Trump Piles Pressure On Zelensky, Now Demands 'Quick Ceasefire' To Go With Minerals Deal

 Update(1222ET): The White House has paused both weapons shipments to Kiev as well as intelligence-sharing, given that so far President Zelensky has refused the sign Trump's minerals deal while complaining it doesn't contain clear and firm security guarantees. 

Rather than back down, it appears Trump has just piled on yet another big demand on Ukraine, ramping up the pressure even more. The US is now pressing Ukraine to achieve a 'quick ceasefire' to go with the minerals deal, Bloomberg reports Thursday:

European officials have been told that President Donald Trump wants to link the proposed US-Ukraine minerals deal to demands for Kyiv to commit to a quick ceasefire with Russia, according to people familiar with the matter.

Washington has indicated that Trump is ready to finalize the agreement on natural resources, which has been on hold since his Oval Office fallout with Volodymyr Zelenskiy last week, on condition the Ukrainian leader agrees to tangible path for a truce and talks with Moscow, the people said.

This is a huge development, which could see peace talks come together quickly - as Ukraine as little or no leverage left with either Moscow or Washington (only now heavily relying on Europe, which can't fill the heavy lifting previously done by the US) - or else see the US and Ukraine relationship suffer total colllapse.

* * *

For readers of independent media - or anyone who's been paying any level of attention for that matter - this is nothing new, but this week marked the first time a sitting US Secretary of State Described the Ukraine-Russia conflict as a proxy war.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio in a Wednesday interview with Fox News described that "It's been very clear from the beginning that [President Donald Trump] views this as a protracted, stalemated conflict."

"And frankly, it's a proxy war between nuclear powers – the United States, helping Ukraine, and Russia – and it needs to come to an end," he followed with.

He was defending the White House's ongoing talks and pursuit of a rapid peace deal with Russia's Vladimir Putin. He also urged others not to sabotage the process, including the Ukrainians.

"President Zelenskyy unfortunately made the decision to challenge the Vice President and start questioning whether diplomacy is even possible; in essence, sabotaging and undermining the President’s plan," Rubio described of last Friday's visit to the White House of the Ukrainian leader.

Days prior to this interview, Rubio similarly told ABC he hopes for a 'reset' with Moscow. "We have to bring [Russia] to the table. You're not going to bring them to the table if you're calling them names, if you're being antagonistic. That's just the president's instincts from years and years and years of putting together deals," Rubio argued.

Before being tapped as Trump's top global diplomat, Rubio's rhetoric was much more hawkish on Russia and Putin, but he's quickly got on board the president's plan for peace.

The Kremlin on Thursday responded to Rubio identifying the proxy war nature of the conflict, pointing to a war involving the whole of the Western allies.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, "We can and want to agree with it, and we agree with it. That's the way it is. We have said this repeatedly. We have said that this is actually a conflict between Russia and the collective West. And the main country of the collective West is the United States of America."

Peskov added, "So it is absolutely in line with the position that our president and foreign minister have repeatedly expressed. We have said this repeatedly, and yes, we agree that it is time to stop this conflict and this war."

While not widely acknowledged early in the conflict, the Western mainstream media has in the last year belatedly began covering this proxy war side of it, including the CIA's covert role even going years prior to 2022.

Last year the NY Times documented a major US program was established a decade ago which three different American presidents. The Times said the CIA program to modernize Ukraine's intelligence services had "transformed" the former Soviet state and its capabilities into "Washington’s most important intelligence partners against the Kremlin today."

This included the agency having secretly trained and equipped Ukrainian intelligence officers spanning back to just after the 2014 Maidan coup events, as well constructing a network of 12 secret bases along the Russian border—work which began over eight years ago. 

These intelligence bases, from which Russian commanders' communications can be swept up and Russian spy satellites monitored, are still being used launch and track cross-border drone and missile attacks on Russian territory. That is, perhaps until this week, as Trump has ordered a halt to intelligence-sharing with Kiev amid worsening relations and a spat with Zelensky, who has been resistant to signing the minerals deal.

https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/kremlin-reacts-rubio-calling-ukraine-conflict-proxy-war

Watch: Unhinged Democrats Scream As Comer Crushes Dreams 'Of Getting On MSNBC'

 by Steve Watson via Modernity.news,

Oversight Committee chairman James Comer found himself having to yell over extremist Democratic Massachusetts Rep. Ayanna Pressley Wednesday in the House as she attempted to kick up a fuss and get media attention.

Comer denied her request for unanimous consent to enter articles into the congressional record, including one from 2018 claiming that American citizens commit more murder and rape than immigrants.

Pressley announced that she was submitting the articles “as a survivor of sexual violence myself,” going on to scream that it was her procedural right to enter the articles.

“Okay, this trend that you’re all trying to get thrown out of committees so you can get on MSNBC is gonna end,” Comer interjected, asserting “We’re not gonna put up with it.”

Pressley attempted to continue reading the article, screeching at Comer “You do not get to dictate how I recite the articles for the record.”

 “No, no,” Comer shouted over her, explaining “It is [Democratic Virginia Rep. Suhas] Subramanyam’s time. No, you know the process of unanimous consent, you’re not recognized.”

Watch:

The Democrats have become completely unhinged, engaging in puerile political theater.

Here is, Rep. Melanie Stansbury screeching like a maniac during the same hearing:

This outburst comes on the heels of her holding up a sign at President Trump’s Congressional address with “this is not normal” scrawled on it.

The rest of the Democrats acted like children, screeching, holding up pathetic paddles with slogans on them, walking out and wearing T-shirts emblazoned with the word “Resist.”

*  *  *

https://www.zerohedge.com/political/watch-unhinged-democrats-scream-comer-crushes-dreams-getting-msnbc

Canada sees increase in measles cases in 2025

 In 2024, we saw a sharp increase in measles cases globally compared to 2023. In Canada this concerning trend has continued with more cases reported in the first two months of 2025 than in all of 2024 due to a noticeable increase in cases associated with outbreaks in New Brunswick, Ontario, Québec and Manitoba. As of March 6, 2025, Canada has recorded 227 measles cases this year, many requiring hospitalization. The majority of cases are unvaccinated or under-vaccinated children who have been exposed in their communities, such as in social events, daycares, schools and healthcare settings. Measles is very contagious and can cause serious illness, with complications including pneumonia, deafness, brain inflammation, and, in severe cases, death.

Cases can also occur when unvaccinated individuals travel to or from areas where measles is circulating. In recent months, there have been measles cases in Ontario, Quebec and British Columbia that occurred because travellers were exposed to measles in another country. As we move through spring break travel season, I am concerned that the global rise in measles cases, combined with declining vaccination rates among school-aged children in Canada, could lead to more illness and more community transmission. I strongly urge all Canadians to ensure they are vaccinated against measles—check to see if you are up-to-date before travelling. If needed, the vaccine should be administered at least two weeks before departure, but even last-minute vaccinations offer protection.

High vaccination rates are particularly important for measles, given how contagious it is. For people who are not immune to measles from vaccination or previous infection, over 90% of those exposed to the virus will become infected. Those at higher risk include children under five, adults over 20, pregnant individuals, and immunocompromised individuals.

Travel Precautions and Vaccination Recommendations

A travel health notice for measles is currently in place for all countries. Consult it for recommendations on how to protect yourself and your family from measles when travelling abroad.

Before travelling, ensure the following:

• Infants (6 to 12 months old) travelling to high-risk areas receive an early measles vaccine dose—consult a healthcare provider for guidance.

• Children and adolescents receive both doses of a measles-containing vaccine.

• Adults born in 1970 or later receive both doses of a measles-containing vaccine

• • Those born before 1970 receive one dose if not immune, particularly if travelling to an area with active transmission.

  Recognizing and Responding to Measles Symptoms

  If you are travelling this spring, remain vigilant for measles symptoms. Measles typically starts with fever; red, watery eyes; runny nose; and, cough; followed by a red rash that spreads from the face to the rest of the body.

  If you suspect you have measles while travelling in or returning to Canada:

  • Wear a well-fitting medical mask and minimize contact with others.

  • Inform a flight attendant, cruise staff, or border services officer upon arrival.

  If symptoms develop:

  • Call a healthcare provider immediately before going anywhere (such as a doctor's office, emergency room, pharmacy, etc.) so that they can provide advice while minimizing the risk of exposure for other people.

  Stay Protected: Get Vaccinated

  With measles cases rising worldwide and in Canada, keeping up with routine vaccinations is more critical than ever. Measles vaccination is highly effective in limiting transmission and preventing severe outcomes. If you are unsure of your vaccination status, check with your healthcare provider or local public health unit.

  By staying vigilant and working together to increase measles vaccine coverage, we can prevent outbreaks and keep our communities safe against this preventable disease. The measles vaccine is the best way to protect you and your family.

  SOURCE Public Health Agency of Canada

• https://finance.yahoo.com/news/statement-chief-public-health-officer-163300659.html

Trump pick to lead consumer bureau clears key Senate hurdle

 The U.S. Senate Banking Committee voted Thursday to advance the nomination of Jonathan McKernan to lead the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

In a party-line vote of 13 to 11, McKernan was approved by the Republican-led panel, clearing the way for his eventual consideration by the full Senate to lead the agency, which the Trump administration has aggressively moved to curtail.

https://www.usnews.com/news/politics/articles/2025-03-06/us-senate-panel-advances-nominee-to-lead-consumer-watchdog

Trump's FDA nominee Makary promises role for vaccine expert committee

 

Makary, appearing in front of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee for his confirmation hearing, said he was not involved in last week's decision to cancel the flu vaccine meeting, but committed to receiving regular outside views if confirmed. 

Martin Makary, President Donald Trump's nominee to run the U.S. FDA, on Thursday promised to convene the agency's vaccine advisory committee, but did not commit to rescheduling a canceled meeting to discuss the composition of the next seasonal flu vaccine. Makary, appearing in front of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee for his confirmation hearing, said he was not involved in last week's decision to cancel the flu vaccine meeting, but committed to receiving regular outside views if confirmed.

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has a decades-long history of questioning the safety of vaccines. Under his watch, a second meeting by vaccine advisers to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was also canceled. Asked about the abortion pill mifepristone, widely used in medical abortions but under assault by Republican-controlled states, Makary pledged to take a "solid, hard look" at data the FDA collects through its risk mitigation program on the drug.

Makary, a physician at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, would report to Kennedy as FDA is one of several high-profile agencies under the purview of the Health and Human Services secretary. Kennedy said during his own confirmation hearings that he wanted an FDA review of mifepristone data, which is sold in pharmacies and by mail. Its use has increased since the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that overturned the landmark Roe v Wade case that legalized abortion nationwide.

https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/health/3288298-update-1-trumps-fda-nominee-makary-promises-role-for-vaccine-expert-committee

Second senior NHS England executive heads for the exit

 Just days after NHS England chief executive Amanda Pritchard tendered her resignation, national medical director Prof Sir Stephen Powis has also said he will step down.

The double resignations have come just as the government is due to publish its 10-year plan to reform it in the summer, and after the Darzi report on the state of the health service concluded that it is in "critical condition" with systemic problems that could take up to eight years to put right.

NHS England confirmed Powis' departure this morning, indicating that he had notified Pritchard that he intended to step down in January and will continue in the role until early July, after which he reportedly plans to retire. He has been the national medical director since 2018, taking up the post after 12 years as medical director at the Royal Free NHS Trust.

As the most senior doctor within the NHS in England, he played a key role in the pandemic response, has led several national reviews and led teams that implemented the national cardiovascular, respiratory, and stroke programmes, the creation of the first national patient safety strategy, and the successful rollout of medical examiners.

In the months before his departure, Powis will focus on the medical training review for postgraduate doctors and ongoing work to improve stroke care, as well as ongoing inquiry commitments, said NHS England.

"I have always been exceptionally proud to work in the NHS and, while stepping down from this role, I remain passionate and committed to improving the health of patients and improving the experience of staff," said Powis.

"My time in post has been dominated by the pandemic and its ongoing impact," he added. "I will forever be humbled by the extraordinary work of staff throughout the NHS to the greatest health emergency in a century and I am very proud of the support and advice I was personally able to give to staff, ministers, and the public."

Pritchard's resignation last week – with just a month's notice – came as a shock to many inside and outside the NHS, which employs 1.4 million people across the UK, and followed tough questioning at two parliamentary select committees in January, which resulted in a report by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) that concluded: "Senior officials do not seem to have ideas, or the drive, to match the level of change required" in the NHS.

According to some sources, including the BBC, her decision was also made in part because of a decision by the government to bring in external advisors to take the lead on NHS reform.

Pritchard is being replaced by Sir Jim Mackey, who is described as a "transition" CEO who will lead the NHS – on secondment from Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust – "from the current crisis to getting back on its feet."

https://pharmaphorum.com/news/second-senior-nhs-england-executive-heads-exit

NICE agrees to look again at Alzheimer's drug Leqembi

 Eisai will have an unprecedented third attempt to convince experts at UK medicines cost-effectiveness assessor NICE that the NHS should fund its Biogen-partnered Alzheimer's disease therapy Leqembi.

The company confirmed this morning that NICE has taken the "unusual decision" to hold a third appraisal committee meeting as part of its ongoing evaluation of Leqembi (lecanemab), which was turned down last year by NICE in draft guidance published just ahead of the drug's approval by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).

The UK approved the drug for treating mild cognitive impairment and mild dementia due to Alzheimer's in adult patients who have one or no copies of the APOE4 gene mutation (heterozygotes or non-carriers), which is a risk factor for the disease. These patients are thought to be at lower risk of amyloid-related imaging abnormalities (ARIA) – including brain swelling and bleeding – than people with two copies of the APOE4 gene variant.

In its draft guidance, NICE said that there was a "small but meaningful" benefit with Leqembi in these patients – a four to six-month delay in cognitive decline – but added that there was also little evidence of its long-term effects beyond 18 months.

The agency also said the cost of treatment with Leqembi, from the drug itself, as well as the need for regular infusions and intensive monitoring for side effects, was too high to justify its modest benefits. A second draft guidance document also arrived at similar conclusions.

"Eisai welcomes the opportunity for a second consultation period as a positive step forward in its ongoing dialogue with NICE to support medicine access for eligible patients," said the company, adding that NICE's panel will "need to consider significant changes to current diagnostic and treatment pathways to support management of early Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients."

The second consultation period has already begun and will conclude on 27th March, with the date of the third appraisal committee meeting scheduled for 14th May and a final decision due around 23rd July.

Nick Burgin, president of global value and access at Eisai EMEA, said: "We recognise that introducing a new class of medicine is not always straightforward; substantial changes are needed to improve Alzheimer's disease management and lecanemab is just one part of the bigger picture."

Biogen's UK and Ireland managing director, Kylie Bromley, added: "There is a critical need for innovative treatments to slow the progress of early Alzheimer's disease and preserve the identity and independence of those impacted for as long as possible. While the additional delay is disappointing news for this community, we are encouraged that the dialogue to secure reimbursement for lecanemab will continue."

In the UK, Eisai and Biogen co-promote Leqembi, with Eisai distributing the product as the marketing authorisation holder (MAH).

Eisai said recently that Leqembi sales were around $196 million in the first nine months of its current fiscal year and it expects to hit the full-year target of around $280 million for the drug.

https://pharmaphorum.com/news/nice-agrees-look-again-alzheimers-drug-leqembi