Category: World

CloseRussia releases video of drone it says was used in alleged attack on Putin residenceThe Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has told US president Donald Trump that Ukraine did not attempt to assassinate Vladimir Putin, contradicting Russian claims that Ukrainian drones targeted one of the Russian president’s residences.
US intelligence assessed the allegation as false, indicating Putin misrepresented the incident.
Earlier, Russia released videos of alleged drone wreckage and claimed it had decoded files proving the attack, but Ukraine called the footage “laughable” and accused Moscow of staging the incident to derail the peace talks.
Meanwhile, the two countries exchanged drone strikes on each other’s energy grids as the New Year began, according to local officials.
On New Year’s Eve, Russia claimed Ukrainian drones struck a cafe and hotel in the occupied village of Khorly, Kherson region, killing 24 and injuring at least 50, with one drone reportedly carrying an incendiary mixture…

The French government has defended its decision to grant citizenship to Hollywood actor George Clooney and his wife, human rights lawyer Amal Clooney.
Officials said that the couple were naturalised because “they contribute, through their distinguished actions, to France’s international influence and cultural outreach”.
The naturalisations, which also include their twins Ella and Alexander, were announced last weekend in the Journal Officiel, the official gazette for French decrees.
However, Marie-Pierre Vedrenne, a junior minister at the Interior Ministry, expressed misgivings on Wednesday. She suggested that some French compatriots might believe the star couple received special treatment, given the actor’s own admission that his French is “horrible, horrible”.
Speaking to France Info, she said: “The message being sent is not good.”
She added: “There is an issue of fairness that, in my eyes, is absolutely essential.”
open image in galleryGeorge and Amal Clooney have been granted F..

CloseRussia-Ukraine War: One Year OnVolodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine was “10 per cent” away from a deal to end the war with Russia, but not at “any cost”.
“The peace agreement is 90 per cent ready. Ten per cent remains. And that is far more than just numbers,” Zelensky said in his New Year's Eve address
Kyiv is also discussing the possibility of hosting US troops as part of peace talks with US president Donald Trump.
“This would be a strong position of the security guarantees,” he said in a WhatsApp chat with the media.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian drones have struck an oil depot that is a key Russian logistics hub for fuel, Kyiv’s domestic security service says.
Officials said the attack in the city of Rybinsk sparked a large fire.
Russian attacks on Ukraine continued, wounding at least six people in air strikes on the Odesa region. Three children and a 42-year-old man were injured. More than 170,000 people have been left without power
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Russia’s claim that Ukraine launched a 91-drone strike on Vladimir Putin’s personal residence has threatened to derail months of talks over a peace deal to end Moscow’s invasion.
Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky has called the claims a “complete fabrication” intended to lay the groundwork for future strikes on Kyiv and other areas of Ukraine.
“I am sure they are simply preparing the ground for strikes, probably on the capital, probably on government buildings,” he said.
Donald Trump appeared swayed by Russian claim and said he was “very angry” at the news of the strikes. That reaction is likely one of the aims of Moscow’s accusations – with Trump’s support having wavered between Kyiv and Moscow in recent months.
Europe has sought to back Kyiv with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas calling the claims “unfounded” and a “deliberate distraction” in remarks on Wednesday.
“Moscow aims to derail real progress towards peace by Ukraine and its Western partners,” Ms Kallas wrote on X/Twi..

Russian losses in the war in Ukraine have been growing at a faster rate than at any point so far since the invasion began in February 2022, new analysis suggests.
Analysis by the BBC found that 40 per cent more obituaries of soldiers were published in Russia this year compared with 2024.
The broadcaster, along with independent outlet Mediazona, compiled a list of named individuals using official reports, newspapers and social media, as well as new memorials and graves. In total, they were able to confirm the names of around 160,000 people who have been killed.
Experts told the broadcaster that the figure is likely to be far higher, with the BBC’s toll only likely to represent between 45 and 65 per cent of the overall total. This would mean that Moscow has suffered between 243,000 and 352,000 casualties since the war began.
open image in galleryA Russian soldier fires a Malka self-propelled gun towards Ukrainian positions (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service)The BBC’s data shows t..