DAILY NEWS Stream – March 1, 2025

US President Trump and French President Macron hold joint press conference at the White House [US]. Here are key takeaways:

Ukraine-Russia Conflict - President Trump said a peace deal for Ukraine is “very close.” - President Trump said Ukraine might have to pay back the US$350 billion investment from the US and US$100 billion from Europe, saying “anything is on the table.” - President Macron clarifies that 60% of European aid was paid by Europe, not loaned, and Russia should pay the US and Europe since it’s the aggressor. - President Trump plans to meet with Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy, possibly to sign an agreement on rare earth minerals. - President Trump also plans to meet President Putin “at some point.” - President Macron emphasized their shared goal of lasting peace. - President Trump suggested European troops could enter Ukraine as “peacekeepers” after an agreement. - President Trump predicted the conflict could end “within weeks if we’re smart.”

NATO and International Relations - President Trump supported NATO but stressed that all member countries must pay their fair share. - Both leaders discussed using frozen Russian assets to compensate Ukraine and allies. - President Macron clarified that the principal assets from Russia should not be used per international law, but the money made from them could be used. Economic Issues - President Trump proposed “reciprocal” tariffs with the EU, meaning whatever they charge the US, the US will charge them, no more, no less. - President Trump mentioned potential “major economic development transactions” between the US and Russia.

Other Topics - President Trump denied reports about closing a US military base in Greece. - President Trump defended DOGE [Department of Government Efficiency] Commissioner Elon Musk’s request for government employees to report their weekly activities. - President Trump spoke positively about Italy’s leadership under Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni (Forbes Breaking News)

If Europe wants to be a good member of NATO, it must “pay up” and build a strong military to deter Russia, says US President Trump’s Special Missions Envoy Ric Grenell (Fox News)

Germany’s likely future leader, Friedrich Merz, supports security independence from the US, aiming to make Europe strong enough to stand on its own as soon as possible in major potential turning point for European foreign policy (FRANCE 24)

Analysis: Germany’s new push for security independence is not about turning against the US, but rather a response to uncertainty about America’s commitment to European security. Germany’s next likely chancellor, Friedrich Merz, has clarified that Germany remains interested in maintaining good relations with the US and sees America as an important NATO partner (DW 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 3 of 8]: - President Trump restored a 25% tariff on steel imports and elevated the tariff on aluminum imports to 25% to protect these critical American industries from unfair foreign competition – a move praised by the Steel Manufacturers Association, the Aluminum Association, and family-owned businesses across the country. - President Trump unveiled a plan for fair and reciprocal trade, making clear to the world that the United States will no longer tolerate being ripped off. - President Trump announced the largest Artificial Intelligence infrastructure project in history with US$500 billion in planned private sector investment. - Saudi Arabia declared its intention to invest US$600 billion in the United States over the next four years. - After meeting with President Trump, automaker Stellantis announced it will reopen its assembly plant in Belvidere, Illinois – putting 1,500 employees back to work – and build its next-generation Dodge Durango car model in Detroit, Michigan. The company also announced new investments in their Toledo, Ohio, and Kokomo, Indiana, facilities. - Electronics giants Samsung and LG “are considering moving their plants in Mexico to the US.” - Taiwan pledged to boost its investment in the United States amid President Trump’s tariffs. - President Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced new deals between the two countries on immigration, trade, energy, and artificial intelligence. - Following President Trump’s imposition of tariffs, Mexico announced a deployment of 10,000 troops to the border to combat illegal immigration and fentanyl trafficking and Canada announced a flurry of measures to combat fentanyl manufacturing and trafficking. - President Trump laid out a visionary plan to establish a Sovereign Wealth Fund to maximize citizens’ benefits from the US$5+ trillion in assets held by the United States. - Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba announced his intention to “elevate Japan’s investment in the United States to an unprecedented amount of US$1 trillion” now that President Trump is back in office (Sean Hannity)

“Overwhelmingly popular”: Elon Musk touts Americans’ support for DOGE [Department of Government Efficiency], with 7 out of 10 voters saying they want US$1 trillion removed from federal spending according to Harvard University-run poll (Fox News; Truth Social)

Judges blocking President Trump’s agenda are “hurting the American people, because they’re the ones who elected Him, and they’re the ones who want Him to do this – to exercise these specific authorities. And these judges are really denying the American people their rights,” says Republican Congressman Andrew Clyde. Mr. Clyde is leading impeachment efforts against District Judge Engelmayer for blocking DOGE [the Department of Government Efficiency] from accessing the Treasury Department’s payment systems (Fox News)

President Trump and DOGE [Department of Government Efficiency] Commissioner Elon Musk are doing “exactly what needs to be done” to cut wasteful government spending, says Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry [Republican] (Fox News)

Doctors warn noise-canceling headphones may be linked to auditory processing disorder [APD], making it harder for the brain to understand sounds, with children and teens most at risk due to their still-developing brains (BBC; New York Post)

Australia and New Zealand have the highest breast cancer rates in the world, linked to alcohol consumption, diet, and low physical activity, study finds (ABC Australia)

I went whole-food, plant-based at 60 and lost 115 pounds [52 kilograms], reversed my sleep apnea [breathing impairment] and my prediabetes, and now, at age 65, I’m in the best shape of my life and thriving, says Elisa Dworak (vegan) (Forks Over Knives)

Worsening drought in Kenya’s dry areas leaves millions of people at risk of starvation, including 500,000 children under five and over 100,000 pregnant women, experts warn (CGTN)

More than half of Brazil’s rivers at risk of reduced flow due to groundwater overuse and climate change, scientists warn, urging better water management (Phys.org)

Temperatures hit record highs across South America, with Rio de Janeiro [Brazil] reaching 44ºC [111.2ºF]

(The Guardian)

Alexandria [Egypt]: Rising seas cause dramatic surge in building collapses, accelerating from approximately one per year to an “alarming” 40 per year over the past decade, US study finds (Smart Water Magazine)

Himachal Pradesh [India]’s expanding glacial lakes driven by climate change could trigger catastrophic floods, scientists warn, urging early warning systems and continuous monitoring (The News Himachal)

US: Massachusetts state lawmakers propose banning animal fur sales after a rescue at an Ohio fur-raising operation revealed over 330 animals living in filthy, freezing conditions, with some found dead. The bills target new fur products to reduce cruelty and set a national precedent (World Animal News)

Biodiversity in England [UK] rivers has improved as zinc and copper pollution dropped, mainly due to less coal burning and heavy industry, researchers say (Phys.org)

Japan pledges to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 60% by 2035 and 73% by 2040 (Enerdata)

YouTube security flaw could have exposed billions of user emails for at least four months in 2024, putting every account at risk of scams and other attacks (Tech Radar)

Victory! Wales [UK] announces ban on greyhound racing, to be implemented as soon as possible and no later than 2026 (World Animal News)

University of North Texas [US] commits to 60% vegan dining options by 2027, in collaboration with non-profit Humane World for Animals (Foodservice Director)

Vegan ingredient provider Nutraland USA becomes a preferred supplier for the pet food trade association National Animal Supplement Council, as recent studies show vegan diets benefit both dogs and cats (Vegconomist)

Animal rights rising: A record 28.9% of South Koreans live with pets, and 87.8% support stronger punishments and breeding bans for animal abusers, according to the 2024 National Consciousness Survey on Animal Welfare (Maeil Business Newspaper)

American boxing star and vegan advocate Mike Tyson launches cassava-based ice cream at vegan fast-food restaurant chain Mr. Charlie’s (Food Institute)

Self-mastering quote of the day: “There is no fear for one whose mind is not filled with desires.” – The Worshipped Shakyamuni Buddha (vegan)