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Putin Proposes Temporary Administration for Ukraine, Citing Path to Peace 

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FILE - Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks during a meeting at the Foreign Ministry in Moscow, on Friday, June 14, 2024. Putin says that Moscow isn't seeking quick gains in Ukraine and will stick to the current strategy of slow advances as it presses a grinding summer offensive. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko, File)

MURMANSK, RUSSIA – Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed establishing a temporary administration in Ukraine under the auspices of the United Nations, the United States, European countries, and other partners. This arrangement, he stated, would facilitate new elections and the signing of key agreements to resolve the ongoing conflict. 

FILE – Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks during a meeting at the Foreign Ministry in Moscow, on Friday, June 14, 2024. Putin says that Moscow isn’t seeking quick gains in Ukraine and will stick to the current strategy of slow advances as it presses a grinding summer offensive. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko, File)

Speaking in Murmansk, Putin remarked that Russia was steadily progressing toward its objectives in the conflict, emphasizing his belief that newly elected U.S. President Donald Trump genuinely seeks to end the war. He contrasted Trump’s willingness for direct talks with Russia to the stance of former President Joe Biden, who he claimed avoided such contacts. 

Putin’s comments reflect a long-standing grievance over the legitimacy of Ukrainian authorities, particularly President Volodymyr Zelensky, who remains in office despite his mandate expiring in May 2024. 

“In principle, of course, a temporary administration could be introduced in Ukraine under the auspices of the U.N., the United States, European countries, and our partners,” Putin was quoted as saying. “This would enable democratic elections, empower a capable government trusted by the people, and initiate peace talks.” 

Putin underscored Russia’s commitment to “peaceful solutions to any conflict, including this one, through peaceful means, but not at our expense.” He asserted that Russian forces maintain strategic initiative along the entire military contact line. 

Putin also expressed Russia’s readiness to cooperate with multiple nations, including North Korea, in efforts to resolve the conflict. Western and Ukrainian sources allege that over 11,000 North Korean troops have been deployed to support Russian forces in Moscow’s western Kursk region, although Moscow has not confirmed this claim. 

Putin stated, “The newly elected president of the United States sincerely wants an end to the conflict for a number of reasons.” 

As the situation remains tense, the proposed plan would aim to establish a legitimate Ukrainian government and pursue a peace treaty. However, questions persist about the feasibility and acceptance of such an arrangement.

6 Russians Dead, 39 Tourists Rescued After Submarine Sinks in Egypt’s Red Sea

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HURGHADA, EGYPT – Six Russians tragically lost their lives, and 39 foreign tourists were rescued after a viewing submarine named “Sindbad” sank off the coast of the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Hurghada, local authorities confirmed. 

According to the Red Sea Governorate, the submarine had 50 people on board, including 45 tourists from Russia, India, Norway, and Sweden, along with five Egyptian crew members. 

The Russian consulate in Hurghada reported, “Most of those on board were rescued and taken to their hotels and hospitals in Hurghada.” 

The Sindbad submarine, designed for underwater tours, was equipped with large portholes for viewing the Red Sea’s vibrant coral reefs and marine life. It was capable of descending to a depth of 25 meters, according to the company’s website. 

Egyptian authorities are currently investigating the incident, focusing on the crew members to determine the cause of the sinking. Red Sea Province Governor Amr Hanafy confirmed the submarine was licensed, and the crew captain held valid certifications. 

The Red Sea region is a key destination for Egypt’s tourism industry, attracting travelers from around the world, including a growing number of Russian tourists. Egypt’s tourism sector, vital to the country’s economy, has faced challenges in the past, including militant attacks on tourists. 

Recent incidents have raised concerns about marine safety in the region. Last June, a tourist boat capsized due to high waves, though no casualties were reported. In November, a diving boat carrying 31 tourists and 13 crew capsized, leaving 11 dead. Local media attributed the accident to rough seas. 

The Tourism Ministry and the Chamber of Diving have not yet commented on the incident. 

A recent United Nations report ranked Egypt as Africa’s top tourism earner in 2024, generating $14.1 billion in revenue—more than twice the income from Suez Canal tolls. The incident underscores the importance of robust safety measures to protect Egypt’s vital tourism industry. 

Egyptian authorities are expected to release further details following the investigation’s conclusion.

Reuters

Turkish Tufts University Student Detained by DHS, Video Shows Masked Agents Handcuffing Her 

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BOSTON, MA – A Turkish doctoral student at Tufts University has been detained by U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agents, with video footage showing masked individuals handcuffing her as she shouted in protest. 

Rumeysa Ozturk, 30, was taken into custody Tuesday evening outside her home in Somerville. Her lawyer, Mahsa Khanbabai, said authorities provided no explanation for her arrest and that Ozturk has not been charged with any crime. 

Surveillance video obtained by the Associated Press shows six masked individuals surrounding Ozturk, seizing her phone, and placing her in handcuffs. 

“We are unaware of her whereabouts and have not been able to contact her,” Khanbabai said, adding that Ozturk was legally residing in the U.S. on a valid student visa. The arrest occurred as she was leaving to meet friends for iftar, the meal breaking the daily Ramadan fast. 

Tufts University President Sunil Kumar confirmed that an international graduate student had been detained but stated that the school had no prior knowledge of the situation and did not provide information to federal authorities. 

Neighbors who witnessed the incident expressed alarm, describing the arrest as resembling a “kidnapping.” Michael Mathis, a Somerville resident, said his surveillance camera recorded the scene, showing unmarked vehicles and individuals covering their faces. 

U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani has ordered federal authorities to explain the grounds for Ozturk’s detention and instructed that she not be moved outside Massachusetts without prior notice. However, ICE records list her as being held at the South Louisiana ICE Processing Center in Basile, Louisiana. 

A DHS spokesperson later confirmed that Ozturk’s visa had been revoked, alleging she engaged in activities supporting Hamas, which the U.S. designates as a foreign terrorist organization. The spokesperson stated, “A visa is a privilege, not a right. Glorifying and supporting terrorists who kill Americans is grounds for visa termination.” 

Ozturk co-authored a March 2023 opinion piece in The Tufts Daily criticizing the university’s stance on Palestinian issues. She was later featured on Canary Mission, a website that claims to track individuals it accuses of anti-Israel activism. Friends say she was not deeply involved in campus protests beyond the published article. 

Similar visa revocations have occurred recently, with international students blocked from entering the U.S. or having their visas canceled due to participation in pro-Palestinian demonstrations. 

Hundreds gathered in Somerville’s public park Wednesday evening, chanting “Free Rumeysa Ozturk” and waving Palestinian flags. Speakers condemned her detention and broader immigration policies affecting activists and students. 

The Turkish Embassy in Washington stated it is closely monitoring the situation and engaging with the State Department and ICE to provide legal support for Ozturk. 

The case has intensified debate over U.S. immigration enforcement, free speech, and international student rights as authorities prepare to respond to the court’s demands for further clarification.

Kenyan Police Officer Missing in Haiti After Gang Ambush

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PORT-AU-PRINCE, HAITI – A Kenyan police officer deployed in Haiti as part of the Multinational Security Support (MSS) Mission has gone missing following an ambush by suspected gang members, authorities confirmed. 

According to the MSS Mission, the officer was assisting the Haitian National Police (HNP) in retrieving a stranded vehicle when armed assailants launched a coordinated attack. 

The incident occurred on Tuesday in the town of Pont-Sondé. Security teams were responding to an HNP armored vehicle that had become stuck in a ditch while patrolling the Carrefour Paye-Savien Main Supply Route. Another vehicle in the convoy also experienced mechanical failure, prompting a rescue mission. 

Authorities suspect the gangs may have intentionally dug the ditch to trap security forces before launching the ambush. 

“As the rescue teams attempted to resolve the situation, suspected gang members lying in wait launched an attack. As a result of the incident, one MSS Kenyan contingent officer remains unaccounted for,” the MSS Mission stated. 

Following the attack, specialized units were deployed to locate the missing officer. Local Haitian media reports speculate that the officer may have been killed, though officials have not confirmed these claims. 

According to Reuters, videos circulating on social media allegedly show the body of a soldier in a blood-stained uniform, though it remains unclear if the footage is related to the missing officer. 

This latest incident marks another deadly assault on Kenyan forces in Haiti. 

Last month, Kenyan police constable Samuel Tompoi Kaetuai, 26, became the first casualty among the Kenyan contingent after being killed during an operation in Ségur-Savien. His remains were flown back to Kenya and laid to rest earlier this month. 

The MSS Mission, authorized by the United Nations, is aimed at supporting Haiti’s police in combating escalating gang violence. However, the deployment has faced growing risks, with criminal groups increasingly targeting security forces. 

Authorities continue efforts to locate the missing officer as tensions in Haiti’s security crisis persist.

Diddy Sued for Alleged Sexual Assault by Photographer in Commercial Set Trailer 

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LOS ANGELES, CA – Music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs is facing a lawsuit from a Hollywood photographer who claims he was sexually assaulted while working on a high-profile commercial shoot. 

According to the lawsuit, obtained by TMZ, the photographer alleges that Diddy lured him into a trailer under the pretense of discussing career opportunities before coercing him into performing oral sex. The accuser, who identifies as a straight male, claims Diddy made unwanted advances and unzipped his pants after they were alone. 

The lawsuit states that Diddy allegedly told the photographer, “If you suck right, I’ll make your career take off,” implying that refusing would jeopardize his future in the industry. 

The photographer alleges he performed oral sex under duress, fearing career repercussions. He further claims that after the act, Diddy instructed him to hold his semen in his mouth “like a squirrel.” When he refused, the lawsuit states that Diddy reacted with threats of physical violence before kicking him out of the trailer. 

The accuser says he was left to process the trauma while continuing to work on set. He alleges that after the incident, which reportedly took place in either 2022 or 2023, he never heard from Diddy again and has since suffered from severe emotional and psychological distress. 

The lawsuit, filed in California, accuses Diddy of sexual battery, with the plaintiff seeking damages for emotional and mental suffering. 

Diddy’s legal team has yet to publicly respond to the allegations. TMZ has reached out for comment but has not received a reply. 

This lawsuit adds to ongoing scrutiny surrounding Diddy, as the music and entertainment industry continues to grapple with allegations of misconduct among high-profile figures.

Trump Imposes 25% Tariff on Foreign Cars to Boost U.S. Auto Industry

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – President Donald Trump has announced a 25% tariff on all foreign-made cars, a move aimed at boosting U.S. auto manufacturing and reshaping the automotive trade landscape. 

“We’re implementing a 25% tariff on all cars not made in the United States,” Trump declared from the Oval Office. “Business is coming back to the U.S.” 

The new vehicle import tax is set to take effect on April 2 and will impact both allied and rival nations. Trump characterized the measure as “modest” but necessary to stimulate domestic car production and economic growth. 

“This will lead to tremendous expansion in the automobile industry,” Trump said. 

While the administration argues that the policy will revitalize American car manufacturing, industry analysts predict significant price increases. The Anderson Economic Group estimates that the cost of vehicles could rise between $3,500 and $12,000 per car. 

Domestic car production is also expected to feel the impact, as many U.S.-assembled vehicles rely on imported parts. Models like the Chevy Blazer, built in Mexico, and the Honda HR-V, produced outside the U.S., are among those that could see cost surges. 

Following the tariff announcement, financial markets reacted with declines, with the S&P 500 dropping around 1% and the NASDAQ falling by 2%. Trump dismissed concerns over the market reaction, emphasizing job creation as his administration’s focus. 

“I didn’t see that,” Trump said. “I want to see jobs. That will take care of itself.” 

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick indicated that the implementation date could shift to April 3, allowing room for possible negotiations. However, Trump insisted the decision was final. 

When asked about the impact on Tesla, Trump refrained from specific comments but praised the company’s U.S. manufacturing presence. Tesla CEO Elon Musk, a White House advisor, has not publicly weighed in on the tariff’s effect on the electric carmaker. 

General Motors, Ford, and Stellantis had previously lobbied for exemptions on Canadian and Mexican imports, leading to Trump delaying those specific tariffs earlier this month. 

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney criticized the measure, calling it harmful to Canadian auto workers. The White House has not clarified whether any countries will receive exemptions. 

“If they have factories here, they’re thrilled. If they don’t, they’ll have to start building them,” Trump said. 

The tariff comes after Trump imposed a similar 25% tax on steel and aluminum imports in February. The administration projects revenue from the auto tariffs could range between $600 billion and $1 trillion in the short term. 

In a show of support for American-made vehicles, Trump recently purchased a Tesla Model S, displaying the car on the White House South Lawn. He reviewed the vehicle alongside Musk but refrained from test-driving it due to Secret Service protocols. 

“I’ll pay by personal check. I don’t want a discount,” Trump said. 

Musk confirmed Tesla would accept the check, saying, “His credit’s good.” 

During a Newsmax interview, Trump suggested that left-wing billionaires were behind criticisms of Tesla, aligning their opposition with broader attacks on his policies. 

The 25% foreign car tariff marks a significant shift in U.S. automotive trade policy, with long-term effects on vehicle pricing, manufacturing, and global trade relationships still unfolding.

Naked Woman Arrested After Stabbing, Biting Victims at Dallas Fort Worth Airport 

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A woman stripped naked and attacked multiple people at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport earlier this month, leading to her arrest and placement on a mental health hold, authorities confirmed. 

Police identified the suspect as Samantha Palma, who allegedly suffered a manic episode and stabbed at least two people with a pencil while also biting a restaurant manager attempting to restrain her. 

According to the incident report, Palma used the manager’s own pencil to stab him in the head and face, causing puncture wounds. She also bit his right forearm, breaking the skin and causing immediate bruising. 

Police found Palma behind an emergency exit door near Gate D1 of Terminal D with blood on and around her. Witnesses reported she had stabbed someone, and medics later confirmed the blood on her was not her own. 

The incident occurred on March 14, though footage of the attack has since circulated on social media, gaining widespread attention. 

When officers restrained Palma, she made incoherent statements, claiming she wanted to be with the flowers and was in a forest. She also referred to herself as various Disney princesses, including Ariel and Pocahontas, and at one point called herself Venus. 

Authorities stated that Palma admitted to not taking her prescribed medication, though the specific type was redacted from the report. 

Investigators later learned Palma had been traveling with her 8-year-old daughter at the time of the incident. She allegedly told officers they arrived at the airport using a car she had manifested. 

Despite her erratic behavior, Palma stated she had no intention of harming herself or others, but said she was trying to make herself better and sometimes that hurts. 

Along with being placed on a mental health hold, Palma faces charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

Sudan Army Chief Declares Khartoum ‘Free’ After Recapturing Airport

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KHARTOUM, Sudan  — Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan declared, “Khartoum is free” on Wednesday after military forces reclaimed control of the capital’s airport from the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). 

Speaking from the presidential palace, which government troops seized on Friday, al-Burhan marked his first return to the site in nearly two years. The military’s recent advances represent a significant shift in the two-year-long conflict between the SAF and RSF. 

Earlier on Wednesday, SAF soldiers surrounded key areas near Khartoum airport, forcing RSF fighters to retreat across a bridge. According to military sources, troops also encircled the Jebel Awliya area, south of central Khartoum—the last major RSF stronghold. 

“The army secured both sides of the Manshiya Bridge, which crosses the Blue Nile River, leaving the Jebel Awliya Bridge as the only remaining RSF-controlled crossing out of the area,” a military official told AFP on condition of anonymity. 

Since April 2023, Sudan’s military has been engaged in a war against the RSF, launching a campaign this week to drive paramilitary forces from central Khartoum. 

RSF fighters had occupied Khartoum airport since the conflict began. Witnesses reported that RSF units have been retreating southward toward Jebel Awliya, using bridges to withdraw from the capital to neighboring Omdurman. 

Military analysts suggest that while the SAF’s control of Khartoum marks a turning point, the broader conflict is far from over. 

“The war is shifting to the western Darfur region and southwest Sudan,” said Al Jazeera’s Hiba Morgan, reporting from Khartoum. “The RSF’s power has been greatly reduced, but the paramilitary group still has forces in other regions.” 

Despite the army’s gains, experts caution that the RSF’s retreat does not signify an end to the war. 

“The RSF is repositioning itself in West Sudan, particularly in Darfur, where it still controls significant territory,” said Amgad Fareid Eltayeb of Fikra for Studies and Development in Cairo. “The conflict persists, especially with ongoing foreign support, notably from the UAE.” 

Elbashir Idris, an independent Sudanese analyst, noted the rapid collapse of RSF forces in Khartoum. 

“Videos from residents and former prisoners show people celebrating in the streets after RSF forces withdrew,” he said. “This victory is welcomed by Sudanese who lost their homes in the conflict.” 

The war, now nearing its two-year mark, has claimed tens of thousands of lives and displaced over 12 million people, creating one of the world’s largest hunger and displacement crises. 

4 U.S. Soldiers Missing Near Belarus Border After Tank Disappears in Swamp During NATO Drills

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VILNIUS, Lithuania – Four U.S. soldiers are missing and feared dead after their tracked recovery vehicle vanished during a NATO training exercise near Lithuania’s border with Belarus. 

Local media outlets, including TV3.lt and lrytas.lt, reported that the soldiers were found dead in a swamp along with their vehicle. However, Lithuanian and U.S. military officials have yet to confirm their deaths or the exact circumstances of their disappearance. 

The Lithuanian Armed Forces reported the soldiers missing on Wednesday afternoon. Helicopters from the Air Force and the State Border Guard Service were deployed to assist in the search effort. 

“A possible location of the incident has been identified, and a search and rescue operation is underway,” said Lithuanian military spokesperson Major Gintautas Ciunis. 

The U.S. Embassy in Lithuania confirmed the disappearance in a statement on social media, stating that the soldiers—members of the 1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division—were engaged in scheduled tactical training at the time of the incident. 

It remains unclear when exactly they went missing. 

Giedrimas Jeglinskas, chairman of Lithuania’s National Security and Defense Committee, acknowledged the risks of military exercises but emphasized the value of U.S. troops stationed in the region. 

“We truly appreciate and are grateful for the U.S. presence here,” Jeglinskas said. “Such events do occur during large-scale joint military exercises, not only among the Americans but also in other armies. The aim is to reduce the likelihood of such incidents, but they are not impossible.” 

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda and Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas confirmed they were receiving updates on the search operation. 

The missing soldiers were believed to be inside an M88 Hercules armored recovery vehicle, a heavily armored machine based on the Abrams tank. Weighing up to 63 tons, the vehicle is used for battlefield recovery operations and has also been deployed in Ukraine. 

Lithuania, a key NATO member, hosts more than 1,000 American troops on a rotational basis due to its strategic location bordering Russia and Belarus, an ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Tensions in the region have remained high, particularly following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. 

U.S. Supreme Court Upholds Federal Regulations on Ghost Gun Kits 

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WASHINGTON – The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Wednesday in favor of federal regulations on self-assemble firearm kits, known as “ghost guns,” in a 7-2 decision authored by Justice Neil Gorsuch. The ruling affirms the authority of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to regulate kits that can be easily assembled into untraceable firearms. 

Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas dissented. 

“The Gun Control Act embraces, and thus permits ATF to regulate, some weapon parts kits and unfinished frames or receivers,” Gorsuch wrote in the majority opinion. 

In 2022, the Biden administration implemented a rule requiring ghost gun kits to undergo the same regulatory checks as traditional firearms. This included background checks, age verification, and serialization requirements. 

Gun manufacturers and individual firearm owners challenged the rule, arguing that the 1968 Gun Control Act did not apply to weapon parts kits and that the new regulations constituted government overreach. 

However, Gorsuch defended the regulation by pointing to the text of the law. 

“The [Gun Control Act] authorizes ATF to regulate ‘any weapon (including a starter gun) which will or is designed to or may readily be converted to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive,'” Gorsuch wrote. 

Comparing self-assembly gun kits to starter guns, he added, “A person without any specialized knowledge can convert a starter gun into a working firearm using everyday tools in less than an hour. And measured against that yardstick, the ‘Buy Build Shoot’ kit can be ‘readily converted’ into a firearm too.”   

Justice Thomas, in his dissenting opinion, argued that the ruling misinterprets the law. 

“The statutory terms ‘frame’ and ‘receiver’ do not cover the unfinished frames and receivers contained in weapon-parts kits, and weapon-parts kits themselves do not meet the statutory definition of ‘firearm,'” Thomas wrote. “That should end the case. The majority instead blesses the Government’s overreach.” 

The ruling marks a victory for gun control advocates as ghost gun recoveries at crime scenes have surged. According to the Justice Department, nearly 19,000 untraceable firearms were recovered in 2021 alone, reflecting a sharp increase in their use. 

John Feinblatt, president of Everytown for Gun Safety, praised the decision. 

“This Supreme Court decision is great news for everyone but the criminals who have adopted untraceable ghost guns as their weapons of choice,” Feinblatt said. “Ghost guns look like regular guns, shoot like regular guns, and kill like regular guns—so it’s only logical that the Supreme Court just affirmed they can also be regulated like regular guns.” 

The court’s opinion acknowledges the challenges ghost guns pose for law enforcement. 

“Efforts to trace the ownership of these weapons, the government represents, have proven almost entirely futile,” Gorsuch wrote. 

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