Trump and Putin hold phone call but Kremlin refuses Ukraine ceasefire

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Trump describes call as ‘excellent,’ despite Putin’s lack of support for ceasefire that US said was primary objective

Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump have held a rare phone call, which the US leader described as “excellent”, but the Kremlin refused to agree to a ceasefire in the war with Ukraine, despite pressure from Washington and European allies.

Speaking to reporters in Sochi after the two-hour conversation on Monday, Putin described the call as “very meaningful and frank” and said he was prepared to work with Ukraine on drafting a memorandum for future peace talks.

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Netanyahu Says Israel Will Take Over Gaza as It Allows Food Into Enclave – WSJ

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  1. Netanyahu Says Israel Will Take Over Gaza as It Allows Food Into Enclave  WSJ
  2. European allies pile pressure on Israel to increase aid to Gaza  The Washington Post
  3. Intel's new CEO says the company has 55% of the data centre market  Reuters
  4. First few aid trucks enter Gaza but allies threaten Israel with sanctions and urge more  AP News
  5. Israel Wavers as Far Right and Military Disagree on Gaza Strategy  The New York Times
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El Salvador arrests prominent human rights lawyer who defends deportees – Al Jazeera

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  1. El Salvador arrests prominent human rights lawyer who defends deportees  Al Jazeera
  2. El Salvador arrests prominent human rights lawyer  NPR
  3. Lawyer for Venezuelans deported to El Salvador prison arrested  The Guardian
  4. El Salvador arrests human rights lawyer critical of President Bukele  CNN
  5. Prominent Anti-Corruption Lawyer Is Arrested in El Salvador  The New York Times
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Israel says it is unleashing an “unprecedented attack” – The Economist

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  1. Israel says it is unleashing an “unprecedented attack”  The Economist
  2. As key Israel allies threaten action over Gaza catastrophe, Washington is largely unmoved  The Guardian
  3. Israel orders Khan Younis evacuation ahead of 'unprecedented attack'  BBC
  4. Eyewitness video shows Israeli airstrike on Khan Younis  Al Jazeera
  5. IDF calls to evacuate Khan Yunis as Israel intensifies Gaza operation  The Jerusalem Post
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France sparks outcry with plan for prison wing near former penal colony

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Site in French Guiana once received prisoners who were sent to notorious Devil’s Island off the coast

French plans to build a maximum-security prison wing for drug traffickers and Islamic militants near a former penal colony in French Guiana have sparked an outcry among local people and officials.

The wing would form part of a $450m (£337m) prison announced in 2017 that is expected to be completed by 2028 and hold 500 inmates. The prison would be built in Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni, a town bordering Suriname that once received prisoners shipped by Napoleon III in the 1800s, some of whom were sent to the notorious Devil’s Island off the coast of French Guiana.

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Nicușor Dan, the maths prodigy who beat an ultranationalist for Romanian presidency – The Guardian

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  1. Nicușor Dan, the maths prodigy who beat an ultranationalist for Romanian presidency  The Guardian
  2. Romania’s pro-EU candidate unexpectedly beats hard-right rival to win presidential election  CNN
  3. How Romania Defused Far-Right Threat in Presidential Election  Bloomberg
  4. In Eastern Europe, Centrists Hold Off 2 Nationalist Challenges  The New York Times
  5. Romania: Historic victory for pro-European candidate  DW
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Tributes paid as boy, 17, charged over death of teenager on Scottish beach

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Family of Kayden Moy, 16, say he will be ‘sorely missed’, while police continue investigation and call for information

A 17-year-old boy has been charged in connection with the death of Kayden Moy, 16, who died after a “targeted” attack on a Scottish beach.

Police were called to reports of a teenager being seriously injured at Irvine beach in North Ayrshire on Saturday at about 6.45pm.

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Trump suggests Pope Leo XIV host Ukraine-Russia talks in the Vatican – Axios

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  1. Trump suggests Pope Leo XIV host Ukraine-Russia talks in the Vatican  Axios
  2. Vatican could be a venue for Russia-Ukraine talks, Rubio says, after pope renews an offer to help  AP News
  3. Zelensky Meets With Pope Leo After Inaugural Mass  The New York Times
  4. Newly inaugurated Pope Leo talks Ukraine with Zelenskyy  DW
  5. Trump says Vatican might host imminent Russia-Ukraine ceasefire talks  Catholic News Agency
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Netanyahu vows to ‘take control’ of Gaza as UK, France and Canada threaten action against Israel

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Key allies call escalation ‘egregious’ and promise ‘concrete’ response if Israel does not end renewed offensive and allow aid into strip

Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed that Israel will “take control” of all of Gaza, as three key allies attacked his “egregious” escalation of the military campaign and blockade on humanitarian aid.

Britain, France and Canada attacked Israel’s expansion of its war as disproportionate, described conditions in Gaza as “intolerable” and threatened a “concrete” response if Israel’s campaign continues.

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