Trump says 25% tariffs on EU will be announced soon

Donald Trump announced plans for a 25% tariff on EU goods, claiming the bloc was created to “screw the United States.” The EU vowed to respond firmly. Trump also suggested possible delays on tariffs for Mexico and Canada, set for March 4, though an official insisted the deadline remains, the BBC has reported. His trade policies have sparked uncertainty, with markets reacting negatively. Written by … Continue reading Trump says 25% tariffs on EU will be announced soon

Frontrunner of Romania’s Annulled Election Georgescu Indicted

Romanian populist leader Călin Georgescu was detained and charged just days after U.S. Vice President JD Vance warned of threats to democracy in Romania. Georgescu, who won the first round of last year’s annulled presidential election, was accused of promoting extremist ideologies and inciting actions against the constitutional order. Authorities claim Russian interference influenced the election, but critics call the evidence weak. His arrest sparked … Continue reading Frontrunner of Romania’s Annulled Election Georgescu Indicted

German parliament in race against time to sign off on new defense fund

Germany’s outgoing parliament may approve a new €200bn defense fund before dissolving in March, as conservative leader Friedrich Merz pushes for greater military spending amid rising geopolitical tensions. Merz argues Europe must reduce dependence on the U.S., while Germany struggles to meet NATO and U.S. defense spending targets. A proposed constitutional reform to ease borrowing limits remains controversial, with opposition from far-left and far-right factions, … Continue reading German parliament in race against time to sign off on new defense fund

Bosnian Serb president Dodik sentenced for separatist actions

Bosnia’s court has sentenced pro-Russia Bosnian Serb President Milorad Dodik to one year in prison and banned him from politics for six years over his separatist actions. The conviction follows charges of defying the international peace envoy overseeing Bosnia’s stability. Dodik, absent during sentencing, has vowed to disobey the ruling and has threatened secession of Republika Srpska from Bosnia. The US has imposed sanctions on … Continue reading Bosnian Serb president Dodik sentenced for separatist actions

Trump budget bill with $4.5 trillion in tax cuts survives House vote

The House of Representatives passed a resolution aimed at advancing President Trump’s priorities, including border security, defense, energy, and taxes, with a 217-215 vote. All Democrats opposed it, along with Republican Rep. Thomas Massie, concerned about its deficit impact. The resolution now moves to House committees for further development and will be negotiated with the Senate. The bill proposes a $300 billion increase in border … Continue reading Trump budget bill with $4.5 trillion in tax cuts survives House vote

Starmer cuts aid to fund hike in defence spending

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has proposed increasing the UK’s defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027, funded by cuts to the international aid budget. While opposition parties support the move, charities have condemned the aid reductions, calling it a “betrayal.” The UK’s aid budget would decrease from 0.5% to 0.3% of GDP by 2027 to fund the £13.4bn yearly boost in defence. The … Continue reading Starmer cuts aid to fund hike in defence spending

Conservatives threaten to tank House budget vote needed to advance Trump agenda

Speaker Mike Johnson is moving forward with a House vote on a multitrillion-dollar budget plan, crucial for President Trump’s legislative agenda. However, conservative Republicans, including Reps. Victoria Spartz, Tim Burchett, Warren Davidson, and Thomas Massie, are threatening to oppose it due to concerns about insufficient spending cuts. With a narrow GOP majority, their votes could block the plan. The budget includes $4.5 trillion in tax … Continue reading Conservatives threaten to tank House budget vote needed to advance Trump agenda

EU eyes €200B secret weapon as Trump dominates Ukraine peace talks

U.S. President Donald Trump is asserting dominance in talks to end the Ukraine war, but the EU holds a €200 billion asset in Russian sovereign funds frozen in Brussels-based Euroclear, which could be used as leverage in negotiations. Some European nations, particularly in the Baltic and Nordic regions, advocate for unfreezing the funds to aid Ukraine, while others, like France, Germany, and Italy, worry it … Continue reading EU eyes €200B secret weapon as Trump dominates Ukraine peace talks

Putin says Russia is open to economic cooperation with US on rare earth minerals

Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed willingness to collaborate with the U.S. on mining rare earth minerals in Russia and Russian-occupied Ukraine, emphasizing the economic value of these resources. He also proposed energy deals and aluminum exports to the U.S. if sanctions are lifted. Putin’s comments coincide with the Trump administration’s efforts to secure access to Ukraine’s minerals in exchange for financial support in the war, … Continue reading Putin says Russia is open to economic cooperation with US on rare earth minerals

Trump meets France’s Macron at White House, says ‘lot of progress’ made toward ending war in Ukraine

President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron met at the White House to discuss progress toward ending the war in Ukraine. Trump praised their efforts, noting that substantial progress had been made in talks with Russia and other nations. Macron emphasized the need for a solid peace to stabilize Ukraine and reaffirmed Europe’s commitment to stronger defense and economic partnerships. Trump also discussed a … Continue reading Trump meets France’s Macron at White House, says ‘lot of progress’ made toward ending war in Ukraine

Zelenskyy says he would ‘quit for peace’ as he refuses US demand for Ukraine minerals

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy rejected U.S. pressure to sign a $500bn minerals deal, stating that the sum was far higher than the U.S.’s actual military contribution of $100bn. He criticized the financial terms, including the demand for Ukraine to repay $2 for every $1 of military aid, which was not applied to other countries like Israel or Saudi Arabia. Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of Ukraine’s … Continue reading Zelenskyy says he would ‘quit for peace’ as he refuses US demand for Ukraine minerals

The leaders of France and Britain head to Washington

French President Emmanuel Macron and U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer are visiting Washington this week to persuade President Donald Trump not to abandon Ukraine in its war with Russia. Macron has criticized Trump’s statements aligning with Russia’s narrative, while Starmer aims to act as a bridge between Europe and the U.S. The two leaders emphasized the importance of Ukraine’s sovereignty in peace talks. Their visits … Continue reading The leaders of France and Britain head to Washington

EU leaders will hold an emergency summit on Ukraine and European security

The leaders of the 27 EU countries will hold an emergency summit on March 6 in Brussels to discuss Ukraine’s situation and Europe’s security. European Council President Antonio Costa emphasized the importance of the moment. Since the EU’s last meeting in February, the Trump administration’s shift in policy has impacted U.S. support for Ukraine and European defense, the Associated Press has reported. EU Commission President … Continue reading EU leaders will hold an emergency summit on Ukraine and European security

Trump announces Dan Bongino will be deputy director of the FBI

President Donald Trump announced that Dan Bongino will be the next deputy director of the FBI, following Kash Patel’s appointment as FBI director. Bongino, a former NYPD officer, Secret Service agent, and successful podcaster, holds a Master’s in Psychology and an MBA. Trump praised his dedication to justice and his readiness to serve, alongside Attorney General Pam Bondi and Director Patel, Fox News has reported. … Continue reading Trump announces Dan Bongino will be deputy director of the FBI

Germany’s conservatives win election

Germany’s centre-right CDU/CSU bloc is set for a clear victory in Sunday’s parliamentary elections, with exit polls showing it securing 28.5% to 29% of the vote. This paves the way for Friedrich Merz to become the next chancellor, succeeding Olaf Scholz, depending on coalition talks. The far-right AfD saw a significant surge, reaching 19.5% to 20%. Scholz’s Social Democrats (SPD) faced a major defeat, falling … Continue reading Germany’s conservatives win election

California Gov. Newsom requests nearly $40 billion in wildfire recovery funding in letter to Congress

California Gov. Gavin Newsom requested nearly $40 billion in wildfire recovery aid from Congress following devastating fires in Southern California that killed at least 29 people and destroyed over 16,000 structures. The funds would support both immediate recovery and long-term rebuilding efforts, including repairs, business loans, and low-income housing credits. Newsom emphasized the lasting economic impact and the need for federal assistance, building on the … Continue reading California Gov. Newsom requests nearly $40 billion in wildfire recovery funding in letter to Congress

Trump spars with Democratic Maine governor at White House event over transgender athlete executive order

President Trump clashed with Maine Gov. Janet Mills at a White House event over his executive order banning transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports. Trump threatened to withhold federal funding from Maine if the state doesn’t comply with the order, to which Mills responded she would follow state and federal laws and take legal action if necessary. After the event, Mills emphasized that Maine … Continue reading Trump spars with Democratic Maine governor at White House event over transgender athlete executive order

I’ll back Ukraine in talks with Trump, Starmer says

UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer emphasized the importance of Ukraine’s sovereignty in discussions with President Donald Trump next week, following a call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Starmer reiterated the UK’s unwavering support for Ukraine and stressed that Ukraine must be central to any peace negotiations. This comes as Trump seeks to thaw relations with Russia and end the war in Ukraine, sparking protests … Continue reading I’ll back Ukraine in talks with Trump, Starmer says

Arab leaders huddle in Saudi Arabia in pushback to Trump’s Gaza plans

Arab leaders met secretly in Saudi Arabia to discuss Gaza’s future, with no official press release or public details. Their primary focus was to address President Trump’s controversial plan for Gaza, which suggests displacing Palestinians and transforming the area into a real estate project. Arab states, particularly Egypt and Jordan, have rejected this plan, viewing it as destabilizing, while the UAE stresses that Gaza’s reconstruction … Continue reading Arab leaders huddle in Saudi Arabia in pushback to Trump’s Gaza plans

Immigration and an ailing economy dominate Germany’s election

Germany’s upcoming election is drawing attention due to political turbulence and rising far-right support. Friedrich Merz, the center-right CDU leader, is the front-runner to become chancellor, advocating for tighter borders and less regulation. However, the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) is surging in the polls, now at 21%, driven by anti-immigration sentiments. Despite being under surveillance for extremism, the AfD is gaining traction across Europe. … Continue reading Immigration and an ailing economy dominate Germany’s election

Brazil’s former President Bolsonaro charged over alleged coup that included a plan to poison Lula

Brazil’s prosecutor-general has charged former President Jair Bolsonaro with attempting a coup to stay in power after his 2022 election loss. The indictment alleges Bolsonaro and 33 others planned to poison President Lula and assassinate a Supreme Court justice. Prosecutors claim Bolsonaro approved the scheme, which aimed to undermine democracy. Bolsonaro denies wrongdoing, calling the accusations baseless. If convicted, he could face up to 20 … Continue reading Brazil’s former President Bolsonaro charged over alleged coup that included a plan to poison Lula

President Trump Blasts Zelensky: ‘A Dictator Without Elections’

Trump criticized Ukrainian President Zelensky as a “dictator without elections” after Zelensky complained about being excluded from U.S.-Russia peace talks. In a Truth Social post, Trump called Zelensky a “modestly successful comedian” who convinced the U.S. to spend $350 billion on an unwinnable war. He accused Zelensky of refusing elections and manipulating Biden while failing as a leader. Trump claimed his administration is negotiating an … Continue reading President Trump Blasts Zelensky: ‘A Dictator Without Elections’

Ukraine deserves peace through strength, says EU chief von der Leyen

European leaders meeting in Paris reaffirmed that Ukraine deserves “peace through strength” after years of war with Russia, according to EU chief Ursula von der Leyen. The summit focused on Ukraine’s future and Europe’s security amid the U.S.-Russia talks to end the conflict. Trump’s envoy Keith Kellogg stated that Europe wouldn’t directly participate in negotiations but would still have input. Meanwhile, Russia’s top diplomat will … Continue reading Ukraine deserves peace through strength, says EU chief von der Leyen

Germany rejects Starmer’s Ukraine peace plan

Germany rejected Sir Keir Starmer’s call for Europe to deploy troops to Ukraine as part of a peace deal. After an emergency summit in Paris, Chancellor Olaf Scholz criticized the proposal as premature and inappropriate, noting that discussions on troop deployments were being held without Ukraine’s involvement. Countries like Poland, Spain, and Germany expressed reluctance to send troops, while Britain, France, and Sweden pushed for … Continue reading Germany rejects Starmer’s Ukraine peace plan

North Korea slams US and Asian rivals for pursuing ‘absurd’ plans to denuclearize North

North Korea criticized the U.S. and its Asian neighbors on Tuesday for pursuing the “absurd” goal of denuclearizing the country and vowed to expand its nuclear forces under Kim Jong Un’s leadership. The statement followed a meeting between U.S., South Korean, and Japanese diplomats in Germany, where they reaffirmed their commitment to counter North Korea’s nuclear ambitions through stronger military cooperation and sanctions. North Korea … Continue reading North Korea slams US and Asian rivals for pursuing ‘absurd’ plans to denuclearize North