News from February 22, 2025 at 2 AM

According to the Financial Times, the US is opposing the labeling of Russia as an aggressor in a G7 statement marking the third anniversary of Russia's special military operation in Ukraine. Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky's participation in the virtual G7 summit scheduled for February 24 has not yet been agreed upon. An official stated that the Americans insist on distinguishing between Russia and Ukraine but are still working towards an agreement. Additionally, Trump claimed Zelensky has a 4% approval rating and called for elections in Ukraine, to which Zelensky responded by suggesting Trump was influenced by Russian disinformation. On February 19, Trump reiterated his view, calling Zelensky a dictator and emphasizing his low approval rating.

Hamas announced it will investigate Israel's claims that the body of Israeli hostage Shiri Bibas was not among the four returned by militants from Gaza on February 20. On its Telegram channel, Hamas stated it would take the situation seriously and inform mediators of the investigation results, also calling for the return of a Palestinian woman's remains. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Hamas of releasing an 'anonymous' body, violating the Gaza ceasefire agreement. Hamas had claimed to hand over the bodies of three Bibas family members and Oded Lifshitz to the Red Cross, but the Israeli army said the fourth body remained unidentified. On January 15, Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire and hostage release deal, with Hamas to release 33 hostages in the first phase.

On February 20, 2025, Pope Francis, undergoing treatment for pneumonia at Rome's Gemelli Hospital, marked his seventh day of hospitalization. The 88-year-old pontiff remains stable and was able to get out of bed to eat breakfast on Thursday morning. Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni stated that the pope had a good night's sleep and showed slight improvement in recent blood test results. Francis is suffering from double pneumonia and had previously been diagnosed with a polymicrobial infection. An unnamed Vatican official noted that the pope is not on a ventilator, is breathing independently, and can move around his hospital room. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni visited on Wednesday, describing the pope as alert and responsive, and mentioned that he joked about people betting on his death.

The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday declined to allow Donald Trump to immediately fire the head of a federal watchdog agency, following a temporary injunction by a judge that blocked the Republican president's move. The court postponed action on the Justice Department's request to lift the judge's February 12 order, which temporarily barred Trump from removing Hampton Dellinger as head of the Office of Special Counsel. This case marks the first legal battle involving Trump's actions since he returned to the presidency in January. The court postponed its decision until February 26, when a temporary restraining order issued by U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson is set to expire. Dellinger sued after receiving a February 7 email firing him, arguing Trump exceeded his presidential powers, violating federal law. Appointed by former President Joe Biden, Dellinger's term was set to end in 2029. The Office of Special Counsel protects government whistleblowers, investigates retaliation complaints, and enforces the Hatch Act limiting federal employees' political activities.

On February 21, 2025, a Chinese naval exercise in the Tasman Sea led to flight diversions between Australia and New Zealand. The presence of three Chinese naval ships has put both countries on alert, with Australia describing it as 'unusual'. Qantas and other airlines have temporarily adjusted their routes. China stated that the exercise, conducted in international waters, complies with international law. The ships are currently 340 nautical miles east of the New South Wales coast. Australia and New Zealand have been closely monitoring the Chinese fleet since last week and have dispatched their own ships to observe. New Zealand's Defence Minister Judith Collins noted that China did not inform them in advance. Australia's Defence Minister Richard Marles said the event is unusual but not unprecedented. China's foreign ministry confirmed the naval training, emphasizing it was conducted safely and legally. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated that the Chinese fleet issued an alert about possible live-fire exercises but did not directly notify Australian officials.

The Associated Press filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Washington D.C. on February 16 against senior aides to President Donald Trump, alleging that the White House restricted its access to the president and other officials for continuing to refer to the Gulf of Mexico in its coverage. The lawsuit claims that barring AP reporters from the Oval Office and Air Force One violates the U.S. Constitution's protections for free speech. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, responding at the Conservative Political Action Conference, stated the White House believes it is in the right. Trump had signed an executive order last month to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, but the AP adhered to the original name. The move has been criticized by several press freedom groups and the White House Correspondents' Association, with Reuters issuing a statement in support of the AP.

On February 21, 2025, the European Commission in Helsinki, Finland, announced an action plan to enhance surveillance of undersea cables and establish an emergency repair fleet. Recent incidents of cable and pipeline damage have raised concerns, with EU Vice President Henna Virkkunen stating the aim is to prevent and respond to threats to critical infrastructure. Swedish police are investigating a suspected sabotage of an undersea telecoms cable in the Baltic Sea. NATO members have deployed ships and drones in the Baltic to protect infrastructure. The EU plans to use existing funds to support a data fusion surveillance mechanism and a drone program, and will set up a regional hub in the Baltic as a test for the new approach, proposing a reserve fleet for emergencies and enhancing cooperation with NATO.

On the evening of February 21, a stabbing incident occurred at the Holocaust memorial in Berlin, Germany, leaving a man seriously injured. Berlin police subsequently arrested a suspect, but provided no details on his identity or motive. Police spokesperson Florian Nath stated that the victim was severely injured and taken to the hospital for emergency treatment, but his life was not in danger. An eyewitness told local broadcaster RBB24 that the two men approached each other before the stabbing occurred. The memorial, a sacred site in Berlin, commemorates the six million Jews murdered by the Nazis during World War II. The incident took place on the eve of a national election, which has been marred by a series of high-profile attacks.

On the evening of February 20th, during the final of the 'Four Nations Hockey Tournament' in Boston, the US team faced off against the Canadian team. Prior to the game, US President Donald Trump挑衅ed Canada on social media, suggesting it could become the 51st state of the US. After Canada won 3:2, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau反击ed Trump, stating, 'You cannot take our country, nor our sport.' Recently, Trump has repeatedly claimed the intention to annex Canada, sparking strong dissatisfaction among Canadian citizens. During a match five days earlier, players from both teams clashed, and Canadian fans booed during the US national anthem.

On Saturday, a Russian drone attack at a rail crossing outside Kyiv killed a rail worker. Drone fragments struck a building inside the capital, causing a fire and shattering windows in a multi-storey apartment building and an educational institution. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko stated that fragments fell on private residences in the Solomyanskyi district in the west of the city, triggering a fire that was quickly extinguished and smashing windows in a nearby building, with no casualties. Air raid alerts were in effect in Kyiv for about three hours. In the southern Zaporizhzhia region, Russian forces attacked the town of Huliaipole with a guided bomb, injuring three people, according to the regional governor. One person died in an attack on a village west of Huliaipole on Thursday.

On Thursday, billionaire Elon Musk received a chainsaw from Argentine President Javier Milei at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), with the phrase 'Long live liberty' inscribed on it. Musk waved the chainsaw, shouting it was for bureaucracy. Meanwhile, residents in Roswell, Georgia, expressed anger over Musk-inspired government cuts and layoffs. Polls show 54% of Americans hold an unfavorable view of Musk. Congressional Republicans are beginning to oppose these drastic measures, and some layoffs have been reversed.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin will miss the G20 foreign ministers and finance ministers meetings in South Africa, raising concerns about a potential US withdrawal from the G20. Since Trump's return to the White House, the US has exited multiple multilateral agreements and organizations. An Indian official noted that US absence would enhance the importance of groups like BRICS. Former US Treasury official Sobel deemed the absence a significant mistake. Mnuchin's inability to attend due to Washington duties will be covered by a senior official. Trump may meet Putin this month to discuss the Ukraine war. Rubio canceled his G20 foreign ministers meeting attendance, citing South Africa's land policy as one reason. The US froze aid to Africa, causing financial strains for African governments. Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met in South Africa to discuss relations with the US and issues like the Ukraine conflict.

On the evening of the 20th local time, a collision occurred between a bus and a truck on a highway in the Ribeirão Preto region of São Paulo state, Brazil, resulting in 12 deaths and 11 injuries. At the time of the incident, the bus was carrying 29 passengers, most of whom were university students. Following the accident, local fire and police departments promptly initiated rescue operations. The bus was severely damaged, and the cause of the accident is currently under investigation.

Sinn Féin has announced a boycott of the upcoming St Patrick's Day events at the White House in protest against US President Donald Trump's stance on the Israel-Gaza conflict. The party's First Minister at Stormont, Michelle O'Neill, will not travel to Washington DC for the annual event. This follows the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) clarifying that it will not participate in the celebrations if invited. Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald expressed shock at Trump's comments on Gaza, calling them a breach of international law. She urged Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin to reflect the Irish people's support for Palestine during the celebrations. Earlier this month, Trump suggested the US could 'take over' Gaza and resettle its population. O'Neill stated that Trump's comments cannot be ignored and vowed to continue engaging with US officials for peace and economic growth.

The town of Buriticupu in the northeastern Brazilian Amazon is facing a public calamity due to massive sinkholes. Recently, these sinkholes, several meters deep, prompted the municipal government to declare a state of emergency, with about 1,200 people out of a 55,000 population at risk of losing their homes. Over the past few months, the sinkholes have rapidly expanded, approaching residential areas and destroying several buildings. This issue stems from 30 years of rain eroding sandy soils, exacerbated by poor construction and deforestation. Geographer Dr Marcelino Farias notes that the current rainy season worsens soil erosion. Resident Antonia dos Anjos fears more sinkholes will emerge. Public works secretary Mr Lucas Conceicao admits the municipality lacks the capacity to address the complex sinkhole situation.

US President Donald Trump will sign a memorandum on February 21 directing the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) to restrict Chinese investments in strategic areas. The memorandum aims to promote foreign investment while protecting US national security interests from threats posed by foreign adversaries like China. A White House official stated that China is exploiting US capital and innovation to fund and modernize its military, intelligence, and security operations, posing direct threats to US security. Under the directive, the US will establish new rules to curb the exploitation of its capital, technology, and knowledge by foreign adversaries such as China, ensuring that only investments serving American interests are allowed. The Trump administration will also consider new or expanded restrictions on US outbound investment to China in sensitive technologies, including semiconductors, artificial intelligence, quantum, biotechnology, aerospace, and more.

French weekly magazine Le Point earlier reported that US President Donald Trump might visit Moscow on May 9 to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin. However, on February 22, Trump told journalists that he would not go to Moscow to attend a parade marking the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War. Previously, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that during their phone conversation, the two leaders agreed to stay in touch and arrange an in-person meeting. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that the world would be informed once the meeting between the two presidents is confirmed.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass announced the removal of Fire Chief Kristin Crowley due to her mishandling of the January wildfires, which resulted in over two dozen deaths and the destruction or damage of more than 16,000 structures, affecting an area larger than Paris. Crowley sent home 1,000 firefighters on the day the fires erupted and refused to complete a required after-action report. Mayor Bass stated that new leadership is essential for the city. The mayor and the fire chief have publicly clashed since the fires began on January 7, with Crowley criticizing budget cuts. Bass denied cutting the budget and appointed Ronnie Villanueva as interim fire chief. Los Angeles is no longer in a state of emergency, and cleanup efforts are progressing ahead of schedule.

A German court has ruled that Birkenstocks are not classified as works of art and thus do not qualify for copyright protection. The company had argued that its footwear should be considered art to prevent rivals from selling copycat versions. The judge stated that the shoes are practical design items. Birkenstocks have gained immense popularity in recent years, especially after actress Margot Robbie wore them in the Barbie movie. The company listed on the New York Stock Exchange in 2023 with a valuation of approximately $8.6 billion. The lawsuit involved three manufacturers and retailers, and the final ruling by the Federal Court of Justice did not support Birkenstock's claim of its footwear being art.

The Democratic Republic of Congo released opposition leader and former presidential ally Jean-Marc Kabund on Friday, ending his imprisonment on charges including contempt of the head of state. Kabund, once the vice president of parliament and a lawmaker, fell out with President Felix Tshisekedi in 2022 and subsequently founded his own political party. He was arrested in August that year and sentenced to seven years in prison. His lawyer, Ghislain Mwanji, confirmed his release, and a presidential spokesperson stated Kabund received a pardon. The release comes amid mounting pressure on Kinshasa authorities due to a conflict in eastern provinces with Rwandan-backed rebels, who recently captured two major cities, fueling fears of a broader regional war. The crisis has sparked speculation about Tshisekedi's ability to control the security and political situation, with some opposition members predicting his presidency will not last. Kabund was instrumental in Tshisekedi's rise to power, and their fallout highlighted emerging divisions in the country's leadership. In 2022, Kabund claimed his case demonstrated the exploitation of Congolese institutions for political interests, a view echoed by Human Rights Watch as an example of growing intolerance for dissent.

On February 21, 2025, Apple announced the discontinuation of its highest level data security tool, Advanced Data Protection (ADP), in the UK, following the government's demand for access to user data. ADP ensures that only account holders can view online-stored items like photos or documents through end-to-end encryption. Earlier this month, the UK government requested access to this data, which even Apple cannot currently access. Apple has consistently opposed creating a 'backdoor' in its encryption service. From 1500 GMT on Friday, UK Apple users have been unable to activate ADP, and existing users' access will be disabled later. Experts argue this move weakens online security and privacy for UK users. US politicians warn it could threaten US national security.

On Thursday, a knife attack in a shopping centre in Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic, resulted in the deaths of two people. Police stated that they detained the suspected attacker shortly after the incident. Czech Television reported that the suspect is a 16-year-old Czech citizen. In a post on X, the police said that despite arriving on the scene within minutes of the report, both victims sustained injuries so severe that they could not be saved. Authorities are currently investigating the motive for the attack, which occurred 110 km (68 miles) east of Prague.

On December 20, 2024, Tesla announced a voluntary recall of 376,241 vehicles in the U.S. to address issues with failing power-assisted steering systems. The recall includes Model 3 and Model Y vehicles manufactured from February 28, 2023, to October 11, 2023. The problem stems from overstressed printed circuit boards in the steering systems, which can cause power-assist steering to fail. Tesla stated that it is not aware of any crashes, injuries, or deaths related to the issue and will offer an over-the-air software update as a fix. This recall follows an earlier related probe and voluntary recall in China. Additionally, President Donald Trump appointed Tesla CEO Elon Musk to lead a team reducing the federal workforce, impacting the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.