Trump signs executive order expanding power of Elon Musk’s Doge agency
Order calls for ‘transformation’ in US spending on contracts, grants and loans by requiring centralized payment system
Donald Trump on Wednesday signed an executive order meant to expand the power of Elon Musk’s governmental cost-cutting program, the so-called “department of government efficiency”, or Doge.
The new order calls for a “transformation” in federal spending on contracts, grants and loans by requiring agencies to create a centralized system to record and justify payments, which may be made public for transparency – an initiative that would be monitored by Musk’s team.
Continue reading...Pakistan vs Bangladesh – Champions Trophy: Match start time, teams, stream
Hosts Pakistan aim to end Champions Trophy on a high against Bangladesh following underwhelming group-stage exit.
Inside the Taliban’s surveillance network monitoring millions
The Taliban say 90,000 CCTV cameras in Kabul will reduce crime but there are fears for human rights.
Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, February 26, 2025 – Institute for the Study of War
- Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, February 26, 2025 Institute for the Study of War
- Russia aims to seize Ukrainian cities through ultimatums, not military force – ISW Ukrainska Pravda
- Russia Demands Ukraine Cities It Doesn't Control as Part of Trump Deal: ISW Newsweek
- ISW Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, February 26, 2025 Kyiv Post
- ISW: Russia will have to fight until at least 2108 to take control of the other 80 percent of Ukraine Telegrafi
US and allies must get tough on Russia, China’s deep-sea cable sabotage – New York Post
- US and allies must get tough on Russia, China’s deep-sea cable sabotage New York Post
- Video: Chinese-crewed cargo ship suspected of cutting undersea cable detained in Taiwan CNN
- Taiwan coastguard detains mainland China crew after undersea cable damaged South China Morning Post
- NATO's 'shadow fleet' dilemma has come to Asia — Taiwan says it caught a Chinese-crewed vessel slicing an undersea cable Yahoo
- Taiwan catches Chinese-owned ship in act of cutting subsea cable Financial Times
The ‘hero’ ship keeping Africa online
The BBC joins a mission aboard the Léon Thévenin to repair an undersea fibre optic cable.
New Zealand’s top diplomat tells China sudden live-fire drills represent ‘failure’ in relationship
Winston Peters says he told Chinese counterpart Wang Yi not enough warning was given about recent navy exercises that forced planes to divert
New Zealand’s foreign minister said he had raised concerns over China’s recent live-fire drills in the Tasman Sea during meetings with Chinese leaders on Wednesday.
The issue was a lack of notice given to New Zealand over the military exercises off its coast, Winston Peters told reporters in Beijing after meetings with Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi and vice premier Han Zheng.
Continue reading...Real Madrid win marred by more racism directed towards Vinicius Junior
Real Madrid beat Real Sociedad 1-0 in their Copa del Rey semifinal first-leg tie, but match marred by racist abuse.
Leaked recordings challenge Greek account of deadly shipwreck
Hundreds are thought to have died when the Adriana sank in international waters two years ago.
A Deadly Unidentified Disease Has Emerged in the DRC – WIRED
- A Deadly Unidentified Disease Has Emerged in the DRC WIRED
- Mystery Disease Linked to Bats Kills Scores in Congo The Wall Street Journal
- Unknown Deadly Illness Strikes Western Congo The New York Times
- ‘Unknown disease’ that can kill within days leaves 53 dead in Congo The Washington Post
- Mystery illness in Congo kills more than 50 people, including children who ate a bat CBS News
Only 5% of UK medical school entrants are working class, data shows
Sutton Trust says underrepresentation of poorer students is ‘outrageous’ but number has doubled in 10 years to 2022
Students from working class backgrounds still only make up 5% of entrants to medical schools across the UK, a proportion that has doubled over the past decade, analysis has found.
The research, conducted by the Sutton Trust and University College London (UCL), looked at almost 94,000 applicants to UK medical schools between 2012 and 2022, which represent almost half of all UK medical applicants.
Continue reading...Watch: Behind the scenes at the Oscars red carpet rollout
The Academy Awards will take place on 2 March, with Conan O'Brien expected to host.
Pamela Anderson on missing out on Oscars, ditching makeup and ‘innocence’ of Baywatch
The actress's career has enjoyed a recent resurgence thanks to a role in the film The Last Showgirl.
The global democracy index: how did countries perform in 2024? – The Economist
- The global democracy index: how did countries perform in 2024? The Economist
- Europe maintains fragile democratic stability amid global drop, study Euronews
- Paks 2024 democracy ranking drops to 2.84 amid poll violence, political chaos: Economic Intelligence Unit report The Tribune India
- Taiwan ranks 12th in 2024 democracy index, leads in Asia Focus Taiwan
- Report: Only 6.6% of the world lives under full democracy The New Voice of Ukraine
Trump nixes Venezuelan oil concessions granted by predecessor Joe Biden
Trump took harsh stance towards Venezuela during first term but has shown interest in collaboration in recent months.
Nvidia beats Wall Street expectations in first earnings after DeepSeek’s AI debut
Investors were eyeing the firm for signs of slowing demand after revelation high-end chips not necessary, but found few
Nvidia surpassed investor expectations for the fourth quarter of 2024 with a 78% jump in revenue year over year.
The company reported $39.3bn in revenue, beating analyst projections of $38.25bn. It also reported $0.89 in earnings a share on Wednesday, beating expectations of $0.84.
Continue reading...What we know about US-Ukraine minerals deal
The White House said the deal, which would give the US access to mineral deposits, was not signed on Friday.
Newsom orders parole board to assess public risk if Menendez brothers freed
California governor’s intervention could offer avenue of freedom for siblings jailed over 1989 LA killing of parents
The California governor has ordered the state parole board to examine whether the Menendez brothers would pose a risk to the public if they are released from prison – which could offer an avenue to freedom for the siblings who have been behind bars for almost three decades.
Attorneys for Erik, 54, and Lyle, 57, reported on Wednesday that the board will complete a “comprehensive risk assessment” to determine if the brothers have in fact been rehabilitated since the 1989 killing of their parents.
Continue reading...It’s Jekyll and Hyde, says son of French surgeon accused of abusing 299 patients
Relatives of Joël Le Scouarnec, who allegedly sexually assaulted young patients, tell court of split personality
Members of a French surgeon’s family have described discovering the “Jekyll and Hyde” character of the man accused of raping or sexually assaulting 299 young patients while they were sedated or recovering from operations.
At his trial in the city of Vannes in Brittany, relatives of Joël Le Scouarnec spoke of his split personality.
In the UK, the NSPCC offers support to children on 0800 1111, and adults concerned about a child on 0808 800 5000. The National Association for People Abused in Childhood (Napac) offers support for adult survivors on 0808 801 0331. In the US, call or text the Childhelp abuse hotline on 800-422-4453. In Australia, children, young adults, parents and teachers can contact the Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800, or Bravehearts on 1800 272 831, and adult survivors can contact Blue Knot Foundation on 1300 657 380. Other sources of help can be found at Child Helplines International
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