News from March 2, 2025 at 2 PM

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer at Downing Street, receiving the UK's full support. This follows a heated exchange between Zelensky and US President Donald Trump at the White House. Starmer emphasized the UK's unwavering support for Ukraine, contrasting sharply with Trump's stance. Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced a multibillion-pound funding package to bolster British defense and aid Ukraine. Starmer called for allied unity in support of Ukraine to prevent the collapse of peace talks. Meanwhile, public figures are urging the postponement of Trump's state visit to the UK until he provides assurances on Ukraine's security.

Pope Francis, 88, was admitted to Rome's Gemelli Hospital on Feb 14 with double pneumonia. On Feb 28, he experienced a breathing crisis, but by March 1, his condition stabilized with no recurrence of the crisis. Currently, Francis remains on oxygen but has no fever, is eating, and praying. His hemodynamic parameters are stable, and he does not have leukocytosis. The Vatican stated that the Holy Father's clinical condition remains stable, though the prognosis is still 'reserved'. Catholics and well-wishers worldwide continue to pray for him. Since his hospitalization, Francis has missed several public events, raising concerns about his ability to lead.

The Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) has declared a ceasefire with Turkey and called for its dissolution following an appeal by its jailed leader Abdullah Ocalan. Ocalan, who has been in solitary confinement since 1999, urged an end to the four-decade armed struggle in southeastern Turkey this week. The ceasefire announcement follows an initiative by Devlet Bahceli, leader of Turkey's ultra-nationalist MHP party, to end the conflict. Ocalan met with pro-Kurdish MPs on Imrali Island in the Sea of Marmara. The PKK executive committee stated that no armed action would be taken unless attacked. The PKK, which has waged an insurgency since 1984 for a Kurdish homeland, is designated as a terrorist group by Turkey, the EU, UK, and US.

The private spacecraft Blue Ghost, launched on January 15, successfully landed on the Moon after two weeks of orbiting, becoming the second commercial vehicle to reach the lunar surface. The mission, executed by US firm Firefly Aerospace, aims to explore the Sea of Crises, a massive crater visible from Earth. This marks the latest collaboration between NASA and private companies. Intuitive Machines, another firm, plans to land its Athena spacecraft near the Moon's south pole in the coming days. Intuitive was the first private company to achieve a lunar landing with its spacecraft Odysseus on February 22 last year, though the mission was short-lived due to a crash. Dr. Simeon Barber from the Open University noted that Blue Ghost's successful landing is a significant milestone for private lunar exploration, highlighting the Moon's importance as a launch pad for further space exploration.

At least 37 people have died and 30 were injured after two passenger buses collided near the south-western city of Uyuni in Bolivia. The crash occurred early on Saturday, about 5km from Uyuni. One driver is receiving intensive care while the other is in stable condition, according to police commander Wilson Flores. Images show a severely damaged bus with luggage scattered on the roadside. The collision happened on the route between Uyuni and Colchani in Bolivia's Potosí department, suspected to be due to a lane invasion. One bus was heading to the western city of Oruro for the Oruro Carnival, one of Latin America's largest festivals. The vehicles were recovered by 10:00 local time, and the injured were taken to hospitals in Oruro and Potosí. The identities of the deceased have not been confirmed, and the condition of the injured is still being assessed. Police are awaiting the results of alcohol tests on the drivers. Deadly traffic accidents are common in Bolivia, with over 30 killed in a similar incident in February and 19 in January.

On March 1, Uruguay's elected President Yamandú Orsi was sworn in at the National Congress, beginning his five-year term. The power transfer ceremony took place at Independence Square in Montevideo, where Orsi and outgoing President Luis Lacalle Pou signed the transfer certificate and exchanged the presidential sash. Orsi pledged to enhance the national economy and public welfare, and appointed new cabinet members. Attendees included Brazil's President Lula, Chile's President Boric, and King Felipe VI of Spain. Orsi, 57, a former history teacher, entered politics in 2005, serving as provincial secretary and governor, and was elected president in the November 2024 runoff.

On February 27, 2025, US President Donald Trump greeted British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at the entrance of the West Wing of the White House in Washington, DC. Three White House officials told CNBC on Friday that Trump plans to sign an executive order making English the official language of the United States, a first in the nation's history. The order would also rescind former President Bill Clinton's August 2000 directive requiring federal fund recipients to provide services for those with limited English proficiency. Trump's order will allow federal agencies to maintain current policies and continue offering documents and services in other languages, but it encourages new Americans to adopt the national language for greater opportunities. Over half of US states have already established English as their official language, but the federal government has not. In 2019, nearly 68 million Americans, or about one in five, spoke a language other than English at home, nearly triple the figure from 1980. The White House fact sheet argues that a national language promotes social unity, civic engagement, and efficiency in government operations. Trump has frequently stoked unfounded fears about undocumented immigrants throughout his political career and targeted languages as a sign of immigration gone awry during his 2024 presidential campaign.

Reportedly, Russia and China have recently instructed their intelligence agencies to intensify efforts to recruit US federal employees, particularly those who have been fired or are at risk of layoffs. CNN cited sources stating that these countries are exploiting the Trump administration's massive layoffs to poach talent, focusing on employees with security clearances and probationary staff. At least two governments have set up recruitment websites and are actively soliciting on social platforms like LinkedIn. A US Navy Criminal Investigative Service report indicates that adversary nations are attempting to recruit US federal employees. A former National Security Council counterintelligence director noted that employees feeling unfairly treated are more likely to leak sensitive information. The Pentagon and CIA are considering layoffs, which could result in over 5,000 probationary employees being dismissed.

On March 1, nine people were arrested during a raucous protest outside a Tesla dealership in New York City, targeting Elon Musk's role in sweeping federal workforce cuts ordered by President Donald Trump. The protest, involving hundreds, was part of nationwide 'Tesla Takedown' demonstrations. Protesters also gathered at Tesla showrooms in Jacksonville, Florida, Tucson, Arizona, and other cities, blocking traffic and chanting slogans. Musk's unprecedented push to shrink the federal government has led to the firing of thousands of employees and the termination of hundreds of aid contracts and federal leases. Since Trump took office, at least 100,000 of the 2.3 million federal employees have accepted buyouts or been fired. Protest organizers called for dumping Tesla stock and joining picket lines.

Grammy-nominated R&B artist Angie Stone has died in a car crash at the age of 63, according to her daughter Diamond Stone, who announced the news on Facebook. Stone sustained fatal injuries when the van she was traveling in overturned in Alabama early Saturday following a performance. The artist, who was nominated for three Grammys and started her career in the 1970s as a member of the female hip-hop trio The Sequence, left a significant mark on the music industry. Her daughter, also a musician known as Ladi Diamond, expressed her numbness on social media. A spokesperson for the artist told the BBC that Stone's family had traveled to Montgomery, Alabama, and planned to release more information soon. Guy Todd Williams, known as Rahiem from the hip-hop group Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, stated that nine other passengers were in the van at the time of the crash, with Stone being the sole fatality. Besides her music career, Stone also had success in film, appearing in movies like 'The Hot Chick' and 'The Fighting Temptations'.

On the morning of March 1, a FedEx cargo plane was forced to make an emergency landing at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey after a bird strike caused one of its engines to catch fire during takeoff. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which operates the airport, reported no injuries among the three people on board. FedEx stated that the plane, en route to Indianapolis, safely returned to Newark after the incident. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) noted that the bird strike damaged one of the Boeing 767's engines. Airport rescue, police, and operations teams responded promptly, and airport operations resumed shortly thereafter. Social media footage showed fire under the plane. An FAA report in June revealed 19,603 wildlife strikes in the U.S. in 2023, with 3.6% causing damage.

In the second round of Abkhazia's presidential elections, Badra Gunba secured 54.73% of the votes, defeating his opponent Adgur Ardzinba, who garnered 41.54% of the votes. On March 2, Dmitry Marshan, Chairman of the Central Election Commission of the Republic, announced these preliminary vote count results to journalists. According to the vote results, Badra Gunba Zurabovich was elected President. Marshan added that Gunba won the majority of votes in the second round of the elections.