Macron Wrongly Blamed Over EU Rape Law - Alexe

French President Emmanuel Macron has been falsely accused of excluding rape from a new European law on violence against women.

President of Romania Klaus Iohannis convenes the Supreme Council of Defense

The President of Romania, Klaus Iohannis, called the meeting of the Supreme Council of Defense of the country (CSAT), which will take place on February 21, starting at 1:00 p.m., at the Cotroceni Palace, the Romanian Presidential Administration informed.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin admitted to critical care

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin was admitted to a critical care unit in Washington on Sunday for treatment of "symptoms suggesting an emergent bladder issue", officials of Walter Reed Military Medical Center said, Reuters reports.

Alexander Stubb won the election in Finland

After a close presidential race, former Finnish Prime Minister, Alexander Stubb, won Sunday's election runoff against former Foreign Minister, Pekka Haavisto, Euronews reports.

Japan to pledge $106 million in aid to Ukraine

Japan will pledge ¥15.8 billion ($106 million) in aid to support the reconstruction of Ukraine from war damage in seven fields including infrastructure and de-mining, sources familiar with the matter said Sunday, The Japan Times reports.

The Israeli army rescued two hostages from captivity in the Gaza Strip

The Israeli military rescued two hostages in a dramatic raid under fire from the Gaza Strip early Monday, marking a small but symbolically significant success in its quest to bring home over 100 captives believed to be held by the Hamas militant group. At least 50 Palestinians were killed in airstrikes that were part of the raid, according to Palestinian hospital officials, AP reports.

Elections in Russia: Four candidates aspire to the position of president, all of whom are supporters of Moscow's war in Ukraine

The Central Election Commission (CEC) of the Russian Federation has completed its registration of candidates for the upcoming presidential election, eventually clearing four people for the upcoming presidential race, TASS agency reports.

Macron postpones his visit to Ukraine for security reasons

French President Emmanuel Macron has postponed his visit to Ukraine for security reasons, Ukrinform reports.

US Congress approves F-16 fighter jet agreement with Turkey

The US Congress has decided to approve an agreement with Türkiye on the sale of 40 new F-16 fighter jets and the modernization of existing F-16 fighters, said the US embassy in the country on X (Twitter), Trend reports.

Donald Trump says he would encourage Russia to attack Nato allies who pay too little

Seeking a second presidency as the Republicans’ presumptive 2024 White House nominee, Donald Trump has said he would “encourage” Russia to attack any of the US’s Nato allies whom he considers to have not met their financial obligations, The Guardian reports.

Netanyahu orders Rafah evacuation ahead of expected ground invasion

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered his military to prepare a plan to evacuate Rafah, despite repeated warnings from the U.S. and aid agencies that invading the overcrowded city would be a “disaster", Politico reports.

US News Roundup: Aid to Ukraine, Biden's Memory, Trump's Eligibility, and Super Bowl

The fate of $60 billion in US aid to Ukraine remains uncertain until next week when Congress reconvenes.