International
Russia, Ukraine Trade Deadly Attacks Ahead of U.S.-Brokered Talks
Russia and Ukraine exchanged fresh attacks on Saturday that left at least four people dead, as both sides prepare for renewed diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the prolonged conflict.
Ukrainian officials said a Russian drone strike on a residential building in Zaporizhzhia killed a man and a woman, while six others, including two children, were injured. In northern Ukraine, strikes also disrupted electricity supply across large parts of the Chernihiv region.
Across the border in Russia, authorities reported that Ukrainian shelling in the Belgorod region killed two women and injured another, highlighting the continued cross-border hostilities.
The escalation comes ahead of talks between U.S. and Ukrainian officials in Miami, part of ongoing mediation efforts to revive stalled negotiations. According to U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, the discussions were “constructive” and focused on resolving outstanding issues toward a broader peace agreement. The meeting also included Jared Kushner.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Kyiv had dispatched a delegation to the United States to push for the resumption of trilateral talks involving Russia. These negotiations have stalled in recent weeks, partly due to global attention shifting toward the Middle East crisis.
The Kremlin signaled that new negotiations could take place soon, with spokesperson Dmitry Peskov indicating readiness for further dialogue.
Western officials have repeatedly accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of delaying negotiations while attempting to consolidate territorial gains. Russian forces currently control nearly 20 percent of Ukrainian territory.
The ongoing war has also been overshadowed by the escalating Iran conflict, which has diverted international focus. Meanwhile, Ukraine continues to face financial strain as it awaits a major European Union support package, while Russia benefits from temporary relief on oil sanctions.
Despite renewed diplomatic efforts, expectations for a breakthrough remain low as fighting persists on multiple fronts.
The United States Senate has blocked a controversial amendment seeking to ban transgender athletes from participating in women’s sports, during a rare weekend session tied to a broader voting bill debate.
The amendment, backed by Republican lawmakers and supported by President Donald Trump, was introduced as part of the ongoing deliberations on the SAVE America Act—a sweeping election reform bill focused on tightening voter registration requirements and mandating stricter identification measures.
During Saturday’s session, the proposal failed to pass after falling short of the 60 votes required to overcome a filibuster, with a vote count of 49 in favour and 41 against. The measure aimed to penalize schools that allow transgender girls; those assigned male at birth to compete in female sports categories.
The vote highlights the deep partisan divide in the Senate. Republicans argued that the amendment was necessary to ensure fairness in women’s sports, while Democrats opposed it, framing it as discriminatory and unrelated to voting legislation.
The rejected amendment was one of several policy priorities linked to the broader voting bill, which has itself sparked intense debate. The SAVE America Act, already passed by the House of Representatives, proposes stricter voter ID rules and proof of citizenship requirements.
However, Senate Democrats are expected to block the bill entirely, citing concerns that it could suppress voter turnout and create barriers for eligible voters.
Despite Republican control of the Senate, the legislation faces significant hurdles due to the filibuster rule, which requires bipartisan support to advance major bills.
The weekend session; an unusual move, underscores the high political stakes surrounding the bill, as lawmakers continue to clash over voting rights and social policy issues ahead of upcoming elections.
At least seven people have been confirmed dead following a military helicopter crash in Qatar, with authorities from both Qatar and Turkey attributing the incident to a technical malfunction.
The helicopter went down in Qatar’s territorial waters during what officials described as a routine training or operational flight. Initial findings from Qatari defence authorities indicate that the aircraft experienced a technical fault mid-flight, leading to the crash.
Among those killed were a mix of Qatari and Turkish personnel, highlighting the close military cooperation between the two countries. Reports indicate that the victims included members of the Qatari Armed Forces, a Turkish military officer, and technicians linked to Turkey’s state-owned defence company, ASELSAN.
Earlier statements suggested that six bodies had been recovered while one person was initially missing, but subsequent updates from both countries confirmed that all seven individuals on board died in the crash.
Turkish defence officials confirmed the loss of their personnel and expressed condolences, while Qatari authorities have launched a full investigation to determine the exact cause of the malfunction.
There has been no indication of foul play or external attack, with officials emphasizing that the crash appears to be purely accidental. The incident comes amid ongoing regional security tensions, where joint military operations between Qatar and Turkey have been increasing.
A Nigerian-born senior dietitian, Ifeyinwa Chizube Ndulue-Nonso, has been dismissed from her role in the United Kingdom after a tribunal found she misrepresented her qualifications and demonstrated serious gaps in basic medical knowledge.
Ndulue-Nonso was employed by Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust in February 2024 after scoring 62 percent during her interview. However, concerns about her competence reportedly surfaced within days of resuming duty.
According to tribunal findings, she admitted to exaggerating her experience during the hiring process, stating she had “lied over her qualifications a bit,” which she attributed to cultural differences.
Her supervisor, Lorna Haywood, raised alarm over what she described as “extremely concerning” knowledge gaps, noting that the issues involved fundamental aspects of human anatomy and clinical practice.
Among the reported errors, Ndulue-Nonso allegedly stated that urine is stored in the gallbladder and that radiotherapy is used to treat heart failure. She was also said to have struggled with calculating body mass index (BMI) and incorrectly identified parts of the digestive system.
Further concerns emerged when she reportedly admitted to lacking practical experience in key procedures she had claimed familiarity with, including intravenous feeding and the use of nutritional supplements. She was also said to have failed to recognise a feeding tube in a patient and was observed searching online for basic medical terms during work hours.
She was suspended in March 2024 pending an investigation into her credentials. Disciplinary proceedings later found that 20 out of the 28 areas of expertise she claimed were not supported by her actual knowledge or experience.
Following the outcome, she has been barred from practising as a registered dietitian in the UK.
The case has raised broader concerns about recruitment processes and verification of professional qualifications in the healthcare sector.