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World News in Brief: More deaths in Ukraine, lengthy detentions in Egypt, AI governance, US postal tariffs

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Since Friday, 11 civilians have been killed and more than 90 wounded, according to the authorities. Schools and energy infrastructure also were damaged.

The Donetsk region in eastern Ukraine was the most affected, with the town of Kostiantynivka particularly hard hit. 

Six other regions – Sumy, Kharkiv, Kherson, Mykolaiv, Dnipro and Zaporizhzhia – were also impacted, with homes, schools, ambulances and power infrastructure in front-line areas sustaining damage.

In response, aid organizations have distributed repair materials, hot meals and drinks, in addition to providing psychological support.

Families on the run

Meanwhile, humanitarians continue to support people fleeing hostilities in the Donetsk and Dnipro regions.

OCHA said over 2,000 people, many of them children, were evacuated from Donetsk between Friday and Monday. 

“With growing pressure on the transit site in the town of Pavlohrad, authorities and aid organizations opened new facilities in the village of Voloske, Dnipro region, and the town of Lozova, Kharkiv region,” the agency said.

Evacuees receive medical and psychosocial support, hot meals, water and hygiene supplies, and can register for cash assistance before moving on to safer areas. 

At the same time, humanitarians are also supporting arrivals in other parts of Ukraine.

Egypt urged to end ‘rotation’ detention practice targeting Government critics

The UN human rights office, OHCHR, called on Tuesday for Egypt to end a practice known as “rotation” which allows Government critics to be held arbitrarily and for prolonged periods even after serving their sentences or completing maximum pre-trial detention.

Human rights defenders, activists, lawyers, journalists, peaceful protesters and political opponents are among those who have been targeted.

The latest case concerns poet Galal El-Behairy, who was arbitrarily detained after completing a prison term on 31 July 2021 for writing songs and poetry critical of the Government. 

He has since faced similar charges in two different cases under the counter-terrorism law and the penal code. The latest charges were brought on 19 August 2025, extending his detention for at least 15 more days.

Suppressing critical voices

Rotation “has become a tool by which the Egyptian Government represses those perceived to be critical of its policies,” OHCHR Spokesman Thameen Al-Kheetan told journalists in Geneva.

“Most of those targeted by ‘rotation’ should not have been detained or jailed in the first place, as the charges brought against them are often related to the exercise of their legitimate rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly,” he said.

OHCHR urged the Egyptian authorities to immediately end the practice and release all those who have been subjected to it. 

UN announces two new mechanisms to promote cooperation on AI governance

The UN Secretary-General welcomed the General Assembly’s decision on Tuesday to establish two new mechanisms to promote international cooperation on the governance of artificial intelligence (AI).

The establishment of the UN Independent International Scientific Panel on AI and the Global Dialogue on AI Governance marks a significant step forward in global efforts to harness the benefits of the technology while addressing its risks.  

The development underlines commitment by Member States to build on the Global Digital Compact adopted as part of the Pact for the Future last September, UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric told journalists in New York.

Fostering inclusion, informing decision-making

He said the Global Dialogue will provide an inclusive platform within the UN for States and stakeholders to discuss the critical issues concerning AI facing humanity today.

The Scientific Panel will serve as a crucial bridge between cutting-edge AI research and policymaking, he added.

“By providing rigorous, independent scientific assessments, it will help the international community to anticipate emerging challenges and make informed decisions about how we govern this transformative technology,” he explained.

The Secretary-General will soon launch an open call for nominations for the Scientific Panel, which will present its annual reports at the Global Dialogue on AI Governance to take place in July 2026 in Geneva and 2027 in New York.

In the interim, all stakeholders are urged “to support this historic initiative and contribute to building a future where artificial intelligence serves the common good of all humanity.”

This post office was officially opened on 4 September 1981 in Karagwe District, Kagera Region in Tanzania

UN postal agency striving to keep packages moving ahead of US duty-free deadline 

The UN postal agency says it is taking all possible measures to keep packages flowing to the United States after dozens of countries suspended service. 

“Maintaining the trust of the billions of people served by the postal network is our top priority,” said Universal Postal Union (UPU) Director General Masahiko Metoki. 

Starting on 29 August, the US announced that it will suspend duty-free “de minimis” measures for low-value packages.  

That means packages worth less than $800 will no longer be exempt from customs duties and may require new processing requirements. There is no impact on letters. 

A big change

The UPU noted that while each country has the sovereign right to adopt its own customs policies, the change “will entail considerable operational changes for postal operators around the world” – given the short notice. 

Postal services in at least 25 countries have suspended their outbound postal services to the US, citing uncertainties related to transit, according to the UPU. 

The UN agency says it is working to help countries adjust to new customs duty collection and remittance process and is in contact with the US Government to develop practical solutions.   

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South Korea Engages U.S. Over Tariff Concerns

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The South Korean government is actively engaging with the U.S. to address trade uncertainties stemming from new tariff measures, Trade Minister Cheong In-kyo said Thursday.

During a meeting with top industry think tanks—including Samsung, Hyundai, POSCO, and LG—Cheong emphasized the importance of coordinated efforts to navigate U.S. protectionist policies under President Trump.

The U.S. is reportedly considering tariffs on steel, aluminum, and automobiles, raising concerns among its trading partners.

“We are maintaining direct communication channels with the U.S. to mitigate risks and help domestic industries adjust to these evolving trade policies,” Cheong said, calling for stronger industry-government collaboration.

Deputy Trade Minister Park Jong-won is currently in Washington, holding discussions with U.S. officials on the potential impact of Trump’s trade agenda on South Korean industries.

Meanwhile, consumer sentiment in South Korea surged to its highest level in nearly four years, driven by expectations of political stability following recent turmoil. The Bank of Korea’s consumer sentiment index rose to 95.2 in February, marking the largest gain since June 2021.

US Semiconductor Tariffs: India Faces Limited Immediate Impact

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The U.S. decision to impose tariffs on semiconductors is unlikely to significantly impact India in the short term, as the country is not a major chip exporter to the U.S., industry experts said Thursday.

With India already imposing zero import duties on semiconductors, the country faces no immediate trade retaliation concerns, said Ashok Chandak, president of the India Electronics and Semiconductor Association (IESA).

Most of India’s upcoming semiconductor manufacturing and assembly facilities cater to global brands, and its growing domestic demand will be met primarily through local production.

In the long run, Indian chipmakers are expected to remain competitive, as the U.S. tariff applies uniformly to all exporting nations, Chandak noted.

The Trump administration’s decision to impose tariffs of 25% or more is expected to reshape the global semiconductor industry, affecting costs, supply chains, and innovation.

The new tariffs will significantly increase the cost of chips imported into the U.S., particularly from dominant manufacturing hubs like Taiwan, South Korea, and China. These additional costs will likely be passed on to consumers, driving up prices for smartphones, laptops, electric vehicles, and industrial electronics.

Tech giants such as Apple, NVIDIA, and Tesla could see rising production costs, potentially squeezing profit margins or forcing them to raise consumer prices, according to IESA.

To mitigate risks, companies may explore alternative supply chains or invest more in domestic chip production. However, semiconductor fabrication plants are among the most capital-intensive projects, requiring $10 billion to $25 billion per site.

“Companies must weigh multiple factors before making investment decisions, including workforce availability, tax policies, regulatory frameworks, and environmental considerations,” IESA stated.

Trump Admin Plans $50 Billion Pentagon Budget Shake-Up, Eyes Firings

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WASHINGTON, Feb. 20 — The Trump administration is moving to cut $50 billion from the Pentagon budget, reallocating funds to high-priority areas such as border security, according to media reports.

A list of generals and admirals slated for dismissal has been circulated among Republican lawmakers. Acting Deputy Secretary of Defense Robert Salesses has instructed officials to identify cuts and shift resources to initiatives aligned with Trump’s priorities, Military Times reported.

NBC News said the Indo-Pacific region’s budget remains untouched. While earlier reports suggested an 8% reduction in overall military spending, the latest figures indicate the $849.8 billion defense budget will remain intact, with funds being redistributed rather than slashed.

NBC also reported that the targeted firings include officers linked to former Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, those involved in diversity and inclusion programs, and others deemed politically misaligned with Trump’s agenda. It remains unclear whether Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman CQ Brown is on the list.

Trump has already removed Coast Guard chief Admiral Linda Fagan, the highest-ranking woman in U.S. military history.

As part of a broader effort to streamline government operations, numerous Defense Department employees have received termination notices.

Besides Indo-Pacific operations, budget priorities include missile defense, autonomous weapons, and border security. Salesses emphasized Trump’s focus on bolstering missile defense, strengthening border protections, and eliminating what he called “radical and wasteful” diversity initiatives.