U.S.-Russia relations are critically strained, teetering on the brink of collapse, according to Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov. Ryabkov insists that the Ukraine war will continue until Ukraine abandons NATO aspirations and cedes occupied territories. While President Trump claims contact with President Putin, the Kremlin remains noncommittal, fueling uncertainty surrounding Trump’s purported peace plan. This situation unfolds as Kyiv seeks assurances from the U.S. and Europe before engaging in negotiations with Russia.
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On Saturday, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania officially disconnected from the Soviet-era electricity grid, severing their final energy ties with Russia after more than three decades of independence. This symbolic act, marked by a countdown in Vilnius, involved the sequential shutdown of all remaining transmission lines connecting the Baltic states to Russia and Belarus. The Baltic Power System will operate independently for 24 hours before synchronizing with European networks on Sunday. This transition, supported by increased security measures, represents a significant geopolitical shift and strengthens the Baltics’ energy independence.
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Images of donkeys being used by Russian forces in Ukraine have gone viral, prompting a defense from several Russian officials. These officials, including members of the State Duma’s defense committee, attribute the use of donkeys to significant logistical difficulties in supplying front-line units with ammunition and food. They argue that employing pack animals is a viable solution, prioritizing the preservation of troops and vehicles. While the extent of donkey deployment remains unclear, the Russian Defense Ministry has not yet commented on the matter.
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Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s Sunday appearance on CNN’s State of the Union sparked controversy. Noem defended Elon Musk’s access to sensitive government data, citing presidential authorization, despite prior Republican criticism of similar situations. Her assertion that the government is untrustworthy, while serving within it, highlighted the stark partisan divide over Musk’s sweeping, controversial restructuring efforts across numerous federal agencies. These actions, including agency closures and data access concerns, have triggered widespread anxiety among federal employees and legal challenges from Democrats.
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President Trump’s allies are increasingly frustrated by repeated legal setbacks hindering his agenda. This anger has manifested publicly, with prominent figures like Elon Musk amplifying calls to defy court rulings. The situation presents a concerning threat of disregard for judicial authority, raising questions about potential consequences should such defiance occur. Legal experts are closely monitoring the situation and its implications for the rule of law.
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Rostelecom, Russia’s state-controlled telecoms giant, reported damage to its Baltic Sea underwater cable caused by an “external impact.” Repair efforts are underway, with the company assuring that service disruptions to consumers have been avoided. This incident follows a series of similar cable cuts in the Baltic, prompting accusations of Russian-orchestrated hybrid warfare against Ukraine’s Western allies. The nature of the “external impact” remains unconfirmed.
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Zurich voters rejected a proposed pay raise for local politicians by a margin of 53.2% to 46.8%, with 45,350 voting against and 39,881 in favor. The increase, supported by several center-left parties, would have raised annual salaries from an average of CHF 16,000 to CHF 28,000, including pension contributions. Opponents, including the Swiss People’s Party and Radical-Liberal Party, argued the increase was excessive and threatened the city’s militia-based political system. The referendum was triggered by a parliamentary initiative, partly in response to a threatened counter-referendum.
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The threatened re-imposition of steel and aluminum tariffs by the United States is expected to provoke a swift EU response. This action reignites a long-standing trade dispute, with the EU prepared to utilize various retaliatory measures, including WTO challenges and safeguard tariffs, as previous suspensions expire in March. France and Germany have already urged the EU to act decisively, emphasizing the need to protect European interests. The EU’s response is anticipated to be immediate and forceful.
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During Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl LVII halftime show, a performer displayed a Sudanese-Palestinian flag bearing the words “Sudan” and “Gaza,” resulting in their on-field detention. The NFL confirmed the individual, a member of the show’s cast, will face a lifetime ban from all NFL events and is subject to potential criminal charges. The act was unplanned and unknown to production; neither Roc Nation nor the NFL had prior knowledge of the performer’s intentions. The incident did not disrupt the performance and was seemingly not broadcast.
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John Q. Hosedrinker