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The United States has placed Switzerland on a list of countries with "unfair trade practices".

The Trump administration’s most influential think tank, The Heritage Foundation, is receiving proposals from illiberal forces in Poland and Hungary on how to shape the future of the European Union. The proposals, obtained by VSquare, include dismantling key EU institutions and renaming the entire bloc.

An investigation reveals that Egypt’s Public Prosecution deliberately neglects to investigate complaints of detainee torture at the hands of police officers—an act that stands in direct violation of the constitution.

Romania's Central Electoral Board (CEB) rejected the candidacy of far-right politician Calin Georgescu from a rerun of a presidential election, sparking clashes between his supporters, angry at the move, and police.

Most of the 2.2 million Palestinian civilians living in the Gaza Strip have been without electricity since October 2023. Now, Israeli authorities have ordered the shut-off of an electric line that provides power for a desalination plant that provides drinking water to many of the Palestinians in Gaza.

This follows the recent closure of the Kerem Shalom crossing in northern Gaza, preventing the entry of much-needed humanitarian aid, as Gazans attempt to try to rebuild some semblance of their former lives that were completely decimated during the 16-month long Israeli bombardment that killed over 50,000 Palestinians.

They cause economic, social, mental health impacts on the population

Warships from China, Russia, and Iran will hold exercises in a key Middle Eastern waterway as the three partners highlight their deepening cooperation and showcase their growing capabilities, according to reports in state-run media.

The joint naval drills will start on March 10, according to Iran's Tasnim news agency, while the Chinese Defense Ministry said the Security Belt 2025 exercise would be held near the Iranian port of Chabahar on the coast of the Gulf of Oman with the aim of deepening "military trust and pragmatic cooperation."

When President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that he had created a new White House office to "resurrect" American military and commercial shipbuilding, he elevated long-standing calls to fix the struggling industry that he said is vital to national security. His clarion call to build more ships "very fast and very soon" comes at a time of rising strategic competition with China.

"Our shipbuilding industry is shrunk down to bare minimum right now," Marine Corps Commandant General Eric Smith told VOA in an exclusive interview at the Pentagon late last year.

The anemic state of American shipbuilding and ship maintenance, and the risks they raise for the military, was shared with VOA through more than a dozen interviews with U.S. military and industry officials spanning several months and conducted ahead of Trump's announcement.

The U.S. Navy is still considered the most powerful in the world when it comes to firepower and tonnage, but the number of Navy ships has fallen behind China’s. The United States has 296 ships in its fleet, while China’s is on pace to surpass 400 ships this year.

Australia should abolish its remaining tariffs to improve economic efficiency and competitiveness. While tariffs have been gradually reduced, the current system imposes unnecessary costs, distorts supply chains and creates administrative burdens, especially for small businesses. Abolishing tariffs would lower prices for consumers, reduce business costs and simplify supply chains, boosting resilience in a disrupted global market. Eliminating tariffs would also enhance Australia's leadership in global trade policy and align with its open-market stance, benefiting both businesses and consumers.

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Hamas reiterated its call to move forward on negotiating the second phase of its ceasefire with Israel Sunday, stressing the need for humanitarian aid to be allowed into the besieged Gaza Strip. Israel said it would send a delegation to Doha for further talks.

In January, a large Russian betting company announced a lottery for its clients with a special prize: a Rolls Royce Cullinan.