WESTERN PERSPECTIVE Russia close to achieving goals in Ukraine war, Putin's spy chief says Russian President Vladimir Putin's foreign intelligence chief said on Tuesday that Russia was close to achieving its goals in Ukraine with Moscow holding what he said was the strategic initiative in all areas in the war. Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine has left tens of thousands of dead, displaced millions and triggered the biggest crisis in relations between Moscow and the West since the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis. "The situation on the front is not in Kyiv's favour," Sergei Naryshkin, the head of Russia's Foreign Intelligence…

Israel hopeful about Gaza hostage deal Israel is growing more optimistic about the possibility of securing a deal to free hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said on Monday. His comments come amid reports that Hamas has requested lists of all hostages still in captivity, signaling potential progress in negotiations. Saar confirmed that indirect talks are ongoing concerning the release of approximately 100 hostages, although he cautioned that it was still too early to guarantee success. “We can be more optimistic than before, but we are not there yet. I hope we will be there,” Saar…

Western Perspective: Zelensky Pushes for Diplomatic Resolution, Considers Foreign Troops Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has reiterated his support for a diplomatic solution to the ongoing war with Russia, suggesting the possibility of foreign troops being deployed in Ukraine until it can join NATO. Speaking alongside German opposition leader Friedrich Merz, Zelensky emphasized Kyiv’s commitment to ending the conflict, asserting that a diplomatic resolution could save countless lives. His comments come amid rising expectations that U.S. President-elect Donald Trump will advocate for swift peace talks when he takes office in January. Zelensky’s position is part of a broader shift toward openness…

Doctors say Israeli shells hit Gaza hospital, Israel denies strike Israeli shelling hit a hospital in northern Gaza, wounding several people, damaging equipment and disrupting surgeries, Palestinian health officials said on Sunday, but Israel's military denied carrying out strikes in the area. Hussam Abu Safiya, director of the Kamal Adwan Hospital in the town of Beit Lahiya - one of only three barely operational on the northern edge of the enclave - said the facility was struck by about 100 tank shells and bombs late on Saturday. "The situation is extremely dangerous. We have patients in the intensive care unit…