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German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Putin Hold First Direct Talks in Two Years Amid Ukraine War Tensions

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German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Putin Hold First Direct Talks in Two Years Amid Ukraine War Tensions

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke Friday in their first direct communication since December 2022, marking Putin’s first publicly announced conversation with a major Western leader in nearly two years as uncertainty grows over President-elect Donald Trump’s future Ukraine policy.

During the hour-long call, initiated by Germany, Scholz urged Putin to withdraw Russian troops from Ukraine and pursue negotiations, while Putin insisted any peace deal must acknowledge Russia’s territorial gains and Ukraine’s rejection of NATO membership, according to officials from both countries.

“The chancellor urged Russia to be willing to negotiate with Ukraine with the aim of achieving a just and lasting peace and stressed Germany’s unwavering determination to support Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression for as long as necessary,” German government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit said.

The timing of the conversation carries particular significance as Trump’s election victory raises questions about continued U.S. support for Ukraine. Trump has repeatedly questioned American aid levels to Ukraine and suggested he could quickly resolve the conflict, though Kyiv has rejected any territorial concessions to Moscow.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticized the call as “a Pandora’s box” that would only reduce Russia’s isolation. “Now there may be other conversations, other calls. Just a lot of words. And this is exactly what Putin has wanted for a long time,” Zelenskyy said in his nightly address.

The Kremlin’s readout revealed persistent divisions, with Putin blaming the conflict on “NATO’s long-standing aggressive policy aimed at creating an anti-Russian stronghold on Ukrainian territory.” Putin reiterated conditions for peace talks first outlined in June, including Ukraine abandoning NATO aspirations and acknowledging Russia’s 2022 territorial annexations.

Scholz specifically condemned Russian air raids on Ukrainian civilian infrastructure and warned against the reported deployment of North Korean troops to Russia, which the U.S., South Korea, and Ukraine claim involves thousands of soldiers supporting Moscow’s war effort.

The conversation occurs as Scholz faces domestic political challenges, with a confidence vote scheduled next month and potential early elections in February. The German leader’s outreach to Putin also comes as the Ukraine conflict approaches its 1,000th day on Tuesday, with exiled Russian opposition leaders, including Alexei Navalny’s widow Yulia, planning an antiwar rally in Berlin on Sunday.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov characterized the exchange as “detailed” and “frank” but emphasized there was “no talk about convergence of opinions.” Both sides agreed to maintain contact, though Putin had previously stated Western leaders would need to initiate any future communications.

The dialogue represents a significant diplomatic development as Western nations grapple with maintaining support for Ukraine amid shifting political landscapes and growing war fatigue.

10 Newborns Die in North India Hospital Fire, Safety Protocols Questioned

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10 Newborns Die in North India Hospital Fire, Safety Protocols Questioned

A devastating fire swept through a neonatal intensive care unit in northern India late Friday, killing 10 newborn babies and injuring 16 others, as questions emerged about the hospital’s safety protocols and emergency response time.

The blaze at the Jhansi hospital in Uttar Pradesh state rapidly engulfed the ward housing 55 infants, though rescuers managed to save 45 babies, according to local official Bimal Kumar Dubey. Firefighters had to break through windows to reach the newborns as smoke filled the unit.

“We will identify those responsible for this tragedy and take strict action. The government stands with families during this difficult time,” said Brajesh Pathak, the state’s deputy chief minister, who visited the hospital Saturday and promised support for victims’ families.

Parents and witnesses reported critical safety failures, saying fire alarms installed in the intensive care unit failed to activate. Hospital staff only responded after visually detecting smoke and flames, with rescue operations beginning approximately 30 minutes after the fire started.

“If the safety alarm had worked, we could have acted sooner and saved more lives,” said Naresh Kumar, who lost his child in the tragedy. Another parent, Akhtar Hussain, whose son survived and is receiving treatment, emphasized that better safety protocols could have prevented the catastrophe.

The incident highlights persistent safety concerns in India’s healthcare facilities, where building codes and safety regulations are often poorly enforced. The country has a history of deadly fires attributed to inadequate maintenance and substandard firefighting equipment.

Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the fire and the hospital’s emergency response procedures. The delay in evacuation efforts has become a particular focus of the inquiry, as witnesses reported crucial minutes lost before rescue operations began.

The tragedy represents one of India’s deadliest hospital fires involving newborns and has renewed calls for stricter enforcement of safety standards in healthcare facilities across the country.

Ghana Eliminated from AFCON 2025 Qualifying Despite Ayew Goal, Multiple Nations Advance

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Ghana Eliminated from AFCON 2025 Qualifying Despite Ayew Goal, Multiple Nations Advance

Four-time champions Ghana crashed out of Africa Cup of Nations qualifying Friday, marking their first tournament absence since 2004 despite Leicester City striker Jordan Ayew’s goal in a 1-1 draw with Angola.

The Black Stars’ elimination stands as the most significant casualty of the 2025 AFCON qualifying campaign, while smaller nations including Comoros and Mali secured their spots in Morocco, bringing the total qualified teams to 19 with five places remaining.

Ayew, Ghana’s new captain, struck in the 18th minute, but Ambrosini ‘Zini’ Salvador’s 64th-minute equalizer for Group F winners Angola confirmed Ghana’s fate. The draw left the West African powerhouse bottom of their group, four points behind second-placed Sudan with just one match remaining.

Ghana, missing eight original squad members including Bournemouth striker Antoine Semenyo through injuries, delivered their best performance in the penultimate round, but it proved insufficient.

In contrast, Comoros, a small island nation off southeastern Africa, dramatically qualified from Group A when Myziane Maolida scored in the final minute for a 2-1 victory over Gambia. The Comorans had fallen behind to Alassana Jatta’s goal before Rafiki Said equalized.

Zambia secured their tournament spot by defeating defending champions Ivory Coast 1-0 in Ndola, with Tanzania-based Kennedy Musonda scoring his third qualifying goal. The loss marked Ivory Coast’s second straight defeat under coach Emerse Fae, who had led them to the 2024 AFCON title as hosts.

Zimbabwe celebrated their return to the continental showcase after missing the previous tournament due to government interference, drawing 1-1 with Kenya in Polokwane. Motherwell’s Tawanda Maswanhise put Zimbabwe ahead before Jonah Ayunga equalized for Kenya, who have qualified only twice in 30 years.

Mali extended their impressive AFCON qualification streak to 10 tournaments with Kamory Doumbia’s 19th-minute goal securing a 1-0 victory over Mozambique in a security-heavy match in Maputo following election-related protests.

Other significant results included:

– South Africa overtaking Uganda in Group K with a 2-0 away win through second-half substitute goals from Thapelo Morena and Patrick Maswanganyi

– Botswana drawing 1-1 with Mauritania, leaving their qualification hopes pending a difficult final match against Egypt

– Mozambique needing just a point against Guinea-Bissau on Tuesday to qualify

The qualifying campaign continues to reshape the continental football landscape, with traditional powerhouse Ghana’s elimination particularly highlighting the evolving nature of African football.

Ronaldo’s Double Leads Portugal to 5-1 Rout of Poland in Nations League

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Ronaldo’s Double Leads Portugal to 5-1 Rout of Poland in Nations League

Cristiano Ronaldo delivered a masterclass performance, including a spectacular overhead kick, as Portugal overwhelmed Poland 5-1 on Friday to secure their place in the Nations League quarter-finals alongside Europe’s elite.

The comprehensive victory puts Portugal through to the last eight with France, Germany, Italy and Spain, while eliminating Poland from Group A1 contention despite Robert Lewandowski’s absence through injury.

After a tepid first half where Ronaldo notably missed from close range, Portugal unleashed an explosive second-half display. Rafael Leao ignited the scoring surge just before the hour mark, orchestrating and finishing a flowing move that saw Nuno Mendes deliver a precise cross for the AC Milan striker to head past Polish goalkeeper Marcin Bulka.

Ronaldo extended the lead from the penalty spot after Jakub Kiwior’s handball, before Bruno Fernandes capitalized on Vitinha’s clever run to make it 3-0 in the 80th minute. Pedro Neto quickly added a fourth, finishing off an incisive Ronaldo pass that split the Polish defense.

The Portuguese captain saved his best for last, executing an acrobatic overhead kick in the 87th minute for his second goal of the night. Poland managed a late consolation through Dominik Marczuk, who had earlier been denied by an excellent Diogo Costa save.

“This was a complete performance from the team, especially in the second half,” Ronaldo told reporters. “We showed what we’re capable of when we play our game.”

Poland, missing record scorer Lewandowski due to a back injury, had shown early promise with Marczuk and Nicola Zalewski testing Costa before Portugal’s second-half onslaught.

The victory not only secures Portugal’s progression but sends a strong message to their European rivals as the tournament enters its knockout phase.

Jake Paul Beats 58-Year-Old Mike Tyson in One-Sided Boxing Exhibition

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Jake Paul Beats 58-Year-Old Mike Tyson in One-Sided Boxing Exhibition

YouTube star Jake Paul thoroughly outboxed an aging Mike Tyson on Friday night, winning a lopsided unanimous decision over the 58-year-old former heavyweight champion in their exhibition bout at AT&T Stadium.

Paul, 27, dominated the eight-round contest, with judges scoring the fight 80-72, 79-73, and 79-73 in his favor. The social media celebrity-turned-boxer utilized superior speed and movement to control the action against Tyson, who showed little of the explosive power that once made him boxing’s most feared fighter.

The decisive victory came just one day after a heated weigh-in where Tyson slapped Paul across the face, adding drama to the already controversial matchup. Despite Paul’s pre-fight promises of a knockout, he was unable to stop the former undisputed heavyweight champion, though he had Tyson in trouble during a sustained attack in the third round.

Final punch statistics highlighted Paul’s dominance, as he landed 78 of 278 punches thrown, while Tyson connected on just 18 of his 97 attempts. The former champion, looking every bit his age, struggled to land meaningful shots throughout the contest.

Referee Mark Calo-oy watches US retired pro-boxer Mike Tyson (R) and US YouTuber/boxer Jake Paul (L) fight during the heavyweight boxing bout at The Pavilion at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, November 15, 2024. (Photo by TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP)

In a show of respect, Paul bowed to Tyson in the closing seconds of the final round, acknowledging the legend’s status in the sport despite the one-sided nature of their encounter.

The result adds another notable victory to Paul’s unconventional boxing career while raising questions about the wisdom of allowing aging boxing legends to return to the ring, even in exhibition matches.

Russia to Cut Off Gas to Austria, Marking End of Major European Energy Era

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Russia to Cut Off Gas to Austria, Marking End of Major European Energy Era

Russia notified Austria Friday it will suspend natural gas deliveries through Ukraine starting Saturday, marking a symbolic end to Moscow’s decades-long role as Europe’s primary gas supplier and highlighting the continent’s dramatic shift away from Russian energy dependence.

The announcement affects Austria, the main recipient of Russian gas through Ukraine, leaving only Hungary and Slovakia as significant customers of Russian gas in Europe. The development represents a stark contrast to 2022, when Russia supplied 40% of the European Union’s gas needs before its invasion of Ukraine.

Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer moved to reassure the public about the country’s energy security. “No home will go cold … gas-storage facilities are sufficiently full,” he told reporters, noting that Austria had anticipated and prepared for this development.

OMV, Austria’s largest energy supplier, confirmed it has secured alternative gas imports through Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands to meet customer demands. The company disclosed the supply termination following a contractual dispute with Russian state-owned Gazprom.

The suspension comes as Ukraine prepares to end its transit agreement with Gazprom by year’s end, aiming to deprive Moscow of revenues that Kyiv says fund the ongoing war. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha characterized Russia’s action as weaponizing energy but expressed confidence in Europe’s ability to ensure energy security.

“The era of Europe relying on Russian gas is over,” Sybiha wrote on social media platform X. “Time to fully cut Russian energy profits — and war funding.”

The timing carries historical significance, as Austria was among the first Western European nations to purchase Soviet gas, signing a contract in 1968 just months before the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia. Russia shipped approximately 15 billion cubic meters of gas via Ukraine in 2023, representing only 8% of peak Russian flows to Europe in 2018-2019.

The development coincided with the first phone conversation between Russian President Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz since December 2022, with the Kremlin stating Russia remains open to energy deals if Berlin shows interest.

Ulrich Schmid, professor of Eastern European studies at the University of St. Gallen, suggested the timing may reflect Moscow’s increased confidence following Donald Trump’s presidential election victory and his pledges to quickly end the Ukraine war.

EU Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson assured that alternative supplies are available for affected countries. “We have been very clear that alternative supply is available and there is no need for the continuation of Russian gas transiting via Ukraine to Europe,” Simson told Reuters at a UN climate conference in Azerbaijan.

European gas markets appeared unruffled by the news, with the benchmark price declining slightly to 45.72 euros per megawatt hour at trading close.

The International Energy Agency reports that in 2023, the Ukraine transit route supplied 65% of gas demand in Austria and its eastern neighbors Hungary and Slovakia. Hungary has largely shifted to importing Russian gas via the TurkStream pipeline beneath the Black Sea, while Slovakia continues to receive supplies through Ukraine.

This transition marks a fundamental reshaping of European energy security, with the continent increasingly turning to diversified sources, including U.S. liquefied natural gas, as it moves away from its historical dependence on Russian supplies.

Woman Testified to House Ethics Panel She Saw AG Nominee Gaetz With Minor, Lawyer Says

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Woman Testified to House Ethics Panel She Saw AG Nominee Gaetz With Minor, Lawyer Says

A woman testified to the House Ethics Committee that she witnessed Matt Gaetz, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for attorney general, having sex with a minor at a 2017 Orlando house party, her attorney revealed Friday, adding new complexity to the former congressman’s pending confirmation.

“My client testified to the House Ethics Committee that she witnessed Rep. Gaetz having sex with a minor at a house party in Orlando in 2017,” attorney Joel Leppard said. He added that he represents two witnesses who have provided testimony to the committee, telling NBC News, “The American people deserve to know the truth about the person slated to become the top law enforcement officer in the country.”

Gaetz, 42, who resigned his Florida congressional seat Wednesday following Trump’s nomination announcement, has consistently denied all sexual misconduct allegations. His spokesperson responded to the new allegations by questioning the Justice Department’s previous investigation: “Merrick Garland’s DOJ cleared Matt Gaetz and didn’t charge him. Are you alleging Garland is part of a cover-up?”

The former congressman was previously investigated by the FBI regarding sex-trafficking allegations involving a 17-year-old but was not charged. Gaetz has maintained he was the target of an extortion plot. The federal investigation concluded last year.

The House Ethics Committee launched its own investigation in April 2021, initially deferring to the Justice Department’s request before reauthorizing the probe in 2023. The panel was scheduled to meet Friday to discuss releasing its report but canceled the meeting Thursday.

House Speaker Mike Johnson said Friday he plans to request the ethics panel withhold its report, arguing that releasing findings about a former member would constitute a “terrible breach of protocol.” However, several Republican senators have indicated they want access to the committee’s findings before proceeding with confirmation votes.

The situation is further complicated by Trump’s calls for the Republican Senate majority to allow recess appointments, potentially circumventing the traditional confirmation process. Gaetz, who represented Florida’s 1st Congressional District covering part of the Florida Panhandle, had been re-elected in November before his resignation to accept the nomination.

A former Florida state representative and law firm attorney, Gaetz served in Congress from 2017 until his resignation this week. The House Ethics Committee, a bipartisan panel of 10 members, has not indicated how it will proceed with its report now that Gaetz has left Congress.

The allegations and surrounding controversy pose significant challenges for Gaetz’s confirmation prospects as the nation’s top law enforcement official, with heightened scrutiny expected from both parties during the confirmation process.

NBCnews

Iran’s UN Envoy Meets with Elon Musk as Tehran Signals Possible Trump Outreach

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Iran’s UN Envoy Meets with Elon Musk as Tehran Signals Possible Trump Outreach

Iran’s diplomatic outreach to Elon Musk, a key adviser to President-elect Donald Trump, marks what appears to be a calculated attempt to ease tensions with the incoming administration, even as both nations grapple with allegations of assassination plots and nuclear disputes.

Iran’s U.N. Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani met with Musk on Monday in New York, according to a U.S. official briefed on the meeting. The discussion, which Iran initiated, covered Tehran’s nuclear program, its support for anti-Israel groups, and potential U.S.-Iranian relations improvements, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to discuss the non-governmental meeting.

The diplomatic overture comes as Trump assembles a foreign policy team expected to take a hard line on Iran, including Senator Marco Rubio as secretary of state and Representative Mike Waltz as national security adviser. Intelligence officials have indicated Iran opposed Trump’s reelection, viewing him as likely to escalate tensions between Washington and Tehran.

The meeting’s timing is particularly significant given recent revelations of alleged Iranian plots against Trump. The Justice Department this month charged a man who claimed an Iranian government official tasked him with planning Trump’s assassination in September. Iran’s foreign ministry denied the allegations.

The Wall Street Journal reported that Iran sent a written message to the Biden administration on October 14 pledging not to attempt to kill Trump, responding to U.S. warnings that such an action would be considered an act of war.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran has long declared its commitment to pursuing Martyr Soleimani’s assassination through legal and judicial avenues, while adhering fully to the recognized principles of international law,” Iran’s U.N. mission said in a statement, referring to the Iranian general killed in a Trump-ordered strike.

The complex diplomatic dance reflects Iran’s dual approach: while Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei consistently expresses hostility toward Trump, the country’s reformist president has maintained openness to negotiations for sanctions relief.

“The American people re-elected President Trump because they trust him to lead our country and restore peace through strength around the world. When he returns to the White House, he will take the necessary action to do just that,” said Karoline Leavitt, a Trump transition spokesperson.

The meeting with Musk, recently named as an adviser on government restructuring to Trump’s incoming administration, occurred away from Iran’s U.N. mission. The Trump transition team has neither confirmed nor denied the meeting, first reported by The New York Times.

Federal officials describe ongoing Iranian efforts to target U.S. government officials on American soil, including a separate case last summer involving a Pakistani man with Iranian connections charged in a murder-for-hire plot against American officials.

The diplomatic maneuvering unfolds against the backdrop of Trump’s previous administration ending the Iran nuclear deal, reimposing sanctions, and ordering Soleimani’s killing—actions that prompted Iranian vows of revenge but now appear to be giving way to more nuanced diplomatic approaches.

apnews

Two Missouri Officers Indicted for Allegedly Searching Women’s Phones for Nude Photos

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Two Missouri Officers Indicted for Allegedly Searching Women’s Phones for Nude Photos

Two former Missouri police officers face federal indictments in separate but similar cases for allegedly pulling over women drivers and illegally searching their phones for nude photos, prosecutors announced this week.

David McKnight, 39, a former Missouri State Highway Patrol officer, and Julian Alcala, 29, previously with the Florissant Police Department, were charged with violating women’s civil rights and destroying evidence. Their cases, while unrelated, reveal strikingly similar patterns of alleged misconduct.

McKnight allegedly targeted nine women between September 2023 and August 19, typically conducting traffic stops and demanding to search their phones under the pretense of verifying identity or insurance information. Prosecutors say he used his personal phone to photograph intimate images he discovered during these searches.

The Highway Patrol arrested McKnight on August 21, leading to his resignation five days later. “Patrol employees are held to high standards and if it is determined that those standards were not met, they are held accountable,” patrol Capt. Scott White said in an email. McKnight pleaded not guilty during Thursday’s court appearance.

Alcala’s alleged misconduct was more extensive, involving 20 women between February 6 and May 18, with five incidents occurring on a single day. The indictment states he confiscated phones under the guise of confirming insurance and registration, then searched for and copied intimate photos and videos.

“We are disgusted at this behavior, which is a complete betrayal of the values we uphold and in no way reflects the professionalism and integrity of our dedicated officers,” Florissant police said in a statement. Alcala, who joined the suburban St. Louis department in January 2023, resigned in June amid an FBI investigation.

He also faces four civil lawsuits against himself and the city of Florissant. Neither officer’s court records list current legal representation.

The cases highlight growing concerns about law enforcement abuse of authority during traffic stops and unauthorized access to personal devices. Both officers are accused of using their positions to violate citizens’ constitutional rights while destroying evidence to cover their tracks.

Malcolm X’s Daughters File $100M Lawsuit Against FBI, CIA, NYPD Over Assassination

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Malcolm X’s Daughters File $100M Lawsuit Against FBI, CIA, NYPD Over Assassination

Three daughters of Malcolm X filed a $100 million lawsuit Friday against the CIA, FBI, and New York Police Department, alleging the agencies were complicit in their father’s 1965 assassination and engaged in a decades-long cover-up of government involvement.

The lawsuit, filed in Manhattan federal court by the daughters and Malcolm X’s estate, claims law enforcement agencies knew of and participated in the assassination plot while failing to prevent the civil rights leader’s death at the Audubon Ballroom.

“They did not know who murdered Malcolm X, why he was murdered, the level of NYPD, FBI and CIA orchestration, the identity of the governmental agents who conspired to ensure his demise, or who fraudulently covered-up their role,” the lawsuit states, describing decades of uncertainty endured by Malcolm X’s wife Betty Shabazz and their family.

Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, representing the family, urged federal and city officials to “learn all the dastardly deeds that were done by their predecessors and try to right these historic wrongs” during a morning news conference.

The lawsuit alleges a “corrupt, unlawful, and unconstitutional” relationship between law enforcement and “ruthless killers,” claiming authorities deliberately removed Malcolm X’s security detail days before the assassination and withdrew police protection from inside the ballroom where he was killed. It further alleges federal agencies had undercover personnel present during the attack but failed to intervene.

Malcolm X, born Malcolm Little in Omaha, Nebraska, and later known as El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz, was 39 when he was gunned down on February 21, 1965. The case has remained controversial, with two of three men convicted in his death being exonerated in 2021 after investigators found evidence problems and determined authorities had withheld crucial information.

The family claims the lawsuit’s timing stems from the defendants’ decades-long concealment of information, including the identities of undercover “informants, agents and provocateurs” and their knowledge of pre-assassination planning.

The NYPD and CIA have not responded to requests for comment. Nicholas Biase, speaking for the Department of Justice, declined comment, while the FBI cited its standard practice of not commenting on litigation.

The legal action follows the family’s announcement of their intention to sue last year and comes amid renewed scrutiny of historical civil rights cases and government surveillance of activists during the civil rights era.

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