The report comes as Washington pushes European NATO members to take greater responsibility for their own defense and to boost military spending
The US could cut its troop presence in Europe by up to 30%, Politico reported on Monday, citing sources. The reduction could be announced as early as September as part of a Pentagon-led reassessment of military deployments called the Global Force Posture Review.
Since taking office, President Donald Trump has accused European NATO members of not paying their fair share of defense costs, while his administration has hinted that the US may reduce its military footprint on the continent. In February, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth urged allies to boost defense spending, warning they cannot assume “America’s presence” in Europe “will last forever.” Reports indicate European leaders have been unsettled by potential drawdown plans, though neither their scope nor timeline has been defined.
Aylin Matle of the German Council on Foreign Relations has predicted a roughly 20% troop reduction possibly this fall, most likely involving the removal of about 20,000 troops deployed under Joe Biden in 2022 after the Ukraine conflict escalated.
She said even such a cut “would still leave a substantial American footprint,” noting current US troop levels fluctuate between 90,000 and 100,000. Matle further suggested that the cuts could be lower, as US forces in Europe are used for regional defense and “projecting power into the Middle East and, to some extent, Africa.”
The report notes that Germany, which hosts the largest US contingent in Europe of around 35,000 troops at 35 sites, is particularly alarmed by the potential cuts. Berlin’s concerns come amid the EU’s broader militarization drive, including the€800 billion ($930 billion) ReArm Europe initiative and a recent NATO pledge to raise defense spending to 5% of GDP, both citing Russia as a threat. After meeting Hegseth earlier this month, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said he pressed Washington for a roadmap, warning of “dangerous capability gaps” if US forces withdraw faster than Europe can replace them.
Moscow has rejected claims it poses a threat, calling them “nonsense” and accusing the West of using such rhetoric to justify expanding military budgets.
Users increasingly share personal issues with AI, but current laws offer no legal protections, Sam Altman has warned
The tech industry has yet to resolve how to protect user privacy in sensitive interactions with AI, CEO of industry leader OpenAI Sam Altman has admitted.
Current systems lack adequate safeguards for confidential conversations, he warned, amid a surge in the use of AI chatbots by millions of users – including children – for therapy and emotional support.
Speaking to the This Past Weekend podcast published last week, Altman said users should not expect legal confidentiality when using ChatGPT, while he cited the absence of a legal or policy framework governing AI.
“People talk about the most personal sh** in their lives to ChatGPT,” he said.
Many AI users – particularly young people – treat the chatbot like a therapist or life coach for advice on relationship and emotional issues, Altman revealed.
However unlike conversations with lawyers or therapists, which are protected by legal privilege or confidentiality, no such protections currently exist for interactions with AI. “We haven’t figured that out yet for when you talk to ChatGPT,” he added.
Altman said the issue of confidentiality and privacy in AI interactions needs urgent attention. “So if you go talk to ChatGPT about your most sensitive stuff and then there’s like a lawsuit or whatever, we could be required to produce that, and I think that’s very screwed up,” he said.
OpenAI claims it deletes free-tier ChatGPT conversations after 30 days, however, some chats could be stored for legal or security reasons.
The company is facing a lawsuit from The New York Times over alleged copyright infringement over the use of Times articles in training its AI models.
The case has compelled OpenAI to preserve user conversations from millions of ChatGPT users, barring those by enterprise clients, an order the company has appealed, citing “overreach.”
Latest research has found that ChatGPT has been linked to psychosis in some users. According to researchers, concerns are growing that AI chatbots could exacerbate psychiatric conditions as they are increasingly used in personal and emotional contexts.
The two sides thanked US President Donald Trump and China for helping achieve the truce
Cambodia and Thailand have reached a ceasefire agreement and committed to easing tensions after several days of deadly border clashes, officials announced on Monday following talks in Malaysia.
The long-running territorial dispute between the two Southeast Asian neighbors, which has roots going back to the French colonial era, intensified in late May and escalated into a military conflict last week. However, a top-level meeting hosted by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Monday resulted in a truce agreement and a path toward normalization.
Anwar, who led the mediation efforts, said the ceasefire would take effect at midnight local time. Both countries also pledged to convene meetings between military commanders on Thursday and reconvene a joint border monitoring committee in early August to establish a formal mechanism for verifying compliance with the agreement.
Anwar also offered to provide observers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which Malaysia currently chairs, and organize a broader monitoring mission with other ASEAN members to support the ceasefire.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thailand’s acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai affirmed their countries’ commitment to a peaceful resolution at a joint press conference with Anwar. Manet highlighted the toll of the fighting on civilians, noting that approximately 300,000 people, roughly even split between the two countries, were displaced during the escalation.
All three leaders expressed gratitude to US President Donald Trump and the Chinese government for their roles in facilitating the agreement. On Saturday, Trump said he warned both nations that there will be no progress in their trade negotiations with Washington while hostilities continue. China had previously pledged to “play a constructive role in promoting de-escalation.”
Since the violence erupted last Thursday, at least 35 people, some of them civilians, have been killed. While both sides accused the other of sparking the clashes, Monday’s agreement marks the first coordinated step toward ending the worst crisis between the two in a decade.
The timeline for Moscow and Kiev to settle the conflict has been reduced to “10 or 12 days” from now, the US president has said
US President Donald Trump has warned he will reduce the time frame he had set for Moscow and Kiev to settle the Ukraine conflict to just “10 or 12 days” from now. He had previously demanded the sides reach an agreement in 50 days, threatening to impose additional sanctions against Russia otherwise.
The set of punitive measures announced by Washington would involve secondary sanctions, including tariffs on countries and entities doing business with Russia. Trump’s initial deadline was due to expire in early September.
“I’m going to reduce that 50 days that I gave him [Putin] to a lesser number, because I think I already know the answer what’s going to happen,” Trump told journalists in Scotland ahead of a meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. When further pressed on the new timeline, the president stated that it would be “10 or 12 days” from Monday.
The American leader claimed he had been close to reaching a ceasefire deal on Ukraine conflict with Russian President Vladimir Putin five times. “I’ve spoken to President Putin a lot, I’ve gotten along with him very well,” he said, while accusing Moscow of launching strikes against Ukrainian cities and stating that he was “very disappointed” with the Russian leadership.
Moscow has stated throughout the conflict that it is open for dialogue and could start negotiations without preconditions, as long as the situation on the ground is taken into account and the root causes of the conflict are addressed during the talks. It also said Trump’s new sanctions threats serve primarily “as signals to continue war” for Ukraine and called on Washington to put pressure on Kiev instead.
Any new sanctions, including the secondary ones, would not affect Russia’s policy as Moscow would “continue to move along our independent, sovereign, and sustained path,” Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said in response to Trump’s previous threats.
The US president said earlier this week that he could potentially impose the announced sanctions before the previously declared deadline.
Moscow and Kiev renewed direct talks in Istanbul in May following an almost three-year pause. The latest round of negotiations took place last week. No ceasefire was reached, but the two sides made progress on humanitarian issues, including agreements on the exchange of prisoners of war and civilians.
Young Kenyans in urban centers are rapidly embracing Bitcoin as a form of payment
Kenya is touted as Africa’s hub for technology and innovation. Across the East African nation, mobile money has become the most common and widely used form of payment and banking, both in the formal and informal sectors of the economy. But even as mobile money dominates Kenya’s economy, a new wave of cryptocurrency payment is taking root in urban areas across the country.
A 2022 UN report listed Kenya as the largest market of crypto users in Africa, with four million crypto owners. Kenya’s crypto sector is estimated to register 4% growth by the end of 2025.
’It saves me time and money’
Since 2022, Brian Omondi has operated an electronics and gaming shop in Kibera, Kenya’s largest urban slum, 10km south of the Capital, Nairobi. The 26-year-old business management graduate has embraced Bitcoin as a form of payment, which he says is “more effective.”
“I have clients from across the country, and online marketing is central to my business. Bitcoin payments are fast and secure because once the funds are in my wallet, they can’t be reversed, unlike mobile money,” Omondi told RT.
He says most of his customers are tech-savvy young Kenyans and college students who are increasingly turning to cryptocurrency.
“With Bitcoin, there’s no need to visit an agent to deposit or withdraw money. All I need is a smartphone and internet access. There is no bureaucracy, no transaction charges,” he said.
Omondi, who gets his electronics supplies from China, says using Bitcoin has also made it easier to restock his shop by transacting directly with suppliers who accept cryptocurrency.
“With Bitcoin, I can place orders and make payments instantly, bypassing currency conversions or international banking procedures,” he explains. “It saves me time and money, and my goods arrive faster.”
Young Kenyans in urban centers are rapidly embracing Bitcoin as a form of payment, with many turning to the cryptocurrency as a flexible, borderless alternative amid limited access to traditional banking due to a lack of formal employment. Increased Bitcoin usage is also driven by the digital lifestyles of Kenyan youth, widespread smartphone usage, and enhanced internet connectivity.
In 2022, AfriBit Africa, a Kenyan fintech company, introduced the use of Bitcoin in Kibera. Ronnie Mdawida, AfriBit Africa co-founder, told RT that “Bitcoin guarantees financial freedom to users since it does not require the same documentation as traditional banking.”
Small-scale traders and motorcycle taxi riders are among those accepting bitcoin payments in Kenyan towns. AfriBit Africa claims to have invested approximately $10,000 worth of bitcoin in Kibera since 2022.
Mohammed Rajab, a taxi operator in the tourist city of Mombasa, says he began accepting Bitcoin in 2023 because many of his foreign clients prefer to pay using cryptocurrency.
“Bitcoin is safe because I own and control my funds without relying on a third party,” Rajab told RT.
Rajab says most of his foreign clients find it easier to pay in crypto rather than converting currency or using cards.
“Bitcoin comes with the flexibility of saving and converting when rates are favorable,” he said.
With the rise of remote freelance work, Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies have become essential for many young Kenyans earning a living through digital platforms.
Sarah Thuo, based in Kisumu City, Western Kenya, has been a content writer for the past six years and has been accustomed to crypto payments.
“All my clients are from the international market, and having a Bitcoin wallet enables faster payments, unlike bank transfers, which are prone to delays and restrictions,” she told RT. For Sarah, Bitcoin also shields her earnings from currency fluctuations and high bank transfer fees.
In 2024, the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) collected approximately $77.3 million (Ksh 10 billion) from virtual asset service providers (VASPs).
In 2023, under the Finance Act 2023, the Kenyan government introduced the Digital Assets Tax (DAT). Under the provision, crypto incomes are taxed. The law introduced a 3% tax on the transfer or exchange of digital assets.
But experts warn that even as Bitcoin use gains momentum across Kenya, legal loopholes could expose many to the risk of fraud.
Ali Hussein Kassim, chair of the FinTech Alliance in Kenya, told RT that many Kenyans are oblivious of the risks associated with bitcoin.
“The investors are more interested in making profits and do not educate the users about the potential risks of bitcoin; no one takes to evaluate the risks involved,” Kassim warns.
Kassim notes that the population being exposed to cryptocurrency is vulnerable. According to him, Bitcoin lacks the same protections as other financial services due to a lack of strong regulations.
However, Mdawida told RT that, to cushion Kenyans against crypto risks, they have invested in financial literacy training and crypto courses for those using Bitcoin.
Cases of cryptocurrency-related fraud have previously been reported in Kenya. In February 2025, two Kenyans were arrested for defrauding a Chinese national in a crypto scam.
In January 2025, the IMF, in a Technical Assistance Report for Kenya has called for the enhancement of the country’s safety and regulation of the crypto sector.
According to the IMF report, Kenya currently lacks a clear regulatory framework to oversee crypto-related activities. This loophole, the IMF said, has exposed cryptocurrencies to unlawful purposes.
To address the challenges and guard cryptocurrencies against misuse, the IMF advised Kenya to implement robust anti-money laundering laws and counter-terrorism financing measures.
In 2022, the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) explored the possibility of introducing a digital shilling dubbed the Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC), but the plan was abandoned due to the clear effectiveness of the already existing Kenya’s leading mobile money infrastructure, M-Pesa.
Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin are not illegal in Kenya, and the law allows owning and trading of crypto. They are, however, not recognized as legal tender, nor accepted for official transactions like paying taxes, bank transactions or paying fees charged for government services.
The growing adoption of crypto, especially among the young and tech-savvy population, has prompted the government to draft legislation that aims to regulate digital asset services and related activities.
The proposed law, which is currently before parliament, requires virtual asset service providers to register as formal businesses and obtain a government-issued license.
The law proposes fines of up to KES 20 million ($150,000) for companies and KES 10 million and/or up to ten years in prison for individuals found in violation of the regulations.
To enhance consumer protection and financial integrity, the law proposes fines of up to KES 30 million or imprisonment for up to a decade for offences related to scams, pump-and-dump schemes, or market manipulation.
At the same time, the Kenyan government also requires crypto companies to implement strict Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) policies to enhance accountability and combat financial crime.
And just like banks and traditional financial institutions, crypto companies are required to report any suspicious activities to the Financial Reporting Centre (FRC).
Kassim argues, however, that the global nature of cryptocurrency makes it difficult for Kenya to regulate users who access international platforms outside its jurisdiction.
“Most cases of the fraud being reported have a foreign link, and many of those defrauded never recover their money,” he told RT.
Just as with the AI, Kenya cannot run away from the cryptocurrency reality and all it needs are strong and implementable policies that will cushion the public from exploitation. “The world is headed the cryptocurrency way and Kenya must not be left out. We must however get it right even as we join the bandwagon,” Kassim concluded.
The agreement has dealt a “very hard blow” to a number of business sectors in the bloc, the Russian foreign minister has said
The new US-EU trade agreement threatens to accelerate “deindustrialization” in Europe by redirecting investment to the US and increasing the bloc’s dependency on American energy exports, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has said.
On Sunday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and US President Donald Trump finalized a controversial deal that allowed the EU and US to avert a full-scale trade war.
Under the deal, the US has reduced its proposed 30% tariffs to a flat 15% on most European exports. The EU has committed to purchasing $750 billion worth of US energy, primarily liquefied natural gas and nuclear fuel, and agreed to invest around $600 billion into US industries. The bloc has also undertaken to increase imports of US-made weapons.
Speaking at the ‘Territory of Meanings’ forum on Monday, Lavrov described the arrangement as “clearly leading to further deindustrialization of Europe and capital flight.” He added that rising energy prices and investment outflows will strike a “very hard blow” to European industrial and agricultural sectors.
According to Lavrov, von der Leyen was apparently “boasting” about the EU’s willingness to carry additional costs. “People like Ursula von der Leyen literally take pride in this path: yes, we will be forced to spend more money, yes, we will probably have fewer resources to address social problems, but we are obliged to defeat Russia.”
He stressed that the trade deal is “obviously damaging for the Old Continent – it doesn’t even need to be analyzed.”
Lavrov’s stance was echoed by several EU politicians and the business community. Marine Le Pen, a key figure in France’s right-wing National Rally party, denounced the agreement as a “political, economic, and moral fiasco” detrimental to the EU’s sovereignty. French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou concurred, calling it a “dark day” for the EU.
German business leaders also voiced alarm. Wolfgang Niedermark, a member of the executive board of the Federation of German Industries (BDI), said the EU had sent a “fatal signal” by accepting high tariffs. “Even a tariff rate of 15% will have immense negative effects on the export-oriented German industry,” he warned.
The suspect was tackled to the ground by passengers after shouting “death to America” and “Allahu Akbar”
A man sparked panic aboard an EasyJet flight from London to Glasgow on Sunday after yelling he had a bomb and shouting “death to America” and “death to Trump.”
The incident occurred as US President Donald Trump was visiting Scotland and preparing to golf at his Turnberry resort. Footage published by the Daily Mail, BBC, and Scottish Sun shows the man screaming and being restrained by travelers who told him, “Families are on this plane.”
The 41-year-old suspect began shouting “Allahu Akbar” and claiming that he had a bomb after emerging from the restroom, according to witnesses. The man, described as a “big guy, about six foot,” started acting aggressively towards the airline staff, all of whom were “petite women.”
“When he pushed them, that’s when things changed,” a witness said. “At that point, one guy managed to grab him from behind and pull him down, then everyone jumped on top of him. He was fighting a bit on the floor, but at this point he knew he’d f**ked up.”
🚨 “I’m going to bomb the plane, Death to America, Death to Trump - Allahu Akbar”
Recorded earlier today aboard a Domestic internal flight EasyJet over The UK
— Concerned Citizen (@BGatesIsaPyscho) July 27, 2025
The flight was met by armed officers upon landing at Glasgow Airport, where the man was arrested. Police Scotland have confirmed that he remains in custody.
A witness told The Sun that the suspect carried refugee identification papers.
Official sources have not disclosed the suspect’s identity, nationality, or refugee status, but have reported that no explosives were found on board. Police said the event appeared isolated and involved no other suspects. Counter-terrorism officers are reviewing videos shared on social media.
The incident comes amid mounting concern over security threats linked to migration in the UK. According to government data, 50,500 knife-related offenses were recorded in England and Wales in the year ending March 2024. Protests have called for stricter controls at asylum centers and more transparency regarding migrant offenders.
Earlier this month, dozens marched in Dover during the ‘Great British National Protest’, demanding tighter border enforcement. Over the past six years, migrants from Iran, Afghanistan, Iraq, Albania, Syria, and Eritrea have accounted for 70% of those crossing the Channel in small boats.
Top American colleges are facing federal probes over alleged anti-Semitism and mismanagement
Presidents of Ivy League schools have been pushed into “survival mode” due to the hardline stance on higher education adopted by the US administration, according to Ohio State University (OSU) President Ted Carter.
Since returning to the Oval Office in January, US President Donald Trump has taken a tough stance on the country’s higher education system. He has accused top institutions of failing to address anti-Semitism, refusing to dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, and mishandling foreign funding and free speech policies. The administration has cut off federal funding to several Ivy League schools, including Harvard and Columbia.
“I can’t speak to those institutions because I’m not leading them,” Carter said in an interview with CBS News on Sunday, referring to Ivy League universities. However, he added that his colleagues are “having to do, I think, what I would call be in survival mode.”
The OSU head noted that he is “not feeling a lot of pressure” and that his university is “going to be just fine as this plays out forward.”
The comments come just days after Columbia University agreed to pay over $200 million in a settlement to resolve federal probes and have most of its previously suspended funding restored. The funding was initially stripped following an investigation into alleged anti-Semitism on campus.
The Trump administration placed over 60 universities under federal scrutiny following a wave of pro-Palestinian protests that swept campuses across the US.
While Columbia managed to reach a settlement to restore its financing, Harvard remains embroiled in litigation following the termination of approximately $2.6 billion in federal funding.
Harvard refused to comply with administration demands to overhaul DEI initiatives, admissions policies, and its handling of campus anti-Semitism. In addition to frozen research grants and ongoing restrictions on international student enrollment, the university now faces the potential loss of accreditation.
Brussels has agreed to sweeping trade tariffs on European exports to the US and other concessions to avoid even higher duties
The new trade agreement between the US and the EU is “completely humiliating for the Europeans,” former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has said.
The deal, announced on Sunday by US President Donald Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, includes a requirement for EU member states to increase imports of American energy and defense products. It also imposes a blanket 15% tariff on EU exports to the US – terms accepted by Brussels to avoid even steeper trade penalties.
In a social media post on Monday, Medvedev, who serves as deputy chair of the Russian Security Council, claimed that the terms of the deal meant Trump had “wiped the floor with Europe.”
“One can only feel sorry for ordinary Europeans,” Medvedev wrote. He asserted that where Trump is seeking economic benefits for American businesses, EU leaders are motivated by an ideological anti-Russian sentiment, as the deal further cements Brussels’ intention to terminate all purchases of Russian oil and gas.
The Trump administration has used tariffs as a tool to confront what it considers unfair trade practices and chronic deficits in trade with key partners. In the absence of a deal, EU products could have faced tariffs as high as 50%. Last week, Brussels prepared a list of US goods it was ready to hit with retaliatory duties if negotiations collapsed.
Medvedev and other senior Russian officials have repeatedly portrayed EU leaders as politically weak and overly compliant with Washington’s agenda, often at the expense of their own economic interests.
Russia has been especially critical of the EU’s break from Russian energy supplies, a move initiated as part of sanctions over the Ukraine conflict. Moscow contends that the resulting shift to more expensive US liquefied natural gas has contributed to the deindustrialization of major European economies.
The former Russian president highlighted the United Russia party’s commitment to multipolarity and fostering ties with African political movements
Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has expressed strong support for African political parties engaged in the fight against neocolonialism and reaffirmed Russia’s commitment to strengthening political dialogue and cooperation across the continent.
The remarks were delivered on Saturday in a message to the Liberation Movements Summit in South Africa. Medvedev, who currently serves as deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council and head of the United Russia party, stated his belief that African political parties, shaped by their longstanding struggle against imperialism, will continue to serve as a powerful political force, as well as “a guarantor of stability and socio-economic progress in their countries for many years to come.”
He emphasized that United Russia places a high priority on partnerships with African political parties, “particularly on the issue of combating neocolonialism, whose ideologues – the former colonial powers – continue their attempts to subjugate the free peoples of Africa, whose representatives have gathered on South African soil.”
According to Medvedev, United Russia remains fully committed to supporting initiatives that advance a multipolar world order built on the principles of equal partnership and national sovereignty. He highlighted that many of the organizations represented at the summit have maintained longstanding ties with his party and share a common vision of global development free from external domination.
Speaking to RT on the sidelines of the summit, ANC Treasurer General Dr. Gwen Ramokgopa said that the movements must adapt to remain relevant and need to shift from political liberation to pursuing “economic emancipation and shared prosperity.”
The Liberation Movements Summit, which is being held over July 25-28, has gathered representatives from parties such as South Africa’s ANC, Mozambique’s FRELIMO, Namibia’s SWAPO, Zimbabwe’s ZANU-PF, and Tanzania’s Chama Cha Mapinduzi.
In November, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov criticized Western economic practices in Africa as “pure neocolonialism,” accusing Western companies of extracting resources while keeping the profits abroad. He noted a growing resolve among African nations to break free of economic dependence and reclaim control over value-added processes.
Demonstrators are seeking to maintain pressure on the Ukrainian leadership to expedite the reversal of legislation
Hundreds of protesters have taken to the streets of Kiev for a fifth consecutive day to decry Vladimir Zelensky’s crackdown on two anti-corruption agencies. Although the Ukrainian leader has agreed to reverse the legislation, protesters say they will continue to pressure the authorities until the changes are fully adopted.
The rallies began last week after Zelensky signed legislation handing over the oversight of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) to the prosecutor general, claiming the agencies were under Russian influence.
Critics, however, have accused Zelensky of authoritarian tendencies, arguing that the move essentially eliminates the independence of agencies that have been investigating several high-profile corruption cases. Kiev’s Western backers have also voiced discontent, warning they could reconsider aid to Ukraine if Zelensky’s reforms are enacted. In the face of the backlash, Zelensky has agreed to restore the independence of the agencies.
Despite the about-turn, Ukrainians still rallied in Kiev on Sunday for peaceful protests, with many carrying signs reading ‘Cringe’, ‘Give the military a vacation’, ‘The people are the power in Ukraine’, and ‘Why does the government steal people's money?’.
One sign reading ‘I have a vacation too but I'm not a sucker’ referred to discontent over a parliamentary recess that would have formally made it impossible to swiftly adopt any legislation. However, Ukrainian MPs said they will hold a session on Thursday to pass a law restoring the independence of anti-corruption agencies.
The protesters also expanded their demands, calling for the appointment of a director to the Economic Security Bureau (BEB). Kiev’s backers have conditioned further economic aid on BEB reforms. The demonstrators also demanded a full-scale reform of Ukraine’s customs system, which is also widely seen as a factor influencing the scale of Western aid and loans to Ukraine.
Commenting on the string of protests in Ukraine, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova suggested that neither NABU nor SAPO is really fighting corruption but are used by Kiev’s backers as tools “to control the flow of money coming to Ukraine from the West.”
A failed firebombing attack in Krasnodar Region exposed the alleged cell, according to the agency
Three individuals allegedly recruited by Ukrainian intelligence to conduct sabotage operations in Southern Russia have been arrested, the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) announced Monday.
Russian officials previously accused Ukraine of orchestrating numerous attacks on civilian infrastructure, some of which resulted in multiple deaths. The new arrests were made in Krasnodar Region and involved two Russian citizens and one national of a Central Asian country, according to the FSB.
During interviews with investigators, one suspect admitted to contacting Ukrainian security operatives through a messaging app and enlisting two acquaintances to assist him.
In one attempted attack, the suspected ringleader and an accomplice allegedly tried to use a Molotov cocktail to set fire to a railway relay box, a critical component for ensuring the safe operation of passenger trains. The attack failed but drew the attention of law enforcement, which eventually identified and apprehended the suspects. A second alleged plot targeting a mobile telecommunications tower was also uncovered and foiled as a result, the FSB said.
Officials did not disclose the names of the suspects, who are believed to be in their late 20s and early 30s. Each individual was reportedly promised between $200 and $250 for participating in each act of sabotage. The group is said to have operated in the village of Varenikovskaya, roughly 100km west of the regional capital, Krasnodar. If convicted, the suspects face prison sentences of up to 20 years.
Earlier this month, the FSB reported the arrest of two individuals in the Bryansk Region who were allegedly tasked with retrieving drone-delivered packages and preparing weapons for future terrorist attacks.
In May, a string of suspected Ukrainian sabotage operations on Russian railroads caused the derailment of a passenger train in Bryansk Region, in which seven civilians were killed and dozens of others injured.
The 15-member presidential council will be led by Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, whose forces are engaged in a brutal war with the national army
A Sudanese political coalition aligned with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group has announced the formation of a parallel government in a country gripped by a brutal civil war for more than two years.
The Leadership Council of the Sudan Founding Alliance (TASIS) announced the move on Saturday, naming RSF commander General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo as chairman of a 15-member presidential council that includes regional governors. Abdelaziz Adam al-Hilu, a powerful rebel leader said to control vast swathes of territory and troops in South Kordofan state, will serve as vice chairman, while Sudanese politician Mohamed Hassan Othman al-Ta’ayshi will take the role of prime minister.
“On the occasion of this historic achievement, the leadership council extends its greetings and congratulations to the Sudanese people who have endured the flames of devastating wars for decades,” TASIS said in a statement.
The formation of the rival government, according to TASIS, renews its “commitment to building an inclusive homeland and a new secular, democratic, decentralized, and voluntarily unified Sudan, founded on the principles of freedom, justice, and equality.”
Gen. Dagalo had ruled Sudan alongside Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) commander and de facto leader of the northeastern African nation, General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, after leading the 2019 coup that overthrew long-ruling former President Omar al-Bashir. However, fighting erupted between the two in April 2023, following months of tension over the integration of their forces as part of a planned transition to civilian rule.
Thousands have been killed in the conflict, but regional and international efforts to broker a ceasefire between the warring parties have so far failed.
In February, the RSF signed a charter with allied political and armed groups to establish a “government of peace and unity,” weeks after army chief Burhan announced plans to form a “caretaker” or “wartime” government.
In a statement on Sunday, the Sudanese army condemned the “so-called militia government” as a ploy by the RSF to deceive its allies, claiming its true intention is to seize power in pursuit of personal ambition.
Political opponents have accused the prime minister of failing to push for better terms for the country
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, one of the closest European allies of US President Donald Trump, has welcomed the EU’s trade deal with Washington despite criticism of the terms at home.
After months of talks, the EU has reached a trade agreement with the US that sets a baseline 15% tariff on most exports, including cars, while steel and aluminum remain at 50%. The deal was reached at a meeting between Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Sunday. Both called it a “powerful” and “stabilizing” breakthrough.
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Meloni called the agreement a positive development.
“I think it’s positive that there’s an agreement,” Meloni, who had previously criticized Trump’s tariff drive and pledged to pursue a zero-for-zero deal, said. Italy is one of Europe’s top exporters to the US, with a trade surplus exceeding €40 billion ($46 billion).
Opposition leaders, however, slammed Meloni for failing to secure better terms. Five Star Movement leader Giuseppe Conte wrote: “There is a winner – US President Trump – and a loser, or rather two: The EU and Giorgia Meloni.” He warned the tariffs could cost Italy €23 billion in exports and threaten 100,000 jobs.
Democratic MEP Stefano Bonaccini echoed the criticism, saying, “15% tariffs are better than 30% but worse than zero,” and warned of “tens of billions” in losses. Former Labor Minister Andrea Orlando called the deal a “rip-off,” saying Meloni’s friendship with Trump failed, while slamming von der Leyen as “either incompetent or acting in bad faith.”
Meloni defended the deal, saying it helped avert a “head-on clash” with the US. She argued that the 15% tariff is “sustainable” as it will not add to previous tariffs, but will bring “stability.”
Economists at the Kiel Institute warned of a drop in production and job losses across the EU, with Germany expected to take the biggest hit. The Federation of German Industries (BDI) called the deal an “inadequate compromise,” with the “only positive aspect” being the prevention of further escalation.
The agreement is a “surrender” for French industry and the bloc’s energy and military sovereignty, the right-wing firebrand has said
The new EU-US trade agreement is an economic and political “fiasco” that undermines the bloc’s sovereignty, veteran right-wing French politician Marine Le Pen has said.
The agreement, finalized by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and US President Donald Trump on Sunday, averted a full-blown trade war between Washington and Brussels. Under its terms, the EU will commit to increased imports of US energy and military equipment, while the US reduces its proposed 30% tariffs to a flat 15% on most European exports.
Le Pen, a key member of France’s National Rally party, the largest opposition group in the National Assembly, condemned the deal, calling it “a political, economic and moral fiasco” for the EU.
”Politically, because the European Union, with 27 member states, obtained worse conditions than the United Kingdom,” she said, referring to the fact that the UK agreed to 10% tariffs – which was widely regarded as a bad deal.
Le Pen also accused Brussels of accepting unequal terms on exporting American gas and weapons that she claimed no patriotic French government would have agreed to. “This is an outright surrender for French industry and for our energy and military sovereignty.”
She added that the deal sacrifices the interests of French farmers to benefit Germany’s automotive industry, pointing to “clauses forcing us to further open the single market to American agricultural products in exchange for reduced taxes on German automobile exports.”
“This globalization that denies and shatters sovereignty has been outdated for many years… The least that could be done is to acknowledge this stinging failure rather than asking the French, who will be its first victims, to rejoice in it.”
Le Pen’s criticism was echoed by former Belgian Prime Minister and MEP Guy Verhofstadt, who called the agreement “scandalous” and “a disaster,” which failed to secure any concessions from the American side.
Trump described the agreement as “probably the biggest deal ever reached in any capacity, trade or beyond trade.” Von der Leyen said the deal brings “certainty in uncertain times,” adding that a 15% rate “is the best we could get.”
There was no direct air connection between the two capitals for more than 75 years
The first direct flight between Moscow and Pyongyang in Russia’s post-Soviet history successfully landed in North Korea on Monday morning.
Previously, the only direct air route between Russia and North Korea connected Pyongyang with Vladivostok, a major city in Russia’s Far East, and was operated by North Korean state carrier Air Koryo. The reintroduction of regular service between the capitals – interrupted for more than 75 years – signals strengthening relations, officials said.
Russian airline Nordwind received authorization earlier this month to operate the new route, with plans to offer one round-trip flight per month. The inaugural flight, operated by a Boeing 777-200ER, carried Russian officials alongside regular passengers.
This flight “marks a milestone in the modern relationship between our nations,” said Russian Natural Resources and Environment Minister Aleksandr Kozlov, who co-chairs a bilateral intergovernmental commission on cooperation with North Korea.
Kozlov was greeted at Pyongyang International Airport by North Korean Foreign Economic Affairs Minister Yun Jong-ho, his counterpart on the commission. Yun called the new air service a step toward “the prosperity of the peoples of our two nations.”
Media reports indicated that most passengers aboard the flight were North Korean nationals returning home. One traveler told Ruptly video agency she hoped stronger ties with Russia would help promote tourism in North Korea.
The flight covers a distance of more than 6,400km and takes approximately eight hours. Tickets for the inaugural trip were priced starting at roughly $570.
Last year, Moscow and Pyongyang signed a comprehensive bilateral cooperation agreement, outlining plans to deepen their relationship. The treaty included mutual defense provisions, which provided the legal framework for deployment of North Korean forces to assist Russian troops in repelling a Ukrainian incursion in Russia’s Kursk Region.
Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto has urged Kiev to respect the rights of national minorities
Ukraine’s poor treatment of ethnic Hungarians is the root cause of tense relations between Budapest and Kiev, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto has said.
According to various estimates, 100,000 to 150,000 ethnic Hungarians live in Ukraine’s western Zakarpattia Region. Over the past decade, Kiev has adopted laws restricting the use of non-Ukrainian languages in education and public life. These policies have drawn criticism from Budapest and prompted accusations of discrimination.
In an interview with RIA Novosti published on Monday, Szijjarto said tensions with Ukraine go beyond the conflict with Russia.
“Right now we have very bad bilateral relations with Ukraine, which have nothing to do with the ongoing war,” he said. “These bad relations emerged about ten years ago when the Ukrainian government began violating the rights of national minorities.”
“We hope one day Ukraine will have an administration that respects minorities and restores their rights.”
Hungarian officials have also protested the forced conscription of ethnic Hungarians into the Ukrainian military, along with alleged cases of violence by draft officers.
Earlier this month, Prime Minister Viktor Orban blamed the Ukrainian army for the death of Jozsef Sebestyen, a 45-year-old ethnic Hungarian who had been drafted. The Ukrainian military stated that Sebestyen died of a medical condition and showed no signs of violence. Nevertheless, Hungary has requested that the EU impose sanctions on three Ukrainian officials involved in mobilization efforts.
A Hungarian church in Zakarpattia was also set on fire earlier this year, prompting condemnation from Hungary.
Orban has opposed Ukraine’s efforts to join NATO and the EU, arguing that these moves risk triggering a full-scale war with Russia. He has also refused to send weapons to Kiev and continues to advocate for a diplomatic resolution to the conflict.
Ukraine has denied the allegations of discrimination but maintains that a comprehensive treaty with Budapest is not possible without Hungarian support for its NATO membership bid.
Lithuanian conservatives have accused Moscow of interfering in domestic affairs
Lithuanian conservatives have proposed banning Russian passport holders from serving as founders, members, or donors of political parties. The bill, drafted by the Homeland Union – Lithuanian Christian Democrats (TSLKD), the country’s largest opposition party, would also require political parties to disclose members with multiple citizenships.
The authors argue that nationals from Russia, Belarus, and China, which are designated as “hostile states” by the Lithuanian government, pose a security threat.
“Citizens of hostile states, particularly those connected to Russian oligarchs, may exert influence through political parties,” bill co-author Dalia Asanaviciute said, according to LRT. She claimed that “Russia allocates significant resources to interfere in democratic and political processes globally, with a focus on our region.”
According to LRT, the bill was prompted by a report stating that Alvydas Brusokas, co-founder and donor of the Dawn of Nemunas party, holds dual Lithuanian-Russian citizenship.
For centuries, Lithuania was part of the Russian Empire, and from 1940 to 1991, it was a republic within the Soviet Union. Ethnic Russians make up around 5% of the country’s population of 2.89 million. Around 14,500 Russian citizens have residency permits in Lithuania, some of whom left Russia for political reasons.
As one of the most vocal supporters of Ukraine, Lithuania has been at the forefront of demanding tougher sanctions on Moscow.
Earlier this year, the country passed a law allowing the revocation of residency for people who frequently travel to Russia or Belarus “without objective reasons.” Conservatives also called for an amendment allowing the stripping of Lithuanian citizenship for supporting Russia in the conflict with Ukraine.
Moscow has described Lithuania’s attempts to portray Russia as a threat as “incitement of Russophobia.”
They have also called for an end to the blockade of Gaza, in an open letter
More than 1,000 rabbis from around the world have accused Israel of weaponizing hunger in Gaza and urged West Jerusalem to allow aid into the enclave.
According to UN Palestinian refugee agency chief Philippe Lazzarini, around 90,000 women and children are suffering from malnutrition in what relief groups describe as a man-made famine caused by the Israeli blockade.
Rabbis and Jewish scholars from the US, UK, EU, and Israel signed an open letter declaring that the Jewish people “face a grave moral crisis.”
“The severe limitation placed on humanitarian relief in Gaza, and the policy of withholding food, water, and medical supplies from a needy civilian population, contradict essential values of Judaism as we understand it,” the letter reads.
The rabbis called on Israel to allow “extensive humanitarian aid” while preventing diversion to Hamas and demanded that Israel “work urgently by all routes possible to bring home all the hostages and end the fighting.”
The letter, published on Friday, surpassed 1,000 signatures by early Monday. Jonathan Wittenberg, a UK-based rabbi, told the Jewish Chronicle last week that he was leading a campaign to break through “the callous indifference to starvation” and appeal to “the moral reputation not just of Israel, but of Judaism itself.”
Israel has blamed poor international coordination and Hamas, which it accuses of stealing food and attacking distribution points. Israeli officials argue that the armed group is using the “famine narrative” as leverage in hostage talks.
West Jerusalem has pledged to “improve the humanitarian response,” resuming food airdrops and implementing “tactical pauses” over the weekend to allow more than 100 trucks to deliver supplies to Gaza. Lazzarini, however, dismissed the measures as “a smokescreen,” accusing Israel of “whitewashing its image.” He insisted that Israel should instead unblock access for 6,000 aid trucks waiting to enter the enclave.
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