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Donald Trump urged Vladimir Putin not to escalate the war in Ukraine in a phone call the day after the presidential election, according to reports.

The US president-elect also reminded the Russian president of America’s sizeable military presence in Europe during the conversation on Thursday, according to The Washington Post and Reuters, citing sources familiar with the call.

According to several other sources, the pair went on to discuss the goal of peace on the continent, as well as the prospect of a further call soon to look into the resolution of the conflict in Ukraine.

US election latest: Trump ‘held phone call with Putin’

On Friday, the Kremlin said Mr Putin was ready to discuss Ukraine with Mr Trump – but that did not mean he was willing to alter Moscow’s demands – namely that Ukraine drops its ambitions to join NATO and surrenders the four territories currently held by Russia.

The Washington Post said two sources indicated the Ukrainian government was informed of the call between Mr Trump and Mr Putin – and did not object to the conversation taking place.

However, Ukraine’s foreign ministry said it was “impossible” that Ukraine would have endorsed such a call and that reports otherwise were “false”.

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When asked about the call, Mr Trump’s communications director Steven Cheung said: “We do not comment on private calls between President Trump and other world leaders.”

The Russian embassy in Washington has so far not commented.

Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump waves as he walks with former first lady Melania Trump at an election night watch party at the Palm Beach Convention Center, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
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Trump at his election watch party at the Palm Beach Convention Center. Pic: AP

Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden, who will hand over power on 20 January, will warn Mr Trump and Congress not to abandon Ukraine, according to one of the president’s top officials.

The president-elect and sitting president will meet on Wednesday in the Oval Office, a week after Mr Trump beat Democratic nominee Kamala Harris in the election.

In an interview with CBS News, national security adviser Jake Sullivan said: “President Biden will have the opportunity over the next 70 days to make the case to the Congress and to the incoming administration that the United States should not walk away from Ukraine, that walking away from Ukraine means more instability in Europe.”

President Joe Biden walks to speak in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
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President Joe Biden walks to speak in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington. Pic: AP

Under Mr Biden, Washington has provided tens of billions of dollars of military and economic aid to Ukraine – funding that Mr Trump, and some of his supporters, have repeatedly criticised and rallied against.

Mr Trump insisted last year that Mr Putin never would have invaded Ukraine if he had been in the White House at the time and has repeatedly said he could settle the war “in one day” if he was re-elected again.

Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy when they met in September.
Pic: Reuters
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Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy when they met in September. Pic: Reuters

On Sunday night, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said strength and diplomacy must work together to bring the two-and-a-half-year war to an end.

“We understand very clearly that diplomacy has no prospects without strength,” he said.

“But without a clear understanding of diplomatic goals, weapons alone will not do the job. That’s why strength and diplomacy must work hand in hand.”

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It comes as both Russia and Ukraine launched “record” drone attacks on each other overnight on Saturday, injuring a woman and temporarily halting air traffic at some of Russia’s busiest airports.

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Russia launched 145 drones overnight, according to Ukraine, 62 of which were shot down, as the two countries attacked each other.

Russia’s defence ministry said 70 drones were shot down in its territory, including 34 over the outskirts of the capital Moscow.

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JonBenet Ramsey: Unsolved 1996 killing of six-year-old girl still being investigated, police say

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JonBenet Ramsey: Unsolved 1996 killing of six-year-old girl still being investigated, police say

The unsolved killing of a six-year-old beauty pageant queen is still a priority for investigators, police have insisted.

JonBenet Ramsey was found beaten and strangled in the basement of her family home in Colorado in 1996, a case revisited in a three-part Netflix series.

Her killer has never been found, and the police department for the city of Boulder refused to answer questions on Monday about any tips they’re investigating.

“It’s obvious that the Boulder Police Department wants to solve this case and the only reason is to bring justice to the victim,” they told Sky’s US partner network NBC News.

The force instead referred to a video statement shared by police chief Steve Redfearn, in which he said officers “would love nothing more than to bring justice to her memory”.

Police outside the home in January 1997. Pic: AP
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Police outside the home in January 1997. Pic: AP

That statement was made on the day after Netflix released Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenet Ramset, which has renewed interest in the killing that made global headlines.

JonBenet was found on Boxing Day several hours after her mother Patsy called police about a ransom note that had been left behind.

The girl’s father John found her that afternoon and carried her upstairs, ruining the integrity of the crime scene and sparking criticism of the police force’s handling of the case.

Details of the crime and footage of JonBenet competing in pageants propelled the case into one of the highest-profile mysteries in the US.

John and Patsy Ramsey, the girl's parents, pictured in 2000. Pic: AP
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John and Patsy Ramsey, the girl’s parents, pictured in 2000. Pic: AP

“There are a number of things that people have pointed to throughout the years that could have been done better, and we acknowledge that is true,” Mr Redfearn said last week.

“However, it is important to emphasise that while we cannot go back to that horrible day in 1996, our goal is to find JonBenet Ramsey’s killer.

“Our commitment to that has never wavered.”

While the girl’s family lived under a cloud of suspicion for years, prosecutors apologised to her parents and brother in 2008 and cleared them of any involvement.

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The Netflix series doesn’t point the finger at anyone, but does highlight her father’s hope new DNA testing might solve the case.

JonBenet’s mother died of cancer in 2006 aged 49.

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Missing woman ‘disappeared voluntarily’, police say – after dad took own life when he failed to find her

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Missing woman 'disappeared voluntarily', police say - after dad took own life when he failed to find her

A missing woman, whose dad took his own life after failing to find her, disappeared voluntarily, police have said.

Hannah Kobayashi, 30, missed a connecting flight from Hawaii to New York in Los Angeles on 8 November and vanished days later after sending “alarming” texts to her family.

Her father Ryan retraced her footsteps with relatives and volunteers, but was found dead in a car park near a Los Angeles airport on 24 November.

Overnight, police said Hannah wanted to “step away from modern connectivity” and was last seen crossing into Mexico with her luggage.

Los Angeles police chief Jim McDonnell said there was no evidence Hannah was trafficked or a victim of a crime and classified her disappearance as a “voluntary missing person”.

“We’ve basically done everything we can do at this point. She’s left the country and is in another nation now,” he said, adding she has a right to privacy but should contact her family.

“A simple message could reassure those who care about her.”

The case will remain active until her safety is confirmed and they will be notified if she returns to the US, he said.

Hannah Kobayashi. Pic: Missing Persons of America
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Pic: Missing Persons of America

Hannah had been seen around Los Angeles, police said, and had asked or her luggage to be sent back to her from New York – picking it up from the airport on 11 November and leaving without her phone.

Investigators found she “expressed the desire to step away from modern connectivity”.

Officers have questioned a man Hannah was seen with on a train, describing him as “cooperative”.

Last week, detectives determined Hannah missed her connecting flight intentionally, though her sister, Sydni, disputed his statement in a social media post.

CCTV images reviewed by police showed her walking alone and unharmed through a tunnel in San Ysidro, 125 miles southwest of Los Angeles, at midday on 12 November.

Ryan Kobayashi. Pic: PA
Image:
Ryan Kobayashi. Pic: PA

It comes after Hannah’s family said they started to receive “strange and cryptic, just alarming” texts from her before she disappeared.

These messages referenced her being “intercepted” as she got on a train and being scared someone was trying to steal her identity.

Her aunt Larie Pidgeon said “she went dark” once the family “started pressing”.

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Sky News US partner network NBC News reported one of the texts received by Hannah’s family read: “I got tricked pretty much into giving away all my funds for someone I thought I loved.”

Shortly after the message was sent, her father flew out to Los Angeles from Hawaii to search for her for 13 days.

The family said his loss ” compounded the family’s suffering immeasurably”.

Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org in the UK. In the US, call the Samaritans branch in your area or 1 (800) 273-TALK.

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Harvey Weinstein rushed to hospital after ‘alarming blood test’

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Harvey Weinstein rushed to hospital after 'alarming blood test'

Harvey Weinstein has been taken to hospital after an “alarming blood test result”, his lawyers have said.

The 72-year-old required “immediate medical attention” following the test and was taken from the Rikers Island jail complex to Bellevue Hospital in New York City, according to his lawyers.

Weinstein’s lawyers said: “Harvey Weinstein, who has been suffering from a lack of adequate medical care and enduring deplorable and inhumane conditions on Rikers Island, has been transported to Bellevue Hospital for emergent treatment due to an alarming blood test result that requires immediate medical attention.

“It is expected that he will remain there until his condition stabilises.”

They added: “His deprivation of care is not only medical malpractice, but a violation of his constitutional rights.”

The former movie mogul is awaiting a retrial over his 2020 rape and sexual assault conviction, which was overturned by New York’s highest court in April.

The case is set to be retried in 2025. Weinstein has denied any wrongdoing.

Last month his lawyers filed a legal claim against New York City alleging he is receiving substandard medical treatment in unhygienic conditions at the jail.

The notice of the claim accuses the facility of failing to manage Weinstein’s medical conditions, which include chronic myeloid leukaemia and diabetes.

It also accuses it of negligence, ranging from “freezing” conditions to a lack of clean clothes.

The legal claim seeks $5m (£3.9m) in damages.

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Weinstein had emergency surgery to remove fluid around his heart and lungs in September and in July he was in hospital after testing positive for COVID-19 and contracting double pneumonia.

His spokesperson said: “Mr Weinstein, who is suffering from a number of illnesses, including leukaemia, has been deprived the medical attention that someone in his medical state deserves, prisoner or not.

“In many ways, this mistreatment constitutes cruel and unusual punishment.”

He was convicted in Los Angeles in 2022 of another rape. His 16-year sentence in that case still stands, but his lawyers launched an appeal against that verdict in June, claiming he did not get a fair trial.

Weinstein still faces two other criminal counts – a criminal sexual act charge and a rape charge – to which he has pleaded not guilty.

He also pleaded not guilty to an additional charge of sexual assault in September.

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