https://freerepublic.com/tag/23percent/ en-us Thu, 14 May 2026 09:28:58 GMT Focus Forum 15 https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/4379169/posts MOSCOW, May 14 (Reuters) - Russia is establishing a "full-fledged partnership" with Afghanistan's ruling Taliban and is encouraging ‌other countries in the region to expand cooperation ‌with Kabul, a senior Russian security official was quoted on Thursday ​as saying. Russia last year became the first country to formally recognise the Islamist Taliban government that seized power in August 2021 as U.S.-led forces staged a chaotic withdrawal ‌from Afghanistan after ⁠20 years of war. Interfax news agency quoted Russian official Sergei Shoigu as saying cooperation ⁠with Kabul was important for the security and development of the region. Shoigu, who is secretary... Reuters via Yahoo https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/4379169/posts#comment Thu, 14 May 2026 09:28:58 GMT https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/4379172/posts Russia pummeled Ukraine’s capital with hundreds of drones and missiles early Thursday, the latest in a string of deadly Russian strikes this week. The attacks suggested that President Vladimir V. Putin had little intention of de-escalating his war, after he declared recently that he believed it was “coming to a close.” Explosions shook Kyiv, the capital, over several hours Thursday morning as Ukrainian forces tried to intercept and shoot down the drones and missiles, some of which evaded overwhelmed air-defense systems. The attack included cruise and ballistic missiles that Moscow often stockpiles for mass bombardments. As the sun rose, rescue... The New York Times https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/4379172/posts#comment Thu, 14 May 2026 11:02:57 GMT