All posts tagged: defiant

War-Weary Kyiv Residents Defiant Over Russian Threat of New Strikes

War-Weary Kyiv Residents Defiant Over Russian Threat of New Strikes

KYIV, May 26 (Reuters) – Kyiv residents and foreign embassies are shrugging ⁠off ⁠Moscow’s threat of a wave of heavy ⁠strikes on the Ukrainian capital as nothing new after years of war, displaying a defiant ​confidence in carrying on with their lives.  Russia, which has relentlessly attacked Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv, since launching its full-scale invasion in 2022, said on ‌Monday it intended to launch “systematic strikes” on ‌targets in Kyiv and urged foreigners and diplomats to leave.  But despite one of the war’s heaviest bombardments of the capital two days ago, ⁠residents interviewed by ⁠Reuters voiced their determination. “I think that those threats are manipulation more aimed at sowing ​panic among the public,” Oleksandr Korzh, a former serviceman, 43, said. “I will stay in Ukraine, and I will stay in Kyiv.”  Some of the diplomatic missions in the city, which Russia aggressively urged to leave, displayed no such plans. The EU’s ambassador to Ukraine, Katarina Mathernova, dismissed Russian threats as “a masterpiece ​of hypocrisy”. The Netherlands, Germany and Norway were among the countries that …

Cuba is defiant as U.S. targets Castro and fears of conflict loom

Cuba is defiant as U.S. targets Castro and fears of conflict loom

MEXICO CITY — In recent days, the U.S. Navy stationed an aircraft carrier off the coast of Cuba, the White House expanded sanctions on Havana’s leaders and federal prosecutors charged former Cuban President Raúl Castro with murder. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking to reporters, said what to many is becoming obvious: that the likelihood of a “negotiated and peaceful agreement” with Cuba’s communist government is “not high.” Months into a punishing oil blockade that has triggered widespread blackouts on the island, the Trump administration has ratcheted up its pressure campaign against Havana even further, raising questions about whether Cuba will be the next U.S. target after Venezuela and Iran. The U.S. overthrew Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in January and a month later killed Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Officials in Cuba, who slammed the indictment against Castro as “a political action” to build the case for an invasion, say they are preparing for war. Carlos Fernández de Cossío, Cuba’s deputy foreign minister, said that while the country hopes to avert conflict, it is hardening its …

Keir Starmer issues defiant 6-word statement over demands to quit | Politics | News

Keir Starmer issues defiant 6-word statement over demands to quit | Politics | News

Sir Keir Starmer has rejected calls to announce a timetable to stand down if Andy Burnham wins the Makerfield by-election. The Prime Minister said “I’m not going to do that” when asked about demands by Labour MPs to set out a timeline for his departure from No 10. Sir Keir insisted that his premiership is not over and he wants to lead Labour into the next general election. It comes as the PM is fighting for his political survival in the wake of the May elections, with the Greater Manchester Mayor and Wes Streeting vying to oust him. Speaking on Monday, Sir Keir said: “I’m not going to do that.” He went on: “I do want to fight the next election. Obviously, I recognise that after the local election results, the elections in Wales and Scotland as well, that the first task is obviously turning things around and making sure that my focus is in the right place. “The last 10 days, there’s been a lot of activity, which hasn’t been as focused in my …

David Letterman delivers defiant six-word parting shot to CBS during final Colbert Show appearance

David Letterman delivers defiant six-word parting shot to CBS during final Colbert Show appearance

Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter David Letterman made his final appearance on The Late Show to bid his hosting successor, Stephen Colbert, and the beloved franchise a farewell. At the end of Thursday’s episode, Letterman, 79 — who originated CBS’s long-running late night talk show in 1993 before handing over the reins in 2015 — thanked Colbert for “everything you’ve done for the country.” Asked if he had any parting words to share with the audience, Letterman said: “Well, not necessarily to the audience, but to the folks at CBS — in the words of the great Ed Murrow, good night and good luck, motherf***ers!” The last-ever episode of The Late Show will air next Thursday, May 21, nearly a year after the network announced it was axing the franchise altogether, citing a “financial decision.” The sudden cancellation came days after Colbert criticized CBS’s parent company, …

‘Who cares!’ Anna Nicole Smith’s daughter Dannielynn Birkhead’s defiant response to remarks on hair transformation

‘Who cares!’ Anna Nicole Smith’s daughter Dannielynn Birkhead’s defiant response to remarks on hair transformation

Dannielynn Birkhead has inherited not only her late mother Anna Nicole Smith’s looks but also her confidence.  The 19-year-old stepped with a bold new look on Friday May 1 to the Barnstable Brown Gala in Louisville, Kentucky on the eve of the 2026 Kentucky Derby. Dannielynn joined her dad, Larry Birkhead, at the annual event. She rocked an edgy platinum wolf haircut with black tips and wore a floor-length black dress. The teenager spoke to press at the event, and responded to comments she had received about her hairstyle.  © Getty ImagesAnna Nicole Smith’s daughter Dannielynn responded to remarks about her hair Now at college, she is learning more and more about herself and her style, telling Access Hollywood: “I learned to just be myself and not let anything stop me.”  She added: “Someone’s like, ‘Hey, you actually can’t do your hair like that.’ Who cares! I’m doing it. I’m not gonna let someone dictate what I wanna do or who I wanna be, because life is short, and I think you should be who you …

Hezbollah defiant as Trump says Israel-Lebanon ceasefire extended for 3 weeks

Hezbollah defiant as Trump says Israel-Lebanon ceasefire extended for 3 weeks

BEIRUT — Hezbollah reacted with contempt to President Donald Trump’s announcement of a three-week extension of the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire, calling the truce “meaningless.” The Iran-backed militant group is still a powerful force in Lebanon, and concerns over the government’s ability to bring it under control have raised questions about the ceasefire’s long-term prospects. Source link

Iranian authorities remain defiant, urge supporters to stay in streets | US-Israel war on Iran News

Iranian authorities remain defiant, urge supporters to stay in streets | US-Israel war on Iran News

Tehran, Iran – Iranian authorities say the United States needs to do more if an agreement is to be made to end the war as they urge their supporters to maintain control of the streets. The US delegation at Saturday’s marathon talks in Islamabad, Pakistan, “ultimately failed to gain the trust of the Iranian delegation in this round of negotiations”, said Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the parliament speaker who led the Iranian team. Recommended Stories list of 3 itemsend of list US President Donald Trump said on Sunday that the US Navy will immediately begin the process of “blockading any and all ships trying to enter, or leave, the Strait of Hormuz” in Iran’s southern waters. He also said the US military remains “locked and loaded” and will “finish up” Iran at the “appropriate moment”. The fact that the Iranian delegation did not accede to Washington’s core demands of eliminating nuclear enrichment on Iranian soil and ending Iranian control over the Strait of Hormuz was welcomed by Iranian authorities on Sunday as they projected defiance. Judiciary …

Elizabeth Hurley and Billy Ray Cyrus lead the best-dressed stars in defiant public appearance after 5 months at the Olivier Awards

Elizabeth Hurley and Billy Ray Cyrus lead the best-dressed stars in defiant public appearance after 5 months at the Olivier Awards

Elizabeth Hurley and shared an Easter post stepped out for their first public appearance in five months at the Olivier Awards on Sunday. The couple, whose last public outing was at the 2025 CMA Awards in Nashville in November, were spotted holding hands as they made their way along the red carpet and into London’s Royal Albert Hall, joined by Elizabeth’s son, Damian, 24. Damian Hurley, Elizabeth Hurley and Billy Ray Cyrus attend The Olivier Awards 2026 with Cunard at the Royal Albert Hall on April 12, 2026 in London, England (Getty Images) Mother and son coordinated in white ensembles. Elizabeth wore a stunning dress cinched at the waist with a plunging neckline, while Damian donned a silk trouser suit with a cross necklace. (Getty Images) Meanwhile, Billy opted for an all-black look, complete with a scarf, layered necklaces and his signature black sunglasses. You may also like Split rumours Rumours began to circulate that the couple may have parted ways after Elizabeth hadn’t shared any images of Billy on her Instagram grid since December …

Stephen Fry sends defiant message to critics of age-gap marriage: ‘Sod them’

Stephen Fry sends defiant message to critics of age-gap marriage: ‘Sod them’

Stephen Fry has shared a defiant message with critics of his age-gap relationship with husband Elliott Spencer, who is 30 years his junior. The Celebrity Traitors star faced the line of questioning on ITV series The Assembly, which has previously been called “the most groundbreaking show of the year”. The format sees a celebrity interviewee taking part in a wide-ranging group questioning where the people with the microphones all are autistic, neurodivergent or learning disabled. The show returns for series two on Wednesday (8 April), where Fry, 68, fields questions from the assembly about his religious beliefs, former cocaine habit and mental health struggles. Fry was quizzed on ITV’s ‘The Assembly’ (ITV) In one part, the former QI host was asked about his “30-year age gap” with his 38-year-old husband, with the questioner explaining that she, too, was older than her girlfriend. “What do you say to people who don’t like age-gap relationships?” she asked, to which Fry responded: “I feel a bit sorry for them. I don’t see why they should have such an …

Stephen Fry sends defiant message to critics of age-gap marriage in The Assembly interview

Stephen Fry sends defiant message to critics of age-gap marriage in The Assembly interview

Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Stephen Fry has shared a defiant message with critics of his age-gap relationship with husband Elliott Spencer, who is 30 years his junior. The Celebrity Traitors star faced the line of questioning on ITV series The Assembly, which has previously been called “the most groundbreaking show of the year”. The format sees a celebrity interviewee taking part in a wide-ranging group questioning where the people with the microphones all are autistic, neurodivergent or learning disabled. The show returns for series two on Wednesday (8 April), where Fry, 68, fields questions from the assembly about his religious beliefs, former cocaine habit and mental health struggles. Fry was quizzed on ITV’s ‘The Assembly’ (ITV) In one part, the former QI host was asked about his “30-year age gap” with his 38-year-old husband, with the questioner explaining that she, too, was older than her …