7 h. ago Russian media say top official is in Pyongyang again to meet North Korean leader

Russian state media has reported that a top Russian security official traveled to Pyongyang for the second time this month for another meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, the latest display of the countries’ deepening ties amid President Vladimir Putin’s war against Ukraine

Politics

2 w. ago Ukraine war live: deadly Russian attacks continue after Turkey peace talks end with no significant breakthrough

Officials say Russian shelling killed at least five people in different frontline areas of eastern Ukraine on MondayHere is a quick recap of the outcomes of the talks in Istanbul, which ended much sooner than was anticipated, having lasted barely an hour.Russia presented terms during the negotiations that highlighted its refusal to compromise on its longstanding war goals. A text of Moscow’s memorandum, published by Russian state media, said a settlement would require international recognition of Crimea and four other regions of Ukraine that Moscow has claimed as its own territory, as well as the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces. It also ruled out Ukrainian membership of Nato and demanded recognising Russian as the country’s official language.Russia’s memorandum presented two options that both appeared to be non-starters for Ukraine. Option one: for Ukraine to start a full military withdrawal from the Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions. Option two: Ukraine to cease mil...

Events

2 w. ago Ukraine delegation arrives in Istanbul for talks with Russian officials following drone attack in Siberia – Russia

Second round of peace talks follows Kyiv drone attack on Russian air bases A Ukrainian delegation has arrived in Istanbul for talks with Russian officials with a meeting planned for Monday afternoon, the spokesperson for Ukraine’s foreign ministry said.The two sides are set to hold their second round of direct peace talks since 2022, but are still far apart on how to end the war amid an increase in fighting.Ukraine said on Sunday it had destroyed Russian bombers worth billions of dollars as far away as Siberia, in its longest-range assault of the war. In a spectacular claim, Ukraine said it had damaged $7bn worth of Russian aircraft parked at four airbases thousands of kilometres (miles) away, with unverified video footage showing aircraft engulfed in flames and black smoke. A source in the Ukrainian security services (SBU) said the strikes hit 41 planes that were used to “bomb Ukrainian villages”.Several Russian and Ukrainian media outlets reported that Ukraine had carried out the ...

Events

2 w. ago Russian bots turn on ‘clown’ Donald Trump after his comments against Putin’s attacks on Ukraine

Nearly 1,000 posts ridiculing Trump have popped up on Russian social media since the U.S. President shared critical comments on Putin’s war.

Politics

3 w. ago Ukraine war briefing: Kremlin suggests Trump remarks about Putin due to ‘emotional overload’

Spokesperson says Moscow ‘very grateful’ for US president’s peace efforts after Russia launches biggest ever drone attack on Ukraine. What we know on day 1,189The Kremlin has sought to downplay Donald Trump’s latest remarks in regard to Ukraine – in which he said Vladimir Putin had “gone absolutely CRAZY!” – attributing them to “emotional overload”. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters in Moscow on Monday: “This is a very crucial moment, which is naturally accompanied by emotional overload on all sides and emotional reactions,” while adding that Moscow was “very grateful” to the US president for his continued engagement in peace talks.Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy doubled down on criticism of US silence on Russian attacks, after Donald Trump said he was “doing his Country no favours”. “Only a sense of total impunity can allow Russia to carry out such strikes and continue increasing their scale,” Zelenskyy said on social media, adding: “The increase in Russian ...

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3 w. ago Emmanuel Macron says video of wife pushing him shows them ‘joking around’

French president denies quarrelling with Brigitte Macron after footage is seized on by Russia and far-right accountsEmmanuel Macron has denied he and his wife, Brigitte, had an altercation after a viral video promoted by Russian state media and French far-right accounts appeared to show her pushing him in the face as they prepared to get off a plane in Vietnam.The video, shot by an Associated Press camera operator, shows the French president appearing in the doorway of the plane at the start of a visit to Hanoi. His wife’s hand appears to shove him, causing him to step back before recovering and waving. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Merz says ‘no restrictions’ on range limits for Ukraine arms as Kyiv hit by record drone attack – Russia

The Kremlin says giving Ukraine long range missiles is a ‘dangerous move’ as German chancellor says Kyiv can now hit Russian targetsKremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has held his regular media briefing with journalists. When asked for reaction to Donald Trump’s criticism of Vladimir Putin (see post at 08.41) by the BBC’s Russia editor Steve Rosenberg, Peskov thanked the US for its role in trying to bring an end to the war through its mediation efforts, which have so far faltered, but suggested Russian strikes against Ukraine are being launched for security and self-defence. He said in the conference call with reporters:It’s a very important achievement. Of course, at the same time this is a very important moment which is connected to an emotional overload of everyone involved and emotional reactions.We carefully monitor all the reactions. However, President Putin takes those decisions which are necessary for the security of our country.Only a sense of total impunity can allow Russi...

Events

3 w. ago Donald Trump says 'Putin's gone crazy' and predicts 'downfall of Russia' in rant

Donald Trump has spoken out again a 'crazed' Vladimir Putin after a second night of brutal warplane attacks across Ukraine, with Russian state media claiming they would've won already against the UK

Politics

3 w. ago North Korea detains three officials after destroyer launch blunder

The North Korean leader has followed up on threats of revenge after watching a brand-new navy vessel keel over on its side in a national humiliation for the countries military

Politics

3 w. ago Watch: Satellite images show North Korean warship laying on its side after botched launch

Satellite images show a damaged North Korean warship following a botched launch ceremony, which leader Kim Jong Un labelled a “criminal act”.

Events

3 w. ago North Korean defectors urge the UN to hold the country's leader accountable for rights abuses

Two women who fled North Korea have been telling the United Nations about the plight of people still living in the country and urging the world body to hold North Korea’s leader accountable for gross human rights violations

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