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Trump mulls large-scale sanctions, tariffs on Russia over Ukraine
Earlier, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the US won't hesitate to go "all in" on sanctions on Russian energy if it helps lead to a cease-fire in the Ukraine war.
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Ukrainian opposition figures in talks with Trump allies amid alleged effort to unseat Zelensky: Report
According to Politico, "secret discussions" have taken place regarding the possibility of holding snap presidential elections in Ukraine before a final peace deal is signed—potentially paving the way for Zelensky’s removal.
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Israeli military creating ChatGPT-like tool using vast collection of Palestinian surveillance data
Israel's military intelligence unit has created a powerful ChatGPT-like AI system, based on millions of intercepted Palestinian communications. Unit 8200 developed the system, which it says will strengthen intelligence but concerns about privacy, bias, and abuse.
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Most western Europeans see Trump as a threat to peace, survey finds
Most Western Europeans see Trump as a threat to peace, with a YouGov survey showing majorities across five countries view his return to power and recent foreign policy decisions as destabilising for European security.
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US social security agency faces upheaval as Musk-led cost-cutting sparks concern
The Social Security Administration is facing major upheaval as Elon Musk’s cost-cutting initiatives, endorsed by the Trump administration, lead to widespread layoffs, office closures, and growing concerns over potential privatisation.
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Jay Bhattacharya set to lead NIH as Trump reshapes US public health policy
Jay Bhattacharya, a vocal critic of Covid lockdowns, is set to become NIH director under Trump, signalling a major shift in US public health policy.
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Half of global CO2 emissions traced to 36 fossil fuel companies
To meet the internationally agreed target of limiting global warming to 1.5°C, emissions must fall by 45% by 2030.
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Hedge funds cash in on lawsuits against green regulations
Financial speculators are making millions by funding lawsuits against governments over environmental laws, often reaping massive payouts.
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US bans UK from sharing intelligence with Ukraine as military aid freeze takes effect
The US has barred Britain from sharing intelligence with Ukraine and frozen military aid, raising concerns that Kyiv could deplete its weapons stockpile within months while NATO allies express alarm and Russia welcomes the move.
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Trump administration plans massive IRS layoffs as part of government downsizing
The Trump administration plans to cut up to half of IRS employees as part of a broader government downsizing effort, potentially crippling tax collection operations.
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India faces critical decision on fighter jet modernisation: Weighing F-35, Su-57, indigenous development
India faces a critical decision in modernising its air force, weighing the costly American F-35, Russia’s Su-57, and its own indigenous fighter jet development, while balancing security threats, budget constraints, and long-term self-sufficiency.
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Calls for Zelenskyy’s removal spark political tensions between Ukraine and US
Ukrainian officials and experts say that any attempt to remove Zelenskyy at this time would be only in Russia's interests.
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Concerns over Donald Trump's health: Large bruise, hand marks and ‘limping’ fuel speculation
A video of Trump having difficulty stepping out of his golf cart has also sparked concerns among social media users
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European leaders confront uncertainty as Trump shifts US foreign policy
European leaders are bracing for potential US military withdrawals and shifting security commitments under Trump, prompting urgent discussions on strengthening European defence and self-reliance.
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Dutch oil trader challenges EU sanctions, cites disinformation campaign
Niels Troost, the only European to be sanctioned for selling Russian oil, has brought a suit at the EU's General Court to have the ruling overturned on the grounds that the European block acted on disinformation disseminated by a former business associate
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Investors bet against dollar as Trump's tariffs spark economic concerns
Increasing numbers of investors are betting against the US dollar as there are indications that the American economy is slowing down and concerns that deepening trade wars will further reduce the value of the currency, a Bloomberg report says.
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Elon Musk’s team falsely claims savings from long-expired contracts
Elon Musk’s government efficiency team has falsely claimed credit for cancelling long-expired federal contracts, adding to a series of public errors on its cost-cutting website, The New York Times reports.
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Chaos in US nuclear security: Trump administration's mass firings lead to rehiring frenzy
The Trump administration’s abrupt firing of nuclear security personnel under Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has led to a chaotic rehiring scramble, raising serious concerns about national security and government mismanagement.
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Elon Musk confirms SpaceX's 8th Starship launch, focus on perfecting reentry after previous failure
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Trump announces US crypto reserve, includes Solana, XRP, and Cardano
Trump framed the initiative as a corrective measure following what he described as years of "corrupt attacks" on the crypto industry by the Biden administration.
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Taiwan and the Czech Republic deepen ties amid rising global tensions
Taiwan and the Czech Republic are strengthening their economic and security ties as they navigate geopolitical tensions with China and Russia.
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Currency markets shrug off Trump’s tariff threats, but risks remain
Trump’s latest announcement targeting the EU and China briefly unsettled the euro and other currencies of key US trading partners on Thursday.
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China’s e-commerce suppliers react to Trump’s tariff and tax crackdown
Chinese e-commerce suppliers are adjusting their strategies in response to US President Donald Trump’s tariff hikes and plans to eliminate a key tax exemption, with many shifting production abroad or passing costs onto consumers.
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Zelenskyy was warned not to press for security guarantees before Oval Office clash
US officials told Ukraine: Trump's priority was the economic deal, not security talks.
