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Zelenskyy Rejects US-Russia Negotiations on Ukraine War 

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Zelenskyy Rejects US-Russia Negotiations on Ukraine War 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Monday that Ukraine will not recognize any agreement on the war reached between the United States and Russia without its direct involvement. 

His remarks come as Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is set to meet with U.S. officials in Saudi Arabia for talks on ending the nearly three-year war. The discussions mark the highest-level in-person engagement between the two nations since the conflict began. 

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Riyadh for the talks, which could set the stage for a potential meeting later this month between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. 

Meanwhile, European Union leaders are holding an emergency summit in Paris to address concerns that Trump’s approach could sideline both Ukraine and the EU in negotiations. 

Zelenskyy said Ukraine was not invited to the talks and would not acknowledge any outcome reached without its involvement. 

“Ukraine will not take part. Ukraine did not know anything about it,” Zelenskyy told reporters in a virtual briefing from the United Arab Emirates, where he is on an official visit. 

“Ukraine considers any negotiations on Ukraine without Ukraine to be invalid, and we cannot recognize any agreements made about us without us,” he added. 

Zelenskyy said he plans to visit Saudi Arabia on Wednesday. 

The U.S. State Department confirmed that senior officials will meet with their Russian counterparts in Riyadh on Tuesday. 

“Secretary of State Rubio, National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, and special envoy Steve Witkoff will meet with the Russian delegation,” State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said in a statement. 

The Kremlin had earlier announced Lavrov’s participation in the talks. 

The discussions come amid intensified fighting in eastern Ukraine, where Ukrainian military officials report Russian forces advancing toward the strategic city of Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region. Moscow also launched a large-scale drone attack on Ukrainian cities ahead of the EU summit.

23-Year-Old Male Syrian National, Stabs Five in Austria, Killing One in Suspected Random Attack

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23-Year-Old Male Syrian National, Stabs Five in Austria, Killing One in Suspected Random Attack

A 23-year-old man stabbed five people in a random attack in southern Austria on Saturday, leaving a 14-year-old boy dead and four others injured, according to police. 

Authorities detained the suspect in Villach, where the attack occurred. He has been identified as a Syrian national with legal residency in Austria, police said. 

Police spokesperson Rainer Dionisio stated that the suspect’s motive remains unclear, and investigations into his background are ongoing. “We have to wait until we get secure information,” he said. 

A 42-year-old food delivery worker witnessed the incident from his car and intervened, helping to prevent further casualties, Dionisio told Austria’s public broadcaster ORF. 

The victims, all male, included two individuals who sustained serious injuries, while the other two suffered minor wounds, police said. 

Peter Kaiser, governor of the Austrian province of Carinthia, extended condolences to the family of the 14-year-old victim. “This outrageous atrocity must be met with harsh consequences. Those who live in Carinthia, in Austria, must respect the law and adapt to our values,” he said. 

Far-right leader Herbert Kickl condemned the attack on X, calling it “horrific” and expressing sympathy for the victim’s family. He also criticized Austrian immigration policies, stating, “At the same time, I am angry—angry at those politicians who have allowed stabbings, rapes, gang wars, and other capital crimes to become the norm in Austria.” 

Kickl further claimed that the current asylum policies have failed, urging stricter immigration laws: “We need a rigorous crackdown on asylum and must not continue to import conditions like those in Villach.” 

Conservative party leader Christian Stocker echoed similar sentiments, demanding the suspect be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. “We all want to live in a safe Austria, and political measures must be taken to prevent such acts in the future,” he wrote on X. 

Social Democrat leader Andreas Babler also weighed in, emphasizing the necessity of swift justice. “The full force of the law must be applied. Crimes like this simply should not happen in our society,” he stated. 

Authorities have not confirmed whether the suspect acted alone and are continuing to search for potential accomplices. No known connection between the attacker and the victims has been established. 

Austria’s Interior Minister Gerhard Karner is expected to visit Villach on Sunday morning, with authorities planning to set up a public mourning area in the city center for those wishing to grieve. 

According to Austria’s Interior Ministry, 24,941 foreigners have applied for asylum in the country in 2024. The largest group of applicants came from Syria, followed by Afghanistan. The number of asylum seekers has significantly decreased from over 100,000 in 2022 to approximately 59,000 in 2023. 

In December, several European nations, including Austria, suspended decisions on asylum claims from Syrian nationals due to the unstable political situation in Syria. Migration remains a key political issue across Europe, with far-right parties gaining traction in recent elections. 

In a related incident, German authorities reported that a two-year-old girl and her mother died two days after being struck in a car-ramming attack during a labor union demonstration in Munich. This marks the fifth immigrant-related attack in Germany in the past nine months, with migration emerging as a central issue ahead of the country’s elections on February 23. 

AP

Kanye West and Bianca Censori ‘Have No Prenup’ as Couple ‘Search for Divorce Lawyers’

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Kanye West and Bianca Censori ‘Have No Prenup’ as Couple ‘Search for Divorce Lawyers’

Kanye West and his wife, Bianca Censori, are reportedly preparing for divorce, with sources indicating the couple does not have a prenuptial agreement, according to TMZ. 

The controversial rapper and his Australian architect wife have allegedly contacted divorce attorneys, setting the stage for a potential multi-million dollar legal battle. Under California law, both assets and debts are divided equally, meaning Censori could face financial liabilities despite West’s reported monetary losses since their marriage. 

Milo Yiannopoulos, a representative for the couple, denied the split rumors, telling The Hollywood Reporter that West and Censori planned to spend Valentine’s Day together in Los Angeles. 

Speculation intensified after West posted and later deleted a cryptic message about coercion on Instagram. The post surfaced shortly after he made controversial claims on X, formerly Twitter, asserting control over Censori. 

According to The Daily Mail, Censori is expected to file divorce papers in the coming days, with reports suggesting she will receive a $5 million payout. 

The pair made headlines at the 2024 Grammys, where Censori appeared in a sheer mesh dress while West wore a black ensemble. Witnesses told The U.S. Sun that the couple appeared to argue before stepping onto the red carpet. 

West, known for his controversial remarks, has faced backlash for comments regarding Censori and marriage dynamics. On February 7, he stated, “I have dominion over my wife. This ain’t no woke feminist nonsense,” sparking concern among fans. 

The rapper married Censori shortly after finalizing his divorce from Kim Kardashian in 2021. Over the past year, the couple has spent significant time abroad, particularly in Tokyo, amid West’s ongoing legal troubles in the United States. 

the-sun.co.uk

Conservative Influencer Claims She Secretly Gave Birth to Elon Musk’s Child

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Conservative Influencer Claims She Secretly Gave Birth to Elon Musk’s Child

Conservative influencer Ashley St. Clair announced on social media that she secretly gave birth to a child fathered by billionaire Elon Musk five months ago.

St. Clair, 26, shared the revelation in a post on X, formerly Twitter, on the evening of Valentine’s Day.

“Five months ago, I welcomed a new baby into the world. Elon Musk is the father,” St. Clair wrote.

She said she had not disclosed the child’s birth earlier to protect the baby’s privacy and safety. “I intend to allow our child to grow in a normal and safe environment. For that reason, I ask that the media honor our child’s privacy and refrain from invasive reporting.”

Shortly after the post, Musk responded cryptically to a fan’s comment on X, which referred to him having “another baby” as part of his “side quests.” Musk reacted with a crying-laughing emoji but did not confirm or deny the claim.

Reports indicate that St. Clair moved into a luxury Manhattan apartment near City Hall about a year ago, with rent estimated at $12,000 to $15,000 per month. A resident of the building noted she was among the first to receive a Tesla Cybertruck, raising questions about how the influencer could afford it.

Neighbors described St. Clair as appearing to live as a single mother, with a full-time nanny caring for two children: the alleged baby with Musk and a toddler from a previous relationship.

Musk, 53, has fathered at least 12 other children with three women: his first wife, Justine Wilson; musician Claire Elise Boucher, known as Grimes; and Neuralink executive Shivon Zilis.

St. Clair and Musk had previously drawn attention for their public exchanges on X, which included flirtatious remarks and innuendo. Their messages, dating back to May 2023, referenced relationships and parenting, fueling speculation about their connection.

Musk has long expressed concerns about declining birth rates, once stating that “civilization is going to crumble” if people do not have more children. He has been vocal about his belief in large families and has repeatedly said he wants to lead by example.

While St. Clair has not shared further details about her alleged child with Musk, the claim has ignited public interest in the billionaire’s expanding family and his relationships.

Representatives for Musk and St. Clair have not responded to requests for comment.

dailymail

Tourist Loses Both Hands in Shark Attack While Taking Selfie on Caribbean Beach

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Tourist Loses Both Hands in Shark Attack While Taking Selfie on Caribbean Beach

A Canadian tourist lost both hands after a shark attacked her while she attempted to take a selfie in the shallow waters of a Caribbean beach, authorities said. 

The 55-year-old woman waded a few yards into the water at Thompson Cove Beach in the Turks and Caicos Islands when a six-foot shark attacked, officials said. She was airlifted to Canada for treatment after suffering severe injuries, including the amputation of one arm below the wrist and the other halfway up her forearm. 

Authorities have not confirmed the species of the shark, but local reports suggest it was a bull shark. 

Her husband rushed into the water to try to fend off the shark, while other tourists used clothing to stop the bleeding, according to witnesses. Video footage from another tourist showed the shark swimming in the area for about 40 minutes before the attack. 

“The shark was estimated to be approximately six feet in length. However, the species is yet to be confirmed. It has been determined that the tourist attempted to engage with the animal from the shallows in an attempt to take photographs,” local authorities said in a statement. 

Officials say shark attacks in the Turks and Caicos are uncommon, with only one reported last year. However, Caribbean authorities continue to urge caution when swimming near marine life. 

In the Cayman Islands, feeding sharks has been banned since 2022 due to the risks posed to both swimmers and divers. 

“Some believe feeding sharks is beneficial for tourism, but conditioning sharks to associate humans with food increases risks for both people and marine life,” Cayman officials said. 

Authorities advise visitors to maintain a safe distance from wildlife and avoid behaviors that could provoke dangerous encounters.

Mother and 2-Year-Old Daughter Die Following Munich Car-Ramming Attack 

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Mother and 2-Year-Old Daughter Die Following Munich Car-Ramming Attack 

A 2-year-old girl and her mother have died from injuries sustained in a car-ramming attack on a labor union demonstration in Munich, German police confirmed on Saturday. 

The attack, which occurred on Thursday, left 39 people injured. Authorities arrested a 24-year-old Afghan asylum-seeker at the scene and later stated that he appeared to have an Islamic extremist motive. However, prosecutors found no evidence linking him to a broader radical network. 

Initially, police reported that two victims were critically injured. On Saturday, Bavaria’s state criminal police office announced that both had succumbed to their injuries. The victims were identified as a 37-year-old woman from Munich and her 2-year-old daughter, according to the German news agency dpa. 

The attack marks the fifth incident in the past nine months involving immigrants, fueling a heated national debate on migration policies ahead of Germany’s February 23 elections. 

Chancellor Olaf Scholz visited the attack site on Saturday, laying a white rose at an improvised memorial in tribute to the victims. 

Authorities continue to investigate the attacker’s background and potential motives as Germany grapples with concerns over security and integration policies.

Sudan’s Army Advances in Khartoum as RSF Retains Strategic Positions 

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Sudan’s Army Advances in Khartoum as RSF Retains Strategic Positions 

Sudan’s military has gained control of a major bridge linking the eastern and southern parts of Khartoum, marking another strategic victory against the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) as the conflict approaches its second year. 

This latest advance comes just days after the army reclaimed parts of northern Khartoum from the RSF, which has controlled large sections of the capital since the war began in April 2023. 

Despite the military’s gains, the RSF continues to hold key locations, including the central market, the presidential palace, and several districts in the southern and western parts of Khartoum. The group also maintains strongholds in the central Kordofan region and most of Darfur, where it is besieging government forces in the city of el-Fashir, the capital of North Darfur. 

On Friday, residents and medical sources reported that the RSF launched attacks on the famine-stricken Zamzam displacement camp, south of el-Fashir, in an apparent bid to consolidate its control over Darfur. 

The war has displaced an estimated 11.4 million people, with more than eight million internally displaced and three million seeking refuge in neighboring countries, according to aid organizations. 

“Sudan’s regional neighbors say they want the conflict to end,” Al Jazeera’s Mohamed Vall reported from Sennar. “Peace efforts have been attempted in Jeddah, Cairo, Addis Ababa, and Geneva, but all have failed.” 

Both the RSF and the army have expressed willingness to negotiate but remain unwilling to accept each other’s conditions. Each side still believes it can achieve a decisive military victory. 

At a high-level humanitarian conference in Addis Ababa on Friday, UN Secretary-General António Guterres described the crisis in Sudan as one of “staggering scale and brutality.” 

“This is a catastrophe that demands sustained and urgent attention,” Guterres said, calling for an immediate halt to the flow of weapons into the country. 

With nearly 25 million people facing acute hunger, according to UN estimates, aid agencies say a ceasefire is essential to ensuring humanitarian relief reaches those in need. 

Guterres urged world leaders to step up peace efforts and humanitarian aid, particularly ahead of the holy month of Ramadan. 

“We must do more – and do more now – to help the people of Sudan out of this nightmare.”

Pope Francis to Remain in Hospital for Respiratory Infection Treatment, Vatican Says 

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Pope Francis to Remain in Hospital for Respiratory Infection Treatment, Vatican Says 

Pope Francis will remain in Rome’s Gemelli Hospital for ongoing treatment of a respiratory infection, with no set timeline for his release, the Vatican said Saturday. 

“We will see how he reacts to treatment,” Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni told reporters, adding that there is no precise discharge date at this time. 

Bruni said the 88-year-old pontiff slept well Friday night and did not develop a fever overnight. He is expected to continue receiving diagnostic tests throughout the day. A Vatican official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that Francis remained fever-free on Saturday morning. 

Pope Francis, who has been battling bronchitis for over a week, was admitted to Gemelli Hospital on Friday morning for treatment. The facility, Rome’s largest hospital, has a special suite reserved for popes and was frequently used by the late Pope John Paul II. 

This marks the second time in recent months that Francis has been hospitalized at Gemelli. In June 2023, he spent nine days there recovering from abdominal hernia surgery. 

Outside the hospital on Saturday, well-wishers gathered under a statue of Pope John Paul II to pray for Francis’s recovery. 

“We found out yesterday morning with sadness,” said Giovanni Di Muro, an Italian visiting his son at the hospital. “We hope it’s nothing serious and that everything will be fine.” 

The Vatican previously stated that diagnostic tests confirmed the pope has a respiratory tract infection. 

Pope Francis, who has led the Catholic Church since 2013, has experienced several health challenges in recent years. As a young man, he underwent surgery to remove part of one lung due to pleurisy, making him more vulnerable to respiratory infections. 

Since mid-December, he has struggled with ongoing respiratory issues, frequently delegating speeches at public events in January and February to aides while attending in person. 

Despite his health setbacks, Francis has continued to fulfill many of his papal duties, but the Vatican has not provided a timeline for his return to full activity.

Russia Detains Another U.S. Citizen on Drug Charges Days After Prisoner Swap 

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Russia Detains Another U.S. Citizen on Drug Charges Days After Prisoner Swap 

Russian authorities have detained another U.S. citizen on drug charges, days after a high-profile prisoner swap between Moscow and Washington that was hailed as a diplomatic breakthrough. 

Russian media reported Friday that the American traveler was arrested at Moscow’s Vnukovo airport after customs officials allegedly found cannabis-laced marmalade in his luggage. The individual, identified only as K. Byers, 28, had flown in from Istanbul last Friday, according to the Russian Federal Customs Service. 

The Interfax news agency cited Russian police as saying the suspect attempted to smuggle a “significant amount” of drugs into the country. The Russian Telegram channel Mash, which has ties to the security services, reported that Byers could face up to seven years in prison if convicted. 

There was no immediate comment from the U.S. State Department regarding the arrest. 

The detention comes shortly after a rare U.S.-Russia prisoner swap that saw Alexander Vinnik, a Russian cryptocurrency expert accused of Bitcoin fraud, returned to Russia. In exchange, the U.S. secured the release of Marc Fogel, a Pennsylvania teacher arrested in Moscow in 2021 for possessing what his family said was medically prescribed marijuana. Fogel had been serving a 14-year sentence before being designated as “wrongfully detained” by the Biden administration in December. 

The latest arrest adds new strain to Washington-Moscow relations at a time when diplomatic efforts between the two nations have appeared to shift. On Wednesday, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a major policy reversal on Ukraine, claiming that he and Russian President Vladimir Putin had agreed to open negotiations to end the war following a lengthy direct phone call. 

The move could have significant implications for ongoing U.S. support for Ukraine as the conflict nears its third year. With the arrest of another American in Russia, tensions between the two nations remain volatile despite recent diplomatic developments.

Hamas Releases 3 Israeli Hostages as Israel Frees Hundreds of Palestinian Prisoners in Ceasefire Deal 

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Hamas Releases 3 Israeli Hostages as Israel Frees Hundreds of Palestinian Prisoners in Ceasefire Deal 

Hamas-led militants released three Israeli hostages Saturday as Israel freed 369 Palestinian prisoners in the latest exchange under a fragile ceasefire agreement. 

The hostages— Iair Horn, 46, a dual Israeli-Argentine citizen; American-Israeli Sagui Dekel Chen, 36; and Russian-Israeli Alexander Sasha Troufanov, 29 — were handed over in southern Gaza before being transported to Israel for medical evaluation and reunification with their families. All three were kidnapped from Kibbutz Nir Oz during the October 7, 2023, attack that sparked the ongoing war. 

Israeli officials said the men appeared in better physical condition than some of the previously released hostages, who emerged emaciated after months in captivity. 

The exchange comes amid growing uncertainty over the ceasefire, which has held for nearly four weeks but faced setbacks due to disputes over aid deliveries to Gaza. 

Hamas had threatened to delay hostage releases, accusing Israel of failing to allow sufficient humanitarian aid into Gaza, including medical supplies, tents, and fuel. Israel, in response, warned it would resume military operations if hostages were not freed. 

US, Egyptian, and Qatari mediators intervened, leading to the latest release. The ceasefire’s future remains uncertain as negotiations over its next phase continue. 

As part of the agreement, Israel freed 369 Palestinian detainees. A bus carrying released prisoners arrived in the occupied West Bank town of Beitunia, where families and supporters greeted them. Others were transported to Gaza, where large crowds welcomed them in Khan Younis. 

Among those freed were 36 individuals serving life sentences for involvement in attacks against Israelis, including Ahmed Barghouti, 48, a close aide to Palestinian leader Marwan Barghouti. Israel had sentenced him to life for orchestrating suicide bombings during the Second Intifada. 

Twenty-four of the prisoners were exiled abroad, while 12 returned to the West Bank and East Jerusalem. The remaining 333 were sent to Gaza, with Israel agreeing to release over 1,000 detainees in total, provided they were not involved in the October 7 attack. 

Of the 251 people abducted on October 7, 73 remain in Gaza, with at least half presumed dead. Most of the remaining captives are men, including Israeli soldiers. 

The condition of those still held is raising alarm, especially after three hostages released last week appeared severely malnourished. Keith Siegel, 65, who was among them, described being beaten and deprived of water and light as the conflict intensified. 

The ceasefire, in place since January 19, could collapse as early as March if further negotiations stall. While Hamas has signaled willingness to continue hostage exchanges, no substantial talks have taken place regarding the second phase, which could see the release of all remaining hostages in exchange for a complete end to the war. 

The conflict has devastated Gaza, displacing 90 percent of its 2.3 million residents and leaving entire neighborhoods in ruins. Gaza’s Health Ministry reports over 48,000 Palestinians have been killed, though Israel claims 17,000 were militants, a number it has not substantiated. 

The ceasefire’s stability is further complicated by former US President Donald Trump’s proposal to resettle over 2 million Palestinians outside Gaza and place the territory under US administration. The plan, which envisions transforming Gaza into the Riviera of the Middle East, has been welcomed by some Israeli officials but strongly rejected by Palestinians and Arab nations, who call it a potential war crime. 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s far-right allies are already pushing for a return to full-scale war after the first phase of the ceasefire, aiming to eliminate Hamas and implement Trump’s plan. 

With Hamas still in control of Gaza, the group’s willingness to continue hostage releases remains uncertain, as the captives are among its last bargaining chips.

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