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Press releases published on July 12, 2025
Media reports US State Department to begin mass layoffs in days
MENAFN
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July 12, 2025
(MENAFN) The US State Department is preparing to implement large-scale layoffs in the coming days as part of President Donald Trump’s broader effort to reduce the size of the federal government, according to multiple media reports. An internal memo from …
US starts terminating more than one thousand employees
MENAFN
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July 12, 2025
(MENAFN) The US State Department began terminating over 1,300 employees on Friday as part of a wide-ranging internal overhaul initiated by the Trump administration, according to various media reports. Citing an internal communication, reports stated that 1 …
Ukraine’s top military intelligence official states urgent need for ceasefire
MENAFN
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July 12, 2025
(MENAFN) Ukraine’s top military intelligence official, Kirill Budanov, has stressed the urgent need for a ceasefire with Russia before the end of 2025, citing ongoing territorial losses and increasing challenges in maintaining troop numbers. His comments …
Turkish, Somali presidents meet to discuss their nations relations
MENAFN
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July 12, 2025
(MENAFN) Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan hosted Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in Ankara on Friday for a private discussion focused on deepening bilateral ties and addressing regional developments, according to Türkiye’s Communications …
Von der Leyen dodges EU no-confidence vote
MENAFN
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July 12, 2025
(MENAFN) European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen successfully overcame a no-confidence vote in the European Parliament on Thursday. The motion, which accused her of abusing power, failed to gain the necessary support and was widely expected to …
Trump plans on sending USD300 million worth of arms to Ukraine
MENAFN
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July 12, 2025
(MENAFN) President Donald Trump has decided to send approximately $300 million worth of weapons to Ukraine using the Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA), according to Reuters, citing sources familiar with the matter. This marks the first time Trump has …
MEP claims EU will soon fall apart without Russian resources
MENAFN
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July 12, 2025
(MENAFN) Slovak Member of the European Parliament Milan Uhrik has sharply criticized European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, claiming her efforts to cut the EU’s energy ties with Russia are pushing the bloc toward collapse. Speaking in the …
China Denies Illegal Data Storage Claims as EU Probes TikTok
MENAFN
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July 12, 2025
(MENAFN) In a swift response to an ongoing EU investigation, China firmly stated on Friday that Beijing “has never and will never require” businesses or individuals to collect or store data through “illegal methods.” This declaration comes as the European …
Zelensky claims he was unaware of wartime atrocities committed by Ukrainian nationalist groups during WWII
MENAFN
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July 12, 2025
(MENAFN) Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky claimed he was unaware of the wartime atrocities committed by Ukrainian nationalist groups during World War II, according to Polish President Andrzej Duda. Speaking to RMF24, Duda recounted a conversation in …
Finland Announces Withdrawal from Ottawa Treaty
MENAFN
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July 12, 2025
(MENAFN) Finland has officially declared its decision to exit the Ottawa Treaty, which bans the use, stockpiling, and production of anti-personnel landmines, citing escalating security concerns in its region. The announcement was made Friday by the Finnish …
US put sanctions on Cuban leadership
MENAFN
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July 12, 2025
(MENAFN) The United States has imposed new visa restrictions on Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel, accusing his government of committing human rights abuses. The punitive measures also target Defense Minister Alvaro Lopez Miera and Interior Minister Lazaro …
China Rebukes U.S. 50 Percent Tariff on Brazilian Imports
MENAFN
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July 12, 2025
(MENAFN) In a sharp rebuke, China condemned the US's decision to impose a 50% tariff on all Brazilian imports, set to take effect on August 1. The Chinese government called for respect of sovereign rights, urging against external interference in national …
Poland pressures Ukraine to recognize WW2 genocide
MENAFN
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July 12, 2025
(MENAFN) Polish Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz has called on Ukraine to formally acknowledge the World War II-era mass killings of Poles by Ukrainian nationalist forces as genocide. Speaking at a memorial event on Friday, the minister said that …
Pope Leo XIV Calls for Unified Ethical Guidelines for AI
MENAFN
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July 12, 2025
(MENAFN) Pope Leo XIV has called on the global community to create unified ethical guidelines for artificial intelligence, stressing the technology’s potential to serve humanity and peace. In a powerful statement delivered Thursday by Cardinal Secretary of …
Russian Crypto entrepreneur seeks Trump help amid extradition fight
MENAFN
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July 12, 2025
(MENAFN) Anatoly Legkodymov, a Russian cryptocurrency engineer currently jailed in the US, has formally requested a pardon from President Donald Trump, according to a human rights advocate familiar with the case. Legkodymov, who recently completed an 18- …
Education is ‘soft diplomacy’ for nurturing relations
MENAFN
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July 12, 2025
(MENAFN) Education serves as an essential form of “soft diplomacy” in building strong relations between Russia and Malaysia, according to Teoh Seng Lee, the Honorary Consul of the Russian Federation in Malaysia’s Penang State. Speaking to RT on the …
Germany Plans to Expand F-35 Fleet to 50
MENAFN
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July 12, 2025
(MENAFN) The German government is reportedly planning to expand its fleet of F-35 fighter jets by 15 units, bringing its total to 50. This move is said to be a direct response to unresolved tensions with France over the development of Europe's next- …
Israeli Military Ignites Fires to Agricultural Land in Syria
MENAFN
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July 12, 2025
(MENAFN) The Israeli military set large sections of agricultural land in Syria's Quneitra countryside on fire Friday, according to Syrian state media reports. The deliberate fires, which affected vast swathes of land east of the separation fence near the …
Council of Europe’s human rights commissioner voices serious concern over “systematic and widespread” abuse by Ukrainian military recruitment officials
MENAFN
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July 12, 2025
(MENAFN) The Council of Europe’s human rights commissioner, Michael O’Flaherty, has voiced serious concern over what he describes as “systematic and widespread” abuse by Ukrainian military recruitment officials. In a newly released update, O’Flaherty …
Gaza Genocide: Ongoing Israeli Attacks Kill Over 57,800 Palestinians
MENAFN
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July 12, 2025
(MENAFN) At least 57,823 Palestinians have been confirmed dead in Israel's ongoing military campaign against Gaza, the Health Ministry announced on Friday, marking a grim milestone in the violence that has engulfed the region since October 2023. According …