Good morning.
Donald Trump has attributed blame to Kyiv for Russia’s incursion, stating that Ukraine could have “negotiated a deal” to prevent the onset of war. He voiced his disapproval of Volodymyr Zelenskyy for wanting to be part of peace discussions.
Trump expressed his “disappointment” over the Ukrainian president’s discontent about being left out of talks between the US and Russia aimed at resolving the conflict. During a press conference at his Mar-a-Lago estate, he remarked that a “mediocre” negotiator could have struck a deal years prior “with minimal territorial loss.”
He further criticized Ukraine for the invasion, asserting: “Today I heard ‘oh, well, we weren’t invited’. You’ve been in this situation for three years… You should never have initiated this. A deal could have been reached.” Trump’s remarks aligned with Russia’s plea for Ukraine to conduct elections, misleadingly claiming that Zelenskyy’s approval rating was “at 4%”—while a February survey indicated that 57% of Ukrainians expressed trust in their president.
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When are Trump and Vladimir Putin meeting? Trump suggested they are likely to convene this month.
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What has Zelenskyy responded? He has called for “equitable” discussions that include representatives from Ukraine, the European Union, and Turkey.
DoJ prosecutors ordered to account for Eric Adams’ indictment dismissal
The directive follows a series of resignations from federal prosecutors, who resisted top Trump administration officials’ attempts to terminate the case. Photograph: Michael M Santiago/Getty Images
A federal judge has mandated that Department of Justice prosecutors appear in court on Wednesday to elucidate why they abruptly dismissed the corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams.
This order comes after multiple federal prosecutors resigned rather than drop the case against Adams, who had offered cooperation with the White House’s initiative against sanctuary cities, despite having campaigned against Trump’s immigration policies. Observers see this as a potential quid pro quo arrangement, where the case against Adams was dropped in exchange for his backing of immigration enforcement.
A memo released last week by Trump’s acting deputy attorney general, Emil Bove, which demanded the dismissal of Adams’s case, did not question the credibility of the evidence against him. Instead, it claimed that pursuing the case was hindering Adams’s ability to focus on addressing “illegal immigration and violent crime.” The federal judge has requested that prosecutors present substantial justification for the case’s dismissal.
Trump terminates legal assistance for unaccompanied migrant minors
US Border Patrol officials process individuals who have crossed the border. Photograph: Anadolu/Getty Images
The Trump administration has terminated legal support for unaccompanied minor migrants as of Tuesday, a decision that experts predict will heighten the likelihood of trafficking among these vulnerable children.
The Department of the Interior swiftly issued “stop-work” orders to the US non-profit organizations aiding nearly 26,000 unaccompanied minors. One organization, Immigrant Defenders Law Center (ImmDef) of California, stated that its clientele includes infants, school-aged children, and teenagers, many of whom have suffered abuse or are victims of trafficking in their home nations.
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What might happen to these minors? A failure to attend a hearing could lead to immediate deportation.
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Did non-profits anticipate this? No. Advocates were prepared for some cutbacks but not such a sudden and comprehensive halt to assistance, according to ImmDef’s chief program officer, Yliana Johansen-Méndez.
In other news …
Jair Bolsonaro has been charged with allegedly orchestrating a coup to maintain power. Photograph: Ueslei Marcelino/Reuters
Stat of the day: Clean energy accounted for 10% of China’s GDP in 2024
Customers at a Zeekr electric vehicle showroon in Yantai, China. Photograph: Costfoto/NurPhoto/Rex/Shutterstock
Renewable energy made a record 10% contribution to China’s gross domestic product in 2024, with solar energy, electric vehicles (EVs), and batteries significantly contributing. Last year, EVs and vehicle batteries represented approximately 39% of the nation’s clean-energy value.
Don’t miss this: Is it possible to exchange alcohol for drinks that enhance a neurotransmitter in our brains?
Steve Rose tests the drink Sentia. Photograph: Linda Nylind/The Guardian
Sentia Black is marketed as “a distinct blend of functional botanicals, tailored for focus and social interaction”—an alcohol-free drink aimed at boosting Gaba levels in the brain. Gaba is reputed to offer numerous health benefits, including improved sleep, relaxation, and reduced anxiety. Here’s Steve Rose’s experience with the drink, which was likened to “Chinese medicine,” “a peculiar Hungarian liqueur,” and “like something my grandfather would consume.” I’m not convinced I’ll be making the switch just yet.
Climate check: Senior US prosecutor resigns over pressure to investigate Biden’s climate expenditures
Denise Cheung has resigned from her position as the head of criminal prosecutions in Washington, DC. Photograph: J David Ake/Getty Images
Denise Cheung, the chief prosecutor in Washington, has stepped down after rejecting pressure to initiate what she called a politically motivated probe into climate expenditures associated with the Biden administration. Officials reportedly urged Cheung to investigate Environmental Protection Agency contracts awarded during Biden’s term and to suspend funding, as reported by UJ.
Last Thing: Fish can recognize us – if our clothing distinguishes us
In a study involving sea bream, scientists found that wild fish can differentiate between humans based on their patterns or colors. Photograph: Jaime Franch Wildlife Photo/Alamy
It has been discovered that wild fish can distinguish between individuals—specifically based on our attire. While this phenomenon has been observed in certain domestic animals, researchers have confirmed that sea bream can differentiate between two humans, provided they don’t wear similar clothing.
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