Israel is seeking to extend the initial 42-day ceasefire with Hamas, set to expire Saturday, amid stalled talks on a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. Informal discussions aim to extend the ceasefire, involving further hostage exchanges, but skepticism remains. Tensions rose after Israel delayed releasing 600 Palestinians, following a provocative Hamas video. Hamas demands these releases before further negotiations. Egypt insists on starting phase two talks for any extension. Steve Witkoff, a U.S. envoy, seeks to extend the ceasefire to facilitate negotiations. Stage two involves Israel’s withdrawal and governance talks. Noah Prescott 26/02/2025 1:30 am
The U.S. diverged from European allies by voting with Russia against U.N. resolutions holding Russia accountable for its Ukraine invasion. The Trump administration opposed a resolution for de-escalation and peace in Ukraine. Meanwhile, the U.N. Security Council adopted a U.S.-drafted resolution, “The Path to Peace,” which doesn’t blame Russia. U.N. Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo condemned Russia’s invasion as a violation of international law. President Trump met with French President Macron to discuss Ukraine, NATO, and trade. Penelope Kingsley 26/02/2025 1:30 am
A major power outage hit Chile, affecting mining operations and leaving Santiago without electricity. The National Electricity Coordinator (CEN) is working to restore power, with some areas regaining electricity. The outage impacted regions from Arica to Los Lagos, including major copper mines like Escondida and Codelco’s operations. The Santiago metro was closed, and streetlights were out. The interior minister attributed the outage to a transmission line failure, not a cyber attack. CEN plans to provide further updates. Noah Prescott 26/02/2025 1:30 am
Sir Keir Starmer’s promise to increase UK defense spending could strengthen national defense and reduce foreign aid. Diplomatically, it positions him favorably with Washington, aligning with US presidents’ calls for Europe to boost defense budgets. Starmer’s visit to the White House, bearing the promise of increased spending, signals responsiveness to US priorities. Early reactions are positive, with US Secretary of Defence Peter Hegseth praising the move as a strong step from a reliable partner. This announcement may enhance Starmer’s diplomatic standing with the US administration. Noah Prescott 26/02/2025 1:30 am
French fugitive Mohamed Amra, known as “The Fly,” was extradited from Romania to France after a nine-month manhunt. Arrested in Bucharest, Amra had dyed his hair to avoid detection. He escaped custody last year in a deadly ambush in Normandy, killing two guards. Upon return to France, he faces charges including murder and escaping custody. French President Macron praised the capture, highlighting European cooperation. Amra is linked to organized crime in Marseille and drug trafficking. Twenty-five people have been detained in connection with his escape. Noah Prescott 26/02/2025 1:30 am
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol faces impeachment for imposing martial law, likened to dictatorship by parliamentary lawyers. Yoon defended his actions as necessary for national security, denying intentions of full martial rule. Lawyers compared him to past autocrats, accusing him of undermining democracy and election credibility. Yoon argued his decision aimed to address national crises and opposition abuse. The Constitutional Court will decide on his removal, with Yoon asserting martial law was a brief, necessary measure, not a failure. Ava Sinclair 25/02/2025 10:00 pm
The UK will increase defense spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027, funded by reducing international aid from 0.5% to 0.3% of GNI, Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced. This move, marking the largest defense budget rise since the Cold War, aims to maintain the increase through 2029, with hopes of reaching 3% in the next parliament, depending on fiscal conditions. Starmer’s announcement precedes his visit to Washington, D.C., to meet President Donald Trump. Penelope Kingsley 25/02/2025 10:00 pm
In 2024, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy navigated U.S. political divides, crucial for countering Russia’s invasion. Despite hopes of managing Trump’s return, his second term began with a U.S. pivot, initiating U.S.-Russia talks in Saudi Arabia without Kyiv, straining U.S.-Ukrainian relations. Political scientist Volodymyr Fesenko described this as the most severe crisis in their history, potentially marking a strategic U.S. shift. Noah Prescott 25/02/2025 6:30 pm
Israel is considering extending a 42-day truce in Gaza to secure the release of 63 remaining hostages, while delaying discussions on Gaza’s future. The ceasefire, backed by the U.S., Egypt, and Qatar, is set to end soon, with no clear next steps. Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel emphasized caution, noting no agreement on extending the truce without addressing complex issues. If unresolved, fighting may resume or the truce could continue without hostage returns. Negotiations with Hamas remain stalled, with disagreements over prisoner releases and accusations of breaches. Noah Prescott 25/02/2025 6:30 pm
GM Sergey Karjakin, a former chess champion, has been sanctioned by the EU for supporting Russia’s war in Ukraine. The sanctions, announced on the invasion’s third anniversary, include asset freezes and travel bans for 48 individuals and 35 entities. Karjakin, a Russian Senator representing annexed Crimea, is accused of undermining Ukraine’s sovereignty. Previously banned by FIDE for his pro-war stance, Karjakin remains politically active, supporting Putin and coordinating military aid. He dismissed the sanctions, claiming no EU assets. Penelope Kingsley 25/02/2025 6:30 pm
