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Trump White House Halts Weapon Shipments To Ukraine To ‘Put America’s Interests First’

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Donald Trump’s administration has halted weapon shipments to Ukraine, sparking major concern in Kyiv – but delight in Moscow.

The White House said the move followed fears that the US is facing stockpile issues with its arsenal after a recent Department of Defence review.

The US has subsequently decided to “put America’s interests first”, according to the White House.

The Pentagon allegedly chose to halt shipments of critical US Patriot air defence systems and other precision weapons in June but the decision only came to light overnight.

The White House deputy press secretary Anna Kelly batted away suggestions this threw America’s military into question, saying: ”[The decision] was made to put America’s interests first following a DOD review of our nation’s military support and assistance to other countries across the globe.

“The strength of the United States armed forces remains unquestioned – just ask Iran.”

Ukraine said it did not receive any official notification from the US over the suspension of the military aid.

“Ukraine has not received official notices regarding the suspension or revision of the delivery schedules of agreed defense assistance,” the Ukrainian defence ministry said in a statement.

Mykhailo Podolyak, advisor to president Volodymyr Zelenskyy, even claimed on Wednesday that “deliveries continue”.

He added: “It would look very strange and inhumane to stop supplying missiles for Patriot systems that protect Ukrainian civilians.”

Ukraine’s foreign ministry has subsequently summoned the US Charge d-Affaires John Ginkel over the reported pause.

Ukraine’s deputy foreign minister Mariana Betsa also warned: “Any delay or hesitation in supporting Ukraine’s defence capabilities will only encourage Russia to continue war and terror, rather than pursue peace.”

But Russia was delighted by the news. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said: “The fewer weapons that are supplied to Ukraine, the closer the end of the [war].”

Russia has stepped up its attacks on Ukraine in recent months, launching a record 5,337 drones in June – the highest total since Vladimir Putin first invaded in 2022.

The Russian president also claimed “all of Ukraine is ours” just last week, suggesting his land grab is far from over.

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Bob Vylan Frontman Speaks Out After Band Is Dropped From Manchester Music Festival

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The punk rap duo Bob Vylan have spoken out after it was reported that they had been dropped from a music festival in Manchester.

Over the weekend, the band caused controversy when they led the crowd at their Glastonbury set in a chant of “death to the IDF”, in reference to Israel’s army.

After facing condemnation from UK prime minister Sir Keir Starmer, the BBC – which broadcast the set live and uncensored on its iPlayer service – and Glastonbury’s organisers, it was revealed that a criminal investigation was underway following sets by both Bob Vylan and fellow performers Kneecap.

On Wednesday, BBC News reported that, in the wake of the controversy, Bob Vylan had been dropped from the line-ups of Radar Festival in Manchester, and Kave Fest in France.

Reacting to the news, frontman Bobby Vylan wrote on Instagram: “Silence is not an option. We will be fine, the people of Palestine are hurting.”

“Manchester we will be back,” he then vowed.

A screenshot of Bobby Vylan's Instagram story on Wednesday
A screenshot of Bobby Vylan’s Instagram story on Wednesday

Instagram/Bobby Vylan

Bobby previously addressed the Glastonbury furore in an Instagram post captioned: “I said what I said.”

He and bandmate Bobbie Vylan then released a joint statement which read: “We are not for the death of Jews, Arabs or any other race or group of people. We are for the dismantling of a violent military machine. A machine whose own soldiers were told to use ‘unnecessary lethal force’ against innocent civilians waiting for aid. A machine that has destroyed much of Gaza.”

Referring to the activist group Palestine Action and fellow Glastonbury performers Kneecap, the duo continued: “We, like those in the spotlight before us, are not the story. We are a distraction from the story. And whatever sanctions we receive will be a distraction.

“The government doesn’t want us to ask why they remain silent in the face of this atrocity. To ask why they aren’t doing more to stop the killing. To feed the starving. The more they talk about Bob Vylan, the less they spend answering for their criminal inaction.

“We are being targeted for speaking up. We are not the first. We will not be the last. And if you care for the sanctity of human life and freedom of speech, we urge you to speak up, too.”

Avon and Somerset Police said on Tuesday: “Video footage and audio from Bob Vylan and Kneecap’s performances at Glastonbury Festival on Saturday has been reviewed.

“Following the completion of that assessment process we have decided further enquiries are required and a criminal investigation is now being undertaken. A senior detective has been appointed to lead this investigation.”

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The Jokes Write Themselves As Clip Of Starmer Stumbling Before PMQs Emerges

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Keir Starmer’s critics are having a field day online after a clip emerged of the prime minister tripping up outside the steps of No.10 today.

The footage, shared by Sky News’ Serena Barker-Singh, shows the PM stumbling across the pavement as he walks out of the front door of 10 Downing Street, and reaching for the railings to steady himself on the way to the car.

It is only a six-second clip of Starmer heading out on his usual ride to the Commons for prime minister’s questions, but the timing of the footage is deeply unfortunate for the PM.

It comes amid the greatest crisis his premiership has faced yet.

On Tuesday, his government was forced into a last-minute U-turn over welfare reforms to avoid a humiliating defeat in the Commons.

Scores of Labour rebels were threatening to vote down the government bill even after the PM had already watered the original proposals down.

His second set of concessions meant the proposals were voted through – but Starmer has clearly lost his authority over his own party in the process.

It also means his chancellor, Rachel Reeves, will have to fill a £5billion black hole in the public finances.

So many people on social media saw Starmer’s fall as a metaphor for the many crises the top of government is facing right now…

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Remember when everyone was laughing at Rishi Sunak being drenched in the rain whilst announcing the general election…

We’ve reached that.

But quicker. https://t.co/Qm2hEddqWD

— Puja Teli (@ThePujaTeli) July 2, 2025

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Remember when everyone was laughing at Rishi Sunak being drenched in the rain whilst announcing the general election…

We’ve reached that.

But quicker. https://t.co/Qm2hEddqWD

— Puja Teli (@ThePujaTeli) July 2, 2025

Starmer was not the only Labour frontbencher to go viral for all the wrong reasons today, either.

His chancellor Rachel Reeves appeared to be crying in the Commons today during PMQs after Tory leader Kemi Badenoch asked whether Starmer if her job was safe.

The PM dodged the question, although a spokeswoman for Starmer later said: “The chancellor is going nowhere. She has the prime minister’s full backing.”

When asked about Reeves’ display of emotions during PMQs, a spokesperson told HuffPost UK: “It’s a personal matter, which – as you would expect – we are not going to get into.

“The chancellor will be working out of Downing Street this afternoon.”

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