Category: World

A court in Zimbabwe refused to give bail to Blessed Mhlanga, a journalist working for Heart and Soul Television. He was arrested after interviewing a member of the ruling party who asked President Emmerson Mnangagwa to resign. The court believes that the comments made in the interview could cause violence and unrest in the country.

Blessed Geza, the party official who made the remarks, said Mnangagwa should “leave in peace” or face actions from the people based on the law. Police are also trying to arrest Geza, who has gone into hiding, and they have detained his wife.

Trevor Ncube, the chairman of Alpha Media Holdings, which owns Heart and Soul Television, said it is unfair and heartbreaking that Mhlanga is still in jail. He believes that Mhlanga was just doing his job as a journalist, which is protected by the law. Ncube expressed concern that the court does not respect freedom of expression and press freedom. He said, “Sadly, President Mnangagwa controls the courts, military, and police, so they can do whatever they want.”

Mhlanga will return to court on March 14.

A suicide bombing at a religious school in Pakistan, known as the “University of Jihad,” killed four people on Friday. The blast happened during Friday prayers when many people gathered at the school in Akora Khattak, which is about 60 kilometers east of Peshawar. Among those who lost their lives was Hamid ul Haq, the head of the school.

Police chief Abdul Rasheed confirmed that Hamid ul Haq was likely the target of the attack. Thirteen others were injured in the explosion. The bomb went off in the front row, where many people were preparing to pray.

The school is home to around 4,000 students who receive free food, clothing, and education. It is known for teaching a strong and fierce interpretation of Islam and has produced many fighters for the Taliban. Notable figures like Mullah Omar and Jalaluddin Haqqani, who led violent groups, once studied there.

The school has been at the center of militant activity for years, training many young people who then engage in conflicts in Afghanistan and beyond. Instead of shutting down these schools, the Pakistani government has generally allowed them to continue operating, largely because of their ties to various political parties.

Since the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan in August 2021, violence has increased in border areas with Pakistan. Last year was especially deadly in Pakistan, with over 1,600 people killed in attacks. The Pakistani government blames Afghan leaders for not taking action against militants who launch attacks from Afghan soil, a claim that the Taliban government denies.

At a recent press conference, US Vice President JD Vance openly criticized British Prime Minister Keir Starmer about problems with free speech. During the Munich Security Conference on February 14, Vance stressed the importance of free speech in Europe.

He said, “We have a special relationship with the UK and our European friends, but there have been issues with free speech. This affects not only British people but also American technology companies and citizens.” He mentioned that they would discuss this topic further at lunch.

Vance also talked about the case of a military veteran named Adam Smith-Connor. Smith-Connor was arrested for quietly praying near an abortion clinic, which raised Vance’s concerns about the rights of religious people in the UK.

Vance described the situation: “A British government charged Smith-Connor with the terrible crime of standing 50 meters from an abortion clinic and praying silently for three minutes. He wasn’t bothering anyone; he was just praying by himself.”

In response, Prime Minister Starmer defended the UK’s commitment to free speech, saying, “We’ve maintained free speech for a long time and will continue to do so.” However, doubts linger after the UK government took strict actions against riots in the summer of 2024, which included using facial recognition and asking social media to control harmful content.

Recent reports also suggest that the UK may arrest and extradite US citizens for online comments that could lead to violence.

Mexico has sent 29 dangerous drug cartel members to the United States, including Rafael Caro Quintero, who was involved in the murder of a U.S. drug agent in 1985. This move comes as Mexico’s leaders visit Washington to discuss the threat of big tariffs on all Mexican exports, set to start soon.

The prisoners were taken from various jails in Mexico to board planes bound for different U.S. cities. Among them were high-ranking members of major Mexican drug gangs, including people who planned horrific crimes. Caro Quintero, once the leader of the Guadalajara cartel, was free for almost ten years after a court set him loose. He returned to crime until he was caught again in 2022.

U.S. officials, including Attorney General Pamela Bondi, promised to punish these criminals to honor the brave law enforcement agents who risk their lives fighting against drug cartels. This historic action marks a significant change in Mexico’s cooperation with the U.S. regarding drug trafficking.

Caro Quintero’s return to the U.S. means he might face new charges, including for the murder of DEA agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena. The extradition process this time bypassed the usual legal steps, making it easier for the U.S. to prosecute him.

The action against these drug lords has raised concerns about how drug gangs might react against the Mexican government in response to this cooperation with the U.S.

On Thursday, Hamas announced it is prepared to negotiate the next stage of a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. This comes after they returned the remains of four hostages, and in exchange, Israel released over 600 Palestinian detainees. This swap is the last of its kind before a truce ends this weekend. Talks for the next phase, where Hamas would release more hostages in return for additional prisoner releases and a lasting ceasefire, haven’t started yet.

An Israeli official has stated that the army will not leave a key area along the Gaza-Egypt border as agreed in the ceasefire deal. This decision could create problems with both Hamas and Egypt, who are trying to mediate peace.

In a separate incident in Israel, a man drove his car into a group of people at a bus stop, injuring at least eight. The driver, a 53-year-old Palestinian, was shot and killed by police. This attack was seen as a show of defiance by Hamas, who praised it even though they did not claim responsibility.

Meanwhile, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich is planning to meet with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in Washington. This meeting could impact U.S. policies on Israeli settlements, which many countries consider illegal.

Also, on Thursday, Israel released 46 Palestinian teenagers and women back to their families in Gaza. They were greeted with hugs and tears. Many had been held in Israeli prisons, and rights groups have highlighted concerns about their treatment. Israeli officials have admitted they are still holding 24 Palestinian detainees whose release was supposed to happen together with the others.

The final release came after Israel sent back the bodies of four hostages, including three that have already been identified by families.

On Thursday in Cape Town, South Africa, health groups and charities were shocked and angry when they heard the Trump administration decided to cut 90% of foreign aid contracts from USAID. This means that important programs that help people with food, health, and emergency assistance around the world will lose funding, leaving millions in danger.

One group, InterAction, said this decision will hurt many vulnerable people, leading to hunger and disease. They warned that “women and children will go hungry, and families will struggle.” Instead of keeping people safe, this could create more problems like instability and migration.

The U.S. government is stopping about $60 billion in aid because they believe it doesn’t help American interests. This means thousands of contracts with NGOs will end, which many say is a huge blow to American foreign aid.

Liz Schrayer, a leader of a non-profit organization, said that this decision could allow countries like China, Russia, and Iran to gain more power and influence around the world.

In South Africa, health organizations mentioned that many programs aimed at treating HIV will end, affecting thousands of people. USAID plays a large role in fighting diseases like HIV and tuberculosis, and the cuts can put these programs at serious risk.

Critics, including Trump and his advisor Elon Musk, argue that foreign aid is wasteful and supports a liberal agenda. They are making deep cuts to these programs quickly, and many organizations have received letters saying their funding is being terminated because it doesn’t match U.S. priorities.

After the cuts, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio introduced a waiver program to save some funding, but many essential services still lost support.

Many USAID workers received just a short time to clear their workspaces amid the cuts. This rapid change has left many programs and the people they help in a difficult position.

In a surprising move, President Donald Trump fired Gen. CQ Brown Jr., the top leader of the U.S. military, along with five other high-ranking officials. This decision stirred up a lot of talk because people admired Brown for his service. He was only the second African American to hold this important position in U.S. history.

When Trump confirmed Brown as the Air Force chief of staff in 2020, he celebrated the decision on social media. But when he fired Brown and the others on February 21, he was much quieter about it. Critics worry that this move mixes politics into the military, which is usually nonpartisan.

Republican senators mostly defended Trump’s right to make these changes. Sen. Mike Rounds said he thought Brown had done a great job but acknowledged Trump’s ability to choose his team. Sen. Thom Tillis compared this situation to when President Barack Obama made military changes.

Gen. Brown, along with Adm. Lisa Franchetti, the first woman to lead the Navy, and other top officials, was dismissed in a rare shakeup. Some Republicans backed the president, saying he has the right to change military leaders.

Others, like Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, criticized the firings and said it showed that political loyalty mattered more than skill. Brown’s dismissal was especially noted because he had spoken out about race in the military after the murder of George Floyd.

A bipartisan group of House members asked for clear rules about firing military leaders, emphasizing the importance of keeping the military apolitical. Sen. Susan Collins expressed her view that Brown and the others had been doing well in their roles. In contrast, some, like Rep. Derrick Van Orden, approved of the firings, saying it was time for a new start at the Department of Defense.

Trump announced that retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Dan “Razin” Caine would replace Brown. While Caine had a solid military background, he didn’t meet every requirement to be chairman, but Trump can overlook those rules. Some see this as a way to bring in new perspectives.

Democrats, however, worry this could hurt recruitment and retention in the military, as it suggests the president’s political views matter more than talent and experience. Sen. Richard Blumenthal expressed strong concerns about the message these firings send.

The New York Times Mini Crossword is a quick and fun version of the famous crossword puzzles. Most days, these puzzles are in a small 5×5 grid with clues that go across and down. Sometimes, on Saturdays, they get a little bigger!

You can play the Mini Crossword for free by downloading the NYT Games app or visiting the New York Times website. However, if you want to see puzzles from the past, you’ll need a membership to NYT Games.

What’s the NYT Mini Crossword?
It’s a small puzzle that is enjoyable and can be completed in just a few minutes. Many players try to finish the puzzle in under a minute! Sometimes, though, the clues can be tricky, and you might need some help. I sometimes peek at the answers if I’m stuck on a clue.

Today’s Mini Crossword has a clue that asks about the sound of a sizzling steak, and it’s a tricky one that sounds like “hiss.” Do you need help with today’s Crossword? Here are the clues and answers to help you out (spoiler alert!): NYT Mini Crossword Clues:

NYT Mini Crossword Clues:

ACROSS
– 1. A clue: “Good one!”
– 4. Messages to the office staff
– 6. Exclamations with nervous gulps
– 7. A calculator key
– 8. ___ Grand (Vegas casino)

DOWN
– 1. Pronoun pair
– 2. In the midst of
– 3. So-so
– 4. Not saying a word
– 5. Sound of a sizzling steak

Time for the answers! Ready? Here they are!

NYT Mini Crossword Answers:

ACROSS
– HAH
– MEMOS
– UHOHS
– MINUS
– MGM

DOWN
– HE HIM
– AMONG
– HOHUM
– MUM
– SSS

How did you do? Did you finish it in under a minute? Give it a try!

North Korea has sent more soldiers to Russia, according to South Korea’s spy agency. They shared with AFP that over 10,000 North Korean troops were sent to Russia last year to help fight against Ukraine in the Kursk area. Earlier this month, South Korea said that the North Korean soldiers who were on the front lines in Kursk hadn’t fought since mid-January. Ukraine reported that these soldiers were pulled back after suffering heavy losses.

On Thursday, a South Korean intelligence official said that some of these soldiers have been redeployed back to the front lines, along with extra soldiers. The exact number of these troops is still being figured out. Neither Russia nor North Korea confirmed this troop movement, but last year, the two countries made a deal that included a promise to defend each other.

On Thursday, the US Supreme Court paused a judge’s order that required the Trump administration to release billions of dollars meant for foreign aid. Chief Justice John Roberts stated that the lower court’s decision would be on hold until the Supreme Court can review it in detail.

What the Judge Said
Judge Amir H Ali ruled that the Trump administration must stop its freeze on foreign aid while a lawsuit by some nonprofit groups and businesses is still in progress. Previously, an appellate court had denied the government’s request to stop the judge’s order.

After an executive order by Trump, the government halted foreign assistance, which he labeled as wasteful and not fitting his global policy goals.

Big Cuts in Foreign Aid
On Thursday, the Trump administration announced plans to cut more than 90% of USAID’s foreign aid contracts and a total of $60 billion in aid worldwide. These cuts leave very few remaining projects for advocates to fight to save in ongoing legal battles.

Details about these cuts were shared in a confidential memo seen by the AP news agency and in court filings.

Trump and Musk Target Foreign Aid
Trump and his ally Elon Musk are working hard to shrink the size of the federal government, believing that USAID programs promote a liberal agenda and waste taxpayer money. On January 20, Trump ordered a review of all foreign aid programs, leading to an immediate stop of all foreign assistance funds.

This funding freeze has halted thousands of US-funded programs in other countries, and many USAID employees have been put on forced leave or fired.