Negotiations between Russia, Ukraine, and the United States concluded without a breakthrough in Geneva this week, according to BBC World, marking a setback in efforts to end the ongoing conflict. The "difficult" talks, which included representatives from all three nations, lasted late into Tuesday and only two hours on Wednesday. Meanwhile, in domestic news, the UK government is considering delaying a planned increase to the youth minimum wage, and the IRS continues to deal with taxpayers struggling with debt.
The trilateral meetings in Geneva, as reported by BBC World, saw US envoy Steve Witkoff express optimism initially, but both the chief Russian negotiator and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky later indicated the discussions were challenging. After the main talks concluded, Kremlin negotiator Vladimir Medinsky held a closed-door meeting with the Ukrainian side, though no details emerged from that meeting.
On the home front, the UK government is considering slowing down plans to equalize the minimum wage for all adults, as reported by BBC Business. Labour's election manifesto included a commitment to remove age bands and increase wages for 18 to 20-year-olds to match those over 21. However, government sources confirmed ministers are interested in delaying the rise, though they are unlikely to reverse the commitment entirely. Some business leaders have expressed concerns that minimum wage increases make it too expensive to hire young people, while unions argue it is unfair for young people to be paid less for the same work.
In other news, the IRS continues to deal with taxpayers facing financial hardship. According to CBS News, the IRS has programs for individuals struggling with tax debt, but taxpayers must meet specific requirements to qualify. The agency collected trillions of dollars in outstanding taxes last year, but millions of Americans still owe money.
In political news, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt pushed back on a reporter's request for examples of when President Donald Trump has been "falsely called racist," according to Fox News. Leavitt promised to provide a list of examples. Trump, in a statement about Jesse Jackson, said, "despite the fact that I'm falsely and consistently called a racist," he was pleased to help Jackson.
Finally, according to the NY Times, federal prosecutors contacted lawyers representing six Democratic lawmakers regarding a video they issued reminding military and intelligence personnel they did not have to obey illegal orders. Despite Trump's claim that the lawmakers' behavior was punishable by death, the prosecutors' tone was "genial," and they gave no sense of urgency, according to six people familiar with the matter. The prosecutors indicated the inquiry was in its early stages.
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