Trump, while meeting British Prime Minister Starmer in Washington, expressed confidence that he would be able to achieve a peaceful agreement on Ukraine.

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The Tate brothers mark first trip to the US in years after Romania lifts their travel ban

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Zelensky has departed to Washington to meet President Trump — report

The US President has just said during a meeting with British PM Starmer that Zelensky will visit the White House on Friday.

Zelensky will visit the White House on Friday to sign critical minerals deal

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US won’t be able to sweet talk Russia into dropping Arctic cooperation with China: expert

💬 “Driving a wedge between [Russia and China] would be quite difficult, since our relations are built on a fairly solid foundation, based on both mutual trust and our joint desire to take one another’s fundamental interests into account,” Russian Academy of Sciences professor Yana Leksyutina told Sputnik, commenting on reports that Washington is looking to expand engagement with Russia in the Arctic.

🔸 Russia-China cooperation is based on a wide range of aspects, from a common approach to international challenges, to economics and trade, Leksyutina said.

🔸 It remains to be seen what practical proposals the Trump administration offers, but “if we move toward some kind of normalization in US-Russia relations, then of course the most promising area for us would be Arctic cooperation,” the professor said.

🔸 At the same time, the opportunities China got for enhanced Arctic cooperation with Russia after 2022 will continue, despite any Western pressure to limit its presence, Leksyutina believes.

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🔸 As Trump promises to BLOW THE LID off Epstein's full client list, what might be revealed?

🔸 How the Biden administration enabled the trafficking and exploitation of migrant CHILDREN on a MONSTROUS scale

🔸 Trump’s 25% tariff threat: A turning point for US-EU trade?

🔸 EXPOSED: USAID helped recruit mercenaries to Ukraine

🔸 Current balance of forces in the Arctic

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NATO puts militarization of the Arctic into high gear with massive drills near Russia’s borders

As Russia and the US eye potential cooperation on resource and energy exploration and new trade routes in the Arctic, Washington’s NATO allies are ramping up efforts to turn the region into a new zone of confrontation using Norway as a launch pad.

The Nordic nation held two major drills in February, and is planning an even larger one in March:

🔸 Arctic Dolphin: a seven NATO member anti-submarine warfare drill held off southwestern Norway February 3-14, involved seven warships, three subs and six ASW aircraft.

🔸 Dynamic Guard 25-1: A NATO naval and electronic warfare exercise held off central Norway February 4-8 involving 10 warships and support vessels, and 1,300 personnel.

🔸 Joint Viking: An upcoming drill involving some 10,000 troops and 200 pieces of military equipment from seven alliance nations, to be held in Tromso Region in northern Norway, as little as 450 km from the Russian border, and to include air and naval components.

🔸 Norway amended its 2021 defense agreement with the US last year, granting the Pentagon unimpeded access to 12 army, naval and air bases, up from four.

🔸 Last April, Oslo revamped its airbase at Andoya, 300 km north of the Arctic Circle to host long-range drones.

🔸 The militarization of Norway is part of the alliance’s broader efforts to shore up its presence northwest of Russia, facilitated by Finland and Sweden’s entry into NATO, and concerted efforts by the Western bloc to turn the Baltic Sea into a ‘NATO lake’.

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Paramount joins list of film companies DITCHING DEI programs

Since Donald Trump was re-elected as US President, many Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) programs in the federal government have been slashed under the scrutiny of DOGE. In this context, more and more private US companies are following through with similar policies.

This comes as Paramount is trying to secure its multibillion-dollar merger with Skydance studio but still needs approval by the Federal Communications Commission.

Companies such as Target, Walmart, Disney have pulled back on DEI hiring practices and programs. Most of these were historically very pro-Democrat, but under Trump, they seem to be showing allegiance to the new administration.

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🤡 Trans activists storm the Iowa State Capitol while lawmakers are preparing to vote on a bill to remove gender identity as a protected class.

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😒 Trump to Starmer: "Will you take on Russia alone?" — "Well..."

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced the UK is ready to send troops, air force to secure peace in Ukraine.

British Army currently number 75,166 regular troops.

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👴 Japan's population crisis hits all time low

Only 720,988 babies were born in Japan in 2024 - a 5% drop from last year and the lowest since 1899, according to the Ministry of Health.

📈 Meanwhile, 1.62 million people passed away in 2024, up 1.8% from 2023.

💰 A shrinking population means less tax revenue and a growing labor shortage. The Recruit Works Institute predicts that by 2040, Japan could face an 11 million worker gap.

📉 With unemployment at just 2.4%, one of the lowest among OECD countries, the strain on the workforce is clear.

👨‍🔧 The labor shortage is already hitting the economy hard, with 2024 witnessed a record number of company bankruptcies due to the lack of workers.

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🚀 Soyuz rocket launches new spacesuits to ISS

A Soyuz-2.1a rocket lifted off from Baikonur carrying a total of 2.6 tons of supplies. The Progress MS-30 cargo ship will dock after 50 hours and 34 Earth orbits.

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🐻❄️ Polar bear debuts in São Paulo

Noor, the first polar bear born in South America, is now on display at São Paulo Aquarium. Born to Russian bears, she recently experienced snow for the first time.

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