Former President Donald Trump has threatened to block the opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge connecting the United States and Canada, demanding Washington be "fully compensated" for its contributions to its northern neighbor, according to BBC World. The announcement came amidst a flurry of other news, including the EU's demand that Meta allow rival AI chatbots on WhatsApp, and BP reporting a drop in annual profits due to falling oil prices.
Trump's threat, made on social media, specifically targets the Gordie Howe International Bridge, which links Ontario, Canada, to Michigan, USA. He stated the bridge would not open until Ottawa "treats the United States with the Fairness and Respect that we deserve," according to BBC World. The bridge is currently being funded by the Canadian government but will be jointly owned by both countries.
In other international news, Australian police defended their actions after clashing with protesters during a demonstration against a visit by the Israeli president, as reported by BBC World. Police stated they showed "remarkable restraint" during the rally in Sydney, where 27 people were arrested and nine charged. Video footage showed police using pepper spray and engaging in physical altercations with protesters, including a state parliament MP who was reportedly injured.
Meanwhile, in the technology sector, Discord announced it would begin requiring users globally to verify their age with a face scan or ID to access adult content, according to BBC Technology. The online chat service, which boasts over 200 million monthly users, is implementing these measures to protect users and place them in a "teen-appropriate experience" by default. The age verification rollout will begin in early March.
Also in technology, the European Union has accused Meta of breaching its rules by blocking rival AI firms' chatbots from WhatsApp, according to BBC Technology. The EU claims Meta is abusing its dominant position by restricting access to its messaging platform, which it sees as a crucial entry point for AI chatbots like ChatGPT. A Meta spokesperson countered that the EU had "no reason" to intervene.
Finally, BP reported a drop in annual profits to 7.5 billion in 2025, down from 8.9 billion the previous year, due to the fall in oil prices, according to BBC Business. The oil giant also announced it was suspending its share buyback program and increasing its cost savings target. The results were released ahead of the arrival of the new boss, Meg O'Neill, who will be the first woman to run a major global oil firm.
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