Speaking at a rally in National Harbor, Maryland, on Saturday, Donald Trump announced that the U.S. is close to securing a deal with Ukraine to share revenues from the country’s mineral resources. The agreement is reportedly part of efforts to offset the billions of dollars in military aid Washington has provided to Kyiv in its fight against Russian forces. “We want to recover what we’ve invested,” Trump said, adding that the U.S. is interested in acquiring rare earth minerals, oil, and other valuable resources from Ukraine. He suggested that Washington’s interest in Ukraine’s mineral wealth is also driven by a strategic need to compete with China, which dominates the global supply of rare earth elements.

Pope Francis’ health has deteriorated, with Vatican authorities confirming on Saturday (February 22) that his condition is now critical. The 88-year-old Pontiff was admitted to a hospital in Rome on February 14 for treatment of bronchitis and a medical evaluation. Further tests revealed pneumonia in both lungs, exacerbating his pre-existing asthma condition. As a result, his health has become increasingly fragile. The Vatican reports that the Pope remains conscious and alert, spending most of his time seated, but requires additional oxygen and blood circulation support. His platelet count has also dropped significantly. Amid growing concerns, discussions about a possible resignation have begun within the Church.

Speaking at an event at Delhi University on Saturday, Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar expressed concern over allegations made by the Trump administration regarding USAID. He stated that while USAID was originally allowed to operate in good faith, recent disclosures by Trump officials raise serious concerns. “It appears that certain individuals have been actively shaping a particular narrative,” Jaishankar remarked. The Indian government is currently investigating the matter. Previously, the U.S. had canceled a $21 million grant meant to influence Indian voters ahead of upcoming elections.

The funeral of former Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah is set to take place today in Beirut. More than just a mourning ceremony, this event is expected to serve as a powerful demonstration of Hezbollah’s political strength, particularly at a time when the group is facing challenges. Nasrallah was killed on September 27, 2023, in an Israeli airstrike while meeting in a bunker on the southern outskirts of Beirut. A highly influential leader in the Arab world, he played a key role in expanding Hezbollah’s influence and was widely respected across the region. Thousands of people, including Iranian officials and representatives from various countries, are expected to attend the funeral.

Hamas has accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of deliberately undermining the ongoing ceasefire negotiations. The group claims that Israel has failed to initiate discussions for the second phase of the agreement, which was set to conclude on March 1. As per the ceasefire’s first phase, Israel agreed to release prisoners, withdraw forces from parts of Gaza, and allow humanitarian aid. Hamas leader Bassem Naim told Al Jazeera that Netanyahu’s actions signal preparations for renewed conflict rather than peace. Meanwhile, Hamas recently released six Israeli hostages, but Israel has yet to free 620 Palestinian detainees.

Despite the scheduled release of over 600 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for six Israeli hostages, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has halted the process. Netanyahu stated that the recent hostage release ceremony was “disrespectful” and, as a result, Israel will not proceed with releasing Palestinian detainees at this time. He added that future exchanges will only occur if hostages are released without “offensive” ceremonies. The conflict, which has raged for nearly 16 months, saw a ceasefire beginning on January 19. Under this agreement, Hamas has so far released 25 hostages.

For the first time, Yemen’s Ansarullah forces have fired a missile at a U.S. F-16 fighter jet. Although the missile missed its target, it signals a significant advancement in Houthi military capabilities. The U.S. Department of Defense has confirmed the incident. On the same day, the Ansarullah forces also launched a missile at a U.S. MQ-9 drone. Senior Pentagon officials are now debating the best strategy to counter the Houthis, with some advocating traditional counterterrorism measures while others push for continued military strikes.

The death toll in Gaza continues to climb as rescue teams recovered seven more bodies from the rubble, according to Turkey’s Anadolu news agency. The number of fatalities in the war-torn enclave has now reached 48,329. In the past 48 hours alone, two Palestinians have died due to Israeli shelling. Since the start of Israel’s offensive in October 2023, nearly 111,753 people have been injured. Many bodies remain trapped under debris, with rescuers struggling to reach them amid ongoing hostilities.

Following a meeting with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, U.S. Congressman Ronny Jackson expressed hope for stability amid the ongoing Middle East tensions. Speaking in Beirut on Saturday, Jackson stated that the U.S. envisions a new era of peace and stability in Lebanon and the region. During the discussions, Lebanese officials urged the U.S. to pressure Israel into withdrawing its troops from five strategic locations. Meanwhile, heightened security measures are in place for the farewell ceremony of martyr Nasrallah in Lebanon.

As part of a ceasefire agreement in Gaza, Hamas recently released four Israeli hostages. The handover took place on Saturday evening through the Red Cross, with the Israeli military receiving them. Witnesses at the exchange site in Nuseirat reported seeing the hostages smiling. In a striking moment, one of the hostages kissed a Hamas fighter on the forehead. The Israeli military confirmed the release and stated that the hostages would be taken to a hospital for evaluation. Previously, Hamas had released two other hostages, one of whom had been held since 2014.

White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt has stated that President Donald Trump is confident in ending the Russia-Ukraine war. According to her, Trump is focused on negotiating with both sides and could finalize a deal as early as this week. Additionally, the U.S. is working on a proposed natural resources agreement with Ukraine, which Trump believes will help the U.S. recover its financial assistance. The White House claims that this agreement will also support Ukraine’s post-war reconstruction efforts.

The first phase of the ongoing ceasefire and hostage exchange agreement between Israel and Hamas has been completed. On Saturday, five hostages were handed over to Israeli forces via the Red Cross, with a sixth hostage set to be released later. According to AFP, Israel is releasing more than 600 Palestinian prisoners in exchange, including 50 serving life sentences. Hamas has stated that no further hostages will be released unless Israel fully withdraws its troops. Meanwhile, the Israeli Prime Minister declared that temporarily defeating Hamas remains their objective.

Malaysia has lifted the ban on Indian Islamic scholar and speaker Dr. Zakir Naik from delivering public speeches. The restriction, imposed temporarily in 2019, is no longer in effect, according to Malaysian media.

During a parliamentary session, a member of parliament questioned the Home Minister about whether the ban on Naik was still in place. In response, the minister confirmed that the restriction was temporary and has since been lifted.

Al Jazeera reports that Zakir Naik remains on India’s wanted list over allegations of money laundering and promoting hate speech. In 2019, Malaysia took a stance against him after his controversial remarks about Malaysian Hindus and Chinese communities sparked outrage.

A recent comment by the U.S. President, which appeared to blame Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for the war, stirred controversy. In response, EU’s top diplomat Kaja Kallas clarified on Thursday that she initially assumed the U.S. President had mistakenly confused Zelensky with Russian President Vladimir Putin when referring to a “dictator.”

Kallas emphasized that Zelensky is a democratically elected leader, chosen through free and fair elections. She further explained that during wartime, many countries suspend elections as per their constitution, and Ukraine has followed the same practice.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump warned that World War III is imminent but vowed to prevent it. In a speech on Thursday, he stated that another year under Biden’s administration could have led to global conflict. He criticized the current administration, claiming the U.S. has spent $200 billion more on Ukraine than Europe. Trump emphasized that endless wars must be stopped and declared that no nation could rival American strength in a potential war.