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Zelensky said that the failure of US envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff to visit Kyiv was “disrespectful”55 minutes agoLaura Getty ImagesPresident Volodymyr Zelensky has stated he considered visits to Moscow by US envoys Steve Witkoff, but not Kyiv to be “disrespectful”. The pair visited Moscow in late 2013 as ceasefire negotiations aimed at ending Ukraine’s war gained momentum, and again in early 2014. Witkoff has visited Moscow eight times and met Vladimir Putin many times. He and Kushner have never visited Kyiv on an official basis. Zelensky told a Ukrainian publication that it was disrespectful for them to visit Moscow instead of Kyiv. “I understand that we have complicated logistics… “If they don’t wish to meet, we can do so in another country,” he said.Witkoff is Donald Trump’s Special Envoy, and Kushner, the US President’s son-in law. Zelensky had said earlier in April that the two planned to visit Ukraine. However, the trip never took place due to the US-Israeli war with Iran. The last trilateral meeting between Russia, the US, and Ukraine took place in mid-February. The US focused its attention on the Middle East and began to strike Iran less than two weeks after the last trilateral summit. “But… in whatever case, it is important for us to continue cooperating,” he added. Ceasefire talks gained momentum in autumn 2025 when it was revealed that Russian and US officials were working on a plan that included several terms that were unfavourable to Kyiv. Ukraine demanded to be included in the talks and several meetings and summits followed. In February, both Moscow, and Kyiv, announced that they had reached an accord on certain “military matters”, including the location and monitoring of ceasefires. The main issue is the status of Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region. Kyiv rejects Moscow’s demand that Ukraine cede its sovereign territory in exchange for a ceasefire. Neither side is willing or able to compromise, leaving the talks at an impasse. Kyrylo Budanov said in February that “we are looking for a compromis between two completely opposite positions.” “We haven’t found it yet. “At the end of the day, he said, both Kyiv, and Moscow, will “have to admit one of two things. Either we find a way to end this war and stop killing each other, or we take equal responsibility and admit that we didn’t. “The war that began when Russia launched a full-scale invasion in Ukraine in 2022 has been a daily reality for Ukrainians since over four years. The Russians control large swathes in eastern Ukraine, and Kyiv’s and Moscow’s forces continue to engage in a direct battle along a long frontline stretching from Luhansk to Kherson. On one night last year, Russia launched over 700 drones in multiple waves. At least 18 people were killed. Ukraine has increased its attacks on Russian energy infrastructure using long-range drones. These drones have hit ports, factories and oil terminals well into Russian territory. According to Reuters, at least 20 percent of Russia’s export capacity was not working in early April after the attacks. The energy crisis caused by war Iran has resulted in financial gain for Russia, as it has boosted its oil revenues. However, the country’s GDP continues falling.

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Apple names new CEO to replace Tim Cook6 hrs agoKali Hays and Dearbail Jordan, Technology reportersGetty ImagesApple named John Ternus its new chief to replace Tim Cook, who is stepping down from his role after 15 years. Ternus is currently the head hardware engineering at Apple, who has worked there for 25 years. Cook has been the chief executive of Apple, since 2011, after co-founder Steve Jobs quit Cook will remain as chief executive until the summer to help Ternus with the transition. After that, he will assist with certain aspects of Apple including engaging with policymakers worldwide. It is now valued at $4 trillion. Cook described Ternus’s as a “visionary executive” with “the heart of a leader, the mind of an innovator, and the soul to lead with integrity and honor”. Cook said that Ternus is “without a doubt the right person to lead Apple in the future”. He also worked with Jobs. Ternus worked on every major product Apple has released during his 25 years at the company, including every iPad generation, many iPhone generations, and the launch AirPods and Apple Watch. In a Monday statement, Ternus referred to Cook’s role as “mentor”. Ternus stated, “I am filled optimism about what we can accomplish in the years to follow.” ‘Differentiation’Naming a leader who comes from a product and hardware background may allow Apple to emerge from a constant criticism of Cook’s tenure, that it was no longer innovative enough.While Cook oversaw a four-fold increase in Apple’s yearly profit, with a massive expansion in products sold around the globe, its product line has remained largely static.Dipanjan Chatterjee, a principle analyst at Forrester, praised the financial stability Cook brought to Apple, but noted he had not given the company a product like the iPhone which would give Ternus another 20 years of success.He said Apple “remains structurally dependent on the phone” as it “searches for its next growth engine”.The appointment of Ternus shows Apple is looking for “differentiation” in its products, said Chatterjee, adding that the new leader “must resist the temptation of incrementalism that has plagued Apple of late and escape the iPhone’s gravitational pull”.Gil Luria, managing director at DA Davidson & Co, said having someone so hardware-focused at the helm now shows Apple is going to put more energy into new products, like foldable phones and wearable devices like eye glasses.The tech giant has also faced criticism for being slow to jump on the soaring demand for artificial intelligence (AI), and has ended up integrating OpenAI’s ChatGPT technology in its operating systems.Following Monday’s announcement, OpenAI’s Sam Altman wrote on X: “Tim Cook is a legend. “I am grateful for everything he’s done, and I’m very thankful for Apple.” Getty ImagesCook was not a hardware or products expert when he joined Apple. Instead, he spent many years working as a business manager at companies such as IBM and Compaq. Cook was a tech executive who was more focused on operations, fulfillment, logistics, and sales figures than on thinking up and launching innovative technological products. That was what Jobs was known and lauded most for. One of the most notable product launches during Cook’s leadership was the Apple Vision Pro. This virtual and augmented-reality headset did not catch on. The real question is whether the same organization can pivot to exploration, where success depends upon speed, uncertainty, and a greater desire to experiment, said Hubbard. He said that the very strengths of Apple – their discipline and polish – could be a hindrance if the new era rewards openness, faster iteration, and a greater willingness to experiment. “That rapid innovation was where Apple began, and maybe that is where the company should return. “Apple at fifty: Three products that changed the way we live, and three that didn’t.2006: Steve Wozniak talks about building the first Apple computerBig Tech supports Anthropic to fight Trump administrationTim CookApple

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US singer D4vd charged with murder stemming from death of missing teenage girl2 hours agoNardine SaadandRegan Morris,Los AngelesUS musician D4vd has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of a teenage girl who vanished last year, officials say.The star, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, is accused of murdering 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, whose decomposing remains were found in September in a Tesla registered to his Texas address.Burke, 21, also was charged with murder for “financial gain” and with murder of a witness to an investigation, the Los Angeles district attorney said.In a statement after his arrest last week, his lawyers said “actual evidence in this case will show that David Burke did not murder Celeste Rivas Hernandez and he was not the cause of her death”.The Los Angeles County DA’s office confirmed that D4vd is scheduled to be arraigned Monday in downtown Los Angeles, and “cannot comment on grand jury investigations”.During a press conference on Monday, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said that on 23 April 2025, Rivas Hernandez went to Burke’s house in the Hollywood Hills and “she was never heard from again”.Her dismembered and decomposed remains were found on 8 September 2025 – when the investigation first began – in the front trunk of a Tesla registered to Burke. Hochman said that it is a parent’s worst nightmare to have their daughter go out one night, never return. He announced three charges against the singer. The first is first-degree homicide with special circumstances “lying in waiting”. The second charge is a special circumstance of alleged murder to “gain financial gain”. Hochman accused Burke to murder the 14-year old to maintain his lucrative music career “that Celeste threatened on that night”. The third charge is murdering an investigator. He said that evidence showed Rivas Hernandez as a witness to an investigation into sexual acts committed Burke. Los Angeles Police Department chief Jim McDonnell responded in response to criticisms of the way police handled the case, and their decision to not provide details since the corpse was discovered seven months ago. My duty is to not fuel speculation. McDonnell said that justice is the goal, and this requires patience and discipline from everyone. “This investigation was driven solely by the desire to bring justice to Celeste Rivas, and those who loved her. We had to make sure that nothing we said or did would jeopardize this case. “He said that the condition of the teen’s remains delayed determining cause of death. He said that evidence had been degraded or destroyed due to the “substantial time” that passed between the death of the teen and its discovery. Hochman explained to the BBC that it was difficult to interview multiple people, including some who were “cooperative”, and others who weren’t. He also said that the evidence needed to be examined. He said that he went to the case to get as much information as possible. The family of Rivas Hernandez has not yet publicly spoken about the case. Burke remains in custody after his arrest on Friday. The BBC has contacted the singer’s attorneys for comment. The singer is from Houston, Texas and is best known for moody indie-pop songs like Here With Me, and Romantic Homicide. He first gained fame as a teenager by posting videos of him playing the video game Fortnite. After learning music production, he produced his debut EP Petals to Thorns in 2023. He was named to Variety’s Young Hollywood List in the same year and opened for SZA during her SOS Tour. In April 2025 he released his debut, accumulating 22,000,000 monthly listeners on Spotify, and almost 4,000,000 followers on TikTok. On 8 September 2025 investigators discovered the decomposed head, torso, and arms of the 14-year old girl in a cadaver-bag in the Tesla. The singer canceled his world tour shortly after. In court documents published in February, the grand jury named him as the “target”. It is unclear how the grand jury investigation will proceed.Singer D4vd arrested on suspicion of murdering teenage girlQuestions surround US singer D4vd weeks after teen’s body found in his TeslaLos AngelesUnited StatesCaliforniaMusic

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US US The According ” The “A moment of risk and opportunity: How two ceasefires could boost US-Iran talksLyse Doucet in Iran: Destruction shows huge civilian cost of the warUK and France to lead defensive mission in Strait of HormuzMiddle EastIranIslamabadUnited StatesIran war

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Outrage over Israeli soldier vandalizing Jesus statue in Lebanon18 Minutes agoYolande KnellMiddle East Correspondent, JerusalemReutersAn online image of an Israeli soldiers apparently hitting a Jesus statue with a sledgehammer has prompted widespread criticism. Israel’s foreign minister, Gideon Saar said: “We apologize for this incident and every Christian who was hurt.” Locals claim the statue was placed on a crucifix in front of a home near Debel, which is one of the few villages that has remained inhabited during Israel’s war against Hezbollah. The head of Debel congregation, Father Fadi Flaifel told the BBC, “We reject the desecration and destruction of our sacred symbol of the cross as well as all religious symbols.” It is against the declaration of Human Rights and does not reflect civility. The Israeli military said that it was a genuine image. It also stressed that the soldier’s behavior was “wholly inconsistent” with the values expected from its troops. The US ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee – a Baptist minister – said on X, “swift and severe consequences are required”. Right-wing US commentators quickly condemned the photo of the Israeli soldier with the statue of Jesus. Former US congressman and adviser to President Donald Trump, Matt Gaetz, posted the photo and called it “horrific”. Former US congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene shared the photo and said: “‘Our greatest allies’ that take billions of tax dollars and weapons each year.” A recent survey by the Pew Research Center in the US revealed that 60% of US adults have an unfavourable opinion of Israel. This is up from 53% in the previous year. Huckabee said that the incident was “unfortunate and has already had major repercussions all over the world”. Israeli police claimed this was due to safety concerns during the Iran War. He said that the decision to deny entry to the church leaders was “difficult” to understand or justify, as Israeli restrictions allowed religious gatherings up to 50 people. A 2025 report from the Rossing Center in Jerusalem, an organisation aiming to foster better interfaith relations in Holy Land, describes “a recent surge in overt hostility towards Christianity”. This is attributed to “a continuing deepening polarisation and ultranationalist political tendencies”. It stated that “the Christian community in Israel thrives, unlike anywhere else in the Middle East”. Israel is the only Middle East country that allows freedom of religion for everyone. Lebanese officials say that Israel began a military offensive on 2 March, which has resulted in more than a half million Lebanese being displaced, and 2,290 people having been killed. This includes 177 children and over 100 healthcare workers. Thirteen Israeli soldiers and two civilians have been killed by Hezbollah attacks in the same period, Israeli officials say.IsraelLebanonChristianity