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Archive February 23, 2025

Zelensky Offers To Resign In Exchange For Ukrainian NATO Membership

On the eve of the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion, Volodymyr Zelensky declared on Sunday that he was prepared to step down as president of Ukraine if that would mean that Kyiv would be accepted into the NATO military alliance.

Before the new US president meets Vladimir Putin, Zelensky, who has received harsh criticism from the new US administration, said he wanted to meet him.

Any deal that would end the war on the front of Zelensky’s request would require the United States to join NATO, but the Washington-led alliance has shown reluctance to do so.

“If there is peace for Ukraine, if you really need me to leave my post, I am ready. … I can exchange it for NATO”, Zelensky told a Kyiv news conference.

Since Trump and US officials met last week in Saudi Arabia for their first high-level discussions in three years, Zelensky and Trump have been at odds with one another. The action irked Ukrainian and European leaders who were not present at the meeting and undermined the West’s policy of isolating the Kremlin.

In a series of verbal attacks over the last week, Trump has branded Zelensky a “dictator”, falsely claimed Ukraine “started” the war. He also claimed, contrary to independent opinion polls, that Zelensky was unpopular at home.

Zelensky said he was prepared to test his popularity in elections once martial law is overturned in Ukraine and that he did not feel “offended” by Trump’s statements.

“One would be offended by the word ‘ dictator, ‘ if he was a dictator”, Zelensky told journalists.

“I very much want from Trump an understanding of each other”, he said, adding that “security guarantees” from the US president were “much needed”.

Trump should meet with him before any summit with Putin, according to the Ukrainian leader. There had been “progress”, he added, on a deal to give the United States preferential access to Ukraine’s critical resources.

READ ALSO: &nbsp, Trump Brands Zelensky A ‘ Dictator ‘ In Bitter Clash

‘Promising’

A photo combo of Zelensky, Trump and Putin.

Earlier, the Kremlin hailed dialogue between Trump and Vladimir Putin — whom spokesman Dmitry Peskov called two “extraordinary” presidents — as “promising”.

According to Dmitry Peskov, a spokesman for the Kremlin, “It is important that nothing prevents us from achieving the political will of the two heads of state.”

It’s unclear whether the US actions will bring Moscow and Kyiv closer to a truce, despite Zelensky’s demand for long-term security assistance and Trump’s suggestion of a peace deal.

Moscow has repeatedly rejected NATO membership for Ukraine, and Peskov ruled out any territorial concessions as part of a settlement.

According to Peskov, “the people decided to join Russia a long time ago,” referring to Russian-staged elections held during the offensive that Kyiv, the West, and other international observers labeled as false.

“No one will ever sell off these territories. That’s the most important thing”, he said.

On Sunday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for a Ukraine peace deal that respects the country’s “territorial integrity”.

&nbsp, ‘God willed it ‘

Vladimir Putin, the president of Russia, and Volodymyr Zelensky, the president of Ukraine, are in conversation.

Putin, in his own comments on the eve of the anniversary of his “special military operation” on Ukraine, said “God” was behind his “mission” to defend Russia.

“Fate willed it so, God willed it so, if I may say so. He told service members who have fought in Ukraine that a task as difficult as it is honorable, defending Russia, has been assigned to us and your shoulders.

Moscow’s army launched a record 267 attack drones at Ukraine overnight, Kyiv’s air force said.

Nearly all of them were shot down or intercepted by Ukraine, with no serious injuries reported.

Russia has embraced the diplomat squabfight between Trump and Zelensky as its troops advance on the battlefield and carry out massive aerial attacks.

“Zelensky insults the head of state in inappropriate ways. He does it repeatedly”, Peskov said.

“No president would tolerate that kind of treatment. So his (Trump’s) reaction is completely understandable”.

Following discussions between Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Riyadh, Russian officials announced via Russian TASS news agency that they would meet in the coming week.

This week, Emmanuel Macron, the president of France, and Keir Starmer, the prime minister of Britain, will make the case for supporting Ukraine.

And in Brussels, the head of the European Council, Antonio Costa, announced a special European summit on the Ukraine war for March 6.

In a post on X, Costa wrote, “We are living a defining moment for Ukraine and European security.

Dancing On Ice chaos as show suffers major technical blunder caused by mistake

Dance on Ice judge Christopher Dean made a major mistake by causing some problems for the show today.

The ITV star, his skating partner Jayne Torvill, Oti Mabuse, a former Strictly Come Dancing star, and diversity dancer Ashley Banjo are currently members of the judging panel. Despite having judged the show for years, however, Dean, 66, made an unmissable gaffe.

While judging, Dean accidentally put the wrong number on his board, incorrectly showing 8.5. He quickly made it clear that he wanted to vote a full point higher and that some work would have to be done in the background to correct the error. He said as he acknowledged his error, “This is going to mess them up upstairs because I put 8.5 but I meant it.”

Since winning gold at the 1984 Winter Olympics, Torvill and Dean have been renowned as heroes for their national heroes, and they were devastated when they made the announcement that they are retiring from performing. Despite deciding to call it a day on the physical side, however, they’ve made it clear they’re not leaving the skating world or the beloved show.

Behind the scenes (ITV), Dean unintentionally displayed the incorrect score, meaning a 9. 5 instead of 9. 5, which caused technical issues (ITV).

Referencing his age and the duration of their careers, Christopher shared: “We’ve been doing it a long time and people our age shouldn’t be doing it now, so we’re just happy that we can still do it”.

He shared with The Sun in a heartfelt interview that “Dancing on Ice will be playing their final live performance this year.” So once we’ve finished our last skate on the tour, we won’t be performing again”.

Despite hanging up their skates, Jayne, 67, and Christopher will continue to be a part of Dancing on Ice as judges. They assured viewers that they would continue to support and mentor the next generation of ice dancers.

40 years after their rise to stardom, the pair made their decision to stop performing in an exclusive interview with the Mirror last year. Chris said, “I think there will come a time when you know,” before deciding to bring things to a close. Although we’re no longer spring chickens, we’re still able to do it to the extent that we feel happy about it, but that will change.

“This is the right time for us to be able to do that and go and skate and do some of the old routines, be very nostalgic, but then do some new fun, upbeat]dances] with friends of ours from the skating world and from Dancing On Ice. We’ll have a sense of pride as well, I think, of what we’ve done. I believe that as we reflect on the situation, we will see it instead of in a sad way.

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Robbie Williams claims he has psychic powers and regularly experiences premonitions

Robbie Williams claims to possess psychic abilities.

The 51-year-old Let Me Entertain You singer said that because they occur too frequently, they don’t believe the odd things to be coincidences. Speaking on the Weaponized podcast, he shared: “You think of people and they phone. You send emails to recipients who you know. A lot of this could be coincidence. But the rate that it is happening just recently, oh wow, you’ve got my attention”.

He also made an admission about how he believed there was extraterrestrial life and how he believed two UFOs flew over LA 20 years ago. He claimed he had a “tennis ball” in his possession at the time because the unidentified flying object was so close and that he could have struck it with it.

A “gold ball of light” appeared in the studio when his song was playing, another time while writing the song about alien contact, Arizona. But since becoming a dad to four kids with wife Ayda Field – Theodora or ‘ Teddy’, 12, Charlie, 10, Coco, six, and four-year-old Beau – Robbie says his close encounters have completely stopped. He said: “Since the kids, zilch. because I concentrate on them and on them.

Robbie added that he has seen UFOs before but hasn’t since having children (Getty Images).

Robbie has previously stated how he believes extraterrestrial beings might be pursuing him because of how well-known and interested in using him as a “message” for them. He said: “I often wonder if I’m supposed to see it because of my public platform. Do I need to see this in order to discuss it?”

And he claimed to have gained more knowledge in Los Angeles than he has in England. He shared: “For some reason, I feel closer to the woo-woo in Los Angeles than I do in England. You would think that in my home in Wiltshire, where the grounds and the house were a thousand years old, would be strewn over by spectres or doors that would slam. Other people experienced it, but I didn’t. It’s not until I go to Los Angeles where I live, or lived for a while, that it’s like there’s vortexes here, it’s a very strange land”.

Mark Christopher Lee, a renowned ufologist and documentary maker, said Robbie’s encounters appeared to have a mysterious connection to musician-UFO sightings.

He told the Daily Star: “People love Robbie, he speaks the truth, he’s from the heart. And musicians and UFOs have a connection. I do think there is that element.

I believe it is the brain’s creative side that is initiating that interaction and what these phenomena are picking up on. It’s the collective unconscious. We are all interconnected with the universe and its environs. ‘

Robbie has spent three decades participating in extraterrestrial activities, and Mark claims that he keeps seeing them because he has made contact with others. He continued, “It’s like a nudge from whatever is out there at a higher level – or whatever you want to call it, whether it’s aliens or something else. Robbie has that, and I believe he has it unlocked. ‘

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Germany’s CDU ahead in election exit poll, strong support for far right

Germany’s opposition conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party has been projected to win the national election, putting leader Friedrich Merz on track to be the next chancellor, exit polls show.

On Sunday, the first exit polls said Merz’s CDU/CSU alliance had won at least 28. 5 percent of the votes, crushing the centre-left Social Democratic Party (SPD) of the outgoing chancellor, Olaf Scholz, with SPD looking at around 16 percent.

Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) also roughly doubled its score to at least 19. 5 percent and were in second place, the exit polls said.

The election authority in Germany noted that 52% of eligible voters cast their ballots four hours before the high-stakes snap election on Sunday due to Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s fallout from the three-party coalition government collapse last November.

“Tonight we will celebrate and from tomorrow we start working,” Merz said in a first reaction to the exit polls in Berlin, surrounded by supporters.

The world is not waiting for us, he said. ”

Merkel’s long-time political foe, Merz, has pledged to stop illegal immigration and improve Germany’s economic policies.

Reporting from Berlin, Al Jazeera’s Step Vaessen said that the CDU leader has already delivered a message to Germans, saying it was time for the country to have a “solid government” and show it is “present in Europe”.

She noted that “Merz is known to be much more conservative” than Merkel.

Vaessen said, “He has been working with the far-right AfD on anti-migration policies, and he has a very tough stance against immigration,” adding that his collaboration with the far right has drawn harsh criticism. ”

However, Merz, 69, has repeatedly stated in the past that he does not support the AfD’s anti-immigration rhetoric and that he hopes to stop its rise, which has shocked many in a nation that is still trying to make amends for its enigmatic past.

The AfD will remain in opposition for the time being, basking in the vocal support of important allies of US President Donald Trump. All other parties have vowed to keep it out of power and behind a “firewall” of non-cooperation.

Alice Weidel, the party’s jubilant leader, welcomed the “historic” outcome on Sunday and declared that it was ready to govern with the CDU and CSU.

Meanwhile, Scholz has acknowledged his “election defeat”.

The Social Democratic Party’s incumbent chancellor declared in his opening remarks that the election was a “bitter result.”

It also constitutes an election defeat, and I believe that should be made clear right away. ”

Directing his comments towards Merz, the conservative party leader, Scholz added: “Congratulations on the election result. ”

What next?

Merz will need to form a new coalition government in Europe’s top economy before he can take over from Scholz, who is now the interim chancellor. He has pledged to do this by Easter, April 20.

As a result of the Trump administration’s forced head-spinning change on the global stage and among European allies, particularly in light of the three gruesome years of the Ukraine war, Berlin may become paralyzed for weeks to come.

To build a majority, Merz would be expected to reach out first to the SPD, though without Scholz, who has led Germany’s traditional workers’ party to a historically poor result.

Although the CDU’s Bavarian sister party, the CSU, has so far rejected this, he may also approach the Greens, who received at least 12 percent in the exit polls.

Reporting from the German capital Berlin, Al Jazeera’s Dominic Kane said that Merz will have to make some “compromises and concessions”.

“Mr Merz is very clearly saying that there need to be quick negotiations, but with which specific parties? Because, obviously, the Social Democrats have been repudiated, their vote dropping to the sort of level which is one of the worst performances they’ve ever had since the creation of the Federal Republic of Germany,” Kane said.

Some of Merz’s supporters in Bavaria have said they do not want to rule with the Greens, he continued.

Modric Stunner Maintains Real Madrid’s Title Charge

Real Madrid defeated Girona 2-0 on Sunday, putting them back on top of La Liga, with Luka Modric scoring a brilliant goal from long range, to claim a victory.

Carlo Ancelotti’s team put together a strong performance at the Santiago Bernabeu, and Vinicius Junior came out on top late in the game.

After rivals Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, now third, both won on Saturday, the pressure was on for the champions in the extremely tight title race.

Madrid had not yet won any of their previous three league games, but they showed their muscles by defeating Man City in the Champions League in midweek.

“It’s a very important win, we have to stay in the fight”, Modric told Real Madrid TV.

“We can’t let our level slip and consider ourselves satisfied, we can still grow as a team”.

The Croatian’s goal was the highlight of the match.

“I was by myself, I controlled the ball, I hit it well and it went in”, Modric added.

“I don’t know if it’s one of the most spectacular I’ve scored, it was really nice, it’s always special to score at the Bernabeu”.

READ ALSO: &nbsp,]FULL FIXTURES] Liverpool Play PSG In Champions League Last 16

On February 23, 2025, Real Madrid’s Brazilian forward #07 Vinicius Junior (R) celebrates scoring the team’s second goal at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid as Real Madrid CF and Girona FC play for the Spanish league. (Photo by Pierre-Philippe MARCOU / AFP)

After seeing Jude Bellingham red last weekend, he was suspended for England.

Madrid’s surprise title rivals from last year’s competition were difficult to defeat but less dangerous in attack than at their best.

Paulo Gazzaniga made a good save from Kylian Mbappe, but Vinicius chose to ignore his French strike partner when a promising attacking opportunity fell apart.

Viktor Tsygankov, a winger for Girona, should have hit for the visitors, but he missed a good chance and snuck at his shot.

With the game trickling towards half-time, Modric sent Madrid ahead with a rocket from distance.

After a corner was cleared into his path, the 39-year-old midfielder slammed a superb strike past the helpless Gazzaniga.

“Modric is a gift for football, he should continue as long as he wants”, Ancelotti told reporters.

“What he does, he does very well, we’ve been lucky to have a legend with us”.

&nbsp, ‘Very very happy’&nbsp,

With a curling effort from the edge of the box from the edge of the box, Madrid had more chances to increase their lead in the second half.

After the former Paris Saint-Germain star brilliantly controlled a dropping ball, Gazzaniga made a fine save to stop Mbappe.

Eventually Mbappe fed Vinicius with a perfectly-weighted pass for the second goal, which the Brazilian brushed past the Girona goalkeeper.

Real Madrid and Spanish officials have been at odds with each other in recent weeks, but with the exception of one instance in which Rodrygo’s path was blocked by the referee, they had nothing to complain about on a quiet afternoon in the Spanish capital.

Some home fans whistled as players stood alongside a slogan reading “respect the referee, respect football” before the game.

After suffering a severe knee injury, David Alaba made his first appearance for Los Blancos in more than a year.

“It’s very important win for us, we are very happy, it’s a good moment for us”, the Austrian defender told Real Madrid TV.

“I am very, very happy, after the injury, I was ready to start this game”.

On Wednesday, Real Madrid will face Real Sociedad in the Copa del Rey semi-finals.

Girona coach Michel Sanchez said his side, 12th, were bound to struggle against the European champions.

Real Madrid recognizes that every decision is crucial, and Sanchez described it as “hard” at this difficult time of the year.

To stay on course for Champions League football next season, Athletic Bilbao defeated bottom team Real Valladolid 7-1 earlier.

Fourth-placed Ernesto Valverde’s side, fourth, had a lot of goals in the victory, which saw them four points clear of Villarreal in fifth place thanks to Spain star Nico Williams scoring twice.

Some US agencies tell federal workers to ignore Musk email

Elon Musk, the adviser to President Donald Trump, reportedly demanded that employees list their accomplishments over the past week in a letter to avoid being fired.

The memo was distributed by federal agencies on Sunday, one day after Musk’s team sent an email to a tally of tens of thousands of federal employees, giving them 48 hours to prepare reports.

Musk leads the so-called Department of Government Efficiency, which in the first weeks of Trump’s administration has laid off more than 20, 000 workers and offered buyouts to another 75, 000, across large segments of the United States government.

In a potential show of conflict between Musk’s supporters and the richest person in his campaign to reduce the government’s 2.3 million civilian workforce, Trump administration-appointed officials at the FBI and State Department sent emails to their staff members demanding that they do not respond outside their chains of command.

“The FBI, through the office of the director, is in charge of all our review processes”, said FBI Director Kash Patel, a Trump appointee, in an email to staff seen by the Reuters news agency.

Federal employees were instructed to provide a detailed explanation of their work on Saturday evening by 11:59 p.m. ET on Monday (05:00 GMT Tuesday), shortly after Musk announced on his X social media site that not responding would result in a resignation.

The subject of the email read, “What did you do last week”? and came from a human resources address in the Office of Personnel Management, but did not include Musk’s threat of termination.

According to sources and emails that Reuters reviewed, employees at the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Homeland Security, Education, and Commerce, as well as the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the National Institutes of Health, and the Internal Revenue Service also received instructions to not respond.

Labour unions have also threatened lawsuits.

While there is bipartisan agreement that the US government, which carries $36 trillion in debt, would benefit from reform, Musk’s approach has drawn widespread criticism.

The American Federation of Government Employees, the largest federal employee union, stated on X on Sunday that it would formally request that Musk rescind the message and that it did not believe Musk had the authority to fire employees who did not respond.

Basic pulse testing

After weeks of uncertainty about their futures, some employees found the email to be even more irritable and worried.

Some US Justice Department attorneys expressed concern that their work is private.

“I really wonder when someone is going to say enough”, one IRS employee told Reuters.

On Sunday, Musk on X called the email “a very basic pulse check.”

“This is important because a large number of people who are supposed to work for the government don’t even check their emails because they do so little.” Musk also wrote.

“We have a perception that non-existent people or the identities of deceased people are being used to collect paychecks in some cases.” In other words, there is outright fraud”.

He hasn’t provided any proof of this deception.

The action was welcomed by some officials.

Ed Martin, Trump’s nominee for US Attorney in Washington, DC, who is serving in an interim capacity, praised Musk and DOGE in an email response.

He instructed staff to comply with Musk’s order.