The Costa Rican former vice-president said she wanted to rebuild global trust in the United Nations if she becomes its next secretary-general. I know the UN enough to reform it and enough to defend it," she told the UN correspondents' association ACANU. "I don't need any favours to be elected for the secretary-general; I just need people not to discriminate me for being a woman," the 70-year-old said. And I don't think we have that right now." - Leadership style -The UNCTAD chief said her leadership style revolved around being "direct, honest, and evidence-based...

SEOUL, Feb 28, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - North Korea released a rare image on Saturday of leader Kim Jong Un's teenage daughter firing a rifle at a shooting range, adding to speculation that she is being groomed as his successor. Pyongyang's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) released a photo of Ju Ae shooting a rifle at an outdoor shooting range, peering through a rifle scope with her finger on the trigger, smoke rising from the barrel. He then visited a shooting range with the officials, where he fired the rifle and took a group photo, it added. South Korea's spy agency said this month that Pyongyang appears to have started the process of designating Ju Ae as leader Kim's successor. KCNA also said Saturday that Kim Jong Un's powerful sister Kim Yo Jong will head the party's general affairs department -- a role analysts describe as akin to a party secretary-general.

WASHINGTON, United States, Feb 28, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - President Donald Trump told the US government Friday to "immediately" stop using Anthropic's technology after the AI startup rejected the Pentagon's demand that it agree to unconditional military use of its Claude models. Anthropic vowed to sue over the "intimidation" and insists its technology should not be used for the mass surveillance of US citizens or deployed in fully autonomous weapons systems. "I am directing EVERY Federal Agency in the United States Government to IMMEDIATELY CEASE all use of Anthropic's technology. "Mass surveillance of American citizens is unacceptable," Jeffries added in his statement late Friday. Anthropic's statement echoed those sentiments, and added that the company remains "ready to continue our work to support the national security of the United States."

COLOMBO, Feb 28, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - England bowled a team high 16 overs of spin to restrict New Zealand to 159-7 in their T20 World Cup Super Eights clash in Colombo on FridayNew Zealand, who need a win to guarantee a semi-final slot, won the toss and elected to bat against already qualified England and started well, reaching 53-0 in six overs. But England, who brought in an extra spinner in Rehan Ahmed to replace seamer Jamie Overton, regained control as captain Harry Brook employed five slow bowlers. Rashid was complemented by fellow wrist spinner Ahmed, who was making his T20 World Cup debut and took a wicket with his first ball before finishing with 2-28 from three overs. Glenn Phillips top scored with 39 off 28 including four fours and a six while opener Tim Seifert scored 35. Liam Dawson (1-32) and Jacob Bethell (0-13) were the other spinners employed by England.

US producer inflation higher than expected on services costsWASHINGTON, United States, Feb 28, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - US producer prices rose more than analysts expected in January, government data showed Friday, boosted by services costs. "Producer prices rose more than expected in January as service-related costs and stronger pricing power push up margins received by wholesalers and retailers," said Nationwide senior economist Ben Ayers. Besides trade services, prices for transportation and warehousing services also climbed. While they have not caused a widespread consumer inflation surge, firms have flagged higher business costs and difficulties planning due to policy uncertainty. Prices for goods dropped 0.3 percent month-on-month on a decline in energy costs, the Labor Department said.

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UN warns use of force in global disputes being 'normalised'GENEVA, Feb 28, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - The UN rights chief warned Friday that leaders were increasingly wielding power for power's sake and normalising the use of force to solve disputes, spurring surging numbers of global conflicts. "The world is upside down," Volker Turk told the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva. "The threat and use of force to solve disputes is becoming more frequent and normalised," he said. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights cautioned that the growing number of conflicts came at a devastating cost, causing "a human rights wasteland". "The world cannot stand by as the edifice of international humanitarian and human rights law is dismantled before our eyes," he warned.

VIENNA, Feb 28, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - The UN nuclear watchdog on Friday confirmed technical discussions on Iran's nuclear programme would take place next week, according to a confidential report seen by AFP Friday. "Technical discussions will take place in Vienna in the week beginning 2 March 2026," the IAEA confirmed. Considerable uncertainty surrounds the fate of Iran's stockpile of more than 400 kilos of 60-percent enriched uranium that was last seen by nuclear watchdog inspectors last June 10. Israel launched strikes on Iran last June, beginning a 12-day war that the US briefly joined to bomb Iranian nuclear sites. Tehran suspended some cooperation with the IAEA and restricted the watchdog's inspectors from accessing sites bombed by Israel and the United States, accusing the UN body of bias and of failing to condemn the strikes.

LA PAZ, Feb 28, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - At least 15 people were killed Friday when a Bolivian military cargo plane carrying banknotes crashed while landing near the capital La Paz, authorities said, prompting police to repel bystanders grabbing spilled cash. The aircraft, a C-130 Hercules transport plane, veered off the runway at El Alto International Airport and crashed into an avenue, crushing at least one car and damaging trucks, local media footage showed. "We are recovering the bodies of these people who have sadly suffered in the accident," Colonel Pavel Tovar of the national fire department told reporters, saying at least 15 people died in the disaster.

Rubio to hold talks Monday in Israel on Iran: State DeptWASHINGTON, United States, Feb 28, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will hold talks Monday in Israel on Iran, the State Department announced, as the United States builds up forces for a potential strike on the Islamic republic. The top US diplomat will head to Israel just as the United States tells non-emergency staff to leave Israel, raising suspicions that President Donald Trump plans to go ahead with threatened strikes. Rubio will hold talks Monday and return Tuesday, the State Department said. Rubio "will discuss a range of regional priorities including Iran, Lebanon and ongoing efforts to implement President Trump's 20-Point Peace Plan for Gaza," State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said. Mediator Oman reported progress but the United States has said little about the talks and Iran called on the United State to drop "excessive demands" to reach a deal.

From Mumbai, Carney hailed India's stature as the world's fastest-growing major economy. - Rebound -Carney has said he wanted to more than double two-way trade with India by 2030, eyeing an annual target of $51 billion. India is seeking to attract more overseas investments and says Canadian pension and wealth funds have already invested $73 billion. Khalistan militants have been blamed for the assassination of an Indian prime minister and the bombing of a passenger jet. Former prime minister Justin Trudeau's government further alleged India had directed a campaign of intimidation against Sikh activists across Canada.

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General Daily Insight for February 28, 2026 Soft words can mend small rifts around us. Even flighty Mercury is soothed by its residence in your quiet 12th house, particularly once it conjoins Venus there. Your 11th House of Collaboration lights up as clever Mercury meets Venus, the planet of connection, there. Your 5th House of Inspiration hosts the loving conjunction of Mercury and Venus, attracting all sorts of visionary energy your way. Information-gathering Mercury is in your 4th House of Cornerstones, hugging effervescent Venus, so comfortable conversations brighten any space.

Now, instead of passing to each other, they’re guarding one another in Ivy League play. Robert Hinton Sr. and Tsang Chen-Cho, the brothers’ parents, watched that dream take shape long before either son stepped on an Ivy League floor. Both dreamt of playing Ivy League basketball,” their parents wrote in a statement to the Sun. Watching his sons choose different Ivy League schools has brought a different kind of rivalry into the household. The best part is that I get to enjoy all of the Ivy League rivalries and jokes.

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