Sputnik International

Gulf of Mexico? Not anymore...

In a bold move to celebrate "American greatness," the US has officially renamed the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America, following an executive order issued by President Donald Trump.

The move, announced by the US Department of Homeland Security, is part of a larger effort to name geographical features in honor of the nation’s history.

Among other changes, the name of the mountain in Alaska officially called by its native name of Denali since 2015, has been changed back to Mount McKinley – after the US president assassinated in 1901.

While Trump declared his intention to rename the Gulf in his inauguration speech, Mexico pointed out that the name "Gulf of Mexico" has been used for centuries and serves as an international navigation landmark. In response, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum jokingly proposed renaming the US as America Mexicana.

But it’s unlikely that Trump’s decision will be recognized on an international level.

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✍️Western pressure pays off?

Ukrainian authorities are almost done with a law that would allow the "voluntary conscription" of young people aged 18 to 25, who were previously exempt from mobilization.

The law is expected to be presented soon, along with some amendments which have not been disclosed so far, and is being touted by Ukrainian officials as a "fair contract," complete with financial incentives, training guarantees, and promises of strong communication between soldiers and commanders.

After all, why not recruit those previously free from mobilization? Especially since the West, including Jake Sullivan and Antony Blinken, has been pushing for the mobilization age to drop to 18, and even Volodymyr Zelensky himself has responded by requesting more weapons.

Meanwhile, the law’s development is unfolding against the backdrop of growing citizen discontent and increasing draft evasion.

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💵NATO dumps almost $200 billion into Ukraine

The bloc has collectively financed Kiev to the tune of $191.2 billion over the past three years, according to calculations by Sputnik, based on data from the Ukrainian Finance Ministry and the University of Kiel.

Here’s the breakdown:

📑Financial aid (for budgetary and social spending): $43.3 billion

🤝Humanitarian aid: $13.4 billion

⚔️Military aid: $133.4 billion

Who gave what?

🟠The US contributed 54% ($103.8 billion), making it the largest donor. The United States also provided the majority of military aid ($68.9 billion), humanitarian aid ($3.7 billion), and budgetary support ($31.2 billion).

🟠Germany was the second-largest contributor, providing $17 billion, or 8.9% of the total aid.

🟠The UK contributed $14.8 billion, or 7.7%.

🟠Other NATO countries each contributed less than 5% of the total.

The West continues to invest vast sums in aid to Ukraine, but much of it has proven futile, as Kiev suffers enormous losses. Furthermore, a significant portion of Western military supplies intended for Ukraine has ended up in the hands of black market dealers.

A US Defense Department Inspector General audit released in October 2024 revealed that hundreds of pieces of military equipment provided to Ukraine by Washington required repairs before they could be used on the battlefield.

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❗️Russian forces struck Ukrainian military airfield infrastructure and drone storage facilities of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in 132 locations, according to the Russian Ministry of Defense.

🇷🇺🪖More statements from the Russian MoD daily briefing on the special military operation's progress:    

▪️Ukraine lost up to 400 servicemen in the Russian Zapad Battlegroup's combat zone.

▪️Russian air defence systems shot down three HIMARS missiles and 44 Ukrainian drones.

▪️Ukraine lost up to 550 troops in the Russian Tsentr Battlegroup's combat zone.

▪️Ukraine lost up to 210 servicemen and four warehouses in the Russia's Battlegroup Yug area of responsibility.

▪️Ukraine lost up to 90 soldiers in the areas of responsibility of Russia's Battlegroup Dnepr and Sever.

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⚡️ Exchange complete: Four Israeli hostages have been released

The Al-Qassam and Al-Quds Brigades have arrived in central Gaza ahead of a ceremony to transfer Israeli hostages to Red Cross representatives.

Footage from social media

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🟠 US halts programs for Ukrainian and other migrants

🟠 What bombastic statements and controversies rocked the WEF gathering in Davos?

🟠 US arms exports hits record high of $318 billion in 2024

🟠 Trump's call with Danish PM on Greenland was a 'cold shower' – reports

🟠 VIDEO: Ukraine’s losses surpass US deaths in Vietnam and Korea – special envoy

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🤝Hamas to free 4 more hostages

"Israeli female soldiers to be released [on Saturday]: Karina Arif, Daniel Gilboa, Naama Levy and Liri Elbaj," Hamas’ Al-Qassam Brigades military wing said in a statement.

The efforts are part of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.

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✍️US suspends foreign aid amid comprehensive review

A "stop-work" order has been made on all existing foreign assistance, and paused new aid commitments, following President Donald Trump's directive for a 90-day evaluation of foreign development aid.

Exceptions have been granted for military financing for Israel and Egypt, while no other countries were specified, according to the US State Department.

A USAID official, on condition of anonymity, said officers responsible for projects in Ukraine have been told to stop all work.

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🚫US halts programs for Ukrainian and other migrants

The Department of Homeland Security has temporarily paused several immigration programs, including those supporting migrants from Ukraine, Cuba, Haiti, Venezuela, and other crisis-hit nations, as the Trump administration reviews their future, the NYT reports.

Key programs affected:

🔹 Asylum appointments at legal border crossings

🔹 Humanitarian entry initiatives for migrants

This move is part of President Trump’s broader crackdown on immigration policies.

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