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.
A peace agreement between Washington and Tehran is yet to materialise, with U.S. President Donald Trump saying that negotiations are incomplete and a...
Uzbekistan has unveiled its final squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, marking the country’s first appearance at football’s biggest tournament. The ...
Nearly half of Afghanistan’s population - more than 21 million people - needed humanitarian assistance in the first three months of 2026, accordin...
Chinese President Xi Jinping praised the “unbreakable friendship” between China and Pakistan as he met Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in ...
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Monday (25 May) that there have been 200 suspected deaths linked to the rare Bundibugo strain ...
A peace agreement between Washington and Tehran is yet to materialise, with U.S. President Donald Trump saying that negotiations are incomplete and an Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman saying that a deal isn't imminent.
Uzbekistan has unveiled its final squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, marking the country’s first appearance at football’s biggest tournament. The national team, led by Italian head coach Fabio Cannavaro, will compete at the tournament hosted by the U.S., Canada and Mexico.
Nearly half of Afghanistan’s population - more than 21 million people - needed humanitarian assistance in the first three months of 2026, according to the United Nations, yet aid agencies reached only 4.7 million people.
Chinese President Xi Jinping praised the “unbreakable friendship” between China and Pakistan as he met Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Beijing on Monday, a day after companies from both countries signed cooperation agreements worth $1.22 billion.
The inaugural Enhanced Games began in Las Vegas on Sunday (24 May), launching one of the most controversial experiments in modern sport, in which athletes openly compete using performance-enhancing drugs banned under traditional anti-doping rules.
A peace agreement between Washington and Tehran is yet to materialise, with U.S. President Donald Trump saying that negotiations are incomplete and an Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman saying that a deal isn't imminent.
A "largely negotiated" memorandum of understanding on an Iran peace deal would reopen the Strait of Hormuz, U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday, though the Iranian Fars news agency disputed that claim.
Police fired tear gas and clashed with protesters in central Belgrade on Saturday, as tens of thousands gathered to demand early elections and an end to the more than decade-long rule of Serbia's President Aleksandar Vučić.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Monday (25 May) that there have been 200 suspected deaths linked to the rare Bundibugo strain of Ebola that have been recorded in eastern DRC.
Chinese President Xi Jinping praised the “unbreakable friendship” between China and Pakistan as he met Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Beijing on Monday, a day after companies from both countries signed cooperation agreements worth $1.22 billion.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Monday (25 May) that there have been 200 suspected deaths linked to the rare Bundibugo strain of Ebola that have been recorded in eastern DRC.
A second group of Australian women and children linked to the Islamic State group has departed a refugee camp in north-east Syria and may return to Australia, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported on Friday.
Pope Leo XIV has issued a historic apology for the Catholic Church’s past role in legitimising slavery, describing it as a “wound in Christian memory,” as he released a landmark encyclical addressing human dignity in the age of artificial intelligence.
Rescuers pulled two people from the rubble of a collapsed building under construction in the Philippines, raising the death toll to three. Search and rescue operations continued after scans detected signs of life beneath the debris.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment