Author: INF 365

Trump and Zelenskyy’s Oval Office meeting turns tense. Proposed US-Ukraine minerals deal remains unsigned. Trump criticizes Ukraine’s stance on the Russia conflict. European leaders reaffirm support for Ukraine. Future of US military aid to Ukraine remains uncertain. Washington, D.C., February 28, 2025 — A White House meeting between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy ended in a tense exchange, leaving a proposed minerals deal in limbo and casting doubt on the future of US military aid to Ukraine. The meeting, originally aimed at securing a US-Ukraine minerals agreement, quickly turned into a heated discussion. Trump accused Zelenskyy…

Hong Kong announces 10,000 civil service job cuts by 2027. $11.2 billion deficit expected for the 2024-2025 financial year. 7% reduction in recurrent government spending through 2027-2028. Hong Kong to invest $1 billion in AI R&D and technology. Airport departure tax will rise 67% from third quarter of 2024. Hong Kong’s government has announced plans to cut 10,000 civil service jobs and freeze salaries. Finance Secretary Paul Chan confirmed the city faces a budget deficit of $87.2 billion Hong Kong dollars ($11.2 billion) for the 2024-2025 year. This marks the third year of financial losses, leading to drastic steps to…

Ukraine and the US have reached an agreement on rare earth minerals. The deal could be signed as early as Friday. Ukrainian President Zelensky may meet President Trump to finalize it. The agreement includes joint ownership of proceeds from minerals, oil, and gas. Security guarantees were excluded from the deal, but discussions will follow. Ukraine and the United States are close to finalizing an economic deal. This agreement will give access to Ukraine’s rare earth minerals. Three senior Ukrainian officials, who wished to remain anonymous, said the deal could be signed as early as Friday. They see the agreement as…

White House now selects media outlets covering President Trump. Associated Press banned for refusing to use “Gulf of America” instead of “Gulf of Mexico.” Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt claims change modernizes media access. Media groups raise First Amendment concerns. Federal judge denies AP’s immediate reinstatement request. In a significant shift, the White House announced that it will now decide which news outlets can cover President Donald Trump’s events. Previously, the White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) managed press pool assignments. However, this change aims to modernize press coverage by rotating traditional outlets and, at the same time, including streaming services. According…

Birth rate increases to 4.7 per 1,000 people in 2024. Fertility rate climbs from 0.72 in 2023 to 0.75 in 2024. Marriages surge by 14.9%, highest since 1970. Government policies and post-pandemic conditions contribute to the rise. Challenges persist with rates below the 2.1 replacement level. In 2024, South Korea saw its birth rate rise for the first time in nine years. This increase brings hope to a country facing serious demographic challenges. Notably, experts link this change to post-pandemic societal shifts and effective government policies. As a result, many are watching closely to see if this trend will continue.…

China conducts live-fire exercises 40 nautical miles off Taiwan’s southwest coast. Taiwan labels drills a threat to regional stability and dispatches military forces. Taiwan detains Chinese-crewed cargo ship suspected of severing undersea communication cable. China denies allegations, accusing Taiwan of political manipulation. Incidents raise concerns over China’s military assertiveness in the Taiwan Strait. On Wednesday, February 26, 2025, China’s military conducted live-fire exercises about 40 nautical miles off Taiwan’s southwest coast. In response, Taiwan’s defense ministry strongly condemned the drills, calling them provocative and dangerous. They argued that the exercises threatened regional peace and stability. Furthermore, Taiwan claimed that China…

UN Secretary-General António Guterres pledges continued support for Bangladesh hosting Rohingya refugees. Guterres emphasizes collaboration with ASEAN for a political solution in Myanmar. High-level conference planned to address Rohingya crisis and seek sustainable solutions. UN aims to enhance humanitarian aid and livelihood support for Rakhine communities. Guterres to visit Bangladesh in March 2025 to assess the situation firsthand. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has reaffirmed the UN’s commitment to supporting Bangladesh as it hosts over one million Rohingya refugees. In a letter dated February 25, 2025, to Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, Guterres acknowledged the severe impact of the crisis…

Bangladesh invites Elon Musk’s Starlink to ensure uninterrupted internet access. Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus aims to launch Starlink within 90 days. Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam criticizes past internet shutdowns under Sheikh Hasina’s regime. Starlink’s satellite technology prevents centralized internet restrictions. Freelancers and BPO firms expect enhanced connectivity with Starlink’s entry. Bangladesh has invited Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite internet service to ensure uninterrupted internet access across the nation. Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus extended the invitation, aiming for the launch within 90 days. The move seeks to end the practice of internet shutdowns, which previously affected millions. According to Chief Adviser’s Press…

Trump confirms 25% tariffs on Canadian imports effective March 4. Canadian leadership debate focuses on US-Canada trade tensions. Mark Carney and Chrystia Freeland emerge as frontrunners. Candidates label Trump as a significant threat to Canada’s economy. Leadership decision set for March 9 amid escalating trade issues. On Monday, Canadian Liberal leadership contenders focused on US President Donald Trump’s impending 25% tariffs on Canadian imports. The discussion highlighted the urgency of selecting a leader capable of addressing this economic challenge. Former central banker Mark Carney, a leading candidate, emphasized the evolving nature of the US administration. “We have to recognize that…

Putin signals openness to European involvement in future Ukraine peace negotiations. Initial US-Russia talks in Riyadh excluded Ukraine and European allies, causing concern. Trump proposes halving US and Russian military budgets; Putin expresses support. European leaders emphasize the necessity of Ukraine’s inclusion in any peace process. Discussions on deploying European peacekeeping troops in Ukraine gain momentum. Russian President Vladimir Putin stressed that Europe’s role in Ukraine peace talks is crucial. However, he highlighted the need to first build trust between Moscow and Washington. His statement comes as the conflict enters its third year, with intense international diplomatic efforts underway. In…