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The United States has announced plans to form a critical minerals trading bloc with its allies and partners, aiming to reduce dependence on China and secure stable supplies of key materials used in products ranging from smartphones to fighter jets. Vice President JD Vance said the past year’s U.S.-China trade tensions highlighted how heavily many countries rely on China for critical minerals, making collective action essential. Speaking at a meeting hosted by Secretary of State Marco Rubio with officials from dozens of European, Asian and African countries, Vance said the proposed bloc would use coordinated trade policies and tariffs to maintain minimum prices and protect supply chains. Under the plan, member countries would work together to ensure steady production, stable prices and shared access to financing and minerals, while limiting China’s ability to undercut competitors by selling materials cheaply and later raising prices. Vance said the goal is to create diversified production centers and supply chains that are less vulnerable to external shocks. The initiative comes as Washington takes broader steps to strengthen its access to critical minerals after China tightened export controls in response to President Donald Trump’s tariffs last year. Although both sides later eased some trade measures, China’s restrictions remain tougher than before. US officials said several countries have already agreed to join the proposed bloc. Allies including France and the United Kingdom attended the Washington meeting, though Denmark and Greenland — home to large mineral resources — were not present. Experts caution that enforcing the bloc could be challenging, particularly in preventing companies from sourcing cheaper Chinese materials outside the agreement. However, defense-related supply chains may be easier to regulate due to Pentagon oversight. Alongside the diplomatic push, the Trump administration is investing heavily at home. This week, Trump announced “Project Vault,” a plan to build a strategic U.S. stockpile of rare earth elements, backed by a $10 billion loan from the Export-Import Bank and private funding. The government has also invested billions of dollars in domestic mining and processing projects over the past year. China currently dominates the sector, accounting for about 70% of global rare earth mining and 90% of processing. The European Union, Japan and Mexico separately announced agreements with the United States to coordinate trade policies and price floors for critical minerals, with plans to bring in other like-minded countries. Meanwhile, the US House of Representatives approved legislation to speed up mining on federal land, aiming to boost domestic production of minerals vital for energy, defense and high-tech industries. The bill now heads to the Senate.

The Washington Post has laid off around one-third of its workforce, shutting down its sports section, several foreign bureaus and its long-running books coverage in a move that has shaken one of America’s most storied news organizations. Executive Editor Matt Murray described the decision as painful but necessary, saying the paper must adapt to changing technology and audience habits. “We can’t be everything to everyone,” he told staff, adding that the changes are aimed at putting the newspaper on firmer ground. The scale of the cuts stunned employees and the wider journalism community. Layoff notices were sent across nearly all newsroom departments, ending decades of coverage areas that helped define the Post’s identity. Former Post editor Martin Baron strongly criticized the decision, calling it “near-instant, self-inflicted brand destruction,” while Columbia University journalism professor and former Post columnist Margaret Sullivan said the move was “devastating for anyone who cares about journalism.” Former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi also condemned the layoffs, warning that corporate decisions are “hollowing out newsrooms across the country” and weakening democracy. Speaking at the Washington Press Club Foundation, she said a free press cannot survive without proper resources. The Post’s owner, billionaire Jeff Bezos, did not comment publicly. In recent weeks, journalists had urged him to intervene as rumors of layoffs spread. The paper has reportedly lost subscribers, partly due to controversial decisions such as pulling back from endorsing Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election and shifting the tone of its opinion pages. Specific cuts continued to emerge throughout the day. The Post’s Cairo bureau chief confirmed that all Middle East correspondents and editors were laid off, while reporters covering conflicts in Ukraine and other regions also lost their jobs. Founded nearly 150 years ago, The Washington Post is famed for its Watergate investigation and influential reporting on politics, culture and society. Critics fear the latest cuts threaten that legacy. Murray said the paper will now focus on areas where it has the most impact, including politics, national affairs and security. He acknowledged that the Post has struggled to keep pace with digital formats like video and that its overall story output has declined in recent years. The layoffs come amid wider turmoil in U.S. media. On the same day, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution announced cuts affecting about 15% of its staff as it continues its shift to an all-digital model. For many journalists, the Post’s decision signals a troubling moment for American journalism — one where even the most iconic newsrooms are no longer immune to deep cuts.  

The ongoing release of millions of pages of documents related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has continued to draw international attention, with advocates, survivors and world leaders weighing in as new material is made public by the U.S. Justice Department. The latest tranche of more than 3 million pages of records, including emails, photographs and videos, was released earlier this year under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, a U.S. law requiring the publication of files connected to Epstein’s criminal cases. The release includes previously unseen communications between Epstein and wealthy or influential figures, though officials stress that inclusion in the files does not imply wrongdoing. Advocates for survivors have criticised the release, saying that many documents remain heavily redacted or withheld, and that crucial material that could clarify Epstein’s network and the extent of abuse has yet to be published. Some lawyers for victims have raised concerns that improper redactions exposed personal information, prompting authorities to remove thousands of files for further review. Who Was Jeffrey Epstein? A Look at the Controversial Financier The release has also forced public responses from prominent individuals whose names appear in the material. Melinda French Gates addressed allegations linking her ex‑husband, billionaire Bill Gates, to Epstein in the files, calling the situation “unbelievable.” Political and criminal fallout abroad Revelations from the documents have triggered political and legal reactions overseas. In the United Kingdom, former Labour politician Peter Mandelson resigned from the House of Lords and now faces a police criminal investigation over allegations that he shared sensitive government information with Epstein during his time as a senior official — accusations he denies. In neighbouring Poland, Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced a government probe into possible links between Epstein and Russian intelligence services, saying the files raised questions about national security that warrant investigation. Unanswered questions and continued scrutiny Despite the volume of material now made public, many key questions remain unresolved. Critics argue that the partial redaction and withholding of records obscure the full scope of Epstein’s operations and connections, limiting public understanding of how he maintained his network of contacts and evaded more serious legal consequences for years. Lawmakers and advocates continue to call for greater transparency and comprehensive disclosure. The Justice Department says it is working to protect victims’ identities while complying with the law and continues to review and correct documents flagged for improper redaction. The controversy over the Epstein files is expected to persist as legal and political pressure mounts for further releases and accountability. #From Agencies

Mexico and the United States on Tuesday announced an agreement under which Mexico will provide a guaranteed minimum amount of water to the US each year, aiming to make cross-border water deliveries more predictable. Under the deal, Mexico will send at least 350,000 acre-feet of water annually to the United States during the current five-year cycle. An acre-foot is the volume of water required to cover one acre of land to a depth of one foot. The agreement follows months of negotiations and came after US President Donald Trump threatened to impose a 5% tariff on Mexican imports if water deliveries were not increased. The new arrangement marks a shift from the terms of the 1944 Water Treaty, which requires Mexico to deliver a total of 1.75 million acre-feet of water to the US from six tributaries over a five-year period. While the treaty averages out to the same annual amount, US officials have complained that Mexico often delays deliveries early in the cycle, creating water shortages for farmers in Texas before settling the obligation later. US, India strike trade deal after Trump–Modi call In exchange, the United States supplies Mexico with a larger volume of water from other sources along the western stretch of their shared border. The latest agreement is intended to smooth Mexico’s deliveries and prevent the accumulation of water debt. Mexico’s ministries of foreign affairs, environment and agriculture confirmed the deal in a joint statement, though they did not disclose the exact figure. The statement said Mexico had agreed to guarantee an annual minimum water delivery acceptable to both countries. While US authorities welcomed the agreement, the issue remains politically sensitive in Mexico, particularly in drought-hit northern states. Farmers in Tamaulipas, which borders Texas, have recently warned that water shortages have forced some of them to refrain from planting crops. The deal followed a phone call last week between President Trump and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum. In December, Sheinbaum had indicated that Mexico would increase water deliveries to reduce its existing shortfall under the treaty.

Former US President Bill Clinton and his wife Hillary Clinton, a former secretary of state, have agreed to testify before a congressional committee investigating the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, just days before lawmakers are due to vote on whether to hold them in criminal contempt of Congress. The decision follows months of standoff with the Republican-led House Oversight Committee, which late last month approved a motion to hold the Clintons in contempt for failing to comply with subpoenas. Several Democrats backed the move. Confirmation of the Clintons’ agreement came on Monday evening from Bill Clinton’s deputy chief of staff, Angel Ureña, who said the couple would appear before the panel. However, it remains unclear when the depositions will take place. If it goes ahead, the testimony would mark the first time a former US president has appeared before a congressional committee since Gerald Ford did so in 1983. Bill Clinton has acknowledged past contact with Epstein, who died in a New York jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges, but has consistently denied any knowledge of Epstein’s crimes. He has said he severed ties with Epstein more than 20 years ago and has never been accused of wrongdoing by survivors of Epstein’s abuse. Ureña said the Clintons had previously cooperated by providing sworn written statements and sharing what they described as limited information they possessed about Epstein. He criticised the committee’s approach, accusing it of acting in bad faith and pursuing partisan objectives. The Clintons have dismissed the subpoenas as an attempt to embarrass political opponents, alleging the move was politically motivated. In a letter sent last month to House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, they accused him of mishandling the investigation and said the panel’s actions had hindered efforts to uncover facts about the government’s role in the Epstein case. Comer, a Republican from Kentucky, has rejected those claims, noting that the subpoenas were authorised by a bipartisan vote and insisting that no one is above the law. He said the committee had given Clinton’s legal team multiple opportunities to appear voluntarily, accusing them of repeatedly delaying. Epstein’s private jet flight logs show that Bill Clinton took four international trips aboard the financier’s aircraft in 2002 and 2003. Photographs released by the US Department of Justice last December also show Clinton at Epstein’s estate, including images of him swimming in a pool and relaxing in what appears to be a hot tub. Clinton’s spokesman said the images were decades old and predated any public knowledge of Epstein’s criminal activities. The Oversight Committee’s investigation forms part of a broader congressional effort to review government handling of Epstein’s case, following the release of large volumes of previously sealed records mandated by law.   With inputs from BBC

 US President Donald Trump said Saturday that the United States has started discussions with Cuban leaders as his administration intensifies pressure on the island by restricting key oil supplies. The comments came while Trump was traveling to Florida, following recent moves to block Cuba’s access to oil from Venezuela and Mexico. Trump indicated that these measures are intended to push Cuba toward negotiations. “We’re starting to talk to Cuba,” he told reporters, without providing details on the level or scope of the outreach. He suggested that the Cuban government is close to collapse and predicted a potential deal with the U.S., saying Washington would be “kind” in any negotiations. The restrictions on oil imports have strained Cuba’s economy. Trump signed an executive order this week imposing tariffs on any country supplying oil to the island, targeting Mexico after U.S. actions halted Venezuela’s shipments following the capture of its former President Nicolás Maduro in early January. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum warned that the measures could trigger a humanitarian crisis and said her government is exploring alternatives to continue supporting Cuba. Trump’s shift toward Cuba follows broader efforts to confront nations seen as U.S. adversaries in the region. His recent policies reflect a strategy to isolate Havana economically while signaling that negotiations are possible under pressure. Read More: Trump says Iran negotiating with U.S. The president has not detailed the objectives of the talks but suggested that U.S. pressure on oil supplies will compel Cuba to negotiate. Observers say the latest actions mark a significant escalation in U.S. policy toward Cuba, combining economic restrictions with the opening of limited diplomatic channels.      

The Trump administration on Friday approved major new arms sales to Israel totaling $6.67 billion and to Saudi Arabia worth $9 billion, the State Department announced, as tensions rise in the Middle East over potential U.S. military action against Iran. The deals were made public after the department notified Congress of its approval earlier in the day. The approvals coincide with President Donald Trump’s push to implement a ceasefire and reconstruction plan for Gaza, aimed at ending the Israel-Hamas conflict and rebuilding the war-torn Palestinian territory, where two years of fighting left tens of thousands dead. Despite relative calm under the ceasefire, significant challenges remain, including deploying an international security force and disarming Hamas. Saudi Arabia arms packageThe $9 billion Saudi deal includes 730 Patriot missiles and related equipment, intended to bolster regional security and support U.S. foreign policy objectives. “This enhanced capability will protect land forces of Saudi Arabia, the United States, and local allies and will significantly improve Saudi Arabia’s contribution to the integrated air and missile defense system in the region,” the department said. The announcement followed a meeting between Saudi Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman and senior Trump administration officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Israel arms packagesThe $6.67 billion in arms sales to Israel are divided into four packages, the largest being 30 Apache attack helicopters with advanced targeting systems and rocket launchers, valued at $3.8 billion. Another $1.98 billion is allocated for 3,250 light tactical vehicles to transport personnel and logistics for the Israel Defense Forces. Under the deals, Israel will also spend $740 million on power packs for armored personnel carriers in service since 2008 and $150 million on a small number of light utility helicopters to complement existing equipment. The State Department emphasized that none of the sales would affect the regional military balance but would strengthen Israel’s ability to defend its borders, infrastructure, and population centers. “The United States is committed to the security of Israel, and it is vital to U.S. national interests to assist Israel to develop and maintain a strong and ready self-defense capability,” the department said. Political reactionsRep. Gregory Meeks, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, criticised the administration for rushing the announcement, accusing it of bypassing congressional oversight and failing to consult lawmakers on broader U.S.-Israel policy and next steps in Gaza. The arms sales come as the Trump administration maintains close security ties with both Israel and Saudi Arabia amid heightened regional tensions and ongoing efforts to stabilise the Middle East.

Protesters across the United States shut down schools, businesses and shopping on Friday as part of a nationwide “no work, no school, no shopping” strike to oppose the Trump administration’s stepped-up immigration enforcement. The coordinated actions came amid growing anger over the killing of Alex Pretti, an intensive care nurse who was shot multiple times after using his cellphone to record Border Patrol officers during an immigration operation in Minneapolis. The incident followed the Jan 7 death of Renee Good, who was fatally shot by a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer while sitting in her vehicle, further intensifying scrutiny of federal tactics. Promoters of the protests urged communities to disrupt daily life to draw attention to immigration enforcement. “The people of the Twin Cities have shown the way for the whole country — to stop ICE’s reign of terror, we need to SHUT IT DOWN,” read messages circulated on protest websites and social media. Anticipating large absences, some schools in states including Arizona and Colorado cancelled classes in advance. Elsewhere, students and community members gathered at city centres, state capitols and churches. In the Minneapolis area, hundreds of demonstrators assembled early Friday in freezing temperatures outside the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building, a frequent site of protests in recent weeks. After speeches by clergy members, the crowd marched toward restricted areas, shouting at Department of Homeland Security agents to “quit your jobs” and “get out of Minnesota.” Many later dispersed after police warned of arrests for blocking roads. Michelle Pasko, a retired communications worker, said she joined the protest after seeing federal agents stop immigrants near a bus stop in her Minnetonka neighbourhood. “They’re roaming our streets, they’re staying in hotels near our schools,” she said. “Everyone in this country has rights, and the federal government seems to have forgotten that. We’re here to remind them.” Student-led walkouts were reported in several states. In Michigan, dozens of students left classes at Groves High School in Birmingham, north of Detroit, and marched about a mile to a nearby business district despite sub-zero temperatures. Passing motorists honked in support. “We’re here to protest ICE and what they’re doing all over the country, especially in Minnesota,” said 17-year-old senior Logan Albritton. “It’s not right to treat our neighbours and our fellow Americans this way.” In Georgia, 16-year-old Abigail Daugherty organised a walkout at Collins Hill High School in Suwanee. “For years, I have felt powerless, and seeing other schools in the county being able to do this, I wanted to do something,” she said. Many businesses announced closures as part of the day-long “blackout,” while others said they would remain open but donate proceeds to immigrant support and legal aid organisations. In New York, Otway Restaurant and its sister bakery said the bakery would stay open and donate 50 percent of proceeds to the New York Immigration Coalition. In Maine, where Republican Senator Susan Collins said ICE was ending an enforcement surge, residents gathered outside a Portland church holding signs reading “No ICE for ME.” Grace Valenzuela, an administrator with Portland Public Schools, criticised what she called an enforcement system that brings “daily trauma” to schools. “Schools are meant to be places of learning, safety and belonging. ICE undermines that mission every time it destabilises a family,” she said. Portland Mayor Mark Dion also addressed the crowd, stressing the importance of protest. “Dissent is Democratic. Dissent is American. It’s the cornerstone of our democracy,” he said. In Los Angeles, where the immigration surge first intensified last June, thousands rallied outside city hall before marching to a federal detention centre. As evening fell, federal agents used chemical sprays to push back the crowd. Democratic Representative Maxine Waters joined the protest, chanting “ICE out of LA.” “What I see here at the detention center are people exercising their constitutional rights,” Waters said. “And of course, they’re now trying to tear gas everybody. It’s in the air, but people are not moving.” Meanwhile, authorities in Nebraska said a student was struck by an SUV displaying a Trump flag during a student-led protest on Thursday outside Fremont High School. The student was taken to hospital, though officials did not disclose the extent of the injuries. Video footage showed a red SUV with a Trump 2024 flag accelerating toward a student holding a sign, knocking the student onto the hood before driving away.

The US Justice Department on Friday made public its largest release yet of records linked to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, disclosing millions of pages and thousands of videos and images under a law aimed at revealing what authorities knew about his sexual abuse of underage girls and his ties to influential figures. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said the department was releasing more than 3 million pages of documents, along with over 2,000 videos and about 180,000 images. The material was posted on the department’s website and includes records that were withheld from an initial disclosure in December. The newly released files contain references to several high-profile individuals connected to Epstein, including Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly Britain’s Prince Andrew, as well as email exchanges between Epstein and billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk and other prominent figures from across the political spectrum. The disclosures were made under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, passed after sustained public and political pressure to open government files related to Epstein and his longtime associate and former girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell. Lawmakers criticised the Justice Department after a limited release last month, but officials said additional time was needed to review newly uncovered records and ensure sensitive information about victims was protected. Friday’s release marks the most extensive document dump so far in a case that has continued to shadow the Trump administration because of President Donald Trump’s past association with Epstein. Blanche acknowledged that the volume of material may still not satisfy those seeking a full accounting. “There’s a hunger, or a thirst, for information that I don’t think will be satisfied by the review of these documents,” he said. The Justice Department missed a congressional deadline of Dec 19 to release all files and later said hundreds of lawyers were assigned to review records for necessary redactions. Officials denied any attempt to shield Trump, who has said he severed ties with Epstein years ago, from embarrassment. The documents include thousands of references to Trump, such as emails sharing news articles about him, commenting on his policies or politics, or discussing his family. Also included is a spreadsheet compiled last August summarising calls to an FBI threat hotline from individuals making unverified claims of wrongdoing by Trump. Prince Andrew’s name appears hundreds of times in the records, including in news clippings, Epstein’s private emails and guest lists for dinners hosted by Epstein. Some documents show New York prosecutors attempted to secure an interview with the former prince during their sex trafficking investigation. The records also indicate that Musk contacted Epstein on at least two occasions to discuss potential visits to Epstein’s private Caribbean island, where many abuse allegations are said to have occurred. It remains unclear whether such visits took place. Musk has previously said he refused Epstein’s invitations. Other prominent names appearing in the files include New York Giants co-owner Steve Tisch, conservative activist and former White House strategist Steve Bannon, and Howard Lutnick, now serving as Trump’s commerce secretary. Statements from those individuals or their representatives said any associations with Epstein were limited and involved no wrongdoing. The documents also reference former Obama White House counsel Kathy Ruemmler, who later expressed regret over having known Epstein in a professional capacity. The latest release builds on tens of thousands of pages made public last month, which included previously disclosed flight logs and photographs involving Epstein’s associates. None of Epstein’s publicly identified victims have accused Trump or former President Bill Clinton of wrongdoing. Both have said they were unaware of Epstein’s abuse of underage girls. Epstein died in a New York jail cell in August 2019, a month after he was charged federally with sex trafficking. Earlier, he had served jail time in Florida after pleading guilty to state charges involving a minor, under a deal that spared him from federal prosecution at the time. Documents released Friday also include a draft indictment from that period showing prosecutors considered charging not only Epstein but also three personal assistants suspected of helping recruit underage girls. In 2021, Maxwell was convicted in New York of sex trafficking for her role in recruiting underage victims and was sentenced to 20 years in prison. No other individuals have been criminally charged in connection with Epstein’s abuse. One of Epstein’s accusers, Virginia Roberts Giuffre, had alleged in lawsuits that Epstein arranged sexual encounters for her with powerful men when she was a teenager. Those accused denied the claims. Giuffre died last year at the age of 41.

President Donald Trump on Thursday signed an executive order authorizing tariffs on goods from any nation that sells or provides oil to Cuba, a step that could further strain the island amid a worsening energy crisis. The measure mainly targets Mexico, which has been a critical oil supplier to Cuba and has maintained ties with the island despite efforts by President Claudia Sheinbaum to foster a strong relationship with Trump. When asked if he intended to “choke off” Cuba, which he called a “failing nation,” Trump replied, “I’m not trying to, but it looks like it’s something that’s just not going to be able to survive.” Trump and Sheinbaum spoke by phone Thursday morning, though Sheinbaum said Cuba was not discussed. She noted that Mexico’s foreign affairs secretary had told U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio that continuing humanitarian aid to Cuba was important, and Mexico was ready to act as an intermediary between the U.S. and Havana. Trump threatens 50% tariff on Canadian aircraft, escalating trade war Speculation has grown this week that Mexico might reduce oil shipments under U.S. pressure. Cuba, facing an economic and energy crisis partly fueled by U.S. sanctions, has relied heavily on oil from allies such as Mexico, Russia, and Venezuela. Following a U.S. operation that ousted Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, Trump announced no Venezuelan oil would be sent to Cuba. Mexico’s state oil company, Pemex, reported shipping nearly 20,000 barrels of oil per day to Cuba from January to September 2025, though experts tracking shipments via satellite say the amount has fallen to around 7,000 barrels. Sheinbaum has provided ambiguous answers regarding the shipments. She said some deliveries had temporarily paused due to normal supply fluctuations, calling the decision “sovereign” and not influenced by the U.S., while maintaining that Mexico would continue supporting Cuba. She emphasized that contracts with Pemex largely determine shipment schedules. Trump orders reopening of Venezuela commercial airspace, signals travel resumption The uncertainty highlights the intense pressure on Mexico and other Latin American nations as Trump escalates his confrontational stance following the Venezuela operation. It remains unclear how the executive order will affect Cuba, where long gasoline lines and growing anxiety underscore the island’s ongoing crisis. Cuban authorities did not immediately respond to requests for comment.