Rubio: US and Russia agree to restore embassy staffing, create team to negotiate Ukraine peace

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy postponed a trip to Saudi Arabia scheduled for this week, citing the fact that officials from his country were not invited to U.S.-Russia talks in the …

Source: France 24

Trump's trio for the Balkans

President Trump's new team for the Balkans includes some familiar faces with close ties to Serbia: son-in-law Jared Kushner, former special envoy Richard Grenell and ex-governor Rod Blagojevich.

Source: Deutsche Welle

Modi-Trump energy pledge signals bonanza for US gas exporters

Indian companies make clear demand for fresh supplies in world’s fastest-growing major economy

Source: Financial Times

Who was at the table at US-Russia talks in Saudi Arabia?

Three Americans and two Russians took part in the negotiations and agreed to reset diplomatic relations.

Source: BBC

Angola’s sanctions debt mystery — solved?

No one expects the Ost-West Handelsbank! (Or do they?)

Source: Financial Times

Trump administration gives schools deadline to cut DEI or lose federal funds

Education department gives ultimatum to stop using ‘racial preferences’ as factors in admissions or risk losing money

The Trump administration is giving the US’s schools and universities two weeks to …

Source: The Guardian

Trump signs executive order expanding access to IVF, says White House

Order directs domestic policy council to suggest ways to ‘aggressively’ reduce cost of accessing in vitro fertilization

Donald Trump has signed an executive order to expand access to in vitro …

Source: The Guardian

Trump’s trade threats reinvigorate talk of new Canadian pipelines

Previously scrapped projects are being discussed as a way to diversify the country’s oil economy away from the US

Source: Financial Times

Woman charged over 1978 death of five-year-old girl in London

Janice Nix, 66, charged with manslaughter over death of Andrea Bernard, who was assaulted in south London

A 66-year-old woman has been charged with manslaughter over the death of a …

Source: The Guardian

Bashy, Darkoo and Odeal top winners at 2025 Mobo awards

There are two awards apiece for the UK artists, while Nigerian singer Ayra Starr also wins two at Newcastle-hosted ceremony for Black musical excellence

Seventeen years since his debut single, …

Source: The Guardian

FirstFT: US and Russia hold first high-level talks on Ukraine war

Also in today’s newsletter, Philippines ‘deeply disturbed’ by South China Sea incident, and Singapore’s PM promises cash handouts

Source: Financial Times

UN calls for calm as violence flares in South Sudan

Fighting reportedly broke out in Nasir in Upper Nile state on February 14 and 15, the UN mission in South Sudan says.

Source: Al Jazeera