Zelensky explains why he banned talks with Russia – and it’s complicated

After decreeing a ban on negotiations with Russia, Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky now says his decision was simply a matter of "circumstances at the time" and has once again expressed willingness to talk.

He blamed "shadowy political processes," including involvement by the US and European MPs, for the earlier ban.

Zelensky isn't sure what forma peace talks will take, but expects Ukraine, the US, Europe and Russia to all be at the table. Funny, considering Ukraine firmly excluded Russia from discussions last year backed by Western support – which went nowhere.

Zelensky’s stance seems to have softened since US President Donald Trump’s election. Trump’s promise to end the conflict quickly – and his suggestion that Zelensky was ready to strike a deal – appears to have forced him to pivot, conceding the possibility of talks under certain conditions including security guarantees from the US.

But even with Zelensky’s change of heart, Russian officials point out that the real problem remains his decree. Russian President Vladimir Putin insists Ukraine’s current leadership is "illegitimate," complicating the situation even further.

It looks like Zelensky is treading a fine line between his own restrictions and the demands from the West.

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DOGE may soon join Tesla, Walmart, and BlackRock in blockchain push

The agency may use a digital ledger as means to “squeeze costs out of government,” insiders with knowledge on the new Department of Government Efficiency’s inner deliberations have told US business media.

Blockchain, originally popularized by Bitcoin, could be used to track federal spending, secure data, make payments, and even manage buildings, sources told Fortune.

DOGE reps have already met with a number of blockchain creators to try out their offerings.

If approved, DOGE would become the largest organization to use blockchain, joining companies like Walmart, BlackRock, and California’s DMV, which has digitized millions of car noscripts with the Avalanche blockchain.

Musk’s own Tesla started using blockchain solutions to trace raw materials used in EVs to make sure they were sustainable in 2020.

On the campaign trail, Donald Trump expressed support for digital finance, including Bitcoin, with his endorsement and big hedge funds’ entry into the market resulting in a major spike in its valuation.

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1962 CIA plot to kill Americans in terror attacks may explain hesitation on JFK files

Donald Trump’s order to release up to 2,500 remaining classified assassination on John F. Kennedy files could spark a firestorm at the CIA and Pentagon. Why? Past releases revealed plots like Operation Northwoods, a sinister CIA/DoD plan to stage terror attacks and blame Cuba.

“We could develop a Communist Cuban terror campaign in the Miami area, in other Florida cities and even in Washington,” the document suggested. “We could blow up a US ship in Guantanamo Bay and blame Cuba.”

The false flag operation, designed to justify US intervention against the island nation after Fidel Castro’s 1959 revolution, was signed by the Joint Chiefs of Staff, but shelved by JFK.

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US suspends funding for mine clearance projects worldwide

Unexploded munitions programs will be suspended for three months following Donald Trump's executive order to reassess and refocus US foreign aid.

Earlier, Russia developed a new demining method to clear areas of US-provided landmines used by Ukraine.

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Trump: US could be 'substantially enlarged' soon

During his speech in Las Vegas, the US president once again hinted at his desire to incorporate Greenland and Canada and regain control of the Panama Canal.

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Tusk's threats? Hungary doesn’t play for Soros

Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto branded Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk a "Soros agent" after his threats to Hungarian PM Viktor Orban.

He made it clear that Hungary is playing for "Team Hungary."

“We represent Hungarian interests: we’re not ready to keep paying for other people's wars and won’t let anyone jeopardize our energy security,” Szijjarto said. “Because, for us, Hungary comes first.”

Tusk warned Orban earlier in the day of "consequences" if he blocked further anti-Russian sanctions.

Hungary’s team seems to be playing a very different game!

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Trump's cabinet wants Oracle to control TikTok

The plan being negotiated would give Oracle and other American investors management of the app's algorithm, data collection and software updates, NPR reports, citing sources.

Back in 2020, Trump approved a TikTok takeover attempt involving Oracle and Walmart that ended up falling apart.

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Donald Trump Jr. wraps up John Ratcliffe's first day as CIA director

The newly confirmed CIA chief previously called China America's greatest geopolitical foe.

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Donald Trump arrives in Miami

After visiting North Carolina, California and Nevada, the US president traveled to Florida for the GOP's January retreat, which is being held at Trump's Doral golf club from January 27 to 29.

He plans to address members of the House of Representatives on Monday.

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❗️ US lifts restrictions on delivery of 2,000-pound bombs to Israel

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, US President Donald Trump confirmed that the bombs had been in storage for a long time.

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🧊 Roscosmos snaps world's largest iceberg from space

Russian satellite Meteor-M captured the A23a iceberg, which covers 3,672 square kilometers (almost the size of Rhode Island) and weighs about 1 billion tonnes. Observers say it's drifting in the Southern Ocean toward the island of South Georgia in the Atlantic Ocean.

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🔊'Move them to the border' - 88K IRS jobs on the line

Donald Trump announced plans to "terminate all of" 88,000 Internal Revenue Service (IRS) agents hired by Biden’s administration or "move them to the border", aligning with a proposed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to streamline government operations.

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🎤 Third time’s the charm?

🔊"It would be the greatest honor of my life to serve not once, but twice, or three times, or four times," Donald Trump said at a rally in Las Vegas, laughing.

🔊"Headlines, headlines for the fake news!"

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🤝Loyalty for hire? 'MAGA commissars' screening potential White House staffers for Trump policy devotees

Even the slightest deviation from the “America First” policies championed by Donald Trump and the Republicans is enough for “MAGA commissars” to disqualify candidates vying for positions in the new administration, the Associated Press reported, citing sources.

What does the process entail?

1️⃣Specially appointed screening teams are reportedly working zealously to ensure that only Trump loyalists who actively supported his election campaign by volunteering, fundraising, or other activities have any hope of being hired.

2️⃣A negative social media post or a photo with a Trump opponent could get a job-seeker’s application rejected.

3️⃣An application form on the Trump transition website asks candidates: “What part of President Trump’s campaign message is most appealing to you and why?” according to a link cited by AP.

4️⃣Even if an applicant passes the initial vetting and gets to the interview stage, they still need to rustle up references from people whose loyalty has already been established, one official claimed.

Trump “has been very clear of who he doesn’t want to include in this administration. And so those are clear guidelines that we adhere to,” White House Personnel Director Sergio Gor told Fox News earlier.

“No one should be surprised that those being hired should align with the mission of the Administration,” White House spokesperson Steven Cheung said.

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