**Summary:** US President Donald Trump expressed dissatisfaction with the recent negotiations with Tehran regarding its nuclear program, stating Iran must not acquire nuclear weapons, though he has not made a final decision on possible US strikes. In response to heightened tensions, France, Germany, and the UK issued warnings or took precautionary measures for their citizens and diplomatic staff in the region, particularly Israel.

**Key points:**
- The third round of talks between the USA and Iran ended in an impasse, with new discussions scheduled for the following week.
- France reiterated its advice against travel to Israel, Jerusalem, and the West Bank due to security concerns stemming from the situation in Iran.
- Germany also urgently advised against travel to Israel and East Jerusalem.
- The UK relocated some diplomatic personnel from Tel Aviv due to fears the situation could rapidly worsen.
- China requested its nationals to leave Iran as soon as possible.
- The US recommended non-essential embassy staff in Jerusalem depart while commercial flights were available.

**Why it matters:** The breakdown in negotiations and the US President's ambiguous stance on military action have led several key nations to issue travel advisories and take protective measures for their personnel in the Middle East.

Iran-Konflikt: Trump "nicht glücklich" über Iran

Face aux tensions avec l’Iran, Paris et plusieurs pays mettent en garde leurs citoyens

Donald Trump se dit « pas très content » de la teneur des négociations avec Téhéran et affirme ne pas avoir pris de « décision finale » sur de possibles frappes américaines

Trump 'not happy' with Iran talks; several nations warn citizens about regional risks

**Summary:** US President Donald Trump suggested the US might pursue a "friendly takeover" of Cuba, citing the country's severe financial problems and ongoing tensions between Washington and Havana. This follows a recent deadly shooting incident near the Cuban coast involving a US vessel.

**Key points:**
- Trump stated the Cuban government is in 'big trouble' financially and is currently talking with the US.
- The comments followed Cuba's announcement of the deaths of four US crew members after a shooting near Villa Clara province.
- The Trump Administration recently imposed an oil siege on Cuba, demanding an agreement from its leaders.
- US Secretary of State Marco Rubio's team met with former Cuban dictator Raúl Castro to discuss a possible reduction in sanctions.

**Why it matters:** The statement escalates existing geopolitical tensions between the US and Cuba, which are already strained by economic measures like an oil siege.

Trump, sobre Cuba: \"Quizá hagamos una toma amistosa\"

Трамп хоче захопити Кубу?: перші деталі резонансної заяви

Trump, amenaza a Cuba: afirma que EEUU va a iniciar una toma \"amistosa y controlada\" del país

Alerta en Europa: Reino Unido retira a todo su personal de Irán ante llegada del portaaviones de EU

Demócratas exigen que Trump testifique ante el Congreso sobre el caso Jeffrey Epstein

Trump suggests 'friendly takeover' of Cuba amid escalating tensions

**Summary:** A fully occupied tram on Line 9 derailed in central Milan on a Friday afternoon, crashing into a building. The incident resulted in one fatality and at least 39 injuries, with one person in critical condition.

**Key points:**
- The accident occurred around 4:00 PM local time on Vittorio Veneto street.
- Eyewitnesses stated the tram should have gone straight but suddenly veered and derailed.
- The deceased was reportedly a pedestrian trapped under the tram, while passengers fell to the floor.
- The tram driver's cabin was severely damaged, and the vehicle stopped in the entrance area of a restaurant.
- The Milan public transport company (ATM) is cooperating with prosecutors to establish the cause.
- The event took place shortly after Milan concluded hosting the Winter Olympic Games.

**Why it matters:** This fatal public transport accident caused significant casualties in a major Italian city, prompting an official investigation into the cause of the derailment.

Milan tram crashes into building, killing one person, officials say

mehrere Verletze: Mann stirbt nach Straßenbahn-Entgleisung in Mailand

A Milan, un tramway déraille, faisant deux morts et 39 blessés

At least one dead and dozens injured as tram derails and crashes into building in Milan

Deraglia un tram a Milano: due morti e 39 feriti. Un passeggero: \"Ho pensato al terremoto\"

Milan Tram Derails, Killing One and Injuring Dozens

**Summary:** A tram on Line 9 derailed in central Milan on a Friday afternoon, crashing into a building. The preliminary toll stands at one fatality and 39 injuries, with one person in critical condition.

**Key points:**
- The incident occurred around 4:00 PM in the city center.
- The fully occupied tram reportedly veered off course at an intersection and struck a building.
- The tram's driver's cabin sustained heavy damage.
- One passenger described the impact as feeling like an earthquake.
- The accident happened shortly after the conclusion of the Winter Olympic Games in Milan.

**Why it matters:** This serious public transport accident resulted in fatalities and numerous injuries in a major Italian city, occurring during Milan's Fashion Week.

Unglücke: Straßenbahn in Mailand entgleist: Ein Toter und 39 Verletzte

Milano, tram deraglia e finisce contro un palazzo: un morto e 38 feriti

Vidéo. Un tramway déraille à Milan, percute un immeuble et fait au moins un mort et une vingtaine de blessés

Deraglia un tram a Milano: un morto e 39 feriti, uno in codice rosso. Un passeggero: "Ho pensato al terremoto"

Milan Tram Derailment: One Dead, Dozens Injured

**Summary:** NASA has announced significant changes to its Artemis lunar program, including adding a mission in 2027 that will only orbit the Moon, while the first crewed landing attempt is now scheduled for 2028. These adjustments follow recent issues with the SLS rocket.

**Key points:**
- The original Artemis 3 mission, planned for a 2028 landing, is replaced by a transition mission in 2027 for a lunar flyby.
- Crewed landings are now planned for two missions in 2028: Artemis 4 early in the year and Artemis 5 later.
- The changes aim to improve the readiness of the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket after recent testing setbacks, including fuel leaks and a module issue.
- NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman stated the agency will accelerate the flight rate to every ten months instead of every three years.
- The Artemis 2 mission, which will orbit the Moon, is still tentatively scheduled for launch in April 2026.

**Why it matters:** This restructuring of the Artemis program is driven by technical issues with the SLS rocket and a desire to increase flight frequency, all while maintaining a competitive pace with China's lunar ambitions.

NASA Adds Mission to Artemis Lunar Program, Updates Architecture

La NASA modifica su programa Artemis y realizará dos misiones a la Luna en 2028

La NASA cambia por completo sus planes para llegar a la Luna: incluirá una nueva misión en 2027 antes de intentar aterrizar

La NASA annonce une refonte de son programme lunaire Artémis

NASA Reschedules Artemis Moon Missions, Adds 2027 Lunar Flyby

**Summary:** China has advised its citizens in Iran to leave "as soon as possible" due to a significant increase in external security risks, coinciding with US threats of strikes against Iran. This follows the failure of Oman-mediated talks between Washington and Tehran to reach an agreement on the Iranian nuclear plan.

**Key points:**
- The US authorized the departure of non-emergency embassy staff and their families from Israel due to security risks.
- The US is conducting its largest military deployment in decades in the Middle East and threatens strikes if negotiations fail.
- Iran's Foreign Minister stated that avoiding "excessive demands" is necessary for an agreement.
- Chinese embassies in Iran and neighboring countries will assist citizens leaving via commercial flights or overland routes.
- China's embassy in Israel warned its citizens to be vigilant, prepare emergency plans, and know evacuation routes.

**Why it matters:** The evacuation advisories from China and the US staff reduction in Israel signal a severe escalation in regional security concerns stemming from the unresolved US-Iran nuclear negotiations.

The Straits Times - China urges citizens to evacuate from Iran ‘as soon as possible’

Clarín - Tensión con Irán: Estados Unidos autoriza a su personal no esencial a salir de Israel

La Tercera - China recomienda a sus ciudadanos que salgan de Irán “lo antes posible” por las tensiones en la región

China Urges Citizens to Evacuate Iran Amid Rising US-Iran Tensions

**Summary:** Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Mike Ozekhome and Ponfa Useni, son of the late ex-FCT Minister Jeremiah Useni, were arraigned by the Federal Government on a 12-count fraud charge before the FCT High Court in Maitama, Abuja. Both defendants pleaded not guilty, and Justice Chizoba Oji granted them bail of ₦10 million each, with conditions including depositing their international passports.

**Key points:**
- The charges relate to alleged forgery of documents, including an international passport and an irrevocable power of attorney, concerning a disputed property in the United Kingdom.
- The prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), did not oppose the bail applications made by defence counsels Tayo Oyetibo (SAN) and F. R. Onoja (SAN).
- Bail conditions require each defendant to provide one surety with verifiable property in the FCT.
- The case was adjourned to a later date for trial.

**Why it matters:** The arraignment involves a prominent Senior Advocate of Nigeria and the son of a former FCT Minister in a case involving alleged forgery related to a UK property, highlighting high-profile legal proceedings in Nigeria.

legit.ng - Breaking: FG Arraigns Ozekhome, Ex-FCT Minister's Son Over Alleged Fraud

dailypost.ng - Alleged forgery on UK property: Court grants Prof Ozekhome, one other N10m bail each

premiumtimesng.com - London Property Saga: AGF office arraigns Ozekhome, co-defendant on forgery, impersonation charges

Ozekhome, Ex-FCT Minister's Son Arraigned on 12-Count Fraud Charge, Granted N10m Bail Each

**Summary:** The European Commission, led by President Ursula von der Leyen, announced the provisional application of the EU-Mercosur trade agreement, following ratification by Argentina and Uruguay. This step proceeds despite legal doubts raised by the European Parliament, which sent the treaty for review by the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU).

**Key points:**
- The provisional application allows companies in the EU, Uruguay, and Argentina to benefit from new customs rules before the formal entry into force.
- The European Parliament had previously decided to have the European Court of Justice (CJEU) review the agreement before a final vote.
- The agreement, signed in January after over 25 years of negotiation, aims to create one of the world's largest free trade areas.
- Von der Leyen defended the move as strategically necessary, especially given uncertainty in US trade relations.
- The deal faced resistance from the European agricultural lobby due to fears of competition from Mercosur agricultural products.

**Why it matters:** The provisional application is relevant because the formal ratification could be delayed for months or longer pending the CJEU's opinion, and the move is seen as a signal against US protectionist trade policy.

EU-Kommission kündigt vorläufige Anwendung von Mercosur-Abkommen an

Bruselas anuncia la aplicación provisional del acuerdo comercial con Mercosur

Von der Leyen anuncia la "aplicación provisional" del acuerdo comercial entre la UE y Mercosur

Mercosur : l’Union européenne va appliquer l’accord de façon provisoire, annonce Usurla von der Leyen

EU announces provisional application of Mercosur trade deal