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A Ukrainian serviceman stands next to a truck equipped with a machine gun during an air raid alert in Kyiv on Saturday. Photo: AFP
Ukraine war

US-brokered Ukraine peace talks end with no deal, as Russian strikes continue

More talks are expected, however, with a US official saying ‘I don’t think we’re so far away’ from a Putin-Zelensky meeting.

Ukraine war

‘Cynical’: Russia hits Ukraine in huge strike as negotiators try to end war

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Ukraine war

Russia and Ukraine sit for tense talks on thorny territorial issue

Ukraine war

Putin meets US envoys for midnight talks as Ukraine hinges on key issue

US, Ukrainian and Russian negotiators to meet in UAE for security talks as territory remains a sticking point.

Russia’s President Vladimir Putin with Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner and Josh Gruenbaum. Photo: Sputnik via Reuters
Russia’s President Vladimir Putin with Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner and Josh Gruenbaum. Photo: Sputnik via Reuters
Ukraine war

Trump sends message to Putin ‘war has to end’ after ‘good’ meeting with Zelensky

Trump’s comments come after crucial Davos talks with Ukraine’s leader, as peace efforts intensify amid fresh strikes and high-stakes diplomacy.

Ukraine war

US envoy Witkoff to meet Putin in Moscow for pivotal peace talks Thursday

US special envoy and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner head to Russia to pursue a breakthrough on territorial disputes and security guarantees.

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Ukraine war

Almost half of Kyiv without heat, power after massive Russian strike

Over 5,600 buildings lose heat in sub-zero temperatures as Russia targets energy grids amid ongoing US-led peace negotiations.

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Ukrainian servicemen shoot down a missile during a Russian strike in Kyiv on Tuesday. Photo: Reuters
Ukrainian servicemen shoot down a missile during a Russian strike in Kyiv on Tuesday. Photo: Reuters
Russia

Is the Trump-Greenland dispute a win for Russia?

Russia eyes Trump’s Greenland bid straining Nato ties, and while the Kremlin mocks Europe’s dilemma, Moscow fears US unpredictability in the Arctic.

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Russia

Record snow in Russia’s far east blocks building entrances, buries cars

With over five metres of snow since December, Kamchatka residents are forced to carve tunnels to reach their front doors.

Donald Trump

Allies tepid on joining Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’ as countries study invites

Some leaders sign on to the Trump-chaired body, but initial reaction from two key allies, France and Canada, was lukewarm.

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US President Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach, Florida. Photo: AP
Central Asia

Explosion at Chinese restaurant in Afghan capital kills 7

The Afghan branch of Islamic State claimed responsibility for the Kabul attack, saying it was carried out by a suicide bomber.

Taliban security personnel at the scene of the blast in Kabul. Photo: AFP
Taliban security personnel at the scene of the blast in Kabul. Photo: AFP
Israel-Gaza war

Putin invited to Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’ on Gaza conflict: Kremlin

Moscow is seeking clarity on the offer as Putin navigates strained Israel ties and ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza.

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Ukraine war

Top Ukrainian negotiator says talks with US to continue in Davos

Negotiators move from Florida to Switzerland for talks as Ukrainians reel from Russian attacks that have damaged energy infrastructure.

Russia

Putin offers to mediate Iran-Israel tensions after Trump threat

The Russian leader spoke with Israel’s Netanyahu and Iran’s Pezeshkian on Friday, offering Moscow’s help to de-escalate tensions, the Kremlin said.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin delivers a speech during a ceremony at the Grand Kremlin Palace in Moscow on Thursday. Photo: AFP
Ukraine war

Kremlin warns Ukraine running out of time to accept peace terms

The Kremlin insists Ukraine is running out of options as US-led talks stall, warning that the ‘situation is deteriorating’ for Kyiv daily.

Firefighters work at a private delivery company’s logistics hub hit by a Russian missile strike in Kharkiv, Ukraine on Tuesday. Photo: Reuters
Firefighters work at a private delivery company’s logistics hub hit by a Russian missile strike in Kharkiv, Ukraine on Tuesday. Photo: Reuters
Vladimir Putin

How Putin’s focus on Ukraine war leaves allies Venezuela, Iran and Cuba exposed

Russia’s war in Ukraine leaves allies Venezuela, Iran and Cuba vulnerable, exposing security failures and eroding trust in Moscow’s global influence.

Ukraine war

Russia says fired new Oreshnik hypersonic missile in strike against Ukraine

Russia’s Defence Ministry said the attack was retaliation for an alleged attempted drone strike on President Vladimir Putin’s residence.

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Ukraine war

Russia slams West’s ‘axis of war’ as Kyiv says US guarantees ‘essentially ready’

Moscow warns ‘axis of war’ peacekeepers potentially being deployed to Ukraine are targets, overshadowing Zelensky’s claim a US pact is almost ready.

Ukrainian recruits attend training at an undisclosed location in the Zaporizhzhia region of Ukraine on January 1. Photo: EPA/65th Separate Mechanised Brigade press service
Ukrainian recruits attend training at an undisclosed location in the Zaporizhzhia region of Ukraine on January 1. Photo: EPA/65th Separate Mechanised Brigade press service
Ukraine war

Ukraine’s allies agree to ‘robust’ security guarantees in push to end war

UK and France could deploy troops on Ukrainian territory after a ceasefire, but a big question mark hangs over Russia’s response.

Ukraine war

Zelensky replaces security chief and hires Canada’s former deputy PM

Ukraine’s president taps elite ‘Alpha’ commander to lead the SBU and recruits Chrystia Freeland to drive economic development.

India

Trump threatens India with tariff hikes to abandon Russian oil for trade deal

With Trump ally, Senator Lindsey Graham proposing 500 per cent tariffs, New Delhi faces ‘hard choice’ between Russian oil and vital US trade access.

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US President Donald Trump speaks with reporters aboard Air Force One on January 4. Photo: AFP
Ukraine war

Trump says Ukraine did not target Putin residence, disputing Russia’s claim

US president says no evidence Novgorod estate was targeted, even as Russia reports an uptick in drone interceptions in the Moscow region.

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Wreckage of a drone that was shot down allegedly during an attempted strike on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s official residence in the northwestern Novgorod region. Russian Defence Ministry via EPA
Wreckage of a drone that was shot down allegedly during an attempted strike on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s official residence in the northwestern Novgorod region. Russian Defence Ministry via EPA
Russia

Russia’s Medvedev floats kidnapping scenario involving Germany’s Merz

Following the US raid in Venezuela, Russia’s ex-president said the kidnapping of Germany’s chancellor would be an ‘excellent twist’.

Central Asia

‘We miss our parents’: Afghanistan-Pakistan border closure leaves thousands in limbo

The colonial-era Durand Line has been largely closed since the October clashes that killed more than 70 people.

Ukraine war

Trump ‘not thrilled’ with Putin, says too many people dying in Ukraine war

After a US strike that captured Venezuela’s Maduro, Trump said: ‘I thought … one of the easier ones would be Russia, Ukraine. It’s not’.

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US President Donald Trump, right, and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska in August. On Saturday, Trump said Putin was killing “too many people”. Photo: AP
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