Russia

Ukraine, Russia end peace talks in Geneva as Zelensky says Russia is dragging feet on negotiations

Russian news agencies quoted a source as saying that the first round was tense and took place in different bilateral and trilateral formats. 

A U.S. delegation led by Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and U.S. President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner waits for the start of a meeting on the first day of the third round of trilateral talks between delegates from Ukraine, Russia and the U.S.
Fishing boats are anchored in the waters off Beris Port near Chabahar, Iran on December 17, 2025. Situated about 60 kilometers east of Chabahar in Iran's southern Sistan-Baluchistan province, Beris Port lies along the Makran coast on the Gulf of Oman.

Iran, Russia to conduct navy drills on Sea of Oman to combat maritime terrorism - report

A woman holds a Ukrainian flag at a protest near the United Nations office, on the day of US-mediated peace talks between Russia and Ukraine in Geneva, Switzerland, February 17, 2026.

Talks on Ukraine war settlement were tense, to continue, source tells Russian agencies

Jared Kushner looks on as US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff shakes hands with Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Albusaidi in Muscat, Oman, February 6, 2026.

US faces narrow path between diplomacy, force amid dual Geneva talks on Ukraine, Iran - analysis


'No longer obligated to think of peace': Trump renews Greenland push, cites Russian threat

Trump has repeatedly insisted he will settle for nothing less than ownership of Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark.

 US President-elect Donald Trump, Trump's plane landing in Greenland (illustrative).

Ballroom blitz: Celebrity certainty threatens real journalism - opinion

Celebrities are declaring verdicts on real-world news, but applause-driven certainty on the world isn’t journalism.

 Executive producer and cast member Nikki Glaser participates in Viacom Comedy Central "Not Safe with Nikki Glaser" panel during the Television Critics Association (TCA) Winter press tour in Pasadena, California January 6, 2016

This week in Jewish history: Nobel prize winners, biochemists, and the Baba Sali

A highly abridged weekly version of Dust & Stars – Today in Jewish History.

Baba Baruch, heir of Baba Sali, speaks to prime minister Yitzhak Shamir during traditional ceremonies in Netivot, 1988.

IAEA secures localized ceasefire between Russia, Ukraine for backup line to Zaporizhzhia plant

"The IAEA continues to work closely with both sides to ensure nuclear safety at the ZNPP and to prevent a nuclear accident during the conflict," Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said.

A view of the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in southern Ukraine on June 14, 2023.

Lebanon detains Syrian who helped funnel funds to pro-Assad fighters, sources say

His arrest came nearly a month after top Syrian security officials asked Lebanon to track down and hand over more than 200 officers who fled there after Assad was overthrown.

Syrian citizens celebrating fall of the Assad regime, staying on abandoned government army tank in Damascus, December 11, 2024.

Putin offers to mediate Iran issue in phone call with Netanyahu

Putin told Netanyahu that he was "in favor of intensifying political and diplomatic efforts to ensure stability and security in the region."

 Benjamin Netanyahu, Vladimir Putin

Israel, Iran reassured each other on strikes via Russia before protests broke out - report

According to the officials quoted by the Washington Post, while “Iranian officials responded positively to the Israeli outreach, they were wary of Israel’s intentions.”

Iran and Israel flags on Middle east geopolitical map.

Kyiv at -18C: Thousands left without heat after Russian strikes

Mayor Vitali Klitschko urges temporary evacuation after one of the heaviest Russian barrages of the war; Jewish institutions receive fuel for generators and lifesaving heating gear.

Across the Kyiv region, social services warned of severe risks to vulnerable residents, especially the elderly and children, in unheated homes.

The war in Israel is in a lull, but Jewish soldiers are still fighting in Ukraine

Chernetsky says he continued fighting so that no one would say that Jews didn't fight.

One of the Jewish soldiers fighting in Ukraine.

Tehran doubles down on repression, believing US reluctance will delay new strikes - analysis

Iran's foreign minister claimed that “terrorist elements from the outside” were seeking to drag the US into a conflict.

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, September 9, 2025.