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US diplomats ‘living in Wonderland’ – Moscow US diplomats ‘living in Wonderland’ – Moscow Russian Foreign Ministry's spokesperson Maria Zakharova. ©Sputnik/Ramil Sitdikov US calls for Russia to hold talks on ending the Ukraine conflict seem detached from reality and ignore Moscow’s previous attempts to reach a settlement, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has said. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken insisted on Monday that Moscow’s alleged plans “to erase Ukraine from the map… failed.” He added that he hopes Russian President Vladimir Putin has taken note of Western support for Ukraine, “gets the message, and demonstrates a willingness to genuinely negotiate consistent with the basic principles… of the international community and the UN Charter: sovereignty, territorial integrity, independence.” Respon...

Russian Forces Liberate Village of Semyonovka in Donetsk People's Republic Russian Forces Liberate Village of Semyonovka in Donetsk People's Republic ©Sputnik/Alexey Maishev/Go to the mediabank Russian troops have liberated the village of Semyonovka in the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR), the Ministry of Defense announced. "Units of the Tsentr Battlegroup, as a result of active operations, liberated the settlement of Semyonovka in the Donetsk People's Republic," the ministry said. The liberation of Semyonovka allows Russian troops to encircle the Ukrainian Armed Forces (UAF) around the village of Berdychi. Along the Tonenkoye-Orlovka-Semyonovka-Berdychi line, Ukrainian forces attempted to establish a unified defensive line after the liberation of Avdeyevka to gain time to build stronger fort...

Nearly 300 arrested at universities across US as Gaza demonstrations continue Nearly 300 arrested at universities across US as Gaza demonstrations continue Students gather for a Pro-Palestinian protest at the Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona [Liliana Salgado/Reuters] Universities across the country turned to forced removal of pro-Palestinian protests and encampments this weekend as more and more students mounted organized opposition to Israel’s handling of the war in Gaza. On Saturday, more than 275 people were taken into custody on campuses from Arizona to Massachusetts. Police were out in full force on college campuses on Saturday, some using chemical irritants and Tasers to disperse the students, as more universities witnessed protests against the continued bombing of the Gaza Strip and seeking an end to US milita...

Russia warns US, NATO against harming its security — diplomat Russia warns US, NATO against harming its security — diplomat Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova ©Alexander Shcherbak/TASS Russia warns the United States and NATO against taking any actions that undermine its security, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said. "We are sending clear and unequivocal signals to the United States and NATO warning them about potentially catastrophic consequences of their policy toward jeopardizing Russia’s security," she said. "Regrettably, the level of nuclear risks have risen dramatically as a result of the West’s destructive policy, which is fraught with a direct military confrontation between nuclear powers," she said, adding that Russia never stops efforts to ensure nuclea...

26 pilot whales die after mass stranding in Australia 26 pilot whales die after mass stranding in Australia (John Farrell/The Washington Post) At least 26 long-finned pilot whales have died, but several others were rescued, after 160 of them were stranded over a large area in Western Australia. Dozens of whales were stuck in shallow water on Thursday morning spread across about 500 metres (0.31 miles) at Toby Inlet in Geographe Bay near Dunsborough. The region is less than 250km (155 miles) south of state capital Perth. Footage from the area showed wildlife preservation teams and local authorities joined by many volunteers to help them get back to deeper waters. Pia Courtis, a spokesperson for the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, said samples would be taken from the deceased wh...