Russia, Ukraine and the US met for a second time this week for trilateral talks to discuss a possible cessation of hostilities. Once again little was resolved apart from a prisoner swap, something that has happened several times over the four years of the full-scale conflict between the two countries.

The lack of any substantive breakthrough was fairly predictable, given the circumstances. This week’s meeting got off to the same depressing start as the first one had the week before. On February 3, the night before the three sides gathered in Abu Dhabi, a massive barrage of 521 drones and cruise missiles once again targeted critical civilian infrastructure in Ukrainian cities, including the capital, Kyiv.

And while the talks were in full swing, Russia followed up on its nighttime strikes by deploying cluster munitions against a market in Druzhkivka, one of the embattled cities in what remains of Ukraine’s fortress belt in the Donetsk region.

Not the most auspicious start to talks that aim to stop fighting between the two sides. Add to that the fact that the basic negotiating positions of Moscow and Kyiv remain as far apart as ever, and any prospect of an imminent breakthrough to peace in Ukraine quickly evaporates.

The more technical discussions on military issues, including specifics of a ceasefire and how it would be monitored, appear to be generally more constructive. Apart from a prisoner exchange, no further agreement was reached. But even such small confidence-building steps are useful. And even where no agreement is feasible for now, identifying likely issues and mapping solutions that are potentially acceptable to Moscow and Kyiv is important preparatory work for a future settlement.

However, without a breakthrough on political issues it does not get the conflict parties closer to a peace deal. These political issues remain centred on the question of territory. Russia insists on the so-called “Anchorage formula”. Ukraine withdraws from those areas of Donetsk it still controls and Russia agrees to freezing the frontlines elsewhere.

Kyiv has repeatedly made clear that this is unacceptable. US mediation efforts, to date, have been unable to break this deadlock.

The political impasse, however, clearly extends beyond territory. Without naming any specific blockages to a deal, Yury Ushakov, a key advisor to the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, recently noted that there were other contested issues holding up agreement. Very likely among them are the security guarantees that Ukraine has been demanding to make sure that Russia will not renege on a settlement.

These future security guarantees appear to have been agreed between Kyiv and its European and American partners. They involve a gradual escalating response to Russian ceasefire violations, ultimately involving direct European and US military involvement.

Potholes in the road to peace

The Kremlin’s opposition to such an arrangement is hardly surprising. But it casts further doubt on how sincere Putin is about a durable peace agreement with Ukraine. In turn, it explains Kyiv’s reluctance to make any concessions, let alone those on the current scale of Russian demands.

What complicates these discussions further is the fact that the US is linking the provision of security guarantees for Kyiv to Ukrainian concessions on territory along the lines of the Moscow-endorsed Anchorage formula.

This might seem a sensible and fair compromise, but there are some obvious problems with it. First, it relies on the dependability of the US as an ultimate security backstop. But (particularly European) confidence in how dependable US pledges actually are has been severely eroded during the first 12 months of Donald Trump’s second term in the White House.

Second, Europe is moving painfully slowly to fill the void left by the US decision to halt funding to Ukraine. The details of a €90 billion (£78 billion) loan agreed in principle by EU leaders in December, have only just been finalised.

Doubts – as voiced by Nato secretary-general, Mark Rutte – also persist about whether, even in the long term, Europe has a credible prospect of developing sufficiently independent military capabilities outside the transatlantic alliance.

Few incentives to reach a deal

As a result, there are few incentives for Kyiv to bow to US pressure and give up more territory to Russia in exchange for security guarantees that may not be as ironclad in reality as they appear on paper. Likewise, it makes little sense for Moscow to accept even a hypothetical western security guarantee in exchange for territory that the Kremlin remains confident it can take by force if necessary.

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Following Xi Jinping’s public affirmation of Chinese support for Russia in a video call between the two countries’ presidents on the anniversary of the declaration of their “no-limits partnership” in February 2022, Putin is unlikely to feel any real pressure to change his position.

Putin will feel further reassured in his position by the fact that there is still no progress on a new sanctions bill in the US senate – four weeks after Trump allegedly “greenlit” the legislation. In addition, Trump’s top Ukraine negotiators – Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner – are now also engaged in negotiations with Iran. This further diminishes US diplomatic capacity and is only going to reinforce Moscow’s intransigence.

Any claims of progress in the negotiations in Abu Dhabi are therefore at best over-optimistic and at worst self-deluding. And if such claims come from Putin’s envoy Kirill Dmitriev, they once more underscore that US mediation between Russia and Ukraine serves the primary purpose of restoring economic relations between Moscow and Washington. Like Kushner and Witkoff, Dmitriev is first and foremost a businessman.

Not only does this parallel track of Russia-US economic talks explain Trump’s reluctance to put any meaningful pressure on Putin, it also betrays the deep irony of the US approach to ending the war. As Europe painfully learned over more than two decades of engagement with Putin’s Russia, economic integration does not curb the Kremlin’s expansionism but enables it.

A female teacher was injured at a school in Wales on Thursday

A 15-year-old boy has been remanded into custody after appearing in court charged with the attempted murder of a teacher at a school in west Wales.

Swansea Magistrates’ Court heard on Saturday that the school pupil, who cannot be named for legal reasons, allegedly attacked the female teacher with a kitchen knife after asking for help with work at Milford Haven Comprehensive School on Thursday afternoon.

Appearing in court the teenager spoke only to confirm his name, address, and date of birth.

He was charged with attempted murder, grievous bodily harm, and possession of a bladed article on education premises.

He is alleged to have attacked a female teacher with a kitchen knife while she was going through his work with him in a classroom shortly after 3pm on Thursday. Don’t miss a court report by signing up to our crime newsletter here.

Magistrates heard the woman was left with injuries to her head, finger, and back for which she received treatment in hospital.

The boy’s family were in court to watch proceedings on Saturday.

He was remanded into youth detention over the weekend and will appear at Swansea Crown Court on February 9.

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As Hugo Ekitike walked off to the adulation of the Anfield crowd last Saturday and took his seat on the bench, Alexander Isak simply patted his Liverpool team-mate’s hair from behind. A finisher recognises a finisher.

Isak’s chance will certainly come again, but while the record £125m summer signing is sidelined with a broken leg, all he can do is watch and admire his fellow forward. So far, there is plenty to admire.

It is testament to the way Ekitike has adapted to life in the Premier League that no-one has suggested Liverpool have missed or need Sweden international Isak back in a hurry.

The numbers alone are impressive – 15 goals and four assists in all competitions since his £79m move from Eintracht Frankfurt in the summer.

When the 23-year-old netted in the FA Cup last month, he became only the second Liverpool player to score in five different competitions during their debut campaign, alongside Kenny Dalglish. Talk about good company.

Yet beyond the numbers is a dynamic forward who has serious pace, reads the game intelligently, can link up well and above all, can finish.

In recent weeks, Ekitike has been compared to Fernando Torres, arguably one of the best finishers Liverpool have had in the 21st century, and received high praise from Alan Shearer and Wayne Rooney.

Shearer described Ekitike’s second goal against Newcastle as “world class”, while Rooney said the Frenchman was “one of, if not the best signing in the Premier League” this season.

“He’s the type of player I like to watch. He’s not a number nine, he’s not a number 10. He drifts out wide, gets on the ball, brings players into the game and he can score goals. He’s got a bit of everything really,” added Manchester United’s record goalscorer on his podcast.

What makes Ekitike so impressive is the range of scenarios he thrives in due to his expansive skillset. An unusual toe-poked finish for that goal against Newcastle sparked conversation, but it’s a deliberate tool he has in his locker.

In a behind-the-scenes training video from July, Ekitike scored in an identical manner. For both goals, his shooting leg barely swings back, which prevents keepers from being able to read the kind of shot he will take.

Paired with the uncommon nature of the strike, he is able to catch opponents off-guard more often with these goals – drawing comparisons with legendary Brazilian forward Romario, who was famed for his toe-poked finishes.

The Environment Agency (EA) updated its alert notice this morning (February 6) for the Upper and Lower River Derwent, asking residents in Elvington, Pocklington, Samford Bridge, Wilberfoss and Wressle to be prepared.

In York city centre overnight, the EA also published an alert for possible floods from the River Ouse today to riverside paths and low-lying land including King’s Staith, Queen’s Staith, and South Esplanade, and as far south as Naburn Lock.

Close to Elvington yesterday, River Derwent levels were high and flood plains were full after days of rain (Image: Kevin Glenton)

Met Office forecasts for York over the next few days are for light rain and cloudy overcast skies.

Yesterday afternoon, flood plains close to the River Derwent bridge in Elvington were full and this morning, on the A1079 in Kexby Bridge over the river, road surfaces were half-covered by standing water.

At the Elvington Sluices the River Derwent level measured at 8.15am, stood at 6.39 metres and steady, above its normal range of 6.1 metres.

Close to Elvington yesterday, River Derwent levels were high and flood plains were full after days of rain (Image: Kevin Glenton)

The highest recorded level here was 7.12 metres in November 2000.

The EA says low-lying land flooding is possible above 6.25 metres.

A flood alert – meaning flooding is possible – is usually issued between two and 12 hours before flooding, the EA said.

Residents are urged to regularly check warnings for their area and follow official advice .

At the Foss Barrier close to the confluence of the two principal rivers in York, the level at 8.15am was 7.28 metres and rising, below the top of the normal range of 7.9 metres.

The highest level recorded here was 10.2 metres on November 4, 2000.

The agency’s advice in a flood alert – which means flooding is possible – is to avoid walking, cycling or driving through any flood water and highlights other at-risk areas such as fields, recreational land and car parks, minor roads, farmland and coastal areas affected by spray of waves overtopping.

All areas are being assessed by the Environment Agency, it said.

Mark Sommerville will be joined by 100 supporters to demand more help, funding and awareness of the rapidly progressive life-limiting disease.

A dad with MND will protest outside Holyrood on Wednesday to demand more funding to help find a cure.

Mark Sommerville will be joined by 100 supporters to demand more help, funding and awareness of the rapidly progressive life-limiting disease.

The dad of four, from Uddingston, Lanarkshire, was given his MND diagnosis in October 2024 and told he had 18 months to live.

The 45-year-old has since set up the Mark Sommerville Foundation to fund research, but says a letter to First Minister John Swinney begging for help has gone unanswered and believes the government is not doing enough to help fund new treatments.

The foundation will meet Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar before the protest.

Mark said: “Those ­diagnosed with MND don’t have time to wait. We urgently need more funding ­imminently, more research put into finding a cure for this horrendous condition.

“This protest is to highlight the lack of funds, also the lack of awareness from the ­Scottish Government.

“The SNP have been in charge for 19 years but they are not doing enough. People with MND, their lives matter and I just feel they don’t care.”

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Mark was praised by PM Keir Starmer in Westminster in 2024 for his fundraising and told: “We stand with you in this fight.” However more than a year on, he believes the UK Government is also not doing enough to fund research into treatments.

The campaigner has also teamed up with pharmaceutical firm Nevrargenics, which is behind a drug which it believes not only stops the impact of MND but reverses the damage already done.

Starmer recognised Mark’s work and that of rugby league star Kevin Sinfield, who has raised a million for sufferers of MND, which took his best friend Rob Burrow’s life in June, aged 41.

It also took Scotland rugby legend Doddie Weir in 2022, aged 52.

Labour’s Jackie Baillie said: “John Swinney should meet Mark to hear his case, rather than turning his back.”

Public health minister Jenni Minto said: “I fully understand and support the Mark Sommerville ­Foundation’s desire for any new and ground-breaking medicines to be made ­available as soon as possible.”

Former NHS consultant Sean Watermeyer is helping in another way after decades of dedicated service

A retired NHS consultant has written a new children’s book in support of the Wales Air Ambulance.

Sean Watermeyer, who served as a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital for 19 years, has published Bernie the Christmas Spirit and the Wales Air Ambulance as the third version in his Bernie the Christmas Spirit series.

Mr Watermeyer, who has spent 35 years working as a medic, said writing the book was his way of giving back to an organisation he greatly admires. “The Wales Air Ambulance carries out around three and a half thousand life-saving missions every year,” he said. “It’s entirely charity-based and not funded by the NHS.” Stay in the know by making sure you’re receiving our daily newsletter.

Inspiration came to Sean after seeing the air ambulance from his home and searching about them.

“Every day we see them coming in and out, and I looked them up and realised they were entirely charitable,” he said. “I knew I needed to do something for these guys.”

Sean’s medical career has been wide-ranging. Alongside his NHS work he served as a squadron doctor in the RAF, completing a tour in Bosnia and supporting a naval squadron in Germany where he also met his wife.

He later became the cancer lead for the Cwm Taf Morgannwg Health Board for a decade and chaired the hospital committee for PONT – a Pontypridd-based charity working with communities in Mbale, Uganda.

His medical experience, he said, has deeply influenced his writing. “Being a medic for 35 years has shaped how I see the world,” he said. “The Bernie books are about spreading love, decency, and goodness, and that’s the message I want children to take away.”

The Bernie the Christmas Spirit series began in 2020 when Mr Watermeyer published the first edition with proceeds going to Centrepoint, a charity supporting young people facing homelessness. His latest book continues that tradition of pairing storytelling with social good.

As well as the Bernie the Christmas Spirit series Mr Watermeyer has written several other books. His earlier works include Infertility and Miscarriage: A Guide for the General Public, written to support couples struggling to conceive, and The Frequently Untrodden Path to Happiness, a self-help book exploring the pursuit of wellbeing and positivity.

The Wales Air Ambulance has welcomed the project with the charity planning to stock the book across its 10 shops throughout Wales. It will also be available online through Amazon and in Waterstones stores.

Sean said he was delighted when Waterstones agreed to carry the book. “I went into the Cardiff store and explained what the book was for, that all royalties were going to the air ambulance,” he said.

“The staff were absolutely lovely and said they’d be happy to stock it.”

Looking ahead, Sean hopes the book will encourage children and adults alike to appreciate the vital work of the Wales Air Ambulance.

“It’s a feel-good story,” he said. “I want children to know that goodness is the right way ahead and that if anything ever happens there are people out there, like the air ambulance team, ready to help.”

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Located at the southern end of Druridge Bay, the sandy beach attracts families, dog walkers and nature lovers looking for space, scenery and a slower pace compared to busier seaside destinations, but not just from the North East, with people travelling from across the UK to get there.

Part of a nine-mile stretch of coastline, Cresswell Beach is particularly striking at low tide, when the sand stretches far out towards the North Sea.

Cresswell Beach (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

Reviews regularly mention the space, with visitors noting that even during peak periods it rarely feels overcrowded.

One visitor described it as “a huge, open beach where you can always find a quiet spot,” while another said it was “ideal for long walks with the dog, flat, sandy and peaceful.”

Cresswell sits on the Northumberland Coast Path, making it a regular stopping point for walkers and cyclists exploring the Druridge Bay area.

The nearby Cresswell Foreshore nature reserve is also well regarded, with visitors pointing to the rock pools and birdlife as unexpected highlights.

Nature-focused reviews often mention seeing wading birds and marine life close to shore, with one visitor calling it “a brilliant spot for wildlife without needing specialist knowledge.”

Cresswell Beach (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

Visitor feedback consistently highlights the convenience of nearby food and drink options.

Cresswell Ices is frequently mentioned in reviews as a must-stop, particularly for families and walkers finishing a beach stroll.

Across from the beach car park, The Drift Café also receives positive comments for its “homemade food and relaxed atmosphere”.

One reviewer summed it up by saying: “You’ve got everything you need within a few minutes, beach, coffee, ice cream and fish and chips.”

For those looking to stay overnight, Cresswell Towers Holiday Park, located close to the beach, is often referenced by visitors as a convenient base with sea views and easy access to the coast.

Reviews from holidaymakers staying locally frequently mention the appeal of waking up close to the beach and using Cresswell as a starting point for exploring Druridge Bay and the wider Northumberland coast.

While it may lack the arcades and attractions of larger resorts, that’s exactly what many visitors say they like about Cresswell Beach.

As one review puts it: “There’s nothing flashy here, just a beautiful beach, fresh air and space to relax.”