TV News LIES

King Charles III on Friday praised Ukraine’s “most valiant strength in the face of such appalling hardship and pain” in a message marking the first anniversary of the century-long partnership agreement between the UK and Ukraine.

“I do pray that the flourishing bonds between our two countries may bring some hope and moral support at this most difficult time,” the King’s heartfelt message read.

He described Ukraine as an “extraordinary example to the world” and said “I am constantly impressed by the sheer bravery, courage and resilience shown by the Ukrainian people.”

The King has been an outspoken advocate for Ukraine for several years. In September, it was reported that he was “very close” to the negotiations being brokered by the US between Ukraine and Russia.

More...

Donald Trump’s so-called “board of peace” has been announced as the US president seeks to manage the reconstruction of Gaza and its transitional administration amid a fragile ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.

The seven-member board includes US secretary of state Marco Rubio, former British prime minister Tony Blair, Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, Trump special envoy Steve Witkoff and World Bank president, Ajay Banga. Trump himself will serve as chair, with further appointments expected in the coming weeks.

Donald Trump’s so-called “board of peace” has been announced as the US president seeks to manage the reconstruction of Gaza and its transitional administration amid a fragile ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.

The seven-member board includes US secretary of state Marco Rubio, former British prime minister Tony Blair, Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, Trump special envoy Steve Witkoff and World Bank president, Ajay Banga. Trump himself will serve as chair, with further appointments expected in the coming weeks.

Each board member will manage “a defined portfolio critical to Gaza’s stabilization and long-term success, including, but not limited to, governance capacity-building, regional relations, reconstruction, investment attraction, large-scale funding, and capital mobilization”, a White House statement said.

Since the ceasefire, Israel has also demolished thousands of structures that survived the war, including homes and greenhouses, in the part of Gaza is still controls.

Hamas has yet to publicly commit to full disarmament – a key Israeli demand and one of the most contentious elements of the longer-term settlement.

More...

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has cast the U.S. announcement that the fragile ceasefire in Gaza would advance to its second phase as largely symbolic, raising questions about how its more challenging elements will be carried out.

Meanwhile, two Israeli airstrikes killed seven people in Deir al-Balah in the Gaza Strip ​on Thursday, local health authorities said. A senior figure in the armed wing of Hamas was among those killed, a Hamas source said.

Neither the Israeli military nor Hamas immediately responded to requests for comment on the incident. Hamas condemned the strikes on the Al-Holy family, in a statement that did not mention Mohammed or his role in the group. It accused Israel of violating the ceasefire deal in place since October, and of attempting to reignite the conflict.

_____

Questions also include the timing of deployment of international forces and the reopening of Gaza's southern Rafah border crossing, as well as concrete details about disarming Hamas and rebuilding Gaza.

In an interview on Wednesday with the West Bank-based Radio Basma, Ali Shaath, the engineer and former Palestinian Authority official slated to head the committee, said he anticipated reconstruction and recovery to take roughly three years. He said it would start with immediate needs, such as shelter.

"If I bring bulldozers, and push the rubble into the sea, and make new islands [in the sea], new land, it is a win for Gaza and [we] get rid of the rubble," Shaath, a Gaza native, said.

More...

Ukrainian troops from the National Guard’s 13th “Khartia” Brigade repelled a large-scale Russian assault in the Kharkiv region, killing about 70 Russian soldiers.

According to the brigade’s press service, over the course of the week, Russian troops have repeatedly tried to break through positions in its area of responsibility north of Kharkiv, but it said all assaults were repelled.

Kyiv Post was unable to independently verify the time and location of the footage, which shows Russian soldiers being targeted by drone-dropped munitions.

“Thanks to the coordinated actions of Khartia’s infantry, drone operators, artillery units, and other elements, the enemy’s attempt was unsuccessful. We continue to defend the Kharkiv region and keep Kharkiv secure,” the brigade said.

The repelled assault comes as Ukrainian forces retake control over the Kupyansk City Council building during efforts to lift the city’s blockade.

More...

European troops were arriving in Greenland on Thursday in a show of support, as leaders scrambling to respond to President Donald Trump’s threats were thrown another American curveball.

Trump pushed ahead with his aim of “conquering” one European territory, Denmark’s top diplomat saihttps://www.nbcnews.com/world/greenland/european-troops-arrive-greenland-trump-throws-curveball-rcna254166?utm_source=firefox-newtab-en-usd after a high-stakes meeting in Washington on Wednesday.

The president then sided with the man who invaded another, casting Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy rather than Russia’s Vladimir Putin as the obstacle to peace, in his latest reversal on the conflict already raging on the continent.

Trump's comments drew new pushback from leaders in Europe, whose alarm over U.S. actions had for weeks been focused farther north.

Small numbers of military personnel from France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Finland, Norway and Sweden were arriving in the Arctic island early Thursday.

More...

Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado said she presented President Donald Trump her Nobel Peace Prize medal during their Jan. 15 meeting at the White House, an extraordinary gesture to try to earn Trump's backing.

Machado, speaking to reporters after the meeting ended, said she gave Trump her Nobel Peace Prize medal, which Trump has long coveted, "as a recognition for his unique commitment with our freedom." She did not say whether Trump accepted the medal.

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The meeting was held as Machado is seeking Trump's approval to have a role in the Venezuelan government following the United States' Jan. 3 attack on Venezuela and capture of the country's president, Nicolás Maduro. Trump has instead embraced Delcy Rodríguez, Maduro's vice president, as the next leader, praising her cooperation as the United States begins to sell Venezuelan oil.

More....