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The US House has passed a Russia sanctions bill that would impose tariffs on major buyers of Russian energy.

This comes as the European Commission proposes associate membership for Canada, and as North Korea defends expanding its nuclear forces.

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1️⃣ 🇪🇺🇨🇦🇺🇸 EU proposes associate membership for Canada: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed making Canada the EU's first associate member, although the arrangement remains undefined and would require member states' agreement. US President Donald Trump threatened tariffs or an end to trade with Europe if he considered the proposal a hostile act.

2️⃣ 🇰🇵🇺🇸 North Korea defends nuclear expansion: North Korea's Vice Defence Minister Kim Kang Il said US-led military expansion and what he called a nuclear alliance with South Korea and Japan justified strengthening his country's nuclear forces. Speaking at a security forum in Beijing, he said North Korea's nuclear status was irreversible and that it would continue building its deterrent.

3️⃣ 🇧🇾🇺🇸 Belarus frees 25 political prisoners: Belarus released 25 political prisoners in exchange for the lifting of US sanctions on paint manufacturer Lakokraska and forestry company Bellesbumprom. Opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya welcomed the releases, but rights groups warned that arrests were continuing and hundreds of political prisoners remained behind bars.

4️⃣ 🇮🇱🇲🇦 Israel and Morocco agree embassy upgrades: Israel and Morocco agreed to upgrade their diplomatic missions to embassies and appoint ambassadors after their foreign ministers met in New York. They also agreed to restore direct flights and complete investment protection and double-taxation agreements by the end of the year.

5️⃣ 🇺🇸 US military chief urges preparation for lunar warfare: General Dan Caine, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, said American forces should prepare for combat in the region between Earth and the moon. Space Force commander Lieutenant General Gregory Gagnon separately said the service aimed to double its personnel to roughly 25,000 over five years, with most of the expansion focused on Combat Forces Command.

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Major Story

🇺🇸🇷🇺 House backs Russia sanctions

The US House passed a Russia sanctions bill by 262 votes to 159, sending it to US President Donald Trump for signature.

The legislation targets Russian officials, banks and the shadow fleet transporting Russian energy.

It would direct President Trump to impose tariffs of up to 100% on the five largest importers of Russian oil or natural gas.

An exemption would cover countries buying less than 15% of Russia's gas exports that have taken significant steps to reduce those imports.

Supporters say the tariffs would deter Chinese and Indian purchases, while critics warn they could hit US allies and raise prices for American consumers.

Other News

1️⃣ 🇽🇰 Former Kosovo president receives 25-year sentence: Former Kosovo President Hashim Thaçi was sentenced to 25 years in prison after a Hague court convicted him of war crimes, including murder, torture and arbitrary detention. He and three co-defendants were acquitted of crimes against humanity because prosecutors had not proved a widespread or systematic attack on civilians, and they can appeal.

2️⃣ 🇿🇦🇺🇸 South Africa rejects US discrimination claims: South African Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola urged Washington to respect his country's sovereignty after the US announced visa restrictions targeting officials it accuses of racial discrimination. He said the policies at issue addressed apartheid-era injustices, while the government rejected US allegations of discrimination against white South Africans.

3️⃣ 🇦🇷🇬🇧🇮🇱 Argentine judge orders halt to Falklands oil project: An Argentine judge ordered Israel's Navitas and Britain's Rockhopper to halt work on the Sea Lion oil project off the Falkland Islands pending a decision on Argentina's environmental review requirements. Enforcement depends on international cooperation and the companies' response, so the injunction does not itself establish that operations have stopped.

4️⃣ 🇸🇾 Syria abolishes Assad-era terrorism court: Syria's parliament voted to abolish the Assad-era Counter-Terrorism Court and nullify the legal effects of its rulings, state-run Al-Ekhbariya TV reported. The court, already treated as defunct by the new authorities, had prosecuted thousands of Syrians and faced UN criticism over torture and judicial safeguards.

5️⃣ 🇺🇸 Federal Reserve raises rates amid inflation pressure: The US Federal Reserve raised interest rates by a quarter of a percentage point to 3.75-4%, its first increase in more than three years, as inflation and war-driven fuel costs remained elevated. Officials projected one further increase this year, despite President Trump's renewed demand for lower borrowing costs.

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