Zelenskiy Says Ukraine Peace Talks With U.S. and Europe Near Breakthrough 
Netanyahu to Raise Iran Nuclear Concerns in Upcoming Meeting With Trump 
U.S. Signs $2.3 Billion Global Health MOUs With Four African Nations 
Trump Announces Ambitious Plan for New U.S. Navy Super Battleships 
Niigata Set to Approve Restart of Japan’s Largest Nuclear Power Plant in Major Energy Shift 
Kremlin Downplays U.S.-Russia Talks on Ukraine as Ongoing Process 
Mexico Antitrust Review of Viva Aerobus–Volaris Deal Signals Growth for Airline Sector 
U.S. Discusses Migrant Transfer Plan With Palau Despite Lawmaker Opposition 
NSW Passes Toughest Gun and Anti-Terror Laws After Bondi Beach Shooting 
ASEAN Pushes to Revive Thailand–Cambodia Ceasefire as Border Conflict Intensifies 
Protests Erupt in Albania as Corruption Allegations Rock Government 
Federal Judge Upholds Trump Administration’s $100,000 H-1B Visa Fee 
Trump Appoints Jeff Landry as Greenland Envoy, Sparking Diplomatic Backlash from Denmark 
Kremlin Rejects U.S. Intelligence Claims on Putin’s Alleged Plans to Expand War Beyond Ukraine's 
Justice Department Restores Trump Photo in Epstein Files After Review Clears Image 
U.S. Coast Guard Faces Resource Strain as It Pursues Venezuela-Linked Oil Tanker 
Elon Musk's government downsizing team, DOGE, met with Pentagon officials on Friday, marking their first visit as they explore potential defense budget cuts. A U.S. official, speaking anonymously to Reuters, confirmed the meeting but shared no further details.
President Donald Trump has tasked Musk's DOGE with identifying waste and fraud within federal agencies, with the Pentagon as a key focus. Trump expects Musk's efforts to uncover hundreds of billions in misuse within the nearly $1 trillion annual defense budget. In December, former President Joe Biden approved $895 billion in defense spending for the current fiscal year.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, while supporting increased defense spending, assured that any budget reviews would not compromise U.S. military capabilities. He acknowledged discussions with Musk but emphasized that national security remains a priority.
Despite bipartisan concerns over Pentagon inefficiencies, critics argue that Musk and his team lack the expertise for such a complex overhaul. Additionally, Musk's ties to the Pentagon through SpaceX contracts have raised conflict of interest concerns.
As Musk's DOGE team evaluates defense spending, debates intensify over balancing fiscal responsibility with national security. The outcome could significantly impact U.S. military funding and operations.
