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Kaja Kallas, the European Union's foreign policy chief who grew up in Soviet-occupied Estonia, is warning European leaders against giving Russia what it wants in negotiations over the war in Ukraine. Drawing on her personal experience of Soviet rule, she argues that yielding to Moscow's demands would only embolden further aggression. Her remarks are resonating in ongoing debates over Europe's stance toward Russia.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia is trying to leave Ukrainians without internet and mobile communications, adding that Kyiv is taking measures to counter these efforts. The statement comes as Ukraine continues to face attacks on its communications infrastructure, with officials stressing that keeping Ukrainians connected remains a priority during the war.

Around 781 migrants reached the UK in ten small boats from France in a single 24-hour period, the highest daily total recorded so far this year. The figures have drawn renewed attention to Channel crossings and to the French and British authorities' efforts to stop the boats, with the high daily number likely to fuel debate over border policy on both sides.

A total of 781 migrants crossed the English Channel on Wednesday, the highest number recorded on a single day so far this year. Sky News reported the figure on Wednesday, citing ongoing crossings by small boats from France to the UK. The Channel migration issue continues to be one of the most politically charged topics in Britain, with numbers closely watched by campaigners and critics of government policy alike.

Washington is pressing governments worldwide to align with the United States on artificial intelligence rules and technology, framing it as a choice between democratic and authoritarian models of AI development. But analysts note that China's pitch — offering affordable AI tools, infrastructure and investment without political conditions — may be more attractive to developing countries that want the benefits of AI without being forced into a superpower rivalry.

US immigration officers have reportedly been instructed to halt arrests of immigrants without criminal records, according to a report carried by multiple international outlets including Anadolu Agency and The Express Tribune. The directive, if confirmed, would mark a significant shift in enforcement priorities, focusing arrests on immigrants with criminal backgrounds rather than the broader undocumented population. Details about who issued the instruction and how widely it applies remain limited.

The Trump administration has cancelled funding for programmes serving refugees, immigrants and other groups, a move that lawmakers argue is illegal. Critics in Congress say the cuts exceed the administration's legal authority, while the administration defends the cancellations as part of its broader immigration agenda. The decision affects organisations that rely on federal money to provide resettlement and support services.

News reports say Poland has suspended the right to claim asylum for people crossing its border with Belarus, a move tied to its long-running disputes over irregular migration on that frontier. Polish officials are now calling on other European Union countries to adopt similar measures. The reports describe the policy change and Poland's push for a wider European response, but reactions from other governments and the public are not detailed in the available coverage.

European policymakers are pushing to impose sanctions targeting Russian influence activities across the continent, aiming to act before such operations cause political damage. The effort reflects growing concern in EU capitals over Russian interference in domestic politics, elections and public debate, and signals a shift toward preventive measures rather than responding only after interference has taken effect.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, who grew up in Soviet-occupied Estonia, has warned European leaders against giving Russia what it wants in negotiations over the war in Ukraine. Drawing on her personal experience of Soviet rule, she argued that conceding to Moscow would only invite further aggression. The remarks have fueled debate across Europe about how firm the EU should remain toward Russia.

The Trump administration has cancelled federal funding for programmes serving refugees, immigrants and other groups, saying the services are no longer needed. The cuts affect organisations that provide resettlement assistance and related support. Critics are likely to challenge the move, which signals a continued sharp reduction in government spending on immigration and refugee programs.

Senator Mark Kelly said Donald Trump is 'stuck' with Iran and wants to 'get back to where he was before' the war started. The Arizona Democrat's comments come amid debate over US policy toward Iran and the conflict in the Middle East, portraying the president as trapped in a situation he did not expect and eager to return to the pre-war status quo.

Reports from Gaza City show restaurants operating and serving customers, prompting questions about the scale of the claimed famine in the territory. The JNS report argues that busy eateries sit awkwardly with statements from aid agencies and officials that Gaza is experiencing mass starvation. Critics and supporters of the famine assessment continue to dispute what the restaurant activity actually proves about food availability across Gaza.

Indian applicants for US visitor visas are facing long interview waits, with Hyderabad at around 12 months, Mumbai 11.5 months, New Delhi 10 months, Chennai 7.5 months and Kolkata 6.5 months. The figures are drawing attention as families planning travel for tourism, business or family visits face delays stretching close to a year before they can secure an interview appointment.

China is giving civil wedding ceremonies a glamorous makeover as part of efforts to boost a birth rate that has fallen to record lows. The Wall Street Journal reports that city hall marriage registrations are being dressed up with nicer venues and fanfare, part of a wider push by Beijing to make marriage and child-rearing more appealing to young couples facing high costs and shifting attitudes.

China has introduced new travel rules that are causing concern among major technology companies and their employees, particularly those working in artificial intelligence and other high-tech fields. The measures are reported to affect the movement of expertise and capital, raising questions about how firms and skilled workers will operate, with observers warning of growing uncertainty for the country's tech sector.

Tesla has set an ambitious production target of 20,000 Optimus humanoid robots per week, but the company still has to solve major engineering challenges with the robot's hands, which require complex dexterity. The report highlights the gap between Musk's mass-production goals and the current state of robotics hardware, drawing attention and skepticism about the feasibility of the timeline.

US Immigration and Customs Enforcement has changed its policy on how it locates immigrants with final deportation orders. The Las Vegas-area outlet KLAS 8 News Now reported the shift, though details of what the new policy involves were not included. Immigration enforcement tactics have faced intense scrutiny in the United States, making any procedural change to deportation operations a likely flashpoint for debate.

The trending term refers to a CNBC headline about China's interest in the boom in U.S. AI data centers. The headline alone suggests China wants a role or stake in the rapid expansion of American data center infrastructure driven by artificial intelligence demand. However, the full article content is not included in the available evidence, so the specific arguments and reader reactions are not clear from the posts.

The EU is pushing to develop its own payment system, reducing dependence on US-controlled networks like Visa and Mastercard. The initiative aims to strengthen European financial sovereignty, ensure transaction security, and keep payment data within Europe. The announcement has drawn wide attention, with observers debating whether an EU-run system could realistically rival established global card networks and what it would mean for banks and consumers.

Republicans are centering their political messaging on crime, immigration and transgender issues, but CNN reports that these topics rank low among voters' actual priorities. The gap suggests the party's campaign strategy may not match what Americans care most about, raising questions about whether the GOP's focus will resonate heading into the next election cycle.

Tens of thousands of people are marching in Madrid to protest against unauthorised migration into Ceuta, the Spanish enclave on the North African coast. The demonstration comes amid renewed tensions over arrivals in the border city, and participants are demanding stricter action from the Spanish government to control migration into the territory.

The US government has moved to intervene in Elon Musk's legal fight against a €120 million penalty imposed by Brussels under the Digital Services Act. Washington is backing Musk's challenge, framing the EU enforcement action as targeting American companies. The case is sharpening transatlantic tensions over tech regulation and platform governance.

Pope Leo XIV has issued his message for the World Day of Migrants and Refugees, with the full text published by Catholic News Service/OSV News. The annual message is closely watched for the Pope's stance on migration, refugee protection and how Catholic institutions and governments should respond to displaced people worldwide.