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The Russian defense ministry said on Saturday its forces had taken control of eight more Ukrainian settlements, including the town of Dobropillia in the eastern Donetsk region, news agency Interfax reported.The ministry also said it had struck Ukrainian drone storage sites and transport infrastructure used by Ukraine’s armed forces over the past 24 hours.Ukraine's General Staff said on Saturday that Ukrainian forces remained in control of the eastern town of Dobropillia, describing Russia's claim to have captured it as untrue.News: The Jerusalem Post

Donald Trump blocked numerous sanctions on Russia two days before they were due to take effect, as a row with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky deepens.The sanctions were passed by the Congress and signed into law the president in September.But Trump issued an executive order Friday night saying that suspending some was in the US national interest, prompting a backlash from US lawmakers. Zelensky said it was unfortunate the US has decided to "completely disregard" the sanctions.Relations between Washington and Kyiv frayed after the US struck a controversial deal to import Russian diesel last week. Ukraine has accused the Trump administration of withdrawing key military support.Trump and Zelensky have exchanged sharp words about one another. Ukraine's president declared it was nice to be among "real leaders" while addressing an EU summit, after Trump said Zelensky was "more difficult to deal with" than Russian President Vladimir Putin.The new US sanctions law took aim at Russia's economy by giving Trump broad powers to levy tariffs of up to 100% on imports from the top five purchasers of Russian oil and gas – most significantly China and India.It also included sanctions against senior Russian figures, including Putin, as well as Russian financial institutions and Moscow's so-called "shadow fleet" of vessels used to circumvent existing embargoes.News: BBC

With the rallies promising a fraught six month run-in to the country's presidential election, Paris authorities banned protests in the heart of the capital.The country's Yellow Vest movement, which eight years ago staged street protests against Macron's government, called Saturday's "yellow and youth" demonstrations.It has appealed to teachers and students, workers, pensioners and farmers to take part."We're expecting a pretty big turnout," Interior Minister Laurent Nunez told France 2 television. A police source told AFP that authorities estimated nearly 200,000 people could take part, with 40,000 in Paris.Macron called "for calm and respect". In Brussels for European Union talks, he added the right to protest went hand in hand with "respect for people and property".Macron this week said he believed the "legitimate" demands of the students were being "exploited for political purposes", according to a government spokeswoman.The unrest has been seized upon by France's far-left and far-right parties.Jean-Luc Melenchon, leader of the far-left France Unbowed party, has backed the student protests and marched in one demonstration Tuesday supporting them.News: France24

A Mexican ⁠judge ⁠has sentenced ​three men to 158 years ⁠and nine months in prison each for ⁠the murder of ​two Australian ‌brothers ‌and their American friend during ‌a 2024 surf trip to the state of Baja California.The ‌defendants were declared guilty a week ​ago of homicide, aggravated robbery, robbery with violence and vehicle theft ⁠with violence, crimes committed against ​Australian ​brothers Jake ​and Callum Robinson, and ​their ‌American friend ​Carter Rhoad.Rhoad and the Robinsons were shot dead in a suspected robbery while travelling through Mexico.They were camping in a remote beachside area near the city of Ensenada when they were attacked on 27 April 2024.News: The Guardian

A smiling Pope Leo left hospital in Rome on Saturday afternoon and returned to the Vatican four days ‌after surgery for lung cancer, an illness that has prompted speculation about how his 17-month papacy might change.The pope walked unaided to his waiting car, waving to well-wishers outside Rome's Gemelli Hospital. He stopped to speak to a 13-year-old girl named Varvara from Ukraine who has been in Italy for cancer treatment.News: Reuters

Tens of thousands of people marched through central Lisbon on Saturday to protest against soaring living costs and a deepening housing crisis in Portugal, increasing pressure on the center-right government.Portugal's biggest union, CGTP, which called the rally, said "many tens of thousands" packed one of the capital's main avenues. Police gave no crowd estimate.Protesters say low wages are failing to keep pace with housing costs and the rising cost of living, leaving many people struggling to make ends meet in the European Union and NATO member state.Sources & Attribution DisclaimerThis episode is based on reporting from established news outlets. All reporting, original footage, and images belong to their respective owners. This content is for news and informational purposes; it does not claim ownership of third-party material or imply endorsement.Credible sources:The Jerusalem Post: https://www.jpost.com/international/article-911983🎙️ Audio Disclaimer: All episodes are voiced by Souha. The audio is not AI-generated and features real human narration.🎧 Thank you for listening to our news podcast.