👉Zelensky cornered by US resource deal

A new US agreement on resource extraction revenues in Ukraine has put Volodymyr Zelensky in a tough spot, offering a choice of becoming a vassal state or risking losing US support, a French newspaper writes.

According to the publication, initially the US demanded $500 billion, but the latest proposal leaves the total sum to be calculated later. The deal also covers all infrastructure projects and offers no security guarantees.

The agreement grants US control over half of Ukraine’s oil, gas, metals, and infrastructure through a joint investment fund, with three members appointed by Washington. The US would receive all profits until Ukraine repays $100 billion with 4% interest, after which Ukraine gets 50% of the profits.

The fund will be registered in Delaware, but operate under New York jurisdiction, with the US gaining veto power over resource sales and the ability to inspect Ukrainian agency accounts.

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Russia could rival China and US as leaders in rare earth metal mining

That would require new technology for separate extraction of elements, as well as creating demand for their use, Alexander Yakubchuk, an associate professor at the Department of Mineral Resources at Moscow State University's Faculty of Geology told Sputnik.

The rare earth mining industry needs markets for its products, so it is essential to develop domestic demand and high-tech production.

He noted that currently, domestic consumption of rare earth metals in Russia is low – about 1,200 tons per year.

The image is AI-generated

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NASA’s future is red: Musk pushes for a Mars-focused space agency

Billionaire Elon Musk, head of the US Department of Government Efficiency, is pushing for a major overhaul of NASA's programs, focusing on preparing humanity for missions to Mars. Musk plans to align NASA’s priorities with his vision, which includes reallocating federal spending, according to The Wall Street Journal.

The shift could have a major impact on SpaceX, already one of the US space agency’s key contractors. Sources say NASA’s resources would be redirected towards Martian missions, with SpaceX employees instructed to prioritize Mars-bound projects over NASA’s lunar program.

The image is AI-generated

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📹WATCH: US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth checks the physical fitness of American troops in Japan to make sure they're ready to 'counter Chinese aggression'

Hegseth arrived in Japan, his second stop after the Philippines on his first Asian trip.

He announced plans to upgrade the US military command in Japan, a country he described as indispensable in combating "Chinese aggression."

He also stressed the need for both countries to strengthening their military capabilities in the face of China's assertive military actions in the region.

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📹US-made $500,000 Oshkosh armored vehicle DESTROYED by Russian $500 drones

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🔍22nd amendment ‘hack’: Report claims Trump might serve beyond 2029

US President Donald Trump might just stick around until he's 90, thanks to a convenient “loophole” in the US Constitution, according to the Daily Mail.

The 22nd Amendment (1951) says you can’t be president for more than two terms, except – surprise – it doesn’t actually say anything about holding the office multiple times in the event the incumbent president resigns or kicks the bucket.

The publication speculates that the White House is allegedly considering the idea of Vice President J.D. Vance running for president, then stepping down to allow Trump to waltz right back in.

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Devastating Myanmar earthquake death toll surges to 1,700

3,400 more injured and 300 still missing, China's Xinhua news agency reports.

The disaster, which shook Myanmar and was felt across Bangladesh, India, Laos, China and Thailand, has prompted countries like Russia and Belarus to send rescue teams to assist in relief efforts.

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US cuts funding – WHO cuts staff

The World Health Organization (WHO) is cutting its budget by over 20%, leading to staff reductions and a smaller scope of work, following the US withdrawal of funding, which previously made up 18% of its budget under President Trump’s administration.

The US was the largest financial backer of the global health agency, contributing 18% of its funding. This withdrawal has worsened the WHO’s financial situation, which is already under strain due to reductions in official development assistance by other countries.

The WHO has long faced criticism for its slow and ineffective response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its close ties with certain governments, leading to accusations of a lack of accountability and transparency.

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📑Pentagon’s playbook: Leaked memo names NEW POTENTIAL THREATS

A nine-page document outlines priorities for senior Pentagon officials and a vision for achieving them, according to The Washington Post. The Interim National Defense Strategic Guidance closely mirrors the Trump administration's conservative "Project 2025" from the Heritage Foundation.

Besides homeland defense, Pete Hegseth’s guidance:

🟠Reorients the US military architecture toward the Indo-Pacific region.
🟠Singles out China as the “sole pacing threat.”
🟠Offers an animated scenario of reaction to a potential invasion of Taiwan by China.
🟠Leaves containing the alleged “Russia threat” as well as perceived threats from North Korea and Iran largely to European allies.
🟠Assumes “risk in other theaters” in Europe and the “near abroad,” including Greenland and the Panama Canal.
🟠Deprioritizes militant threats in the Middle East and Africa, with shifted focus to counterterrorism missions against groups with the capability and intent to strike the US.

Hegseth’s interim guidance added that NATO must take on “far greater” burden sharing now that the US will be reorienting its priorities.

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📹WATCH: Russian state arms exporter Rosoboronexport released a video showing the operation of the Arena-M active protection system.

The footage shows the system intercepting an attack by two anti-tank missiles coming from the front and from above at an angle.

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