Internal conflicts among Republicans in the U.S. House and Senate are escalating over Trump’s two key legislative agendas, with lawmakers employing conflicting strategies to push them forward.

The House Budget Committee has advanced a massive spending bill incorporating various Trump-backed initiatives, following weeks of internal disputes. The bill is set for a vote next week, though opposition from moderates and conservatives could hinder its passage.

Meanwhile, Senate Republicans have also cleared their own proposal through the Budget Committee, with a vote expected this week. Both chambers are now in a race to pass their respective bills, while House Speaker Kevin McCarthy is attempting to mediate a compromise.

Keith Kellogg, a special envoy for former U.S. President Donald Trump, stated that no peace deal would be imposed on Kyiv. Speaking at a press conference at NATO headquarters, he said discussions about Washington’s commitment to European peacekeeping efforts would take place later.

Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is scheduled to meet Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Saudi Arabia today to discuss the Ukraine war and bilateral relations. Kellogg also announced that he would visit Kyiv this week to meet with President Volodymyr Zelensky.

European leaders are pushing for broader participation in Ukraine peace talks, but the U.S. envoy clarified that not all parties could be included.

On Saturday, a U.S. citizen in Florida shot and injured two Israeli tourists, mistakenly identifying them as Palestinians. The suspect, Mordechai Brafman, has been arrested, and a case was filed against him on Sunday.

According to police reports, Brafman admitted that while driving his truck in Miami Beach, he fired at the two men, believing them to be Palestinians and intending to kill them. However, they survived. Authorities later confirmed that the victims were Israeli tourists, not Palestinians.

The head of the UN AIDS program has warned that millions of people could die from AIDS due to President Donald Trump’s decision to suspend US aid programs. AFP reports that the US is the world’s largest government donor of development aid. After returning to office for a second term, Trump halted these funds, causing humanitarian organizations to struggle. Winnie Byanyima, the executive director of UNAIDS, said, "This has created a catastrophic situation in many countries." Trump's aid freeze initially suspended the "Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief" for 90 days, though later, an exception was made for life-saving drugs.

Torrential rains and severe flooding have claimed at least 10 lives across the southeastern United States, submerging roads and homes. More than 400,000 people are without power. CNN reported on Monday that Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear confirmed nine fatalities in his state, warning that the death toll may rise. Authorities have advised residents to stay off the roads while rescue operations continue. In Georgia, a fallen tree claimed another life.

U.S. Presidential Envoy for Middle East Affairs, Steve Witkoff, stated on Sunday that despite complexities in negotiations, the second phase of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire will definitely commence, as President Trump is keen to see its implementation. In an interview with Fox News, Witkoff mentioned productive discussions with the Israeli and Qatari prime ministers and Egypt’s intelligence chief, covering both parties’ stances and future plans. He emphasized that the ceasefire is not just about stopping the war but also includes dismantling Hamas' power in Gaza.

Shakib Al Hasan has been released by the Los Angeles Knight Riders for the upcoming season. Despite playing four matches last season and scoring 60 runs, Shakib has been dropped from the team. The Knight Riders have retained only three foreign players: Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, and Spencer Johnson. Shakib is currently banned from bowling for one year after failing the bowling action test. It remains uncertain whether any team will pick Shakib in the Major League Cricket draft scheduled for February 19.

The United States has canceled significant foreign aid to Bangladesh and several other nations, including a $29 million initiative aimed at enhancing political stability in Bangladesh. This decision, announced by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under CEO Elon Musk, is part of a broader budget-cutting strategy led by the Trump administration. Other affected countries include India, Mozambique, Cambodia, and Nepal. The cuts align with efforts to reduce the U.S. budget deficit and prevent national bankruptcy.

US Vice President JD Vance has warned European allies about internal threats, accusing European governments of extreme censorship and failure to manage uncontrolled immigration. Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, he stated, "Russia and China are not Europe’s biggest threats—the real danger comes from straying away from shared values with the United States." He criticized the cancellation of Romania’s presidential election following evidence of Russian disinformation, questioning the decision’s legitimacy. He also identified immigration as a major challenge and voiced support for Europe’s right-wing parties.

Since taking office for a second term, President Donald Trump has dismissed nearly 10,000 government employees as part of a cost-cutting initiative. On January 20, he established a new office, “Government Spending Reduction and Workforce Efficiency,” led by Tesla CEO Elon Musk. However, Congress has not recognized the office as a ministry, keeping Musk in an advisory role. The layoffs affect multiple departments, including Energy, Health, and Veterans Affairs. The IRS announced that over 1,000 more employees will be dismissed next week.

U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed support for Russia’s return to the G-7, calling its exclusion a “big mistake.” He emphasized that Russia should be part of the group, citing it was originally known as G-8. Trump also believes Russia is eager to rejoin. His comments come amid Canada’s presidency of the G-7 this year, although no immediate reaction has been received from Canada regarding his statement.

U.S. President Donald Trump stated that India’s tariff decisions do not concern the U.S., emphasizing a reciprocal approach to trade. During a meeting with Indian PM Narendra Modi, Trump highlighted the need for fairness and mutual cooperation, aiming to reduce the U.S. trade deficit. He reiterated that the U.S. seeks equal trade opportunities. Following past tensions, India recently lowered tariffs on select American exports, including luxury motorcycles. Modi echoed Trump’s slogan, “Make America Great Again,” with his own version, “Make India Great Again.”

Newly elected U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Thursday his interest in negotiating nuclear arms reduction with the leaders of China and Russia. Responding to journalists, Trump stated that nuclear disarmament is a priority in his second term. Meanwhile, Russia expressed skepticism about extending its last remaining nuclear arms control treaty with Washington, raising concerns about a potential deadlock. Trump reaffirmed his commitment to disarmament, emphasizing that there is no justification for producing more nuclear weapons. He also noted that initial discussions on arms reduction with Russia and China were disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic during his first term.

U.S. President Donald Trump has denied any U.S. or deep state involvement in Bangladesh’s recent political changes. During a joint press conference with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House, Trump dismissed allegations that the Biden administration had influenced Bangladesh’s power transition. He stated that resolving Bangladesh’s issues is up to Modi. The two leaders also discussed trade, immigration, and the Russia-Ukraine war, with Modi asserting that India supports peace. Trump hinted at a major upcoming U.S.-India trade deal.

At a White House press conference on Thursday, February 13, U.S. President Donald Trump expressed his desire to reinstate Russia in the Group of Seven (G7) alliance. He stated that removing Moscow from the group was a mistake, according to a Reuters report. Russia was a member of the industrialized nations’ alliance until 2014, when it was expelled following the annexation of Crimea. Back then, the group was known as the G8. Trump believes that President Vladimir Putin would be open to rejoining. Meanwhile, Canada, the current G7 chair, has yet to respond to Trump’s remarks.