Russia and Ukraine agree prisoner swap, but little other progress in Istanbul talks

Russia and Ukraine agreed a prisoner swap during their third set of direct talks in Istanbul on Wednesday, but appeared to make little progress on ceasefire terms or a possible summit between their presidents – with their meeting ending after … Read More

Syria leader vows to protect Druze after sectarian violence prompts Israeli strikes

Syria’s interim president has said it is his “priority” to protect the country’s Druze citizens, after Israel vowed to destroy government forces it accused of attacking members of the religious minority in Suweida province. In his first televised statement since … Read More

Trump’s 2-hour call with Putin: US President says Russia and Ukraine ceasefire talks will begin ‘immediately’

posted in: Breaking News, News, Russia

US President Donald Trump announced Russia and Ukraine will start ceasefire negotiations after his call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Putin said Moscow will propose a memorandum with Ukraine outlining positions for a possible peace deal. Putin thanked Trump for … Read More

Ukraine to send its delegation to Istanbul talks with Russia, Zelenskyy not going

Ukraine’s president confirmed that he has agreed to send the delegation to Istanbul for a lower-level talk with Russia’s representatives, but he will not be present there himself. Ukraine’s president confirmed on Thursday that he has agreed to send the … Read More

Weekly Update by Mark Armstrong – May 9, 2025

Greetings from Tyler, The white smoke poured out of the Vatican chimney signifying they had chosen a new pope. Forgive me for not capitalizing the title. Having read some of his writings, one can’t help wonder if they chose him to blunt the … Read More

Trump Ceasefire with Houthis Leaves Israel Alone — or Free — to Face Threat

President Donald Trump’s announcement of a separate ceasefire with Houthi rebels in Yemen took Israel by surprise and left some Israelis feeling abandoned — although it also preserved Israel’s freedom of action. Trump announced the ceasefire with the Iranian-backed rebel … Read More

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