WORLD
Trump's aid freeze sparks HIV treatment crisis in South Africa
Trump’s foreign aid freeze has disrupted HIV treatment programs in South Africa, leaving thousands without life-saving medication and fuelling a growing health crisis.
WORLD
Trump strikes deal for Ukraine's minerals, but economic viability remains uncertain
Trump’s bid for US access to Ukraine’s mineral wealth faces obstacles, including outdated surveys, high extraction costs, and Russian occupation of key deposits.
WORLD
Starmer meets Trump: A critical test for UK-US relations
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is seeking to leverage his relationship with Donald Trump to secure US support for Ukraine while navigating complex geopolitical challenges, including defence spending, European diplomacy, and a controversial deal on the Chagos Islands.
WORLD
Israel refuses to withdraw from Gaza-Egypt border amid ceasefire negotiations
Israel has refused to withdraw from the Gaza-Egypt border despite ceasefire terms, as negotiations for the truce's second phase continue in Cairo.
WORLD
Elon Musk defends DOGE cuts amid Ebola response backlash
Elon Musk defended DOGE’s budget cuts, claiming USAID’s Ebola prevention efforts were restored, but reports suggest the program remains largely frozen, raising concerns about global health security.
WORLD
Did the Iron Age begin in Tamil Nadu? New discoveries challenge global timelines
Archaeologists in Tamil Nadu have uncovered iron artifacts dating back 5,400 years, suggesting the region may have independently developed iron production, challenging established timelines, according to the BBC.
WORLD
North Korean troops secretly transported to Russia for Ukraine war
Satellite images suggest North Korean troops were secretly transported by sea to Russia to support its war in Ukraine, highlighting deepening military ties between Pyongyang and Moscow, according to CNN.
WORLD
Pentagon ordered to purge diversity content as Trump administration pushes military overhaul
The latest order, issued on Wednesday by the Department of Defense's top public affairs official, requires all military services to comb through years of social media posts, website content, photos, news articles, and videos to remove any DEI-related mentions.
WORLD
Wall Street struggles for direction amid tariff uncertainty, Nvidia slips
The Nasdaq Composite slipped 0.4 percent, pressured by a 3 percent drop in Nvidia, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 229 points, or 0.54 percent, supported by strength in financials and defensive sectors.
WORLD
Democrats mobilise against Trump's budget cuts as public backlash grows
Democrats are intensifying their opposition to Trump’s budget cuts through protests, lawsuits, and town halls, as public backlash grows ahead of a looming government shutdown, according to The Washington Post.
WORLD
Tulsi Gabbard orders firing of over 100 intelligence officers for explicit chats
Over 100 intelligence officers have been fired for engaging in explicit chats on an NSA platform, with US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard framing it as part of the Trump administration’s broader effort to restore accountability and depoliticize intelligence agencies.
WORLD
Trump administration’s deep cuts to USDA and CDC spark concerns over food and animal safety
With fewer agricultural inspectors at ports, the risk of pests infiltrating American crops has risen. Experts warn that foreign markets may refuse US agricultural products if contamination concerns grow.
WORLD
Trump confirms tariffs on Mexico, Canada to resume March 4; additional 10% levy on China
The 25 percent tariffs on Mexico and Canada, originally set to be implemented last month, were temporarily delayed on February 3.
WORLD
US jobless claims jump to 242,000, highest level since December
According to the latest data from the Department of Labor, an estimated 242,000 Americans filed for unemployment benefits in the week ending February 22.
WORLD
Putin dangles rare earths deal for Trump as Zelenskyy heads to US, China tightens control
The Russian President's offer comes as his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s heads to Washington to sign what Donald Trump has described as 'very big deal' on minerals
WORLD
DOGE’s savings claims unravel as Musk’s cost-cutting drive faces backlash
Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) faced backlash after removing misleading savings claims from its "wall of receipts," revealing errors and discrepancies in its cost-cutting figures.
WORLD
Ukraine seeks security guarantees through natural resources deal with the US
Ukraine's President Zelensky hopes a draft deal with the US on natural resources will help secure future security guarantees, though the agreement stops short of explicit commitments.
WORLD
Chinese manufacturers ramp up overseas production in response to new US tariffs
In response to US tariffs, Chinese manufacturers are rapidly shifting production to Southeast Asia, aiming to maintain access to the US market while reducing costs.
WORLD
Ukraine’s looming weapons crisis: How the end of US military aid could impact the war effort
Ukraine can continue fighting through mid-2025 with existing supplies, but may face significant challenges if US military aid is cut off afterward.
WORLD
Taiwan detains Chinese-owned freighter amid subsea cable damage investigation
Taiwan’s coastguard detained a Chinese-owned freighter suspected of damaging a subsea communications cable, amid increasing concerns over China’s "greyzone" operations.
WORLD
Trump administration reverses stance on Musk's mandate for federal workers
The Trump administration reversed Elon Musk's mandate requiring federal employees to submit bullet-point work summaries, causing confusion and backlash across various agencies.
WORLD
Trump shuts down police misconduct database amid concerns over public safety
President Trump has shut down the federal police misconduct database created under Biden, raising concerns over public safety and law enforcement accountability, according to The Washington Post.
WORLD
US federal judge clears path for Trump's mass staff reductions amid union challenge
WORLD
Will US companies return to Russia? The impact of sanctions and market changes
Amid ongoing sanctions and market shifts, Western companies that exited Russia after its invasion of Ukraine may consider returning, though reputational risks and restrictions remain significant obstacles.
