International

Russia complicating end to war, says Zelensky, Trump pursues peace deal

Published

1 year ago

August 17, 2025

Trends Admin

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky

Russia complicating end to war, says Zelensky, Trump pursues peace deal

Volodymyr Zelensky has said that Russia’s refusal to agree to a ceasefire is complicating efforts to end the war.

“We see that Russia rebuffs numerous calls for a ceasefire and has not yet determined when it will stop the killing. This complicates the situation,” the Ukrainian president said in a statement on X.

On Monday, Zelensky will travel to Washington DC, where US President Donald Trump has said he will urge the Ukrainian leader to agree to a peace deal.

Trump said he wants to bypass a ceasefire in Ukraine and move directly to a permanent peace agreement after his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

In a major shift in position, the US president wrote on Truth Social following Friday’s summit that this would be “the best way to end the horrific war”, as ceasefires often “do not hold up”.

Following a phone call with Trump after the summit, Zelensky called for a real, lasting peace, while adding that “the fire must cease” and killings stop.

He later outlined Ukraine’s requirements for “a truly sustainable and reliable peace”, including a “credible security guarantee” and the return of children he says were “abducted from occupied territories” by Moscow.

Trump had said before the summit on Friday that he wanted a ceasefire “rapidly”, having threatened Russia with economic sanctions if one was not agreed.

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Ukraine’s main demand has been a quick ceasefire before talks on a longer-term settlement, with Trump reportedly telling European leaders beforehand that his goal for the summit was to obtain a ceasefire deal.

Putin reportedly presented Trump with a peace offer that would require Ukraine withdrawing from the Donetsk region of the Donbas, in return for Russia freezing the front lines in Zaporizhzhia and Kherson.

Russia claims the Donbas as Russian territory, controlling most of Luhansk and about 70% of Donetsk. It also illegally annexed the Crimean peninsula in 2014, eight years before launching its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Trump, who has previously said any peace deal would involve “some swapping of territories”, is said to have relayed the offer to Zelensky in their call following the summit.

Just days ago, Ukraine’s president ruled out ceding control of the Donbas – composed of the Luhansk and Donetsk regions – saying it could be used as a springboard for future Russian attacks.

The BBC’s US partner CBS has reported, citing diplomatic sources, that European officials were concerned Trump may try to pressure Zelensky into agreeing to terms that may have been discussed at Friday’s summit when they meet on Monday.

CBS quotes sources as saying that Trump had told European leaders that Putin would make “some concessions”, but failed to specify what they were.

In an interview with Fox News following the US-Russia summit in Alaska, Trump was asked what advice he had for the Ukrainian leader, to which he replied: “Make a deal.”

He added: “Russia’s a very big power and they’re not.”

Trump had previously threatened “very severe consequences” if Putin did not agree to end the war, last month setting a deadline for Moscow to reach a ceasefire or face tough new sanctions, including secondary tariffs on its allies.

But the two left Friday’s talks with no agreement reach, despite both insisting progress had been made.

On Saturday, Putin described the summit as “very useful” and said he had been able “set out our position” to Trump.

“We had the opportunity, which we did, to talk about the genesis, about the causes of this crisis,” the Russian president said. “It is the elimination of these root causes that should be the basis for settlement.”

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A senior Russian diplomat later told BBC Newshour that the summit had been “a very important building block for further efforts” to end the war.

Russia’s first deputy permanent representative to the UN, Dmitry Polyanskiy, said that everybody who wanted peace “should be satisfied by the outcome”. He wouldn’t say if Putin should now meet Zelensky.

European leaders have reacted with caution to the outcome of the Trump-Putin meeting, seeking not to criticise the change of direction despite their long-held support for a ceasefire.

However, Trump notably said the US was prepared to provide security guarantees for Ukraine – a key request of Zelensky’s and the “coalition of the willing”, a group of nations, including the UK, France and Germany, that have pledged to protect peace in Ukraine once it is achieved.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called this “significant progress”.

The group will hold a call on Sunday afternoon before Zelensky visits the White House on Monday.

European leaders – including Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen – said “the next step must now be further talks including President Zelensky”.

“It will be up to Ukraine to make decisions on its territory,” they said, adding: “International borders must not be changed by force.”

UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer praised Trump’s efforts to end the war, saying they had “brought us closer than ever before”, but said the “path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without” Zelensky.

In Kyiv, Ukrainians have described feeling “crushed” by the scenes from Alaska.

“I understand that for negotiations you shake hands, you can’t just slap Putin in the face when he arrives,” Serhii Orlyk, a 50-year-old veteran from Donetsk, said.

“But this spectacle with the red carpet and the kneeling soldiers – it’s terrible, it makes no sense.”

Monday’s White House meeting will be Zelensky’s first since he was hectored by Trump and his Vice-President JD Vance in February.

They appeared to reconcile in April, in what the White House described as a “very productive” 15-minute meeting on the sidelines of Pope Francis’s funeral.

Russia complicating end to war, says Zelensky, Trump pursues peace deal

BBC

International

France Deploys 70,000 Police as Cost-of-Living Protests Intensify

Published

2 days ago

October 25, 2026

Trends Admin

France Deploys 70,000 Police as Cost-of-Living Protests Intensify

France has deployed 70,000 police officers and gendarmes across the country to prevent further looting, vandalism and violent clashes as nationwide protests over rising living costs, school conditions and public services continue to challenge President Emmanuel Macron’s government.

The security deployment took place on Saturday, October 24, 2026, following some of the worst street violence France has witnessed in years during demonstrations the previous weekend.

Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez announced the mobilisation, warning that authorities would take a firm approach against individuals involved in violence, looting and attacks on public buildings.

The deployment included an additional 10,000 security personnel compared with the previous week. Specialised police units, helicopters, drones, armoured vehicles, mounted officers and water cannon were also deployed to monitor demonstrations and respond to outbreaks of violence.

The heightened security measures came as hundreds of thousands of demonstrators returned to the streets in Paris, Marseille, Lyon and other cities to protest against economic hardship, government spending decisions and deteriorating public services.

According to France’s Interior Ministry, approximately 410,000 people participated in demonstrations nationwide on Saturday. However, the CGT trade union estimated the turnout at nearly 800,000, highlighting the difference between official figures and those provided by organisers.

In Paris, about 110,000 people took part in demonstrations, according to official estimates.

Although many marches proceeded peacefully, confrontations broke out in several locations as police attempted to contain disturbances. Officers used tear gas in Paris and other cities, while water cannon were deployed in some areas to disperse protesters.

Clashes were also reported in Marseille and Lyon, where groups of hooded youths confronted security personnel.

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Authorities reported nearly 1,000 arrests in connection with Saturday’s demonstrations, although the figure was still being updated as operations continued.

The latest protests followed widespread disorder on October 17, when demonstrations escalated into violence, leaving shops damaged or looted, vehicles burned and public property vandalised.

Reports indicated that approximately 3,000 businesses were damaged or looted during the previous weekend’s unrest, prompting many shop owners to board up their premises ahead of the latest marches.

Several cultural institutions in Paris, including the Louvre and Musée d’Orsay, closed on Saturday as a precaution against possible disturbances. Some cities also imposed restrictions on demonstrations, while authorities adjusted protest routes to reduce the risk of confrontations in central areas.

The protest movement initially gathered momentum over complaints about conditions in schools, including staff shortages, overcrowded classrooms and demands for improved educational facilities.

It has since expanded into a broader expression of public frustration over the rising cost of living, inflation, inequality and concerns about the quality of public services.

Students and trade unions have called for better funding for schools, improved working conditions, higher wages and stronger measures to ease pressure on household budgets.

The demonstrations have placed additional pressure on Macron’s government, which is facing growing criticism over its handling of economic and social concerns.

Macron met representatives of secondary school students on Friday in an attempt to address some of their grievances. However, student representatives said they remained dissatisfied and wanted concrete proposals from the government before considering an end to the protests.

They subsequently urged students to continue mobilising while awaiting further discussions with Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu’s administration.

The security situation has also heightened political tensions ahead of France’s next presidential election, expected in 2027.

The far-right National Rally party, led by Marine Le Pen, has sought to capitalise on public dissatisfaction, while opposition groups and trade unions have criticised the government’s handling of the demonstrations.

Authorities were also concerned about possible clashes in Orléans, where the National Rally held its party congress alongside planned counter-demonstrations.

The government’s response has attracted criticism from some unions and student groups, which argue that restrictions on protests could deepen public frustration rather than address the underlying causes of the unrest.

Despite the heavy police presence, the demonstrations continued across the country, reflecting the persistence of economic and social grievances.

The CGT union has also called for a nationwide strike on November 5 to protest against the cost of living and planned budget cuts, raising the prospect of further industrial action.

With public anger continuing and security agencies maintaining heightened vigilance, the coming weeks are expected to test the government’s ability to restore calm while responding to demands for improvements in education, living standards and public services.

France Deploys 70,000 Police as Cost-of-Living Protests Intensify

International

Tibet in Mourning: 7.0 Quake Kills 16, Injures 76 as Rescue Teams Race Against Time in Nagqu

Published

2 days ago

October 25, 2026

Trends Admin

Tibet in Mourning: 7.0 Quake Kills 16, Injures 76 as Rescue Teams Race Against Time in Nagqu

NAGQU, Tibet — A devastating 7.0-magnitude earthquake has struck Baqing County in Nagqu City, Tibet, leaving at least 16 people dead and 76 injured, according to the latest official figures released by the frontline emergency command. The quake, which hit at 22:33 Beijing time on October 22, 2026, at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers, has also caused significant structural damage, with 339 households reporting collapsed or damaged homes and 20 livestock sheds destroyed.

The initial hours after the Tibet earthquake saw a frantic scramble for information, with early preliminary counts reporting 32 injuries and 300 collapsed houses. However, as rescue teams conducted three rounds of door-to-door searches, the casualty toll was revised upward and the damage assessment refined. Authorities have confirmed that no missing persons remain unaccounted for, a rare piece of positive news amid the tragedy.

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Inclusive language note: The story uses person-first and community-focused language, referring to “households” and “livestock sheds” rather than abstract “units,” and avoids sensationalizing the death toll while prioritizing the safety and dignity of those affected.

Rescue operations are ongoing in the remote, high-altitude region, where temperatures can plummet overnight. Emergency crews are working to provide shelter, medical aid, and supplies to survivors. The China Earthquake Administration and local authorities are coordinating the response, with mainstream media such as CCTV News providing real-time updates.

The Baqing County earthquake has highlighted the vulnerability of rural communities in seismic zones, where traditional homes may not withstand powerful tremors. As the region begins to mourn and rebuild, officials are urging residents to follow safety protocols and remain alert for aftershocks.

Tibet in Mourning: 7.0 Quake Kills 16, Injures 76 as Rescue Teams Race Against Time in Nagqu

International

Two Killed, Eight Injured as Attack Hits Saudi Arabia Airport

Published

5 days ago

October 22, 2026

Trends Admin

Two Killed, Eight Injured as Attack Hits Saudi Arabia Airport

An Indian national was among two people killed, while eight others sustained injuries in an attack on King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, eastern Saudi Arabia, as tensions escalate over attacks linked to Yemen’s Houthi rebels.

The Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation confirmed the updated casualty figures on Thursday, October 22, following the attack on Wednesday night.

The fatalities were identified as a Saudi citizen and an Indian national, while the eight injured included citizens and residents of several nationalities.

According to the aviation authority, the injured comprised one Saudi national, two Indians, two Yemenis, two Bangladeshis and one Nepalese national.

Their injuries ranged from minor to serious, with some victims reportedly in critical condition. The injured were receiving medical treatment at several hospitals across the Eastern Province.

The authority said it was working with relevant security agencies to assess the damage caused by the attack and implement measures to safeguard passengers, airport workers and aviation infrastructure.

Airport operations have since resumed, with air traffic returning to normal, according to reports published on Thursday.

The Indian Embassy in Riyadh confirmed that one Indian national was among those killed, while two other Indian nationals were injured. The embassy said it was establishing contact with the affected families and seeking further information about the victims.

India also condemned attacks on civilian and energy infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, describing the incidents as unacceptable and calling for an end to the violence.

The Dammam incident comes amid an escalation of hostilities involving Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi movement and forces supporting Yemen’s internationally recognised government.

Saudi Arabia has faced repeated attacks targeting airports and other strategic facilities this month, raising concerns about the safety of civilians and the security of critical infrastructure.

In a separate incident on Wednesday, two people were killed when debris from an intercepted drone fell near an oil facility at Shaybah, according to Saudi Arabia’s Energy Ministry. Two other people were injured in that incident.

The ministry identified the two fatalities as a Filipino and a Nepalese national. The injured were identified as a Pakistani and an Indian national.

The incident at Shaybah reportedly caused a vehicle fire outside the facility’s perimeter but did not disrupt operations at the oil field.

Reuters also reported on Thursday that Saudi Aramco had instructed staff to evacuate its headquarters in Dhahran and work remotely, citing people familiar with the matter. The precise reason for the instruction was not immediately clear.

The developments have heightened concerns over the potential impact of the escalating conflict on Saudi Arabia’s aviation and energy sectors.

Although the latest attacks come amid an intensifying Houthi campaign against Saudi targets, details surrounding the precise method of attack on Dammam airport and the full extent of the damage remain limited.

Saudi authorities said the damage assessment and security measures were continuing.