News

Russian Missile Strikes Kill 11 in Ukraine as War Reaches Critical Phase

Published

1 year ago

March 8, 2025

RTX

Russian missile strikes on the eastern Ukrainian city of Dobropillia overnight have killed 11 people, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Saturday, describing the attack as further proof that Russia’s objectives remain unchanged. The strikes, which also left over 30 people injured, including five children, have heightened concerns as Ukraine faces growing military pressure while awaiting renewed U.S. support.

Escalating Russian Attacks Amid U.S. Aid Freeze

The attacks come at a pivotal moment in the war, with the United States pausing military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine as part of efforts to pressure Kyiv into negotiations for a peace deal. The suspension has left Ukraine more vulnerable to Russian assaults, further tilting the battlefield in Moscow’s favor.

On Friday, U.S. President Donald Trump—who has been pushing for a ceasefire—suggested that Russian President Vladimir Putin was merely responding to battlefield conditions, saying he was “doing what anybody else would do” in taking advantage of Ukraine’s weakened position.

Zelensky condemned the strikes as “a vile and inhumane tactic of intimidation”, calling for stronger air defenses and tougher sanctions against Russia.

“Everything that helps Putin finance the war must break,” Zelensky stated, emphasizing the need for continued international pressure.

Deadly Toll Across Ukraine

Russian attacks in the past 24 hours have killed at least 23 people and wounded over 50 others in eastern and southern Ukraine, local officials reported.

In Donetsk, Russian strikes killed nine people and injured 13.
A drone attack in the Kharkiv region killed three people and wounded seven.
In Kherson, five people were injured in Russian strikes.

Ukraine’s air force said it had intercepted 79 out of 145 drones launched by Russia overnight, while at least 54 drones did not reach their intended targets. Additionally, Russian forces fired three missiles, with Ukraine’s defenses managing to intercept one.

The strikes come just days after a devastating Russian airstrike on Kryvyi Rih, Zelensky’s hometown, adding to the growing toll on Ukrainian cities.

Ukraine’s Kursk Incursion Under Pressure

Meanwhile, Ukraine’s military is facing mounting pressure in the Russian region of Kursk, where its forces are at risk of losing a key logistical route. Ukrainian and Russian military bloggers have reported a deteriorating situation following the arrival of 12,000 North Korean troops, which have bolstered Russia’s efforts to reclaim lost ground.

Ukraine had launched a surprise incursion into Kursk in August, marking the first foreign invasion of Russian territory since World War II. The move was designed to divert Russian forces from eastern Ukraine and strengthen Kyiv’s position in future ceasefire talks.

However, Ukraine has now lost nearly half of the territory it had seized in Kursk, and Russian forces have advanced into Ukraine’s Sumy region, potentially cutting off Ukrainian troops still operating in Kursk.

With the battlefield shifting and the future of U.S. military aid uncertain, Ukraine faces an increasingly difficult fight to maintain its defensive lines while keeping pressure on Russia’s own borders.

Zelensky is set to meet with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman next week to discuss Kyiv’s military needs and ongoing negotiations with the United States, signaling a critical moment in the war’s trajectory.

News

EU Trade Push in Mexico Coincides With NATO Talks as Europe Faces Shifting US Role and Regional Pressures

Published

11 hours ago

May 22, 2026

Web Reporter

European Union leaders are in Mexico on Friday to conclude negotiations on a renewed EU–Mexico trade agreement, while NATO foreign ministers continue a second day of talks in Sweden focused on uncertainty surrounding Washington’s evolving military commitments in Europe.

The twin diplomatic tracks highlight a week of intense geopolitical activity for Brussels, as officials attempt to reinforce trade ties abroad while reassessing security guarantees at home.

In Mexico City, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa are meeting President Claudia Sheinbaum to finalise what EU officials describe as a modernised trade framework aimed at lowering tariffs, stabilising supply chains and strengthening economic cooperation. Negotiators say the deal is intended to provide more predictable commercial conditions at a time when global trade is increasingly shaped by geopolitical tensions.

EU officials have framed the agreement as part of a broader effort to reduce dependence on volatile markets and reinforce partnerships aligned with the rules-based international order. Javi López, Vice-President of the European Parliament, said the updated deal would help “modernise” relations and ensure more stable trade flows as global competition intensifies.

Back in Europe, finance and economic discussions are being driven by continued pressure from energy costs linked to the war in Iran. European Commissioner for the Economy Valdis Dombrovskis said the bloc is facing a slowdown rather than recession, with inflation expected to remain elevated at just above 3% this year. He rejected calls to return to Russian energy supplies, pointing to the economic risks of dependency highlighted during earlier supply crises.

Italy has urged Brussels to ease fiscal constraints to help households and businesses cope with higher energy prices. EU officials said existing mechanisms already provide limited flexibility but stressed that any additional measures would need to be temporary and targeted.

At the same time, NATO ministers meeting in Helsingborg are grappling with unclear signals from Washington over future US military commitments in Europe. Member states are awaiting clarification on which capabilities may be reduced under revised American defence planning. The uncertainty comes as reports emerge of additional US troop deployments to Poland, adding complexity to alliance discussions over burden-sharing and deterrence strategy.

Defence and diplomacy are also intersecting in ongoing consultations between Ukraine’s leadership and key European allies, including the United Kingdom, France and Germany. Discussions are focused on strengthening Kyiv’s position in negotiations with Russia and exploring new frameworks for closer integration with the EU.

One proposal under debate from German Chancellor Friedrich Merz suggests an “associate membership” model for Ukraine, offering partial access to EU structures without full voting rights. While the European Commission has welcomed the idea as a sign of commitment to enlargement, several diplomats have raised concerns about legal and institutional feasibility.

Together, the developments underline a broader European challenge: balancing economic resilience, security uncertainty and strategic autonomy in an increasingly fragmented global environment.

News

Trump Delays Planned Iran Strike as Gulf Leaders Push for Diplomacy

Published

4 days ago

May 19, 2026

Web Reporter

US President Donald Trump said on Monday that he had postponed a planned military strike on Iran after appeals from Gulf leaders seeking more time for negotiations aimed at ending the conflict in the Middle East.

In a statement posted on his Truth Social platform, Trump said the United States would “hold off” on a military operation that had been scheduled for Tuesday. He said the request came from the leaders of Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, who argued that serious diplomatic efforts were underway and that a deal with Tehran remained possible.

Trump identified the Gulf leaders as Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

“Based on my respect for the leaders, I have instructed our military not to proceed at this time,” Trump wrote, adding that negotiations could still produce an agreement preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.

At the same time, the US president warned that Washington remained prepared for military action if diplomacy failed. Trump said he had directed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Joint Chiefs Chairman General Daniel Caine and US military commanders to remain ready for a “full, large-scale assault” on short notice if an acceptable agreement was not reached.

The announcement came after weeks of rising tensions between Washington and Tehran following US and Israeli strikes on Iran that began in late February. The conflict has shaken regional stability, disrupted shipping routes and driven global oil prices sharply higher.

Negotiations between the two sides have so far produced little progress. Talks held in Pakistan in April ended without an agreement after lengthy discussions over Iran’s nuclear program, sanctions relief and the future of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy route.

Iranian media reported over the weekend that Tehran had submitted a revised proposal through Pakistani mediators. A Pakistani official familiar with the discussions said both sides were running out of time to narrow major differences.

Tehran has insisted on maintaining authority over the Strait of Hormuz, through which nearly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply passes. Iran has largely restricted traffic through the waterway since the outbreak of the war, raising fears of supply disruptions across global energy markets.

On Monday, Iran’s newly established Persian Gulf Strait Authority said it would provide real-time operational updates regarding shipping activity in the strait.

Trump has repeatedly warned Iran in recent days, saying the “clock is ticking” and urging Tehran to move quickly toward a deal. Despite the latest pause in military action, US officials indicated that preparations remain in place should negotiations collapse.

News

Labour Leadership Battle Intensifies as Brexit Returns to Centre of UK Politics

Published

5 days ago

May 18, 2026

Web Reporter

Britain’s political landscape was thrown into fresh uncertainty this weekend as divisions within the ruling Labour Party deepened following heavy electoral losses in Scotland, Wales and local council contests across England.

The setbacks have triggered an open struggle over the future leadership of the party and the direction of Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government, with senior Labour figures now positioning themselves ahead of a possible leadership contest.

Former health secretary Wes Streeting has stepped down from his role and is reportedly preparing to challenge Starmer’s leadership, according to Labour sources. Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham is also expected to enter the race if he secures a return to Parliament through an upcoming by-election in a traditionally pro-Brexit constituency.

Brexit, nearly a decade after Britain voted to leave the European Union, has unexpectedly returned to the centre of national political debate.

Streeting described Brexit on Saturday as a “catastrophic mistake” that had made Britain “less wealthy, less powerful and less in control.” He called for a closer partnership with the European Union and said Britain’s long-term future could eventually lie inside the bloc once again.

Burnham struck a more cautious tone, saying there was a “case” for rejoining the EU in the future, though he stressed he would not campaign on the issue during the by-election amid growing support for Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party in northern England.

The remarks mark a significant shift within Labour, which under Starmer has carefully avoided reopening the Brexit debate in an effort to retain voters in former industrial regions that backed leaving the EU.

Political analysts say the renewed discussion over Europe may appeal to Labour members and pro-EU voters who have increasingly drifted toward the Green Party, even as it risks alienating parts of the party’s traditional working-class base.

The growing divisions come at a tense political moment across Britain. Large demonstrations in London over the weekend highlighted the country’s deepening polarization, with anti-racism and pro-Palestinian protesters gathering alongside supporters of far-right activist Tommy Robinson.

Meanwhile, uncertainty in London is also raising concerns in Brussels ahead of a planned UK-EU summit expected to focus on improving trade ties and resetting relations strained by Brexit.

European officials had hoped the meeting would produce progress on agricultural exports and wider economic cooperation, but Labour’s internal turmoil has cast doubt over the government’s ability to negotiate major agreements.

Elsewhere in Europe, Spain’s conservative Popular Party lost its majority in regional elections in Andalucía and may now require support from the far-right Vox party to govern. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s Socialists also suffered significant losses in a vote viewed as an important test ahead of next year’s national elections.

The developments across Britain and Europe come as governments continue facing mounting political fragmentation, economic uncertainty and growing pressure from both nationalist and populist movements.