Charred Tomatoes with Fried Eggs on Garlic Toast

Reuters
Exclusive-Trump could pursue streamlined initial deal on Ukraine minerals, sources say
The Trump administration may seek to strike a simplified minerals deal with Ukraine to get a pact in place quickly and later negotiate detailed terms, such as how much of Ukraine's vast resources the U.S. would own, two people with knowledge of the matter told Reuters on Wednesday. This follows Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's rejection of a detailed U.S. proposal last week that would have seen Washington receiving 50% of Ukraine's critical minerals, which include graphite, uranium, titanium and lithium, the latter a key component in electric car batteries.
Associated Press
Hegseth directs Pentagon to find $50 billion in cuts this year to fund Trump military priorities
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has directed the military services to identify $50 billion in programs that could be cut next year in order to redirect those savings to fund President Donald Trump's priorities. Hegseth has committed to redirecting Pentagon spending to more directly support warfighters. In a statement late Wednesday, Robert Salesses, who is performing the duties of deputy secretary of defense, said “the time for preparation is over" and “excessive bureaucracy" and programs targeting climate change or “other woke programs" such as diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives would be targeted.
AFP
Hezbollah readies massive funeral for slain leader Nasrallah
Lebanon's Hezbollah is preparing for a massive turnout for the funeral on Sunday of its slain leader Hassan Nasrallah, an opportunity for a show of strength by the Iran-backed group after a bruising war with Israel.Nasrallah is "our leader and the leader of our victories.
NBC News
Trump's layoffs hit firefighter safety programs
Among the federal workers let go were the ones who maintain the National Firefighter Registry for Cancer — which was signed into law by Trump in 2018.
USA TODAY
New 'sex-based definitions' from the federal government set strict two-gender policy
Recently-confirmed Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy released the guidelines on the heels of President Trump's executive order on gender.
Reuters
South Korea's Yoon set to attend his first criminal trial hearing
A motorcade carrying South Korea's impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol arrived on Thursday at the Seoul Central District Court, where the embattled leader is due to attend the first hearing of his criminal trial over insurrection charges. TV footage aired by local broadcasters showed justice ministry vehicles leaving the Seoul Detention Centre where Yoon is being held before arriving at the court where lines of police buses were parked outside to ensure security. The court will also hold a hearing to review the legality of Yoon's detention as requested by his lawyers earlier this month.
NBC News
Trump administration cuts off legal funding for nearly 26,000 unaccompanied migrant children
The Trump administration has told organizations that provide federally funded legal representation to unaccompanied migrant children to halt the service.
Associated Press
Trump administration halts legal aid for migrant children, leaving some to navigate courts alone
Children so young their feet can't touch the floor when they sit in courtroom chairs have been left without representation in immigration court because of Trump administration cuts, according to organizations that help these kids navigate the legal system when they arrive in the U.S. without a parent or guardian. The organizations say the children are at risk because the Trump administration suspended a key program late Tuesday, ordering that the Acacia Center for Justice and its subcontractors immediately stop work on a $200 million contract to provide representation for children entering the country alone. Daniela Hernandez, an immigration attorney who provides free legal services to about 60 children in Pasadena, California, said during a news conference Wednesday that some of her clients — who are as young as 2 — have court hearings as soon as Friday.
Reuters
US to cut size of diplomatic mission in China by up to 10%, SCMP reports
The United States is set to cut the size of its diplomatic mission in China by up to 10%, the South China Morning Post reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the situation. American diplomats working in mainland China and Hong Kong as well as local employees might be given notice as early as Friday in a round of downsizing that the media outlet described as unprecedented. The cuts would affect the embassy in Beijing and the consulates in Guangzhou, Shanghai, Shenyang and Wuhan, as well as the consulate in Hong Kong, the South China Morning Post said.
AFP
Indonesia industrial coal power plans undercut emissions pledge: report
Indonesia's planned expansion of "captive" coal plants used to power industry is threatening its pledge to cut CO2 emissions by 2030 and close all coal-fired plants by a decade later, said a report published Thursday.Indonesia currently operates 49.7 GW of coal-fired power plants, according to Ember, and the government says 253 coal-fired power plants were operational as of December.
CNN
An 11-year-old girl in Texas died by suicide after she was bullied about her family’s immigration status, her mother says
A young girl in Texas died by suicide after being bullied about her family’s immigration’s status, according to her family.
Yahoo Finance
Stock market today: S&P 500, Dow Jones, and Nasdaq futures lose ground with Fed in focus
Investors have the White House is in strong focus as tariffs continue to impact markets. New defence spending announcements shake up military contracted corporations.
NBC News
Fired federal workers will likely be eligible for unemployment — which the government will cover
Thousands of federal workers fired over the past week by the Trump administration will likely be eligible for unemployment benefits, which the federal government is required to pay for, along with other federal assistance the workers may now be eligible to receive, like food stamps or Medicaid.
AFP
Trump administration takes aim at Pentagon spending
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered a review of the department's 2026 budget so as to reallocate $50 billion in funds, the Pentagon said Wednesday, following reports that he had directed deep, multi-year cuts to military spending.A report from the Washington Post meanwhile described a memo from Hegseth -- dated Tuesday -- that ordered the development of plans for eight percent to be cut from the defense budget in each of the next five years.
Reuters
Trump to meet pharma leaders as they seek drug policy changes
U.S. President Donald Trump will meet on Thursday with chief executives from major drugmakers, a White House official confirmed to Reuters on Wednesday, as the industry tries to win government support for drug pricing and insurance changes. The meeting is expected to cover topics including Medicare drug price negotiations, the role of pharmacy benefit managers, and tariffs on pharmaceutical products, according to an industry source with knowledge of the matter. The White House did not say who would be attending, but Bloomberg reported on Tuesday that the meeting will include Stephen Ubl, head of Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, the main lobby group for drugmakers.
CNN
Seven men have been charged in connection with nationwide burglaries of professional athletes’ homes
Seven Chilean nationals have been charged in connection with breaking in and stealing property worth more than $2 million from professional athletes’ homes –– including those purportedly belonging to Kansas City Chiefs players Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce.
Associated Press
California lawmakers propose bill that would ban the sale of disposable e-cigarettes
California could ban the sale of disposable vapes under a bill lawmakers announced Wednesday that is aimed at curbing plastic pollution in the state. The state has also passed laws in recent years banning single-use plastic bottles in hotels, the sale of Styrofoam food containers and single-use plastic carryout bags at grocery stores. Vapes, sometimes called electronic cigarettes, are battery-operated devices that contain aerosolized nicotine or cannabis, often with flavorings and other chemicals.
Politico
IRS layoffs expected to begin tomorrow, union official says
The DOGE-driven job cuts are coming in the midst of the tax filing season, and some tax industry professionals fear disruptions.
USA TODAY
Some Republican senators say Zelenskyy is not a 'dictator' in response to Trump comments
Senators also contradicted President Donald Trump's false claim that Ukraine started the war with Russia that began when Russia invaded its neighbor.
Reuters
US Treasury's Bessent meets with Hungarian foreign minister on shared priorities
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent met on Wednesday with Hungary's Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto to discuss shared economic and national security priorities, the Treasury said in a statement. "Secretary Bessent emphasized the importance of the U.S.-Hungary relationship and continued coordination between the two countries at this important time for Europe," the Treasury said in a readout of the meeting, which it described as introductory. The statement did not include any references to Russia's war in Ukraine nor President Donald Trump's desire to end it quickly by kicking off talks with Moscow, a move that has alarmed European leaders.

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