๐ŸŒŽ Foreign Affairs

UK energy secretary to visit China in early 2025

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The planned visit comes as the Labour government looks to renew relations with China.

Fight for justice: Grieving mothers call for end to gun violence in Brazil

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In Rio de Janeiro, many mothers have lost their children to the violence of police operations and organised crime. Seeking to overcome grief and heartbreak, these mothers have formed a network of mutual aid to support each other in their fight for jus…

Russia could launch another hypersonic missile at Ukraine soon, US official says

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Vladimir Putin has claimed that the Oreshnik, or hazel tree, is impossible to intercept and that it has destructive power comparable to that of a nuclear weapon, even when fitted with a conventional warhead.
The post Russia could launch another hyperso…

Shocked West mulls dilemma posed by Syriaโ€™s new leaders

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Domestic interests add to the complications for European governments, under pressure from voters to crack down on immigration.
The post Shocked West mulls dilemma posed by Syria’s new leaders appeared first on Euractiv.

Europe fumbles in its attempt to save its automotive industry

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Member states are looking for ways to support the EU’s automotive sector, which is seeing a major shift towards electric vehicles and threatened by competition from China. The ban on the sale of new vehicles with internal combustion engines in 2035 has…

Majority of Brexit voters โ€˜would accept free movementโ€™ to access single market

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Europe-wide polling finds UK and EU leaders now out of step with public opinion and pursue โ€˜ambitious resetโ€™A majority of Britons who voted to leave the EU would now accept a return to free movement in exchange for access to the single market, accordin…

EUโ€™s climate chief warns of โ€˜geopolitical winterโ€™

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Wopke Hoekstra vows to keep EU climate targets despite Trump and populist pushback, but admits Europe canโ€™t go it alone.

EUโ€™s new energy chief vows to end Russian fuel ties for good

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Momentum for quitting Moscowโ€™s revenue driver has stalled. “Something new needs to happen,” Dan Jรธrgensen told POLITICO.

What Hamas wrought

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Instead of igniting a war that would destroy Israel, the militant group lit the fuse that set much of the region on fire, burning its own allies above all.

France tells Israel to halt Golan Heights incursion

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Paris calls military deployment in buffer zone “a violation of the 1974 disengagement agreement” between Damascus and Tel Aviv.

A Jan. 6 rioter tried to join the Russian military to fight against Ukraine, feds say

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Kevin Loftus should be sent to jail for violating the terms of his probation, prosecutors told a judge.

Tech billionaires prepare to invade the Pentagon

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A handful of Silicon Valley executives could help transform the countryโ€™s largest bureaucracy โ€” and benefit themselves while trying.

Germany to enable โ€˜voluntary, secureโ€™ returns for Syrian refugees

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The foreign office in Berlin has scripted an eight-point plan for a free and democratic Syria.

Mercosur : il y a du nouveau

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POLITICO vous prรฉsente les nouveaux รฉlรฉments de lโ€™accord commercial conclu la semaine derniรจre entre lโ€™Europe et lโ€™Amรฉrique du Sud.

Under Prigozhin’s son, Wagner preserves roles in the Central African Republic and Mali

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Since the death of Yevgeny Prigozhin, Moscow has been trying to merge the Russian paramilitary group’s African nebula into a new organization called ‘Africa Corps.’ But the mercenaries are continuing their business and military operations in Bangui and…

Norway oil firm sued over alleged links to Israeli firm operating in illegal settlements

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Exclusive: Complaint says Equinor is unlawfully connected to Israelโ€™s Delek Group, which has been flagged by UN human rights commissionerThe Norwegian oil company Equinor is being sued over alleged business links to the Israeli energy company Delek Gro…

PMQs: Starmer wins by taking migration fight to Badenoch

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Kemi Badenoch ripped into the government’s migration plans โ€” but the PM could easily point to the Tories’ own record.

Orbรกn calls Putin to discuss ending Ukraine war

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The Hungarian and Russian leaders reportedly spoke about finding a diplomatic route to peace in Ukraine.

Europe jumps into โ€˜incredibly costlyโ€™ AI supercomputing race

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The EU will fund AI-optimized supercomputers across the bloc to help startups compete with U.S. rivals.

Macron, Tusk to discuss Ukraine peacekeeping force

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The leaders will discuss sending foreign troops to Ukraine after the war ends.

Prosecutors call for two-year sentence for suspect in Amsterdam violence

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Sefa O one of seven men charged with public violence in chaos that followed Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv matchProsecutors have called for a man suspected of punching and kicking Israeli football fans in Amsterdam during a night of violence to serve two ye…

Top EU-Brazil MEP: EU-Mercosur deal is โ€˜urgent, visionary, boldโ€™

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The EU-Mercosur agreement “goes far beyond narrow European interests,” writes MEP Hรฉlder Sousa Silva.
The post Top EU-Brazil MEP: EU-Mercosur deal is ‘urgent, visionary, bold’ appeared first on Euractiv.

Killing of UnitedHealthcare executive ignites US patient anger over health insurance

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The killing last week of a powerful health insurance executive has ignited an outpouring of anger from Americans struggling to receive and pay for medical care.
The post Killing of UnitedHealthcare executive ignites US patient anger over health insuran…

Israel says its air strikes destroyed most of Syriaโ€™s strategic weapons stockpiles

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The scale of the Israeli strikes echoed a similar wave of attacks in southern Lebanon in September that destroyed a significant quantity of Hezbollah’s missile stocks.
The post Israel says its air strikes destroyed most of Syria’s strategic weapo…

The competing regional powers in the way of Syriaโ€™s new government

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In this episode, host Giada Santana breaks down the rivaling interests shaping the future of Syria with Middle East expert Chris Phillips and Russian reporter Iuliia Akhmedova.
The post The competing regional powers in the way of Syriaโ€™s new government…

Europeโ€™s AI competitiveness hinges on skills

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The rapid rise of AI presents an opportunity to strengthen Europe’s competitiveness, but only if leaders act now to close persistent skills gaps in the workforce.

Has Syrian rebel leader al-Golani really shaken off his al Qaeda past?

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The leopard claims he has changed his spots, but will he bring stability to the devastated nation?

Kimberly Guilfoyle picked by Trump to be ambassador to Greece

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The former Fox News host was engaged to the president-electโ€™s son, but their relationship status is unclear.

Sanders says this is likely his last term

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Progressive icon was reelected for another six years in November.

Israel destroys targets across Syria as Russian vessels desert Tartus naval base

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Moscow says it is taking the “necessary steps” to ensure the security of its military bases.

Trump must be โ€˜strongโ€™ on Russia to prevent trouble with China, EU top diplomat says

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โ€œIf you donโ€™t want problems with China, I think you have to be really strong on Russia,โ€ Kaja Kallas said.

Northern Ireland to continue to retain some EU trade laws post-Brexit

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Assembly votes to keep special trading arrangements despite long-held division with unionist opposition The Northern Ireland assembly has voted to continue with the special Brexit trading arrangements for another four years.It means Northern Ireland wi…

Mark Rutte

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Dreamer No. 1 โ€” Germany

Ursula von der Leyen

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Doer No. 1 โ€” Germany

The Guardian view on the EU-Mercosur trade deal: another farmer flashpoint approaches | Letters

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Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission president, has taken a political risk in signing off an agreement with Latin American countriesAnticipating the strong protectionist winds that will blow from Donald Trumpโ€™s White House, the president of th…

Qatar open to mediation if Syrian rebels turn on each other

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The wealthy Gulf Arab state is in touch with rebel groups on the ground in Syria.

Hereโ€™s whatโ€™s new in the EU-Mercosur trade deal

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POLITICO brings you the new elements of Europeโ€™s trade deal with South America struck last week.

France begins military withdrawal from Chad as influence in Africa wanes

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Senegal also requests departure of French troops, saying they are โ€˜not compatibleโ€™ with countryโ€™s sovereigntyFrance has begun recalling its military assets from its former ally Chad, the latest blow to its dwindling influence across its former colonies…

Trump wants to end birthright citizenship. Can that really happen?

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Trump has suggested, without offering details, that he could enact his plan through an executive order.

Scrabble star wins Spanish world title โ€“ despite not speaking Spanish

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Nigel Richards has also been champion in English and โ€“ after memorising dictionary in nine weeks โ€“ FrenchMore than 150 competitors representing 20 countries descended on a hotel on the outskirts of Granada last month to battle it out at the Spanish Wor…

Nearly half of Ukrainians trust Trump, new poll reports

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Ukrainians are somewhat optimistic Trump can restore peace, the report finds.

Israeli troops near Damascus, say Syrian security, after Israeli airstrikes hit Syrian bases

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Egypt, Qatar and Saudi Arabia have condemned the incursion. Saudi Arabia said the move would “ruin Syria’s chances of restoring security”.
The post Israeli troops near Damascus, say Syrian security, after Israeli airstrikes hit Syrian bases appeared f…

Netanyahu to take the stand in his corruption trial for the first time

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Charged with bribery, fraud and breach of trust, the Isreali prime minister will testify three times a week, despite the Gaza war and possible new threats posed by wider turmoil in the Middle East.
The post Netanyahu to take the stand in his corruption…

Blinken warns Islamic State will try to re-establish capabilities in Syria

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The Biden administration is seeking ways to engage with Syrian rebel groups who ousted Assad and is reaching out to partners in the region such as Turkey to help kick start informal diplomacy.
The post Blinken warns Islamic State will try to re-establi…

Syriaโ€™s rebels work to form government, restore order after Assad ouster

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With the mood in Damascus still celebratory, Assad’s prime minister, Mohammed Jalali, on Monday handed power to the rebel-led Salvation Government.
The post Syria’s rebels work to form government, restore order after Assad ouster appeared first o…

Zelenskyy seeks diplomatic end to Russiaโ€™s war, floats role for foreign troops

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The remarks at a joint press conference with German opposition leader Friedrich Merz were the latest to signal Kyiv’s increasing openness to war negotiations.
The post Zelenskyy seeks diplomatic end to Russia’s war, floats role for foreign troops…

Biden shrinks from view ahead of Trumpโ€™s return to Washington

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With 42 days left in office, Biden avoids unscripted moments or press questions.

What Europe risks losing amid the US-China trade war

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In this episode, host Giada Santana and defense reporter Aurelie Pugnet discuss the latest escalation in the tit-for-tat between Beijing and Washington and what it implies for the Union.
The post What Europe risks losing amid the US-China trade war a…

Ending harmful subsidies will benefit small-scale fishers

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WTO members are negotiating new rules that would limit damaging fisheries subsidies. Finalizing these is essential for protecting the health of the fish stocks on which many coastal communities rely.

Flying over Russia: Chinese airlines win and Europeans lose

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While European airlines are cutting routes, Chinese carriers are increasing connections with the continent.

Sabine Weyand

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Doer No. 9 โ€” Germany

Pedro Sรกnchez

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Dreamer No. 8 โ€” The survivor

Rafaล‚ Trzaskowski

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Disrupter No. 3 โ€” Poland

Viktor Orbรกn

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Dreamer No. 4 โ€” Hungary

Germany and France agree to work with Syrian rebels on โ€˜basis of fundamental human rightsโ€™

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Western capitals are debating how to engage with the Syrian rebels, who are led by a group that is a designated terrorist organization.

Do Syriaโ€™s liberators still deserve the terrorist label?

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Assadโ€™s downfall was met with unbridled joy and relief among Syrians and Syriaโ€™s expatriate community.

Caught between two worlds, Central Asiaโ€™s delicate dance with China and Russia evolves [Advocacy Lab Content]

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Kazakhstan could have been squeezed between great powers. Instead, it is emerging as a Central Asian bridging point, cultivating global partners and new markets.
The post Caught between two worlds, Central Asia’s delicate dance with China and Rus…

EU and China seek influence expansion in vital Middle Corridor trade route [Advocacy Lab Content]

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Middle Corridor transportation surged 68 per cent in the first 10 months of 2024, while container traffic rose 2.7 times, with shipments from China increasing 25-fold.
The post EU and China seek influence expansion in vital Middle Corridor trade route …

The Councilโ€™s position on proposed EU law on migrant smuggling: cynical political theatre?

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 Professor Steve Peers, Royal Holloway University of
London

Photo credit: Ggia,
via Wikimedia Commons

Introduction

Member Statesโ€™ ministers (the EU
Council) are likely to agree a negotiating position this week on replacement of
existing EU law …

Starmer says UK strengthening defence partnership with Saudi Arabia as charities criticise human rights record โ€“ UK politics live

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Amnesty International UK says prime minister needs to โ€˜challenge repression of human rights defendersโ€™ as he meets crown princeQ: [From Christopher Hope from GB News] Do you want to cut the number of civil service jobs? Do you favour ID cards? And woul…

UK: Too early to lift ban on key Syrian rebel group

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Prime Minister Keir Starmer insists ‘no decision is pending’ on removing Hayat Tahrir al-Sham’s status as a terrorist organization.

Chinese firms decry EUโ€™s โ€˜over-emphasisโ€™ on economic security

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โ€œChinese companies believe the overemphasis on economic security will disrupt the division of labour in global supply chain networks,โ€ reports the China Chamber of Commerce to the EU.
The post Chinese firms decry EUโ€™s โ€˜over-emphasisโ€™ on economic securi…

Syrie : les gagnants et les perdants de la chute dโ€™Assad

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POLITICO รฉvalue les perspectives des principaux acteurs, au Moyen-Orient et au-delร , aprรจs la fin du rรฉgime du dictateur syrien.

Austria prepares to deport Syrian migrants after Assad regime falls

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Belgium, Germany, Greece and Austria said they will halt Syrian asylum applications one day after rebel forces ousted the country’s dictator.

Losing Syria is Putinโ€™s โ€˜personal defeatโ€™, experts say

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Russia will try to negotiate with Syrian rebels to maintain military bases and influence in the Middle East, experts say.
The post Losing Syria is Putin’s ‘personal defeat’, experts say appeared first on Euractiv.

Mitigating Central Asiaโ€™s water crisis requires collective action, partnership with the West [Advocacy Lab Content]

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Central Asia is losing 40 per cent of irrigation water and 55 per cent of drinking water to outdated systems. Climate change exacerbates the risks. How can the West invest in water security?
The post Mitigating Central Asia’s water crisis require…

Top Tony Blair aide becomes UK Palestine envoy

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Government efficiency guru Michael Barber will take on a new Palestine-facing role.

UK chancellor tells Brussels: We wonโ€™t choose Trump over EU

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The U.K. finance minister dismissed the idea that Britain would have to pick sides in a possible trade war between the EU and U.S.

Putin personally granted asylum to Syriaโ€™s Assad, Kremlin confirms

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The Syrian dictator fled to Moscow with his family after opposition forces took control of the capital.

Moscow reaches out to new Syrian leadership in move to secure bases

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Having labelled Syrian rebels โ€˜terroristsโ€™, Moscow is now making diplomatic efforts to protect its military assets in the countryMoscow is seeking to secure the future of its key military bases in Syria while making inroads with the countryโ€™s new rebel…

Shaping the Future: International development through sustainable solutions [Advocacy Lab Content]

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Euractiv’s Advocacy Lab covers a series of World Bank reports on various topics, including Europe’s climate preparedness, economic updates from Europe & Central Asia, decarbonisation of EU transport and Europe’s water security.

Romanian police foil armed mercenaries in Jan. 6 style plot

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Some 20 people were detained on way to Bucharest with weapons, according to local media.

UK promises โ€˜swiftโ€™ decision on banned Syrian group

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Hayat Tahrir al-Sham is a proscribed terrorist organization in the U.K., but played a major part in Bashar al-Assad’s ouster.

How stars aligned for Syriaโ€™s rebels to oust Assad

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Turkey gave approval for the offensive and now appears to be Syria’s most powerful external player, with troops on the ground and access to the rebel leaders.

US pounds ISIS camps in Syria after Assad flees

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โ€œThere should be no doubt โ€” we will not allow ISIS to reconstitute,โ€ a top general said.

From Brussels to Warsaw, troubled Europe reckons with Trump โ€” and itself

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The next few months will be pivotal for the Atlantic alliance. A fragmented Continent will struggle to meet the moment.

US pounds ISIS camps in Syria after Assad flees

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US pounds ISIS camps in Syria after Assad flees

Europeans welcome Assadโ€™s regime collapse in Syria, but caution of aftermath

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The Syrian president’s ousting “shows the weakness of Assadโ€™s backers, Russia and Iran,” the EU’s top diplomat said.

Trump says he will end birthright citizenship

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โ€œWeโ€™re going to have to get it changed,โ€ Trump said, referring to the 14th Amendment of the Constitution.

Trumpโ€™s former defense secretary calls to address humanitarian aid, chemical weapons in Syria

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The former Defense secretary called the rebel victory โ€œhistoric,โ€ but emphasized the remaining concerns.

Assadโ€™s downfall โ€” the winners and losers

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Across the region and beyond, POLITICO assesses the prospects of key players after the ouster of Syrian dictator Bashar Assad.

Trump โ€˜canโ€™t guaranteeโ€™ Americans wonโ€™t pay more if tariffs enacted

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โ€œI canโ€™t guarantee anything. I canโ€™t guarantee tomorrow,โ€ the president-elect said.

Guns, lies and audiotape: How Bidenโ€™s family ties could lead to another pardon

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For decades, a scandal-plagued Mississippi family has cozied up to the president. How will the relationship end?

Kyiv reveals total Ukraine casualties in Putinโ€™s war for first time

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Zelenskyy said 43,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed and 370,000 wounded. That compares with 600,000 dead and wounded reported for Russia.

EU welcomes collapse of Syrian regime as Assad flees

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Opposition fighters have taken control of key cities and freed prisoners held for years behind bars.

Assad flees Syria as rebels storm Damascus, Russia says

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The former dictator’s whereabouts are still unknown following the lightning advance of opposition forces on the capital.

Trump tells Putin itโ€™s โ€˜time to actโ€™ on cease-fire talks with Zelenskyy

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“There should be an immediate ceasefire and negotiations should begin” in order to “stop the madness,” Trump said on Truth Social.

Trump is complicating Bidenโ€™s final push in the Middle East

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Some regional leaders appear inclined to unveil key initiatives under the next president, giving him the glory.

Ten days in Syria that shook the Middle East

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Was the astonishing implosion of Bashar Assadโ€™s regime exclusively the result of its rottenness or did elements inside his government coordinate with rebels?

US Defense Secretary announces new Ukraine aid, defends Bidenโ€™s record on national security

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The package wonโ€™t arrive in Ukraine immediately but will consist of contracts with U.S. defense companies to build new drones and air defense munitions.

McConnell takes indirect swipe at Trump on Americaโ€™s role in the world

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โ€œAmerica will not be made great again by those who are content to manage our decline,โ€ he said.

Syrian rebels storm into Damascus, claim Assad has fled

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Assad had been in power for 25 years and his family ruled Syria for half a century.

Finnegas BETA

An Eccentri(; Enterprise