Zelensky In Washington To Finalize Ukraine-US Minerals Deal With Trump

Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 02:42pm on 28 Feb 2025,Friday International

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Washington to discuss a key minerals deal with US President Donald Trump. The agreement would grant the US access to Ukraine’s rare minerals, but Zelensky is pushing for security guarantees, which Trump insists should be handled by Europe. Their White House meeting includes a ceremony, working lunch, and media briefing. This comes after tensions between the leaders, with Trump previously calling Zelensky a "dictator" and Zelensky accusing Trump of being misinformed by Russia. Later, Zelensky will meet the Ukrainian community before heading to the UK for talks with PM Keir Starmer and EU leaders.

Read More at BBC

Jeffrey Epstein’s Flight Logs Released: Donald Trump, Bill Clinton, and Other Big Names Listed

Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 12:07pm on 28 Feb 2025,Friday International

The US Department of Justice has released flight logs linked to Jeffrey Epstein. The logs include names like Donald Trump, Bill Clinton, Kevin Spacey, Naomi Campbell, and Prince Andrew. Other high-profile figures such as Mick Jagger and Harvey Weinstein were also listed. The documents also contain a contact list with many celebrities and politicians. A separate list of Epstein’s masseuses was released but kept censored. Epstein, accused of trafficking young girls, died by suicide in jail in 2019. His $634 million fortune was mostly given to victims through a compensation fund.

Read More at NDTV

Suicide Bomb Targets Taliban Religious School Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Seminary, 5 Dead Ahead of Ramadan in Pakistan

Brief by Shorts91NewsDesk / 11:35am on 28 Feb 2025,Friday International

A suicide bomb attack at the Jamia Haqqania seminary in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, killed five worshippers and injured many more on February 28, 2025. The attack occurred in Akkora Khattak, a region linked to the Taliban and known for producing militant fighters. The seminary has ties to figures like Mullah Omar and Jalaluddin Haqqani. While no group has claimed responsibility, the Taliban's Afghan government condemned the attack, suspecting the Islamic State. The bombing, occurring just before Ramadan, highlights the rising violence in Pakistan, especially in regions close to Afghanistan's border, amid a surge in militant activities.

Read More at Hindustan Times

"Britain on a War Footing": Starmer Pledges Military Strength as Trump Urges Europe to Lead on Ukraine

Brief by Shorts91NewsDesk / 09:30am on 28 Feb 2025,Friday International

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer met with US President Donald Trump at the White House, emphasizing Britain’s commitment to defense. "We are putting Britain on a war footing," Starmer declared, announcing increased military spending by reallocating foreign aid funds. Trump, while expressing confidence in a peace deal for Ukraine, insisted that "Europe must take the lead" in security guarantees. The leaders also discussed a UK-US trade deal, focusing on finance and technology. Trump accepted an unprecedented second state visit invitation from King Charles, signaling strengthened US-UK relations.

Read More at Sky News

Iran Expands Near-Weapons-Grade Uranium Stockpile Amid Nuclear Tensions

Brief by Shorts91NewsDesk / 06:35am on 28 Feb 2025,Friday International

Iran has significantly increased its stockpile of uranium enriched to near weapons-grade levels, according to a new report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The country now possesses 142.1 kilograms of uranium enriched up to 60%, nearing the threshold for nuclear weapons production. This marks a 20.6-kilogram rise since the last IAEA report. The agency also expressed concerns over Iran’s continued restrictions on inspections. These developments come amid stalled diplomatic efforts to revive the 2015 nuclear deal, raising tensions between Iran and Western nations, particularly the U.S. and European allies, who fear further nuclear escalation.  

Read More at Voa news

Trump Jokes to Starmer: "Could You Take on Russia by Yourselves?" Amid Ukraine Security Talks at White House

Brief by Shorts91NewsDesk / 06:31am on 28 Feb 2025,Friday International

During a meeting at the White House on February 27, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump and U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer discussed the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Starmer sought U.S. military support for Ukraine against Russia, emphasizing the strong historical ties between the U.S. and the U.K. In response, Trump praised Britain's "incredible military" and, in a lighthearted moment, asked, "Could you take on Russia by yourselves?" He added that if British forces needed assistance, the U.S. would "always be with the British." This exchange highlighted the differing perspectives on military involvement in Ukraine.

Read More at India Today

Trump Praises Zelensky Ahead of White House Talks, Signaling Progress in Peace Efforts and Security Guarantees for Ukraine

Brief by Shorts91NewsDesk / 06:27am on 28 Feb 2025,Friday International

US President Donald Trump expressed respect for Ukrainian President Zelensky ahead of their White House talks, stating he couldn't believe he had once called him a "dictator." Trump predicted a productive meeting, with Zelensky seeking security guarantees amid the ongoing war. The US is poised to sign a deal giving it access to Ukraine's rare earth minerals, which Trump suggested would deter future Russian attacks. Meanwhile, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer emphasized the UK's readiness to deploy peacekeeping forces post-war, contingent on US involvement. Despite Russia's refusal to concede territory, efforts to end the war continue amid complex diplomatic discussions.

Read More at BBC

Russia Rules Out Returning Annexed Ukrainian Regions, Calls Them ‘Undeniable and Non-Negotiable’

Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 05:39am on 28 Feb 2025,Friday International

Russia has firmly rejected any possibility of giving back Ukrainian territories it claims to have annexed, setting a major roadblock for peace negotiations. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that these regions are now an "inseparable part" of Russia, making their return “undeniable and non-negotiable.”   This declaration comes as Russian and US officials hold talks in Istanbul aimed at restoring diplomatic relations. President Vladimir Putin expressed “some hope” for progress with the Trump administration, but Ukrainian officials dismissed Russia’s claims as illegal. Meanwhile, European leaders are urging Trump to ensure Kyiv’s security as negotiations unfold.

Read More at NDTV

Trump announces new tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China starting March 4 to combat fentanyl crisis

Brief by Shorts91NewsDesk / 04:38am on 28 Feb 2025,Friday International

Donald Trump has announced that tariffs on Mexican and Canadian goods will take effect on March 4, 2025, with a 25% duty, alongside a new 10% tariff on Chinese imports, raising the total Chinese tariff to 20%. The move aims to combat the continued flow of fentanyl into the U.S., which remains a major health crisis. Despite the efforts, progress from Mexico and Canada has been deemed insufficient. The freeze on U.S. foreign aid and delayed screening measures are hindering drug interdiction efforts. Trump’s actions echo his previous trade tactics, putting pressure on foreign nations to curb drug trafficking and respond to the fentanyl crisis.

Read More at The Hindu

Trump Declines UK Request for Ukraine Security Guarantee, Says "British Can Take Care of Themselves"

Brief by Shorts91NewsDesk / 04:20am on 28 Feb 2025,Friday International

On February 27, 2025, U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer met U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington, D.C., seeking U.S. security guarantees for British and European peacekeeping troops in post-war Ukraine. Trump dismissed the need for additional American support, stating, “The British have incredible soldiers… they can take care of themselves.” While Britain was not requesting U.S. ground troops, it sought aerial surveillance and potential air cover if Russia attacked again. Trump instead pointed to a U.S.-Ukraine minerals deal as a deterrent, claiming it would ensure stability. European leaders remain uncertain about NATO’s future security commitments in Ukraine.  

Read More at The Politico

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