ASEAN Ministers Warn Middle East Conflict Threatens Regional Stability and Energy Security 
US, China to Hold AI Talks Ahead of Xi’s September Visit 
Rubio Urges Global Isolation of Nicaragua After Ortega Vows to End Elections 
US-Backed Pediatric HIV Treatment Drops After Foreign Aid Changes, Study Finds 
US Sends First Humanitarian Aid Flight to Cuba Under $100M Assistance Plan 
Japan PM Sanae Takaichi Unveils Growth Plan as BOJ Independence Concerns Lift Bond Yields 
Trump Announces 100% Tariff on Generic Drug Imports Starting in 2028 
Trump Set to Unveil New Tariffs on Dozens of Countries as Global 10% Duty Nears Expiration 
Saudi Oil Tankers Reverse Course as Houthi Threats Disrupt Red Sea Shipping 
US, Solomon Islands Deepen Ties as Peace Corps Set to Return After 25 Years 
ASEAN Summit Faces Pressure as U.S.-Iran Conflict, South China Sea Tensions Dominate Agenda 
Trump-Aligned MAGA Inc Builds $400 Million War Chest Ahead of Midterm Elections 
FBI Director Kash Patel Plans Russia Visit in October, Report Says 
Civil Rights Groups Sue Trump Administration Over Childcare Funding Freeze and Influencer's Role 
Trump Says Talks With UK PM Andy Burnham Went Well, Signals Meeting Soon 
Pakistan Seeks $10 Billion U.S. Exchange Stabilization Fund to Boost Forex Reserves 
FCC Moves to Ban Imports of Foreign Military-Grade Drones Over Security Risks 
Thousands of nurses in the United Kingdom are planning to escalate their industrial action next month with longer strikes. The longer strikes will now include staff that was previously exempted as the dispute still remains with the British government over pay.
The Royal College of Nursing said on Thursday that tens of thousands of the country’s nurses are set to escalate their strike action with longer demonstrations on March 1. The next strike will now involve nurses that work in emergency departments, intensive care units, cancer care, and other services that previously did not take part in the walkouts. Nurses held two-day strikes in December, January, and earlier this month, each lasting for 12 hours.
“At first we asked thousands to keep working during the strikes but it is clear that it is only prolonging the dispute,” said RCN General Secretary Pat Cullen, adding that no part of the National Health Service will be affected.
“By refusing to negotiate with nurses, the prime minister is pushing even more people into the strike. He must listen to NHS leaders and not let this go ahead,” said Cullen.
The RCN said its nurses have suffered over 10 years of poor pay which led to thousands leaving the profession. The union has now pushed for an increase in pay to better reflect the worst inflation the UK has experienced in decades. The British government has argued that such pay rises would only worsen inflation and cause interest and mortgage rates to go up.
Meanwhile, the trade union representing over 110,000 workers of the Royal Mail said thousands of the workers voted in favor of further strike action, and warned of more walkouts until the dispute is resolved. The Communication Workers Union said 95 percent of those who took part in the vote were in favor of more strikes. The CWU has yet to set dates for new strikes but the vote would give it a six-month mandate for industrial action until August.
The latest strike by Royal Mail workers was in December when parcel volumes are usually high due to the holiday season.
