Trump considers new sanctions on Russia over Ukraine attack

Earlier this week, the US President, Donald Trump, criticised Vladimir Putin and considers new sanctions on Russia after the Russian leader launched the largest aerial attack of Moscow’s three-year full-scale war on Ukraine overnight.

At least 12 people were killed in the attacks across Ukraine over the weekend, including children, officials said, and dozens more people were injured. 

Russia has been intensifying its aerial bombardment of Ukraine as international pressure mounts on Putin to agree to the ceasefire plan, which has the backing of the United States and Kyiv.

“I’ve always had a very good relationship with Vladimir Putin of Russia, but something has happened to him. He has gone absolutely CRAZY! He is needlessly killing a lot of people, and I’m not just talking about soldiers. Missiles and drones are being shot into Cities in Ukraine, for no reason whatsoever,” Trump posted on Truth Social.

Hours earlier, Trump had told reporters: “I’m not happy with what Putin is doing. He’s killing a lot of people, and I don’t know what the hell happened to Putin.”

President Trump also told reporters on Sunday evening that he’s “absolutely” considering additional sanctions against Russia, which Kyiv has pushed for. Trump previously said he would not join in any new sanctions because he thought “there’s a chance” of progress, but remarked that could change.

He also turned his criticism toward Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who said on Sunday morning that “America’s silence” encourages Putin to continue his onslaught.

Trump delays 50% EU tariffs until July 9

On Sunday, President Donald Trump said that he has agreed to delay a 50% tariff on European Union imports until July 9.

Trump said he and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen had a “very nice call” that led to the delay.

“(Von der Leyen) said she wants to get down to serious negotiation,” Trump told reporters at Morristown Municipal Airport in New Jersey. “July 9 would be the day, that was the date she requested. Could we move it from June 1 to July 9? I agreed to do that.”

“She said we will rapidly get together and see if we can work something out,” he added.

Minutes after speaking with reporters, Trump posted on Truth Social that “talks will begin rapidly.”

Earlier in the day, von der Leyen had posted on X that there was a “good call” with Trump.

“The EU and US share the world’s most consequential and close trade relationship,” von der Leyen posted. “Europe is ready to advance talks swiftly and decisively. To reach a good deal, we would need the time until July 9.”

North Korea arrests senior official over warship launch failure

North Korea has arrested a fourth official over the failed launch of a new warship that has enraged the country’s leader, Kim Jong Un.

State-run news agency KCNA on Monday said Ri Hyong-son, deputy director of the ruling Workers’ Party’s Munitions Industry Department, was “largely responsible for the serious accident” last week.

The 5,000-ton destroyer had tipped over and damaged its hull, in what Kim described as a “criminal act” that “severely damaged the country’s dignity and pride”.

The shipyard accident last week’s comes weeks after North Korea unveiled a similar warship in another part of the country.

Mr Ri, who is part of the party’s Central Military Commission, is the highest level official arrested over the incident so far.

The commission commands the Korean People’s Army and is responsible for developing and implementing North Korea’s military policies.

Over the weekend, Pyongyang also detained three officials at the northern Chongjin shipyard, where the destroyer was built and where its launch failed.

The officials were the chief engineer, its construction head and an administrative manager.

Kim earlier said Wednesday’s incident was caused by “absolute carelessness, irresponsibility and unscientific empiricism”.

It is not clear what punishment they might face, but the authoritarian state has been known to sentence officials it finds guilty of wrongdoing to forced labour and even death.

US halts student visa appointments and plans expanded social media vetting

US President Donald Trump’s administration has ordered embassies to stop scheduling appointments for student visas as it prepares to expand social media vetting of such applicants.

In a copy of a memo sent to diplomatic posts, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the pause would last “until further guidance is issued”.

The message said social media vetting would be stepped up for student and foreign exchange visas, which would have “significant implications” for embassies and consulates.

The state department memo, viewed by the BBC’s US partner CBS News, directed US embassies on Tuesday to remove any unfilled appointments from their calendars for students seeking visas, but said those with appointments already scheduled could go ahead.

The diplomatic cable also said the state department was preparing for an “expansion of required social media screening and vetting” applicable to all student visa applications. It does not spell out what the vetting would look for.

The Trump administration had already enhanced its vetting of student social media, with a focus on what the administration broadly saw as support for “terrorist activity”, according to The Guardian. In its report in March, the newspaper linked this to a broader crackdown by Trump on pro-Palestinian protests on US campuses.

Foreign students who want to study in the US are usually required to schedule interviews at an American embassy in their home country before approval.

Many institutions rely on foreign students for a significant chunk of their funding, as they often pay higher tuition fees.

When asked about student visas, state department spokesperson Tammy Bruce told reporters on Tuesday: “We take very seriously the process of vetting who it is that comes into the country, and we’re going to continue to do that.”

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