While You Were Sleeping: 5 stories you might have missed, Feb 28, 2025
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer visiting US President Donald Trump at the White House in Washington, on Feb 27.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Follow topic:
Trump dodges Starmer plea for Ukraine security guarantees
President Donald Trump said on Feb 27 that a minerals deal with Ukraine is the security guarantee Kyiv needs against Russia, brushing aside a plea from British Prime Minister Keir Starmer for a commitment of more US military support.
Mr Starmer, who was meeting Mr Trump at the White House for the first time since the US leader started his second term, turned on the charm, saying peace in Ukraine had only become possible because of Mr Trump.
In the Oval Office, Mr Starmer handed a letter of invitation from King Charles for a state visit.
Mr Trump accepted. A date hasn’t been set.
USAID workers say goodbye to headquarters
Getty Images via AFP
US Agency for International Development workers were allowed to briefly re-enter the headquarters in Washington on Feb 27 to collect their personal belongings and clear out their desks, a day after President Donald Trump’s administration said it was cutting more than 90 per cent of the agency’s aid contracts.
Mr Trump ordered a 90-day pause on all foreign aid in January to conduct a sweeping review to ensure that all the projects funded with US taxpayer money were aligned with his “America First” policy.
The order, and ensuing stop work orders, threw USAID into turmoil, halting the agency’s operations around the world, jeopardising the delivery of life-saving food and medical aid and throwing global humanitarian relief efforts into chaos.
Myanmar hands over alleged Indonesian scammers
AFP
Myanmar handed over 84 Indonesians to Thailand on Feb 27, officials said, the latest group of alleged scam centre workers set to be repatriated from the region.
The group of 69 men and 15 women crossed from Myawaddy to the Thai town of Mae Sot at around noon (1pm in Singapore) on Feb 27, passing through Thai immigration before being handed over to Indonesian embassy officials.
Indonesia said those evacuated would return to the capital Jakarta on three flights on Feb 28 night.
Sinner dropped from Laureus awards after doping ban
EPA-EFE
Jannik Sinner had his nomination for the prestigious Laureus sportsman of the year award withdrawn on Feb 27 after he was banned for three months following two failed drugs tests, an official said.
The world number one from Italy, who is the reigning US Open and Australian Open champion, twice tested positive for traces of the banned anabolic steroid clostebol in March 2024.
“Following discussions by the Laureus Academy, it has been decided that Jannik Sinner’s nomination for this year’s Laureus World Sportsman of the Year Award is to be withdrawn,” said the awards body chairman, Sean Fitzpatrick, the former New Zealand rugby union great.
Pills found near body of actor Gene Hackman’s wife
REUTERS
Actor Gene Hackman was found dead in a mud room in his New Mexico home, and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, was found dead on the floor of a bathroom on Feb 26, according to a search warrant affidavit.
An open prescription bottle and scattered pills were discovered near her body on a counter in the bathroom.
A dead German shepherd was found between 3m and 4.5m away from Arakawa in a closet of the bathroom, the affidavit said.
