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MILITARY aid to Ukraine collapsed over the summer holidays despite the UK sending 85,000 drones.
Weapons donations plummeted by 57 per cent according to Berlin’s Kiel Institute, which tracks most types of aid to Ukraine.
AFPMilitary aid…
FORGED in the ashes of World War Two, NATO was for decades the West’s last defence against the threat of nuclear annihilation from the Soviet Union.
In the latest episode of…
VLADIMIR Putin’s closest ally has issued his most chilling nuclear war threat yet.
Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko, often dubbed “Europe’s last dictator”, declared that Ame…
NATO has brutally poked fun at one of Putin’s busted and broken submarines as the sputtering boat sailed through the English Channel.
Kilo-class sub Novorossiysk cruise…
RUSSIAN workers have threatened to commit a mass suicide from a factory roof amid an unpaid wage dispute at a major power plant.
More than 60 workers at the major power plant …
A NATO state dramatically closed part of its border with Russia after mysterious “armed groups” appeared near the frontier, sparking fears of a stunt by Vladimir Putin…
The parade, held in North Korea’s capital to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the ruling Workers’ Party, gave its leader a chance to show off his growing power.
PUTIN has made a chilling weapons development announcement as Moscow suggested it would not hesitate to carry out a nuclear test if other countries decided to do so.
The Russian tyrant announced the development of the “new kind of weapon” on Friday.
Fronting the media at a summit in Tajikistan, he said an arms race was already in progress and that it “would be a shame if nothing remained of the arms control framework” between the Washington DC and Moscow.
The Russian despot said that his country was willing to voluntarily extend the warhead limits defined in the New START treaty if the US was willing to do the same.
The agreement expires in February, and Trump has yet to formally agree to the proposal.
“Will these few months be enough to make a decision on an extension? I think it will be enough if there is goodwill to extend these agreements,” Putin said.
“If the Americans decide they don’t need it, that’s not a big deal for us.”
He said Russia had continued to develop and test new-generation nuclear weapons.
During his announcement, the Russian president made a menacing observation regarding the impending expiration of the New START agreement.
“We’re ready to negotiate if it’s acceptable and useful for the Americans,” he said.
“If not, then no, but that would be a shame, because then there would be nothing left in terms of deterrence in the area of strategic offensive weapons.”
For the second time this week, Putin referred to the possibility of other countries carrying out a nuclear test.
He did not, however, name which nations.
Putin said there had always been a temptation to “test the effectiveness of fuel” that had been sitting stagnant in weapons for “many years”.
He went on to say that while some experts believe computer simulated testing “was sufficient”, others argued “repeat tests [were] necessary”.
“Some countries are thinking about it, as far as I know,” he said on Friday.
“They’re even preparing… That’s why I said that if they do it, we’ll do the same.”
North Korea has been the only country to carry out a nuclear test this century.
America and Russia currently have the largest nuclear weapons arsenal on Earth.
By Patrick Harrington
NEW START, or the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, is an agreement between Russia and the US over their nuclear weapons arsenals.
Under the terms of the deal, first cooked up at the end of the Cold War, both countries have agreed to cap the number of strategic nuclear warheads they can deploy.
It also limits the number of land- and submarine-based missiles and bombers that can deliver them.
The formal name of the treaty is Measures for the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms.
New START is an extension of previous treaties called Start I, signed in 1991, and START II, signed in 1993.
The current agreement is due to expire in February 2026 but, due to disagreements over the war in Ukraine, Moscow and Washington have not yet begun negotiations to extend it.
Putin said if the agreement expires, Russia would certainly carry out a test of its own.
According to security experts, a test by one country would have a ripple-effect, encouraging other nuclear powers to follow suit, sparking fears that geopolitical tensions would rise.
“[Weapons testing] would be good from a security perspective, but bad from the point of view of curbing the arms race,” he added.
“In the same context, extending the New START Treaty for at least a year is a good idea.”
His announcement comes after Donald Trump hinted that he he would supply Ukraine with long-range Tomahawk missiles earlier in the week.
These weapons, which proved effective against Iran’s nuclear targets, would bring the capital city comfortably within Ukraine’s blast range.
Currently, Ukraine has been using Storm Shadow and Atacms missiles from the UK and US – but these fall short of Moscow.
Meanwhile, Russian forces continue to blast Ukraine with an onslaught on major energy plants.
Overnight, blistering missile and drone attacks took out most of Kyiv’s electricity and disrupted water supplies, as critical infrastructure was hit across the country.
The continuation of the strikes comes after Russia hammered the port of Chornomorsk in Odesa, targeting an alleged shipment of Western ammo.
Russian strikes reportedly targeted at least three hyrdroelectric power plants and multiple thermal generating stations in a blatant assault against civilians.
The offensive comes before temperatures begin to plummet as winter grows closer.
If America rejects proposal to extend nuclear limitations agreement, it’s “no big deal” to Russia[/caption]
DONALD Trump has been denied the Nobel Peace Prize – despite his deal yesterday bringing an end to the war between Israel and Hamas.
The prize instead was awarded to María C…
JOY erupted across Israel and Gaza as a historic deal to free hostages and stop the war was sealed.
Peacemaker Donald Trump said 20 living hostages and the bodies of 28 more remaining in the Hamas terror stronghold should be returned by Monday.
A woman was seen holding ‘I love Trump’ banners[/caption]
Happy Israelis were seen hugging after Trump’s announcement[/caption]
The world breathed a sigh of relief when Trump announced the peace deal[/caption]
And the bloodbath war in Gaza – which Hamas claims has killed 67,000 Palestinians since the October 7 attacks – will finally end.
Talks on both sides were continuing on Thursday amid anxiety that the fragile truce framework could still fall apart.
But Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu called a meeting of ministers to ratify the deal amid soaring hopes of a full ceasefire in the coming hours.
Once the guns fall silent, Hamas will be given 72 hours to free all Israeli hostages, alive and dead – which is likely to happen on Sunday or Monday.
Israel will then free 250 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences and 1,700 Gazans detained after October 7 – and up to 600 trucks-a-day will flood the blitzed strip with aid.
The next phase of the deal could then see a new “Board of Peace” run by ex-UK PM Tony Blair take control of Gaza before handing the enclave back to peace-loving Palestinians.
Jubilant scenes of celebration broke out as news first broke that Hamas had agreed to the peace deal after Trump was passed a note on live TV.
The US president was hosting a roundtable event with conservative influencers at the White House when his Secretary of State Marco Rubio was seen trying to catch his eye.
Moments later Rubio handed over a note and Trump announced: “I was just given a note by the secretary of state saying that we’re very close to a deal on the Middle East, and they’re gonna need me pretty quickly,”
Soon after, on the Truth Social site, Trump said: “I am very proud to announce that Israel and Hamas have both signed off on the first Phase of our Peace Plan.
“All Parties will be treated fairly! This is a great day for the Arab and Muslim World, Israel, all surrounding Nations, and the United States of America.
“We thank the mediators from Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey, who worked with us to make this Historic and Unprecedented Event happen.
“Blessed are the peacemakers.”
The US president is expected to fly to the Middle East to seal his deal over the weekend and said he may even go to Gaza.
He added that fighting would stop “very soon” as Israeli troops begin withdrawing, taking the first steps to a “strong, durable, and everlasting peace.”
What we know so far…
Jubilant Trump – vying for the Nobel Peace Prize due to be announced later this week – later made a speakerphone call to grateful hostage families.
Relatives cheered and thanked him while gathered around a phone as he pledged their loved ones would be home “on Monday.”
Jubilant scenes erupted in Hostage Square in central Tel Aviv soon after as sombre “Bring Them Home” vigils were replaced by wild chanting and jigs of joy.
US stars and stripes banners were flown alongside Israeli flags while one woman paraded in all-American garb with an “I love Trump” banner.
Rebecca Bohbot, wife of father-of-one Elkana, 36, who is believed to be among the 20 Israelis still alive in Gaza beamed: “For two years I have been fighting for the life of my man.
People celebrating the news that a peace deal has been signed[/caption]
by Nick Parker, Foreign Editor
FOR two years it has been a place steeped in sadness and anxiety and the epicentre of a nation’s trauma.
Hostage Square in the centre of Tel Aviv is where families of snatched captives gathered to pray and plead for an end to their torment, backed by thousands of supporters.
But joy erupted amid the faded yellow ribbons and flickering candles for the first time on Thursday as news broke that a peace deal had finally been sealed.
And hostage families spoke of their hope and trepidation as Israelis dared to dream of the loved ones’ long awaited homecoming.
I have visited the square many times since the October 7 attacks launched by Hamas claimed 1,200 lives and detonated the Gaza conflict and seen their pain first hand.
And it was heartwarming to see a carnival atmosphere and smiles on so many faces in a place so long associated with heartbreak and suffering.
My hope now, shared by the vast majority of Israelis and Palestinians, is that the fragile deal can somehow begin to heal the hate.
Phase one may stop the war and bring the hostages home – but this is just the first step in what still promises to be a long and very rocky road.
“This is the moment that a little boy will return to hug his father, a moment when my family comes back to life.”
Silvia Cunio, mother of hostage David, 34, sobbed after Trump’s address: “I dream of the hugs, the kisses.
“I thank everyone for the warm embrace these past two years — it gave me the strength to keep going.”
David’s wife Sharon posted a picture of the couple with their two girls, writing: “Emma and Yulie, dad is coming home.”
Danny Miran, father of hostage Omri Miran, 48, said he was “smiling from ear to ear, but with tears of joy.”
He added, “My two eldest granddaughters came over, and we danced together in the hallway. I’ve been waiting more than two years for this moment.”
Einav Zangauker, mother of hostage Matan Zangauker, 24, shared an emotional message on social media, saying, “I have prayed for these tears – Matan is coming home.”
Israeli medical teams were on standby to receive living hostages amid fears many will be seriously ill and traumatised after two years in Hamas hell.
And families of all of those hoping to hug loved ones and rebuild their shattered lives, backed by medical care and counselling likely to take years.
Merav Gilboa-Dalal, mother of 24-year-old hostage Guy, said, “The main thing is that my son should come back healthy and on his own two feet. That’s what I wish for all of us.”
British hostage Emily Damari, 29, who was freed after 471 days in Gaza was also seen hugging Israeli pals as news of the breakthrough broke.
Hostage supporter Lee Zedik, 49, from Ramat Gan, near Tel Aviv, said as she danced in the square: “It’s for all of our brothers and sisters.
“They’re coming home to Israel after unimaginable suffering. We have wanted them back for so long and we are happy.
“We’re singing out of pure joy and happiness – we’re singing for our community and for peace.”
“This is what peace and happiness looks like.”
Israeli soldier’s wife Merav (pic) , 39, also from Ramat Gan, said: “I am so happy, along with everybody else that this looks like the war is over.
By Sayan Bose, Foreign News Reporter
While the conflict between Israel and Palestine dates back decades, the current fighting erupted two years ago when Hamas fanatics attacked Israel in a massive terror attack.
On October 7, 2023, Islamists terrorists stormed the border between Gaza and Israel, slaughtering over 1,200 Israelis and kidnapping 250 civilians.
Since then, Israel has almost completely destroyed the strip in an effort to eradicate the group and bring home its trapped people.
Tel Aviv’s retaliatory assault and siege on Gaza created a devastating humanitarian crisis, perpetuating a brutal cycle of attack and counter-attack.
Amid international cries for peace, Israeli PM Netanyahu vowed not to stop until Hamas is destroyed.
His goal to deradicalise Gaza – and the terror group’s existential struggle – created a political and military stalemate in the narrow strip.
The sheer scale of destruction and hardening of positions made it difficult for diplomats to adopt a political solution.
However, with Donald Trump’s proposed 20-point peace plan for Gaza, an end to the bloody war looks near.
“My husband has 100 soldiers serving under him in Gaza and I worry for them all.
“I will hopefully no longer have to worry about whether he is safe or in danger.”
The outpouring of joy in Hostage Square was tinged with sadness for those preparing to receive the bodies of their loved ones.
Hamas claimed to have lost track of up to 15 of the bodies in the Gaza war zone – leaving Israeli families unsure whether they will be able to bury their dead.
Rotem Cooper, 59, who learned his 85-year-old father Amiram had died in captivity last June told The Sun: “Receiving my father’s both will give us some kind of closure.
“But if this deal had been done sooner he might still be alive today.
“No politician should get points for bringing my father’s body home in a bag.
“The priority should always have been to bring them all home alive and we now have a long list of funerals to get through.
“We’re celebrating today but there’s still a lot of anger.”
Israelis were chanting jigs of joy[/caption]
Relatives and supporters of Israeli hostages held by Hamas[/caption]
