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US, Ukraine Officials to Meet in Saudi Arabia After Tense White House Talks

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U.S. and Ukrainian officials are set to meet in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday in an effort to repair strained relations and assess Ukraine’s stance on potential concessions amid President Donald Trump’s push for a swift resolution to Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Since Trump’s inauguration in January, Washington has shifted its approach to the conflict, prioritizing a rapid end to hostilities. The administration has engaged directly with Moscow, halted military aid to Kyiv, and paused intelligence-sharing with Ukraine, which has been fighting a full-scale Russian invasion since 2022.

Last month’s contentious White House meeting between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy further strained relations, leaving uncertain a minerals deal that Trump framed as pivotal to continued U.S. support and as partial compensation for the $65 billion in military aid provided to Ukraine since the war began.

Under mounting U.S. pressure, Zelenskiy has sought to demonstrate Kyiv’s commitment to ending the war. However, Ukraine remains without U.S. security guarantees in the proposed minerals agreement, which it sees as crucial to any peace settlement.

“We need to understand Ukraine’s position and determine what concessions they might consider because a ceasefire and an end to the war require both sides to make compromises,” U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters Monday while en route to Jeddah.

Rubio will be joined by U.S. National Security Adviser Mike Waltz for talks with a Ukrainian delegation led by Andriy Yermak, a top aide to Zelenskiy. Zelenskiy, who was in Saudi Arabia on Monday for discussions with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, is not expected to attend the negotiations.

While Rubio expressed caution, Trump’s special envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, who has been drawn into Ukraine-related diplomacy, voiced optimism about finalizing the U.S.-Ukraine minerals deal. Witkoff is also planning a visit to Moscow to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin, following a previous meeting with the Kremlin leader last month.

Ukraine’s European allies maintain that Kyiv should negotiate from a position of strength and not be pressured into talks with an aggressor. Zelenskiy has repeatedly warned that Putin has no genuine interest in peace and that Russia could threaten other European nations if its invasion of Ukraine does not end in a clear defeat.

Rubio declined to specify potential concessions but acknowledged Ukraine faces challenges in reclaiming all its lost territory.

“The Russians cannot conquer all of Ukraine, but it will be very difficult for Ukraine to force Russia back to its 2014 borders in any reasonable timeframe,” Rubio said.

Russia currently controls about 20% of Ukraine, including Crimea, which it annexed in 2014, and continues to advance in the eastern Donetsk region.

U.S. and Russian officials previously met in Riyadh in February, marking a rare diplomatic engagement between the former Cold War rivals. Those discussions largely focused on reestablishing ties following a near-total diplomatic freeze during former U.S. President Joe Biden’s administration.

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte Arrested on ICC Warrant Over Drug War Killings

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Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte was arrested Tuesday at Manila’s international airport on an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant for crimes against humanity linked to his deadly war on drugs, the government announced.

Authorities took Duterte into custody upon his arrival from Hong Kong, acting on the ICC’s order. The arrest follows the court’s ongoing investigation into thousands of extrajudicial killings during Duterte’s anti-narcotics crackdown. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s office confirmed the development in a statement.

“Upon arrival, the prosecutor general served the ICC’s arrest warrant to the former president for crimes against humanity,” the statement said. “He is now in police custody.”

The arrest triggered a tense scene at the airport as Duterte’s legal team and close aides protested, claiming they were blocked from approaching him. Senator Bong Go, a longtime Duterte ally, decried the move. “This is a violation of his constitutional rights,” Go told reporters.

Officials did not immediately disclose Duterte’s detention location but assured that the 79-year-old was in good health after a medical checkup by government doctors.

The ICC’s probe covers drug-related killings from Nov. 1, 2011, when Duterte was mayor of Davao City, through March 16, 2019. In 2019, Duterte withdrew the Philippines from the Rome Statute, a move human rights groups say was intended to avoid accountability.

In 2021, Duterte’s administration sought to suspend the ICC’s investigation, arguing Philippine authorities were already examining the allegations. However, in 2023, ICC appeals judges allowed the probe to resume, dismissing the Philippines’ objections. The Hague-based court intervenes in cases of genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity when national governments are unwilling or unable to prosecute suspects.

President Marcos Jr., who took office in 2022, has chosen not to rejoin the ICC amid political friction with Duterte. However, his administration previously stated it would cooperate if the ICC requested international police assistance via a Red Notice, a mechanism used to locate and provisionally arrest suspects for extradition.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford Warns U.S. of Electricity Surcharge and Potential Blackout if Tariffs Increase

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Ontario Premier Doug Ford has issued a stark warning amid rising trade tensions with the United States, threatening to impose a 25% surcharge on electricity exports to three U.S. states and potentially cut off power altogether if President Donald Trump escalates tariffs on Canadian goods.

“If the United States escalates, I will not hesitate to shut the electricity off completely,” Ford said Monday at a press conference. “Believe me when I say I do not want to do this. I feel terrible for the American people, because it’s not the American people who started this trade war. It’s one person who’s responsible. That’s President Trump.”

The surcharge, set to take effect Monday, will impact electricity exports to New York, Minnesota, and Michigan, raising costs for families and businesses. Ford estimated that the added charge would increase household energy bills by approximately $100 per month.

Canada, which relies heavily on U.S. exports, faces economic risks if the trade war escalates. While Trump delayed some tariffs on Canada and Mexico, uncertainty remains over future levies. The U.S. president has threatened to impose tariffs on Canadian dairy and lumber, pledging to match duties imposed on American goods. Additionally, Trump has warned that tariffs could exceed 25% if Canada and Mexico fail to curb fentanyl trafficking into the U.S.

Along with the surcharge, Ford said he would consider increasing penalties further if trade restrictions worsen. “No one wins in a trade war,” Ford acknowledged, but he insisted that Ontario would not hesitate to retaliate against U.S. tariffs.

Ford, a member of a prominent Ontario political family, has been vocal in his opposition to Trump’s trade policies, making frequent appearances on U.S. cable news to defend Canada’s position. Last week, he claimed he would “shut off power to the U.S. with a smile on [his] face” if Trump continued to target Canadian exports.

The ongoing trade dispute underscores broader tensions between the two nations, with potential economic repercussions for both sides as tariff threats and retaliatory measures continue to escalate.

Trump Administration Dismisses Recession Fears as Consumer Confidence Wanes

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The White House pushed back against growing recession fears on Monday, as a top economic adviser defended President Donald Trump’s tariff policies despite plunging U.S. stocks and rising household concerns.

Kevin Hassett, head of the National Economic Council, told CNBC that the U.S. economy remains strong despite predictions of a first-quarter contraction and mounting inflation concerns. “There are a lot of reasons to be extremely bullish about the economy going forward. But for sure, this quarter, there are some blips in the data,” Hassett said, attributing fluctuations to the rapid implementation of tariffs and what he called the “Biden inheritance.”

A survey released Monday by the New York Federal Reserve found that U.S. households are increasingly pessimistic about their financial future, with expectations for higher unemployment reaching their highest level since September 2023. The Atlanta Federal Reserve’s GDPNow tracker projects economic contraction in the first quarter, largely due to a trade-driven drag.

Trump declined to predict whether his trade-focused policies—centered on a flurry of tariff announcements—would tip the economy into recession. U.S. stock markets reflected investor anxiety, with the S&P 500 plummeting 2.7% and the Nasdaq dropping 4% to their lowest levels since September.

“Trump was seen as the market’s savior, promising lower taxes and deregulation. Now, his actions represent the harbinger of doom,” said Dan Coatsworth, investment analyst at AJ Bell. “The ‘R’ word is back on everyone’s lips as people question whether tariffs will backfire and lead to recession instead of prosperity.”

The S&P 1500 Supercomposite Index, a broad measure of the U.S. stock market, has shed nearly $4.9 trillion in value since its mid-February peak.

Recent Reuters polls indicate rising recession risks across North America, with 70 of 74 economists surveyed in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico reporting increased economic uncertainty. Goldman Sachs has downgraded its 2025 U.S. growth forecast and raised its inflation projection, citing “more adverse tariff assumptions.”

Trump’s tariff policy has included a 20% levy on Chinese imports and a 25% tariff on Canadian and Mexican goods, though most duties on U.S. neighbors are suspended until April 2, when a broader reciprocal tariff regime is expected.

Hassett maintained an optimistic stance, arguing that tax cuts would boost investment and real wages, offsetting any tariff-related downturns. “Just be very wary of conversations about recession,” he said. “I believe the first quarter will barely stay in positive territory, and the second quarter will take off as the benefits of tax cuts materialize.”

While Trump’s tax and regulatory policies have received support from some business leaders, concerns over tariffs persist. Austin Ramirez, CEO of hydraulic equipment maker Husco, noted that while tax cuts and deregulation have been beneficial, trade policies pose a significant threat.

“Now the worry is that it’s all the bad stuff happening, and none of the good stuff,” Ramirez said.

North Korea Test-Fires Ballistic Missiles as South Korea, US Launch Military Drills

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North Korea fired multiple ballistic missiles into the West Sea on Monday, coinciding with the start of the annual joint military drills between South Korea and the United States, known as Freedom Shield. 

South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) reported that the missiles were launched at approximately 1:50 p.m. local time from Hwanghae province. The JCS assured that the South Korean military, in coordination with the United States, has reinforced surveillance and remains in a state of heightened readiness. 

The Freedom Shield 2025 exercise, which began Monday, includes live, virtual, and field-based training exercises and will continue until March 20. The U.S. maintains tens of thousands of troops in South Korea, and the two allies emphasize that these drills are defensive in nature. 

North Korea, however, has condemned the exercises, calling them a “provocative act” and warning that they could trigger a physical conflict. Pyongyang’s foreign ministry, through the Korean Central News Agency, stated that the situation on the Korean Peninsula remains highly volatile and that the drills increase the risk of war. 

Tensions in the region have escalated following a series of North Korean ballistic missile launches in violation of UN sanctions. The two Koreas remain technically at war, as the Korean War ended in an armistice rather than a peace treaty. 

North Korea has also criticized the recent visit of a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier to South Korea, labeling it a political and military provocation. 

Protesters Detained Outside Chinese Embassy in Delhi on Tibetan Uprising Anniversary

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New Delhi police detained at least 24 members of the Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC) on Sunday after they staged a demonstration outside the Chinese Embassy to mark the 66th anniversary of Tibetan National Uprising Day. 

Holding placards and chanting slogans, protesters gathered near the embassy to commemorate the 1959 Tibetan uprising against Chinese rule. Some demonstrators attempted to storm the embassy premises but were quickly restrained by security personnel. Police overpowered the protesters, including several women, and escorted them onto a waiting bus. 

TYC General Secretary Sonam Tsering described the day as a painful and tragic chapter in Tibetan history. “It is the 66th anniversary of the Chinese Communist government’s illegal and violent invasion of Tibet. Since then, both the Tibetan government and its people have endured decades of systematic oppression, terror, and repression under Beijing’s rule,” Tsering said. 

He accused China of escalating efforts to erase Tibet’s cultural and linguistic identity by pushing the use of “Xizang” instead of the internationally recognized term “Tibet.” 

Tsering further stated that human rights conditions in Tibet have deteriorated significantly, with Beijing imposing severe restrictions on fundamental freedoms. 

Dow Plunges Nearly 900 Points as Nasdaq Sinks 4% Amid Market Selloff as Fear of Recession Grows

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The Dow Jones Industrial Average tumbled nearly 900 points Monday, shedding roughly 2.1% as recession fears and economic uncertainty rattled investors. The tech-heavy Nasdaq dropped 4%, sinking deeper into correction territory, marking its worst day since 2022. The S&P 500 also declined 2.7%, wiping out months of gains. 

Concerns over a slowing U.S. economy intensified after President Donald Trump declined to rule out the possibility of a recession. In a Sunday interview with Fox News, Trump described the economic climate as “a period of transition.” 

Goldman Sachs analysts downgraded their U.S. growth forecast for the first time since 2022, citing a “considerably more adverse” trade environment due to Trump’s tariff policies. The firm revised its 2025 growth estimate to 1.7%, down from 2.4%, pointing to rising consumer prices, higher borrowing costs, and delayed investments caused by uncertainty. 

Major tech stocks suffered sharp losses. Nvidia, a key driver of recent market rallies, slid more than 4% and is now down 22% year-to-date. Apple, Microsoft, and Tesla also took significant hits, with Tesla plunging over 10%, erasing its post-election gains amid declining sales in Europe and China. 

The cryptocurrency market faced similar turmoil, with Bitcoin dropping below $80,000 for the first time since Trump’s election. Shares of Coinbase, the largest U.S.-based crypto exchange, fell 10%, continuing their downward trajectory. 

Financial analysts believe market volatility stems from uncertainty surrounding Trump’s economic policies, particularly his fluctuating stance on tariffs and aggressive federal workforce reductions. Sam Stovall, chief investment strategist at CFRA Research, characterized the downturn as a “manufactured correction” driven by policy instability. 

Despite the turbulence, some analysts view the selloff as a normal market reset. Stovall noted that while investors may be taking profits after record highs under the Biden administration, a market correction could help stabilize future growth. 

Nigeria’s Anti-Corruption Agency Recovers $500 Million in One Year 

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Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) reported the recovery of nearly $500 million in proceeds of crime over the past year, alongside securing more than 4,000 criminal convictions, marking the highest figures since the agency’s establishment over two decades ago. 

As Africa’s largest oil producer, Nigeria has long battled systemic corruption, which many believe fuels poverty across the nation. The EFCC, tasked with investigating and prosecuting financial crimes, stated in a report on Monday that a portion of the recovered funds had been redirected to government projects. 

Nigeria ranks 140th out of 180 countries on Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index, reflecting ongoing challenges in tackling financial misconduct. 

Beyond cash recoveries, the EFCC disclosed that it seized 931,052 metric tons of petroleum products, 975 real estate assets, and company shares in its continued efforts to combat economic crimes. 

Tanker and Cargo Ship Collide in North Sea, Reports of Fires on Both Vessels

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A tanker and a cargo ship have collided in the North Sea off the East Yorkshire coast, United Kiongdom, prompting a major rescue operation. Reports indicate that both vessels are on fire, and some crew members have abandoned their ships. A coastguard helicopter and multiple lifeboats have been dispatched to the scene. 

The UK’s HM Coastguard reported that the incident occurred near the Humber Estuary at approximately 9:48 a.m. GMT on Monday. Rescue teams, including lifeboats from Skegness, Bridlington, Mablethorpe, and Cleethorpes, have been deployed alongside a fixed-wing aircraft and nearby vessels equipped with firefighting capabilities.

The Coastguard confirmed that the response remains ongoing, while the Royal National Lifeboat Institution stated that there were reports of multiple people in the water. Thick black smoke and flames have been observed, but it remains unclear which of the two ships is the primary source of the fire. 

According to maritime tracking data, the cargo vessel Solong was en route to Rotterdam in the Netherlands after departing from Grangemouth, Scotland, earlier in the day. Tracking data suggests the oil tanker involved was stationary when Solong approached and collided with it. The stationary vessel is believed to be the Stena Immaculate, which was traveling from Greece to the United Kingdom at the time of the incident. 

The crash took place just off the Lincolnshire coastline, near the Humber Estuary, close to British waters. The Coastguard reported that the alarm was raised at 9:48 a.m., and a helicopter, four lifeboats, a fixed-wing aircraft, and firefighting vessels were dispatched to assist.

The RNLI confirmed that fires had been reported on both ships and that some crew members had abandoned the vessels. Lifeboats were deployed at 10:20 a.m. and continued search and rescue efforts, with Cleethorpes lifeboat later being stood down at 11:40 a.m. 

Authorities have yet to confirm the cause of the collision or the extent of potential casualties. Search and rescue operations are ongoing, and updates will follow as more details emerge.

Israel Cuts Electricity to Last Facility in Gaza Receiving Power-CNN

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Israel has severed electricity to the last facility in Gaza that was still receiving power from the Israel Electric Corporation (IEC), escalating the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the enclave. 

“I just signed an order for the immediate halt of electricity to the Gaza Strip,” Israeli Energy Minister Eli Cohen announced on Saturday. He emphasized that Israel would use all available measures to ensure the return of the hostages still held by Hamas. 

Israel initially cut off electricity supplies to Gaza following Hamas’ attacks on October 7, 2023, which left more than 1,200 people dead and saw 251 taken hostage. However, under a government directive, the IEC had reconnected power to a wastewater treatment facility. That power has now been cut once again. 

An IEC spokesperson confirmed the move to CNN, stating, “Today, a directive was received to disconnect the electricity to the facility, and this was done.” 

Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem downplayed the move’s practical impact but denounced it as part of Israel’s “genocidal war” against Gaza, accusing it of using “starvation policies” in violation of international law. 

Israeli far-right politician Itamar Ben Gvir welcomed the decision and urged the government to go further by targeting fuel supplies that entered Gaza during the ceasefire and hostage deal between Israel and Hamas. 

“The Gaza Strip must be completely and immediately blacked out as long as even one Israeli hostage is being held there,” Ben Gvir said, advocating for bombing fuel depots and Hamas-operated generators. 

The electricity cutoff comes as Israel and Hamas engage in delicate negotiations over a ceasefire and hostage exchange. 

Last week, Israel announced it would block all humanitarian aid into Gaza to pressure Hamas into agreeing to new terms for an extension of the truce, after the initial phase expired. 

Israel seeks to extend the first phase of the agreement, allowing for the continued exchange of hostages and Palestinian prisoners while increasing aid to Gaza—but without committing to a permanent end to the war. Hamas, however, insists on moving forward with a second phase of negotiations that would secure a long-term truce. 

On Friday, a Hamas delegation arrived in Cairo to discuss the ceasefire terms, while Israel confirmed on Saturday that it had accepted an invitation from US-backed mediators to send an Israeli delegation to Doha on Monday for further talks. 

US Special Envoy for Hostages Adam Boehler expressed optimism about a potential truce following direct negotiations with Hamas. 

“I think something could come together within weeks,” Boehler said on CNN’s “State of the Union,” adding that a deal could be reached to secure the release of all hostages, including Americans. 

According to the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office, 59 hostages remain in Gaza, with more than half presumed dead. Among them are five American-Israelis, only one of whom—Edan Alexander—is believed to be alive. 

On Sunday, senior Hamas official Taher Al Nunu suggested in a statement to Al Aqsa TV that Hamas was open to releasing Alexander as part of negotiations to end the war. 

With talks ongoing and humanitarian conditions worsening, the situation in Gaza remains dire. The latest power cut signals an escalation in Israel’s pressure tactics as it seeks the return of hostages and the weakening of Hamas’ control. 

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