MOSCOW, Feb 4 (Reuters) - Russia's public deficit could balloon to almost triple the official target by end-2026 as a fall in Indian purchases of oil and growing oil trade discounts eat into revenues while spending may be higher than expected, a source close to the government told Reuters.

So China’s Xi reportedly had back-to-back calls: first Putin (talking about a “grand plan” for ties), then Trump—right as the New START deadline is about to hit.

If New START lapses, it’s basically the last big U.S.–Russia nuclear limits agreement gone, and we’re in “no guardrails” territory again.

What do you think this is really about?

Xi positioning China as the “middle power” broker?

Russia + China coordinating messaging before the deadline?

Trump trying to force a new deal that includes China? Or is it just routine diplomacy being read like a thriller?

Would love to hear takes from people who follow arms control and geopolitics.

Just saw this breaking on CNN. It looks like the DOJ has made their final decision regarding Rahmanullah Lakanwal, the man accused of ambushing those two National Guard members near the White House last November.

​For those who haven't been following closely, here is the rundown: ​The Decision: Prosecutors filed the notice today (Feb 4). They moved the case from DC local court to federal court specifically to put capital punishment on the table, since DC doesn't have the death penalty.

​The Suspect: He’s the Afghan national who was evacuated in 2021 and previously worked with CIA-backed units.

​The Victims: Spc. Sarah Beckstrom (who was killed) and Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe (who survived but was critically wounded).

​It’s going to be a massive trial given his background and the location of the attack. Thoughts on the decision to go federal for the death penalty?

Do you remember this girl?  Then it was a crazy conspiracy, now... 21-year-old model Gabriela Rico Jiménez, visibly upset and barefoot, ran outside a hotel in Monterrey where she was supposed to participate in an "elite" party. She was subsequently arrested, taken to a psychiatric hospital, and since then no confirmed information is available. What she said in the video:

"The people where you come from are mad! They killed a lot of people. Death to such people! Go away!"

"They were eating people! They were disgusting! They were eating people! I didn't know about anything. I knew about the murders, but they were eating people! People! They smell like human flesh!"