DAILY NEWS Stream – March 3, 2025

Even the US is shocked by Canada’s plan to screw Russia by sending Ukraine US$5 billion from frozen Russian asset profits, while urging Europe to do the same with its nearly US$250 billion – risking complications in US-Russia negotiations where these assets are a key factor (The Military Show)

EU imposes new sanctions on Russia, targeting key sectors such as energy, trade, transport, infrastructure, and financial services (European Commission; VnExpress)

Analysis: Germany’s next likely Chancellor Friedrich Merz vows full support for Ukraine and a tougher stance on Russia, including possible nuclear cooperation with France and the UK to boost Europe’s military independence as the US pulls back to focus on “America First” (Oracle Eyes)

“Hard to do business like this”: US President Trump and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy’s White House meeting turns chaotic in fiery clash as the Ukrainian leader is accused of not being grateful for the billions of dollars in US aid (Sky News Australia)

“You’re gambling with the lives of millions of people. You’re gambling with World War III”: President Trump calls on Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy to agree to a ceasefire “immediately” at White House meeting. (Sky News Australia)

“Complete, utter disaster”: US Senator Lindsey Graham [Republican-South Carolina] reacts to US President Trump and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy’s White House meeting, saying the Ukrainian leader needs to find a way to apologize or to step aside (Sky News Australia)

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says the fight with US President Trump is “bad for both” Ukraine and the US but confident the relationship can be saved, insisting he is “thankful” for US support in interview following heated White House meeting. The Ukrainian leader left without signing the critical minerals deal he had intended to on his trip to Washington (Sky News Australia)

US President Trump says Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy “disrespected” the US, that he is “not ready for Peace if America is involved,” and that he can come back to the White House “when he is ready for Peace” (Truth Social)

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says President Trump has had “constant” engagement with Ukraine amid push to end war, including direct calls and high-level meetings, rejecting claims that the President is not engaging with Ukraine (Fox News)

WINNING: President Trump’s team posts “Non-Comprehensive List of Wins in President Trump’s Second Term” less than one month since taking office [Part 5 of 8]: - The Department of State ordered embassies worldwide to only fly the American flag – not activist flags. - The Mexico City Policy was reinstated to block taxpayer funding for foreign pro-abortion groups. - The US is rejoining the Geneva Consensus Declaration, which promotes and strengthens opportunities for women and girls around the world, protects children at all stages of life by opposing abortion law internationally, and protects the family as the fundamental unit of society. - President Trump ordered the immediate dismissal of military academy board members following years of “woke, progressive” ideologies infiltrating US service academies. - Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth restored Fort Liberty, North Carolina, to “Fort Bragg,” in honor of a World War II hero. - President Trump declared all foreign policy must be conducted under the President’s direction, ensuring career diplomats reflect the foreign policy of the United States at all times. - President Trump paused the overregulation of American business practices abroad, which negatively impacted national security. - Hamas agreed to free additional Israeli hostages after President Trump declared “all hell is going to break out” if the group delayed. - President Trump spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in pursuit of finally securing peace. - President Trump hosted Jordan’s King Abdullah II, who announced the Kingdom will accept 2,000 sick children from Gaza “as quickly as possible.” - President Trump proclaimed February 9 “Gulf of America Day” after the Department of the Interior officially changed the name on its mapping databases – and Google Maps and Apple Maps both updated their apps to reflect the new name. - Secretary Pete Hegseth declared “no more DEI [diversity, equity, and inclusion]” at the Department of Defense (Sean Hannity)

President Trump holds first cabinet meeting of His new administration, opening with a prayer led by Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Scott Turner: “Father, the Bible says that blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord. Well, Father, today we honor You. And in Your rightful place, Father, thank You for giving us this opportunity to restore faith in this country and be a blessing to the people of America. And Lord God, today in our meeting we pray that You will be glorified in our conversation. In Jesus’ name, Amen” (CBN)

DOGE [Department of Government Efficiency] Commissioner Elon Musk plays a key role in President Trump’s first cabinet meeting, saying he aims to cut US$1 trillion in government waste. He clarified that his emails asking federal employees, “What did you get done last week?” were to identify inactive or deceased workers. One million responded – about half of federal employees. President Trump warned that those who didn’t reply “are on the bubble” and could be fired (CBN)

President Trump’s administration is “very much focused” on bringing down the cost of living crisis in the US, which was “created by the last administration,” Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt says (Sky News Australia)

US National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard (vegan) fires 100 intelligence staff for using a secure government chat to participate in explicit conversations, part of her broader effort to “clean house” in the US intelligence community (Fox News)

President Trump terminates security clearances of law firm employees linked to former special prosecutor Jack Smith’s failed cases against Him (Fox News)

President Trump’s team takes away the power of journalists’ group White House Correspondents Association to control White House press access, allowing more news outlets – including podcasts and internet streamers - to attend briefings (Fox News)

President Trump signs executive order requiring healthcare price transparency, forcing insurers to reveal actual costs, not estimates, and ensuring prices are comparable across hospitals and insurers, including prescription drug prices (Fox News)

President Trump surprises first White House tour of the year, drawing a “USA!” chant after thanking them for visiting (Fox News)

President Trump’s administration to launch mandatory online registry of illegal immigrants, including names, fingerprints, and home addresses, forcing undocumented migrants to submit personal information or face fines and arrest (New York Post)

President Trump scores another legal win as His media company and social platform Rumble receive a favorable ruling from a US judge in a censorship dispute with Brazil, allowing US-based accounts supporting the Brazilian opposition leader to remain online (New York Post)

iPhone voice recognition controversy: “Racist” is converted to “Trump,” exposing potential bias in Apple’s AI [artificial intelligence] speech recognition, which may have been influenced by anti-Trump media and their frequent attacks on the President (Fox News)

US: Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene accuses Biden of using USAID [United States Agency for International Development] “as leverage” to shield his son Hunter, claiming he threatened to withhold $1 billion from Ukraine unless they fired a prosecutor investigating a company tied to Hunter for corruption (Forbes Breaking News)

Southwest Airlines plane avoids near collision with private jet in Chicago [US] amid a string of airline crashes and near misses reported this year (Sky News Australia)

UN calls for US$6 billion in aid to save tens of millions of lives in Sudan, where mass starvation threatens due to multiple simultaneous crises (VIETNAM NEWS)

Three tropical cyclones Rae, Seru, and Alfred spinning in the South Pacific Ocean at once as the region’s hurricane season reaches its peak, with Alfred stirring wind and waves along Australia’s coast (The Guardian; The New York Times)

Afghanistan: At least four children killed as flash floods sweep through villages, with heavy rains ongoing (Save the Children)

US Efficiency Commissioner and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk calls for deorbiting the International Space Station [ISS] “as soon as possible,” preferably within two years, to focus on missions to Mars (Space News)

All seven other planets in the Solar System align in the night sky on February 28, 2025, forming spectacular full planetary parade that astronomers say won’t be visible again until 2040 (VnExpress)

US President Trump meets with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer at the White House [US]. Key points: - Britain’s King Charles invited President Trump for a second state visit, which President Trump called “historic,” as He will be the first elected political leader in modern history to be hosted for two state visits by a British monarch, the first being from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. - Both leaders urged NATO allies to boost defense spending, with Prime Minister Starmer highlighting the UK recently made its largest increase since the Cold War. - They discussed a potential new economic deal focused on advanced technology. - During questions and answers with the press, President Trump defended His tariff policy, denying it causes inflation, while Prime Minister Starmer avoided direct comments on UK-related tariff threats. - Both expressed hope for peace in Ukraine, with Prime Minister Starmer saying the UK is ready to send peacekeeping troops to support a ceasefire. - They briefly addressed the Gaza ceasefire, hoping it will continue (WFAA)

European leaders and US officials react to the canceled Trump-Zelenskyy meeting. Hungarian Prime Minister Orbán praised US President Trump for standing “bravely for peace,” even if it was “difficult for many to digest.” Most of Europe backed Ukraine, with some leaders urging Europe to “step up” its support. (Sky News Australia)

Inspirational quote of the day: “Don’t you know yet? It is your light that lights the worlds.” – The Venerated Enlightened Master Rumi (vegetarian)