Citigroup is being probed by US government agencies over its ties to sanctioned Russian billionaire Suleiman Abusaidovich Kerimov, Barron's reported on Thursday, citing a person familiar with the matter.The US Department of Justice, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service are probing the bank's work with Delaware-based Heritage Trust, which holds assets owned by Kerimov, the report said.Kerimov was sanctioned by the United States in 2014 and 2018 in response to Russia's actions in Syria and Ukraine.The United States in 2022 had taken enforcement action imposing restrictions against Heritage Trust over interests held by the Russian oligarch.

US President-Elect Donald Trump said on Thursday that a government efficiency panel headed up by billionaire Tesla CEO Elon Musk will issue reports in its work to streamline the US government.Trump on Tuesday said the panel would "provide advice and guidance from outside of government," on slimming down the government, cutting regulations, reducing spending and restructuring federal agencies.Trump and Musk have suggested the panel will make dramatic cuts. However the US Constitution gives Congress the power over the federal budget. Congress can take or disregard advice from outside panels like the proposed efficiency group.

Billionaire Elon Musk, who is an adviser to US President-elect Donald Trump, met with Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations on Monday, the New York Times reported on Thursday.Citing two Iranian officials, the newspaper reported that the meeting was a discussion of how to defuse tensions between Iran and the United States.

US President-elect Donald Trump on Thursday nominated Jay Clayton, a former chairman of the US Securities and Exchange Commission, to serve as Attorney for the Southern District of New York.Trump made the announcement in a post on Truth Social.

Senate Republican Whip John Thune made a post on X/Twitter on Thursday reaffirming the United States' commitment to Israel. "Spoke with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to standing with Israel, our closest friend and ally," his post reads.

US President-elect Donald Trump picked his attorney Todd Blanche as deputy attorney general, Trump said on Thursday.Blanche, a former federal prosecutor, led Trump's defense in his trial about hush money paid to a porn star.He also handled several other legal cases for Trump.Trump lawyer Emil Bove was named by the president-elect as principal associate deputy attorney general and as acting deputy attorney general, Trump said in a statement that added Blanche is in the process of being confirmed by the Senate.

France coach Didier Deschamps expressed disappointment after Thursday's 0-0 draw at home against Israel in the Nations League, acknowledging his team could have performed better.Despite the lackluster draw, France still secured at least second place in Group A2 having 10 points from five games.