Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 25th of February, covering the latest developments you need to know.
In the longest State of the Union address in U.S. history, President Donald Trump declared that America is experiencing a "turnaround for the ages" during a marathon speech lasting more than 100 minutes. Addressing a polarised Congress, Trump touted economic recovery and a secure border while highlighting significant foreign policy shifts, including a U.S.-backed operation in Venezuela and a ceasefire in Gaza. The session was punctuated by partisan clashes, notably when a Democratic representative was ejected for holding a protest sign, underscoring the deep political divides persisting into the President's second term.
Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) has accused the UK and France of covertly plotting to arm Ukraine with nuclear weapons to secure favourable peace terms, a claim vehemently rejected by both nations. The SVR alleged that London and Paris were considering transferring "wonder weapons" or components for a "dirty bomb", specifically citing French submarine-launched warheads as a potential option. Officials in the UK and France immediately dismissed the accusations as "outright lies" and baseless disinformation intended to deflect from the ongoing conflict, reaffirming their strict adherence to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has embarked on his inaugural official visit to Beijing, asserting that "no one can ignore China anymore" as he seeks to balance economic cooperation with addressing geopolitical tensions. Merz is scheduled to meet President Xi Jinping to discuss trade, climate action, and Beijing’s influence on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, emphasising a strategy of dialogue rather than decoupling. The Chancellor stressed the need to reduce dependencies while maintaining commercial ties, viewing engagement as essential for resolving global crises despite systemic differences.
Ahead of renewed negotiations in Geneva, Iran has signalled its readiness to take "all necessary steps" to secure an agreement with the United States, with Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi pledging honesty and good faith. While the Trump administration has indicated a preference for diplomacy to curb Tehran’s nuclear programme, officials warned that military force remains an option should talks fail. The diplomatic push comes amidst heightened tensions, with Tehran promising retaliation against any aggression while simultaneously offering concessions on uranium enrichment in exchange for sanctions relief.
Laurence des Cars has resigned as director of the Louvre Museum following a brazen $102 million (£80m) daylight heist in which thieves utilised a vehicle-mounted lift to steal historic French Crown Jewels. President Emmanuel Macron accepted the resignation, acknowledging the need for a "new strong impetus" to overhaul security after a parliamentary inquiry exposed systemic failures, including blind spots in surveillance coverage. As authorities continue to hunt for the perpetrators and the missing 19th-century gemstones, des Cars will transition to a role within the French G7 presidency focusing on international museum cooperation.
Saudi Arabia’s air defences have intercepted and destroyed a hostile drone over the Riyadh region, according to the Saudi-led coalition fight...
Police were deployed across Paris on Saturday, as a curfew was set to take effect in the Republique and Chât...
A drone strike hit a power station in northern Sudan early Sunday (1 November), sparking a fire and triggering loud explosions, witnesses said....
The U.S. has approved the sale of 500 Patriot PAC-3 missiles to Ukraine in a deal worth an estimated $2.1 billion, but Kyiv could face years of delays before receiving the weapons it urgently needs to defend against intensifying Russian attacks.
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei has ordered Iran's armed forces to respond to any threat immediately and without geographical limits in statements posted to social media platforms on Saturday (31 October).
A hacking group linked to North Korea is widely believed to be behind the theft of $6.3 billion from cryptocurrency giant Binance, a cyberattack that experts describe as the largest cryptocurrency heist on record.
Gen Z protests swept 34 German cities on Saturday (31 October) over education and living costs. Violence erupted in Frankfurt, where shops were looted and police reported Molotov cocktail attacks.
A tenth-grade student was critically injured after a man attacked her with a chainsaw inside a classroom in Andhra Pradesh’s Anantapur district. The girl suffered severe injuries to her head, neck and back, while a classmate who tried to protect her was also hurt.
Police were deployed across Paris on Saturday, as a curfew was set to take effect in the Republique and Châtelet-Les Halles areas from 11pm Saturday until 6am Sunday (1 November).
A drone strike hit a power station in northern Sudan early Sunday (1 November), sparking a fire and triggering loud explosions, witnesses said.
Gen Z protests swept 34 German cities on Saturday (31 October) over education and living costs. Violence erupted in Frankfurt, where shops were looted and police reported Molotov cocktail attacks.
Iran designated Britain's Royal Navy and Royal Air Force as terrorist organisations on Sunday, (1 November), and classified the country's foreign intelligence agency, MI6, as a hostile group, according to a statement from the Iranian Foreign Ministry.
Thousands protested in Albania's capital, Tirana, on Saturday (31 October), demanding Prime Minister Edi Rama's resignation over perceived corruption allegations and dissatisfaction with the government over a lack of jobs and poor education standards.
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