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European Leaders Mark Three Years of Ukraine War in Kyiv as Top U.S. Officials Stay Away 

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European Leaders Mark Three Years of Ukraine War in Kyiv as Top U.S. Officials Stay Away 

European leaders convened in Kyiv on Monday to mark the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, while top U.S. officials were notably absent, highlighting a shift in Washington’s approach under President Donald Trump. 

Amid strained relations between the U.S. and Ukraine, Kyiv announced it was finalizing an agreement with Washington granting access to Ukraine’s mineral wealth. Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna expressed hope that both nations’ leaders would sign the deal in Washington soon. 

During a meeting with visiting French President Emmanuel Macron, Trump indicated that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy could travel to Washington in the coming weeks to finalize the minerals agreement, which he described as “very close.” Trump also suggested the war could end within weeks but did not elaborate. 

Kyiv has insisted on security guarantees as part of the deal, rejecting an earlier draft that proposed $500 billion in U.S. access to Ukrainian resources without equivalent aid commitments. A Ukrainian official said Washington had yet to respond to the final revisions, with security guarantees remaining a key point of contention. 

Zelenskyy hosted a summit of European leaders in Kyiv, urging continued support for Ukraine’s defense. “This year should be the beginning of real, lasting peace,” he said, emphasizing that Russian President Vladimir Putin would not voluntarily end the conflict. 

Attendees included European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President Antonio Costa, and leaders from Canada, Denmark, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Finland, Norway, Spain, and Sweden. Other leaders from the UK, Germany, Poland, Japan, and Turkey joined via video link. Notably, no U.S. representatives participated. 

Von der Leyen stated that Ukraine could join the European Union by 2030 if it maintained its reform pace. European officials reaffirmed their commitment to Kyiv, with some stressing the urgent need for increased defense spending. 

Trump’s direct negotiations with Russia—excluding both Ukraine and European allies—have unsettled European officials. The Trump administration’s warning that U.S. security priorities were shifting away from Europe further deepened concerns. 

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas acknowledged that Trump’s actions had left European leaders “worried” but expressed hope for maintaining transatlantic ties. “The statements coming from the U.S. make us all concerned,” she said after an EU foreign ministers’ meeting in Brussels. “But we have worked through differences before, and we expect to do so again.” 

At the United Nations, rival resolutions exposed widening divides between the U.S., Ukraine, and Europe. The U.S. abstained from voting on its own proposed resolution after European nations successfully amended it. 

Speaking to reporters, Trump said he had held discussions with Group of Seven leaders, including Macron, about ending the war. He also suggested he was open to visiting Moscow and was engaged in “serious discussions” with Putin about both ending the war and potential economic agreements between the U.S. and Russia. 

Macron, during a meeting with Trump at the White House, reiterated Europe’s willingness to provide security guarantees for Ukraine, including potential peacekeeping forces in the event of a ceasefire. However, Washington has made clear it will not send troops, leaving Europe to shoulder the security burden. 

Since the start of the war, thousands of Ukrainian civilians have died, and more than six million remain displaced abroad. Military casualties on both sides are estimated in the hundreds of thousands. 

On the battlefield, Ukraine reported that Russia launched 185 drones overnight without causing significant damage. Meanwhile, Kyiv claimed responsibility for striking Russia’s Ryazan refinery, continuing its strategic attacks on Russian oil infrastructure.

3 Explosive Devices Target Russian Consulate in Marseille on Ukraine War Anniversary 

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3 Explosive Devices Target Russian Consulate in Marseille on Ukraine War Anniversary 

French authorities confirmed that three explosive devices were thrown at the perimeter wall of Russia’s consulate in Marseille on Monday, coinciding with the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Two of the devices detonated, but no injuries were reported. 

It remains unclear whether the projectiles cleared the consulate’s wall. French media outlet BFM TV reported that Molotov cocktails were used in the attack, landing in the consulate’s garden. In response, consulate staff were instructed to remain indoors as police sealed off the area. 

France swiftly condemned the incident, reaffirming the protection of diplomatic missions under international law. 

“France condemns any infringement of the security of diplomatic compounds,” a foreign ministry spokesperson stated. “The inviolability, protection, and integrity of diplomatic and consular compounds and their staff are fundamental principles in international law.” 

Russia responded by demanding a thorough investigation, calling the attack an act of terrorism, according to state news agency TASS. 

“The explosions on the territory of the Russian Consulate General in Marseille have all the hallmarks of a terrorist attack,” Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said. “We demand that the host country undertake exhaustive and speedy investigative measures, as well as steps to strengthen the security of Russia’s foreign missions.” 

The attack took place as European and Canadian leaders gathered in Kyiv to express support for Ukraine’s ongoing war effort. French police have launched an investigation into the incident.

US Abstains as UN Votes on Ukraine War Resolution Amid Russian Opposition 

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US Abstains as UN Votes on Ukraine War Resolution Amid Russian Opposition 

The United States failed to secure approval from the UN General Assembly for its resolution aimed at ending the war in Ukraine without explicitly citing Russian aggression. 

The vote, held on the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion, was seen as a diplomatic win for Ukraine and a setback for the administration of President Donald Trump. Resolutions passed by the 193-member UN body are non-binding but serve as a measure of international sentiment. 

Despite this, the vote also reflected a decline in global support for Ukraine. A separate, European-backed Ukrainian resolution demanding Russia’s immediate withdrawal passed with 93 votes in favor, 18 against, and 65 abstentions—significantly lower than previous resolutions where over 140 nations condemned Russia’s actions. 

The United States had reportedly urged Ukraine to withdraw its resolution in favor of the US proposal, according to diplomatic sources. When Ukraine refused, the assembly revised the US resolution to explicitly acknowledge Russia’s invasion, aligning it more closely with Kyiv’s stance. 

The amended resolution was then put to a vote, receiving 93 votes in favor, 8 against, and 73 abstentions. Ukraine supported the measure, while the US abstained and Russia opposed it. 

Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Mariana Betsa reaffirmed her country’s right to self-defense in response to Russia’s invasion, emphasizing that the aggression violates the UN Charter’s principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity. 

“As we mark three years of this devastation—Russia’s full invasion against Ukraine—we call on all nations to stand firm and take the side of the Charter, the side of humanity, and the side of just and lasting peace, peace through strength,” Betsa stated. 

US Deputy Ambassador Dorothy Shea acknowledged the failure of previous UN resolutions condemning Russia to halt the war. “What we need is a resolution marking the commitment from all UN member states to bring a durable end to the war,” Shea said. 

The competing resolutions highlight growing tensions between the US and Ukraine following Trump’s unexpected diplomatic overtures to Moscow. His administration’s negotiations with Russia—conducted without involving Ukraine or European allies—have raised concerns among Western nations. 

Trump’s remarks referring to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as a “dictator” and his unfounded claims that Kyiv initiated the conflict have further strained relations. Zelenskyy countered by accusing Trump of being influenced by Russian disinformation. 

As a result, the Trump administration not only declined to endorse Ukraine’s UN resolution but also introduced its own version at the last minute, urging allies to support it instead. The move comes ahead of Trump’s scheduled meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron in Washington. 

Meanwhile, China, which holds the UN Security Council presidency this month, has scheduled a separate vote on the US proposal in the Security Council on Monday afternoon.

Shariah Court in Indonesia Sentences Two Men to Public Caning for Homosexuality 

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Shariah Court in Indonesia Sentences Two Men to Public Caning for Homosexuality 

An Islamic Shariah court in Indonesia’s Aceh province sentenced two men to public caning on Monday after convicting them of engaging in gay sex. 

The men, aged 24 and 18, were arrested on November 7 after neighborhood vigilantes in Banda Aceh suspected them of being in a same-sex relationship. The group broke into their rented room and discovered them naked and embracing. 

A three-judge panel ruled that the two students were “legally and convincingly” proven to have engaged in same-sex relations and sentenced them to 85 and 80 lashes, respectively. 

“During the trial, it was proven that the defendants committed illicit acts, including kissing and having sex,” said Judge Sakwanah, who, like many Indonesians, uses a single name. She stated that, as Muslims, the men were expected to uphold Aceh’s Shariah law. 

The court imposed a sentence lower than the maximum of 100 lashes, citing the defendants’ cooperation with authorities, good behavior in court, and lack of prior convictions. 

Prosecutors initially recommended 80 lashes for both, but the judges increased the penalty for the older man, believing he had encouraged and facilitated the act. 

Both the prosecution and defense accepted the verdict and confirmed they would not appeal. 

Aceh is the only province in Indonesia authorized to enforce Shariah law, distinguishing it from the rest of the Muslim-majority country. The national government granted Aceh the right to implement Islamic law in 2006 as part of a peace agreement to end a decades-long separatist conflict. Since then, the province has established a religious police force and court system, with public caning becoming a routine form of punishment. 

In 2015, Aceh expanded its Islamic criminal code to include non-Muslims, who make up about 1% of the province’s population. Under the law, moral offenses—including same-sex relations and extramarital sex—are punishable by up to 100 lashes. This case marks the third instance of public caning for homosexuality in Aceh. 

Other punishable offenses under Aceh’s Shariah law include gambling, alcohol consumption, women wearing tight clothing, and men failing to attend Friday prayers. 

Human rights organizations have strongly condemned the law, arguing that it violates Indonesia’s commitments to international treaties protecting minority rights. 

Indonesia’s national criminal code does not criminalize homosexuality, and the central government lacks the authority to repeal Aceh’s Islamic-based regulations. However, a prior provision allowing stoning as a punishment for adultery was removed following pressure from national authorities.

French Surgeon on Trial for Rape and Abuse of 299 Victims, Mostly Children

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French Surgeon on Trial for Rape and Abuse of 299 Victims, Mostly Children

A former surgeon is set to stand trial in France on Monday, accused of raping or sexually abusing 299 victims, most of them children who were his patients. Investigators and his own notebooks describe a pattern of abuse spanning more than three decades. 

Joël Le Scouarnec, 74, faces a four-month trial in Vannes, Brittany. Photo: rfi.fr

Joël Le Scouarnec, 74, faces a four-month trial in Vannes, Brittany, where he will confront hundreds of victims. If convicted, he could receive up to 20 years in prison, in addition to the 15-year sentence he has been serving since 2020 after being found guilty of raping and sexually assaulting children. 

While he does not deny the allegations, Le Scouarnec claims he does not remember all of the incidents. Some victims also have no memory of the assaults, as they were unconscious at the time. 

The trial is taking place amid growing efforts by activists to expose and challenge long-standing taboos surrounding sexual abuse in France. The case follows the high-profile conviction of Gisèle Pélicot’s ex-husband and dozens of other men, who were sentenced in December to prison terms ranging from three to 20 years for drugging and raping her. 

Child protection groups, women’s rights organizations, and medical associations have called for a demonstration outside the courthouse as the trial begins. 

Le Scouarnec was first investigated in 2017 after a six-year-old neighbor accused him of inappropriate touching over the fence of their properties. A subsequent search of his home led to the discovery of over 300,000 photos, 650 pedophilic, zoophilic, and scatological video files, and detailed notebooks where he described himself as a pedophile and documented his crimes, according to investigators. 

In 2020, he was convicted of raping and sexually assaulting four children, including two of his nieces, and sentenced to 15 years in prison. While he admitted to abuse dating back to 1985-1986, some cases could not be prosecuted due to the statute of limitations. 

The current trial will examine allegations of rape and sexual abuse committed between 1989 and 2014 against 158 men and 141 women, who were on average 11 years old at the time. Investigators say the surgeon assaulted both boys and girls while they were alone in their hospital rooms. 

One of the victims, Amélie Lévêque, recalled being hospitalized at age 9 in 1991, describing Le Scouarnec as a cruel surgeon. “I didn’t really remember the operation. I remembered the post-operation, a surgeon who was quite mean. I cried a lot,” she said. 

Years later, she was shocked to find her name in his notebooks. “That was the beginning of the answers to a lifetime of questions, and then it was the beginning of the descent into hell,” she told public broadcaster France 3. “I felt like I had lost control of everything. I wasn’t crazy, but now I had to face the truth of what had happened.” 

She described falling into a deep depression, feeling completely alone despite support from her family. 

Le Scouarnec’s lawyer, Thibaut Kurzawa, told *Sud-Ouest* newspaper that his client will “answer the judges’ questions” and has decided “to face up to reality.” 

Despite a 2005 conviction for possessing and importing child sexual abuse material—resulting in a suspended four-month prison sentence—Le Scouarnec was appointed as a hospital practitioner the following year. 

Several child protection organizations have joined the case as civil parties, seeking stronger legal safeguards to prevent future abuse. 

Georgia Man Sentenced to 20 Years for Bombing Woman’s Home and Plotting Python Attack on Daughter

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Georgia Man Sentenced to 20 Years for Bombing Woman’s Home and Plotting Python Attack on Daughter

A Georgia man has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to bombing a woman’s home and conspiring to release a python into her house to harm her daughter, federal prosecutors announced. 

Stephen Glosser, 38, of Savannah, admitted to charges of stalking and using an explosive to commit another felony offense, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Georgia. In addition to his prison term, he was ordered to pay more than $500,000 in restitution to the victims and serve three years of supervised release. 

The bombing occurred on January 13, 2023, in Richmond Hill, a city just south of Savannah. Authorities said the explosion caused extensive damage to the home, blowing bricks off the exterior and leaving a large crater in the driveway.

A woman and her child were inside the residence at the time but were not injured. Bryan County Sheriff Mark Crowe described the devastation as unlike anything he had seen in his 26 years in law enforcement, comparing the destruction inside the home to the aftermath of a tornado. 

Glosser and his co-defendant, 34-year-old Caleb Kinsey, were arrested the following month. Kinsey, who remains in custody, is awaiting prosecution in the Southern District of Georgia. 

According to investigators, Glosser and Kinsey conspired for months to terrorize the woman, using electronic surveillance to track her movements. Prosecutors said their plans included releasing a large python into her home to attack her daughter, shooting arrows into her front door, mailing dog feces and dead rats to her address, and scalping her. Additional evidence uncovered in the case revealed that the two men also discussed bombing a courthouse and targeting a former coworker. 

Authorities said Glosser met the woman through a dating app and used online tools and cellphone data to locate her home after their casual relationship ended. Kinsey, described as a friend and roommate of Glosser, allegedly purchased explosive targets online, which the pair used to construct the homemade bomb. After mapping a route to the victim’s residence, they planted the device, detonating it with enough force to cause significant structural damage. 

Investigators discovered that Glosser attempted to conceal evidence by hiring a cleaning service to remove bomb-making residue from his residence. A black SUV linked to Kinsey was seen speeding away from the crime scene. Search warrants executed on their home and mobile devices revealed further details of their plans. 

Glosser was arrested in Georgia, while Kinsey was taken into custody in Louisiana. Georgia Bureau of Investigation Director Chris Hosey emphasized the severity of the case, stating that those who use terror and threats to intimidate others will face the full force of the law. 

Kinsey remains in custody as he awaits prosecution. 

British Couple in Their 70s Detained by Taliban in Afghanistan

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British Couple in Their 70s Detained by Taliban in Afghanistan

A British couple in their 70s who have lived in Afghanistan for nearly two decades and run education programs have been detained by the Taliban, their family confirmed. 

Peter Reynolds, 79, and his wife Barbie, 75, were arrested earlier this month, though the reason for their detention remains unclear, according to their four adult children. 

The couple, who were married in Kabul in 1970, have lived in Afghanistan for the past 18 years. They remained in the country even after the Taliban seized power in 2021 following the withdrawal of Western forces. 

Peter and Barbie Reynolds run Rebuild, an organization providing education and training programs for businesses, government agencies, educational institutions, and non-governmental organizations. The group’s website features images of men and women participating in teacher training and management courses. 

Since retaking control of Afghanistan, the Taliban has imposed severe restrictions on women’s rights, banning most female education and employment, making the country one of the most repressive places for women. 

In an open letter to the Taliban’s Interior Ministry, the couple’s children emphasized their parents’ commitment to Afghanistan. 

“They have always been open about their presence and work, diligently respecting and obeying the laws as they change. They do not represent another religion, and they love Muslims dearly,” the letter, shared with Sky News, read. 

The couple, who also hold Afghan citizenship, reportedly messaged their children after their arrests, stating that they did not want Western authorities to intervene. 

In the letter, their children acknowledged past cases where foreign detainees were exchanged in negotiations between the Taliban and Western governments but urged that their parents not be used for such purposes. 

“Our parents have consistently expressed their commitment to Afghanistan, stating that they would rather sacrifice their lives than become part of ransom negotiations or be traded. We trust that this is not your intention, as we are instructed to respect their wishes to remain with you,” they wrote. 

They further added, “They have chosen Afghanistan as their home, rather than living with family in England, and they wish to spend the rest of their lives in Afghanistan.” 

The UK Foreign Office declined to comment but is aware of the arrests. The United Kingdom does not recognize the Taliban as Afghanistan’s official government and does not have an embassy in Kabul. 

bbc.com

Russia and U.S. Set for Another High-Level Talks Amid Ukraine Conflict

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Russia and U.S. Set for Another High-Level Talks Amid Ukraine Conflict

Russian and U.S. officials are preparing to hold a high-level meeting this week to discuss strained diplomatic relations, as tensions stemming from the war in Ukraine continue to impact global stability, a senior Russian diplomat said Sunday. 

The conflict in Ukraine has driven U.S.-Russia relations to their lowest point since the Cold War. With Russian forces making territorial advances over the past year, U.S. President Donald Trump has reiterated his intention to broker a peace deal if re-elected, arguing the war has caused significant loss of life. 

Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke on February 12 about improving bilateral relations and ending the war, while U.S. and Russian representatives met in Riyadh on February 18 for preliminary discussions. 

Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov, Russia’s lead negotiator on U.S. relations, confirmed that departmental-level meetings are scheduled to take place by the end of the week. 

“We are open to contacts with the American side, particularly on resolving bilateral disputes,” Ryabkov told Russian state news agency TASS. “We are awaiting tangible progress at the upcoming meeting.” 

Trump has repeatedly expressed confidence that both Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky are open to reaching a deal. On February 12, Trump said Ukraine’s bid for NATO membership was impractical, echoing statements from U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who asserted that Ukraine would not realistically reclaim its pre-2014 borders. 

As the war enters its fourth year, Russia controls nearly 20% of Ukraine, an area comparable to the U.S. state of Ohio. This includes Crimea, annexed in 2014, along with roughly 75% of Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions, and nearly all of Luhansk. 

Moscow maintains that these territories are now legally part of Russia and under its nuclear umbrella, a stance rejected by Ukraine and its Western allies. 

In June 2023, Putin outlined his conditions for ending the war, demanding Ukraine formally abandon its NATO ambitions and withdraw from Russian-occupied regions. Ukraine and its European allies have firmly opposed these terms, vowing not to recognize Russian territorial claims. 

American Airlines Flight Diverted to Rome Over Security Concern 

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American Airlines Flight Diverted to Rome Over Security Concern 

An American Airlines flight traveling from New York to New Delhi was diverted to Rome on Sunday due to a security concern later determined to be non-credible, the airline said. The aircraft landed safely at Leonardo da Vinci International Airport and is scheduled to depart for Delhi on Monday following mandatory crew rest. 

The flight, American Airlines 292, departed from John F. Kennedy International Airport and was en route to Indira Gandhi International Airport before being rerouted. 

American Airlines said in a statement that flight 292 diverted to Rome due to a possible security concern. Law enforcement in Rome inspected and cleared the aircraft, allowing it to proceed with its scheduled journey. 

A flight-tracking account, Flight Emergency, posted on X, formerly Twitter, that the flight was diverted due to a bomb threat. 

The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, carrying approximately 200 passengers, landed in Rome at 16:20 GMT, according to airport officials. 

The plane was flying over the Caspian Sea when the airline alerted the crew of a potential bomb threat, sources said. 

A senior official cited by ABC News stated that the threat was received via email but was later deemed unfounded. 

The aircraft and its passengers are expected to resume their journey after the required crew rest period, with the flight scheduled to depart for New Delhi on Monday. 

Pope Francis Remains in Critical Condition, Shows Signs of Kidney Insufficiency

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Pope Francis Remains in Critical Condition, Shows Signs of Kidney Insufficiency

Pope Francis remains in critical condition as he battles double pneumonia, with doctors reporting a “slight insufficiency” in his kidney function, the Vatican said Sunday. 

The 88-year-old pontiff, who was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli hospital on February 14, has been receiving treatment for a “prolonged asthma-like respiratory crisis” that required a blood transfusion on Saturday. While his condition remains serious, Vatican officials noted that he has not suffered further respiratory crises since the previous night. 

According to the latest medical bulletin, blood tests revealed an early-stage renal insufficiency, though it is currently under control. 

“The Holy Father remains critical; however, his respiratory condition has stabilized, and treatment is ongoing,” the Vatican said. 

Doctors have placed the pope on high-flow oxygen therapy to aid his breathing as he continues his fight against the infection, which has been described as “complex” due to the presence of multiple microorganisms. 

The Vatican confirmed that Francis’ blood transfusion had improved his hemoglobin levels, aiding oxygen transport in his body. His platelet count—previously flagged as dangerously low—has also remained stable. 

The pontiff has a history of lung issues, having had part of one lung removed due to pleurisy in his youth. His age and frailty increase the risk of complications, with doctors warning that his condition could lead to sepsis if the infection spreads to his bloodstream. 

As news of his health struggles spreads, faithful pilgrims have gathered near the Vatican and outside Gemelli hospital to pray for Francis. 

“I am very, very sad,” said Elvira Romana, a visitor from Italy. “I don’t know how you can continue normally at this moment.” 

At St. Peter’s Basilica, Archbishop Rino Fisichella called for “stronger and more intense” prayers for the pontiff’s recovery. The Diocese of Rome held a special Mass on Sunday evening to “give Francis the strength to overcome this moment of trial.” 

In a written message for the Sunday Angelus prayer, which he was unable to lead for the second consecutive week, Francis expressed gratitude for his medical team and the countless well-wishes he has received from around the world. 

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