February 22, 2026 – Short News

Pangolins - the forgotten victims of the wildlife trade!

Pangolins, known internationally by that name, are today the most trafficked mammals in the world. There are eight species, four in Africa and four in Asia - including the white bellied pangolin, the giant pangolin, and the Sunda pangolin. Between 2016 and 2024, more than half a million animals or animal parts were seized in anti smuggling operations, and the real number is likely far higher. Conservationists estimate that in just one decade more than one million animals were taken from the wild. The main reason is their scales made of keratin, the same material as human fingernails. In parts of Asia they are traded as medicine despite the lack of medical evidence. Meat also plays a regional role, but does not drive the market to the same extent. Pangolins are the only mammals whose bodies are completely covered with overlapping horn scales. When threatened, they curl into a tight ball, a defense that can stop even large predators. It does not stop organized poachers. All eight species are considered threatened to critically endangered. While elephants or tigers receive international attention, pangolins often disappear in the shadow of larger campaigns. They are highly specialized insect eaters with a tongue almost as long as their body. In several African countries they continue to be heavily poached, despite isolated reports of a slight decline in trade since the pandemic. Global smuggling remains a lucrative business.

In Nigeria, veterinarian Dr. Mark Ofua has worked for more than a decade to raise awareness about pangolins. He rescues animals from bushmeat markets, operates a rescue center in Lagos, and cares for orphaned young. Nigeria is home to three of the four African species, yet many people in the country are barely familiar with the animal. Ofua therefore focuses on educational programs for children and seeks the support of musicians, entertainers, and other well known personalities with large social media followings. Visibility is his most important tool. The urgency became clear to him during one encounter when young men pointed to a transport cage and asked what was inside. What began as a joke about “baby dragons” became a serious realization. If a species is barely recognized even within its own habitat, the foundation for its protection is missing. For Ofua, this is precisely where it will be decided whether pangolins have a future or continue to disappear quietly.

Hospital Ship for Greenland

Donald Trump announced that, together with Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, he would send a large hospital ship to Greenland. There were many sick people there who were not receiving adequate care, he wrote. The ship was already on its way. The statement was accompanied by an image of a vessel bearing a red cross and the US flag, moving through icy waters. The message was unmistakable: aid from America for a region that has been politically in focus for months. Critics immediately raised the question of how this step could be reconciled with the guiding principle of “America First.” While parts of the United States struggle with their own problems in the health care system, a floating hospital is now to be dispatched to the North Atlantic. Whether this is a concrete military or civilian mission initially remained unclear. What is clear is that with this announcement, Trump links humanitarian assistance and geopolitical signaling in a single statement.

Big voices, big sums - Trump and Texas

At the governors’ dinner, Donald Trump addressed Texas Governor Greg Abbott directly and spoke about his costly requests to the federal government. Abbott had told him that Trump achieved the best election result in the history of Texas. Trump gratefully picked that up and in the same breath spoke about expensive requests from the state, adding that he ultimately always approves them. On social media the remark quickly turned into mockery. It sounded as if federal aid were being distributed according to a bonus program principle: whoever delivers many votes earns points. Texas with a surcharge for praise. Comparisons to a casino loyalty card made the rounds. Governors, according to the sarcastic undertone, stand in a kind of rewards program, even though the issue is disaster relief and federal funds. Behind the joke lies a serious question. Federal funds are tied to procedures, not to personal relationships. When political proximity and electoral success appear in the same sentence as financial commitments, eyebrows are raised. The governors’ dinner was meant to be a meeting of the states with the president. Instead, one remark lingered, which many interpreted as the wrong signal.

Trump’s comment was half praise, half self staging. It highlighted the close relationship between the president and one of the most politically important governors in the country. At the same time it implied that financial support and political success are closely linked. Texas is economically strong, populous, and electorally decisive. Whoever claims records there underscores his claim to national leadership. Trump used the moment to bundle loyalty and generosity in a single sentence.

Orbán blocks billion euro loan for Ukraine

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán intends to block a 90 billion euro emergency loan from the European Union for Ukraine, escalating the conflict with Brussels shortly before the parliamentary election in April. The background is a damaged pipeline through which Russian oil previously flowed to Central Europe. Orbán accuses Kyiv of deliberately halting transit in order to pressure Hungary. Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó openly speaks of “blackmail” and claims the measure was coordinated with Brussels and the Hungarian opposition to create supply shortages and drive up fuel prices before the election. The government in Budapest presents the dispute as a targeted attack on national energy security. Observers also see it as a domestic political signal to voters who have faced rising living costs for months. The move could further strain already tense relations between Hungary and the European Union and once again stall financial support for Ukraine.

Bill Maher calls Trump a “Karen”

US host Bill Maher sharply attacked Donald Trump on his show and mocked his reaction to court rulings. Trump “completely lost it,” spoke of a “disgrace,” and railed against “these damn courts.” Maher drew a pointed parallel: Trump behaves like a “Karen,” someone who constantly demands to speak to the manager whenever something does not suit him. The joke targeted the relationship between the executive and the judiciary. While Trump regularly attacks rulings, Maher reminded viewers that the Supreme Court is ultimately the final authority. “We are the manager,” he effectively put into the Court’s mouth. The remark is more than a punchline. It reflects the ongoing tension between political power and judicial oversight in the United States. Maher uses the tone of late night comedy, but the background is a serious conflict over authority and the limits of the presidency.

Students return to the streets

At universities across Iran, students have once again protested. These are the first demonstrations on this scale since security forces violently suppressed nationwide protests last month. According to activists, thousands were killed during that crackdown. The current gatherings were dedicated to their memory. On campuses, names were read aloud, candles lit, slogans against the leadership chanted. Security forces monitored events in many places. Universities have repeatedly played a central role in political upheavals in Iran. The fact that so many young people are once again appearing publicly, despite the recent repression, is a clear sign that fear is not greater than anger. Whether authorities will intervene harshly again remains to be seen. What is clear, however, is that the memory of the dead continues to drive the protests.

Canadian tourists avoid Florida

Canadian vacationers who usually travel in large numbers to Florida during the winter came significantly less often last year. According to state estimates, the number of visitors from Canada declined by 14.7 percent. For Florida’s tourism industry this is a noticeable drop, as Canadian guests traditionally rank among the most important international groups. The development has consequences for air travel. The Canadian airline WestJet has reduced summer connections to the United States, including flights to Orlando. Air Transat from Montreal also announced that it will not offer flights to Florida this summer. Fewer direct connections mean reduced capacity and make spontaneous travel more difficult. Hotels, theme parks, and vacation rental operators must prepare for a season in which a familiar market weakens. If the trend continues, the structure of international tourism in Florida could shift permanently.

Trump tells of a “kiss offer”

Donald Trump described during a public appearance an encounter with a business owner whom he characterized as very powerful and strong. When asked how he was doing, the man reportedly replied that he would like to kiss the president. Trump emphasized several times how influential this person was, but added that he did not want such a kiss. “No thank you,” he said he replied. The episode was intended as a humorous anecdote and was received with laughter by the audience. Trump often uses such stories to underline his own importance and emphasize loyalty. At the same time he paints a picture of admiration directed at him from business circles. Substantively it remained unclear in what context the scene occurred or who the entrepreneur was. What mattered was the message that even a powerful man seeks his closeness.

Tariff chaos after Supreme Court ruling

Governments and companies worldwide are trying to assess the consequences of the Supreme Court ruling that struck down central parts of Donald Trump’s global punitive tariffs. In Seoul, the trade ministry convened a crisis meeting to evaluate the new situation. Certain exports such as cars and steel remain unaffected, others could now fall under a new flat tariff of initially ten percent imposed by Trump through executive order. Only hours later he announced that he would raise the rate to 15 percent. In Paris, President Emmanuel Macron spoke of a functioning system of separation of powers in the United States, but warned against premature relief. Uncertainty also prevails in Mexico. In Ciudad Juárez, where large parts of the economy depend on exports to the United States, companies are analyzing possible impacts.

The head of an industrial park operator describes the situation as a daily challenge because it is unclear which rules apply today and which will apply tomorrow. Mexico’s economy minister points out that 85 percent of exports remain tariff free thanks to the agreement between the United States, Mexico, and Canada, but announced talks in Washington. In Europe, politicians are demanding reimbursement of excessive duties paid. German companies or their importers alone are estimated to have paid more than 100 billion euros in excess. The Swiss technology sector reports an 18 percent decline in exports in the fourth quarter. Many firms now hope for refunds, but expect complex procedures. The global economy is thus reacting to another chapter in a tariff policy that has caused constant course changes for more than a year.

Trump’s Most Personal Verse

Question: What is your favorite Bible verse? - Trump: I would rather not get into that because that is very personal to me. You know, when I talk about the Bible, it is very personal.

Question: Are you more of an Old Testament person or a New Testament person? - Trump: Uh, probably both equally. I think it is just incredible … the whole Bible is incredible.

When asked about his favorite verse from the Bible, Donald Trump deflected. It was very personal, he said, and he repeated that the subject remained private for him. When pressed on whether he identified more with the Old or the New Testament, he remained vague. Probably both equally, he replied, the entire Bible was incredible. He did not become more specific. The brief exchange has for years been part of public debates about Trump’s relationship with faith. While he regularly uses religious language in political speeches and evangelical voters count among his most loyal supporters, he avoids personal details. Critics see distance in that, supporters point to the right to privacy. The fact remains: a simple question about a verse was met not with a concrete answer, but with an affirmation of the greatness of the book as a whole.

And finally: The wisdom of a president

“I am in my apartment in Trump Tower, the building is sealed. And when I use hairspray, they say I am causing an environmental hazard.”

In that spirit, dear readers, we wish you a pleasant Sunday.