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        Nominee for deputy defense secretary won’t say Russia invaded Ukraine or how Pentagon will cut workforce

Some senators expressed frustration with Stephen Feinberg’s answers to questions about the Pentagon’s plans to lay off tens of thousands of civilian workers. But Republicans rallied around Feinberg and said his background in private equity would help the Pentagon better manage its finances. 

Call for military ‘independence’ from US puts spotlight on Europe’s vulnerabilities

By 

John Vandiver

Stars and Stripes • February 25, 2025

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German soldiers practice clearing a room during an exercise at Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, Feb. 13, 2025. Friedrich Merz, likely Germany's next chancellor, says Europe needs to prepare to go it alone without the United States. (Carlos Marquez/U.S. Army)

STUTTGART, Germany — The man poised to be Germany’s next leader delivered a jolt this week when he warned that the demise of NATO in its current form could be at hand and said Europe must chart a military course separate from the United States.

Friedrich Merz’s center-right Christian Democratic Union party won Sunday’s federal election, positioning him to lead a government that will grapple with how to deter Russian aggression in an era where American largesse is no longer a guarantee.

At a minimum, Europe will need to field 50 new combat brigades and some 300,000 troops to offset what the United States would be expected to contribute in the event of a Russian attack, according to an analysis.

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(Brandon Bell/Getty Images)

Musk and Trump repeat false 'stranded' astronauts claims

Elon Musk and President Trump are continuing a false narrative that NASA astronauts from Boeing's Starliner mission were "abandoned" in space. NASA and the astronauts disagree: "They were never stuck or stranded."

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Trump says some Cabinet members 

'disagree a little bit' with Musk

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The comments were made during his first Cabinet 

meeting, which Musk is attending after an 

email sent to federal workers caught some 

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Saturday March 8, 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM Acclaimed author Sherri L. Smith will share her newest book, American Wings: Chicago’s Pioneering Aviators and the Race for Equality in the Sky. The book tells the story of a group of determined Black Americans who created an integrated airfield and flight school in Chicago during the 1930s, proving successful integration was possible.

American Wings Book Talk Details TOP OF THE AGENDA Trump says Zelensky to visit  after Ukraine 'agrees minerals  deal with US' Zelensky first included the offer of an agreement on minerals in the so-called   "victory plan" that he presented to Trump last September. Credit: Reuters A deal has been agreed that would give the US access to  Ukraine's rare earth minerals, a senior Kyiv official has said.  In return, Donald Trump said Ukraine will get the "the right  to fight on". A Ukrainian adviser told the BBC that the deal  wasn't exactly what either side wanted, but it was "good  enough for both for the negotiating process to move forward".  Trump said he is expecting Volodymyr Zelensky to sign the  deal in Washington on Friday. Under his administration,  "aid for aid's sake" appears to be a thing of the past,  writes North America correspondent Anthony Zurcher.  Reports suggest there are none of the security commitments  Kyiv wanted from Washington and it has not been confirmed  whether the US will continue supplying military equipment.  Meanwhile, the Trump administration has reportedly  dropped initial demands for a right to $500bn (£395bn) in   potential revenue from accessing the natural resources. "It's  hoped this agreement will pave the way for more  co-operation between Kyiv and its once biggest ally,"  writes Ukraine correspondent James Waterhouse. Follow live updates Deal explained: Ukraine holds billions of dollars  worth of deposits of critical elements and minerals,  "the foundation of the 21st Century economy",  according to one expert.   War in maps: As talk turns to a potential end to the  conflict, fighting has not let up. These maps chart the  gains made by each side in the three years since  Russia's invasion.  Sofia Lotto Persio Hello. US President Donald Trump says he expects his Ukrainian  counterpart to sign an agreement on the country's resources on  Friday. Analysis editor Ros Atkins explains the questions hanging  over the deal. In Kurdish-held parts of north-east Syria, BBC  Persian's Jiyar Gol hears from locals about the damage inflicted  by Turkish air strikes. And finally, entertainment reporter Steven  McIntosh examines this year's Oscars class photo.   TOP OF THE AGENDA Questions hanging over US- Ukraine deal Trump has hailed the deal as an opportunity for the US to get America's "money back". Credit: Reuters President Trump said he will meet Ukraine's President  Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House on Friday to sign  "a very big agreement" giving the US access to the country's  rare earth minerals. Key details have yet to be made public,  but one of the provisions discussed is the creation of an  "investment fund" for Ukraine's reconstruction.   Zelensky also said that he is seeking security guarantees.  Speaking to the press after his first cabinet meeting, Trump  suggested the US involvement on that front would be limited.  "We’re going to have Europe do that", he said. Trump also  discussed other initiatives, such as a "gold card" allowing  wealthy foreigners to apply for US residency and a registry  of undocumented migrants. Here's a recap. Watch Ros's analysis