Education Department's major cuts to its staff. And, a proposed Ukraine peace deal

The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that over 1,600 sexual assault cases against Uber will proceed before a San Francisco judge, impacting similar apps like Lyft. Uber's attempt to block mass lawsuits through a user agreement clause was rejected, setting a legal precedent for app user agreements and collective lawsuits. The decision supports centralized litigation for efficiency, cost savings, and systemic change in the tech industry, potentially leading to enhanced safety measures for users...

Ottawa murder suspect was arrested at Toronto airport upon re-entering Canada, according to police. The suspect's identity and details surrounding the murder were not provided in the article. The arrest was made following the suspect's return to the country. Full Article

The EU swiftly implemented countermeasures against President Trump's 25% tariffs on steel and aluminium, targeting American products like jeans, motorbikes, peanut butter, and bourbon. With additional tariffs on the horizon for textiles, appliances, and agricultural products, EU consumers face higher prices while businesses, especially steel industries, are at risk. Despite calls for de-escalation, Trump's vow to retaliate against the EU's tariffs raises concerns for both European and American economies, particularly in the drinks sector where...

The European Union swiftly responded to U.S. President Donald Trump's 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum imports with countermeasures on $28.33 billion worth of U.S. goods starting in April, citing the need to protect businesses and consumers. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized the negative impact of tariffs on supply chains, jobs, and prices, expressing regret over the U.S. decision while leaving the door open for negotiation. Trump, in response, announced reciprocal tariffs...

South African lawmakers plan to increase value added tax by 0.5% to boost health and defense budgets, with an additional 28.9 billion rand allocated for health spending to offset U.S. aid cuts. The move aims to support the health system's response to HIV, which has 5.5 million people on antiretroviral drugs, while also allocating 5 billion rand to strengthen military forces. The government also plans to raise VAT by another 0.5% annually to fund various...

On February 16, Marya Washburn was fired from the US Forest Service, part of Trump's federal workforce cuts that affected 3,400 probationary employees, weakening US wildfire preparedness. Washburn, a certified firefighter, and others who provided vital services were let go under the downsizing, raising concerns about the impact on firefighting efforts and the overall workforce. Despite claims of poor performance, Washburn plans to challenge her dismissal, highlighting the challenges faced by federal firefighters in an...