During his first cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Trump claimed that illegal border crossings from Mexico and Canada had declined. However, he announced a 25% tariff on goods from both neighboring countries. The tariff is set to take effect on April 2. Earlier, Trump had issued a stern warning to Canada and Mexico to curb illegal border crossings and the flow of fentanyl, delaying tariff imposition for 30 days—a period set to expire on March 4. Now, he has officially set the date for the new tariffs.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is set to visit Washington on Friday to finalize a major mineral resources deal with the United States, according to former U.S. President Donald Trump. A Voice of America report states that both countries have reached an agreement on the deal, which could potentially improve relations between Trump and Zelensky.

Kyiv has confirmed that revenue from Ukraine’s mineral resource management will be directed into a newly established fund, with both nations sharing the proceeds. Previously, Trump had demanded over $5 trillion in mineral resources and $60 billion in U.S. military aid, a proposal that Zelensky had firmly rejected.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has proposed replacing the EB-5 visa program with a new “Gold Card” that would grant eventual U.S. citizenship to foreign investors willing to pay $5 million. Trump argues that instead of gaining citizenship by creating jobs through the EB-5 visa program, wealthy individuals should be able to directly purchase the right to live in the U.S. The EB-5 program, which was introduced by Congress in 1990, allows investors to obtain a U.S. Green Card by making job-creating investments.

Marking the third anniversary of the Russia-Ukraine war, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) passed two resolutions calling for an end to the conflict. Ukraine and the European Union drafted the first resolution, emphasizing Russia’s full withdrawal and sustainable peace within Ukraine’s internationally recognized borders. Later, a second resolution titled “Path to Peace” was introduced, urging an immediate ceasefire. Russia’s envoy praised the second resolution, leading to three EU amendments, which also passed. The U.S. is expected to introduce similar resolutions in the UN Security Council.

French President Emmanuel Macron has expressed disagreement with former U.S. President Donald Trump on multiple issues related to Ukraine. Speaking at a joint press conference with Trump, Macron stated, “We also want to end the war, but not with a fragile agreement.” He asserted that peace does not mean Ukraine’s surrender and demanded security guarantees for Ukraine, which Trump did not address. However, both leaders agreed that EU peacekeeping forces should remain inside Ukraine after the war ends, but not at the border. Macron also rejected Trump’s claim that the U.S. only provided financial aid, clarifying that 60% of the aid was grants, not loans.

A U.S. civil society organization, Democracy for the Arab World Now (DAWN), has urged the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate former U.S. President Joe Biden, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin for allegedly aiding, abetting, and deliberately contributing to Israeli war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. On January 19, DAWN submitted a 172-page complaint to ICC prosecutor Karim Khan, detailing crimes such as $17.9 billion in arms transfers, intelligence sharing, targeting assistance, and diplomatic support for Israel’s actions in Gaza.

Bangladesh’s Deputy Chief of Mission Salahuddin Mahmud faced backlash from Awami League supporters in Washington after mentioning the July uprising during an International Mother Language Day event. The situation escalated, forcing him to leave the stage.

U.S. President Donald Trump has ordered a crackdown on hundreds of thousands of undocumented migrant children who entered the country without their parents. Reuters described this as an expansion of the deportation drive. The operation, which began on January 27, will be carried out in four phases, though the implementation timeline remains unclear. In recent years, over 10,000 children have been ordered deported, with 31,000 removed solely for missing court appearances. During Trump’s first term, migrant children were separated from their parents at the border, leading to over 1,000 children becoming permanently displaced. This policy was later abandoned amid widespread criticism.

Donald Trump has urged Elon Musk to be “more aggressive” in his role. Musk currently heads the newly established U.S. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which Trump created after assuming office for his second term last month. According to Reuters, Trump’s remark likely refers to Musk’s role in reducing federal spending. On Truth Social, Trump stated, “Elon is doing a great job, but I want to see him be more aggressive.” He hinted that “America needs saving, and the ultimate goal is to make the country bigger and stronger than ever before.”

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.

Federal employees in the U.S. have been warned that failing to submit weekly work reports by Monday night could put their jobs at risk. This directive was communicated via an email sent on February 22. According to Reuters, Elon Musk, the head of the Trump administration’s Government Efficiency Division, posted on X that employees who fail to respond to the email will be considered as having voluntarily resigned. Trump has also urged the Department of Government Efficiency (DGE) to accelerate workforce reductions, targeting a significant cut in the 2.3 million federal employees. Questions remain about the legal standing of Musk’s directive and how employees working on classified projects should respond.

A shooting incident at Kirtland Air Force Base in New Mexico left one airman dead and another injured on Saturday morning. The U.S. Air Force confirmed that the injured officer was treated and released from the medical center, while the deceased airman was found at the scene. The identities of both individuals remain undisclosed as local authorities investigate the incident. The Kirtland Truman Gate Pass Office has been temporarily closed.

U.S. President Donald Trump has warned of imposing retaliatory tariffs on Indian and Chinese goods, stating that the U.S. will match India’s tariff rates. His administration is preparing to take action after a long delay. During Modi’s U.S. visit, trade reforms were discussed, with experts suggesting tariff reductions instead of a full trade deal. Opinions remain divided on the impact of U.S. tariffs on India, with S&P predicting minimal effects while Goldman Sachs warns of uncertainties. A White House report on the tariffs is expected in six months.

Under mounting criticism and opposition from the Arab world, U.S. President Donald Trump has hinted at backing away from his plan to occupy Gaza. His initial proposal, which included pressuring Egypt and Jordan to accept displaced Palestinians, sparked global backlash. In a Fox News Radio interview, Trump acknowledged rejection from Jordan and Egypt, calling forced displacement unjust. On the same day, Arab leaders met in Riyadh to discuss Gaza’s post-war reconstruction, seen as a counter to Trump’s plan.

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.