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December 13, 2024
William Upton
Lawfare
News

J.D. Vance Invites NY Subway Hero Daniel Penny to Army-Navy Game with Trump.

Vice President-elect J.D. Vance is inviting recently acquitted New York City subway hero Daniel Penny to join him and President-elect Donald J. Trump for an annual Army-Navy football game. The two military service academies will face off tomorrow at 3PM at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland. This will be the 125th meeting between Army and Navy.

Penny was acquitted on Monday of criminally negligent homicide for the death of Jordan Neely—a homeless man who died on May 1, 2023, after violently threatening passengers in a New York City subway car, stating he was going to kill them. Neely was subdued with a chokehold by Penny, and according to NYPD bodycam footage, the homeless man still had a pulse when law enforcement arrived. However, as the NYPD waited on medical responders, Neely subsequently expired.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg—who waged one front of the Democratic Party’s lawfare campaign against Presiden-elect Trump—filed two criminal counts against Penny, manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide. The former, more serious charge was dismissed last week when prosecutors conceded the jury had become deadlocked.

Meanwhile, Bragg’s case against Trump remains in legal limbo. Despite securing a guilty verdict against the President-elect earlier this year, a subsequent Supreme Court ruling may result in this being thrown out, as Bragg used materials and testimony protected under presidential immunity.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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12 minutes ago
Economy
News

Bitcoin Is On Another Run, And Here’s The Target People Are Hoping For…

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Bitcoin bulls made another attempt to break a key resistance level, potentially setting the stage for a rally to $140,000.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Bitcoin traders, crypto derivatives exchange Deribit, and market strategist Marc Chandler.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Early Asian trading hours, with market data expected Tuesday.

🎯IMPACT: A successful hold above the resistance level could push Bitcoin toward $140,000, while failure may lead to a deeper correction.

IN FULL

Bitcoin traders are once again testing a crucial resistance level tied to the 1.618 percent Fibonacci extension, derived from the bear market lows of 2018 and 2022. This is the second time in recent weeks that bulls have attempted to breach this technical barrier. The first attempt failed last month, triggering a drop in Bitcoin’s price below $112,000. Currently, Bitcoin is trading around $122,000, having reached an intraday high of $122,171 during early Asian trading hours.

The Fibonacci extension is a key level used in technical analysis to project potential price targets or profit-taking levels. This level is often associated with the “golden ratio” and is closely watched by market participants for potential trend shifts. In the numerical series, as you progress further into the sequence, the ratio between consecutive numbers approaches 1.618, also known as the golden ratio or phi.

Should Bitcoin successfully maintain levels above this resistance, it may set the stage for a rally toward $140,000. That level is psychologically significant and aligns with a popular strike price on the crypto derivatives exchange Deribit, where more than $3 billion in notional open interest is currently concentrated. However, failure to hold above the current resistance could suggest weakening bullish momentum and potentially lead to a deeper correction.

Upcoming U.S. inflation data, expected on Tuesday, could also impact market sentiment. Economists are forecasting a 0.3 percent increase in the core Consumer Price Index (CPI) for July, following a 0.2 percent rise in June. While an upside surprise could stir short-term volatility, analysts believe it’s unlikely to alter the Federal Reserve’s leaning toward a rate cut in September.

Additionally, the softer-than-expected July jobs report has already shifted expectations toward a potential Fed rate cut, an outcome that could support risk assets, including cryptocurrencies. Most prediction markets are now projecting high odds of at least a 25-basis-point cut next month.

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By Popular Demand.
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52 minutes ago
News
Sports

Paramount Secures Mega-Billions UFC Deal.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Skydance’s Paramount has signed a seven-year, $7.7 billion deal with TKO Group for exclusive U.S. media rights to UFC matches, starting in 2026.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Paramount, TKO Group, UFC, and Paramount Chairman David Ellison.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The deal begins in 2026, announced Monday, following Paramount’s recent acquisition of Skydance.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Partnering with a company that puts our premium content front and center without extra charges is a game changer,” said TKO President Mark Shapiro.

🎯IMPACT: The deal doubles UFC’s previous annual revenue and shifts the sport away from the pay-per-view model, aiming to boost viewership and subscriber growth.

IN FULL

Skydance’s Paramount has inked a seven-year, $7.7 billion agreement with TKO Group, securing exclusive U.S. media rights for all Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) events starting in 2026. This move signals a pivotal change in the mixed martial arts (MMA) landscape, shifting the industry leader away from the pay-per-view (PPV) model.

The agreement designates Paramount+ as the exclusive platform for the UFC’s 13 annual pay-per-view events and 30 “Fight Night” events. Select UFC bouts will also air on CBS during Saturday prime-time slots.

Financially, the deal will see Paramount committing to $1.1 billion annually—twice the $550 million per year from the previous ESPN contract. TKO President Mark Shapiro hailed the partnership as revolutionary, stating, “Partnering with a company that puts our premium content front and center without extra charges is a game changer.”

Paramount Chairman and CEO David Ellison underscored the deal’s strategic value, noting, “UFC’s year-round content is a powerful tool to drive engagement, revenue growth, and subscriber acquisitions for Paramount+.” He also indicated plans to pursue international UFC rights.

This agreement follows Paramount’s recent merger with Skydance and its firing of leftist talk show host Stephen Colbert. UFC President Dana White is a prominent supporter of President Donald J. Trump, who has attended a number of UFC events both as a candidate and as a sitting president.

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2 hours ago
Jack Montgomery
Breaking
Crime

BREAKING: Trump Puts D.C. Metropolitan Police Under ‘Direct Federal Control,’ Deploys Guard.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald J. Trump announced he is placing Washington, D.C.’s Metropolitan Police Department under direct federal control and deploying the National Guard, invoking Section 740 of the D.C. Home Rule Act.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Donald J. Trump, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), the National Guard, Washington, D.C. officials and residents.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Washington, D.C.; Monday morning press conference.

💬KEY QUOTE: “We’re going to take our capital back.” – President Donald J. Trump

🎯IMPACT: Federal control of MPD and Guard deployment mark a significant shift in D.C. policing and governance, with immediate implications for public safety operations and local government.

IN FULL

President Donald J. Trump has announced he is placing the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) in Washington, D.C. under federal control, declaring, “Our capital city has been overtaken by violent gangs, bloodthirsty criminals, roving mobs of wild youths, drugged-out maniacs, and homeless people. And we’re not going to let it happen anymore.”

“We’re going to take our capital back,” Trump vowed at a Monday morning press conference, pledging that he will “rescue our nation’s capital from crime, bloodshed, bedlam, and squalor, and worse.”

“Under the authorities vested in me as the President of the United States, I’m officially invoking Section 740 of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act… and placing the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department under direct federal control,” he said, describing this as “Liberation Day” in the American capital.

President Trump also announced he is deploying the National Guard to help restore order, blaming the city’s Democrat-dominated local leadership for turning it into a “sanctuary for criminals.”

He referenced the brutal beating of former Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) staffer Edward “Big Balls” Coristine while attempting to thwart a carjacking last week. He also referenced the murder of Mike Gill, an official in the first Trump administration, during a carjacking spree last year, saying, “I lost a very good person a while ago. He was shot waiting for his wife. He was in the car, they robbed his car, they shot him, they killed him like there was nothing to it.”

“Every American has a constitutional right to be able to access and petition their government in safety. And countless government officials and employees, likewise, have the right to carry out their jobs in peace without being shot,” the America First leader insisted.

This story is developing…

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By Popular Demand.
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2 hours ago
Politics

Vance Says Musk Made ‘Mistake,’ Urges MAGA-World Return for Midterms.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Elon Musk’s departure from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has led to ongoing tensions between Musk and President Donald J. Trump, and Vice President J.D. Vance is calling for reconciliation.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Elon Musk, President Donald J. Trump, and Vice President J.D. Vance.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The fallout began in May with Musk’s departure from DOGE and has continued through recent months with public statements and interviews.

💬KEY QUOTE: “I really think it’s a mistake for [Musk] to try to break from the President. My hope is that by the time of the midterms, he’s kind of come back into the fold.” – J.D. Vance

🎯IMPACT: The strained relationship between Musk and Trump has implications for midterm election strategies, should the tech mogul follow through on his threats to field America Party candidates at scale.

IN FULL

Vice President J.D. Vance says he hopes that billionaire technology and aerospace mogul Elon Musk will reconcile with President Donald J. Trump ahead of the 2026 congressional midterm elections. While tension between Musk and the Trump White House has remained since the former’s rocky departure from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in late May—and Musk’s subsequent attacks on Trump’s budget proposal as a “massive, outrageous, pork-filled… disgusting abomination”—the billionaire has recently begun deleting social media posts critical of Trump and donated $15 million to pro-MAGA super PACs.

“I really think it’s a mistake for [Musk] to try to break from the President. My hope is that by the time of the midterms, he’s kind of come back into the fold,” Vice President Vance said during a media interview over the weekend.

During the falling out between Trump and Musk, beginning in May, the President threatened to pull SpaceX‘s government contracts, notably after Musk had threatened to end his company’s relationship with NASA. In addition, President Trump alluded to Musk as having pushed for greater government subsidies and other carveouts for his struggling electric car company, Tesla.

President Trump’s recent comments suggest a softened stance toward Musk. During an Oval Office press conference, Trump said, “I think he’s a good person, and I think he had a bad moment, a really bad moment, but he’s a good person. I believe that.”

Vance also warned Musk that his political future outside of the GOP is limited, saying, “My argument to Elon is, like, you’re not gonna be on the left, even if you wanted to be, and he doesn’t, they’re not gonna have you back. That ship has sailed.”

Musk has been in the initial stages of launching an “America Party” as an alternative to the Republicans and the GOP. However, such a party is unlikely to achieve anything beyond siphoning libertarian-leaning voters from the Republicans and putting the Democrats back in power.

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By Popular Demand.
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3 hours ago
Crime
News

Trump Issues Latest ‘Liberation’ Message for D.C.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald J. Trump announced his plan to address crime and other issues in Washington, D.C.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Donald Trump, Washington, D.C. officials, and residents.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Announcement made on Monday via Truth Social.

💬KEY QUOTE: “I will, MAKE OUR CAPITAL GREAT AGAIN! The days of ruthlessly killing, or hurting, innocent people, are OVER!” – Donald J. Trump

🎯IMPACT: Trump pledges to tackle crime and restore order in the nation’s capital.

IN FULL

President Donald J. Trump vowed that “Washington, D.C. will be LIBERATED today!” in a Monday morning social media post. “Crime, Savagery, Filth, and Scum will DISAPPEAR. I will, MAKE OUR CAPITAL GREAT AGAIN!” he declared on his Truth Social platform.

“The days of ruthlessly killing, or hurting, innocent people, are OVER! I quickly fixed the Border (ZERO ILLEGALS in last 3 months!), D.C. is next!!!” he added. This precedes a press conference planned for 10 AM, at which it is speculated that the America First leader may move to federalize the Democrat-dominated U.S. capital.

In February, Trump posited a federal takeover of D.C., telling reporters, “I think that we should govern the District of Columbia… we should run it strong, run it with law and order, make it absolutely flawlessly beautiful.”

The issue has gained prominence again following a violent assault on former Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) staffer Edward Coristine, a.k.a. “Big Balls,” as he attempted to stop a carjacking. President Trump has already moved to bolster law enforcement in D.C. with personnel from federal agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the U.S. Marshals Service.

In March, Trump signed an Executive Order titled ‘Making the District of Columbia Safe and Beautiful,’ declaring that “As the Federal capital city, Washington, D.C., is the only city that belongs to all Americans and… it should showcase beautiful, clean, and safe public spaces,” and establishing a D.C. Safe and Beautiful Task Force.

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By Popular Demand.
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3 hours ago
News

Brit Rockers Oasis Warned to ‘Stay Out of U.S. Politics’ During Tour.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Oasis has been advised to avoid criticizing President Trump as they prepare for their U.S. reunion tour.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Liam and Noel Gallagher of Oasis, and talent manager Jonathan Shalit.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The U.S. leg of their tour begins in Chicago in late August.

💬KEY QUOTE: “My advice to Oasis is simple: Stay out of American politics.” – Jonathan Shalit

🎯IMPACT: The warning aims to prevent potential disruptions during the band’s U.S. tour.

IN FULL

Brit rock band Oasis has been advised to avoid commenting on President Donald Trump as they prepare to kick off the U.S. leg of their reunion tour in Chicago this August. Veteran talent manager Jonathan Shalit, chairman of the InterTalent Rights Group, warned the Gallagher brothers to steer clear of American politics.

“My advice to Oasis is simple: Stay out of American politics,” Shalit told reporters. “If they want their US tour to go ahead without disruption, it would be wise to keep quiet on all things Trump.”

The Gallagher brothers, Liam and Noel, have previously expressed strong opinions about the former president. Speaking to Canada’s CBC, Noel once described Trump as “fucking hilarious” but added, “If it’s a toss-up between Hillary [Clinton] and Trump, American politics is in a worse fucking place than ours.”

Noel’s views shifted after Trump’s 2016 election win. He told Paste magazine he avoids most news but made an exception for Trump, citing concerns about his environmental policies: “His views on the environment are pretty fucking scary, and that will affect my children.”

Liam Gallagher, meanwhile, took a more personal approach during their long-running feud, comparing his brother Noel to Trump. Accepting an award at the NME Awards in London, Liam called Noel “worse than Donald Trump” and “the biggest liar and biggest faker in the business.”

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By Popular Demand.
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August 8, 2025
Lauren Gallagher
Science
TECH

China Makes Significant Breakthrough In Planned Moon Landing

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: China successfully tested its first manned lunar lander in landing and takeoff.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: China Manned Space Agency and U.S. Transportation Secretary and interim NASA Administrator Sean Duffy

📍WHEN & WHERE: The test took place on Wednesday in Huailai County, Hebei province, northern China.

💬KEY QUOTE: “We’re in a race to the Moon, in a race with China to the Moon. And to have a base on the Moon, we need energy.” – Sean Duffy

🎯IMPACT: Major breakthroughs for China’s manned lunar exploration program allow China to demonstrate the ability for a crewed spacecraft to land and take off from an extraterrestrial body for the first time.

IN FULL

China is progressing towards its objective of landing astronauts on the Moon by 2030. The communist country announced a significant milestone in its lunar exploration program, successfully completing the first “comprehensive landing and takeoff test” of its manned lunar lander, Lanyue. The test was conducted at a facility in Huailai County, northern China, and was described as a breakthrough by the China Manned Space Agency.

This event was the first time China tested the “extraterrestrial landing and takeoff capabilities” of a manned spacecraft, a major breakthrough in the research and development of its manned lunar exploration program. The Lanyue is a two-part lunar lander with a landing and propulsion module. It’s designed to transport two astronauts between the Moon’s orbit and surface. The design resembles the Apollo Lunar Module, which featured an ascent rocket engine and a lower stage for descent.

In addition to China’s moon landing mission, the country has constructed a network of 16 space facilities in Latin America while operating Tiangong, a modern space station. China is also advancing another moon mission aimed at building the International Lunar Research Station, a scientific experimental facility located on the Moon’s surface and orbit. The project’s completion is scheduled for 2025 and 2050.

Meanwhile, U.S. Transportation Secretary and interim NASA Administrator Sean Duffy announced a plan to construct a nuclear reactor on the Moon on Tuesday, stating, “We’re in a race to the Moon, in a race with China to the Moon. And to have a base on the Moon, we need energy.”

Currently, the United States is the first and only country to land humans on the Moon, with its next planned moon landing mission set for 2027. NASA launched the Apollo program in 1961, which landed the first humans on the Moon in 1969. The program included six lunar missions with twelve astronauts and ended in 1972.

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August 8, 2025
Economy

Trump Admin Eyes IPOs for Mortgage Giants Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac: Report.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The Trump administration is reportedly planning to take Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac public later this year, potentially raising $30 billion.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The Trump administration, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and market analysts tracking the mortgage giants.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Expected later this year, with details surfacing on Friday, August 8, 2025.

💬KEY QUOTE: “This is a highly complicated potential transaction here… I’ve heard more years-long timelines with regards to bringing Fannie and Freddie public here.” – Analysts following the developments.

🎯IMPACT: Shares of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae have risen, with Freddie up 3 percent and Fannie up 4.5 percent, amid speculation about the IPO timeline.

IN FULL

Speculation is mounting that the Trump administration is planning to take Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac public later this year. The plans could involve selling between 5 percent and 15 percent of their stock, valuing the mortgage giants at approximately $500 billion.

The two companies, which have been under government control since the 2008 financial crisis, might remain under government conservatorship, though this detail remains unclear. Analysts suggest the transaction could raise $30 billion, but questions remain about the feasibility of the timeline.

“This is a highly complicated potential transaction here,” said one analyst, noting that most observers have anticipated a years-long timeline for such a move. The possibility of an IPO later this year has raised skepticism among those who have tracked the government-sponsored enterprises for years.

Shares of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have reacted positively to the news. Freddie Mac’s stock rose 3 percent, while Fannie Mae saw a 4.5 percent increase. The market appears to be pricing in optimism about the potential IPO and the two companies’ future.

Further developments are expected as the Trump administration finalizes its plans. The timeline and structure of the IPO, including whether the companies will go public as one entity or two separate ones, remain key details to watch.

Image by ehpien.

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August 8, 2025
News
UK

UK’s Labour Govt Tanking Among Voters as Nigel Farage Soars.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: New polling shows Keir Starmer’s lead over Nigel Farage as the preferred prime minister has significantly narrowed, reflecting a decline in public confidence.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Keir Starmer, Nigel Farage, Kemi Badenoch, Jeremy Corbyn, Ed Davey, and other political figures.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The polling data was collected earlier this month, reflecting public sentiment as of August 2025 in the United Kingdom.

🎯IMPACT: The data highlights growing dissatisfaction with Starmer’s leadership and signals potential shifts in voter preferences toward Farage ahead of future elections.

IN FULL

According to the latest polling, British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer‘s lead over Reform UK leader Nigel Farage as the preferred prime minister has shrunk. In May, Starmer held a 44 percent to 29 percent advantage over Farage, but this has now fallen to 35 percent to 28 percent in August. The decline reflects a shift in public sentiment, particularly among left-of-center voters.

The polling also reveals that Starmer’s advantage against other political figures, such as Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch and Liberal leader Ed Davey, has narrowed. When compared to Badenoch, Starmer’s lead has dropped from 36 percent to 30 percent, while support for Badenoch has also declined from 25 percent to 20 percent. Meanwhile, Starmer and Davey are now tied at 20 percent each, down from 27 percent to 25 percent in May.

Nigel Farage has also gained ground against other figures. For instance, Farage now leads Kemi Badenoch 23 percent to 21 percent, reversing her previous 29 percent to 25 percent advantage. Similarly, Ed Davey’s lead over Farage has dropped from 14 points in May to just 31 percent to 27 percent in the latest poll.

Public dissatisfaction with Starmer’s premiership is evident, with only 9 percent of Britons rating him as a great or good prime minister. The majority describe his performance as poor or terrible, and even among his own Labour Party voters, only 18 percent view him as above average. Nigel Farage scores the highest among potential leaders, with 24 percent of Britons believing he would be a good prime minister.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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August 8, 2025
Economy
News

India Halts U.S. Arms Deals in Response to Trump Tariffs.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: India has reportedly paused arms purchases from the United States and canceled a visit by Defense Minister Rajnath Singh to Washington following new tariffs imposed by President Donald J. Trump.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Donald Trump, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and the Indian Defense Ministry.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The tariffs were imposed in August 2025, with the arms purchase developments emerging shortly after, according to Reuters.

💬KEY QUOTE: “It is clarified that the various cases of procurement are being progressed as per the extant procedures,” said the Indian Defense Ministry, rejecting Reuters’ report.

🎯IMPACT: The situation could affect U.S.-India defense ties and trade negotiations amidst broader geopolitical shifts.

IN FULL

India has reportedly begun pushing back against the recent wave of tariffs imposed by President Donald J. Trump, with officials indicating that key defense agreements with the United States have been paused. According to three Indian government sources, New Delhi has temporarily shelved plans to acquire American military equipment and has also canceled a scheduled visit to Washington by Defense Minister Rajnath Singh.

These developments follow President Trump’s announcement earlier this month of sweeping trade measures targeting India. The White House introduced a blanket 25 percent tariff on Indian exports, along with a punitive 25 percent levy specifically aimed at Indian purchases of Russian crude oil. The combined 50 percent tariff burden is expected to take effect on August 26. Sources close to the matter suggest that the defense freeze could be lifted if the two nations reach a breakthrough in trade talks before the deadline.

In recent years, India has worked to diversify its defense partnerships, especially since the 2020 border clashes with China prompted a reassessment of its military readiness. While India has traditionally relied on Russian defense hardware, Washington made significant inroads under Trump’s previous term, securing over $24 billion in arms sales. However, this growing defense cooperation now faces uncertainty amid the escalating trade dispute.

Indian defense officials have reportedly halted negotiations on several major arms deals, including the Stryker armored vehicle, the Javelin anti-tank missile system, and the Boeing P-8I maritime patrol aircraft. The Stryker purchase had already encountered headwinds due to India’s ambition to develop local alternatives. Meanwhile, the P-8I deal was reportedly under review due to rising costs and evolving strategic priorities. Notably, Indian media had flagged delays in these procurement programs prior to the newest reports.

In response to the new reports, the Indian Defense Ministry strongly denied any freeze in defense talks, labeling the report as “false and fabricated.” In an official statement, the ministry asserted, “It is clarified that the various cases of procurement are being progressed as per the extant procedures,” and further emphasized that there is “no pause in talks related to buying U.S. arms.”

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