UK Increases Defense Spending Ahead of Starmer-Trump Meeting

Britain Prime Minister Keir Starmer

by Admin Feb 25, 2025 Britain has announced a significant boost in military spending, aiming to demonstrate stronger burden-sharing ahead of Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s upcoming meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House on Thursday. Addressing Parliament on Tuesday, the British Prime Minister confirmed that the UK will increase defense spending to 2.5% of its gross domestic product (GDP) by 2027, with plans to further raise it to 3% by the end of the next government’s term, which would be by 2034 at the latest. The additional expenditure will be financed by scaling back development aid. The Labour government had previously pledged to raise defense spending from the current 2.3% of GDP to 2.5% but had not established a timeline.  The new commitment now translates to an additional £13.4 billion ($17 billion) per year on defense over the next three years. “We must change our national security posture because a generational challenge demands a generational response,” Starmer said.  He further acknowledged that the increase would be funded by reducing overseas development aid from 0.5% of GDP to 0.3%, a move he described as regrettable but necessary. “At times like this, the defense and security of the British people must always come first,” he added. For years, Trump has pressured European allies to shoulder a larger share of defense costs, particularly within NATO.  The move by the UK aligns with calls from NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, who recently urged member states to allocate “considerably more” than 3% of their GDP to defense. Starmer also reaffirmed Britain’s commitment to NATO and the transatlantic alliance, emphasizing its crucial role in Europe’s security. His stance contrasts with that of Germany’s likely new chancellor, Friedrich Merz, who recently suggested that Europe should establish an independent security strategy separate from the United States following his party’s election victory on Sunday. The UK’s defense spending increase signals not only a strategic response to evolving global security challenges but also an effort to solidify its position as a key NATO contributor ahead of high-level discussions in Washington.

Germany Rejects Trump’s Proposal to Readmit Russia into G7

Germany Finance Minister Jorg Kukies

by Admin Feb 25, 2025 Germany has firmly opposed U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal to readmit Russia into the Group of Seven (G7) nations, citing a lack of unanimity among member states. German Finance Minister Joerg Kukies emphasized the G7’s unified condemnation of Russia’s ongoing aggression, particularly as the world marks the third anniversary of Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. “The G7’s position on Russia’s war of aggression is very clear,” Kukies stated, dismissing any possibility of consensus on President Trump’s suggestion. The German finance minister is scheduled to attend the G20 finance ministers’ meeting in Cape Town on Tuesday, while U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will be absent due to a scheduling conflict. “We need to re-embark on a path of economic growth. Germany has a lot of homework to do,” Kukies noted, underscoring economic priorities. Kukies, who was appointed finance minister in November by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz after the collapse of Scholz’s governing coalition, will remain in office until a new government is formed following Sunday’s election. The election was won by Friedrich Merz’s conservative bloc. Kukies also warned that the European Union could face significant economic repercussions from Trump’s proposed reciprocal tariff plan, which seeks to raise U.S. import tariffs to match those imposed by other countries. While the EU currently runs a goods trade surplus with the U.S., Kukies pointed out that this is nearly balanced by a U.S. surplus in services exported to Europe. Kukies reiterated that G7 leaders could revisit discussions on using $300 billion in frozen Russian sovereign assets held in Europe to support Ukraine’s reconstruction efforts. However, he cautioned that these talks remain in the early stages. Germany’s firm stance against Russia’s return to the G7 reflects continued geopolitical tensions and reinforces the bloc’s commitment to holding Moscow accountable for its actions in Ukraine.

Ukraine and U.S. Finalize Major Minerals Deal Amid Security Concerns

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky

by Admin Feb 25, 2025 Ukraine has reached an agreement with the United States on a significant minerals deal. A senior official of the Ukrainian government said, “We have indeed agreed on it with several good amendments and see it as a positive outcome. ” The official did not disclose further details. According to media reports, Washington has backed away from its initial demand for a $500 billion (£395bn) stake in potential revenues from Ukraine’s natural resources.  However, the deal reportedly lacks firm security guarantees for Ukraine, a key issue for the war-torn nation. United States President Donald Trump announced that he expects Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to visit Washington this week to sign the agreement. The deal follows a period of tense exchanges between the two leaders. While not confirming the finalized deal, Trump stated on Tuesday that Ukraine would gain “the right to fight on” in return. “They’re fearless,” he told reporters, but added, “Without the United States and its money and military equipment, this war would have been over in a very short period.” When asked whether U.S. military aid and ammunition supplies to Ukraine would continue, Trump responded, “Maybe until we have a deal with Russia… We need to have a deal, otherwise, it’s going to continue.”  He further suggested that any future peace deal would require “some form of peacekeeping” in Ukraine that would need to be “acceptable to everyone.” The minerals deal comes amid heightened tensions between Trump and Zelensky. Last week, Trump referred to Zelensky as a “dictator” and appeared to blame Ukraine rather than Russia for initiating the war.  The Ukrainian president, in turn, accused Trump of operating within a “disinformation space” shaped by Russia. President Trump has long pushed for U.S. access to Ukraine’s mineral resources in return for the substantial military and financial aid provided since Russia’s full-scale invasion three years ago. However, Zelensky has argued that U.S. aid does not amount to the $500 billion initially requested by Washington, stating, “I can’t sell our state.” However, President Trump claimed the U.S. had provided between $300 billion and $350 billion in aid to Ukraine. “We want to get that money back,” he said. “We’re helping the country through a very, very big problem… but the American taxpayer now is going to get their money back plus.” Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna, who led the negotiations, disclosed in the first report that the agreement was “only part of the picture.” “We have heard multiple times from the U.S. administration that it’s part of a bigger picture,” she said. According to Ukrainian sources, while Washington has softened some of its initial demands, many details of the agreement still require further negotiation. The lack of concrete security guarantees remains a pressing concern for Kyiv as the country continues its fight against Russian aggression. According to Prodesq, political analyst Temitope Oladeji revealed that the mineral resources agreement will further question the United States’ future intention to support military aid for countries like Ukraine.  President Trump’s decision has sent a clear message to all its allies, especially NATO partners, who have looked up to the United States for defense against external aggression. Germany, Britain, and Poland have seen how the United States under President Trump will recover every military aid and fund sent to its allies, and this has prompted these countries to announce an increase in their military budget like never before since the end of the Second World War. However, a question keeps lingering: will the United States also demand access to Israel’s mineral resources as Israel has also been a recipient of the United States military aid during its war with Hamas and Hezbollah?

NYC Mayor Eric Adams Sues Trump Administration Over $80 Million Fund Seizure

Eric Adams, Mayor Of New York City

by Admin Feb 23, 2025 New York City Mayor Eric Adams filed a lawsuit on Friday against President Donald Trump and members of his administration, accusing them of unlawfully withdrawing $80 million in federal funds from a Citibank account.  The move came after tech billionaire Elon Musk publicly urged the White House to revoke the funds on X, formerly known as Twitter. The unexpected withdrawal earlier this month alarmed local officials and raised concerns that the Trump administration could financially target the Democratic-led city, which operates on a $115 billion budget. The lawsuit represents a rare public clash between Adams, a Democrat, and the Republican-led White House. Mayor Adams has largely avoided direct criticism of Trump, particularly as he sought federal intervention in his corruption case an investigation that the Trump Justice Department has since moved to dismiss. This political dynamic has sparked controversy, with critics calling for Adams’ removal, leading to the resignation of key aides and prompting New York Governor Kathy Hochul to propose legislative restrictions on his authority. In its complaint, New York City alleges that the Trump administration violated federal laws and grant agreements by rescinding the $80.5 million, which had already been deposited in a City Hall account. The funds, approved by Congress, were designated for immigrant services. “Without a doubt, our immigration system is broken, but the cost of managing an international humanitarian crisis should not overwhelmingly fall onto one city alone,” Mayor Adams said in a statement. “With very little help from the federal government, our administration has skillfully managed an unprecedented crisis.” New York attorneys are demanding that the funds be reinstated and that the federal government be barred from taking similar actions in the future. Muriel Goode-Trufant, Corporation Counsel for New York City, argued in the federal lawsuit that the Trump administration acted unlawfully, using a banking law provision to justify the withdrawal after the fact.  The funds were distributed under the Shelter and Services Program (SSP), an initiative overseen by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). New York City also accused Trump officials of misrepresenting their intentions in a separate legal case concerning the federal government’s authority to freeze state-allocated funds. As the legal battle unfolds, the case could set a precedent for how federal funds are allocated and potentially revoked under the Trump administration.

Trump Dismisses Top US Military Official CQ Brown in Leadership Overhaul

United States President Donald Trump

by Admin Feb 23, 2025 President Donald Trump has dismissed General Charles “CQ” Brown, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the nation’s highest-ranking military officer in a sweeping reorganization of the United States military leadership. “I want to thank General Charles ‘CQ’ Brown for his over 40 years of service to our country,” Trump announced on social media, revealing that five other senior officers would also be replaced. General Brown, the second Black officer to ever hold the position, served as the principal military advisor to the president and the secretary of defense on national security matters. His removal comes amid criticism from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who had previously suggested that Brown should be dismissed due to his emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives within the military. Later on Friday, Hegseth announced the dismissals of two additional senior officials: Admiral Lisa Franchetti, Chief of Naval Operations, and General Jim Slife, Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force. Admiral Franchetti was the first woman to lead the U.S. Navy. “Under President Trump, we are putting in place new leadership that will focus our military on its core mission of deterring, fighting, and winning wars,” Hegseth said in a statement. President Trump also confirmed that he would nominate Air Force Lieutenant General Dan Caine as the new chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Lt. Gen. Caine, a career F-16 fighter pilot, recently served as the CIA’s associate director for military affairs. Recalling their first encounter in Iraq, Trump described him as looking “better than any movie actor you could get.” At the time of his dismissal, General Brown had been visiting U.S. troops stationed at the southern border, just two hours before Trump’s public announcement. Speculation had been mounting throughout the week that he would be removed, despite his term being set to run until 2027. Brown first gained national attention in 2020 when he publicly addressed racial issues in the military following the death of George Floyd. In a widely shared video message, he spoke about the challenges he faced as one of the few Black men in his unit and recounted instances where his credentials were questioned. In 2022, as the Air Force’s chief of staff, Brown co-signed a memorandum outlining diversity goals aimed at increasing minority officer recruitment while adjusting the proportion of white applicants. His dismissal follows Trump’s decision last month to remove the first female commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard, citing an “excessive focus” on diversity initiatives. General Brown’s predecessor, Colin Powell, was the first Black chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, serving from 1989 to 1993.

Russia Launches Largest Drone Attack on Ukraine Ahead of War Anniversary

Ukrainian fire fighters battling fire from drone attack

by Admin Feb 23, 2025 Russia carried out its most extensive drone assault on Ukraine on Saturday night, just a day before the third anniversary of the war, Ukrainian officials confirmed.  According to Yuriy Ignat, spokesperson for Ukraine’s Air Force Command, a record-breaking 267 Russian drones were deployed in a single, coordinated strike. The attack targeted 13 regions across Ukraine, with air defenses repelling many of the drones. However, those that penetrated defenses inflicted significant damage to infrastructure and resulted in at least three casualties, emergency services reported.  President Volodymyr Zelensky commended Ukraine’s emergency responders for their swift actions and urged continued support from Europe and the United States to ensure “a lasting and just peace.” Ukrainian authorities stated that this was the largest drone assault recorded in a single attack.  The Ukrainian air force reported intercepting 138 drones, while 119 believed to be decoys were neutralized without causing harm, likely due to electronic countermeasures. In Kyiv, the attack prompted six consecutive hours of air raid alerts. In a statement, President Zelensky revealed that throughout the week, Russia had launched a total of 1,150 drones, 1,400 bombs, and 35 missiles.  First Lady Olena Zelenska echoed the devastation in a post on X, lamenting the overnight destruction caused by “hundreds of drones.” “It was another night of explosions, burning houses and cars, and destroyed infrastructure,” she wrote. “Another night when people prayed for their loved ones to survive.” Western intelligence and Ukrainian officials have long attributed Russia’s use of Shahed-136 drones kamikaze-style UAVs to Iranian supplies since their introduction in the autumn of 2022.  The drones were initially deployed against military targets in the Kharkiv region; these drones have since been increasingly used to strike civilian areas and energy infrastructure. The overnight assault resulted in multiple civilian casualties. In Kherson, a strike on a residential building killed two people, including a man and a mother of twins, Ukrainian emergency services reported.  In Kryvyi Rih, regional authorities confirmed the death of one man and injuries to at least three others following another strike. Further south, a 53-year-old woman in Zaporizhzhia was hospitalized after suffering injuries from a drone attack, while firefighters battled multiple blazes across Kyiv.  According to Mayor Vitali Klitschko, the capital endured several waves of drone strikes, damaging houses and vehicles. However, there were no immediate reports of casualties in Kyiv. Drones were intercepted in at least 13 regions, including Kharkiv, Poltava, Sumy, Kyiv, Chernihiv, Mykolayiv, and Odessa, Ukrainian officials reported.  In addition to the drone attacks, the Ukrainian air force noted that Russia also launched three ballistic missiles overnight. Meanwhile, Russia’s defense ministry stated on Sunday that it had “destroyed” 20 Ukrainian drones launched into Russian territory overnight. The cross-border exchanges underscore the escalating intensity of drone warfare in the ongoing conflict.

Trump Dismisses Top US Military Official CQ Brown in Leadership Overhaul

President Trump

by Admin Feb 23, 2025 President Donald Trump has dismissed General Charles “CQ” Brown, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the nation’s highest-ranking military officer in a sweeping reorganization of the United States military leadership. “I want to thank General Charles ‘CQ’ Brown for his over 40 years of service to our country,” Trump announced on social media, revealing that five other senior officers would also be replaced. General Brown, the second Black officer to ever hold the position, served as the principal military advisor to the president and the secretary of defense on national security matters. His removal comes amid criticism from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who had previously suggested that Brown should be dismissed due to his emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives within the military. Later on Friday, Hegseth announced the dismissals of two additional senior officials: Admiral Lisa Franchetti, Chief of Naval Operations, and General Jim Slife, Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force. Admiral Franchetti was the first woman to lead the U.S. Navy. “Under President Trump, we are putting in place new leadership that will focus our military on its core mission of deterring, fighting, and winning wars,” Hegseth said in a statement. President Trump also confirmed that he would nominate Air Force Lieutenant General Dan Caine as the new chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Lt. Gen. Caine, a career F-16 fighter pilot, recently served as the CIA’s associate director for military affairs. Recalling their first encounter in Iraq, Trump described him as looking “better than any movie actor you could get.” At the time of his dismissal, General Brown had been visiting U.S. troops stationed at the southern border, just two hours before Trump’s public announcement. Speculation had been mounting throughout the week that he would be removed, despite his term being set to run until 2027. Brown first gained national attention in 2020 when he publicly addressed racial issues in the military following the death of George Floyd. In a widely shared video message, he spoke about the challenges he faced as one of the few Black men in his unit and recounted instances where his credentials were questioned. In 2022, as the Air Force’s chief of staff, Brown co-signed a memorandum outlining diversity goals aimed at increasing minority officer recruitment while adjusting the proportion of white applicants. His dismissal follows Trump’s decision last month to remove the first female commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard, citing an “excessive focus” on diversity initiatives. General Brown’s predecessor, Colin Powell, was the first Black chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, serving from 1989 to 1993.

Israel Accuses Hamas of Ceasefire Violation Over Wrong Body Return

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

by Admin Feb 21, 2025 Israel has accused Hamas of breaching a ceasefire agreement after forensic tests confirmed that one of the bodies returned from Gaza on Thursday was not that of Shiri Bibas. According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the three other bodies handed over were those of her sons, Ariel and Kfir aged five and two, respectively, and veteran peace activist Oded Lifschitz, 84. However, on the contrary, the fourth body was neither Shiri nor any other known hostage. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu alleged that Hamas had placed “the body of a Gazan woman in a coffin” instead of Shiri. In response, Hamas spokesman Ismail al-Thwabta stated on X that Shiri’s remains might have been mixed with other bodies under the rubble following an Israeli airstrike. Prodesq News Agency gathered that Hamas reiterated that it would investigate how the wrong remains were sent to Israel while reiterating its earlier claim that Shiri and her children were killed in an Israeli bombing.  However, Israel countered on Thursday that intelligence and forensic evidence indicated the boys “were brutally murdered by terrorists in captivity in November 2023.” Prodesq News Agency gathered that Israel has demanded the return of Shiri Bibas, regardless of her condition. “Whether she is alive or not, they need to bring back Shiri Bibas,” IDF international spokesperson Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani said.  Prime Minister Netanyahu vowed to act decisively to bring back all hostages, both living and deceased, and ensure that Hamas “pays the full price for this cruel and evil violation of the agreement.” In a statement, Hamas affirmed its “seriousness and full commitment” to its obligations and denied any intention of breaching the deal.  Shortly afterward, the group announced the names of six hostages set to be released on Saturday, including two who have been held for over a decade. The IDF reiterated on X that the additional body received on Thursday did not belong to Shiri Bibas and did not match any other hostage. “This is a violation of utmost severity by the Hamas terrorist organization, which is obligated under the agreement to return four deceased hostages,” the statement read. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum expressed shock and devastation, stating that they had desperately hoped for Shiri’s return as part of the agreement. Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir Bibas aged 32, four, and nine months, respectively were among those kidnapped during Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.  Their case has become a symbol of national grief in Israel. The children’s father, Yarden Bibas, 34, was released by Hamas on February 1. Israel has confirmed that the fourth body returned on Thursday belonged to Lifschitz, a well-known peace activist.

Bomb goes off in Three Separate Buses in Tel Aviv 

Scenes of the explosion

by Admin Feb 21, 2025 Three empty buses exploded on the southern outskirts of Tel Aviv in what authorities are calling a suspected terror attack. The incidents occurred on Thursday night in Bat Yam, where the buses had been parked, and fortunately, no one was injured. Authorities reported that while explosive devices on three buses detonated, two other buses fitted with similar mechanisms failed to explode.  One of the unexploded devices, weighing about 5kg (11lbs), carried a message reading “Revenge from Tulkarm,” seemingly in retaliation for a recent Israeli raid on a refugee camp in the northern West Bank. In response to the attack, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered the military to conduct an “intensive operation against centers of terrorism” in the West Bank.  Israeli police urged the public to remain vigilant for any suspicious packages or objects, with police spokesperson Aryeh Doron disclosing, “We may be lucky if indeed the terrorists set these timers to the wrong hour. But it’s too early to determine.” Further investigation by police commander Haim Sargarof revealed that the explosive devices were similar to those previously discovered in the West Bank, where ongoing raids have targeted Palestinian militants.  Shortly after the explosions, footage circulated on social media showing at least one bus engulfed in flames with a thick plume of smoke rising above it. The Palestinian militant group Tulkarm Brigade later issued a statement declaring, “Revenge for the martyrs will not be forgotten as long as the occupier sits on our land.” However, they did not claim responsibility for the attack.  The Israeli Defense Forces have been intensifying operations in areas such as Tulkarm and Jenin, amid a surge in violence that has resulted in hundreds of Palestinian casualties over recent months.

Sweden Probes Suspected Sabotage of Baltic Undersea Cable

by Admin Feb 21, 2025 Swedish authorities are probing a suspected act of sabotage involving an undersea telecommunications cable that connects Germany to Finland in the Baltic Sea.  This investigation comes amid a series of recent incidents that have damaged multiple undersea cables and gas pipelines since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022 a development that prompted NATO to launch a monitoring mission in the region last month. The Swedish Coast Guard has dispatched a research vessel toward the eastern vicinity of Gotland, the nation’s largest island and the reported location of the latest breach.  Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson acknowledged the incident, stating that the cable break “must be seen in the context of the current serious security situation.” Finnish telecom operator Cinia, the owner of the cable, reported detecting minor damage to its fiber-optic line, though the cable continues to function normally.  Cinia also noted that this marks the third instance of damage to the cable in recent months, with the previous severing occurring in November of last year.  While there has been an overall increase in damage to Baltic undersea infrastructure, some incidents have been attributed to civilian ships dragging their anchors across the cables. Swedish police have confirmed that the preliminary investigation is focused on suspected sabotage, although the coastguard has not yet determined the exact damage time.  “We have a ship called KBV 003 on its way to the area east of Gotland. It is in the Swedish economic zone, and we are assisting with the crime scene investigation,” a coastguard representative explained. European leaders have speculated about potential Russian involvement in these breaches, even as other incidents have been linked to adverse weather, faulty equipment, or human error.  In one case, a Bulgarian ship named the Vezhen was cleared of sabotage earlier this month by Swedish authorities.