Trump approval hits record low as Iran war fallout rattles economy

Donald Trump’s approval rating has fallen to 36 percent, the lowest level since his return to office, as surging fuel prices and growing unease over the Iran war weigh on public sentiment, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll.
The four-day survey shows a sharp decline from 40 percent just a week earlier, with Americans increasingly dissatisfied with the administration’s handling of the economy.

Just 25 percent approve of Trump’s management of the cost of living, while only 29 percent back his broader economic stewardship, figures that undercut a central promise of his 2024 campaign.

The drop follows coordinated US-Israeli strikes on Iran in late February, which have triggered a spike in global energy prices and intensified scrutiny of the administration’s foreign policy.

Russia unleashes largest drone assault of Ukraine war

Russia launched a record 948 drones across Ukraine in a 24-hour period, marking the largest aerial assault since the war began.

More than 400 drones struck on Tuesday afternoon alone, hitting western cities including Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, Vinnytsia and Ternopil. Casualties were reported across multiple regions, with infrastructure damage extending to residential buildings, a maternity hospital and a UNESCO-listed monastery.

Ukrainian officials said the drones entered airspace in coordinated “columns”, underscoring an escalation in both scale and strategy.

Australia-EU mineral pact targets China dominance

Australia and the European Union have finalised a long-awaited trade agreement eliminating tariffs on nearly all Australian critical mineral exports.

The deal is aimed at reducing reliance on China, which controls about 90 percent of global rare earth processing — materials essential for technologies such as electric vehicles and batteries.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described the agreement as a strategic step to secure supply chains amid rising geopolitical tensions.

US plans fresh troop deployment to Middle East

The United States is preparing to deploy between 3,000 and 4,000 troops from its elite 82nd Airborne Division to the Middle East, according to sources familiar with Pentagon plans.

The move would deepen Washington’s military buildup in the region following the Iran strikes, adding to recent deployments that include Marines and naval forces aboard the USS Boxer.

Officials say the troop surge comes even as the administration signals openness to renewed diplomatic engagement with Tehran.

Iran appoints new security chief after strike killing

Iran has appointed Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, a senior Revolutionary Guard figure, as the new head of its Supreme National Security Council following the killing of Ali Larijani in a US-Israeli strike.

The appointment is seen as strengthening military influence within Iran’s security structure, with analysts suggesting it could shape the country’s negotiating posture in any future talks.

AFRICA

Ghana warns against ‘erasure’ of black history in US

John Dramani Mahama, the president of Ghana, has accused the US administration of “normalising” the erasure of Black history, warning of global ripple effects.

Speaking in New York, Mahama criticised policies targeting museums, school curricula and historical narratives, arguing they risk reversing decades of civil rights progress and setting a troubling precedent internationally.

IMF eyes Mozambique as debt pressures intensify

International Monetary Fund officials are set to visit Mozambique as the country grapples with mounting debt and limited financing options.

Public debt rose sharply in 2025, while reliance on central bank financing surged, signalling deepening fiscal strain. Talks for a new IMF programme are expected to continue during upcoming spring meetings in Washington.

Ghana-EU defence pact targets regional militant threat

Ghana has signed a landmark defence agreement with the European Union to strengthen counterterrorism and security cooperation.

The deal, the first of its kind between the EU and an African country, comes amid rising militant activity across West Africa. It includes support in border security, cybersecurity and military equipment provision.

Kenya fuel shortages deepen as Iran war disrupts supply

Kenya is facing fuel shortages, with around 20 percent of retail outlets affected as the Iran war disrupts global supply chains.

Retailers warn of worsening constraints after regulators froze pump prices despite rising import costs, raising fears of hoarding and sharper price increases. The crisis highlights Africa’s vulnerability to external energy shocks, particularly as shipments through the Strait of Hormuz remain constrained.