Former U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Thursday aimed at shutting down the Department of Education and transferring educational responsibilities back to state and local governments. The department, which currently employs around 4,400 staff members and operates with an annual budget of approximately $79 billion, serves over 50 million students nationwide. Educators and teachers’ unions have opposed the decision, arguing that the federal government has historically played a crucial role in American education.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has sent a letter to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, setting a two-month deadline for reaching a nuclear agreement. Khamenei condemned Trump’s ultimatum as “bullying tactics.” Iran’s Foreign Ministry stated that the letter is still under review and a response is being prepared. Trump remarked, “We cannot allow Iran to possess nuclear weapons. While I prefer a peace agreement, other options remain on the table.”

Following his conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, former U.S. President Donald Trump spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Trump shared on Truth Social, “The discussion was very good. We are on the right track.” He mentioned that much of the conversation was based on his previous call with Putin, aimed at aligning both Russia’s and Ukraine’s requests and needs. The BBC reported that the call between Trump and Zelensky lasted for an hour. Meanwhile, Putin recently agreed to pause attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure for 30 days but did not agree to a full ceasefire.

On Wednesday, Russia and Ukraine conducted a prisoner exchange involving 175 individuals. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that the released prisoners included severely wounded soldiers and fighters who had been falsely imprisoned in Russia. The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed the exchange, mentioning that they had released 22 severely injured Ukrainian prisoners as a goodwill gesture, though the original plan was to release 23. Zelensky expressed gratitude to the UAE for mediating the exchange.

The Trump administration is set to lay off over 1,500 scientists and researchers from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to reduce government spending. A congressional report reveals that only a few may be transferred to other agencies, while most will lose their jobs. The EPA currently employs around 1,700 scientists, but Trump has proposed cutting 65% of its workforce. Democratic lawmakers have strongly criticized the move, accusing Trump of trying to dismantle science after previously politicizing it. Source: AP

In an attempt to end the Russia-Ukraine war, former U.S. President Donald Trump held a nearly two-hour phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin. According to CNN, the discussion aimed to persuade Putin to agree to a 30-day temporary ceasefire and make concessions, including withdrawing Russian troops from occupied Ukrainian territories. However, Putin was reportedly reluctant to accept the proposal. Trump also hinted at allowing Russia to retain control over Ukrainian land, including the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has announced plans to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday regarding a possible resolution to the Ukraine conflict. Speaking aboard Air Force One while traveling from Florida to Washington, Trump stated, “We want to see if we can bring an end to this war. Maybe we can, maybe we can’t, but I think we have a very good chance.” He added that discussions were already underway, and last week, he had attempted to secure Putin’s backing for Ukraine’s proposed 30-day ceasefire.

At least 26 tornadoes struck the US on Friday night and early Saturday, causing massive destruction in Arkansas, Illinois, Mississippi, and Missouri. At least 20 people have died, including 11 in Missouri. Missouri State Highway Patrol reported ongoing rescue operations and damage assessments. Meanwhile, Texas and Oklahoma are battling over 100 wildfires.

Former US President Donald Trump repeatedly claimed during his election campaign that he could end the Russia-Ukraine war within 24 hours. However, even nearly two months after taking office, the conflict continues. In a recent interview on the television program Full Measure, Trump clarified his remarks, saying, “When I said that, I was joking a little bit.” However, he maintained that he genuinely intended to resolve the conflict and believes he could achieve success in doing so.

After nine months, SpaceX’s Crew-10 mission has launched to rescue astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry “Butch” Wilmore, who have been stranded in space. Elon Musk’s SpaceX has taken charge of the mission, ensuring their safe return to Earth. The mission marks a crucial step in space rescue operations and the future of manned space exploration.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that visa sanctions have been imposed on Thai officials involved in the forced deportation of 40 Uyghurs to China on February 27. “I have ordered the immediate enforcement of these sanctions,” Rubio stated. He condemned China for its ongoing persecution, torture, and crimes against humanity against the Uyghur minority. He also urged host countries not to deport Uyghurs seeking refuge. Thai authorities had previously detained over 300 Uyghurs who fled China in 2014.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova has accused European nations of escalating tensions and prolonging the war in Ukraine rather than seeking peace.

She pointed out that Germany and France have publicly admitted to violating the 2014-2015 Minsk agreements concerning eastern Ukraine. Additionally, she claimed that Britain discouraged Ukraine from engaging in negotiations with Russia in March 2022.

Zakharova warned that any move to establish foreign military bases in Ukraine would be deemed unacceptable by Russia.

An American Airlines flight bound for Dallas caught fire on Thursday afternoon. Fortunately, all 178 passengers and crew members were safely evacuated.

In a state of panic, many passengers rushed onto the aircraft’s wings. Twelve passengers sustained injuries and were taken to the hospital. The airline reported that 172 passengers and six crew members were successfully transferred to the terminal.

American Airlines thanked the crew, DEN team, and emergency responders for their swift and decisive action in extinguishing the fire.

The U.S. has faced another obstacle in its plan to detain migrants at Guantanamo Bay. Forty migrants previously held at the naval base have been transferred back to the U.S., with no future deportation flights currently scheduled. This move effectively leaves the detention center empty. Among those relocated were 23 high-risk individuals and 17 others from the immigration processing center. On Tuesday, they were transferred to Louisiana detention facilities via a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) aircraft. Previously, on February 20, the U.S. had deported 177 Venezuelan migrants from Guantanamo back to their home country.

During discussions with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, Donald Trump stressed the strategic importance of U.S. control over Greenland for global security. He emphasized the need to strengthen America's presence in the Arctic. Trump stated, "We have many key players roaming the coastlines, and we must remain vigilant." Greenland’s outgoing Prime Minister Múte Egede has repeatedly rejected such proposals, but Trump remains firm in his stance that acquiring Greenland is essential.