Unbiased headline news – In eastern Ukraine, Russian forces have captured the village of Berezivka in the Donetsk region, marking a significant advance in their ongoing offensive. The capture of this small settlement is part of Russia’s broader strategy to control the entire Donbas industrial region, which includes Donetsk and Luhansk.
This offensive has been costly for Russia in terms of troops and equipment but has yielded strategic gains. Meanwhile, uncertainty looms over continued U.S. military support for Ukraine, as President Donald Trump has indicated a potential meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin to negotiate a peace deal.
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A Moscow court has ordered the 30-day pre-trial detention of U.S. citizen Kalob Wayne Byers on drug smuggling charges. Byers was detained at Moscow’s Vnukovo airport after customs officials allegedly found cannabis-laced marmalade in his luggage upon his arrival from Istanbul on February 7.
If convicted, the 28-year-old American could face up to seven years in prison under Russian law. This incident follows a recent prisoner exchange between the U.S. and Russia, highlighting ongoing tensions and the complexities of international legal disputes involving American citizens abroad.
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In the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda-backed M23 rebels have advanced into Bukavu, the second-largest city in the eastern region, after capturing Goma last month. The rebel incursion has led to widespread panic and looting, with tens of thousands of residents fleeing the city.
As Congolese soldiers retreated south, abandoning their posts, reports emerged of factories being pillaged and prisoners released, though essential services like electricity remain operational. The ongoing conflict has resulted in nearly 3,000 deaths and displaced hundreds of thousands.
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In a recent development, three Venezuelan immigrants were deported from El Paso, Texas, back to Venezuela after obtaining a restraining order against their transfer to Guantanamo Bay. Despite concerns raised by their legal representatives about potential dangers due to alleged false gang affiliations, the deportations proceeded.
A U.S. federal judge had temporarily blocked their transfer to Guantanamo Bay, where Venezuelan immigrants are being sent daily under President Donald Trump’s immigration policies. Immigrant rights groups have filed lawsuits seeking access to individuals held at Guantanamo Bay, who currently lack legal counsel and contact with their families.
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Federal employees nationwide are expressing anger and confusion following President Donald Trump’s directive for agencies to lay off probationary employees lacking civil service protections.
The controversy extends to other administration actions, including the proposed dismissal of corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams and the president’s push for increased domestic oil and gas production.
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The White House has barred another Associated Press reporter and photographer from boarding Air Force One, escalating a dispute over the terminology used for the Gulf of Mexico.
Journalists argue that this action violates First Amendment rights, while the Trump administration defends its decision, citing the AP’s so-called “commitment to misinformation.”
