrainian forces also conducted successful drone strikes against Russian naval assets, reportedly sinking a Russian tanker. The advances are not expected to continue at the same pace in March, suggesting the February gains may have been the result of specific tactical opportunities rather than a sustained offensive capability. Meanwhile, Russia recorded its lowest equipment losses since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, indicating both sides may be managing their resources more carefully as the conflict enters its third year.
World
Iran's Assembly of Experts Considers Hard-liner as Potential Supreme Leader Successor
Iran's Assembly of Experts is reportedly favoring Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of current Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, as a potential successor to lead the Islamic Republic. Mojtaba, who has experienced significant personal losses due to Israeli military actions that killed his parents, wife, and child, is known for his hard-line positions within the Iranian regime. The Assembly of Experts, a body of senior clerics responsible for selecting and supervising the Supreme Leader, appears to be leaning toward his candidacy. Should Mojtaba assume leadership after his father's death, analysts suggest the regime's already strict policies and hard-line approach could become even more pronounced, potentially signaling a further intensification of Iran's conservative religious governance.
World
US and Israel Launch 'Operation Epic Fury' Military Offensive Against Iran's Nuclear Program
The United States and Israel have launched a military offensive targeting Iran's nuclear facilities, operating under the codename 'Operation Epic Fury.' The operation appears to strike at the heart of the Iranian regime's nuclear capabilities, amid ongoing concerns about Tehran's proximity to developing atomic weapons. The military action represents a significant escalation in tensions over Iran's nuclear program, which has been a source of international concern for years as the Islamic Republic has gradually increased its uranium enrichment activities beyond limits set in previous international agreements.
World
Iranian Scientist at Slovak Academy Says Regime Change Impossible Through Peaceful Means
An Iranian scientist working at the Slovak Academy of Sciences (SAV) says the current Iranian regime has no path back after violently suppressing peaceful protests. Sepideh Hassankhani Dolatabadi, who witnessed government forces shooting protesters during demonstrations in Iran, told Slovak media that when Iranians protested peacefully in January, they failed to change the regime despite tens of thousands of demonstrators dying and tens of thousands more being imprisoned by authorities.
The scientist, who says she has spent "half her life waiting for [Supreme Leader Ali] Khamenei to die," believes many Iranians now think external pressure or even violence may be necessary to bring change. While acknowledging that Iranians could suffer for many years as a result of war, Hassankhani Dolatabadi's comments reflect growing desperation among Iranian dissidents about the possibility of peaceful democratic transition in their homeland.