May 21, 2025
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US
21.05.2025
Wednesday
95 days ago
Immigration enforcement controversies dominated morning coverage, with a federal judge ordering the Trump administration to maintain custody of migrants deported to South Sudan after finding the deportations potentially violated court orders.

Trump's "Golden Dome" missile defense system, announced the previous day, drew criticism from China, which warned it could militarize space. The Congressional Budget Office released an analysis showing Trump's "big, beautiful bill" would add $2.3 trillion to the deficit while transferring wealth from poor to rich Americans.

The day's defining event came when Trump hosted South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, dimming the Oval Office lights to show videos alleging persecution of white farmers in South Africa. Most outlets characterized this as an "ambush" promoting "false" or "baseless" claims of "white genocide," with South African politician Julius Malema responding by doubling down with inflammatory rhetoric.

Late updates reported the Justice Department ending civil rights investigations into local police departments, including Minneapolis and Louisville.
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Israel
21.05.2025
Wednesday
95 days ago
Staff Sergeant Danilo Mocanu, 20, was killed when a building collapsed in southern Gaza, bringing the IDF death toll to 858 since October 7.

The Supreme Court ruled that Netanyahu's dismissal of Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar was illegal and conducted while the prime minister had a conflict of interest regarding the "Qatar-gate" affair. Attorney General Baharav-Miara subsequently directed Netanyahu to refrain from appointing a new Shin Bet chief until new guidelines are established.

In his first press conference in months, Netanyahu announced that 20 hostages remain alive in Gaza with 38 confirmed dead. He outlined four conditions for ending the war: return of all hostages, Hamas disarmament, implementation of Trump's Gaza relocation plan, and maintaining Israeli security control over Gaza. Despite the Attorney General's directive, Netanyahu declared his government would appoint a new Shin Bet chief.

Netanyahu faced immediate criticism for claiming "nothing happened" in Kibbutz Ein Hashlosha on October 7.
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Germany
21.05.2025
Wednesday
95 days ago
The arrest of five teenagers from the "Letzte Verteidigungswelle" neo-Nazi terror cell dominated early coverage, with details emerging about their plans to attack refugee homes. Morning headlines also focused on Germany's economic stagnation, with the Council of Economic Experts revising growth forecasts to zero percent for 2025.

By midday, Trump's Ukraine policy shift gained prominence. After his call with Putin from previous days, reports indicated Trump was abandoning Europe to find its own solution to the Ukraine war, shocking Chancellor Merz. Defense Minister Pistorius criticized this "worst possible position" while Russian media celebrated a "victory in global poker."

Later reports suggested Russia could be preparing for potential NATO confrontation by 2027, as Trump blocked new sanctions against Moscow. The day closed with Trump creating diplomatic tension during South African President Ramaphosa's White House visit by making unexpected genocide accusations regarding South Africa's treatment of white farmers.
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France
21.05.2025
Wednesday
95 days ago
The government report on Muslim Brotherhood influence dominated French news, with a defense council examining Islamist "entrism" in institutions. Macron requested revised proposals by June, planning to publish the report this weekend despite being "not at all content" about its premature leaking. Coverage highlighted TikTok recruitment tactics and concerns about communitarian politics ahead of 2026 municipal elections.

Israel-related news evolved throughout the day, beginning with EU's reconsideration of its association agreement with Israel, prompting Israeli claims of "total incomprehension of reality." By afternoon, tensions escalated after Israeli warning shots at diplomats in Jenin, with France summoning Israel's ambassador. Evening headlines featured Netanyahu's offer of a "temporary ceasefire" to free hostages while maintaining Israel would control "all of Gaza" afterward.

Trump's $175 billion "Golden Dome" antimissile system received significant coverage, compared to Reagan's "Star Wars" initiative.
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Lebanon
21.05.2025
Wednesday
95 days ago
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's visit to Beirut produced a landmark joint Lebanese-Palestinian statement declaring "the era of weapons outside state authority is over." This agreement, formalized in the morning, commits to placing Palestinian weapons under Lebanese state control and prevents using Lebanese territory for military operations. The statement represents a significant follow-through on discussions reported yesterday about dismantling Palestinian weapons within six months.

International tensions continued with reports that Israel is preparing strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities according to US intelligence. Morgan Ortagus is expected to return to Beirut with conditions for a full ceasefire, building on her previous statements that Lebanon still has "much to do."

Violence persisted in southern Lebanon with three reported Israeli assassinations, including one targeting a man in his bulldozer in Yater. The Finance Ministry encouraged taxpayers to take advantage of penalty settlements under new Law 328/2024.
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Ukraine
21.05.2025
Wednesday
95 days ago
The assassination of Andriy Portnov, former deputy head of Yanukovych's administration, dominated coverage. Portnov was shot in Madrid by what sources described as "professional" gunmen, with multiple outlets publishing photos and videos of the scene.

Following yesterday's Trump-Putin call, Trump continued to resist imposing sanctions on Russia, stating it would be "my determination – nobody else's" and reportedly opposing inclusion of Ukraine support promises in G7 statements. The Washington Post suggested the Trump-Putin conversation indicated no war end in sight.

The EU announced the rolling back of Ukraine trade support, returning to pre-war tariffs and quotas with potential €3.5 billion export losses.

Military developments included a Russian missile strike on a Sumy training range killing six soldiers and wounding over ten, while Ukraine reportedly struck Russia's Bolkhov Semiconductor Plant. The General Staff denied Russian claims about the end of combat operations in Kursk region.
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Palestine
21.05.2025
Wednesday
95 days ago
Israeli forces fired on a diplomatic delegation near Jenin, triggering international condemnation. France and Italy summoned Israeli ambassadors as the European Union demanded an investigation. This incident marked a significant diplomatic escalation amid growing international isolation of Israel.

The Gaza death toll continued mounting with 82 Palestinians killed and 262 injured in 24 hours. Multiple sources reported hospitals receiving dozens of casualties as the conflict entered day 593. The WHO declared Gaza's health system had reached "beyond collapse."

Netanyahu announced three conditions for ending the war while promising Israel would control "the entire Gaza Strip" afterward. Hamas immediately rejected these terms, declaring resistance weapons a "red line."

After days of pressure, 90-92 aid trucks entered Gaza, though sources described this as "a drop in an ocean of famine" with the UN warning 14,000 infants could die within 48 hours without adequate aid.
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UK
21.05.2025
Wednesday
95 days ago
The Gaza humanitarian crisis continued to develop, with UN confirmation that aid trucks entered but supplies remained undistributed in warehouses despite Israel's claims. A UK minister visiting the West Bank accused Israel of using hunger as a "weapon of war" as pressure intensified.

Prime Minister Starmer announced a significant U-turn on winter fuel payments after widespread criticism, though specifics and timing remain unclear.

The Jay Slater inquest revealed disturbing details, including drugs in his system, claims of a stolen Rolex, and that his friends "can't be found." The inquest was dramatically halted after his mother made an emotional plea.

Trump created diplomatic tension by ambushing South African President Ramaphosa with videos alleging "white persecution," forcing Ramaphosa to counter these claims.

The day concluded with Tottenham beating Manchester United 1-0 in the Europa League final, ending their 17-year trophy drought.
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Iran
21.05.2025
Wednesday
95 days ago
After days of hardline rhetoric on uranium enrichment, including Supreme Leader Khamenei's pessimistic statements yesterday, Iran confirmed it would participate in a fifth round of nuclear talks with the US in Rome on Friday. The announcement came as a surprise, with Foreign Minister Araqchi spending the morning expressing doubt about Iran's participation while simultaneously reaffirming that enrichment is a "fundamental principle" that cannot be negotiated.

US Secretary of State Rubio maintained that Iran's nuclear program must operate "without enrichment," while warning that alternatives to diplomacy would be "much worse." CNN reported Israel is preparing attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities if negotiations fail.

Officials held memorial ceremonies for President Raisi and others killed in last year's helicopter crash, with President Pezeshkian emphasizing how their "simple lifestyle" refutes "enemies' accusations." Parliament also approved Thursday closures and ratified Iran's accession to the Palermo Convention.
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Russia
21.05.2025
Wednesday
95 days ago
Following yesterday's discussions of a peace memorandum, Putin made his first visit to Kursk region after its "complete liberation" from Ukrainian forces. During this symbolic trip, he met with volunteers, visited the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant, and reportedly joked about Sumy region potentially joining Russia.

Media extensively covered Trump's continued involvement in peace efforts, with reports claiming he told European leaders Russia would win the conflict and saw "progress" after his conversation with Putin. Lavrov emphasized Russia would no longer accept ceasefire proposals without addressing root causes.

By afternoon, Moscow faced an escalating drone attack, with air defenses intercepting 37 drones by evening. The barrage intensified, with mayor Sobyanin reporting 77 drones shot down over multiple regions by day's end.

In parallel development, former Ukrainian President Yanukovych's advisor Portanov was assassinated in Spain, receiving "five shots, the last to the head."
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Italy
21.05.2025
Wednesday
95 days ago
The morning began with reports of Israeli preparations to strike Iranian nuclear facilities, continuing tensions from previous days' Trump-Putin-Vatican peace initiatives. The Garlasco murder case remained prominent, with prosecutors revealing Sempio's palm print matched in "15 points of contact" with one found near Chiara Poggi's body.

By midday, Sorrento's mayor was arrested accepting a €6,000 bribe during a dinner. The news cycle dramatically shifted when IDF troops fired warning shots at EU diplomats including Italy's vice consul in Jenin, prompting Foreign Minister Tajani to summon Israel's ambassador - a rare diplomatic rebuke from Italy to Israel.

The evening saw Netanyahu announce readiness for a "temporary ceasefire" while simultaneously declaring intent to control "all of Gaza," signaling limited practical concessions despite diplomatic pressure. Trump provoked controversy by ambushing South African President Ramaphosa in the Oval Office with claims about "white genocide."
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Japan
21.05.2025
Wednesday
95 days ago
Agriculture Minister Taku Eto resigned following his controversial comments about receiving free rice amid soaring consumer prices. Prime Minister Ishiba, whose administration began in October 2024, quickly appointed Shinjiro Koizumi as the new minister with former Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga reportedly influencing this decision.

By mid-morning, Ishiba promised to achieve rice prices of 3000 yen per 5kg, accepting responsibility if prices don't decrease. Koizumi immediately suspended reserve rice bidding processes, declaring he would "focus on rice" and release unlimited quantities from government stockpiles.

This political crisis unfolded against a backdrop of economic troubles, with Japanese bond yields soaring due to faltering investor demand. Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts with South Korea continued as Japan announced fast-track entry for South Korean visitors to commemorate their 60th anniversary of normalized relations. Trump's automotive tariffs have begun affecting export prices while Nvidia's CEO criticized US export controls on AI chips.
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Netherlands
21.05.2025
Wednesday
95 days ago
The search for Jeffrey (10) and Emma (8) reached its tragic conclusion as authorities confirmed the bodies found in a submerged car belonged to the children and their father Klaas. A press conference revealed they likely drowned, with police having visited their home last Friday. The nation responded with an outpouring of support, raising over €65,000 for funeral arrangements.

Trump confronted South African President Ramaphosa with disputed footage claiming "white genocide," a meeting Ramaphosa navigated through humility. The IMF criticized Dutch fiscal policy's focus on purchasing power over investments, while NATO demands for increased defense spending to 3.5% of GDP created coalition tensions.

The Court of Audit identified serious implementation problems at three ministries, including IT chaos and name confusion in criminal cases. Housing corporation leaders announced plans to challenge Minister Keijzer's rent freeze policy in court.
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India
21.05.2025
Wednesday
95 days ago
The Supreme Court granted interim bail to Ashoka University professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad, arrested for his Operation Sindoor posts, but restricted him from writing about the topic while terming his language "dog whistling."

Security forces killed 27-30 Naxalites in Chhattisgarh, reportedly including top commander Basavaraju who carried a Rs 1 crore bounty.

India expelled another Pakistani High Commission official, the second in eight days, continuing diplomatic pressure following Operation Sindoor.

In the afternoon, Delhi-NCR experienced a violent storm with 79 km/h winds, causing flight diversions, cancellations, and traffic chaos. An IndiGo flight made an emergency landing in Srinagar with a damaged nose after severe turbulence.

The Centre argued in Supreme Court that Waqf is not an essential practice in Islam but merely "charity," during hearings on the Waqf Amendment Act. Tamil Nadu sued the Centre over Rs 2,151 crore in allegedly blocked education funds.
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Poland
21.05.2025
Wednesday
95 days ago
Morning headlines reported Mentzen's conditions for endorsement following his third-place finish, as both presidential candidates courted his voters. By midday, the political atmosphere intensified with detection of a Russian vessel near a strategic Poland-Sweden underwater cable, prompting PM Tusk to deploy the ship "Heweliusz" and schedule an urgent meeting at the Maritime Operations Center.

A physical altercation in the parliamentary hotel between actor Jacek Kopczyński and PiS MPs Dariusz Matecki and Łukasz Ciecióra gained prominence throughout the day. By evening, Kopczyński faced formal charges.

The campaign narrative shifted with Trzaskowski appointing former Duda advisor Siewiera as his security consultant, while Russians reportedly vandalized a Polish monument, drawing sharp condemnation from Foreign Minister Sikorski.

Economic concerns surfaced with reports of IT sector debt increasing 20%, and news of billionaire Solorz losing a family inheritance dispute worth billions. Reports revealed 17.5 billion złoty in state funding to churches over three years.
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Spain
21.05.2025
Wednesday
95 days ago
The EU formally began reviewing its association agreement with Israel after Spain and 16 other countries pushed for action against the "unacceptable" situation in Gaza, continuing yesterday's diplomatic escalation. This development was quickly overshadowed by two violent incidents: the assassination of Andriy Portnov, a pro-Russian Ukrainian advisor to former president Yanukovich, shot while dropping his children at Madrid's American School; and Israeli forces firing at a diplomatic delegation in the West Bank that included Spanish representatives.

Spain summoned Israel's diplomatic representative following what Foreign Affairs called a "very serious incident." By evening, Netanyahu defiantly announced Gaza operations "will not cease" until implementing "Trump's plan" for the region, despite growing international pressure and reported internal Israeli opposition to the war.

Domestically, parliamentary tensions continued between Sánchez and Feijóo, with accusations over corruption and Gaza policy dominating their exchange.
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Turkey
21.05.2025
Wednesday
95 days ago
In the morning, a large counter-terrorism operation targeting DEAŞ/ISIS resulted in 298 arrests across 47 provinces, with Interior Minister Yerlikaya announcing the details. The Istanbul earthquake that occurred the previous evening continued to generate analysis about its significance.

By midday, Israel's firing on diplomats, including Turkish officials, triggered sharp condemnation from Turkey's Foreign Ministry, calling for accountability. This incident coincided with MSF's criticism of "ridiculously inadequate" aid allowed into Gaza.

President Erdoğan attended the Turkic States Organization summit in Hungary, emphasizing support for Turkish Cypriots and solidarity among Turkic nations.

The Istanbul Municipality corruption investigation continued with new developments, including the release of suspect Ertan Yıldız to house arrest and trustees appointed to another company linked to the case.

By evening, Istanbul's public transit crisis loomed as private bus operators announced they would stop service the next day over unpaid debts from the municipality.
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China
21.05.2025
Wednesday
95 days ago
The synchronized state media coverage of Xi Jinping's Henan inspection tour continued with a new emphasis on developing "punching products" (拳头产品) to strengthen China's manufacturing base. This directive represents a specific implementation strategy following yesterday's manufacturing revival messaging. Youth unemployment excluding students dropped to 15.8% in April, the lowest this year, providing economic optimism.

China's Ministry of Commerce warned that implementing US chip bans would violate Chinese law, while researchers positioned satellite-to-phone 5G technology as potentially circumventing US app restrictions like TikTok bans. By afternoon, Hong Kong's tax authorities targeted at least six independent news outlets with audits, extending to staff and family members - an escalation of pressure on critical media.

Internationally, China completed CAFTA 3.0 negotiations with ASEAN while offering support to "ironclad friend" Pakistan and urging dialogue with India.
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