The EU agrees to indefinitely freeze Russian assets, removing obstacles for a loan to Ukraine. The admiral leading U.S. troops in Latin America steps down. Trump appears in newly released Epstein photos. Plus, Americans say they’re drinking less, but new data shows the drop is only about one drink per week.

Recommended Read: Pictures of the year: Animals

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The U.S. plans to intercept more Venezuelan oil tankers. The U.S. Senate shuts down two competing healthcare bills as Obamacare tax credits near their expiration date. Bulgaria’s government resigns in the face of mass anti-corruption protests. And Walt Disney will allow OpenAI’s Sora video generator to use its characters.   

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The U.S.has seized a sanctioned tanker off Venezuela, escalating tensions with Caracas. The Fed cuts rates but signals a pause. U.S. bombers fly over the Sea of Japan after Chinese and Russian drills near Taiwan. Elon Musk hints at possible SpaceX IPO. Plus, Pride plans for during an Egypt–Iran World Cup match spark a backlash.

*This episode has been corrected to remove a line saying an IPO above a trillion dollars would be the biggest in the world. Saudi Aramco had a $1.7 trillion listing in 2019.

Recommended Read: Nonna was right! Italian cuisine wins a place on UNESCO's cultural heritage list

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The Federal Reserve delivered a quarter point cut as expected, but signaled a pause in what was widely predicted to be one of the divisive meetings of the central bank in years. The forecast for 2026 remains unclear. Plus, President Trump's focus on affordability, campaign spending limits, and a wave of cigarette-smuggler balloons from Belarus disrupts Lithuania's airspace. 

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The U.S. Supreme Court signals it might back U.S. President Donald Trump’s power to fire independent agency heads. The Warner Bros fight heats up with a $108 billion hostile bid from Paramount. Trump allows Nvidia to sell its second-best AI chips to China. And Australian teens spend their last few hours on social media.

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Thailand launches airstrikes into Cambodia and throws into question the Trump-brokered ceasefire. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy says U.S. talks have not been easy. Luigi Mangione heads to court as prosecutors battle to keep key evidence in play. And Argentina bets on a global pistachio craze. Plus, a water leak puts another dampener on the Louvre’s year.

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Tensions deepen between Washington and Brussels as the U.S. pushes Europe to take over NATO defense by 2027. Japan accuses Chinese jets of radar lock near Okinawa. Coffee growers reconsider the maligned robusta bean. Plus, young workers turn to trade jobs to stay 'AI-proof'.

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Netflix buys Warner Brothers Discovery studios for $72 billion. A Florida judge clears the way to unseal Jeffrey Epsteingrand jury transcripts. The 2026 World Cup draw is announced as FIFA awards President Donald Trump its inaugural peace prize. Plus, Ukraine's looming population crisis.

Recommended Read: A bridge too far? Sicily project tests limits of Italy's ambitions

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U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth faces scrutiny as questions mount over the Pentagon’s strikes on suspected drug boats. The Supreme Court greenlights a new Texas map with big implications for the 2026 midterms. Israel is cleared to compete in the Eurovision Song Contest. And the Vatican rules out women deacons for now. Plus, we visit the Somali community in Minnesota after Trump's "garbage" comment. 

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New Orleans is the latest front in the Trump administration’s crackdown on immigration. H-1B visa applicants will also now face enhanced vetting. The Pentagon says Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth put troops at risk. And sources say a Netflix-Warner Bros Discovery combo could mean a cheaper price tag for subscribers. Plus, Russian President Vladimir Putin heads to India hoping to land some deals.

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