A dog owner was saved by his loyal pet after he collapsed on a beach in Dorset. 

David Howarth collapsed when walking along an empty Sandbanks beach in Poole after enjoying a dip in the sea. 

Fortunately, his faithful Labrador Beau was with him when the incident happened, and the pooch began bouncing up and down on Mr Howarth, running around on the sand and barking to draw attention. 

A passer–by noticed the dog’s unusual behaviour and stopped to help, saving the 71–year–olds life. 

Claire Dashwood was walking with her partner when she spotted five–year–old Beau next to Mr Howarth. She immediately ran over to help. 

She and her partner Paul Harrold turned Mr Howarth, who had stopped breathing, onto his back and began CPR while being guided by a paramedic over the phone. 

Two off–duty doctors, Rachel Hall and Chris Hovell, who were walking on the prom, spotted the scene unfolding and came to help, taking turns with Ms Dashwood, 65, to carry out compressions. 

When paramedics arrived, Mr Howarth was shocked with a defibrillator three times before he began to show signs of life. 

David Howarth, pictured with his Labrador Beau who was with him when he collapsed 

David Howarth collapsed when walking along an empty Sandbanks beach in Poole after enjoying a dip in the sea

Beau jumped up and down on Mr Howarth, ran around on the sand and barked to draw attention when his owner collapsed 

He was taken to a nearby hospital where doctors implanted a defibrillator near his heart. 

He was discharged after a week, and has made a full recovery.  

Speaking of the incident, Mr Howarth said: ‘I feel I owe Beau my life. I feel like I’ve won the lottery. I have this feeling of euphoria.

‘I feel extremely high–spirited, upbeat, optimistic and incredibly thankful for Beau and the people who went out of their way to save me.

‘I call them my angels. Every day I feel like the bubble will burst but it’s a year on and it hasn’t.

‘I’m just so glad to be alive, to be here, to have another chance.’

Ms Dashwood said she thought Beau was playing on the beach at first, and only realised something was wrong when she saw Mr Howarth on his back. 

‘He was dead, purple and freezing cold,’ she said. ‘I checked his pulse and his airway but there was nothing.

‘I was aware of lots of people around us saying, ‘he’s dead, he’s gone’, but I just blocked it all out and kept going.

‘The dog could have growled at me or attacked me but he kept on licking me. He knew I was helping David.

‘Beau is my little hero. Every time I see him, he licks my face – and I never let a dog lick my face!’ 

Claire Dashwood was walking with her partner when she spotted Beau next to Mr Howarth

Two off–duty doctors, Rachel Hall and Chris Hovell, who were walking on the prom, spotted the scene unfolding and came to help

Mr Howarth was taken to hospital where doctors implanted a defibrillator near his heart

Ms Hall, one of the doctors who stopped to help, added that she was ‘genuinely astonished with the outcome because David was completely gone when we saw him on the beach.’

Sam Kennard, community defibrillator manager at the British Heart Foundation said the story is a stark reminders of ‘how crucial it is to act fast in an emergency.’ 

‘Lives were saved because someone recognised the signs of cardiac arrest and started CPR immediately,’ they said. 

‘Cardiac arrest can happen to anyone, anywhere, at any time.’

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The government is warning a voluntary window to return any money owed to taxpayers claimed through pandemic-era schemes closes shortly before midnight on December 31

People who wrongly claimed under schemes such as Eat Out to Help Out are being urged to repay

Suspected Covid fraudsters and those who wrongly took taxpayers’ cash have just 48 hours to repay – or face more severe penalties.

A voluntary window to return the money claimed through pandemic-era schemes closes shortly before midnight on December 31. Launched in September allows individuals to pay back financial support they didn’t need or weren’t entitled to as the virus ripped through the country.

They include programmes such as furlough, bounce-back loans, business support grants, and the Eat Out to Help Out scheme – set up by ex Tory PM Rishi Sunak.

The Treasury warned those who fail to comply face being slapped with 100% fines and in some cases charged interests and penalties. In the most serious cases where fraud or deliberate abuse is suspected, claimants face criminal action and a potential prison sentence.

READ MORE: Inside 2025 in UK politics – from Keir Starmer’s Trump bromance to Budget bombshellsREAD MORE: Billions of pounds lost to Covid fraud and error under Tories ‘beyond recovery’

Chancellor Rachel Reeves said: “The message is clear – if you wrongly claimed, put it right now. This money belongs to your local community – our NHS, our schools and our vital public services took tax-payer-funded help they weren’t entitled to and who fails to come forward will face the consequences.”

In September, Counter-fraud commissioner Tom Hayhoe urged people to use the voluntary window to “wipe the slate clean and move on”. Launching the scheme in an article for The Mirror, he had warned: “This offer won’t be around forever. New investigatory powers are coming. Businesses could be shut down.

“People could be banned from running a company. Thousands could face their day in court. The worst offenders will go to prison.” He added: “My message is clear – pay now, clear your conscience, or face the consequences.”

It comes after the government set up a Covid fraud reporting hotline, which has so far received 300 allegations totalling £35million. A new fraud team will begin work in the New Year investigating the claims.

Earlier this month, Mr Hayhoe found an eye-watering £10.9billion was lost to the taxpayer during the pandemic. His final report said some £1.8billion had been clawed back but “much of the shortfall is now beyond recovery”.

But Mr Hayhoe said “areas remain where investing in recovering money paid out incorrectly is worthwhile and work should continue.” Mr Hayhoe said the then Tory Government “paid too little attention to the risk of fraud” as it battled to contain the spread of the deadly virus.

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Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy say they have made “a lot of progress” towards finalising a peace agreement to end Russia’s war in Ukraine – although “one or two very thorny issues” remain.

At a news conference following around two hours of talks at Mr Trump‘s residence in Mar-a-Lago, Florida, the two leaders hailed an “excellent” meeting during which they discussed “all aspects” of a 20-point peace framework.

The US president said the outcome of the talks would be known in a few weeks, saying Ukraine is “a lot closer” to a deal and that the pair had “made a lot of progress on ending that war”.

Image:
Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Donald Trump held a news conference following the peace deal talks in Florida. Pic: AP/ Alex Brandon

Russia “wants to see Ukraine succeed”, he maintained at the news conference, during which he repeatedly praised the Ukrainian leader as “brave”.

Mr Zelenskyy said the 20-point peace plan was “90% agreed”, with US-Ukraine security guarantees 100% agreed – although Mr Trump put the security agreements at 95%.

“We agreed that security guarantees are a key milestone in achieving lasting peace and our teams will continue working on all aspects,” Mr Zelenskyy said.

Opening the floor to questions from the media, which started with the issue of security, Mr Trump said: “I just think we’re doing very well. We could be very close or one or two very thorny issues, very tough issues. But I think we’re doing very well.

“We’ve made a lot of progress today, but really we’ve made it over the last month. This is not a one-day process deal. There’s very complicated stuff.”

Asked which thorny issues remain unsolved, Trump said the issue of some Ukrainian land.

The Donbas issue

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Future of Donbas ‘unresolved’

Russian leader Vladimir Putin wants to take control of Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region as a condition for ending the war, despite not controlling the entire area. Ukraine has previously ruled out accepting this.

Speaking about the Donbas region, Mr Zelenskyy said he had to “respect our law and our people”, as well as the territory controlled by Ukraine.

“And of course, our attitude is very clear,” he said. “That’s why President Trump said this is a very tough question.”

Ukraine has “a different position to Russia” on the matter, he added.

Image:
Mr Trump and Mr Zelenskyy sat down with secretary of state Marco Rubio, Mr Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, US special envoy Steve Witkoff and White House chief of staff Susan Wiles, and Ukrainian delegates, before the talks. Pic: Reuters

Mr Trump was also asked about Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, which has been under Russian control since the war began in February 2022.

Mr Putin is “working with Ukraine on getting it open”, the US president said. “He’s been very good in that sense. He wants to see that open.”

“He hasn’t hit it with missiles,” Mr Trump added.

The US president, who spoke with Mr Putin earlier in the day, insisted the Russian leader is “very serious” about peace in Ukraine, despite Moscow launching attacks on Kyiv ahead of the talks.

The meeting in Florida was the latest stage in Mr Trump’s year-long effort to secure a ceasefire, after previously saying he would end the war on the first day of his term in office.

UK ‘committed to sustaining momentum’

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Mr Trump and Mr Zelenskyy spoke with European leaders, including Sir Keir Starmer, after their meeting. Pic: PA

Following the discussion, Mr Trump and Mr Zelenskyy spoke with European leaders, including Sir Keir Starmer.

A Downing Street spokesperson said the UK prime minister was eager to sustain the momentum of the peace talks.

“The discussion focused on ongoing efforts to secure a just and lasting peace in Ukraine, with leaders commending President Trump for the progress achieved so far,” a statement said.

“They underlined the importance of robust security guarantees and reaffirmed the urgency of ending this barbaric war as soon as possible.”

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The spokesperson said Sir Keir had emphasised the UK’s “commitment to working closely with partners to sustain momentum in the coming days – with President Trump highlighting his leadership in driving coordinated international support for Ukraine as talks continue”.

Earlier on Sunday, Mr Putin’s foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov said the Trump-Putin call before the talks had been “friendly, benevolent and businesslike”.

The US and Russian leaders were due to speak again “promptly” after Mr Trump’s meeting with Mr Zelenskyy.

Attacks over the weekend

Image:
Russia launched attacks on Ukraine over the weekend, despite the talks. This image shows a house destroyed in Kyiv on Saturday. Pic: AP/ Evgeniy Maloletka

Mr Ushakov said a “bold, responsible, political decision” would have to be made by Ukraine on the Donbas region and other matters in dispute for there to be a “complete cessation” of hostilities.

In overnight developments, three guided aerial bombs launched by Russia struck private homes in the eastern city of Sloviansk, according to the head of the local military administration, Vadym Lakh. Three people were injured and one man died, Mr Lakh said in a post on the Telegram messenger app.

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Israel on Friday announced it is officially recognising Somaliland, a first for the self-proclaimed republic since 1991.

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The leader of Yemen’s Houthi rebels has warned any Israeli presence in Somaliland would be considered a “military target”, in the latest condemnation of Israel’s move to recognise the breakaway region.

“We consider any Israeli presence in Somaliland a military target for our armed forces, as it constitutes aggression against Somalia and Yemen, and a threat to the security of the region,” said the group’s chief, Abdel-Malik al-Houthi, according to a statement published by rebel media online.

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Israel announced on Friday that it is officially recognising Somaliland, a first for the self-proclaimed republic that in 1991 declared it unilaterally separated from Somalia.

The Houthi chief warned that the move carried grave consequences, saying that recognition is “a hostile stance targeting Somalia and its African surroundings, as well as Yemen, the Red Sea, and the countries along both shores of the Red Sea”.

Somaliland, which has for decades pushed for international recognition, enjoys a strategic position on the Gulf of Aden and has its own money, passport and army.

Regional analysts say a rapprochement with Somaliland would provide Israel with better access to the Red Sea, enabling it to hit Houthi rebels in Yemen.

After launching its genocidal war on Gaza in October 2023, Israel repeatedly struck targets in Yemen in response to Houthi attacks on Israel, which the Yemeni rebels said were in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.

The Houthis have halted their attacks since a fragile truce began in Gaza in October.

Somaliland has been diplomatically isolated since its unilateral declaration of independence, even if it has generally experienced greater stability than Somalia, where al-Shabab fighters periodically mount attacks in the capital, Mogadishu.

Israel’s recognition of Somaliland was criticised by the African Union, Egypt, Turkiye, the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council, and the Saudi-based Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.

The European Union insisted that Somalia’s sovereignty should be respected.

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Families of Jewish Australians killed in the Bondi shooting have demanded that Anthony Albanese call a commonwealth royal commission to investigate antisemitism and questions about law enforcement issues surrounding the terror attack that claimed 15 lives.

In an open letter to the prime minister, relatives of 11 of the victims killed at the Bondi beach Hanukah event on 14 December say Jewish families feel unsafe at schools, at work, at home and in public spaces.

They called for the federal government to convene a powerful inquiry into the shooting – which Albanese has argued against.

“We demand answers and solutions,” the letter said. “We need to know why clear warning signs were ignored, how antisemitic hatred and Islamic extremism were allowed to dangerously grow unchecked, and what changes must be made to protect all Australians going forward.

“Announcements made so far by the federal government in response to the Bondi massacre are not nearly enough.”

The emotional plea from families of most of the Bondi victims adds weight to growing calls for a sweeping federal royal commission into the terror attack, including questions about intelligence, law enforcement and firearms laws.

One of the alleged shooters, Naveed Akram – who has been charged with dozens of offences including 15 counts of murder – had been investigated by Asio in October 2019 for alleged associations with individuals involved in a reported Islamic State cell. His father was later approved for a gun licence.

The federal Coalition opposition and others in federal parliament have backed calls from Jewish community groups for an inquiry to investigate the broader issue of antisemitism in Australia.

Albanese has so far resisted such calls, saying federal authorities would cooperate with a royal commission ordered by the New South Wales state government and instead calling a narrow inquiry, led by the former Asio chief Dennis Richardson, into the national intelligence and law enforcement community – a step the former Liberal treasurer Josh Frydenberg, who has led calls for a royal commission, rubbished as “bullshit”.

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The prime minister has said that a federal royal commission would take too long and that he wanted quicker answers about changes needed to intelligence or policing agencies.

But the open letter argues “the rise of antisemitism in Australia goes far beyond one state jurisdiction. It is a national crisis that demands a powerful national response.”

“Prime Minister, how can you not support a royal commission into the deadliest terrorist attack on Australian soil? Royal commissions have been established for banks and for aged care,” the letter reads. “We have lost parents, spouses, children, and grandparents.

“You owe us answers. You owe us accountability. And you owe Australians the truth.”

The former Labor MP Mike Kelly, a convener of the Labor Friends of Israel group, told ABC Radio on Monday that a royal commission was needed.

“It has to be done at the commonwealth level,” he said. “It’s not possible for a NSW commission to compel commonwealth officers and do the deeper dive on the classified materials that those agencies may not be prepared to reveal entirely to a NSW process.”

The Bondi families say Jewish Australians “have endured more than two and a half years of relentless attacks.

“Our children feel unsafe at school and university. Our homes, workplaces, sporting fields, and public spaces no longer feel secure. It is an intolerable situation that no Australian should have to endure.”

The Nationals leader, David Littleproud, on Monday urged Albanese to change his mind.

“At best, the prime minister is tone-deaf to a grieving nation, to grieving families,” he told Channel Nine’s Today show. “And they do deserve answers, and he can’t be contemptuous to them. He has to open this up.

“Unless you have a commonwealth royal commission, you’re not compelling the federal agencies to work with state agencies and to give all the evidence.”

As of Monday morning there were still nine patients in Sydney hospitals receiving care for injuries from the shooting, including three in a critical but stable condition.

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Donald Trump hailed crucial peace talks between the US and Ukraine as “terrific”, but acknowledged “thorny issues” remained before a deal could be achieved over the war with Russia.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky travelled to Mar-a-Lago in Florida on Sunday hoping to make progress on the proposed 20-point peace plan, with particular concerns over security and economic agreements.

The two leaders gave little away during a press conference following the discussions, but Mr Trump said he believed “a lot of progress” had been made.

European leaders including UK prime minister Sir Keir Starmer also had a one-hour call with the pair as part of the negotiations, which president of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen said was “good”, adding: “Europe is ready to keep working with Ukraine and our US partners.”

However, the US president’s call with Russian leader Vladimir Putin shortly beforehand suggested obstacles to the end of the war remain.

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Volodymyr Zelensky said there had been ‘great achievements’ during a press conference following the talks (Getty Images)

Mr Zelensky said “great achievements” had been made following the talks, including “100 per cent” agreements on security guarantees between the US and Ukraine. He added security guarantees between the US, Europe, and Ukraine were “almost” agreed.

But Mr Trump described territorial issues, including contested regions such as Donbas and Zaporizhzhia, as “thorny” and yet to be agreed.

The Ukrainian leader shook hands with Mr Trump on the steps of the Florida residence shortly after 1pm local time as the US president told reporters: “We’ll get it done,” and added: “I do think we have the makings of a deal… We are in the final stages of talking.”

Mr Trump said he would be speaking to Mr Putin following the meeting, as he described both Russia and Ukraine as “willing countries”.

A Downing Street spokesperson said Sir Keir “emphasised the UK’s commitment to working closely with partners to sustain momentum in the coming days” during the call with other leaders.

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Donald Trump and Mr Zelensky shook hands in front of reporters at Mar-a-Lago (AFP via Getty Images)

The Russian president may have been physically absent from the talks, but his influence was felt distinctly. Mr Trump said he had a “very productive” call with Mr Putin over the phone ahead of the crunch negotiations – conversations Moscow said took place at the US leader’s request.

Later, Kremlin spokesperson Yury Ushakov said the pair had a “broadly similar view” that any temporary ceasefire would “prolong the conflict”, and urged Ukraine to make a decision over the Donbas region “without delay”.

Prior to the meeting, Mr Zelensky made it clear “territorial issues” would remain a key point as Moscow and Kyiv are still divided over the fate of the highly coveted Donbas region in eastern Ukraine.

Mr Zelensky said that while these have been “some of the most active diplomatic days of the year”, plenty would “depend on the partners” and whether or not they would put pressure on Moscow.

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Mr Trump was joined by advisers including Pete Hegseth and Marco Rubio (AFP via Getty Images)

President Trump told Politico on Friday that Mr Zelensky “doesn’t have anything until I approve it”, as he continues to regulate negotiations between the warring countries. He also said he expected to speak with Mr Putin “as much as I want”.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters Friday that Moscow had been in contact with the US.

“It was agreed upon to continue the dialogue,” he said.

Ahead of the meeting, Russia’s foreign minister Sergei Lavrov warned that, as talks of security guarantees continue, any European troop contingents deployed to Ukraine would become legitimate targets for Russia’s armed forces.

In remarks published by Russia’s state news agency TASS, Lavrov, without evidence, accused European politicians of being driven by “ambitions” in their relations with Kyiv and disregarding the ‌people of ​Ukraine and their own nations.

Russia’s president applied pressure on Saturday with a timely barrage of almost 500 drones and 40 missiles on Kyiv, where two people died while dozens were hospitalised, including two children.

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Kyiv experienced a large air strike on Saturday, where two people died (AP)

Ukraine’s capital faced large-scale power cuts that left citizens without heating during the sub-zero winter temperatures.

In a meeting with Canadian prime minister Mark Carney in Halifax, Nova Scotia, on Saturday, Mr Zelensky said the key to peace is “pressure on Russia and sufficient, strong support for Ukraine”. To that end, Mr Carney announced more economic assistance from his government to help Ukraine rebuild.

Mr Carney denounced the”barbarism” of Russia’s latest attacks on Kyiv and credited both Mr Zelensky and Mr Trump with creating the conditions for a “just and lasting peace” at a crucial moment.

“Ukraine is willing to do whatever it takes to stop this war,” Mr Zelensky posted on X on Saturday. “We need to be strong at the negotiating table.”

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NEED TO KNOW

• A woman in Brazil has died following a nearly month-long coma after a man she knew allegedly struck her with a car and dragged her along a highway
• 31-year-old Taynara Souza Santos, who was the mother of a 12-year-old boy and a 7-year-old girl, died on Christmas Eve
• Police said she was struck by a car driven by Douglas Alves da Silva, 26, on Nov. 29 and dragged onto a nearby highway while she was walking down the street

A woman in Brazil has died following a nearly month-long coma, during which both of her legs were amputated, after a man she knew allegedly struck her with a car and dragged her along a highway.

According to local outlets in São Paulo, 31-year-old Taynara Souza Santos, a mom of two, died on Wednesday, Dec. 24, after a man, identified by police as Douglas Alves da Silva, 26, allegedly hit her with his Volkswagen on the city’s north side after leaving a bar with friends in the early hours of Nov. 29.

CNN Brasil reported that the pair were acquaintances who had met several times before, and video footage of the incident led local police to identify Alves da Silva as the driver of the Volkswagen.

Footage of the incident obtained by CNN shows Santos walking down the street with a man on Nov. 29 at around 6 a.m. local time. The pair slowly walk out of view of the camera, and about 30 seconds later, Santos can be seen being dragged along the road by the car for hundreds of feet. She eventually ended up on the nearby Marginal Tietê highway.

Police located Alves da Silva on Nov. 30. During his arrest, he allegedly tried to grab a police officer’s gun and was shot, per a police report obtained by CNN.

A Brazilian police patrol on Dec. 7, 2025.

Nelson ALMEIDA / AFP via Getty

In a statement to police, the passenger who was in Alves da Silva’s car said that he repeatedly asked him to stop the vehicle after the collision, and also warned the driver that Santos was under the car — but alleged that Alves da Silva continued to accelerate, per CNN.

Other witnesses also allegedly told police that the hit-and-run was intentional and claimed that it was motivated by jealousy, per Brazilian outlet UOL.

Santos was taken to Hospital das Clínicas at the University of São Paulo for her severe injuries, her family told the outlets. She underwent several surgeries, including leg amputations, an amputation in the thigh area for buttock reconstruction, a tracheostomy (a surgical procedure creating a hole in the neck into the windpipe to provide an airway) and reconstructive plastic surgery.

At one point, she came out of the coma, but her condition worsened after her final surgery, according to local outlet CBN.

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Santos, who was the mother of a 12-year-old boy and a 7-year-old girl, died at around 7 p.m. on Christmas Eve, her family told the news outlets.

Alves da Silva was initially being investigated for attempted femicide, and the charge is set to be updated following the victim’s death.

“My only feeling towards him is anger,” Santos’ sister, Tatiana Souza Santos, told UOL on Dec. 3. “What he did makes no sense at all. He has no right to do this to anyone.”

If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go to thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.

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Unphased skiers are seen tackling the slopes beneath Mount Etna in dramatic new photographs taken after the latest eruption at the active volcano in Catania, Italy



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Sunday’s talks between President Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy could pave the way for the first call between Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin in more than five years, a source familiar with the discussions said.

And while the Mar-a-Lago meeting was framed as a step forward in the peace effort with Trump at the helm, the source also described how securing a direct Zelenskyy-Putin phone call would be a “diplomatic victory” for the president.

“If Putin had joined in a call Sunday, this would have been the greatest achievement in the preparation of the peace talks and the first real step in the peace process,” the source told Fox News Digital on condition of anonymity.

“This would be [a] diplomatic victory for President Trump.”

FINNISH PRESIDENT SAYS RUSSIA-UKRAINE PEACE DEAL CLOSER THAN ANY POINT DURING THE WAR

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to reporters after signing a proclamation in the Oval Office at the White House on April 17, 2025 in Washington, D.C. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

“Trump seems to be the most successful mediator because the two of them, Putin and Zelenskyy, perceive each other emotionally, and it is a challenge.”

Trump confirmed Sunday that he had spoken with Putin ahead of the Zelenskyy meeting, calling the conversation “good and very productive” in a Truth Social post.

“I do believe that we have the makings of a deal,” Trump also told reporters as he stood next to Zelenskyy after he arrived in Florida on Sunday, adding he believes the process can “move very rapidly.”

“I think we’re in the final stages of talking, and we’re going to see,” Trump said.

“Otherwise, it’s going to go on for a long time. It’ll either end, or it’s going to go on for a long time, and millions of additional people are going to be killed,” the president added.

The Florida meeting came days after Zelenskyy also said he had a “good conversation” with U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, both of whom were also present Sunday.

ZELENSKYY SAYS HE WILL MEET WITH TRUMP ‘BEFORE THE NEW YEAR’

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky, U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner and European leaders pose for a photo during talks at the Chancellery in Berlin, Dec. 15, 2025. (Lisi Niesner/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

As Zelenskyy approached Sunday’s meeting, the source said the Ukrainian leader was likely feeling anxious.

“Zelenskyy is usually very nervous before such conversations with President Trump,” the source said. “He concentrates for a long time and studies the notes that the International Policy Department and the Foreign Ministry prepare for him.”

Sunday also marked the third in-person meeting between Trump and Zelenskyy since Trump returned to office.

At the center of discussions was a U.S.-backed, 20-point peace plan emerging from weeks of negotiations that would need compromise from Kyiv and Moscow to engage and perhaps speak directly with Zelenskyy, the source said.

TRUMP SUGGESTS HE’LL CALL FINAL SHOTS ON PEACE DEAL AHEAD OF ZELENSKYY MEETING: ‘WE’LL SEE WHAT HE’S GOT’

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy meets with President Donald Trump in Washington D.C., on Aug. 19, 2025.  ( Ukrainian Presidency / Handout/Anadolu via Getty Images)

“The one difficulty they have is that Putin has refused to talk to Zelenskyy since July 2020, when they spoke over the Wagner scandal and the failed operation to detain Russian Wagner militants.” 

“After that, Zelenskyy repeatedly tried to talk to Putin, but he refused.”

“There were windows of opportunity for a conversation in August and September 2024, but they disappeared again when Ukraine invaded the Kursk region,” the source said.

The last direct contact between the two leaders followed a botched Ukrainian operation targeting Russian Wagner mercenaries.

Ukrainian intelligence lured the mercenaries to Belarus and planned to intercept them on their way from Minsk to Istanbul, before the men were arrested, per The Kyiv Independent.

ZELENSKYY READY TO PRESENT NEW PEACE PROPOSALS TO US AND RUSSIA AFTER WORKING WITH EUROPEAN TALKS

Putin is testing the boundaries of NATO with aircraft incursions, allied states say. (Ramil Sitdikov/Pool/Reuters )

“That last call between Zelenskyy and Putin came as Ukraine was trying to capture a group of Russian Wagner fighters,” the source said. “The operation failed.”

Even before communications broke down entirely, relations between the two leaders were strained, the source said.

“Before that point in 2020, calls between Zelenskyy and Putin were never friendly, and there was always tension between them. During talks, Putin was always taciturn, and Zelenskyy tried to establish a rapport.”

“Zelenskyy always acted subservient toward Putin and pretended to be in a good mood, almost as if he was playing a role on stage,” the source explained.

“He talked a lot and read from his notes, afraid of forgetting something. Sometimes he would stumble over his words or lose track of punctuation.”

PUTIN CALLS TRUMP’S PEACE PLAN A ‘STARTING POINT’ AS HE WARNS UKRAINE TO PULL BACK OR FACE ‘FORCE’

Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said the 20-point plan, which U.S. officials say is about 90% complete, could include limited Ukrainian troop withdrawals from parts of eastern Ukraine. (Putin photo: Sputnik/Gavriil Grigorov/Pool via Reuters; Zelenskyy photo: Brian Snyder/Reuters)

“When Putin stayed silent, Zelenskyy would always ask politely, ‘What do you think, Vladimir Vladimirovich?’”

“Putin was just never talkative,” the source said.

The Florida talks came as Kyiv signaled a potential shift in its negotiating posture. Zelenskyy has said the 20-point plan, which U.S. officials say is about 90% complete, could include limited Ukrainian troop withdrawals from parts of eastern Ukraine without formally recognizing Russian control, along with the creation of demilitarized zones.

He also floated submitting the plan to a national referendum if Moscow agrees to a 60-day ceasefire.

Zelenskyy has drawn a firm line on security guarantees, insisting Ukraine needs legally binding assurances from the U.S. to deter future Russian aggression.

TRUMP TOUTS ‘PROGRESS’ ON UKRAINE-RUSSIA DEAL, ADMITS IT’S ‘ONE OF THE MORE DIFFICULT’ CONFLICTS TO SOLVE

Rescuers work on the scene of a building damaged by a Russian attack in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025.  (Efrem Lukatsky/AP)

“For us, it is very important that there is a signal that we want legally binding security guarantees,” Zelenskyy told Ukrainian journalists Saturday. “This primarily depends on President Trump,” he added.

“Ukraine is willing to do whatever it takes to stop this war,” Zelenskyy also wrote on X this weekend.

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“For us, priority number one — or the only priority — is ending the war. For us, the priority is peace. We need to be strong at the negotiating table. To be strong, we need the support of the world: Europe and the United States.”

Fox News Digital has reached out to the Kremlin and President Zelenskyy’s office for comment.

Emma Bussey is a breaking news writer for Fox News Digital. Before joining Fox, she worked at The Telegraph with the U.S. overnight team, across desks including foreign, politics, news, sport and culture. 

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Three inmates who escaped a Georgia jail allegedly hijacked a Lyft and kidnapped the female driver at knifepoint after putting a rope around her neck and threatening to kill her as they fled to Florida, court documents state.

Stevenson Charles, 24, Yusuf Minor, 31, and Naod Yohannes, 25, are back in custody this week after a terrifying 10-hour ordeal for the Lyft driver.

After escaping from Georgia’s DeKalb County Jail at some point December 22, the men were picked up by an unnamed man and taken to one of their girlfriends’ homes, according to police. There, a Lyft ride was arranged to whisk them away to Florida, according to a criminal complaint filed in federal court.

The driver, who was not named in the complaint, later told investigators that it appeared that the car was ordered by a woman. Prosecutors said Minor’s girlfriend is the one who called the Lyft for the three male passengers.

During the car ride to Miami, the men bound the driver’s hands, wrapped a rope around her neck and repeatedly threatened to kill her, according to the complaint.

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Three inmates — Stevenson Charles, Yusuf Minor and Naod Yohannes — hijacked a Lyft and kidnapped a driver for 10 hours after escaping Georgia jail, according to the FBI (DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office)

She was dragged into the backseat and warned not to struggle or they would rape and kill her, according to the FBI. The driver estimated she was held captive for up to 10 hours, the complaint states.

After trying to escape at one point, the driver endured “increased threats of being shot, raped, and tortured,” the FBI agent wrote in the complaint.

The men then allegedly used the driver’s credit cards to rent a short-term rental property in Miramar, Florida, which is about 25 miles north of Miami.

At some point, Charles and Yohannes left the rental in the driver’s stolen vehicle, while Minor stayed behind, according to the complaint.

The stolen vehicle was detected with the use of license plate readers, which led to the arrests of Charles and Yohannes, federal prosecutors said.

Minor was arrested a short time later at the rental, where authorities found the victim, according to the complaint. It’s not clear if the victim sustained any serious injuries.

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DeKalb County Sheriff Melody Maddox speaks to reporters after the three escaped inmates were captured in Florida (AP)

In an statement provided to NBC News, a Lyft spokesperson said the company was “concerned by this incident and relieved that the driver is safe.”

“Our hearts are with the driver and we have reached out to offer support,” the spokesperson said. “Lyft is working closely with law enforcement to assist in any way we can as the investigation continues.”

All three men are back in custody and now face additional kidnapping charges.

According to online inmate records, Minor and Yohannes were serving life sentences for murder at the time of the escape. Charles was being held on charges of murder and armed robbery.

DeKalb County Sheriff Melody Maddox told reporters that the men escaped from an Atlanta-area jail that is “deteriorating right before our eyes. The inmates were able to “compromise” a part of the facility, which investigators and jail officials are now repairing.

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NEED TO KNOW

• Olivia Culpo tells PEOPLE she saves all of her newborn daughter Colette McCaffrey’s clothes, as well as her own fashion archive
• The former Miss Universe says her pageant and wedding dresses are being kept “intact” in a storage unit
• She teases which parent’s footsteps she hopes Colette follows in

Prom may be years away, but when it’s time, Colette McCaffrey will have her pick of perfect dresses!

The 5-month-old daughter of model and actress Olivia Culpo, 33, and San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey, 29, will find out there is plenty in store for her — or should we say, storage. Culpo, who won Miss USA and Miss Universe in 2012, tells PEOPLE that she “saves everything” for Colette.

“I have a whole storage unit for her with all of my wedding dresses, my pageant dresses — all of my really valuable keepsakes,” she says, adding that she wants her treasured items to “be intact” for Colette when she’s older.

Some notable gowns Colette can expect to come across include her mom’s plunging pink and red pageant looks, including the velvety showstopper she wore when she was crowned Miss Universe in Las Vegas.

Culpo was the first American Miss Universe winner in 15 years, with the previously crowned U.S. title-holder being Brook Lee in 1997.

Olivia Culpo is crowned as Miss USA 2012 at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino on Dec. 19, 2012 in Las Vegas.

David Becker/Getty

Culpo’s custom wedding dress (and other looks from the evening) are also Colette’s to peruse.

She teamed up with Dolce & Gabbana to design the high-necked lace ballgown, which was featured in Vogue when the magazine profiled the couple’s June 2024 nuptials.

“I wanted something that felt as serious as that commitment,” she told Vogue at the time.

And it’s not just Culpo’s looks that are being archived; the new mom says Colette’s baby wardrobe is also being packed away as she “grows so fast … it feels like every week I’m pulling out the bins to store her clothes,” she tells PEOPLE.

For Culpo, saving these sartorial memories is also a response to her own mom’s purging of her childhood closet, including some Y2K staples she’d love to revisit. (She did get the chance to revisit an ’00s staple with her “nostalgic” NFL collection for Abercrombie & Fitch, which she talked to PEOPLE about for this story.)

“You don’t know how these pieces are going to wear and how valuable they can be someday,” she adds. “I look back at the clothes that I used to wear, and I miss them. I wish that I had so many of those pieces, because they are truly a moment in time, and it’s so cool to be able to take somebody back in that way.”

Culpo is excited to pass down a passion for fashion, but that doesn’t mean she’s anticipating that her daughter follow in her high-heeled footsteps If anything, the Next Gen Chef host wants to see her in a uniform.

“I hope that she’s an athlete,” Culpo reveals.

Her husband, McCaffrey, has played for both the 49ers and the Carolina Panthers since getting drafted by the NFL in 2017, and he even took home the Offensive Player of the Year award in 2023.

“I mean, gosh, I can’t ruin the McCaffrey gene pool like that,” Culpo continues. “Christian has such an intense line of athletes in his blood bloodline that I’m hopeful that she’s athletic, because if she’s not, you know, who did that, you know? That would be my fault.”

Christian McCaffrey and Olivia Culpo attend the 12th annual NFL Honors at Symphony Hall in 2023.

Ethan Miller/Getty

Little McCaffrey has plenty of growing to do before she chooses a lane, though: Culpo says her daughter is “just rolling over” and just hit a major milestone — attending her first 49ers game.

“She feels so brand new, but I can’t wait to see her little personality shine through more and more,” she adds.  

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• Do YOU know more? Email David.Olaseinde@dailymail.co.uk 

By DAVID OLASEINDE

Published: 18:40 GMT, 28 December 2025 | Updated: 20:29 GMT, 28 December 2025

One child is dead and another is in hospital after a house fire. 

The tragedy unfolded on White Admiral Way, in Hamstreet, Ashford, earlier today – seeing Kent Fire and Rescue Service rushed to the scene. 

Six fire engines and a height vehicle were raced to the semi-detached property, where crews worked to extinguish the blaze, which had spread throughout the home. 

Unfortunately, one child died at the scene, and another has been taken to hospital.

Photos of the scene show the charred remains of a home, with crews still battling to dampen hotspots.  

Ann Millington, KFRS’ Chief Executive, added: ‘Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with everyone affected by this tragic incident, especially the child’s loved ones.

‘We understand this will be a distressing time for the local community and support is available at a welfare hub set up at Hamstreet Village Hall.’

A statement released this evening said: ‘Kent Fire and Rescue Service was called today to reports of a house fire in White Admiral Way, in Hamstreet, Ashford.

One child is dead and another is in hospital after a house fire in Ashford, Kent 

Control operators sent six fire engines and a height vehicle to the semi-detached property

An investigation into the cause of the fire is currently ongoing

People living or travelling near the Hamstreet area are no longer being advised to close windows and doors

Ann Millington, KFRS’ Chief Executive, added: ‘Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with everyone affected by this tragic incident, especially the child’s loved ones’

‘Control operators sent six fire engines and a height vehicle to the semi-detached property, where crews worked hard to extinguish an intense fire, which had spread throughout the home.

‘Sadly, one child died at the scene, and another has been taken to hospital.

‘People living or travelling near the Hamstreet area are no longer being advised to close windows and doors. The incident has been reduced to two fire engines and crews are continuing to dampen down. 

‘Our Volunteer Response Team are in attendance offering crew welfare and support.’

An investigation into the cause of the fire is currently ongoing.

Kent Fire and Rescue Service said in a statement earlier this afternoon: ‘Crews are currently responding to a house fire in Hamstreet, Ashford.

‘People living or travelling near this area are being advised to close windows and doors due to smoke coming from the incident and to also stay away from the area.

‘Six fire engines and a height vehicle are currently in attendance and crews are working hard to contain the fire and extinguish the flames.

‘Please share this information with any loved ones in the area who may be affected but do not have access to the internet.’

– This is a breaking news story. More to come.  

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One child is dead and another is in hospital after house fire

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Chelsea legend John Terry is raising money for charity by selling memorabilia from across his successful career in a vast online auction which takes place next week

John Terry is selling his full kit from celebrating Chelsea’s Champions League win(Image: Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)

John Terry is auctioning the kit he wore during his infamous penalty slip and miss in the 2008 Champions League Final against Manchester United. The former Chelsea captain is clearing out his wardrobe of some iconic pieces of memorabilia in order to raise money for charity.

In addition to the strip from that notorious moment, a more difficult goodbye may come as he parts ways with the kit which he wore when lifting the 2011/12 Champions League trophy. Terry was in his full Blues kit despite being suspended for the penalty shootout win itself.

While Chelsea fans may be queuing up for a Champions League-winning top, perhaps there will be some United fans in search of the grass stains left in Terry’s 2008 shirt after his slip. After being called upon to take the decisive penalty following Cristiano Ronaldo’s miss, Terry slipped as he hit the ball and struck the post in Moscow. The Red Devils went on to win in sudden death.

The bidding will begin at $5,000 (£3,700) for that shirt. Others have a cheaper entry with the tops from the final game of his Chelsea career and his last career match listed at $1,000 (£740). They are among more than 20 items that the 45-year-old is putting up for auction with proceeds going to charity.

The funds will be directed to the John Terry Foundation, which supports a range of charities nationwide. “My foundation is going to benefit with two very close to my heart foundations that are in desperate need of the money,” Terry said. “It’s going to a great cause, so all the support is going to be welcome.”

READ MORE: Reece James makes it clear who is to blame for Chelsea implosion vs Aston VillaREAD MORE: Chelsea launch investigation after accusations made in feisty end to Aston Villa defeat

More high-ticket items will also be available. Terry is also set to let go of his first Premier League winners’ medal.

The Chelsea icon captained his team to a dominant title win under Jose Mourinho, ending the club’s 50-year wait for the title. The medal could raise up to £75,000.

Shirts that Terry has claimed in some of his biggest battles will also be available. Match-worn tops from Thierry Henry, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi will all go under the hammer.

The sale will take place on Wednesday, December 31 via an online auction house, Goldin. A spokesperson said that the collection was a testament to Terry’s truly ‘remarkable’ career.

John Terry slipped and missed his penalty against Manchester United(Image: Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC Via Getty Images)

“When considering the greatest defenders in the history of English football, John Terry’s name can often be found at the forefront of the conversation,” a statement read. “A stalwart and imposing presence on Chelsea’s vaunted back line, a position he held with the club for nearly 20 years, Terry quickly was anointed as the club’s skipper under newly arrived manager Jose Mourinho, a decision that proved wise beyond measure.

“Among the lots is Terry’s Premier League medal from his first win in 2004-05 and some of the shirts exchanged with opponents, including Lionel Messi

“In addition to his domestic achievements, Terry established himself as an accomplished lynchpin on the backline of England’s National Team, appearing in 78 international competitions while representing the Three Lions and scoring six goals total.

“Goldin is proud to present a remarkable array of memorabilia sourced directly from John Terry’s personal collection, testaments to various stages of Terry’s illustrious and accomplished career.”

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Kyrgios, who is currently 671st in the men’s rankings, beat the four-time Grand Slam singles champion in straight sets.

Published On 28 Dec 202528 Dec 2025

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Nick Kyrgios has beaten women’s world number one Aryna Sabalenka in the “Battle of the Sexes”, a highly-publicised showdown with modified rules that divided tennis fans.

Former Wimbledon finalist Kyrgios won 6-3, 6-3 in an exhibition match in the United Arab Emirates on Sunday that bore little resemblance to the era-defining 1973 encounter between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs.

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Back then, there was more at stake, with the nascent women’s professional tour, set up by King, fighting for its legitimacy and prize money for female players still far lower than it was for the men.

King, one of the all-time greats of the women’s game who was at the peak of her powers at age 29, saw off the 55-year-old Riggs, a top player in his day, 6-4, 6-3, 6-3 in Houston, Texas in the US.

On Sunday in Dubai in the UAE, each player received only one serve, and the dimensions of Sabalenka’s side of the court were nine percent smaller, in an attempt to restrict Kyrgios’s power and speed advantage.

Kyrgios has dropped to 671 in the rankings after playing just six ATP matches over the past three seasons, but the 30-year-old Australian still had enough to see off four-time Grand Slam singles champion Sabalenka, 27.

The maverick Australian was drenched in sweat and appeared out of breath in the second set ‌after going 1-3 down, while his opponent danced to the music ‌during a strategic time out. But he ⁠persevered to make it 3-3 after Belarusian Sabalenka sent a shot long.

Kyrgios, who shortened the points with cheeky drop shots ‌and used variations on his serve to good effect, pulled away to seal the win on serve ‍before sharing a warm hug with Sabalenka at the net.

“Honestly, it was a really tough match. She’s a hell of a competitor,” he said.

“I had to strap in because she was putting the pressure on, and ultimately, it was a really hard-fought battle.”

Sabalenka said she would “love” a rematch.

“I felt great. I put on a great fight. He was struggling. He was getting tired. I was happy to see that,” she said.

“It was a great level [of tennis]. I made a lot of great shots. I really enjoyed the show. I feel like next time when I play him, I know all his tactics and strengths.”

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The FBI has deployed additional personnel and investigative resources to Minnesota to “dismantle large-scale fraud schemes exploiting federal programs”, director Kash Patel said on social media on Sunday.

The FBI director said the agency had already dismantled a $250m fraud scheme that stole federal food aid meant for vulnerable children during the Covid pandemic in a case that led to 78 indictments and 57 convictions.

Patel said the FBI believes “this is just the tip of a very large iceberg”. Some of those involved in the alleged scheme are being “referred to immigrations officials for possible further denaturalization and deportation proceedings where eligible”.

Patel’s comments comes after federal prosecutors estimate as much as $9bn has been stolen across schemes linked to the state’s Somalia population, a figure nearly equivalent to Somalia’s entire GDP.

The FBI director also said he was aware of recent social media reports in Minnesota, which appears to refer to an online report by independent journalist Nick Shirley about a daycare center in Minneapolis that received $4m despite reportedly having no enrolled kids. The 42-minute video has been viewed 84m times since it was posted on 26 December.

Patel said the FBI had surged personnel and resources into the state before the video and attendant conversation escalated online.

The Trump administration has portrayed Minnesota’s Somali immigrant community as a locus of widespread fraud, much of it allegedly perpetrated during the Covid pandemic.

Last month, Donald Trump ended legal protections for Somalis in Minnesota and accused the state of being “a hub of fraudulent money laundering activity” under its Democratic governor, Tim Walz.

Somali Americans, Trump has said, “come from hell”, “contribute nothing” and should “go back to where they came from”. He has also described Minnesota’s Democratic representative Ilhan Omar as “garbage” and said “her friends are garbage.”

Omar has called Trump’s “obsession” with her and Somali Americans “creepy and unhealthy.”

“We are not, and I am not, someone to be intimidated,” Omar said earlier this month, “and we are not gonna be scapegoated.”

Omar has accused agents with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) of pulling her constituents off the streets, including questioning her son. She has said she is being forced to address questions about her own immigration status.

In an interview with the Minnesota Star Tribune published on Friday, Omar called Trump’s immigration policy “cruel” during his first administration, “and now it’s just outright dangerous and severely inhumane” and “geared towards this sort of white supremacist view of what America should be”.

And she worries that “we’re not even at the worst yet, that there is probably more to come.”

Omar has come under further pressure from the administration after it was revealed that her husband and former political consultant, Tim Mynett’s, $25m venture capital firm, Rose Lake Capital, recently purged key officer details from its website after questions were raised about the couple’s wealth.

The couple’s net worth surged 3,500% in just one year, according to reports, and their net worth is now anywhere between $6m and $30m. The venture capital firm alone, per the filing, is worth between $5m and $25m.

The firm’s officials and advisors that have been removed from Rose Lake Capital’s website include Adam Ereli, Barack Obama’s former ambassador to Bahrain; Max Baucus, Obama’s ambassador to China; Alex Hoffman, the former finance chair of the Democratic National Committee; and former DNC treasurer William Derrough.

Omar has not been accused of wrongdoing, but reports say that three people accused of defrauding the state have alleged ties to the congresswoman.

Asked about her support of the Meals Act, a bill that changed school meal reimbursement rules during the pandemic and has been connected to systems of fraud, Omar told Fox News Digital, it has not contributed to the fraud and “it did help feed kids”.

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