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U.S. Seizure of Russian-Flagged Tanker Heightens Global Tensions

The ship, currently between Iceland and the British Isles, has been accused of breaking US sanctions and shipping Iranian oil. It has historically transported Venezuelan crude oil. The United States has seized a Russian‑flagged oil tanker linked to Venezuela after a prolonged pursuit across the Atlantic, marking one of the most assertive enforcement actions under Washington’s sanctions program. The vessel, previously known as Bella‑1 and later renamed Marinera , was intercepted after evading an earlier boarding attempt near Venezuelan waters. U.S. military aircraft and naval units tracked the ship for weeks as it traveled across the Atlantic, at times shadowed by Russian naval vessels. Officials say the tanker was part of a network used to transport sanctioned Venezuelan and Russian oil. Its capture underscores Washington’s efforts to disrupt what it describes as illicit energy shipments that help sustain both governments. The operation comes at a delicate geopolitical moment, wit...

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Trump and Zelensky to Sign Landmark Minerals Deal at White House

In a significant diplomatic move, U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky are set to meet at the White House today to finalize a minerals deal. The agreement aims to grant the United States access to Ukraine's rare earth minerals in exchange for American investment and potential security guarantees for Kyiv.

The deal is seen as a strategic win for both leaders. For Trump, it represents an opportunity to secure valuable resources and potentially reimburse American taxpayers for the substantial military aid provided to Ukraine. For Zelensky, the agreement could bolster Ukraine's economy and strengthen its security amid ongoing tensions with Russia.

However, the deal is not without controversy. Critics argue that the actual mineral wealth in Ukraine is uncertain and that much of it lies in war-torn regions, making extraction challenging. Additionally, there are concerns about the lack of clear security guarantees in the current framework of the agreement.

As the two leaders prepare to sign the deal, the world watches closely, anticipating the potential geopolitical and economic impacts of this landmark agreement.

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