US and Iran Hold Talks Amid Rising Tensions
Senior officials from the United States and Iran met in Oman to discuss ongoing tensions and potential conflict, according to BBC World News. The talks occurred amidst a US military build-up in the Middle East following Iran's violent repression of anti-government protests last month. Human rights groups estimate that thousands of people were killed in the crackdown. The US delegation was led by special envoy Steve Witkoff, while the Iranian team was headed by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, according to BBC World News. The scope of the discussions remained unclear, with both countries holding divergent positions and harboring mutual mistrust.
Russian General Wounded in Moscow Attack
Lt. Gen. Vladimir Alexeyev, a high-profile general in Russia's GRU military intelligence, was shot multiple times in Moscow, BBC World News reported. The attack took place in a residential area on the north-western outskirts of the capital. Alexeyev was immediately hospitalized, and his condition was unknown. Alexeyev, who is number two in the GRU, had been placed under European Union and UK sanctions, according to BBC World News. This attack marks the latest in a series of incidents targeting high-ranking military figures in Moscow since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began almost four years ago.
EU Demands TikTok Address 'Addictive Design'
The European Union has instructed TikTok to modify its "addictive design" or face substantial fines, BBC World News reported. The European Commission's investigation, initiated in February 2024, found that the video-sharing platform had violated online safety regulations. The Commission's preliminary findings indicated that TikTok did not "adequately assess" the potential harm of features like autoplay on users' well-being, particularly children, and failed to implement sufficient risk mitigation measures. A TikTok spokesperson disputed the findings, calling them a "categorically false and entirely meritless depiction of our platform" and stated the company's intention to challenge them, according to BBC World News.
Trump Endorses Japanese Prime Minister Ahead of Election
Former U.S. President Donald Trump endorsed Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi before a snap election, BBC World News reported. In a Truth Social post, Trump described Takaichi as "a strong, powerful, and wise leader... one that truly loves her country," adding, "She will not let the people of Japan down!" While it is uncommon for US presidents to publicly support candidates in foreign elections, Trump has previously endorsed Javier Milei of Argentina and Viktor Orban of Hungary, according to BBC World News. Takaichi has actively courted Trump's support.
The New York Times reported on several other developing stories, including the release of more names in the Epstein files, a federal investigation into diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives at Nike, the opening of Trump's online drugstore, concerns about pollution near a Venezuelan oil refinery impacting US residents, and the increasing popularity of learning Korean among Americans due to K-Pop demon hunter content.
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