Bird flu reaches mainland Antarctica for first time, scientists say (www.reuters.com)
BUENOS AIRES, Feb 26 (Reuters) - A deadly type of bird flu has been confirmed on the mainland of Antarctica for the first time, scientists said, a potential risk for the southern region’s huge penguin colonies....
New Zealand begins sentencing of those involved in White Island volcanic eruption (www.reuters.com)
WELLINGTON, Feb 26 (Reuters) - Sentencing for the tour booking agents and managers of an island in New Zealand where a volcanic eruption killed 22 people, mostly tourists, in 2019 began on Monday, with the prosecutor warning those sentenced may not be able to pay a fine....
War in Ukraine: Not all European countries view Russia as top threat (www.lemonde.fr)
Israeli Forces Will Move Into Rafah, Cease-Fire Deal or Not, Netanyahu Says (www.nytimes.com)
Many in Myanmar consider fleeing to Thailand to escape conscription into an army they despise (apnews.com)
Israeli soldiers are looting Gaza homes en masse (www.972mag.com)
Soldiers describe how stealing Palestinian property has become totally routine in the Gaza war, with minimal pushback from commanders.
Police called to investigate alleged LGBTQ+ propaganda at Russian 'My Little Pony' convention (abcnews.go.com)
Measles cases rose 79 percent globally last year: WHO (medicalxpress.com)
The World Health Organization voiced alarm Tuesday at the rapid spread of measles, with more than 306,000 cases reported worldwide last year—a 79-percent increase from 2022....
Vietnam to collect biometrics - even DNA - for new ID cards (www.theregister.com)
Russia and China clash with US and UK over attacks on Yemen rebels for strikes on Red Sea ships (apnews.com)
Russia and China on Wednesday accused the United States and Britain of illegally attacking military sites used by Yemen’s Houthi rebels to launch missiles at commercial vessels in the Red Sea, disrupting global shipping....
Gaza doctors: ‘We leave patients to scream for hours and hours’ - BBC News (www.bbc.com)
US conducts strikes against Houthi underwater vessel for the first time since Red Sea attacks began (www.cnn.com)
The US on Saturday conducted strikes against Houthi anti-ship cruise missiles and vessels, including on the first unmanned underwater vessel the Iranian-backed rebel group has used since the attacks in the Red Sea began, according to US Central Command....
Shooter Kills Two, Wounds Four in Southern Israel Terror Attack (www.haaretz.com)
Two people were killed and four were wounded in a shooting attack in southern Israel on Friday....
Russia, China, North Korea, and Iran Used GPT for 'Malicious Cyber Activities', OpenAI Says (www.vice.com)
Energy firms face legal threat over Israeli licences to drill for gas off Gaza (www.middleeasteye.net)
Venezuela closes UN human rights office citing ‘colonialist attitude’ (www.theguardian.com)
Housing starts are down but don’t panic, say experts (www.ipolitics.ca)
Israeli Minister Blocks Flour From Reaching UNRWA in Gaza (www.nytimes.com)
Man banned from panda park for life for ‘uncivilised’ behaviour (www.independent.co.uk)
China urges Israel to stop military operation in Rafah 'as soon as possible' - Times of India (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
Estonian PM: Russia provoked by weakness, not strength (kyivindependent.com)
Ukraine’s Western allies must commit to victory over Russia and not fall into “traps” laid by the Kremlin, Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas said in a Feb. 11 interview with the Austrian news outlet Der Standard....
Brazil Has a Dengue Emergency, Portending a Health Crisis for the Americas (www.nytimes.com)
Record numbers of cases of the mosquito-borne virus have been reported in the Southern Hemisphere summer, and the surge is likely to move north....
Israel hits back at Moody’s downgrade over Gaza war impact (on.ft.com)
Israel hits back at Moody’s downgrade over Gaza war impact
Russia has now transformed to a wartime economy. Nordic and Baltic countries closest to Russia have got the message and are preparing (cepa.org)
Finland, despite its status as the newest NATO member, is in a better condition than most of the other 28 European alliance members. Empty stockpiles and slow armaments production are causing concern elsewhere in Europe, but not so in Finland....