Business and economy

A 24-hour consumer spending boycott takes place across the United States, in protest of wealth and income inequality, high prices of essential goods, and the rollback of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives by the Trump administration. (AP)

• https://apnews.com/article/feb-28-economic-blackout-2025-d6b0bf2d1c989ee3071016e36598d76c

Business and economy

The United States Social Security Administration announces it will lay off over 7,000 jobs to align with President Donald Trump's executive order, despite its workforce already being at a 50-year low. (NPR)

• https://www.npr.org/2025/02/28/nx-s1-5296986/trump-worker-cuts-social-security-administration

Disasters and accidents

At least 60 fatalities and nearly 1,100 symptomatic cases are reported to be a result of a disease outbreak of unknown etiology in the Province of Équateur, Democratic Republic of the Congo. (CBS News)

• https://www.cbsnews.com/news/congo-mystery-disease-deaths-who-investigation-deepens/

Health and environment

The number of measles cases in Texas, United States, increases to 146 with 20 people hospitalized, spanning nine counties in the state. (AP)

• https://apnews.com/article/measles-outbreak-texas-vaccination-rfk-7e1df8310d6e139010ab7f4e4069c199

Politics and elections

Greeks organize a 24-hour nationwide general strike on the second anniversary of the Tempi train crash, Greece's deadliest railway disaster. (Reuters)

• https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/greece-standstill-ahead-mass-protest-anniversary-deadly-train-crash-2025-02-28/

Science and technology

Microsoft announces it will shut down Skype in May 2025 to focus its support and development on Teams. (DW) (Bloomberg News)

• https://www.dw.com/en/microsoft-to-retire-skype-in-favor-of-teams/a-71786197
• https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-02-28/microsoft-msft-to-shut-down-skype-as-zoom-teams-dominate-video-calls