European leaders will convene in Paris on Monday to coordinate their response to the Trump administration’s exclusion of Europe from U.S.-Russia talks on ending the war in Ukraine. The meeting, including key EU members, the UK, and NATO, aims to address European security concerns arising from potential peace deals negotiated without Ukrainian or European input. Zelenskyy has firmly rejected any agreement excluding Ukraine, while concerns persist that a deal could undermine Kyiv and broader European security. Discussions will likely focus on formulating a unified European approach, potentially including a joint envoy and exploring the possibility of contributing peacekeeping troops to secure a future ceasefire.
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Ukraine and the UAE formalized an economic partnership agreement on Monday, establishing free trade. President Zelenskyy’s subsequent trip to Turkey and Saudi Arabia is unrelated to concurrent U.S.-Russia talks in Riyadh, though he intends to inquire about their progress. While Zelenskyy supports European involvement in future negotiations to pressure Russia for peace, both Moscow and Washington have rejected this proposal, citing differing priorities for their bilateral discussions. The Kremlin emphasized that its focus is on rebuilding U.S.-Russia relations and laying the groundwork for potential Ukraine negotiations.
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Intercepting Hamas communications, Channel 12 revealed that early 2024 humanitarian aid intended for Gaza citizens was diverted to Hamas leaders. These recordings, reportedly shared with the US, detail Hamas’s close ties to UNRWA and internal disputes over aid distribution. Junior operatives complained of aid shortages while facing threats and violence from superiors for raising concerns. The intercepted conversations exposed deep resentment towards the Hamas leadership for prioritizing self-interest over the needs of its own people.
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A Washington state judge issued a preliminary injunction against President Trump’s executive order banning gender-affirming care for transgender minors, deeming it unconstitutional. The order blocks federal funding for such treatments and potentially criminalizes the medical procedures themselves, exceeding the President’s authority. The judge cited violations of the separation of powers and the Equal Protection Clause of the Fifth Amendment. This preliminary injunction follows a temporary restraining order and is expected to be appealed, potentially reaching the Supreme Court.
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Sky News captured footage of Russian ships Sparta and Sparta 2, sanctioned by the US in 2022, transiting the English Channel on February 13th. These vessels, owned by a Russian Ministry of Defence company, transported military equipment evacuated from Syria following the Assad regime’s fall. The British Navy’s RFA Tideforce shadowed the Russian ships, which were accompanied by the armed Russian naval ship RFS Aleksandr Otrakovskiy. This equipment was likely moved from Russia’s now-abandoned Tartus naval base.
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At the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025 Closing Ceremony, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau delivered a speech praising the athletes’ resilience and the enduring friendship between Canada and the U.S., despite recent political tensions. He highlighted the Games’ focus on perseverance over adversity, referencing the recent NHL game between the two countries. Trudeau’s appearance alongside Prince Harry at the event underscored the strong relationship between the two nations, even amidst uncertainty about Trudeau’s political future and heightened U.S.-Canada anxieties. The Games, a multi-nation adaptive sporting event, successfully concluded its seventh edition, marking a return to Canada and the first inclusion of winter sports.
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Ukrainian President Zelenskyy firmly stated that Ukraine will not participate in, nor recognize any agreements reached in, Saudi Arabia-based talks between Russian and US representatives concerning Ukraine. He emphasized that any negotiations excluding Ukraine are meaningless. Zelenskyy’s own Saudi Arabia visit, focusing on oil price reduction and unrelated to the US-Russia discussions, included plans to address the talks directly with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Zelenskyy believes President Trump holds significant influence over oil prices and could potentially lower them.
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Newly appointed HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. immediately voiced concerns about the efficacy and safety of SSRIs, a class of antidepressants widely used by Americans. His statements contradict established research showing SSRIs’ positive impact on suicide rates and have drawn sharp criticism. This controversial stance follows Kennedy’s history of promoting vaccine misinformation, a position that starkly contrasts with the views of Senator McConnell, who voted against his confirmation. The confirmation vote itself highlighted a deep partisan divide, with unanimous Democratic opposition and near-unanimous Republican support.
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A Moscow court levied a 3.8 million ruble ($41,530) fine against Google for YouTube content providing instructions on surrendering to Ukrainian forces. This penalty follows Russia’s ongoing practice of fining foreign tech platforms for allegedly illegal content related to the Ukraine conflict. The fine comes amidst accusations by critics that Russia is intentionally throttling YouTube speeds to suppress dissenting viewpoints. Google has yet to publicly respond to the ruling and denies Russia’s claims of equipment failures causing the speed issues.
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Theater producer Joop van den Ende urges Dutch politicians to safeguard domestic media from the manipulative influence of American tech giants like Meta, Amazon, and X, citing their alleged exploitation of data and spread of misinformation. He advocates increased investment in public broadcasting, arguing that the current system, despite its popularity, faces undue criticism and underfunding. Van den Ende supports DPG’s acquisition of RTL, believing it will strengthen Dutch media against American dominance, despite concerns from the ACM regarding monopolization. This plea, appearing in major newspapers, emphasizes the critical role of a robust media landscape in upholding democratic values.
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John Q. Hosedrinker