News from March 4, 2025 at 2 PM

U.S. President Donald Trump has ordered the suspension of military aid to Ukraine, demanding that Ukraine demonstrate a commitment to peace. This action follows a heated争吵 between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The suspension took effect on Tuesday, halting the delivery of all undelivered military equipment to Ukraine. U.S. Congressional Democrats criticized the move as dangerous and illegal. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the raising of 800 billion euros to strengthen European defense and prepare emergency military support for Ukraine. The dispute between Trump and Zelensky led to the postponement of a planned U.S.-Ukraine mineral agreement, but Trump indicated that the deal is still possible.

On March 3, the Vatican reported that Pope Francis, on the 18th day of hospitalization for double pneumonia at Rome's Gemelli Hospital, had rested well overnight and was in stable condition. The 88-year-old pontiff no longer requires mechanical ventilation and has been fever-free. He was admitted on February 14 with severe respiratory issues that quickly escalated to double pneumonia. Since February 28, when the pope experienced a respiratory constriction similar to an asthma attack, the Vatican's updates have become more positive. However, doctors maintain a 'guarded' prognosis due to the complexity of his condition, indicating he is not out of danger. Pope Francis has faced several health issues in the last two years and is prone to lung infections, having had pleurisy and part of a lung removed in his youth. He has not been seen in public since his hospitalization, marking his longest absence since assuming the papacy in March 2013.

On March 3, a car ramming incident occurred in Mannheim, southwestern Germany's Baden-Wurttemberg state. The suspect, a 40-year-old German man from the neighboring state of Rhineland-Palatinate, was identified. Thomas Strobl, the state interior minister of Baden-Wuerttemberg, stated that the man has been detained and is currently hospitalized with injuries. Police believe he acted alone. The incident took place around noon on Monday when a car plowed into a crowd in downtown Mannheim. According to the Bild newspaper, at least two people died and 14 were injured. It remains unclear whether the incident was an accident or an attack. Witnesses reported that the car drove into the main pedestrian street near the water tower and struck a group of people near the Galeria Kaufhof shopping mall, where a carnival market was being held. The police are conducting an investigation, but no further details about the driver have been disclosed yet.

On March 2, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau attended a summit at Lancaster House in London. He stated that his priority in talks with King Charles on March 3 will be to protect Canada's sovereignty, following US President Donald Trump's recent suggestion to make Canada the 51st American state. Trudeau emphasized that nothing is more important to Canadians than defending their sovereignty and independence. Last week, King Charles invited Trump for a historic second state visit to Britain, with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer handing over the invitation during a meeting in the Oval Office. Trudeau also expressed his support for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

On March 3, the first working day of Ramadan, clashes erupted between Pakistani and Afghan security forces at the Torkham crossing, the main border crossing between the two countries, causing around 15,000 local residents to flee to Landi Kotal. Afghan border guards opened fire without warning, targeting government buildings and civilians, causing widespread panic. The conflict stemmed from a dispute over Afghanistan's construction of a border-area outpost, leading to the closure of the Torkham crossing since February 21. Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Taliban-run Afghan Interior Ministry reported one Taliban fighter killed and two injured, while Pakistani security officials also reported casualties. The Torkham crossing, a vital transit route for travelers and goods, saw bilateral trade worth over US$1.6 billion in 2024. The closure has stranded 5,000 trucks filled with essential goods, causing at least US$15 million in losses.

A new study published in The Lancet predicts that by 2050, more than half of all adults and a third of children, teenagers, and young adults globally will be overweight or obese. The research, covering over 200 countries, warns that obesity rates will rapidly accelerate this decade, particularly in lower-income nations. By 2021, nearly half of the global adult population—1 billion men and 1.11 billion women aged 25 or older—were already overweight or obese, doubling since 1990. If trends continue, by 2050, 57.4% of men and 60.3% of women will be overweight. China, India, and the USA will have the largest populations of overweight individuals. Sub-Saharan Africa's overweight population is expected to rise by over 250%, with Nigeria projected to more than triple its numbers. Experts caution that urgent government action is needed to prevent a disaster for vulnerable healthcare systems.

According to sources, Iran's Vice President for Strategic Issues, Mohammad Javad Zarif, tendered his resignation following the parliament's vote to remove Economy and Finance Minister Abdolnaser Hemmati. However, President Massoud Pezeshkian has not yet accepted Zarif's resignation. This marks the second time Zarif has sought to resign since the formation of Iran's current government. He first submitted his resignation on August 11, after only 10 days in office, citing dissatisfaction with his performance as head of the advisory council established post-Pezeshkian's election as prime minister. His resignation was not accepted at that time.