emergency

Slovakia had issued a two-day ultimatum to Ukraine to reopen the Soviet-era Druzhba pipeline so that it could receive Russian oil deliveries.

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has said his country will halt emergency electricity supplies to Ukraine until Kyiv reopens a key pipeline transporting Russian oil to Slovakia, making good on an ultimatum he issued to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Fico’s announcement on Monday came two days after he warned Zelenskyy on social media that he would ask state-owned company SEPS to halt emergency supplies of electricity if flows of Russian crude oil via the Soviet-era Druzhba pipeline crossing Ukraine did not resume.

“As of today, if the Ukrainian side turns to Slovakia with a request for assistance in stabilising the Ukrainian energy grid, such assistance will not be provided,” Fico said in a video on his Facebook page.

Ukrainian grid operator Ukrenergo said in a statement that it had not been officially informed yet, but that it would “not affect the situation in the unified power system of Ukraine”.

“The last time Ukraine requested emergency assistance from Slovakia was over a month ago and in a very limited volume,” it said.

Fico said the stoppage would be lifted “as soon as the transit of oil to Slovakia is restored”.

“Otherwise, we will take further reciprocal steps,” he said, adding his country would also reconsider “its previously constructive positions on Ukraine’s EU membership”.

He said the stalled oil supply was a “purely political decision aimed at blackmailing Slovakia over its international positions on the war in Ukraine”.

Slovakia and neighbouring Hungary, which have both remained dependent on Russian oil since the Kremlin launched its invasion of Ukraine almost four years ago, have become increasingly vocal in demanding that Kyiv resume deliveries through the Druzhba pipeline, which was shut down after what Ukraine said was a Russian drone strike hit infrastructure in late January.

Ukraine says it is fixing the damage on the pipeline, which still carries Russian oil over Ukrainian territory to Europe, as fast as it can.

Slovakia and Hungary say Ukraine is to blame for the prolonged outage and have declared emergencies over the cut in oil deliveries.

The EU imposed a ban on most oil imports from Russia in 2022, but the Druzhba pipeline was exempted to give landlocked Central European countries time to find alternative oil supplies.

Meanwhile, the European Union failed to agree on new sanctions on Russia for the fourth anniversary of Europe’s biggest war since World War II, after Hungary vetoed the move.

Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban – the friendliest EU leader to the Kremlin – is stalling the sanctions and a 90-billion-euro ($106bn) EU loan to Ukraine until Kyiv reopens the oil pipeline.

Fico also said he has refused to “involve the Slovak Republic” in the latest EU loan due to Zelenskyy’s “unacceptable behaviour”, alluding to Ukraine’s earlier halting of Russian gas supplies after a five-year-old transit agreement expired on January 1, 2025, which Fico claimed is costing Slovakia “damages of 500 million [euros; $590m] per year”.

Hungary and Slovakia have accounted for 68 percent of Ukraine’s imported power this month, according to Kyiv-based consultancy ExPro. It was not immediately clear if emergency electricity supplies were included in that figure.

Feb. 21 (UPI) — President Donald Trump approved an emergency declaration that will mobilize the Federal Emergency Management Agency to assist in the clean-up of millions of gallons of sewage in the Potomac River.

The declaration comes five weeks after nearly 250 million gallons of sewage spilled into the river after a sewage line collapsed.

The Potomac River runs between Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C.

“The President’s action authorizes FEMA to coordinate all disaster relief efforts to alleviate the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency on the local population and to provide appropriate assistance to save lives, to protect property, public health and safety and to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe,” FEMA said in a press release.

The spill started when the Potomac Interceptor, a 72-inch in diameter pipe that carries up to 60 million gallons of wastewater per day from Maryland and Virginia to a treatment plant in Washington, D.C., ruptured on Jan. 19, spilling 243 million gallons of untreated wastewater into the river.

DC Water, which operates the pipe, installed a temporary bypass on Jan. 24, stopping more wastewater from leaking into the river.

Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser on Feb. 18 formally declared a major disaster in the District and directly requested that Trump mobilize FEMA to help with cleaning up the waterway as work starts on a permanent fix, which could take as long as 10 months to complete.

On Feb. 16, Trump said that he would send FEMA to assist with the clean-up and, with his approval of Bowser’s declaration, the agency will now be mobilized to provide equipment and resources necessary.

ROCK band The Enemy have been forced to cancel a string of gigs after a “medical emergency” as they issue an apology to their fans.

The group have revealed that their Glasgow and Edinburgh shows for tonight and Tuesday have been cancelled.

Taking to Instagram to share the news, their management posted a statement on their behalf.

It read: “Due to a family medical emergency within the band, they have had to rush back home and both tonight’s show at King Tut’s Glasgow and tomorrow night at The Caves Edinburgh have been cancelled.

“Refunds will be issued within the next 24 hours.

“We are so sorry for the disappointment caused, your support means the world to the band, thank you on their behalf for being so understanding of the circumstances. Many thanks, Management,” they signed off.

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The group are still currently scheduled to perform at Brudenell in Leeds on Friday 27 and 100 Club in London on March 4.

Their beloved fans rushed to the comments section to send them their well-wishes as they navigate the emergency.

One concerned fan penned: “Hope all is well. Family should always come first. The shows can wait.”

Another understanding social media user commented: “Sending loads of love, hope everything is ok. Family is always first priority.”

Somebody else said: “Gutted. Hope everything is ok though,” while a fourth added: “Sorry to hear this, family first.”

The English indie rock band was formed in Coventry back in 2006 and consists of members, Tom Clarke, Andy Hopkins and Liam Watts.

The Enemy’s debut album, We’ll Live and Die in These Towns was released in 2007 and went straight to number one in the UK Albums Chart.

They followed this up with a further three albums and are gearing up for their fifth studio album, Social Disguises, which releases this week.

After disbanding in 2016, the trio reunited in 2022 for two reunion shows in their hometown of Coventry as well as embarking on a UK tour.

While Tom is on lead vocals as well as guitar, piano and strings, Andy is on bass guitar and vocals and Liam is in charge of drums.

The group revealed earlier this month they’re releasing their newest album, Social Disguises.

Taking to Instagram, they penned: “We can officially say that there is a brand new album by The Enemy being released THIS MONTH.

“It’s been a while since last time we said that!

“Massive love to everyone who’s listened to singles and pre-ordered the record! Go get yours from our website.”

This Summer is also set to be a good one for the band’s fans as they’ve been lined up to play Tramlines in Sheffield, Y Not? Festival in Derbyshire and Victorious Festival in Portsmouth.

Reporting from Washington — A month after tweeting that he might order FEMA to cut federal disaster funding to California fire victims, President Trump declined to renew that threat and indicated that talks with state officials were going well.

Speaking to The Times and several regional newspapers in the Oval Office, Trump said Wednesday that he and Gov. Gavin Newsom spoke by phone about two weeks ago, after his Jan. 9 tweet that he had ordered the Federal Emergency Management Agency not to send more disaster funding to state officials “unless they get their act together, which is unlikely.”

Asked Wednesday if he still thinks the federal government shouldn’t give California any more money until the state changes its forest management practices, Trump refrained from directly repeating the threat, but said something has to be done to keep California from burning year after year.

“I told my people, I said we cannot continue to spend billions of dollars, billions and billions of dollars,” Trump said. “Forest fires are totally preventable. They shouldn’t happen.”

Trump said he was encouraged by his talk with Newsom.

“He was very respectful as to my point of view,” Trump said. “I think he agrees with me. I respect the fact that he called. The forests are, because of whatever reason, … extraordinarily flammable, to put it mildly.”

Newsom’s spokesman Nathan Click said the governor and president had a “respectful conversation about the critical federal-state partnership necessary for emergency preparedness and disaster relief.”

“The governor will continue doing everything in his power to help the survivors of wildfires and make sure the state is prepared for future disasters,” Click said.

Environmental experts say the primary cause of increased fires in California is climate change and drought. The Trump administration has blamed poor forest management, though critics say such claims are misleading and in many cases false.

Thousands of Californians are still recovering from two massive fires this past fall that together killed nearly 90 people and burned thousands of structures.

Trump’s tweeted threat alarmed state and local officials. For weeks the White House and FEMA have provided no clarity about whether such an order would be implemented, and when. Even the California congressional delegation struggled to get information about what might happen.

For months the president has been critical of California’s forest management process, saying state environmental laws are too stringent and keep downed timber and other detritus such as leaves and fallen limbs from being removed before they can catch fire.

“It’s called forest management. You have very poor forest management,” Trump said. “You need good forest management and you will have either no forest fires or very small forest fires that are easily put out.”

Critics accuse the administration of trying to pressure California officials to open the state’s forests to increased logging.

The bulk of California’s forest land is either federal property or private property, and outside the state’s authority to manage, but Trump said California’s strict state environmental laws keep the federal government from managing its lands in the state properly.

“In many cases because of the state environmental rules, the federal government isn’t even allowed to go in and clean them out,” Trump said.

In November, the Camp fire destroyed the town of Paradise in the Sierra Nevada foothills, killing 86 people and destroying more than 13,900 homes in the area; and the Woolsey fire in Los Angeles and Ventura counties left three dead and leveled about 1,500 structures in an unwooded area.

State politicians have implored Trump to remember what he saw when he visited Paradise in November to tour the destroyed area. He spoke at length Wednesday about his shock at the extent of the damage and how quickly the fire moved into and destroyed the town.

“That was a lot of bad luck,” Trump said. “It was dry. You had 80 mile-per-hour winds. It was a very flammable area.”

The latest from Washington »

More stories from Sarah D. Wire »

Jan. 31 (UPI) — A northeasterly storm has created blizzard conditions in the Carolinas and triggered state of emergency declarations in North and South Carolina and Georgia on Saturday.

The intensifying storm system is centered over the Atlantic Ocean and near the Carolinas and Georgia coastline after its central pressure dropped by up to 40 millibars over the past 24 hours.

Hurricane-force wind gusts of between 60 mph and 80 mph are contributing to blizzard conditions along the Outer Banks coastal plains areas, and more than 10,000 flights have been canceled through the weekend.

The Hampton Roads area of Virginia also is getting pummeled with wintry weather from the storm system, and the National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning through 7 p.m. EST on Sunday for the commonwealth’s coastal areas and parts of North Carolina.

The winter storm is delivering the most snow in two decades to areas that rarely see significant amounts of snowfall.

Icy road conditions caused hundreds of collisions as of Saturday afternoon, and wave action from the storm’s strong winds and a high tide is threatening to damage or destroy homes along the coast.

The National Weather Service is forecasting between 5 and 9 inches of snowfall and sustained winds of between 33 and 41 mph, with gusts up to 50 mph, along the coastal areas of the Carolinas and into neighboring areas in Virginia and northern Georgia.

The snowfall likely will end during the overnight hours, but northwest winds will remain strong, with sustained wind speeds of between 28 and 33 mph and gusts of up to 50 mph into Sunday afternoon.

Although windy, the clouds are predicted to clear during the afternoon hours.

A TOP DJ has scrapped his upcoming tour after doctors warned him he’d need emergency surgery.

The Algerian-French music star, 39, told fans a health issue he’d been battling “finally caught up with me” and that he can’t “push or delay” further treatment.

DJ Snake, whose real name is William Sami Étienne Grigahcine, then revealed he’d “need a month to fully rest and recover”.

While the In The Dark hitmaker did not reveal the exact nature of his illness, it has prompted him to postpone tour dates in Canada and India.

The record producer, who produced Lady Gaga‘s hit Applause alongside the tracks of many other well-known stars, posted a statement on social media to reveal the worrying news.

He wrote in a post with black text on a white background: “Hey guys.

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“I’ve been battling a health issue for a while and it’s finally caught up with me.

“After talking with my doctors I need to have surgery in early February.

“It’s something I can’t push or delay anymore, and I’ll need a month to fully rest and recover after that.

“This means cancelling all my shows, including the India tour and that decision has been incredibly hard.

“But I need to get back to 100 per cent and this is the only way.”

DJ Snake, whose debut track Turn Down For What with Lil Jon was released to huge acclaim in 2013, added: “Thank you for your love and understanding.

“I will be back soon, stronger than before. William.”

He finished his upload with a white love heart Emoji icon.

Fans on X were quick to react and one wrote: “Wish you all the best. Get well soon”.

A second posted: “Hope it goes smoothly,” as a third uploaded: “Get well soon’.

One then added: “Get well soon DJ. Waiting for your great comeback”.

This isn’t the first time DJ Snake has cancelled a show.

In 2015, he was sadly injured in a car crash alongside electronic producer Tchami, and the pair were forced to miss Toronto’s Monster Mash Festival.

SNAKE SUCCESS

Previously, DJ Snake told how his stage name came about following a nickname in his youth.

It was sparked after he was known for graffiti and avoiding the police in his youth.

He said of his moniker: “When I started DJing, everyone called me Snake in my city first, I was like DJ Snake, OK let’s go for it.

“The name sucks, but it’s too late now.”

He also revealed to Rolling Stone Magazine the real reason for his sunglasses-clad look.

He told the publication: “In the clubs, people were dancing, but now they were just looking at me, like I was gonna do some magic tricks or some s**t, so I was panicking for real.

“I was petrified of making a mistake, and one of my friends told me to wear some sunglasses so that I couldn’t see the whole crowd.

“Now it helps me stay in the zone, stay focussed.”

He is a Grammy Award nominee, having scooped the nod in 2012 for Lady Gaga’s Born This Way album.

In 2016, he was also named on Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list.

Five years later, he slammed French side PSG for using one of his tracks as a walk-out song.

He was unimpressed after the Ligue 1 heavyweights dropped their traditional Phil Collins entrance track – even though they replaced it with one of the DJ’s own hits.

PSG have taken the field to the sound of Collins’ 1985 hit ‘Who Said I Would’ for almost 30 years.

But in 2021, the Paris club dropped the song in favour of DJ Snake’s ‘Intro Mixed’.

The DJ then claimed the bespoke track was initially only intended for the one-off video to announce the arrival of superstar Lionel Messi that year.

SEOUL, Jan. 26 (UPI) — South Korea’s cash-strapped discount chain Home Plus said Monday that it was waiting for an infusion of $210 million emergency operating funds from its stakeholders and state-run Korea Development Bank.

The retailer requested its shareholder, MBK Partners, creditor Meritz Financial Group, and KDB each to provide $70 million to help the company stay afloat while it searches for a new owner.

MBK Partners has pledged to offer its share of the funding, but Meritz and KDB have yet to disclose their positions, according to Home Plus.

Speaking at a National Assembly meeting last Wednesday, Home Plus CEO Joh Joo-yun said that the company is in a grave situation.

“Deliveries to Home Plus stores have plunged to about half their previous levels,” she said. “If emergency funding is not secured within January, we may be unable to pay employee wages or even settle payments for merchandise.”

Under such circumstances, Joh worried that it might be impossible to achieve a turnaround.

Meanwhile, the Seoul Central District Court earlier this month rejected prosecutors’ requests for arrest warrants for MBK Partners Chairman Michael Byungjoo Kim and other executives from the private equity fund and its portfolio company Home Plus.

Prosecutors sought to detain them in connection with asset-backed bonds issued by Home Plus in February, shortly before the firm filed for court receivership in early March.

They argued that such conduct may have exposed investors to potential losses, constituting fraud and violations of the relevant laws.

However, the court stressed the need to ensure that the suspects have sufficient opportunity to defend themselves without being held in custody.

In 2015, MBK took over Home Plus from Tesco in a deal valued at roughly $5 billion. In recent years, the retailer has faced mounting difficulties due to the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic and intensifying competition from e-commerce rivals.

Against this backdrop, Home Plus has sought to find a new buyer, but such efforts have so far made little progress.