Third Column

Independent news covering geopolitics, economics and conflicts.

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Ukraine’s military has been hit by sudden Starlink connectivity restrictions that disrupted drone operations and several combat missions, according to Ukrainian officials.

SpaceX reportedly restricted military-grade Starlink terminals operating at speeds above 160 km/h, with Ukrainian forces receiving no advance warning.

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Source: https://t.co/LZrJ8xEHDR

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The European Union is seeking closer ties with Vietnam to secure critical minerals and reduce its dependence on China, according to internal EU documents.

Vietnam holds substantial reserves of tungsten, rare earths, antimony and other minerals vital to defence industries, while Chinese export restrictions disrupted European supply chains last year.

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U.S. President Donald Trump says large-scale oil, gas and mineral exploration is preparing to begin in Greenland, claiming the territory holds more easily accessible oil than almost anywhere else in the world.

He also described Greenland as critical to U.S. and European defence, arguing that its strategic position is essential for intercepting future missile and drone threats.

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Source: https://t.co/wJC46IBrA1

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The U.S. Treasury Department has imposed a $1.2 billion penalty on Bank of America for failing to report more than $5 billion in suspicious transactions, including activity linked to Chinese money laundering networks and other potential national security risks.

The bank also faces separate penalties over deficiencies in its anti-money laundering controls and apparent sanctions violations.

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A federal judge has blocked the Trump administration from banning CNN, MS NOW and Politico journalists from White House grounds, ruling that the outlets are likely to succeed in their claims that the ban violated their First and Fifth Amendment rights. The preliminary injunction preserves their access while the legal challenge continues.

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Source: https://t.co/TApKBy6QMD

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Russian strikes have hit several energy facilities in Kyiv, Ukraine, causing power and water outages, according to Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko.

The attacks also killed one person and injured another, as Russian ballistic missile strikes targeted the Ukrainian capital.

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Source: https://t.co/4SurZ6nFba

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British forces have conducted military exercises in the Falkland Islands simulating a defence against a potential Argentine attack, amid renewed threats from President Javier Milei to reclaim the British-controlled territory.

The six-day exercise involved around 150 British paratroopers and 100 local reservists and included amphibious landings, overnight marches and combat simulations.

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U.S. President Trump on Ilhan Omar:

I think she's a terrible person. I think she's a terrible congresswoman. I don't think she loves our country at all, but I don't take a position.

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Smoke rises from a Houthi-run Yemeni Oil Company facility in Bajil District, Hodeidah Governorate, after Saudi strikes targeted the area.

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White House Press Secretary Katie Zacharia:

We have asked Ambassador Guilfoyle to resign. She has been a wonderful asset to the team, and we wish her well.

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Source: https://t.co/4i5R1H05m3

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The Saudi-led coalition has ordered civilians to evacuate an oil facility in Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, ahead of a planned military operation.

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Source: https://t.co/XRWoXtmu4l

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Britain’s MI5 chief Ken McCallum has warned that Iran is shifting toward targeting military sites in the UK, saying the suspected plot at RAF Fairford was “not unique.” MI5 investigations have led to more than 50 arrests linked to Iranian operations in Britain over the past year, as Tehran increasingly relies on criminal proxies to carry out hostile activities.