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On the afternoon of the 25th, Chile experienced an unexpected widespread power outage, affecting 14 of the country's 16 regions, including the capital, Santiago. The government immediately declared a state of emergency, and curfews were imposed in most areas. Chile's Interior Minister, Carolina Toha, stated that the outage was caused by a fault in the northern transmission and distribution lines, and ruled out the possibility of a cyber attack.

The power failure led to a complete disruption of internet and mobile phone services, and water supply was also affected. Medical facilities, prisons, and government departments were forced to rely on emergency generators to maintain basic operations. As the world's largest copper producer, Chile's mining industry was heavily impacted, with disruptions spanning from the northern mining regions to the central and southern areas where most of the country's population resides. Operations at major copper mines were also affected.

Juan Carlos Olmedo, president of Chile's National Electrical Coordinator, stated that the interruption of a high-voltage transmission line, which carries electricity from the north to the capital in the center, led to power overloads and factory shutdowns, eventually causing the large-scale blackout that impacted 90% of the population.

On February 24, U.S. President Donald Trump stated during a press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron that tariffs of 25% would be imposed on Canada and Mexico starting March 4, emphasizing that reciprocal tariff measures would be quickly implemented.

The U.S. Department of Commerce is calculating tariff rates for other countries and considering trade barriers on imports. In addition to this news, Trump's plans to impose stricter semiconductor controls on China have triggered a global stock market decline in AI stocks. The five major Taiwanese AI companies with factories in Mexico saw their market value drop by over NT$161.9 billion in a single day.

A U.S. official revealed that the 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico might be delayed until April. Trump has already imposed a 10% tariff on Chinese imports and plans to impose tariffs on steel and aluminum products in March. Economists warn that these tariff measures could drive up prices, making income expectations difficult to meet.

Germany’s conservative alliance (CDU/CSU) won the federal election on the 23rd, while the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW) failed to pass the 5% threshold required for parliamentary representation. This outcome increases the likelihood of a coalition government between the CDU/CSU and the Social Democratic Party (SPD). However, deep policy divisions between the two parties, along with CDU leader Friedrich Merz’s relentless attacks on the ruling SPD during the campaign, have made coalition negotiations highly challenging.

According to public broadcaster ARD's projections, Merz's CDU/CSU secured 28.8% of the vote, making it the largest party. The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) achieved its best result in history with 20.2%, ranking second. Meanwhile, Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s SPD suffered a severe defeat, receiving only 16.2%—its worst performance since World War II.

Merz's CDU/CSU and the SPD face difficulties in forming a coalition due to disagreements on immigration, fiscal policy, and other key issues. Merz had previously launched fierce criticisms against the SPD and endorsed AfD-backed proposals to tighten immigration, angering the Social Democrats. This move was seen as a breach of Germany’s political “firewall” against far-right cooperation. Nonetheless, internal opposition within the SPD could help facilitate negotiations, with expectations that the coalition government will be finalized by late April.

Elon Musk, head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), announced on X on the 22nd that all federal employees would receive an email requiring them to respond with five key points summarizing their work from the past week. Those who fail to reply will be considered to have resigned. A spokesperson for the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) confirmed Musk's directive, stating that all employees must submit their work summaries by the 24th and send a copy to their supervisors. Each agency will decide how to handle employees on leave or vacation.

Former President Donald Trump appointed Musk, the world’s richest man, to lead the Department of Government Efficiency, tasking him with drastically cutting government spending and tackling suspected waste and corruption. Last Friday, Musk appeared at a conservative gathering wielding a giant electric saw to celebrate his new role, calling it the "Bureaucracy Chainsaw" and claiming that waste exists in nearly every part of the federal government.

In the first month of Trump’s administration, thousands of government employees have been forced to leave, whether through termination or buyouts. The departments affected by these cuts include the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Defense, the Department of Health and Human Services, the IRS, and the National Park Service.

White House Communications Director Steven Cheung voiced support for the measure, stating that White House staff should follow the same practice. However, the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) criticized Musk’s plan, arguing that it amounts to unlawful termination. Officials from the Department of Defense, the FBI, the State Department, and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence have instructed their employees to hold off on responding, stating that they are reviewing the entire process.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated in a recent interview that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had gone back and forth on the mineral agreement, expressing frustration over Ukraine’s refusal to sign the deal.

On February 18, the United States and Russia held talks in Saudi Arabia without inviting Ukraine or its European allies to participate. Following the negotiations, tensions escalated as Zelensky and former President Donald Trump engaged in a public war of words through press conferences and social media. Trump accused Ukraine of being responsible for the war, even suggesting that Ukraine had started it. In response, Kyiv fired back, claiming that Trump was surrounded by misinformation. Trump then countered by calling Zelensky an unelected dictator, further escalating tensions. The talks between Trump and Moscow have unsettled Kyiv and its European supporters, who fear that the negotiations could result in a resolution with terms unacceptable to Ukraine.

During a media interview, Rubio defended the Trump administration’s criticism of Zelensky, noting that Trump’s predecessor, Joe Biden, had also been "disappointed" with the Ukrainian leader. Rubio claimed that instead of expressing gratitude for U.S. assistance, Zelensky frequently complained about what Ukraine had not received, frustrating senior Trump officials.

Trump has sought to rebuild relations with Russia and has demanded that Ukraine sign a rare mineral resource agreement, granting the U.S. access to Ukraine’s rare metals and minerals. However, Kyiv rejected the initial proposal, as the U.S. had not provided security guarantees and appeared to be making concessions on territorial and border issues.

Following U.S. threats to cut military aid, Ukraine appeared to soften its stance. After meeting with Trump’s envoy on February 20, Zelensky stated that Ukraine was working to reach a "strong and beneficial" investment and security agreement with the U.S.

Trump has previously criticized Ukraine, arguing that despite receiving hundreds of billions of dollars in aid from the U.S., Kyiv has offered nothing in return. He also accused European allies of contributing far less than the U.S. The Trump administration has signaled a desire to end the Russia-Ukraine war as soon as possible, raising concerns among European allies. French President Emmanuel Macron announced plans to visit the U.S. soon, vowing to urge Trump not to show weakness to Putin, warning that doing so could embolden China to invade Taiwan.

Amid the war, Ukraine has suspended its presidential election, prompting Trump to mock Zelensky as an unelected leader. Trump further claimed that Zelensky's approval rating was in the single digits. While European and Japanese officials have voiced support for Zelensky’s legitimacy, tensions between the U.S. and Ukraine continue to rise, leading to concerns that Trump may abandon Ukraine, potentially destabilizing global security.

U.S. President Donald Trump, during a speech at the Republican Governors Association (RGA) dinner on February 20, stated that he would revive the American Dream and reiterated the benefits of reciprocal tariffs. He said that once the tariff policy succeeds, Americans might no longer have to pay income taxes.

Trump claimed that since he took office, aside from reducing government waste, the tariff policy has brought substantial funds to the U.S., including successfully recovering $60 billion (approximately NT$1.98 trillion) annually from a certain country. He further mentioned that if the tariff policy succeeds, tax revenues could come from foreign sources, and American citizens might not need to pay income taxes, just like during the period from 1870 to 1913 when the U.S. adopted a full tariff policy and became the wealthiest country in the world.

Trump also boasted about the advantages of reciprocal tariffs, where the U.S. imposes tariffs in proportion to what other countries charge on American goods. He stated that the European Union has reduced their previously high tariffs to match the 2.5% tariff the U.S. imposes. Regarding inflation, Trump noted that as energy prices fall, prices for everyday goods, including eggs and bacon, would stabilize.

Experts have expressed differing views on this matter. Given the current U.S. economic conditions, they believe that if Trump's tariff policy continues, although it may not lead to stagflation, the shift from importing products from emerging markets to buying U.S.-made goods, with higher wages and production costs, would result in price increases that would be passed directly to consumers. Therefore, under Trump's new policies, including layoffs and tariffs, there is concern that it could harm both consumers and the economy.

In response to Donald Trump's shift in stance on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, which has fostered a thaw in U.S.-Russia relations and driven bilateral normalization, EU nations have become alert to their passive position. On the 19th, French President Emmanuel Macron convened a meeting with about 15 national leaders, aiming to coordinate Europe's response to the threat from Russia.

The discussions between the U.S. and Russia regarding a ceasefire in the Russia-Ukraine war and future geopolitical and economic issues—without involving European allies or Ukraine—has raised alarms among leaders in the EU and NATO. On the 17th, Macron held an emergency meeting to discuss a strategy, but similar issues arose as countries like Romania and the Czech Republic, which strongly support Ukraine, were excluded, causing dissatisfaction. On the 19th, Macron convened another online meeting, followed by an in-person discussion with Romania's interim president Ilie Bolojan in the afternoon.

Macron has been striving to unite Europe, engaging in discussions with all 27 EU member states. After an urgent summit, Macron stated on social media on the 19th: “We hope for a lasting and stable peace for Ukraine,” emphasizing France’s and its allies’ unified stance on Russia, Ukraine, and European security. He also stated that Europe shares the same goal as Trump, which is to end the nearly three-year-long Russia-Ukraine war, reaffirming that Ukraine must be involved in peace negotiations.

Trump, in an interview with reporters, mentioned that he expects Macron to visit Washington on Monday to discuss the perspectives of both sides on the Russia-Ukraine issue. However, the French presidency has yet to confirm this information.

Furthermore, Trump has recently made increasingly harsh criticisms of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, accusing him of allowing the war to happen, refusing to hold elections when his term ended, and acting as a "dictator" seeking to profit from U.S. aid. He also criticized Zelenskyy for sleeping in while refusing to meet Scott Bessent, a financial envoy sent by Trump. However, the fact is that Bessent met with Zelenskyy while lounging. These accusations reflect a shift in the U.S. stance, with Russia transitioning from a global adversary to a valuable partner for the U.S., while European countries are striving to find a new role for themselves, establishing a force independent of U.S. influence.

U.S. President Donald Trump has taken a strong lead in pushing for a ceasefire in the Russia-Ukraine war, without inviting European allies or having Ukraine present. On the 18th, U.S. and Russian representatives held talks in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for over four hours. Following the discussions, the two sides reached four main agreements, including restoring U.S.-Russia diplomatic relations, developing a plan to end the Russia-Ukraine war, cooperating in geopolitics and economics after the war, and ensuring the advancement and success of these plans. After the meeting, the host country, Saudi Arabia, did not arrange for a press conference or collective interviews.

Russian President’s foreign policy adviser, Yuri Ushakov, stated that both sides had serious discussions on all issues and agreed to "consider each other’s interests." Another Russian representative remarked that this marked the beginning of the dialogue, where both parties started listening to each other, showing mutual respect and equality. However, it was still too early to comment on the results of the talks. The two sides plan to form negotiation teams for future talks, aiming to restore normal diplomatic operations, reflecting Trump's desire to thaw relations with Russia. This follows a phone call between Trump and Vladimir Putin last week, and the meeting signifies Trump's ongoing efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war quickly, also moving toward a potential face-to-face meeting between the two leaders.

Previously, the Biden administration and NATO had emphasized that "Ukraine cannot be excluded from discussions about Ukraine," and Ukraine itself has stated that it will not accept any agreements imposed without Kyiv’s consent. According to Reuters, during the talks, Russia demanded that NATO officially abandon the promise made at the 2008 Bucharest Summit to allow Ukraine to join the alliance. At that NATO summit in Romania's capital, it was agreed to allow Ukraine and Georgia to join, but no specific timeline or plan was provided.

A severe winter storm is impacting the central and eastern United States, with widespread flooding, strong winds, and freezing temperatures resulting in at least 14 deaths.

According to AFP, the National Weather Service (NWS) warned today that a winter storm system has formed, bringing an Arctic air mass that could bring "record-breaking low temperatures." Wind chills are expected to drop to -51°C in Montana and North Dakota. West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey stated that at least one person has died in the state due to weather-related factors, and flooding is expected, with several people still missing.

The powerful winter storm swept through Kentucky, bringing heavy snowfall, freezing rain, and strong winds, causing roads to ice over, reducing visibility, and leading to numerous traffic accidents. Some areas experienced power outages as ice damaged power lines, leaving thousands of households and businesses without electricity. Schools and government offices were also forced to shut down. Meteorological units have warned that low temperatures and snowfall may continue for several days, with the storm’s impact expected to expand.

Governor Andy Beshear of Kentucky declared a state of emergency today to ensure that state government agencies and relevant units can quickly deploy resources to cope with the impacts of the extreme weather and protect the safety of citizens' lives and property.

Currently, the Kentucky Department of Transportation is working to clear roads and prevent ice buildup to keep major transportation routes open. Multiple emergency shelters have been opened to provide temporary shelter and basic supplies to affected residents. Power companies are also working to repair damaged equipment and restore electricity as quickly as possible. In addition, emergency rescue teams have been deployed across the state, ready to respond to any emergencies.

On Monday, February 17, a delegation from the Afghan Taliban government made its first visit to Japan. The Taliban government regularly visits neighboring countries and regional states, including Central Asia, Russia, and China. However, it has only officially visited Europe in 2022 and 2023 to participate in a diplomatic summit held in Norway. This marks one of their rare diplomatic visits outside the region.

The Afghan delegation departed from Kabul on February 15 for a week-long visit to Japan. The delegation includes officials from the ministries of higher education, foreign affairs, and economic affairs. On February 15, Deputy Minister of Economy Latif Nazari stated on X, "We seek dignified engagement with the world to achieve a strong, united, advanced, prosperous, and developed Afghanistan and to become an active member of the international community."

After the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in 2021, the Japanese Embassy in Kabul temporarily relocated to Qatar. However, Japan has since reopened its embassy and resumed diplomatic and humanitarian activities in the country. According to NHK, citing anonymous Afghan diplomatic sources, the delegation plans to "exchange views with Japanese government officials during the visit."