World


Russian troops pierce Ukraine’s patchy defences in Donetsk

Kyiv, Aug 13 (UNI) Small groups of Russian troops have pierced parts of Ukraine’s defences in its eastern Donetsk region, according to local officials, as Russia appears to be making an 11th-hour dash to snatch as much territory as possible ahead of the planned meeting between President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart Donald Trump on Friday.
Russian forces are making a push towards Dobropillia, the Ukrainian battlefield monitoring group DeepState reported Tuesday.
The town is around 20 kilometres (12 miles) north of the key strategic city of Pokrovsk, which has been in the Kremlin’s crosshairs for more than a year, reports CNN.
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France pledges support for UN humanitarian reforms in call with UN official

19 Feb 2026 | 2:19 PM

Paris, Feb 18 (UNI) France’s Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Jean-Noël Barrot, spoke on Thursday with UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Tom Fletcher, reaffirming Paris’s commitment to international humanitarian law and the protection of civilians.

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California man convicted of USD 1 2 million fraud scheme targeting Optum

19 Feb 2026 | 2:16 PM

Minneapolis, Feb 19 (UNI) A California man has been found guilty of orchestrating a years-long fraud scheme that siphoned more than $1.2 million from Optum, Inc., federal prosecutors announced Wednesday.

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Austrian President backs longer conscription, return of reservist training

19 Feb 2026 | 2:10 PM

Vienna, Feb 19, (UNI) Alexander Van der Bellen has voiced support for extending Austria’s compulsory military service and reinstating reservist training, citing growing geopolitical challenges.

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Venezuela, US agree to develop cooperation plan on drug trafficking: Vice President

19 Feb 2026 | 1:28 PM

Carcass, Feb 19 (UNI) - Venezuela and the United States have agreed to begin work on a bilateral cooperation agenda to combat drug trafficking and address migration issues following a visit by US Southern Command Gen. Francis Donovan, Communications and Information Minister Miguel Angel Perez Pirela said.

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US military strikes on Iran could be imminent

19 Feb 2026 | 11:03 AM

Washington, Feb 19 (UNI) A US military operation against Iran could be imminent if Tehran continues to reject President Donald Trump’s demands in ongoing negotiations. Though President Donald Trump has yet to make a final decision on whether he’ll authorize such actions, CNN reported, quoting sources.

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