After North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Beijing, his aides sparked attention with an unusual ritual — rushing in to wipe down his seat. Footage circulating on Telegram shows Kim’s staff meticulously scrubbing every surface he touched. The chair’s backrest and armrests were polished, the side table wiped, and even his drinking glass removed on a tray.
Trump Hints at New Russia Sanctions, Set to Call Zelensky
U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday signaled the possibility of fresh sanctions on Russia if it fails to end the war in Ukraine. “You’ll see things happen,” he warned, when asked about his stance on President Vladimir Putin’s next moves.
Trump is also scheduled to speak with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday, a White House official told AFP, after Zelensky and European leaders publicly said they expected the call.
Moody’s Zandi Warns: One-Third of U.S. Economy at Recession Risk
Top economist Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s and one of the first to predict the 2008 financial crisis, has raised alarm over the U.S. economy’s trajectory.
Citing state-level data, Zandi said the U.S. is “on the edge of recession,” with nearly one-third of states—representing almost a third of GDP—either already in recession or at high risk of entering one.
India, US Kick Off Yudh Abhyas 2025 in Alaska
An Indian Army contingent has reached Alaska for the 21st edition of Exercise Yudh Abhyas, the annual India–US military drill aimed at boosting defense cooperation.
The Indian Embassy in the US announced on X that the exercise began with a grand opening ceremony at Fort Wainwright. Over the next two weeks, 450 soldiers from each side will engage in field exercises, command post drills, and subject-matter exchanges, showcasing the growing military synergy between the world’s largest and oldest democracies.
Putin Invites Zelensky to Moscow, Warns War Will Continue Without Peace Deal
Russian President Vladimir Putin, speaking after the SCO Summit in China and a military parade, issued a stark yet conditional message on the Ukraine war.
Putin said he has “never ruled out” meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, but insisted such talks must take place in Moscow. Declaring that Russian forces are “advancing across all of Ukraine”, he stressed that Russia will continue fighting if no peace deal is reached.
