OT subject but worth a main-stream read- OT News Feeds...

lousubcap

Friday Red Sea-Houthis update:

(Bloomberg) —

"The Yemen-based Houthis have told China and Russia their ships can sail through the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden without being attacked, according to several people with knowledge of the militant group’s discussions.

China and Russia reached an understanding following talks between their diplomats in Oman and Mohammed Abdel Salam, one of the Houthis’ top political figures, said the people, who asked not to be named discussing private matters.

In exchange, the two countries may provide political support to the Houthis in bodies such as the United Nations Security Council, according to the people. It’s not entirely clear how that support would be manifested, but it could include blocking more resolutions against the group.

Spokespeople for the governments of China and Russia, as well as the Houthis, including Abdel Salam, didn’t reply to Bloomberg’s requests for comment.

While the Houthis have already signaled Moscow and Beijing’s assets would not be targeted, the talks underscore the increased nervousness among world powers about the group’s missile and drone attacks in and around the southern Red Sea since mid-November.

The Houthis, an Islamist group, say they’re targeting ships linked to Israel, the US and UK. Yet they appear to have mis-identified some vessels and Russia and China may have wanted stronger assurances from the group."

lousubcap

Friday Israel-Hamas update:

"One of Israel’s longest hospital raids of the Gaza war stretched into a fourth day yesterday, with the military saying it had killed dozens of people it described as terrorists in the previous 24 hours in its operation at Al-Shifa Hospital. Israel has launched a series of raids on Al-Shifa, the largest medical facility in the enclave, arguing that Hamas used it as a command center and concealed weapons and fighters in underground tunnels there. Since the latest attack began on Monday, the Israeli military has reported killing more than 140 people it said were terrorists in and around the hospital, far higher than in previous raids. Matthew Mpoke Bigg and Hiba Yazbek report for the New York Times.

The U.N. Security Council is due to vote today on a U.S.-proposed draft resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages held by Hamas. Rather than directly call for a ceasefire, the text expresses support for the efforts by Washington, Egypt, and Qatar to reach a hostage deal and links that to the imperative for an immediate and sustained ceasefire. Another vote could take place later in the day on a draft resolution put forward by the elected ten members of the Security Council. Using stronger language than the U.S. draft, it demands an immediate humanitarian ceasefire for Ramadan leading to a permanent sustainable ceasefire, and also calls for the release of all hostages and expanded humanitarian access. Nada Tawfik reports for BBC News."

lousubcap

Friday Russia-Ukraine update:

"Russia considers itself to be at war due to the West’s intervention on Ukraine’s side and cannot allow a state to exist on its borders that has shown itself ready to use any method to seize control of Crimea, the Kremlin said today. “We are in a state of war. Yes, it started out as a special military operation, but as soon as this group was formed, when the collective West became a participant in this on the side of Ukraine, it became a war for us,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said. Reuters reports. 

Around 15 blasts were heard in Kharkiv this morning, mayor Ihor Terekhov said, with Russian missile strikes appearing to target the city’s power supply, causing partial blackouts. Terekhov did not report any casualties, but said some of the city’s water pumps had stopped because of the attacks. In another central Ukrainian city, Vinnytsia, a “critical infrastructure object” was damaged, according to mayor Serhiy Borzov. The administration of Zaporizhzhia also reported eight missile strikes and said some locals had been wounded. Reuters reports. 

Ukraine intercepted 31 missiles launched by Russia at Kyiv overnight, the country’s air force said. At least 17 people were injured by falling debris, authorities said. It marks the largest Russian attack in weeks and follows a pledge from Moscow for revenge over recent attacks by Ukraine on its border regions. Sarah Rainsford, Jacqueline Howard and Laura Gozzi report for BBC News."

lousubcap

More Friday on Russia-Ukraine:

Largest Russian attack on Ukraine’s energy system so far

The Russian military conducted a large missile attack on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure in the early morning hours Friday. At least five people were killed and more than a dozen have been wounded, though those numbers could rise as the day progresses. At least a million people were left without electricity, according to the BBC.   Nearly 90 ballistic and cruise missiles were used in a wave of attacks that began Thursday evening and featured an estimated 60 or so Iranian-designed Shahed drones, Ukraine’s president said Friday. The United Nations shared photos of some of the devastation across Ukraine, here.   Targets included “power plants and energy supply lines, a hydroelectric dam [the DniproHES in Zaporizhzhia], ordinary residential buildings, and even a trolleybus,” President Volodymir Zelenskyy said.   “Russian missiles have no delays, unlike aid packages for Ukraine,” Zelenskyy said on social media. And “Shahed drones have no indecision, unlike some politicians,” he added. “It is critical to understand the cost of delays and postponed decisions.”"

lousubcap

Like the below is a surprise-especially in this year with the most dis-functional Congress in recent memory and headed for the cellar!

lousubcap

Monday Israel-Hamas update:
"Israeli forces have surrounded two more hospitals in Gaza, the Palestinian Red Crescent Society said yesterday. The organization said that the Al-Amal Hospital and Nasser Hospital in southern Gaza were both encircled, adding, “All our teams are in extreme danger at the moment and are unable to move at all.” Meanwhile, the Israeli military is still operating at Al-Shifa Hospital after raiding it last week. In an update yesterday, the military said its troops had “apprehended approximately 480 terrorists affiliated with the Hamas and Islamic Jihad terrorist organizations, and have located weapons and terrorist infrastructure in the hospital.” Lauren Izso, Abeer Salman, and Tim Lister report for CNN.

 Vice President Kamala Harris suggested there could be “consequences” for Israel if it proceeds with a planned invasion of Rafah, where some 1.4 million people are sheltering. “We have been clear in multiple conversations and in every way that any major military operation in Rafah would be a huge mistake,” Harris said yesterday on ABC News, adding, “Let me tell you something: I have studied the maps. There’s nowhere for those folks to go.” When pressed on whether the United States would consider “consequences” if the Rafah plans proceeded, Harris said, “I am ruling out nothing.” 

 Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant headed to Washington yesterday amid increasingly strained relations with Washington. Gallant is set to meet with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, national security adviser Jake Sullivan, and other senior officials, the Israeli government said in a statement. Gallant’s visit, which the Israeli government said was at Austin’s invitation, follows Blinken and Israeli leaders confronting one another over the trajectory of the war on Friday. Rachel Pannett, Annabelle Timist, and Sarah Dadouch report for the Washington Post. "

lousubcap

Monday Russia-Ukraine update:
"Russia’s Defence Ministry said on Monday that its forces destroyed 11 Ukraine-launched drones over the southwestern Russian Rostov region.

Separately, the Ukrainian military said it hit two large Russian landing ships in overnight attacks on the Russian-occupied Crimean Peninsula as well as other infrastructure used by the Russian navy in the Black Sea.

 An underground gas storage site in Ukraine was attacked on Sunday in the latest wave of Russian missile strikes on power facilities, while Ukrainian officials restored power in cities, ordered imports and imposed rolling blackouts to deal with shortfalls.

Poland demanded an explanation from Russia yesterday after one of its missiles briefly strayed into Polish airspace during a major missile attack on Ukraine, prompting Poland to activate F-16 fighter jets. According to Poland’s Armed Forces Operational Command, the object entered near Oserdow, a village near the border with Ukraine, and stayed in Polish airspace for 39 seconds. It was not immediately clear if Russia intended for the missile to do so. Poland’s Defense Minister later said that Polish authorities monitored the attack and were in contact with Ukrainian counterparts, adding that NATO F-16s were activated as part of the strategic response. Vanessa Gera and Tony Hicks report for AP News. "

lousubcap

Monday Red Sea and the Houthis: (This attack after the Houthis said the Chinese ships were not to be targets.)

The Houthis launched five anti-ship ballistic missiles at a Chinese-owned and operated oil tanker, U.S. Central Command announced on Saturday.

One of the missiles hit MV Huang Pu, which sails under a Panamanian flag of convenience, according to the Central Command release. The ship sent out a distress call, but it did not request assistance. The ship had minimal damage and extinguished a small onboard fire.

There were no casualties, according to the release.

The ship is owned by a Chinese company, according to the release. The Houthis previously said they would not attack any Chinese ships. It is possible it was a case of old information, as the South China Morning Post reported that the ship’s registered owner changed in February 2024.

The Houthis, whose spokespeople usually announce strikes on ships on social media site X, have not said anything about the attack on Huang Pu.

The People’s Republic of China government have not made any statements about the attack.

lousubcap

Tuesday Israel-Hamas update:

"The U.N. Security Council yesterday passed a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza during the remaining weeks of Ramadan, ending a five-month deadlock during which the United States vetoed three calls for a cease to the fighting and Russia and China vetoed the previous one. The resolution passed with 14 votes in favor and the United States abstaining, which U.S. officials said was partly because the resolution did not condemn Hamas. The resolution also called for the “immediate and unconditional release of all hostages” and the lifting of “all barriers to the provision of humanitarian assistance.” U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Linda Thomas-Greenfield called the resolution “nonbinding.” Farnaz Fassihi, Aaron Boxerman, and Thomas Fuller report for the New York Times.

The Israeli military launched attacks in northern and southern Gaza today, despite the U.N. Security Council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said “troops are operating in the area of Al Amal in Khan Yunis; the IDF and ISA are continuing to conduct precise operational activity in the Shifa hospital,” with Israel’s air force claiming targets on 60 sites across Gaza over the past day. In a statement on X, Israel’s foreign minister, Israel Katz, insisted that Israel “will not ceasefire,” adding that Israel “will destroy Hamas and continue to fight until the last of the hostages returns home.”CNN reports. "

lousubcap

Tuesday Russia-Ukraine update:
"Ten people, including a teenage girl, were injured after Russia hit Kyiv with missiles in the third bombardment in five days. Air defence shot down the missiles but people were hurt when the debris crashed to the ground in several central districts.

Almost a dozen people were injured after Russia attacked the southern region of Mykolaiv and Odesa with drones. The authorities said eight of nine drones were shot down but that a fire at a plant in Odesa forced an emergency power shutdown.

Oleg Kalashnikov, a press officer for Ukraine’s 26th Artillery Brigade, said the eastern city of Chasiv Yar was facing a “difficult and tense” situation, with Russian forces trying to “push through” Ukrainian defences. Kalashnikov said Moscow was dropping powerful guided bombs “on populated areas and on our fortified positions”.

A fire broke out at a major Russian power plant in the southwestern Rostov region after a Ukrainian drone attack. Two power units at the Novocherkassk power station, one of the largest in the region, were shut down while the blaze was brought under control."

lousubcap

Wednesday Israel-Hamas update:

"Israel has called its negotiations team back from Qatar after 10 days of talks over a possible hostage deal reached an impasse, sparking a blame game between Israel and the United States. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office issued a statement blaming Hamas for the deadlock shortly after the delegation returned, saying, “Hamas’s stance demonstrates its utter disinterest in a negotiated deal and attests to the damage done by the UN Security Council’s resolution … Hamas rebuffed all U.S. offers for a compromise, while celebrating [the resolution].” The statement angered U.S. officials, with one saying, “This statement is inaccurate in almost every respect and unfair to the hostages and their families. Hamas’ response was prepared before the UN vote even took place. We will not play politics with this most important and difficult issue.” Barak Ravid reports for Axios.

Gazan authorities said late yesterday that 12 people had drowned while trying to reach airdropped aid that had fallen into the Mediterranean, calling for an end to the airdrops and an increase in deliveries by land. A Pentagon spokesperson said that three of approximately 80 aid bundles dropped by the United States on Monday “were reported to have had parachute malfunctions and landed in the water,” but that she could not confirm reports of the drownings. Matthew Mpoke Bigg reports for the New York Times.

President Biden yesterday responded to pro-Palestinian protesters who disrupted his speech on health care to highlight the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. “What about health care in Gaza?” three protesters yelled, saying that hospitals in Gaza are being bombed and accusing Biden of being “complicit in genocide.” As the protesters were escorted out, Biden said, “Be patient with them. They have a point. We need to get a lot more care into Gaza.” Sareen Habeshian reports for Axios."

lousubcap

Wednesday Russia-Ukraine update:

"Russia sees no chance of Switzerland leading efforts to secure peace in Ukraine, a senior Russian diplomat said yesterday, after Bern said it plans to host a high-level Ukraine peace conference in the coming months. “As of now, we don’t see any possibility that Switzerland would take the lead and organize something,” said Gennady Gatilov, Russia’s Permanent Representative to the U.N. in Geneva. Gabrielle Tétrault-Farber reports for Reuters.

Ukraine’s navy said it damaged four Russian naval ships in a weekend missile attack on Crimea. Among those hit was the Konstantin Olshanskya large landing warship that Moscow captured from Kyiv when it annexed the peninsula in 2014. Ukraine also struck the Ivan Khurs, a Russian naval reconnaissance vessel. There was no comment from Moscow.

Ukraine has sunk or disabled a third of all Russian warships in the Black Sea in just over two years of war, a spokesperson for the navy told the Associated Press yesterday. 

Ukraine’s air force chief said today that Russia launched 13 Shahed drones at Ukraine overnight, 10 of which were downed in the Kharkiv, Sumy, and Kyiv regions. Reuters reports."

lousubcap

Thursday Israel-Hamas update:

"Israel’s air force yesterday continued to strike Gaza while Hamas fighters sustained attacks against Israeli soldiers, a further indication that this week’s U.N. ceasefire resolution has failed to persuade either side to halt the fighting. Over the two days since the resolution passed on Monday, Hamas’s military wing has said it is continuing to carry out attacks against Israeli soldiers. Meanwhile, the Israeli military yesterday said that warplanes had hit dozens of targets over the previous day, including tunnels, military compounds, and militants. Yesterday, three Palestinian human rights groups said there had been an intensification of Israeli bombardments of Rafah over the previous 72 hours, killing dozens. Adam Rasgon reports for the New York Times.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is planning to send two top Israeli officials to Washington as early as next week for talks about a possible military offensive in Rafah, four U.S. and Israeli officials told Axios. It is a sharp reversal by Netanyahu, who on Monday canceled the same delegation in protest over the United States not vetoing the U.N. ceasefire resolution. Netanyahu yesterday met with Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) in Jerusalem, and in a statement after the meeting, gave a new reason for canceling the Washington trip: “My decision not to send the delegation to Washington in the wake of that resolution was a message to Hamas: Don’t bet on this pressure, it’s not going to work. I hope they got the message,” he said. 

Netanyahu told a group of U.S. Congress members that “victory” in Gaza and “getting” Hamas leadership in the territory are just “a few weeks away.” Speaking yesterday to the bipartisan Congressional group, Netanyahu said, “We’ve killed many senior leaders [of Hamas], including number four in Hamas, number three in Hamas. We’ll get number two and number one. That’s victory. Victory is within reach. It’s a few weeks away.”"

lousubcap

Thursday Russia-Ukraine update:

"Russia has intensified its online efforts to hamper military funding for Ukraine in the United States and Europe, largely by using harder-to-trace technologies to push arguments for isolationism ahead of the U.S. elections, according to disinformation experts and intelligence assessments. Russian operatives are laying the groundwork for potential increased efforts to support candidates who oppose aid to Ukraine or who call for U.S. withdrawal from NATO and other alliances, U.S. officials and independent researchers say. Intelligence agencies have also recently warned that Russia has become more adept at concealing its influence operations, and the Treasury Department issued sanctions last week against two Russian companies it said supported the Kremlin’s campaign. Julian E. Barnes and David E. Sanger report for the New York Times.

Russia has no plans to attack any NATO country but if the West supplies F-16 fighters to Ukraine then Russian forces will shoot them down, Russian President Vladimir Putin said yesterday. “We have no aggressive intentions towards these states,” Putin said, according to a Kremlin transcript released today. “The idea that we will attack some other country – Poland, the Baltic States, and the Czechs are also being scared – is complete nonsense … If they supply F-16s, and they are talking about this and are apparently training pilots, this will not change the situation on the battlefield … And we will destroy the aircraft,” Putin said. Reuters reports.

Ukraine’s air force chief Mykola Oleshchuk said Russia launched 13 Iranian-designed Shahed drones, 10 of which were brought down in Kharkiv, Sumy and Kyiv regions."

lousubcap

Thursday Red Sea-Houthis update:

"A U.S. Navy warship downed four long-range aerial drones launched early Wednesday from Yemen, apparently targeting the ship itself, according to U.S. Central Command. The four drones launched by Houthi militants were “engaged and destroyed” between 2 a.m. and 2:20 a.m. local time, according to a news release from Central Command that day.

The ship, which the command did not identify, downed the unmanned vehicles in self-defense, the release states. It did not state whether the drones were armed. Central Command reported no injuries or damages to U.S. or coalition crews or ships."

fishlessman

this thread started with biden telling putin not to cross a line or pay a heavy price, then a war in ukraine, then the hamas hit israel, then the houthes at sea, interesting to see where it goes next frank, thank you for this post, i dont think i could ever keep up without it.

lousubcap

@fishlessman - I circled back to the origin given your post. I'm not sure it's worth keeping up as nothing is getting resolved, only more fuel to the fire.  However, until things get sorted out (if ever!!!) I will keep it going for those who find it useful.  

fishlessman

lousubcap said:

@fishlessman - I circled back to the origin given your post. I'm not sure it's worth keeping up as nothing is getting resolved, only more fuel to the fire.  However, until things get sorted out (if ever!!!) I will keep it going for those who find it useful.                                                           It's more like the song...the worlds been burning since the worlds been turning.....but it's accelerating ......

lousubcap

Friday Israel-Hamas update:

"The Israeli military yesterday said it was carrying out raids in and around two hospitals in Gaza, as the U.N. and aid groups warned that Gaza’s health care system is rapidly deteriorating. Fighting has been raging in and around Al-Shifa Hospital since an Israeli raid there began 10 days ago. The Israeli military said in a statement that nearly 200 people whom it called “terrorists” had been killed in the area and that militants had fired on Israeli troops from both inside and outside the complex, while Gazan authorities said that over 200 civilians had been killed and another 1,000 had been detained during the assault. Neither claim could be independently verified. Hiba Yazbek reports for the New York Times.

The Palestinian Authority yesterday announced a new cabinet, pledging to form a technocratic government that could help rebuild Gaza and fight corruption. In a statement, Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa announced the names of 22 new ministers and outlined his vision for the government. The reshuffle comes amid U.S. and other international pressure to reform. Washington offered tentative praise for the new cabinet, with State Department spokesman Matthew Miller saying the presence of Gazan-born ministers was an encouraging sign that the cabinet intended to be “fully representative of the Palestinian people.” Sufian Taha and Adam Taylor report for the Washington Post."

lousubcap

Friday Russia-Ukraine update:

"Russian President Vladimir Putin’s efforts to link Ukraine to the perpetrators of last week’s attack on a concert hall in Moscow that killed more than 140 people is “nonsense” and “propaganda,” White House national security communications adviser John Kirby told reporters. “It’s abundantly clear that ISIS was solely responsible for the horrific terrorist attack in Moscow last week,” Kirby said. The U.S. had warned the Kremlin – in writing, Kirby said – of the potential for such an attack by the Afghanistan-based ISIS-K affiliate of the self-styled Islamic State militant group. Alex Gangitano reports for The Hill.

Russian missile and drone attacks hit thermal and hydro power plants in central and western Ukraine, power grid operator Ukrenergo said today, in the latest barrage targeting Ukraine’s power infrastructure. “During the night, the Russians struck again at energy facilities in a massive and combined attack,” Ukrenergo said on Telegram, adding, “Thermal and hydroelectric power plants in the central and western regions were damaged.” Reuters reports.

Ukraine’s military will need to mobilize fewer people than initially expected to continue fighting Russia, Kyiv’s top general said today. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in December that the military had proposed mobilizing up to 500,000 more Ukrainians as Russia increased attacks along the front line. In an interview with Ukrainian media published today, commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said the figure had been “significantly reduced” after a review of resources. Reuters reports.

Russia launched drone attacks on eastern, southern and southeastern Ukraine. The Ukrainian military said it shot down 26 of the 28 Iranian-designed attack drones.

Serhiy Popko, head of Kyiv’s military administration, said security measures in the Ukrainian capital would be tightened, particularly around large gatherings, after a spate of Russian ballistic missile attacks and threats of escalation."

lousubcap

Friday Red Sea-Houthis update: 
"For a second day in a row, the U.S. Navy downed four unmanned aerial drones Thursday over the Red Sea, according to U.S. Central Command.
The drones, launched by Houthi militants from areas they control in Yemen, were aimed at a “coalition vessel and a U.S. warship,” between 6 p.m. and 10:56 p.m. local time, according to a news release Thursday from Central Command in Tampa, Fla.
The Navy considered “these weapons… an imminent threat to merchant vessels and U.S. Navy ships in the region,” according to the release. No injuries or damage were reported by U.S. or coalition ships.
The release did not identify any of the vessels involved in the attack."

lousubcap

@fishlessman - another 'World is going to he!!" update on a continuing pi$$ing contest that is elevating:

Escalation in the Asia-Pacific

The Philippines says it will soon respond directly to “attacks” by China’s coast guard in disputed waters of the South China Sea. Writing on social media Thursday, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. vowed “we will not be cowed into silence, submission, or subservience” after another incident late last week where the Chinese used water cannons to harass a Philippine civilian boat as it was escorted by two Philippine navy ships and two Philippine coastguard vessels.    Marcos did not specify precisely what response China can expect, but he promised a “proportionate, deliberate and reasonable in the face of the open, unabating, and illegal, coercive, aggressive and dangerous attacks by agents of the China coast guard and Chinese maritime militia.”   Chinese reax: “We have responded with legitimate, resolute and restrained actions,” said a defense ministry spokesman on Thursday, according to Reuters. “The Philippine side should realise that provocations will only do themselves more harm than good, and soliciting foreign support will lead nowhere,” he added.    U.S. and Philippine officials have been talking a lot lately, and many of the discussions are about the antagonistic behavior of China’s navy, coast guard, and maritime militia of networked fishermen in the Asia–Pacific. Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin rang his Philippine counterpart Wednesday in response to what he described as the Chinese “Coast Guard and maritime militia’s dangerous obstruction of a lawful Philippine resupply mission to Second Thomas Shoal on March 23.”    SecDef Austin “emphasized U.S. support for the Philippines in defending its sovereign rights and jurisdiction, and reiterated that the U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty extends to both countries'armed forces, public vessels, and aircraft—including those of its Coast Guard—anywhere in the Pacific, to include the South China Sea,” according to the Pentagon’s readout."

lousubcap

Monday Israel-Hamas update:

"The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) said today its troops have completed their operation at Al-Shifa Hospital and withdrawn from the complex, following a nearly two-week raid. Emergency workers who arrived this morning to recover bodies found that the hospital was burned and shelled by artillery, according to a spokesman for Gaza’s Civil Defense. World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a statement yesterday that 21 patients died during the siege. More than 100 patients remain in the complex without adequate medical support or supplies, he added, calling on Israel to give the WHO and its partners access to the hospital. Niha Masih reports for the Washington Post.

Thousands of Israelis demonstrated in Jerusalem yesterday to call for early elections in one of the biggest protests against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu since the start of the war. It followed a separate anti-government protest the day before in Tel Aviv, where demonstrators included families of hostages still held in Gaza, citizens objecting to Netanyahu’s attempt to bypass an Israeli Supreme Court decision requiring ultra-Orthodox men to serve in the military, and members of the anti-Netanyahu protest movement that predates the war. The protests could indicate a turning point for the Israeli public. Adam Rasgon and Aaron Boxerman report for the New York Times.

Netanyahu rejected protesters’ calls yesterday for early elections. “The calls to hold elections now, in the height of the war, a step away from victory, will paralyze Israel for at least six months — I assess, eight months,” Netanyahu said at a news conference in Jerusalem. He also claimed the elections would derail ongoing hostage negotiations. CNN reports.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant raised the possibility of establishing a regional security force in Gaza during his visit to Washington this week. The proposal is for an Arab force to stay in Gaza for a limited period to secure the temporary pier the U.S. will build off the coast and escort humanitarian convoys into the territory, two senior Israeli officials told Axios.

The United States and Israel are set to hold a virtual meeting on Rafah on Monday. U.S. and Israeli officials are expected to discuss the Biden administration’s alternative proposals to a military invasion of Rafah, four Israeli and U.S. officials told Axios."

lousubcap

Monday Russia-Ukraine update:

"Ukraine’s air force shot down two out of three Russia-launched Shahed drones overnight, the military said today. Reuters reports.

Russia is demanding that Ukraine hand over all people connected with terrorist acts committed in Russia, including the head of the country’s Security Service (SBU), the foreign ministry said yesterday. The SBU immediately dismissed the demand. Reuters reports.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy fired six more aides and advisors.It comes after the dismissal last week of National Security and Defense Council Secretary Oleksii Danilov, who was named ambassador to Moldova, and the replacement in February of Valerii Zaluzhnyi, the head of the armed forces, who was ultimately named Ukraine’s ambassador to Britain. The Associated Pressreports.

House Speaker Mike Johnson predicts a new Ukraine aid bill when the House returns from recess. He foreshadowed “important innovations” including extending a loan and authorizing President Biden to seize Russian assets. The House is in recess until April 9. Sarah Fortinsky reports for The Hill.

Russia also said it conducted a strike on objects of energy infrastructure and the gas industry in Ukraine, the Russian Ministry of Defence said it used “high-precision long-range air-based weapons” and drones."

fishlessman

lousubcap said:

@fishlessman - another 'World is going to he!!" update on a continuing pi$$ing contest that is elevating:

Escalation in the Asia-Pacific

The Philippines says it will soon respond directly to “attacks” by China’s coast guard in disputed waters of the South China Sea. Writing on social media Thursday, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. vowed “we will not be cowed into silence, submission, or subservience” after another incident late last week where the Chinese used water cannons to harass a Philippine civilian boat as it was escorted by two Philippine navy ships and two Philippine coastguard vessels.    Marcos did not specify precisely what response China can expect, but he promised a “proportionate, deliberate and reasonable in the face of the open, unabating, and illegal, coercive, aggressive and dangerous attacks by agents of the China coast guard and Chinese maritime militia.”   Chinese reax: “We have responded with legitimate, resolute and restrained actions,” said a defense ministry spokesman on Thursday, according to Reuters. “The Philippine side should realise that provocations will only do themselves more harm than good, and soliciting foreign support will lead nowhere,” he added.    U.S. and Philippine officials have been talking a lot lately, and many of the discussions are about the antagonistic behavior of China’s navy, coast guard, and maritime militia of networked fishermen in the Asia–Pacific. Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin rang his Philippine counterpart Wednesday in response to what he described as the Chinese “Coast Guard and maritime militia’s dangerous obstruction of a lawful Philippine resupply mission to Second Thomas Shoal on March 23.”    SecDef Austin “emphasized U.S. support for the Philippines in defending its sovereign rights and jurisdiction, and reiterated that the U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty extends to both countries'armed forces, public vessels, and aircraft—including those of its Coast Guard—anywhere in the Pacific, to include the South China Sea,” according to the Pentagon’s readout."

its just a big squirt gun

lousubcap

Our Trump reporting upsets some readers, but there aren’t two sides to facts: Letter from the Editor 

https://www.cleveland.com/news/2024/03/our-trump-reporting-upsets-some-readers-but-there-arent-two-sides-to-facts-letter-from-the-editor.html?utm_
Worth a read however, those who read more than likely get the gist and those that should read it won't.  

fishlessman

lousubcap said:

Our Trump reporting upsets some readers, but there aren’t two sides to facts: Letter from the Editor 

https://www.cleveland.com/news/2024/03/our-trump-reporting-upsets-some-readers-but-there-arent-two-sides-to-facts-letter-from-the-editor.html?utm_
Worth a read however, those who read more than likely get the gist and those that should read it won't.  

Is it about the oyster bunny😝 I will read it tomorrow on the PC. Funny, that duke guy does not believe I read his political posts either. His bb posts though......

lousubcap

And here's this- FWIW-
BTW- @fishlessman I know you at least skim the posts and likely give several a more serious look.  Frictionless conduit here for the info.

Trump Media shares plummet, reported $58 million in losses last year

Former President Trump’s social media company plunged on the stock market Monday after reporting a $58 million loss over the past year, per regulatory filings. Trump Media & Technology Group shares were down roughly 24 percent Monday afternoon — plummeting to about $47, after debuting with shares as high as $79.38 on its first day of trading last week. Trump Media merged with “blank check” company Digital World Acquisition Corp. in March, allowing Trump’s social media company to become publicly traded. The company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Monday show Trump Media made $4.1 million in revenue in 2023 — roughly $750,000 in the fourth quarter — compared to $16 million spent on operating expenses and $39.4 million on interest expenses. Trump Media “expects to continue to incur operating losses and negative cash flows from operating activities for the foreseeable future, as it works to expand its user base, attracting more platform partners and advertisers,” the company said in the Monday filing. The company cited "uncertainties" in the industry as making it "premature for TMTG to predict when it will attain profitability and positive cash flows from its operations." Edit to add the following from The Hill: https://thehill.com/business/4567808-trump-media-shares-plunge-after-company-reports-58-million-loss-in-2023/?email=

JohnInCarolina

fishlessman said:

lousubcap said:

Our Trump reporting upsets some readers, but there aren’t two sides to facts: Letter from the Editor 

https://www.cleveland.com/news/2024/03/our-trump-reporting-upsets-some-readers-but-there-arent-two-sides-to-facts-letter-from-the-editor.html?utm_
Worth a read however, those who read more than likely get the gist and those that should read it won't.  

Is it about the oyster bunny😝 I will read it tomorrow on the PC. Funny, that duke guy does not believe I read his political posts either. His bb posts though......

You *are* reading them?  And here I was, just giving you the benefit of the doubt....

lousubcap

Tuesday Israel-Hamas update:

"Israeli officials agreed yesterday to take into account U.S. concerns about a planned offensive in Rafah, according to a joint statement issued after a virtual meeting held with U.S. officials on alternative ways to root out Hamas in southern Gaza. The meeting was led by top U.S. and Israeli officials and concluded with a plan for follow-up talks in person as early as next week, the statement said. There was no indication that U.S. and Israeli negotiators reached any agreement on Israel’s Rafah plans. Reuters reports. 

The Biden administration is set to approve the sale of up to 50 American-made F-15 fighter jets to Israel, in a deal expected to be worth more than $18 billion, according to three people familiar with the matter. The transaction, which would amount to the largest U.S. foreign military sale to Israel since the start of the war in Gaza, comes as the administration is also expected to notify Congress soon of a large new sale of precision-guided munitions to Israel. CNN reports. 

U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan will travel to Saudi Arabia this week to continue talks with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman about a normalization deal with Israel, according to a U.S. official. The official said that no major breakthroughs were expected from the meeting. CNN reports. "