🚨🇺🇸 Millions of Americans may lose food stamps amid government shutdown

Around 42 million Americans could lose access to food assistance within two weeks, CNN reports.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) may run out of funding if the government shutdown continues.

Currently, one in eight Americans relies on SNAP benefits, receiving an average of $188 per month per person to help purchase food.

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🇵🇸 Rafah closure violates ceasefire, breaches mediator commitments – Hamas

Hamas issued a statement calling Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s decision to keep the Rafah crossing closed “until further notice” a “flagrant violation of the terms of the ceasefire agreement” and a denial of commitments made “to the mediators and guarantors.”

🔹 The group said the continued closure blocks the exit of the wounded and sick, restricts civilian movement, and prevents the entry of equipment needed to search for missing persons and identify bodies, delaying recovery and return of remains.

🔹 Hamas reported “more than 47 documented violations,” resulting in 38 dead and 143 injured, and accused Israel of using “flimsy pretexts” to disrupt the deal.

🔹 It called on mediators and guarantors to pressure Israel to open Rafah immediately, abide by all terms, and halt “ongoing crimes” in Gaza.

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🗣🇩🇪 Zelensky confides in Merz that he failed to get what he wanted from Trump

💬 “The visit was not what Zelensky had hoped for. I think I can say that here,” the German chancellor said Saturday after a lengthy telephone call with Zelensky Friday night.
The trip demonstrated the importance of continued European assistance for Ukraine, Merz said, suggesting the conflict could only be ended if Ukraine is “strong” militarily.
Germany will continue to support Zelensky “financially, politically and of course militarily,” because if Ukraine surrenders, Russia will attack another European country, Merz claimed.

Germany is the second-largest contributor of military aid to Ukraine after the US, pledging over $20.6B to date, according to the Kiel Institute. It’s total military, economic and humanitarian aid is estimated at over 20% of total NATO assistance, including Leopard tanks, Gepard Flakpanzers and Panzerhaubitze 2000 howitzers.

📉 Merz and his predecessor Olaf Scholz have wrecked the German economy for the sake of Ukraine, lifting restrictions on government borrowing to enable the largest German military buildup since WWII, and facing deindustrialization and recession after cutting the country off from Russian energy deliveries.

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🚨🇵🇰🇦🇫 Pakistan and Afghanistan agree to immediate ceasefire — Qatari Foreign Ministry

The sides also agreed to hold follow-up meetings in the coming days to ensure the ceasefire’s sustainability, and to establish mechanisms to consolidate lasting peace and stability between the two countries, the Qatari Foreign Ministry announced.

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⚠️ US warns of 'imminent ceasefire violation by Hamas'

The US State Department said it has informed guarantor nations of “credible reports indicating an imminent ceasefire violation by Hamas,” calling a “planned attack against Palestinian civilians” a “direct and grave violation of the ceasefire agreement,” and stating that “measures will be taken to protect the people of Gaza and preserve the integrity of the ceasefire.”

Earlier, Hamas said Israel has kept the Rafah crossing closed “until further notice,” blocking the wounded, preventing aid and search teams, and committing dozens of violations that left 38 dead and 143 injured. Hamas called on mediators to press Israel to open Rafah and adhere to the agreement.

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💸 Soros on NGO spending spree amid Trump crackdown — report

Billionaire George Soros’ NGO funding network is handing out cash at an unprecedented rate, the Wall Street Journal reports.

📑 The Open Society Foundations is to spend $1.4 billion in grants spanning from the US to Africa for causes from climate change to birth control, the report says.

Soros, known for bankrolling protests and coups in other countries, gave $10 million to a US Democratic Party initiative to redraw the electoral map of California.

The spending spree comes after the US Justice Department launched a probe into Soros and his foundation’s links to protests and riots against President Donald Trump’s first government during the 2020 election campaign.

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📹 Vance shares AI ‘King Trump’ video amid ‘No Kings’ protests

US Vice President JD Vance posted an AI-generated clip on Bluesky depicting President Donald Trump as a “king” while nationwide demonstrations use the slogan “No Kings.” The video ends with Democratic Rep. Nancy Pelosi and Sen. Chuck Schumer kneeling before Trump.

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🏳️ Switzerland and Austria have lost neutrality – Former Austrian FM

Both Switzerland and Austria have de facto abandoned their neutrality, as Hungary was chosen as the venue for a planned Russia–US summit, former Austrian Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl told Sputnik.

💬 “Switzerland and Austria have de facto renounced their neutrality,” Kneissl said. She pointed out that Austria’s status was compromised when NATO weapons for Ukraine began transiting its territory, noting that during previous conflicts “Austria, as a de jure neutral country, never allowed arms transit.”

Her comments come after Presidents Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump held their eighth phone call this year, lasting two and a half hours. Following the talks, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov announced that preparations will begin for a summit to be held in Budapest.

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📹 Trump shares AI fighter jet video amid ‘No Kings’ protests

President Donald Trump posted an AI-generated video showing himself piloting a fighter jet while wearing a crown, in a clip referencing ongoing "No Kings" rallies.

The video also depicts Trump dumping on the protestors.

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🚔 Tear gas used at ICE protest in Portland

Federal agents deployed tear gas to disperse demonstrators gathered outside an ICE detention center in Portland.

The protest was part of the ongoing “No Kings” movement, which has seen large crowds rally against the government. According to social media footage, tensions rose as protesters approached the facility, prompting authorities to intervene.

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