Argentine President Javier Milei is facing impeachment calls and legal action over his promotion of a cryptocurrency that plummeted in value after he deleted a social media post endorsing it.
Milei posted on X, formerly Twitter, on Friday about the $LIBRA cryptocurrency, describing it as a tool to support small businesses and start-ups. The post included a link to purchase the coin, leading to a surge in its value. However, hours later, he deleted the post, and the cryptocurrency’s value crashed, resulting in heavy losses for investors.
Some members of Argentina’s Congress announced plans to initiate impeachment proceedings, while lawyers filed fraud complaints in the country’s criminal court on Sunday.
Critics accused Milei of a “rug pull,” a term used to describe a scam in which cryptocurrency promoters encourage investments before withdrawing support and profiting from the sales. Observers noted that the link shared by Milei contained a phrase he frequently uses in speeches.
In response, the presidential office stated on Saturday that the post was removed to prevent “speculation” following the public’s reaction. Officials denied Milei’s involvement in the cryptocurrency’s creation and announced that the Anti-Corruption Office would investigate whether any misconduct occurred.
Former President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner criticized Milei over the controversy, calling him a “crypto scammer” in a widely viewed social media post. Argentina’s main opposition coalition labeled the situation an “unprecedented scandal” and confirmed plans to formally request impeachment proceedings.
The fallout from the crypto scandal has intensified scrutiny of Milei’s administration as calls for an official investigation grow.
Turkish OnlyFans model and adult actress Merve Taskin has been placed under house arrest after advertising a Valentine’s Day dinner date for £9,000.
Taskin, 27, was arrested on February 14 and accused of offering “obscene services” after posting an advertisement on X to her 124,000 followers. The post offered to be a fan’s “girlfriend” for an evening, complete with a dinner date.
Soon after, Turkish authorities took action, and on February 15, a judge at the Caglayan Court ordered her to remain under house arrest while her phone and social media accounts were investigated.
Taskin’s viral post listed her fee as 400,000 Turkish lira (approximately £8,770) and playfully described what her lucky suitor could expect:
– **Conversation:** “I am talkative, we can chat a lot.”
– **Beauty:** “You can create a good image with me outside.”
– **Fame:** “I am known in Turkey, you can satisfy your ego within yourself.”
– **Intelligence:** “I’m smarter than you expect, you’ll be surprised.”
She also jokingly warned:
– “Bonus: I have great manipulation skills, be careful not to fall in love.”
– “Bonus 2: If you need motivation on anything, I’m pretty good at that too.”
– “Bonus 3: I am humble.”
Following the post, Taskin was reported to the police, leading to her sudden arrest.
After her release, Taskin took to social media to describe her experience in custody. She claimed she spent a night in a “cold, stuffy, unhygienic detention cell” alongside local prostitutes.
“One of the girls was crying at first because she got locked up in the detention cell,” she wrote, “but then she started laughing when she found out that I was Turkish and that I was there because of social media.”
Expressing disbelief at the situation, she added: “Someone please tell me that they played a prank on me and none of it is real.”
This is not Taskin’s first run-in with the law. In 2021, she was sentenced to five months in prison for posting erotic photos during a trip to Amsterdam—including an infamous picture of her posing with a giant penis at the city’s Sex Museum.
Her latest legal troubles have reignited debates over Turkey’s strict laws on online content and personal freedoms.
Pope Francis remains hospitalized with a “complex clinical picture” due to a polymicrobial respiratory tract infection, the Vatican confirmed Monday, as concerns mount over the 88-year-old pontiff’s declining health.
Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni stated that recent medical tests indicate the infection, caused by multiple pathogens including viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites, required adjustments to the pope’s treatment.
While no specific timeline for his hospitalization has been provided, Bruni emphasized that the severity of the condition necessitates an “appropriate hospital stay.”
“Pope Francis is in good spirits,” Bruni said, noting that the pontiff had eaten breakfast and read newspapers after a third restful night at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital. The Vatican did not specify whether the infection was viral or bacterial but reiterated that all tests indicate a “complex clinical picture.”
Pope Francis was admitted to the hospital on Friday in “fair condition” after struggling with a persistent bronchitis infection for over a week. Doctors have recommended complete rest, forcing him to cancel Sunday’s weekly prayer in St. Peter’s Square and a special mass for artists marking the Catholic Church’s Jubilee Year.
Over the weekend, the pope expressed gratitude for the support he has received, posting on social media: “Thank you for the affection, prayer, and closeness with which you accompany me in these days.”
Reports indicate that before his hospitalization, Pope Francis was visibly struggling to complete public speeches due to shortness of breath. Despite his worsening condition, he insisted on finishing his scheduled morning audiences before leaving for the hospital.
Despite his illness, Pope Francis has continued making phone calls, including to members of a Catholic parish in Gaza, according to Italian broadcaster Mediaset. Parishioners reported that the pope called both Friday and Saturday, sounding “in good humor” but “a bit tired.”
The pope’s next official engagement is his weekly general audience scheduled for Wednesday, followed by his role in the ordination of deacons on Sunday as part of a Holy Year event. Both remain on the Vatican’s schedule but are increasingly uncertain as his recovery progresses.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Riyadh on Monday ahead of high-level talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, as Washington and Moscow prepare for negotiations on ending the war in Ukraine and discussing broader U.S.-Russia relations.
Rubio’s visit to the Saudi capital comes as U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz and Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff are also set to arrive for Tuesday’s talks with Russian officials. The meeting marks one of the first in-person discussions in years between senior U.S. and Russian representatives and is expected to lay the groundwork for a possible summit between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that Lavrov and foreign policy advisor Yuri Ushakov were traveling to Riyadh for the discussions.
“They are expected to meet with their American counterparts on Tuesday, primarily focusing on restoring the full scope of Russian-American relations,” Peskov told reporters.
Discussions will also include preparations for potential negotiations on Ukraine and the logistics of a presidential meeting between Trump and Putin. However, Peskov declined to comment on reports that Kirill Dmitriev, head of Russia’s sovereign wealth fund, would be attending or whether Trump and Putin would meet in person in Saudi Arabia later this month.
U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce confirmed that Rubio, Waltz, and Witkoff will represent Washington in the Riyadh talks.
Trump’s directive for the negotiations follows his recent phone call with Putin, during which he instructed top officials to explore avenues to end the war in Ukraine. Throughout his presidential campaign, Trump repeatedly pledged to resolve the conflict.
Saudi Arabia, which played a key role in early U.S.-Russia diplomatic contacts, facilitated a prisoner exchange between the two sides last week.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is also in the region, having arrived in the United Arab Emirates on Sunday. He has indicated plans to visit Saudi Arabia and Turkey, though no specific dates have been confirmed.
Zelenskyy dismissed speculation that he would meet U.S. or Russian officials, emphasizing that Ukraine was not invited to the Saudi-hosted talks.
“Ukraine does not recognize any negotiations about Ukraine without Ukraine,” he said.
Rubio, who spoke with Lavrov by phone on Saturday, stated on Sunday that the coming weeks would determine whether Putin is genuinely open to a peace settlement.
Rubio is also expected to discuss the Gaza conflict with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MbS), particularly Trump’s proposal for Palestinian residents of Gaza to be resettled in other Arab nations while the U.S. leads reconstruction efforts.
The proposal has sparked strong opposition across the Arab world and heightened fears among Palestinians that they could be permanently displaced.
The war in Gaza began on October 7, 2023, when Iran-backed Hamas militants launched an attack on southern Israel, killing approximately 1,200 people and taking 250 hostages, according to Israeli authorities. Israel’s subsequent military response has resulted in more than 48,000 Palestinian casualties, according to Gaza health officials. A fragile ceasefire was reached last month.
Saudi Arabia and other Arab nations have firmly rejected any plans for Palestinian resettlement. Instead, Riyadh is leading regional efforts to propose an alternative solution, which could involve a Gulf-led reconstruction initiative and measures to sideline Hamas.
MbS has reiterated that Saudi Arabia will not normalize relations with Israel—a long-standing U.S. objective—without a clear pathway to Palestinian statehood.
During a visit to Israel on Sunday, Rubio met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and reaffirmed Washington’s support for Israel in its ongoing tensions with Iran.
Britain has expressed readiness to deploy peacekeeping troops to support any future peace agreement in Ukraine, as European leaders convened in Paris on Monday to coordinate a unified strategy. Meanwhile, Russian and U.S. officials are set to hold separate discussions.
The emergency summit in Paris comes amid shifting dynamics in Ukraine’s future, following an announcement by President Donald Trump’s administration that it will engage in negotiations with Russia. Ukraine, backed militarily by the U.S., has indicated willingness to discuss an end to the ongoing war. However, Russia has ruled out territorial concessions.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasized Sunday the increasing recognition among European nations that they must take greater responsibility for Ukraine’s security. The United States has urged Europe to reduce dependence on Washington for defense support.
Deploying a peacekeeping mission could heighten the risk of direct confrontation with Russia while straining European military resources, already depleted by arms supplies to Ukraine and decades of relative peace. Additionally, financial concerns loom, as some European economies are already burdened by economic challenges.
On Monday, Germany stated it “will not shy away” from contributing ground troops to a structured framework in Ukraine but clarified that no formal agreements were expected at the Paris summit.
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson acknowledged the “absolute possibility” of sending Swedish peacekeepers under a clear mandate. Meanwhile, Poland, which maintains NATO’s third-largest army, announced it would provide logistical and operational support but would refrain from deploying troops.
Last week, Trump unsettled Ukraine and its European allies by revealing he had initiated direct communication with Russian President Vladimir Putin, bypassing allied consultation.
Senior U.S. and Russian officials are scheduled to meet in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, marking the highest-level in-person engagement between the two nations in years. The talks are expected to set the stage for a direct meeting between Trump and Putin.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, along with national security adviser Mike Waltz and Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, departed for Riyadh. The Kremlin confirmed that Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and foreign policy advisor Yuri Ushakov will represent Russia.
Despite continued fighting, with Russia gradually advancing on the battlefield, Lavrov reiterated that Moscow would not cede control over any of the 20 percent of Ukrainian territory it currently occupies.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, speaking from the United Arab Emirates, dismissed the upcoming Saudi talks.
“Ukraine considers any negotiations about Ukraine without Ukraine to be invalid. We cannot recognize any agreements made without our participation,” Zelenskyy stated.
Trump’s Ukraine envoy Keith Kellogg indicated Saturday that Europe will not be included in the negotiation process. Instead, Washington has circulated a questionnaire to European governments, inquiring about their willingness to contribute security guarantees for Ukraine, including potential troop deployments.
French President Emmanuel Macron is set to host European leaders from Germany, Italy, Britain, Poland, Spain, the Netherlands, and Denmark, alongside representatives from the European Union and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte.
Although Britain is no longer an EU member, it remains a strong supporter of Ukraine. Diplomatic sources suggest that London and Paris, as Europe’s leading military powers, have been exploring ceasefire support options since November.
The European Union, despite imposing unprecedented economic and diplomatic sanctions on Russia, has struggled to take a leadership role in ending the war.
With German Chancellor Olaf Scholz facing an election on Sunday, he reaffirmed Europe’s commitment:
“We must ensure that Europe meets future challenges with strength, sovereignty, and unity,” Scholz said.
Starmer, who is expected to visit Washington for talks with Trump next week, described the situation as a “once-in-a-generation moment” for European security. He urged close cooperation with the United States and reiterated Britain’s readiness to play a leading role in security guarantees for Ukraine, including deploying troops if necessary.
“The end of this war must not become a temporary pause before Putin attacks again,” Starmer wrote in the Daily Telegraph.
Uganda has reversed its decision to hold opposition leader Kizza Besigye in a military trial, citing his deteriorating health as he remains on a hunger strike.
Information Minister Chris Baryomunsi announced late Sunday that Besigye’s case would be transferred to a civilian court. The move follows reports that the opposition leader, who has been on hunger strike, was temporarily moved to a medical facility.
Baryomunsi visited Besigye in prison earlier, urging him to end his hunger strike as authorities transferred his case. The former presidential candidate faces charges of illegal firearm possession and threatening state security.
Besigye’s wife, Winnie Byanyima, criticized the visit, calling it “highly suspicious.”
“You are not a concerned visitor. You are his captor,” Byanyima posted on X. “We will hold you and your government fully accountable for any harm that comes to him.”
A longtime critic of President Yoweri Museveni, Besigye has been detained in Kampala’s Luzira Maximum Security Prison since November. His legal team claims he was forcibly taken from Kenya and returned to Uganda against his will.
Human rights groups and opposition lawmakers have condemned his arrest. Amnesty International called his detention a “travesty of justice.”
Besigye launched his hunger strike last week in protest of what he calls an “illegal detention.” His lawyer warned Thursday that his health had deteriorated critically.
Public concern intensified after Besigye appeared frail and unable to walk in a court appearance Friday. On Sunday, he was taken in a wheelchair to a medical clinic in Kampala. A relative described his condition as “not good.”
Besigye, a four-time presidential candidate, has been arrested multiple times over the years, including in 2022 on charges of inciting violence.
He has repeatedly contested President Museveni’s rule, accusing the government of election fraud and voter intimidation. Museveni has governed Uganda since 1986, and his administration has faced repeated allegations of human rights violations, illegal detentions, and extrajudicial killings.
Ugandan authorities have denied these accusations, insisting that all detainees receive due legal process. The government initially said it would ignore a Supreme Court ruling that a military trial for Besigye was unconstitutional.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Monday that Ukraine will not recognize any agreement on the war reached between the United States and Russia without its direct involvement.
His remarks come as Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is set to meet with U.S. officials in Saudi Arabia for talks on ending the nearly three-year war. The discussions mark the highest-level in-person engagement between the two nations since the conflict began.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Riyadh for the talks, which could set the stage for a potential meeting later this month between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Meanwhile, European Union leaders are holding an emergency summit in Paris to address concerns that Trump’s approach could sideline both Ukraine and the EU in negotiations.
Zelenskyy said Ukraine was not invited to the talks and would not acknowledge any outcome reached without its involvement.
“Ukraine will not take part. Ukraine did not know anything about it,” Zelenskyy told reporters in a virtual briefing from the United Arab Emirates, where he is on an official visit.
“Ukraine considers any negotiations on Ukraine without Ukraine to be invalid, and we cannot recognize any agreements made about us without us,” he added.
Zelenskyy said he plans to visit Saudi Arabia on Wednesday.
The U.S. State Department confirmed that senior officials will meet with their Russian counterparts in Riyadh on Tuesday.
“Secretary of State Rubio, National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, and special envoy Steve Witkoff will meet with the Russian delegation,” State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said in a statement.
The Kremlin had earlier announced Lavrov’s participation in the talks.
The discussions come amid intensified fighting in eastern Ukraine, where Ukrainian military officials report Russian forces advancing toward the strategic city of Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region. Moscow also launched a large-scale drone attack on Ukrainian cities ahead of the EU summit.
A 23-year-old man stabbed five people in a random attack in southern Austria on Saturday, leaving a 14-year-old boy dead and four others injured, according to police.
Authorities detained the suspect in Villach, where the attack occurred. He has been identified as a Syrian national with legal residency in Austria, police said.
Police spokesperson Rainer Dionisio stated that the suspect’s motive remains unclear, and investigations into his background are ongoing. “We have to wait until we get secure information,” he said.
A 42-year-old food delivery worker witnessed the incident from his car and intervened, helping to prevent further casualties, Dionisio told Austria’s public broadcaster ORF.
The victims, all male, included two individuals who sustained serious injuries, while the other two suffered minor wounds, police said.
Peter Kaiser, governor of the Austrian province of Carinthia, extended condolences to the family of the 14-year-old victim. “This outrageous atrocity must be met with harsh consequences. Those who live in Carinthia, in Austria, must respect the law and adapt to our values,” he said.
Far-right leader Herbert Kickl condemned the attack on X, calling it “horrific” and expressing sympathy for the victim’s family. He also criticized Austrian immigration policies, stating, “At the same time, I am angry—angry at those politicians who have allowed stabbings, rapes, gang wars, and other capital crimes to become the norm in Austria.”
Kickl further claimed that the current asylum policies have failed, urging stricter immigration laws: “We need a rigorous crackdown on asylum and must not continue to import conditions like those in Villach.”
Conservative party leader Christian Stocker echoed similar sentiments, demanding the suspect be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. “We all want to live in a safe Austria, and political measures must be taken to prevent such acts in the future,” he wrote on X.
Social Democrat leader Andreas Babler also weighed in, emphasizing the necessity of swift justice. “The full force of the law must be applied. Crimes like this simply should not happen in our society,” he stated.
Authorities have not confirmed whether the suspect acted alone and are continuing to search for potential accomplices. No known connection between the attacker and the victims has been established.
Austria’s Interior Minister Gerhard Karner is expected to visit Villach on Sunday morning, with authorities planning to set up a public mourning area in the city center for those wishing to grieve.
According to Austria’s Interior Ministry, 24,941 foreigners have applied for asylum in the country in 2024. The largest group of applicants came from Syria, followed by Afghanistan. The number of asylum seekers has significantly decreased from over 100,000 in 2022 to approximately 59,000 in 2023.
In December, several European nations, including Austria, suspended decisions on asylum claims from Syrian nationals due to the unstable political situation in Syria. Migration remains a key political issue across Europe, with far-right parties gaining traction in recent elections.
In a related incident, German authorities reported that a two-year-old girl and her mother died two days after being struck in a car-ramming attack during a labor union demonstration in Munich. This marks the fifth immigrant-related attack in Germany in the past nine months, with migration emerging as a central issue ahead of the country’s elections on February 23.
Kanye West and his wife, Bianca Censori, are reportedly preparing for divorce, with sources indicating the couple does not have a prenuptial agreement, according to TMZ.
The controversial rapper and his Australian architect wife have allegedly contacted divorce attorneys, setting the stage for a potential multi-million dollar legal battle. Under California law, both assets and debts are divided equally, meaning Censori could face financial liabilities despite West’s reported monetary losses since their marriage.
Milo Yiannopoulos, a representative for the couple, denied the split rumors, telling The Hollywood Reporter that West and Censori planned to spend Valentine’s Day together in Los Angeles.
Speculation intensified after West posted and later deleted a cryptic message about coercion on Instagram. The post surfaced shortly after he made controversial claims on X, formerly Twitter, asserting control over Censori.
According to The Daily Mail, Censori is expected to file divorce papers in the coming days, with reports suggesting she will receive a $5 million payout.
The pair made headlines at the 2024 Grammys, where Censori appeared in a sheer mesh dress while West wore a black ensemble. Witnesses told The U.S. Sun that the couple appeared to argue before stepping onto the red carpet.
West, known for his controversial remarks, has faced backlash for comments regarding Censori and marriage dynamics. On February 7, he stated, “I have dominion over my wife. This ain’t no woke feminist nonsense,” sparking concern among fans.
The rapper married Censori shortly after finalizing his divorce from Kim Kardashian in 2021. Over the past year, the couple has spent significant time abroad, particularly in Tokyo, amid West’s ongoing legal troubles in the United States.
Conservative influencer Ashley St. Clair announced on social media that she secretly gave birth to a child fathered by billionaire Elon Musk five months ago.
St. Clair, 26, shared the revelation in a post on X, formerly Twitter, on the evening of Valentine’s Day.
“Five months ago, I welcomed a new baby into the world. Elon Musk is the father,” St. Clair wrote.
She said she had not disclosed the child’s birth earlier to protect the baby’s privacy and safety. “I intend to allow our child to grow in a normal and safe environment. For that reason, I ask that the media honor our child’s privacy and refrain from invasive reporting.”
Shortly after the post, Musk responded cryptically to a fan’s comment on X, which referred to him having “another baby” as part of his “side quests.” Musk reacted with a crying-laughing emoji but did not confirm or deny the claim.
Reports indicate that St. Clair moved into a luxury Manhattan apartment near City Hall about a year ago, with rent estimated at $12,000 to $15,000 per month. A resident of the building noted she was among the first to receive a Tesla Cybertruck, raising questions about how the influencer could afford it.
Neighbors described St. Clair as appearing to live as a single mother, with a full-time nanny caring for two children: the alleged baby with Musk and a toddler from a previous relationship.
Musk, 53, has fathered at least 12 other children with three women: his first wife, Justine Wilson; musician Claire Elise Boucher, known as Grimes; and Neuralink executive Shivon Zilis.
St. Clair and Musk had previously drawn attention for their public exchanges on X, which included flirtatious remarks and innuendo. Their messages, dating back to May 2023, referenced relationships and parenting, fueling speculation about their connection.
Musk has long expressed concerns about declining birth rates, once stating that “civilization is going to crumble” if people do not have more children. He has been vocal about his belief in large families and has repeatedly said he wants to lead by example.
While St. Clair has not shared further details about her alleged child with Musk, the claim has ignited public interest in the billionaire’s expanding family and his relationships.
Representatives for Musk and St. Clair have not responded to requests for comment.
