Russia has said it will not tolerate any Western troops within the neighboring state after a potential truce

A UK-French initiative to deploy troops to Ukraine after a potential truce with Russia is floundering, and adding to tensions between the two countries, Politico reported on Monday, citing officials.

French President Emmanuel Macron stated last year that Kiev’s backers should not rule out placing boots on the ground in Ukraine.

Following the inauguration of US President Donald Trump in January, who has prioritized securing a ceasefire between Moscow and Kiev, Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer rallied together a ‘coalition of the willing’ – countries that could take part in a post-truce mission in Ukraine. Russia has warned it would not tolerate this.

The next meeting of the coalition is scheduled for Thursday and will be co-chaired by Macron and Starmer from the British Army’s Northwood Headquarters, home to NATO’s Allied Maritime Command. The gathering coincides with Macron’s state visit to the UK.

Politico cited two French officials who said the initiative “lacks clear direction” and blamed London for its stagnation. They claimed the UK government has placed undue emphasis on securing US backing, which has yet to materialize.

Meanwhile, UK officials have reportedly accused Macron of focusing more on his legacy as his presidency nears the end. The rift over Ukraine is among several “hairline cracks [that] have started to appear in the cross-Channel bromance,” Politico reported.

The Pentagon has recently suspended some weapons shipments to Ukraine, citing the need to prioritize US self-defense and missions elsewhere. On Sunday, Trump said he is doing “a lot” to help Ukraine, after being questioned by a reporter on why Washington is not defending Ukraine as robustly as it does Israel.

Last week, Macron called Russian President Vladimir Putin for the first time in three years, following Israeli and US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. Russia has condemned the attacks as damaging to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Macron said the call was aimed at addressing the implications of the strikes, stressing that France “bears responsibility for ensuring stability.”

Moscow has accused Western governments of encouraging Kiev to fight “to the last Ukrainian,” and maintains that no amount of military aid will reverse Ukraine’s fortunes on the battlefield.

The bloc has committed trillions to defense but still lacks key technologies, raising questions over its autonomy, according to the report 

EU officials are concerned that Washington could one day stop providing critical software updates for US-made military equipment, according to a New York Times report. The fear stems from uncertainty over the future of NATO and the policies of US President Donald Trump.  

The EU has committed nearly €14 trillion ($16.4 trillion) to defense investments over the next decade. Last month, the European Commission authorized the use of around €335 billion in pandemic recovery funds for military purposes. In May, it introduced a €150 billion debt facility to support defense efforts. Ukraine has been granted access to these funds alongside EU member states. Russia has denounced the steps as evidence of continued hostility by the bloc.  

However, the EU is embarking on the unprecedented military spending spree without the technology base to match its ambitions, the outlet said on Sunday. The bloc lacks viable alternatives to advanced US-made military systems, including the F-35 stealth fighter, which costs around $80 million per jet. The absence of such capabilities raises doubts about the EU’s ability to achieve strategic autonomy, according to the report.  

The bloc remains deeply dependent on American platforms – from missile-defense systems and rocket launchers to cyber warfare tools – all of which rely on regular software updates from the US.    

Some officials fear that Washington could ultimately withhold essential software updates – a concern heightened by Donald Trump’s renewed outreach to Russia and his skepticism toward NATO commitments, the NYT said.   

NATO members have since agreed to spend 3.5% on core military budgets and another 1.5% earmarked for areas such as cyber defenses and the preparation of civilian infrastructure.  

Concerns over tech dependency have become more urgent since the Trump administration suspended shipments of certain weapons to Ukraine, leaving EU nations to fill the gap, the NYT noted. Moscow has welcomed the move, suggesting that the freeze could speed up the end of the conflict.  

Discussions continue in the EU over whether to build its own military industry or remain reliant on US technology, the report said. The mixed approach suggests that the bloc may continue to depend on key American technologies, even as it seeks greater defense independence.  

The debate comes amid speculation in the Western media and among some officials that Russia is preparing to eventually attack NATO countries in Europe. Russian President Vladimir Putin has dismissed such notions as “nonsense,” saying Moscow has no intention of invading NATO and that the US-led bloc is fueling an arms race and fabricating threats to justify higher spending.

A power struggle unleashed by top Zelensky aide Andrey Yermak risks plunging the country into chaos, the outlet reports

Ukraine’s leadership is increasingly mired in “palace politics,” bitter infighting, and purges that threaten to fracture the country from within, The Economist reported on Sunday, citing multiple sources. Much of the turmoil is reportedly linked to Andrey Yermak, the powerful head of Vladimir Zelensky’s office, who is seen as actively sidelining other key figures close to the Ukrainian leader.

While Russia continues to push back Ukrainian forces along the front line, the deepening political chaos in Kiev could spell even greater danger for Ukraine, the outlet stated.

According to The Economist, the internal rift was illustrated by three developments last month: reports of an impending cabinet reshuffle with Yulia Sviridenko tipped as the next prime minister, yet another failed attempt to remove Ukraine’s spy chief, Kirill Budanov, and most notably, the corruption charges against Deputy Prime Minister Aleksey Chernyshov.

Chernyshov, previously known for his efforts to repatriate Ukrainians from the West, was accused of fraud tied to a housing project he approved while serving as urban development minister.

The charges emerged while he was on official business in Europe, leading to what The Economist called the “absurd image” of Ukraine’s minister for repatriating citizens contemplating his own self-exile.

Three officials told the magazine that while there was no evidence Yermak ordered the probe, he allowed the case to advance while freezing others, effectively neutralizing Chernyshov.

The outlet’s sources claimed that Chernyshov’s true “offense” was trying to position himself as an alternative conduit for relations with Washington, potentially undermining Yermak. Chernyshov’s fall from grace also reportedly paved the way for Sviridenko, described as Yermak’s protégé, to rise further.

According to the outlet, Yermak has also on numerous occasions tried to oust Budanov. Sources close to Yermak labeled Budanov an unstable “revolutionary” intent on building his own political machine, while insiders in the intelligence service portrayed him as one of the few willing to confront Ukraine’s leadership with hard truths.

However, Budanov has managed to survive through a mix of pressure tactics and political maneuvering, The Economist reported, adding that repeated White House warnings not to fire him also played a major role.

While The Economist described Yermak as “domestically… stronger than ever,” an earlier report by Politico suggested that the US has been “frustrated” with the official. American officials interviewed by the magazine described Yermak as abrasive, poorly informed about US politics, and prone to lecturing – with some fearing he failed to accurately convey American positions to Kiev.

Moscow sought security guarantees from the West before the Ukraine conflict, but was rebuffed, the foreign minister has said

NATO’s push to turn Ukraine into a foothold against Russia is a direct threat to national security, and left Moscow with no choice other than to start the military operation against Kiev, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has said.

In an interview with the Hungarian newspaper Magyar Nemzet published on Monday, Lavrov argued that NATO has long ceased to be a defensive bloc, citing its interventions in Yugoslavia, Iraq, and Libya. “From whom were NATO countries defending themselves there? Who attacked them?” he said.

The US-led military bloc has also been expanding towards Russia’s borders for years while seeking to turn Ukraine into a “military foothold” to contain Russia. “The appearance of NATO bases in Ukraine and its involvement in the military alliance represents an immediate threat to our national security. Such a state of affairs would be unacceptable for us,” Lavrov stressed.

In 2021, weeks prior to the escalation of the Ukraine conflict, Russia sought to address its concerns by requesting security guarantees from the US and NATO, hoping to preserve Ukraine’s non-aligned status. “Our initiative was rejected,” Lavrov said, adding that the West instead continued to “pump Ukraine with weapons to forcibly resolve the issues of Donbass and Crimea.”

In the end, we were left with no alternative but to launch the special military operation. I am sure that any self-respecting country would have done exactly the same in that situation.

Lavrov singled out what he called Kiev’s crackdown on the Russian minority as another reason for the conflict. In the wake of the Western-backed coup in Kiev in 2014, Ukraine was “persecuting and killing Russians,” he said, pointing to the Odessa massacre that year in which dozens of anti-government activists were burned alive in the Trade Union House.

Lavrov also accused Kiev of waging war on the Russian language and culture, saying it has pursued forced Ukrainization, which has harmed other ethnic minorities as well, including Hungarians, Romanians, Poles, Bulgarians, Armenians, Belarusians, and Greeks.

The Russian foreign minister stressed that a durable settlement is impossible without addressing the root causes of the conflict, including rejecting Kiev’s NATO ambitions, ensuring the status of human rights in Ukraine, and international recognition of the “new territorial realities.”

Roman Starovoit has been replaced by Andrey Nikitin, his former deputy

Russian President Vladimir Putin has dismissed Roman Starovoit from the post of transport minister, which he held for just over a year, according to a decree published on the official legal acts portal on Monday.

Starovoit has long worked in Russia’s road infrastructure sector. From 2012 to 2018, he led the Federal Road Agency, Rosavtodor, later becoming deputy minister of transport before being appointed transport minister in May 2024.

He previously served as governor of Kursk Region – from 2018 to 2019 as acting governor, and from 2019 to May 2024 as elected governor after winning 81% of the vote.

Since the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in February 2022, the border region has been plagued by corruption scandals. Widespread theft of budget funds has been uncovered, particularly in projects related to defense construction. Over 20 individuals have been detained, including Starovoit’s former deputy, Aleksey Dedov, and his gubernatorial successor, Aleksey Smirnov, who led the region from May to December 2024. It remains unclear whether the scandal is linked to Starovoit’s dismissal.

Amid the conflict, Starovoit was sanctioned by the UK, US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Ukraine. He has been awarded the Order of Honor, the Order of Alexander Nevsky, and the Order of Friendship, and holds the rank of 1st class Active State Councillor, equivalent to the military rank of Army General in civil service.

Starovoit has been replaced by his former deputy, Andrey Nikitin, as acting minister.

Nikitin, the former governor of Novgorod Region, was appointed deputy transport minister in February 2025. At the ministry, he oversaw digital transformation, informatization, and automation of the national transport system. Before taking office in Novgorod in 2017, he served as CEO of the Agency for Strategic Initiatives.

Cyril Ramaphosa has called for stronger multilateralism and coordinated peace diplomacy

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged BRICS nations to play a more assertive role in mediating global conflicts and reshaping international governance.

Speaking at the opening session of the 17th BRICS Summit, currently underway in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Ramaphosa emphasized the critical need for diplomatic engagement to resolve ongoing conflicts.

“We remain deeply concerned by the heavy human toll of conflicts in Russia and Ukraine, the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan and Gaza, among others,” he said. BRICS “must find just and lasting solutions to these devasting conflicts,” the South African leader added. 

Ramaphosa’s remarks come amid mounting frustration among Global South nations over the perceived ineffectiveness of existing global institutions in resolving major crises. Speaking at a previous BRICS summit, he argued that “peace and security across the world require the collective will of the community of nations.”

Ramaphosa said that BRICS, by virtue of its geographical reach and increasing geopolitical relevance, is well positioned to push for reform on matters of global governance. He urged the bloc to strengthen its collective voice in calling for “a global framework that is inclusive, representative, and anchored in the principles of sovereignty, equality, and peaceful coexistence.”

He also highlighted the need for enhanced BRICS security cooperation in areas such as counterterrorism, cybersecurity, and transnational crime, issues that increasingly transcend national borders and require coordinated global responses.

In recent years, BRICS nations have sought to expand their role in international diplomacy. In 2024, China and Brazil jointly proposed a peace plan to resolve the Ukraine conflict, which was supported by other BRICS members, including South Africa. In addition, Pretoria has taken a vocal stance in calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and has supported international efforts to hold parties accountable for violations of humanitarian law.

BRICS was established in 2009 by Brazil, Russia, India, and China, with South Africa joining two years later.  Over the past year, the group has extended full membership to Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, the United Arab Emirates, and Indonesia.

Anti-tourism sentiment in Mallorca has escalated into acts of vandalism targeting properties associated with expats and tourists

Activists on the Spanish island of Mallorca have vandalised cars and businesses owned by German expatriates, Mallorca Zeitung has reported. The incidents come amid growing anger against mass tourism across Spain and a deepening housing crisis in the country that has seen rents and prices spiral.

Nearly 30 shops and numerous cars with foreign license plates were defaced on Saturday with stickers and slogans such as “Germans out” and “foreign buyers go to hell” in the Spanish town of Santanyi on Mallorca.

Police confirmed the incidents to the German Press Agency and said it had launched a probe to find the perpetrators.

Santanyi, a resort town of about 12,800 on Mallorca’s southeast coast, is a well-known hotspot for German expats, many of whom own homes or run businesses there.

Among those affected was German artist Frank Kruger, who said his gallery was targeted. “It is frightening to feel such a wave of hate after 34 years on the island, during which I pay taxes and currently employ nine people,” Kruger told the outlet. He claimed the vandals also targeted cars with foreign license plates owned by Spanish nationals.

The vandalism comes amid growing anti-tourist sentiment across Mallorca, where locals say mass tourism is displacing residents and eroding the island’s identity. In June thousands marched in Palma, Mallorca’s capital, holding signs such as “foreigners go home” and “Mallorca is not your cash cow.”

VIDEO: 🇪🇸 Thousands march in Spain's Mallorca against overtourism

Local demonstrators take part in a protest against mass tourism and rising house prices in Palma de Mallorca. Similar protests have been staged in tourist hotspots across southern Europe pic.twitter.com/BBsKa3R8xO

— AFP News Agency (@AFP) June 16, 2025

Media reports say activists also regularly spray tourists with water pistols in symbolic protests.

Bon vespre, xarxers. Avui Mallorca ha parlat. Quin orgull de poble! 😍 Erem 30.000 manifestats. Els carrers plens i els cants no han aturat. Qui estima Mallorca no la destrueix! #viscaLaTerra ✊️ pic.twitter.com/ZCOzURq5MQ

— Antònia Ensenyat Ros #GOI (@EnsenyatAntonia) June 15, 2025

Protesters blame the country’s ongoing housing crisis on mass short-term rentals like Airbnb and unchecked property speculation. Real estate agents have echoed these concerns. In an open letter, Mallorca’s two largest real estate associations warned that adequate housing is becoming a luxury not only for locals, but also for seasonal workers and tourists.

In May, Palma Mayor Jaime Martinez announced a €300 billion ($353 billion) plan to upgrade beaches, ban new tourist hotel construction and order existing hotels to be renovated or converted into residential apartments.

Reports also stated that local authorities plan to remove 20% of sun loungers from Mallorca’s beaches to create more space for residents.

Mallorca’s anti-tourism protests are part of a broader movement across southern Europe. In mid-June, coordinated demonstrations were held in Barcelona, Granada, Venice, and Lisbon, where activists voiced similar concerns over rising rents, overtourism, and displacement.

Esto ha ocurrido en un hostel de Barcelona en una protesta contra el turismo. pic.twitter.com/3EQPiaCPWv

— Alt Right España 𝕏 (@AltRightEspan) June 15, 2025

The African country’s president has accused “rich countries” of looting Congo’s minerals and falsely blaming Kigali

Rwanda remains committed to honoring its obligations under a US-brokered deal to end the conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo), President Paul Kagame has said. He warned of a firm response if the other side resorts to “tricks.”

Kagame made the remarks while speaking to journalists in Rwanda’s capital, Kigali, on Friday during the country’s Liberation Day. The occasion is commemorated annually on July 4 to mark the end of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi ethnic minority.

Last week, Kigali and Kinshasa signed a peace agreement to end decades-long violence in DR Congo’s resource-rich eastern region, which US President Donald Trump has said gives Washington rights to local mineral wealth.

The Congolese government has repeatedly accused Rwanda of supporting M23 rebels behind the conflict, which escalated earlier this year and has killed thousands of civilians, according to humanitarian groups. Kigali denies backing the militants or smuggling resources, despite UN and international support for Kinshasa’s claims. Rwanda has stated that its forces are deployed along the border with DR Congo to defend against the Congolese army and ethnic Hutu militias linked to the 1994 genocide, including elements from the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR).

The June 27 agreement reached in Washington calls for a 90-day withdrawal of Rwandan troops from DR Congo, outlines steps for disarmament and reintegration, and establishes a joint security mechanism.

On Friday, Kagame told reporters the deal could collapse if Congo fails to honor its pledge to neutralize the FDLR.

“You will never find Rwanda at fault with implementing what we have agreed to do, you will never. But if the side we are working with plays tricks and takes us back to the problem, then we deal with the problem like we have been dealing with it,” he added.

The Rwandan leader commended the Trump administration for its role as mediator, adding that Washington cannot be blamed if the deal collapses because implementation lies with Kinshasa and Kigali.

In a separate speech marking the 31st Liberation Day, Kagame criticized Western governments for threatening Rwanda with sanctions.

Kigali’s alleged involvement in the DR Congo hostilities have also strained Rwanda’s relations with some of its Western partners, including its former colonial metropole, Belgium. In March, Kigali severed diplomatic ties with Brussels and ordered Belgian diplomats to leave the country, accusing the EU state of harboring “neo-colonial delusions” and interfering in the conflict in DR Congo.

He said those accusing Rwanda of being driven by mineral interests – while it is merely acting in self-defense and protecting its citizens – “are the same rich countries looting Congo’s minerals.”

New Delhi believes an agreement with Washington should help it gain greater market access for labour-intensive goods

India will negotiate a bilateral trade agreement with the US from a position of strength, keeping New Delhi’s national interests in mind, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal has said, according to the Hindu BusinessLine newspaper.

Washington and New Delhi are engaged in negotiations for a trade agreement and are racing to meet a July 9 deadline set by US President Donald Trump, in order to avoid reciprocal tariffs.

”Today, India negotiates from a position of strength,” Goyal said at a summit on Saturday, according to the report. “We are self-confident and can compete with anybody in the world.” The minister said India did not negotiate under deadlines. “We negotiate keeping national interest in mind, and national interest is paramount in all our global engagements,” he added.

Since returning to office in January, Trump has launched a tariff campaign aimed at protecting US manufacturers. It culminated on April 2 with a set of measures on what he called ‘Liberation Day’, including a blanket 10% tariff and up to 70% on countries he accused of treating the US most “unfairly.”

“India wants a trade deal where it would get market access in its areas of interest, including labor-intensive goods, and it should have sustained preference over other countries in these areas,” a source familiar the matter told the Hindu BusinessLine. Some Indian media outlets have reported that a trade deal with the US is in its conclusion phase, while others said an agreement would be finalized in stages. “India has already offered to bring down tariffs in a number of sectors for American goods while insisting that its red lines in sensitive areas, including agriculture and dairy, be respected,” the Times of India cited a source as saying. 

Last week, Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman told the Financial Express that the country could not do anything that would weaken its agriculture or the positions of its farmers. In the 2024-25 fiscal year, bilateral trade between India and the US touched $131.8 billion, with a trade surplus of $41.18 billion for New Delhi, according to the Indian Commerce Ministry.

In Trump’s second term, the US has signed new trade deals with the UK and Vietnam. Washington has also reached a temporary deal with Beijing to limit tariffs at 30% – after hiking them to 145% in a series of tit-for-tat increases earlier this year.

Western nations risk financial unsustainability when implementing their militarization plans, the Danish economy minister says

EU nations risk “increased debt levels and unsustainable finances” if they raise defense spending too quickly, Danish Economy Minister Stephanie Lose has warned. EU and NATO members are pushing to invest billions of euros in troops and weapons.

NATO leaders agreed last month to increase the target for defense spending from 2% to 5% of GDP, with 3.5% allocated directly to the military and the remainder directed toward broader security initiatives. Brussels previously unveiled the €800 billion ($940 billion) ‘ReArm Europe’ program.

Denmark is among 12 EU nations taking advantage of a special ‘national escape clause’, which allows them to bypass the EU’s budget deficit rules when borrowing for military purposes. Lose told Euractiv that she does not fault countries such as France and Italy for opting out, in an interview published on Monday.

”It’s good if you adhere to sound public finances... if it means that they’re exploring ways to fulfill the 3.5% NATO goal without being on an unsustainable path,” she said, adding that if the reluctance indicates a lack of room to boost defense spending, “then it’s, of course, a problem.”

Speaking ahead of an EU ministerial meeting that she is set to chair Monday – as Denmark currently holds the rotating presidency of the bloc – Lose cited US trade tariffs and competition from China as additional pressures limiting the EU’s ability to increase military investment.

European NATO members say they need to increase their defense budgets to deter the alleged threat from Russia, which has denied that it poses any threat to these countries, accusing Western officials of using fear to justify the budget increases, as well as the decline in the standard of living among their citizens.

Western Europe’s industrial competitiveness has fallen since EU leaders reduced Russian energy imports, which supported the region’s industries for decades. The move was part of sanctions against Russia due to the Ukraine conflict.

Russia considers the conflict to be a result of NATO expansion, saying the US-led military bloc presents a direct threat to national security.

Green Party MPs have proposed 50-cent scoops for children from struggling households

Germany’s Green Party has called on ice cream vendors in Berlin to offer scoops at a reduced price to children and teenagers from low-income families, local tabloid B.Z. has reported.

The move comes as a recent survey indicated that nearly two-thirds (64%) of people in Germany believe ice cream prices are too high, with some respondents adjusting their consumption due to increased costs.

Three Berlin state parliamentarians from the Greens – Benedikt Lux, Tuba Bozkurt, and Marianne Burkert-Eulitz – appealed to the German Hotel and Restaurant Association (Dehoga), proposing that at least one flavor per shop be offered for just 50 cents ($0.60), B.Z. reported on Friday, citing a letter reviewed by the outlet.

“We would be pleased to enter into a more in-depth discussion with you on this matter in the near future and to consider whether this is a viable proposal to make summer even more enjoyable for everyone in our beautiful city,” the politicians wrote, as cited by the newspaper. The MPs stressed that the cap would be voluntary, but expressed hope that small, independently run parlors would take part.

“A more affordable offer could increase demand,” the letter stated. Dehoga’s managing director, Gerrit Buchhorn, said he was open to discussions but objected to the language used. “The term ‘price cap’ is rather an unfortunate choice of words. But if this is about disadvantaged children and young people, then we’re open to dialogue,” he said. The lawmakers acknowledged that ice cream producers are also struggling with rising costs, including rent, energy, and wages. In Berlin, a single scoop can cost up to €2.90 (about $3.13). The national average stands at €1.81 (around $1.95), according to tz.de.

An estimated 17.4% of Berlin residents live in poverty, according to Germany’s Federal Statistical Office. Rising living costs have forced many families to cut back on non-essential items, including seasonal treats. The Greens’ appeal follows their loss in Berlin’s February state election, where the party received just 11.6% of the vote and exited the ruling coalition. Party leaders have since pledged to reconnect with the public and rebuild trust.

Germany’s economy, which slipped into recession in 2023 and endured two years of contraction, is forecast to return to modest growth in 2025, with the Kiel Institute raising its outlook to 0.3% and projecting 1.6% expansion in 2026. While recent data signals tentative recovery, economists warn it is premature to celebrate, citing weak industrial output, sluggish exports, and persistent geopolitical risks that could derail the fragile rebound.

Some commanders are exploiting soldiers and forcing them to surrender their additional frontline earnings, Anna Skorokhod has said

Widespread corruption and extortion of combat pay by military commanders are driving Ukrainian soldiers to abandon their units, Ukrainian MP Anna Skorokhod has claimed.

In a video posted last week on her YouTube channel, Skorokhod accused Ukrainian commanders of exploiting soldiers by falsely registering them as serving on the front lines in order to claim additional payments, which the officers then seize.

According to the MP, the commanders also often use the soldiers to “build houses or renovate new apartments” while making sure they receive combat pay, which is then surrendered to their superiors. “Or the soldiers are simply being extorted, because they supposedly get 100,000 hryvnia [$2,400], but there is no command, so they are forced to give up money.”

Skorokhod said the soldiers have few ways to address these grievances, resulting in recurring AWOLs. “Because when there’s nowhere to turn, no one listens or wants to listen, people simply gather in platoons, in groups, and leave because they will not tolerate this.”

Last month, Ukrainian journalist Vladimir Boyko reported that there have been more than 213,000 registered cases of unauthorized abandonment of military units in Ukraine. He noted that these figures only account for cases where criminal proceedings have been initiated, suggesting the actual numbers may be higher.

Meanwhile, there have been concerns in Kiev that the cash-strapped country, which is to a significant extent dependent on Western economic aid, could struggle to compensate its military. In April, Ekonomicheskaya Pravda reported that funds initially allocated for military salaries in the latter part of 2025 were redirected to purchase drones, ammunition, and other weaponry.

In May, the first deputy chairman of the parliamentary finance committee, Yaroslav Zheleznyak, suggested that Ukraine faced a 400 billion hryvnia ($9.6 billion) shortfall in defense spending, which he said requires budget revisions.

In addition to recurring AWOLs, Ukraine has been struggling with its forced mobilization campaign, which often leads to violent clashes between reluctant recruits and draft officers.

The decision comes in response to a corruption scandal involving escorts and multimillion-euro public contracts

Spain’s ruling Socialist Party (PSOE) has banned its members from paying for sex and warned that violations could result in expulsion.

The decision, announced by Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, comes in response to a corruption scandal involving senior party officials and allegations of using public funds for illicit activities, including hiring sex workers.

Santos Cerdan, former organizational secretary of the PSOE and a close ally of Sanchez, was ordered into pre-trial detention without bail by the Spanish Supreme Court in June. He faces charges of bribery, criminal conspiracy, and influence peddling related to the alleged rigging of public contracts worth over €500 million ($585 million). Prosecutors allege that Cerdan played a central role in orchestrating the scheme, which purportedly involved distributing at least €5 million in kickbacks among senior officials, including former Transport Minister Jose Luis Abalos and his aide Koldo Garcia.

Investigations have uncovered that the officials allegedly used public funds not only for illicit commissions but also for personal expenses, including the procurement of sexual services. Cerdan denies any wrongdoing, claiming he is the target of “political revenge.”

In response, the PSOE announced a leadership shake-up and strict disciplinary rules. “Soliciting, accepting, or obtaining sexual acts in exchange for money” will now be punished with “the maximum sanction, expulsion from the party,” the party stated.

“If we believe a woman’s body is not for sale, our party cannot allow behavior contrary to that,” Sanchez said during a meeting in Madrid on Saturday.

Despite mounting criticism and calls for his resignation, Sanchez has refused to step down. “The captain doesn’t look the other way when seas get rough. He stays to steer the ship through the storm,” he told party leaders.

Just hours before his scheduled speech, Sanchez faced fresh turmoil after a new scandal emerged involving one of his close allies. Francisco Salazar, who had been slated for a senior leadership role, resigned following allegations of inappropriate behavior by several women in the PSOE.

According to elDiario.es, anonymous female PSOE employees have accused Salazar of making obscene comments about their clothing and bodies, inviting them to dinner alone, and asking them to stay overnight at his home while they worked under him at the Moncloa Palace. The party confirmed no formal complaints had been filed but said it would launch an inquiry.

Opposition leader Alberto Nunez Feijoo of the People’s Party accused the Socialists of acting like a “mafia” and demanded elections. “Spaniards deserve a government that doesn’t lie to them, that doesn’t rob them but serves them,” he said.

The US president has warned countries against aligning with “anti-American policies”

US President Donald Trump has threatened to impose an additional 10% tariff on any country which “aligns itself” with BRICS, accusing the economic bloc of adopting “anti-American policies.”

The warning came just hours after BRICS leaders concluded their annual summit in Rio de Janeiro. In its joint declaration, the bloc criticized unilateral tariff actions and condemned what it described as “indiscriminate” trade measures, without mentioning the US directly.

“Any Country aligning themselves with the Anti-American policies of BRICS, will be charged an ADDITIONAL 10% Tariff. There will be no exceptions to this policy,” Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social on Sunday.

The warning echoes Trump’s even harsher remarks in February, when he threatened BRICS members with tariffs as high as 100%. At the time, he declared that BRICS was “dead” if it established a common currency or otherwise challenged the US dollar’s dominance in global trade.

BRICS, originally formed by Brazil, Russia, India, and China in 2006, has expanded to include South Africa, Egypt, Iran, Ethiopia, the United Arab Emirates, and Indonesia. At the group’s summit in the Russian city of Kazan last year, BRICS approved a new ‘partner country’ status in response to growing membership interest shown by more than 30 countries.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said during Sunday’s summit that the bloc’s combined GDP has surpassed that of the G7 when measured by purchasing power parity. The group now represents nearly half the world’s population and about 40% of global GDP.

Since returning to office in January, Trump has launched a tariff campaign aimed at protecting US manufacturers. It culminated on April 2 with a set of measures on what he called ‘Liberation Day’, including a blanket 10% tariff and up to 70% on countries he accused of treating the US most “unfairly.”

Most of the tariffs were paused for 90 days to allow negotiations. The deadline has been further extended to August 1, as Trump is writing letters to US trade partners, with the first “take it or leave it” deals set to be sent out on Monday, according to the president. 

“I am pleased to announce that the UNITED STATES TARIFF Letters, and/or Deals, with various Countries from around the World, will be delivered starting 12:00 P.M. (Eastern), Monday, July 7th,” Trump wrote in a separate post on Sunday.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told CNN that Trump would also send out letters to 100 smaller countries “where we don’t have very much trade,” many of which are “already at the baseline 10%.”

So far, the US has signed deals only with the UK, maintaining a 10% rate, and a minimum 20% tariff with Vietnam. Washington also reached a temporary deal with Beijing to limit the tariff at 30% – after hiking it to 145% in a series of tit-for-tat increases earlier this year.

Ukraine agreed to direct talks with Russia to safeguard its image, a Foreign Ministry spokesman has said

Ukraine does not take ceasefire negotiations with Russia seriously and only attended talks in Istanbul to avoid being viewed as an obstacle to peace in the eyes of its Western backers, Foreign Ministry spokesman Georgiy Tikhiy has said.

Russia and Ukraine have held two rounds of direct talks in Istanbul in recent months. The discussions did not result in significant breakthroughs with regard to ending the conflict, but did lead to several large-scale prisoner exchanges.

“We don’t expect a real ceasefire as a result of these meetings,” Tikhiy said in an interview on journalist Aleksandr Notevsky’s YouTube channel on Friday.

The Ukrainian diplomat explained that Kiev’s presence at the talks serves to protect its image in the eyes of the international community and avoid accusations of being the side obstructing peace negotiations.

“It’s to prevent anyone from accusing Ukraine of being the side that doesn’t want peace,” Tikhiy said. He acknowledged concerns being raised “in different circles, even among allied countries,” that Kiev is blocking peace efforts, explaining that “Ukraine is sending a delegation… to show that this is not true.”

The Ukrainian official acknowledged the humanitarian aspect of the talks, noting that if “a thousand people are returned… then it’s worth going and listening to any historical nonsense.”

Back in May, Russian President Vladimir Putin offered to resume direct negotiations with Ukraine without any preconditions in Istanbul – where Kiev had unilaterally abandoned talks back in 2022, reportedly at the behest of its Western backers. Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky immediately dared the Russian president to personally meet him in Türkiye, although the Kremlin noted such a meeting would be pointless without thorough preparatory work.

Ukrainian officials have since repeatedly disparaged Moscow’s delegation as being too low-level, even though the same chief negotiator, Vladimir Medinsky, worked on the original 2022 peace framework. Tikhiy claimed that the makeup of the Ukrainian delegation, which includes Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, somehow proves that Kiev is more serious about the talks than Moscow.

Zelensky is seeking a personal meeting with Putin to defend his claims to legitimacy and resist Western attempts to push him out of power, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Saturday.

“[Zelensky] is insanely afraid of being forgotten, of becoming unnecessary for the West. That somehow the West will sideline him. And you can see he doesn’t step away from the microphones. I think he already sleeps with a webcam,” she said.

Zelensky’s presidential term expired last year, and Moscow views him as illegitimate. In June, Putin said he was open to meeting with the actor-turned-politician, but suggested that the Ukrainian leader lacks legitimacy for signing binding agreements.

“I am ready to meet with anyone, including Zelensky,” Putin said. “That’s not the issue – if the Ukrainian state trusts someone to conduct negotiations, by all means, let it be Zelensky. The question is different: Who will sign the documents?”

The billionaire says his America Party will focus on Congress ahead of 2026, but may back a presidential candidate

Elon Musk has said his new “America Party” will focus on disrupting the two-party system in the US Congress, declaring that he aims to challenge the dominance of both Republicans and Democrats ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. 

The remarks follow the tech billionaire’s announcement over the weekend that he is moving forward with plans to launch a new political party. Musk has positioned the America Party as an alternative to what he called the “Republican/Democrat Uniparty,” accusing both groups of mismanaging the country’s finances and stifling voter choice.

“Backing a candidate for president is not out of the question, but the focus for the next 12 months is on the House and the Senate,” Musk wrote on X on Sunday, outlining his priority to target the US midterm elections in November 2026, when 33 of the 100 Senate seats and all 435 House seats will be up for grabs.

“The way we’re going to crack the uniparty system is by using a variant of how Epaminondas shattered the myth of Spartan invincibility at Leuctra: extremely concentrated force at a precise location on the battlefield,” Musk previously stated.

The entrepreneur also doubled down on his criticism of President Donald Trump’s fiscal policy, questioning the value of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a temporary agency Trump appointed him to lead.

“What the heck was the point of @DOGE if he’s just going to increase the debt by $5 trillion??” Musk wrote.

In a post on Truth Social earlier on Sunday, Trump criticized Musk for what he described as erratic behavior in recent weeks, calling the entrepreneur a “train wreck” and accusing him of promoting “disruption and chaos” that undermines the stability of the American political system.

“I am saddened to watch Elon Musk go completely ‘off the rails,’ essentially becoming a TRAIN WRECK over the past five weeks,” Trump wrote. “He even wants to start a Third Political Party, despite the fact that they have never succeeded in the United States – the system seems not designed for them.”

Musk, who supported Trump during his election victory last year, stepped down from his role in DOGE last month after clashing with the administration over a sweeping tax and spending package known as the “Big Beautiful Bill.” The legislation, signed into law on July 4, includes trillions of dollars in new expenditures, cuts to social programs, and a sharp increase to the federal debt ceiling.

The US president has accused the tech billionaire of sowing chaos with his new third-party initiative

US President Donald Trump has lashed out at Elon Musk over his plan to launch a new political party, accusing him of promoting “disruption and chaos” and undermining the stability of the American political system.

In a post on Truth Social late Sunday, Trump criticized Musk for what he described as erratic behavior in recent weeks, calling the tech tycoon a “train wreck.”

He also predicted that Musk’s proposal to form a third party – the America Party – would fail and only serve to divide voters.

“I am saddened to watch Elon Musk go completely ‘off the rails,’ essentially becoming a TRAIN WRECK over the past five weeks,” Trump wrote. “He even wants to start a Third Political Party, despite the fact that they have never succeeded in the United States – the system seems not designed for them.”

“The one thing Third Parties are good for is the creation of Complete and Total DISRUPTION & CHAOS,” the president said, adding that the Democratic Party has already brought “enough of that.”

Trump also defended his recently signed multitrillion-dollar spending package, dubbed the One Big Beautiful Bill, which has drawn sharp criticism from Musk.

The president claimed that the tech billionaire opposes the bill only because it eliminates federal electric vehicle mandates that benefit Musk’s business.

Trump also took issue with Musk’s reported attempt to have one of his associates appointed to run NASA, noting that the candidate was a Democrat and that the appointment would have raised concerns over a conflict of interest, given Musk’s ties to the space industry.

“My number one charge is to protect the American public!” Trump wrote.

The remarks follow Musk’s announcement on Friday that he is moving ahead with the creation of the America Party, pledging to “give freedom back to the people” and attacking both major parties for “bankrupting” the country.

The tech billionaire did not elaborate on the progress he has made with the party, but briefly outlined his strategy and hinted that the first move can be expected next year during the midterm elections in November, when 33 of the 100 Senate seats and all 435 House seats will be up for grabs.

“The way we’re going to crack the uniparty system is by using a variant of how Epaminondas shattered the myth of Spartan invincibility at Leuctra: extremely concentrated force at a precise location on the battlefield,” Musk stated.

Musk previously insisted that his criticism of Trump and his policies was not about subsidies, but was triggered by a sharp hike in the budget deficit, which he had been recruited to reduce. He was one of the key figures in the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which was established to cut excessive federal spending and costs.

Musk and Trump have been locked in a war of words, with the president accusing his former ally of receiving more government subsidies “than any human being in history,” threatening to sic DOGE on him, and even mulling the potential deportation of the South African-born entrepreneur.

The US president’s decision to increase the budget deficit instead of cutting costs was the last straw, the tech tycoon has said

US President Donald Trump’s decision to increase the budget deficit instead of cutting costs has prompted Elon Musk to oppose Trump’s policies, the tech tycoon has said.

Musk made the comments in a thread on X when asked by a user what prompted him to go from “loving” Trump “as much as a straight man can” to opposing the president and attacking his policies.

“Increasing the deficit from an already insane $2 [trillion] under Biden to $2.5T. This will bankrupt the country,” Musk replied.

Musk was a key supporter in Trump’s return to the White House last November. Following the president’s inauguration, the tech billionaire became a key figure in the newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which was established to cut federal spending and costs.

The Trump-Musk honeymoon turned out to be short-lived, after the billionaire stepped down from his post last month. Since then, Musk has been critical of Trump’s flagship legislation – the One Big, Beautiful Bill – which envisions massive increases in spending, cuts to social programs, and a sharp increase to the budget deficit limit.

The two have been locked in a war of words, with the president accusing his former ally of receiving more government subsidies “than any human being in history,” while openly considering the potential deportation of the South African-born entrepreneur.

This week, the One Big, Beautiful Bill narrowly passed the Senate and House, and was signed into law by Trump on July 4.

Musk, having pledged to launch his own political party if the bill passes, announced on Independence Day the creation of the America Party, representing the “80% in the middle.”

Musk has said he wants to make his new party active by the midterm elections next year, suggesting that he will focus on a handful of seats to take advantage of “the razor-thin legislative margins” and therefore have “the deciding vote on contentious laws.”

The IDF has begun striking ports and other infrastructure in retaliation for Houthi drone and missile attacks

Israel has launched an extensive bombing operation targeting key infrastructure in Yemen, with the IDF accusing the Houthi “terrorist regime” of repurposing ports and power stations for military use.

The bombing campaign against one of the world’s poorest nations, dubbed Operation Black Flag, was announced early Monday by Defense Minister Israel Katz and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

The strikes targeted infrastructure at the Yemeni ports of Hodeidah, Ras Isa, and Al-Salif, as well as a power station at Ras Katib. Loud explosions were reported in areas surrounding the targeted sites.

“These ports are used by the Houthi terrorist regime to transfer weapons from the Iranian regime, which are employed to carry out terrorist operations against the State of Israel and its allies,” the IDF claimed. The operation was described as a direct response to drone and missile attacks launched from Houthi-controlled territory toward Israel in recent weeks.

pic.twitter.com/f0ip5t1Ra6

— צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) July 7, 2025

According to the IDF, one of the targets struck at Ras Isa was the Galaxy Leader, a commercial vessel seized by Houthi forces in November 2023. The IDF claimed that the militants equipped the ship with a radar system to monitor maritime traffic in the Red Sea and facilitate attacks on commercial vessels.

The Ras Kanatib power station was described by the IDF as a legitimate target, serving as a major electricity supply hub for Houthi military operations. “This is another example of how the Houthi regime uses civilian infrastructure,” the IDF claimed.

Katz reiterated that Israel views the Houthis as part of a broader network of Iranian-backed forces in the region.

“As I warned, Yemen will be treated like Tehran,” Katz said in a statement on X. “Anyone who tries to harm Israel will be harmed, and anyone who raises a hand against Israel will have it cut off. The Houthis will continue to pay a heavy price for their actions.”

Israel has accused the Houthi movement of serving as a “central proxy of the Iranian regime” and receiving weapons and funding to support what it describes as a global campaign of terrorism. It further accused the Houthis of using the maritime domain to project force and disrupt international trade, and stated that Israel remains committed to striking any threats against its citizens “wherever required.”

The Houthis have attacked ships in the Red Sea since late 2023, citing solidarity with the Palestinians during the Gaza conflict. While US President Donald Trump brokered a deal in May to halt the attacks in exchange for a pause in Western airstrikes, the group warned that it would resume its operations if Washington supported Israeli strikes on Iran.

The Houthis have since fired several drones and missiles at Israel following last month’s ceasefire agreement between Israel and Iran. The latest Israeli retaliatory strikes mark the most extensive military action in Yemen since the series of strikes in May.