Important Takeaways:
- An earthquake struck the northwest part of Washington state near the U.S.-Canada border early Monday morning, officials said. A tsunami wasn’t expected following the earthquake.
- The preliminary magnitude 4.5 earthquake struck about 6 miles east of Orcas, Washington, on Orcas Island, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
- The temblor struck at around 5:02 a.m. PST, according to the agency.
- The U.S. National Tsunami Warning Center said a tsunami wasn’t expected in the wake of the earthquake.
- The earthquake struck about 70 miles northwest of Seattle, according to the warning center.
- Orcas Island is part of the archipelago known as the San Juan Islands, which comprises dozens of islands and reefs in the northern part of Puget Sound.
- In the nearby Canadian province of British Columbia, the earthquake was felt around Victoria and Vancouver, according to officials. No damage was immediately reported.
- The temblor was detected just hours after a 3.9 magnitude earthquake struck near North Hollywood, California.
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Important Takeaways:
- South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster (R) declared a State of Emergency in response to more than 100 wildfires breaking out in the state that had impacted 4,200 acres.
- In a press release, McMaster explained that there were “ongoing response operations to more than 175 wildfires” that had broken out. McMaster noted that due to the “dangerous wildfire conditions,” a statewide ban on burning would “remain in effect until further notice.”
- “This State of Emergency ensures that our first responders, who are working tirelessly and risking their lives to protect our communities from these wildfires, have the resources they need,” McMaster said in a statement. “Dangerous wildfire conditions require that a statewide burning ban remain in effect until further notice. Those who violate this ban will be subject to criminal prosecution.”
- The largest brush fire in the state, which “remained uncontained at 1,200 acres” as of Sunday afternoon, was reported to have erupted in “a community west of Myrtle Beach,” USA Today reported. As result, residents in several neighborhoods were forced to leave their homes.
- Residents in the communities of Saluda and Tryon, in North Carolina, were also faced with a fire, which the Saluda Fire & Rescue Department said had reportedly been started “by a downed power line.”
- In a Facebook post from the Polk County Emergency Management/Fire Marshal, it was revealed that the Melrose Fire was “still approximately 400 acres with 0% containment.”
- As South Carolina and North Carolina are facing wildfires, the National Weather Service Columbia South Carolina warned in a Facebook post that “the combination of dry fuels & low humidity continues concerns for dangerous fire behavior today.”
- ABC News reported that a fire that broke out in Horry County, “had scorched more than 300 acres by Sunday morning,” while homes in Georgetown County were affected after a wildfire broke out roughly “35 miles south of Myrtle Beach.”
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Important Takeaways:
- For Taiwan, the cutting of an undersea communications cable, and live-fire shooting drills involving dozens of Chinese warplanes off the island’s coast this week were just the latest scary omens from Beijing.
- But Taipei’s biggest fear – a full-blown assault by its mighty neighbor – could come faster than they imagined, says a shocking new report on China’s recent diplomatic gains on the world stage.
- Researchers at Australia’s Lowy Institute have shown that the number of governments that support China’s bid to ‘reunify’ with Taiwan, including through military means, has jumped to 89 in recent months.
- That amounts to nearly half the membership of the United Nations, a testament to China’s prowess at using its Belt and Road investment scheme to enlist cheerleaders, especially among developing nations in the global south.
- The report comes amid deepening divisions between the western countries that have long advocated for Taiwan’s self-rule, as Donald Trump’s America pulls back from its European allies.
- The stakes don’t come higher: many see the South China Sea as the world’s most dangerous flashpoint, where fighting could quickly spiral into a nuclear face-off between Washington and Beijing.
- Fully 89 countries – 46 percent of UN members – give China a free hand when it comes to ‘national reunification’.
- Some 53 countries in Africa, where China directs much aid and investment, have greenlighted ‘all efforts by the Chinese government’ toward reunification – a phrase understood to include military force.
- Many Taiwanese see themselves as part of a separate democracy, although most support maintaining the status quo where Taiwan neither declares independence from China nor unites with it.
- Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te has vowed to ‘resist annexation or encroachment’.
- ‘If Taiwan declared independence first, it will be subject to Chinese invasion. And many countries may accept it,’ Acharya told DailyMail.com.
- ‘But if China outright invaded Taiwan before it declared independence, most countries will not support China.’
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Important Takeaways:
- On Friday, Ukraine’s President Zelensky made just such a miscalculation by presuming to lecture President Trump and Vice President Vance while in the White House, and the fallout from that is still landing on the Ukrainian leader’s track-suited shoulders.
- Now British Prime Minister Keir Starmer… proclaiming that the United Kingdom would not only pledge billions in support for Ukraine but would also put British boots on the ground in Ukraine.
- Keir Starmer has said he is ready to put British “boots on the ground” to maintain the peace if a deal is done to end the war in Ukraine.
- The prime minister said he was working with French president Emmanuel Macron to come up with a plan to present to Donald Trump aimed at finally ending the three-year-long conflict.
- He was speaking after hosting an emergency summit of world leaders at Lancaster House in London at which he also set out his plan to build a “coalition of the willing” to deter Russia from attacking its neighbor again.
- Now, there’s a condition: British “troops on the ground and planes in the air,” as the PM points out, would be after a peace deal.
- Starmer said Europe was “doubling down in our support” of Ukraine as he announced that Britain would donate a further £1.6 billion in export finance to the country so it can by 5,000 air defense missiles to be made in Belfast.
- The PM said: “We are at a crossroads in history. This is not a moment for more talk, it is time to act, time to step up and lead and unite around a new plan for a just and enduring peace.”
- Declaring that any peace deal “must be backed by strength”, Starmer said: “We will go further to develop a coalition of the willing to defend a deal in Ukraine and to guarantee the peace.
- Have PM Starmer and President Macron, who apparently is in on this, considered what might happen if things go sideways? What if British or French troops are shot at, even inadvertently, by Russian forces? What if a few young British or French troops were injured or killed? What then? Would the UK and France invoke NATO Article Five? Would they expect all of NATO, including the United States, to suddenly pile on Russia? Russia, we might note, has a primary ally – what, in this instance, might China do?
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Important Takeaways:
- The White House is supporting the Israeli government’s decision to block aid to Gaza until Hamas leaders agree to a ceasefire extension, according to a newly-released statement.
- In a statement obtained by Fox News on Sunday, National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes said that Israel has “negotiated in good faith since the beginning of this administration to ensure the release of hostages held captive by Hamas terrorists.”
- “We will support their decision on next steps given Hamas has indicated it’s no longer interested in a negotiated ceasefire,” Hughes added.
- Earlier on Sunday, Israeli officials announced that they are stopping the entry of all goods and supplies into the Gaza Strip and warned Hamas it would face “additional consequences” if it does not accept a new proposal for an extended ceasefire.
- “With the conclusion of the 1st stage of the hostages deal and in light of Hamas’ refusal to accept the [U.S. Mideast envoy Steve] Witkoff framework for the continuation of the talks, to which Israel agreed, PM Netanyahu decided: as of this morning, entry of all goods & supplies to the Gaza Strip be halted,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said on X.
- “Israel will not allow a ceasefire without a release of our hostages. If Hamas persists in its refusal, there will be additional consequences,” the post added.
- An Israeli official said the decision to suspend aid was made in coordination with the Trump administration.
- Israeli officials said earlier on Sunday that they support a proposal to extend the first phase of the ceasefire through Ramadan and Passover, or April 20. They said the proposal came from the Trump administration’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff.
- Under that deal, Hamas would release half the hostages on the first day and the remainder when an agreement is reached on a permanent ceasefire, according to Netanyahu’s office.
- In the first phase of the ceasefire, Hamas released 25 Israeli hostages and the remains of eight others in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinians imprisoned by Israel. Israel also pulled back forces from most of Gaza and allowed a surge of humanitarian aid to enter the region.
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Important Takeaways:
- The Jordanians and Lebanese, for their part, have not forgotten how Palestinians sparked civil wars in their countries in the 70s and 80s.
- [The Arab countries’] refusal to take in Palestinian prisoners probably arises from the fact that these countries actually do not care about the Palestinians and even consider them an ungrateful people and troublemakers. Many Arabs also seem to have lost faith in the Palestinians’ ability to implement reform and end rampant financial and administrative corruption in their governing bodies in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
- “The Muslim Brotherhood is a terrorist organization. Help us modern-minded, secular, liberal Muslims marginalize their influence by declaring what they are: a terrorist organization.” — Dr. M. Zuhdi Jasser, in testimony before the US House Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on National Security, July 11, 2018.
- “In point of fact, nothing would be more pro-Muslim than the marginalization of the Muslim Brotherhood and its direct affiliates. Making the Muslim Brotherhood radioactive would allow the light to shine upon the most potent antagonists in Muslim communities: those who reject political Islamist groups and believe in liberty and the separation of mosque and state.” — Dr. M. Zuhdi Jasser, in testimony before the US House Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on National Security, July 11, 2018.
- “Call on American Muslim leaders to take a position on the Muslim Brotherhood and its overarching theo-political ideology. I ask my fellow Muslims: Will they be the side of freedom, liberty, and modernity, or will they be on the side of tyranny of the Muslim Brotherhood, Turkey’s AKP, the Iranian Khomeinists, or Pakistan’s Jamaat e-Islami?” — Dr. M. Zuhdi Jasser, in testimony before the US House Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on National Security, July 11, 2018.
- “Develop foreign policy mechanisms to disincentivize Qatari and Turkish Government facilitation of the Brotherhood and ultimately think about suspending Turkey from NATO.” — Dr. M. Zuhdi Jasser, in testimony before the US House Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on National Security, July 11, 2018.
- “And please stop engaging Muslim Brotherhood legacy groups in government, media, and NGOs, and recognize their Islamist terrorist sympathies.” — Dr. M. Zuhdi Jasser, in testimony before the US House Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on National Security, July 11, 2018.
- Such a designation would also make it far more difficult for the countries that support the Muslim Brotherhood, especially Turkey and Qatar, to keep on doing so. The Muslim Brotherhood has already been declared a terrorist organization by the governments of Austria, Russia, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.
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Important Takeaways:
- Zelensky’s legitimacy is increasingly in question
- Here’s why Russia and the US can’t force the Ukrainian leader to resign – at least for now
- Zelensky’s departure is far from certain. For him to resign, at least two of three critical conditions must be met:
- The key players in the Ukraine conflict – Russia, the US, and the European Union – must want him to go.
- The Ukrainian political elite must push for his resignation.
- Zelensky himself must see a reason to step down.
- At present, none of these conditions are fully in place.
- The US and Russia have seemingly converged on a three-stage process: ceasefire, elections, peace talks. Reports indicate that an informal consensus is emerging in both capitals. However, neither side has explicitly acknowledged a unified stance, likely because the negotiations are still in their early stages and have yet to formally address Ukraine.
- The European Union remains the wildcard. Brussels is adamant that Ukraine must be supported, regardless of Washington’s position. This provides Zelensky with an alternative power base, meaning that even if Russia and the US agree on his departure, he could still count on support from Europe to justify staying in power.
- Does Ukraine want Zelensky to stay?
- Polling during wartime is notoriously unreliable, making it difficult to assess whether the Ukrainian people truly want Zelensky to step down.
- Ukrainian political opposition also remains fragmented. Many figures within the ruling elite bear grudges against Zelensky, but their ability to effectively challenge his authority is questionable. The Ukrainian parliament recently embarrassed Zelensky by failing to pass a resolution reaffirming his legitimacy at the first attempt – an incident that took place in front of EU representatives. But this is hardly a coordinated coup attempt; rather, it underscores the lack of unity among his detractors.
- Will Zelensky leave willingly?
- The simplest answer is no. Zelensky appears convinced that his leadership is indispensable to Ukraine’s survival. He has consistently rejected any suggestion of early elections or stepping down voluntarily. His statements on the matter are often deflective, saying he would consider resignation only if Ukraine was admitted to NATO – an impossible condition. This suggests he will cling to power for as long as possible.
- The coming crisis: What could change?
- While Zelensky currently holds his ground, shifting battlefield dynamics could force his hand. Ukraine’s military situation continues to deteriorate, its resources are stretched thin, and Western support is no longer guaranteed. The new US administration is unlikely to display the same patience as the Biden White House. If Ukraine fails to turn the tide, Zelensky may face a stark choice: hold elections before the situation becomes catastrophic or risk being overthrown in a palace coup orchestrated by Ukrainian elites desperate to preserve their own futures.
- The latter scenario would not be unusual in history. Leaders who refuse to acknowledge military defeat often find themselves ousted by their own ranks. If Zelensky continues to insist on leading Ukraine down an unwinnable path, he may well meet the same fate.
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Important Takeaways:
- A significant outbreak of severe weather, including the risk of some nocturnal tornadoes will unfold by Tuesday and continue on Wednesday which will put lives and property at risk in the central and eastern U.S.
- As an early March storm strengthens from Monday night to Wednesday night, severe thunderstorms will extend across nearly two dozen states, and associated impacts may affect 170 million people from the southern Plains to the Midwest and East, AccuWeather meteorologists warn.
- The main threat from severe weather will be powerful wind gusts that can knock over trees and cut the power in some communities from Texas and Oklahoma to portions of Florida, Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. There is also a risk of a dozen or two tornadoes spinning up in the strongest storms, and part of that threat will exist during the nighttime hours in the Central states.
- Wind energy from the storm will first be felt over portions of the southern Rockies and Plains beginning at the end of the weekend. Gusts frequenting 50-70 mph in the mainly clear, dry air, combined with the dry winter brush, will significantly boost the risk of wildfires through Tuesday.
- As a trailing cold front associated with the storm begins to encounter moisture from the Gulf late Monday night, thunderstorms will erupt.
- At this early stage of the severe weather outbreak, the main threat will be from powerful wind gusts during Monday night from central Texas to much of Oklahoma and southern Kansas. However, this will only mark the beginning or ramp-up phase of the severe weather.
- AccuWeather meteorologists believe there is a high risk of severe weather that represents a widespread threat from northeastern Texas to southwestern Tennessee. This area may also be the most prone to tornadoes, with that threat continuing after dark, adding to the danger.
- From Tuesday to Tuesday night, a massive area with few to numerous severe thunderstorms will extend from south Texas to Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and the Florida Panhandle. In addition to the likelihood of high winds and a few tornadoes, some of the storms will produce damaging hail and lightning, as well as flash flooding.
- As the storm lifts northward toward the Upper Midwest, the threat of severe weather will be carried into the Great Lakes region, part of the Atlantic Seaboard and the northeast Gulf coast on Wednesday and Wednesday night. There can even be thunder and lightning with gusty winds as far to the north as the St. Lawrence Valley and eastern New England.
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Important Takeaways:
- Syria: Muslims kidnapping, possibly torturing, Christians
- After forces from the al-Qaeda affiliated Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) terrorist group conquered Damascus and overthrew Syria’s Assad regime in December 2024, they urged the residents of the Valley of the Christians to surrender any weapons they kept for self-defense, telling them that civilians would not be harmed. Since the jihadists’ takeover of Syria, however, around 500,000 Christians in the country have been faced with increased persecution and abductions
- On February 16, more Christians… were abducted from another village in the area. Their kidnappers, according to sources on the ground, are torturing them.
- “HTS’s successive renamings and ‘rebrandings’ appear to echo al-Qaeda’s own strategy in Syria of establishing branches and presenting them as locally-grown organizations arising in response to Syrians’ needs…” — US Commission on International Religious Freedom, November 2022.
- Al-Sharaa recently started dressing in a suit and tie, and is now presenting himself to the West as a “moderate.” He has spoken of plans to form an inclusive transitional government representing diverse communities that will build institutions and run the country until it can hold free and fair elections. In schoolbooks, however, his government has been replacing the word “law” with “sharia,” and has been using Islamic teaching to recruit the country’s new army.
- “Under HTS-control in Idlib, Christian clergy are not allowed to walk outside in any clothing that makes them recognizable as priests or pastors. Crosses have been removed from church buildings.” — Open Doors, December 2024.
- “Islam does not tolerate other cultures.” — “Christina,” a Greek Christian in Syria, to Gatestone, January 2025.
- “The new Syria should not be established without parties that represent the minority groups in the country, such as Christians, Kurds, Druze, and Alawites. The official recognition and acceptance of the jihadists by Western governments is like placing swords on the necks of Christians in particular and everyone who disagrees with them in general.” – “Christina,” a Greek Christian in Syria, to Gatestone, January 2025.
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Important Takeaways:
- Diplomats from the United States and Russia met and spoke at the U.S. consul general’s residence in Istanbul, Turkey for over six hours on Thursday, the latest meeting between the countries in a bid to normalize diplomatic relations before moving on to the larger matter of finding a solution to the Ukraine War. The discussions were said to have been focused on allowing the two countries to return to being able to properly operate embassies in each other’s’ nations.
- An agreement was reached to hold further meetings although when and where was not stated.
- Thursday’s talk followed another in-person meeting between Russian and American delegations in Saudi Arabia last week, the first such meeting between the nations in years, and a phone call between President Donald Trump and President Vladimir Putin before that. An ambition of these talks is to get diplomatic relations between the states to a point where the two leaders are able to meet in-person to negotiate an end to the Ukraine War, but no meaningful progress on that has been made public.
- One facet of talks so far has been grumbling from Europe and Ukraine in particular about their not having been invited to these talks. While U.S. diplomats have been mollifying, pointing out these first meetings are specifically about American-Russian relations and Europe and Ukraine will have a seat at the table when relevant in the future, Russia’s Putin was more direct, warning European leaders not to attempt to undermine the process.
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