'The story was a real gift': How the WSJ Epstein report only fueled Trump's base

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Yahoo
24 minutes ago
- Yahoo
India indicates it will keep buying Russian oil despite Trump's threats
NEW DELHI (AP) — India has indicated that it would continue buying oil from Russia despite threats by U.S. President Donald Trump. The Indian foreign ministry said its relationship with Russia was 'steady and time-tested,' and should not be seen through the prism of a third country. Addressing a weekly presser on Friday, spokesman Randhir Jaiswal said India's broader stance on securing its energy needs was guided by the availability of oil in the markets and prevailing global circumstances. The comments follow an announcement by President Donald Trump that he intends to impose a 25% tariff on goods from India plus an additional import tax because of New Delhi's purchases of Russian oil. The threat came as the U.S. president has increasingly soured on Russia for failing to agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine and has threatened new economic sanctions if progress is not made. India bought 68,000 barrels per day of crude oil from Russia in January 2022, but by June of same year oil imports rose to 1.12 million barrels per day. The daily imports peaked at 2.15 million in May 2023 and have varied since. Supplies rose as high as nearly 40% of India's imports at one point, making Moscow the largest supplier of crude to New Delhi, the Press Trust of India reported, citing data from Kpler, a data analytics company. India's daily oil consumption is pegged around 5.5 million barrels, of which nearly 88% is met through imports. The country has historically bought most of its crude from the Middle East, but this has changed since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. India, the world's third-largest crude importer after China and the U.S., began buying Russian oil available at discounted rates after the West shunned it to punish Moscow. The Associated Press Sign in to access your portfolio


Associated Press
25 minutes ago
- Associated Press
India indicates it will keep buying Russian oil despite Trump's threats
NEW DELHI (AP) — India has indicated that it would continue buying oil from Russia despite threats by U.S. President Donald Trump. The Indian foreign ministry said its relationship with Russia was 'steady and time-tested,' and should not be seen through the prism of a third country. Addressing a weekly presser on Friday, spokesman Randhir Jaiswal said India's broader stance on securing its energy needs was guided by the availability of oil in the markets and prevailing global circumstances. The comments follow an announcement by President Donald Trump that he intends to impose a 25% tariff on goods from India plus an additional import tax because of New Delhi's purchases of Russian oil. The threat came as the U.S. president has increasingly soured on Russia for failing to agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine and has threatened new economic sanctions if progress is not made. India bought 68,000 barrels per day of crude oil from Russia in January 2022, but by June of same year oil imports rose to 1.12 million barrels per day. The daily imports peaked at 2.15 million in May 2023 and have varied since. Supplies rose as high as nearly 40% of India's imports at one point, making Moscow the largest supplier of crude to New Delhi, the Press Trust of India reported, citing data from Kpler, a data analytics company. India's daily oil consumption is pegged around 5.5 million barrels, of which nearly 88% is met through imports. The country has historically bought most of its crude from the Middle East, but this has changed since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. India, the world's third-largest crude importer after China and the U.S., began buying Russian oil available at discounted rates after the West shunned it to punish Moscow.


CNN
27 minutes ago
- CNN
Watchdog agency launches probe into Jack Smith for allegedly violating Hatch Act
The Office of the Special Counsel has launched an investigation into potential Hatch Act violations by former special counsel Jack Smith, who led criminal probes into President Donald Trump's handling of classified documents and alleged efforts to subvert the 2020 election. The investigation into Smith's alleged violation of the Hatch Act comes as Trump and his allies have sought retribution against his political enemies and those who brought investigations against him. The Hatch Act limits certain political activities of government workers. It is supposed to stop the federal government from affecting elections or going about its activities in a partisan manner. According to the OSC's explanation of the rule, it applies to federal employees as well as state and local employees who work with federally funded programs. While the Office of the Special Counsel — which is distinct from the special counsels, like Smith, who are appointed to oversee politically sensitive Justice Department investigations — is an independent agency created by Congress, it is currently helmed by a Trump appointee in an acting capacity after the president fired the previous head of the office, who was appointed by Biden for a five year term. The office handles allegations of whistleblower retaliation and Hatch Act investigations, according to its website. CNN has reached out to a representative for Smith for comment. In 2021, 13 administration officials from Trump's first term were found to have violated the Hatch Act. The rule is a workplace guideline, and violating it is not a crime. Responses can vary significantly after employees violate the rule, from a slap on the wrist to loss of a job. The investigation comes after Trump-ally Sen. Tom Cotton claimed earlier this week that 'Smith used his DOJ role to influence the election' in favor of former President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris' campaigns, pointing to Smith filing a brief within 60 days of Election Day — which could violate a separate Justice Department rule that goes beyond the Hatch Act. CNN has reached out to the White House for comment. This is a developing story and will be updated.