EUROPE

EUROZONE INFLATION SLOWS SLIGHTLY IN FEBRUARY

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Eurozone inflation edged down to 2.4 percent in February, according to official data released Monday, halting a four-month upward trend due to a slowdown in rising energy prices. While the decline is welcome, the figure was slightly higher than the 2.3 percent forecast by analysts polled by financial data firm FactSet.

POPE FRANCIS WRITES AN INSPIRING MESSAGE AMID KIDNEY FAILURE AND DOUBLE PNEUMONIA

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Recent events have captured public attention on both global and everyday fronts. Pope Francis, aged 88, remains in critical condition following complications from double pneumonia. His situation has stirred deep concern among millions of faithful worldwide.

PROTESTS IN GREECE OVER DEADLY 2023 TRAIN CRASH

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Greece came to a standstill on Friday as hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets to demand justice on the second anniversary of the tragic Tempi train crash that claimed 57 lives. Striking workers paralyzed the country's transportation network, grounding flights and halting sea and train services, adding to the day of national mourning and protest.

GERMANY CLAIMS INDEPENDENCE FROM US: MERZ CHARTS A BOLD NEW COURSE AMID LOOMING COALITION TALKS

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In a dramatic shift that could reshape transatlantic relations, Germany's chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz has announced plans to pursue European "independence" from the United States following his conservative bloc's victory in the national election. The CDU/CSU secured 28.5% of the vote, marking a pivotal moment in German politics amid rising far-right influence and growing tensions with America.

UK PM ANNOUNCES INCREASE IN DEFENSE SPENDING

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Britain will increase its defense spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 and 2.6% by 2028, Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced Tuesday. The move, which accelerates previously planned increases, comes ahead of a key meeting between Starmer and US President Donald Trump amid growing transatlantic tensions over the war in Ukraine.

UKRAINE'S ZELENSKY READY TO STEP DOWN FOR PEACE AND NATO MEMBERSHIP

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Coming in an unexpected development on the eve of the war's third anniversary, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky declared his willingness to step down from the presidency in exchange for Ukraine's NATO membership or a lasting peace agreement. This remarkable announcement came hours after Russia launched its largest drone assault of the war, with 267 drones targeting 13 Ukrainian regions.

INDIA AND UK RESUME FREE TRADE TALKS

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Free trade talks between India and the UK resumed on Monday in Delhi, nearly a year after being paused due to elections. UK Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds and Indian Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal are leading the two-day discussions. The goal, according to Goyal on X, is to "advance" negotiations and reach a "balanced, ambitious and mutually beneficial" agreement.

RAMAPHOSA INVITES ZELENSKY TO SA FOR A STATE VISIT

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President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa has invited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for a state visit, confirmed via a post on X. The announcement follows a week in which Ukraine was excluded from US-Russia talks on the ongoing war. Both leaders "agreed on the urgent need for an inclusive peace process" during a phone conversation, with Zelensky emphasizing, "nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine."