German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated that frozen Russian assets should remain immobilized until Moscow provides at least 500 billion euros in compensation to Ukraine. The G7 countries have immobilized approximately $300 billion in Russian assets, with profits from these assets being channeled toward Ukraine’s reconstruction and defense. Merz emphasized Germany’s involvement in Ukraine’s reconstruction, citing benefits such as economic growth and energy security. President Zelensky urged European partners to form a recovery coalition to rebuild Ukraine and called for the more active use of immobilized Russian assets.
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The Senate has approved a bill that would dramatically increase funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), potentially making it the largest interior law enforcement agency in the United States. The legislation, if passed by the House, would allocate approximately $150 billion over four years for Trump’s immigration enforcement agenda, exceeding the annual military budgets of many countries. This funding includes a substantial increase in ICE’s detention budget, as well as allocations for border militarization and grants to states with anti-immigrant policies. The bill is now heading to the House of Representatives, where its fate remains uncertain amid expected opposition.
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According to the head of Ukrainian military intelligence, North Korea is now providing up to 40% of Russia’s ammunition used in the war in Ukraine. The Kim Jong Un regime is also supplying Russia with other weaponry, including ballistic missiles and artillery systems. In exchange, Russia is offering financial and technological support to North Korea, easing its international isolation. This increasing cooperation solidifies the growing partnership between Pyongyang and Moscow.
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Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene has announced her intentions to block additional military aid to Israel. Speaking on the “War Room” podcast, Greene emphasized that Israel, already a nuclear-armed nation, receives substantial annual aid from the United States and does not require further funding. She stated that the proposed $500 million in additional aid should instead be allocated for the defense of the American people. This stance aligns with Greene’s consistent opposition to foreign intervention, previously seen in her criticism of aid packages to Ukraine and Israel.
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Dick Eastland, who ran Camp Mystic alongside the volatile Guadalupe River, had long warned of its dangers, advocating for a flood warning system after previous tragedies. Although a system was implemented, it became unreliable and was eventually shut down, while later attempts to modernize the warning system failed due to funding and opposition. Meanwhile, some of Camp Mystic’s cabins were located in high-risk flood zones, with no effort to relocate them. Eastland has been remembered as a hero who lost his life trying to save campers during a recent catastrophic flood that highlighted missed opportunities to mitigate the risks.
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Ukraine has received another 1 billion euros ($1.2 billion) from the European Union, sourced from frozen Russian assets, according to Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal. These funds are part of the G7’s Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration (ERA) mechanism, which aims to provide Ukraine with $50 billion in loans repaid using profits from frozen Russian assets. To date, Ukraine has received over $18.5 billion this year through this initiative, with plans to further advocate for the complete confiscation of Russian assets at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Rome. The ERA initiative, primarily supported by the U.S. and the EU, is expected to deliver all funds to Ukraine by the end of 2027, with contributions from the EU, U.S., U.K., Canada, and Japan.
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Since the end of the conflict with Israel, over half a million Afghans have been expelled from Iran in a significant population displacement, representing one of the largest forced movements this decade. These deportations, part of a program initiated in March, have accelerated due to unsubstantiated claims of Afghan involvement in spying for Israel. Returnees face harsh conditions at the Afghanistan border, including scorching temperatures, with reports of detention, extortion, and abuse during the process. The international community has widely condemned these actions, citing discrimination and violence against Afghans.
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HuffPost, celebrating two decades of fearless journalism, is seeking continued support to maintain its commitment to providing fact-based news. The publication is grateful for past support, which strengthened its newsroom. To continue its mission, HuffPost is urging readers to offer their support. This backing is crucial to ensure the publication’s future.
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During the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Rome, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen reiterated the EU’s unwavering support for Ukraine, pledging to provide assistance for the duration of the conflict. The EU, already Ukraine’s largest donor, will disburse new financial tranches, including €1 billion in macro-financial support and over €3 billion from the Ukraine Facility, which will unlock €10 billion in investment. Von der Leyen also highlighted that supporting Ukraine aids EU member states in meeting their NATO defense targets, while the conference also saw announcements regarding a fund dedicated to Ukraine’s reconstruction.
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In a recent announcement, former President Trump declared he would impose a 35% tariff on imports from Canada starting next month, citing the opioid crisis as justification and threatening further increases if Canada retaliates. Simultaneously, Trump signaled a potential 15-20% blanket tariff on most trading partners, raising concerns for countries like Australia. This escalation has sparked a potential trade war with Brazil, where President da Silva threatened retaliatory tariffs if Trump follows through on increasing import taxes. These actions signal a broadening of Trump’s trade war tactics, potentially leveraging tariffs for political purposes.
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John Q. Hosedrinker