Slovak PM Fico accuses Merz of 'blackmail' for linking Ukraine funding to EU budget talks - Reuters

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• Russian naval aggression prompts new defensive initiative with ‘beer-drinking nations’

  Rising maritime maneuvers near British waters have forced a coalition of Northern European allies to integrate interchangeable autonomous drones across their naval fleets. The multilateral partnership aims to close looming security deficits caused by a sharp reduction in traditional frontline warships. By linking uncrewed systems directly to allied vessels, the group intends to safeguard sensitive regional sea lanes and undersea data cables against persistent surveillance.

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• Trump puts his chips on Huang as China spy storm gathers force

  Speaking from the White House, the president announced his intention to retain Nvidia's chief executive as an adviser despite active inquiries by the FBI and lawmakers into an alleged relationship with a Chinese intelligence operative. The firm defense arrives as scrutiny intensifies over potential national security risks and ethical conflicts surrounding the administration's financial and commercial ties to the tech sector.

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• Call it tough love, with the love removed: it’s Kemi’s war on benefits claimants

  Senior Conservative figures have set their sights on aggressive reductions to public spending by outlining multi-billion-pound cuts to the UK welfare system. The initiative aims to push individuals receiving state support back into employment by arguing that conditions like anxiety should not prevent people from securing jobs. This sharp shift in opposition policy seeks to reshape national debate on claimant obligations, despite looming questions over the financial viability of the proposal.

  5 min read