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

fishlessman

JohnInCarolina said:

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....

well....not the basketball posts.  i was saw some fold up seats at the garden, sat behind larry bird, like watching ping pong to me......last two minutes of the game an usher kicked me out..... hockey is all different, you can usually score a box full of food and a fridge full of champagne for the third period, the big rollers never stay the whole game

lousubcap

Tuesday Russia-Ukraine update:
"Ukraine struck one of Russia’s largest refineries today with a drone 800 miles from the front lines in Ukraine, causing “significant damage,” according to a Ukrainian intelligence source. Reuters reports. 

Authorities in Kyiv said Russia had used five of its new hypersonic Zircon missiles to attack the Ukrainian capital since the start of the year. The attacks were among more than 180 Russian missile and drone attacks on Kyiv in the first three months of the year, the city administration added.

Vyacheslav Gladkov, the governor of Russia’s border region of Belgorod, said 10 people were injured in Ukrainian shelling of the region. He added that defence units had brought down 19 airborne targets."

lousubcap

And a potential protective move in the event CHEETO returns to govern from jail:

Allies consider moving Ukraine arms group into NATO to shield it from Trump

Officials are expected to discuss gradually moving the organization — called the Ukraine Defense Contact Group — into the alliance’s control.

Armored vehicles are worked on at a factory in Ukraine, on Friday, Dec. 22, 2023. | Evgeniy Maloletka/AP

By LARA SELIGMAN, STUART LAU and PAUL MCLEARY

04/02/2024 12:32 PM EDT

Updated: 04/02/2024 12:49 PM EDT

The U.S. and other Western countries are considering transferring to NATO a U.S.-led multinational group that coordinates the shipment of weapons to Ukraine, a move that could help maintain the flow of arms to Kyiv under a second Donald Trump presidency.

During the NATO foreign ministerial meeting in Brussels Wednesday and Thursday, officials are expected to discuss gradually moving the organization — called the Ukraine Defense Contact Group — into the alliance’s control, according to three European officials and a U.S. official with knowledge of the internal deliberations. The goal would be to finalize the move at the NATO leaders’ summit in Washington in July, one of the officials said.

Allies see the shift as a way to institutionalize the U.S.-led effort, allowing other countries in NATO to have a bigger say over the process in case of a Trump reelection, according to one of the European officials. All of the people were granted anonymity to discuss internal deliberations.

The Ukraine group was launched in the early weeks of the war by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and then-Joint Chiefs Chair Gen. Mark Milley to coordinate Western support for Kyiv’s defenses. It’s credited with speeding tens of billions of dollars in equipment, weapons and other aid to Ukraine that have been critical in staving off Russian forces.

The discussions about moving the group under NATO are happening “at very senior levels,” with the goal of formalizing European and alliance support for Kyiv, said the U.S. official, adding that one consideration heading into U.S. and European elections is to make the group “more enduring.”

fishlessman

lousubcap said:

And a potential protective move in the event CHEETO returns to govern from jail:

Allies consider moving Ukraine arms group into NATO to shield it from Trump

Officials are expected to discuss gradually moving the organization — called the Ukraine Defense Contact Group — into the alliance’s control.

Armored vehicles are worked on at a factory in Ukraine, on Friday, Dec. 22, 2023. | Evgeniy Maloletka/AP

By LARA SELIGMAN, STUART LAU and PAUL MCLEARY

04/02/2024 12:32 PM EDT

Updated: 04/02/2024 12:49 PM EDT

The U.S. and other Western countries are considering transferring to NATO a U.S.-led multinational group that coordinates the shipment of weapons to Ukraine, a move that could help maintain the flow of arms to Kyiv under a second Donald Trump presidency.

During the NATO foreign ministerial meeting in Brussels Wednesday and Thursday, officials are expected to discuss gradually moving the organization — called the Ukraine Defense Contact Group — into the alliance’s control, according to three European officials and a U.S. official with knowledge of the internal deliberations. The goal would be to finalize the move at the NATO leaders’ summit in Washington in July, one of the officials said.

Allies see the shift as a way to institutionalize the U.S.-led effort, allowing other countries in NATO to have a bigger say over the process in case of a Trump reelection, according to one of the European officials. All of the people were granted anonymity to discuss internal deliberations.

The Ukraine group was launched in the early weeks of the war by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and then-Joint Chiefs Chair Gen. Mark Milley to coordinate Western support for Kyiv’s defenses. It’s credited with speeding tens of billions of dollars in equipment, weapons and other aid to Ukraine that have been critical in staving off Russian forces.

The discussions about moving the group under NATO are happening “at very senior levels,” with the goal of formalizing European and alliance support for Kyiv, said the U.S. official, adding that one consideration heading into U.S. and European elections is to make the group “more enduring.”

not sure why this wasnt setup earlier, just makes sense.....

lousubcap

Wednesday Israel-Hamas update:

"The Israeli strike on an aid convoy in Gaza that killed seven workers for World Central Kitchen (WCK) has sparked international outrage and prompted a rare apology from the Israeli government. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has rejected almost unequivocally international criticism over how Israel has waged its war in Gaza, said yesterday that Israel “deeply regrets the tragic incident.” The Israeli military acknowledged it was responsible for the strike in a video posted to social media today, calling the incident “a grave mistake.” The military’s chief of staff said an independent body would investigate the killings. Aaron Boxerman, Adam Rasgon, and Matthew Mpoke Bigg report for the New York Times.

President Biden said he was “outraged and heartbroken” over Israel’s killing of WCK workers in Gaza and that Israel had not done enough to protect aid workers. Biden called for Israel’s investigation to be conducted swiftly, saying it “must bring accountability” and that its findings be made public. In some of the strongest language since the start of the war, he said facilitating aid distribution in Gaza has been “so difficult” because Israel had “not done enough to protect aid workers trying to deliver desperately needed help to civilians,” adding that “Israel has also not done enough to protect civilians.” Ido Vock and Tiffanie Turnbull report for BBC News.

The United States conducted another airdrop of food into Northern Gaza yesterday, U.S. Central Command said. “U.S. C-130s dropped over 50,680 U.S. meal equivalents into Northern Gaza, an area of great need, allowing for civilian access to the critical aid,” CENTCOM said. 

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is pausing its involvement in the maritime aid corridor to Gaza until Israel assures aid workers will be protected, sources close to the UAE government told Axios. The announcement follows Israel’s killing of seven WCK workers in an airstrike on Monday, which the UAE foreign ministry condemned. “The UAE holds Israel fully responsible for this dangerous development, and calls for an urgent, independent and transparent investigation, and punishment of those who have committed this heinous crime in contravention of international humanitarian law,” the ministry said."

lousubcap

Wednesday Russia-Ukraine update:

"Russia has seen a significant increase in the number of people signing contracts to join the armed forces since last month’s concert hall attack near Moscow, Russia’s defense ministry said today. It said more than 100,000 people have signed contracts with the military since the start of the year, 16,000 of which are from the past 10 days alone. Reuters reports. 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy yesterday signed into law a bill lowering the combat call-up age from 27 to 25. The move is expected to allow Kyiv to conscript more people to replenish its reserves, after volunteer numbers dropped. Fiona Nimoni reports for BBC News."

lousubcap

Thursday Israel-Hamas update:

"Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh said yesterday that his group was sticking to its conditions for a ceasefire in Gaza, including an Israeli military withdrawal. “We are committed to our demands: the permanent ceasefire, comprehensive and complete withdrawal of the enemy out of the Gaza Strip, the return of all displaced people to their homes, allowing all aid needed for our people in Gaza, rebuilding the Strip, lifting the blockade and achieving an honourable prisoner exchange deal,” Haniyeh said in a televised speech. Israeli officials visited Egypt earlier this week in a renewed effort to secure a deal, but a Palestinian official close to the mediation efforts said there was no sign of a breakthrough. Nidal Al-Mughrabi reports for Reuters.

President Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are expected to speak by phone today. It will be their first direct communication since an Israeli strike killed seven WCK workers in Gaza, and comes after Biden on Tuesday delivered some of his harshest criticism of Israel since the start of the war. Monica Alba and Zoë Richards report for NBC News.

A virtual meeting on Monday between top U.S. and Israeli officials to discuss Israel’s plans to invade Rafah grew contentious after Washington pushed back on Israel’s proposal to evacuate Palestinian civilians sheltering there. "

lousubcap

Thursday Russia-Ukraine update:

"In a rare phone call yesterday, Russia’s defense minister warned his French counterpart against deploying troops to Ukraine and noted Moscow is ready to partake in talks to end the conflict. Sergei Shoigu told French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu that if Paris follows through on its statements about sending a French military contingent to Kyiv, “it will create problems for France itself,” according to a statement from the Russian Defense Ministry. Shoigu also noted Moscow’s “readiness for dialogue on Ukraine,” emphasizing that a planned round of peace talks in Geneva would be “senseless” without Russia’s involvement. AP News reports. 

British foreign secretary Lord Cameron yesterday ruled out sending Western troops to Ukraine to avoid giving President Vladimir Putin “a target,” but acknowledged that the “war will be lost if the allies don’t step up.” Cameron added that he is making his second visit to the United States next week and plans to urge Congress to increase financial support to Ukraine, which “could change the narrative.” BBC News reports. 

An overnight Russian attack using Iranian-designed drones killed four people and wounded 12 in Kharkiv, local authorities said. Three first responders were killed when Russia struck a multistory building, and another six were wounded. Another 14-story building was hit by a drone, killing an older woman. Hanna Arhirova reports for AP News."

Edit to add:
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia fired more than 3,000 guided aerial bombs, 600 drones and 400 missiles at Ukraine in March, as it stepped up its long-range air strike campaign on the country’s energy infrastructure.

Ukraine’s air force said it shot down all four drones Russia used in an attack on the central regions of Kirovohrad, Cherkasy, Khmelnytskyi and Zhytomyr. The attack caused a fire in Kirovohrad, but no other damage or injuries were reported."

lousubcap

Red Sea and the Houthis update for Thursday:

"U.S. forces Wednesday “destroyed one inbound anti-ship ballistic missile and two unmanned aerial systems launched by Iranian-backed Houthi terrorists from Yemen towards [the] USS Gravely” on the Red Sea, CENTCOM officials announced in the evening. U.S. forces in the region also destroyed a mobile surface-to-air missile system evidently prior to launch inside Houthi-controlled territory, CENTCOM said. 

 By the way: The U.S. military is using imagery from spy satellites and drones to drive those preemptive self-defense strikes around Yemen, AFCENT’s Lt. Gen. Grynkewich said Wednesday. U.S. forces in the region have a “layered” intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance collection strategy to obtain information to carry out pre-emptive strikes, he said. Commanders receive imagery from “national sources” and also use an airborne layer of ISR, such as the MQ-9 Reaper, to collect information, he explained.

 “We kind of pull all that together and then we have a small cell that fuses this very rapidly, so as tipping and queuing comes in, we can even rapidly retask assets to go take a closer look at it,” said Grynkewich. “And then, we're looking for the telltale signs that something’s set up, something's on a launch or something's ready to go; sometimes that's backed up by other intelligence that we understand some of the intent behind what we might be seeing,” he said. Defense One’s Decker has more, here. "

HeavyG

Interesting read about one of Ukraine's homegrown weapons  - "Drainpipe Drones":

https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidhambling/2024/04/04/ukraines-drainpipe-drones-open-a-new-era-of-long-range-strikes/?sh=4db5a170570f

By now, it seems pretty clear that weaponized drones are going to be a huge problem for every nation to deal with.

lousubcap

Friday Israel-Hamas update:

"Israel says it will open or expand three crossings into Gaza to increase humanitarian aid after President Biden told Israel it must take steps to protect civilians to keep U.S. support. The Erez Gate in northern Gaza will be temporarily re-opened, in a particularly significant move after Israel’s foreign minister Eli Cohen told Israeli media in November that there would be “no more contact between Israel and Gaza.” The other two crossings impacted by Israel’s new policy include the Ashdod Port, which will be opened for aid deliveries, and the Kerem Shalom crossing, which will allow more aid to enter from Jordan. BBC News reports.

The Israeli military dismissed two officers and reprimanded three others for their role in the strikes that killed seven World Central Kitchen (WCK) workers, saying they had mishandled critical information and breached the army’s rules of engagement. “It’s a tragedy,” the military’s spokesman, Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, told reporters. “It’s a serious event that we are responsible for and it shouldn’t have happened and we will make sure that it won’t happen again.” Julia Frankel reports for AP News.

The U.N. Human Rights Council adopted a resolution today calling for a halt to arms supplies to Israel and placing scrutiny on its allies for possible international law violations. The resolution calls on all states to cease supplying arms and munitions to Israel “in order to prevent further violations of international humanitarian law and violations and abuses of human rights.” It also calls on the U.N. independent commission of inquiry, which is investigating allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Palestinian territories and Israel, to report on the direct and indirect supply of arms to Israel and to analyze their legal consequences. The New York Times reports. 

The United States told Israel yesterday that U.S. support for the Gaza war is contingent on “specific, concrete steps” to increase aid and protect civilians. In a phone call with Netanyahu, Biden “made clear the need for Israel to announce and implement a series of specific, concrete, and measurable steps to address civilian harm, humanitarian suffering, and the safety of aid workers,” according to a White House readout. It also said Biden “emphasized that the strikes on humanitarian workers and the overall humanitarian situation are unacceptable,” referencing the killing of seven WCK workers by an Israeli airstrike this week. Graeme Baker and Tom Bateman report for BBC News.

Vice President Kamala Harris said Biden “made clear” that Washington will ensure “Israel isn’t left without the ability to defend itself” during his phone call with Netanyahu yesterday. “At the same time if there are no changes to their [Israel’s] approach we are likely to change our approach,” Harris said. Barak Ravid reports for Axios.

White House National Security Adviser John Kirby said yesterday the United States will wait and see what Israel does in the coming hours and days after announcing that U.S. support is contingent on the protection of aid workers. Speaking yesterday after Biden and Netanyahu’s phone call, Kirby said, “What we need to see is more aid getting in, we need to see more effort applied to keeping humanitarian aid workers safe, and any change to our policy will be sort of hung on our assessment of the degree to which Israel complies with all of that.” Lauren Irwin reports for The Hill. 

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said today that the measures Israel has announced to increase the flow of aid into Gaza are welcome but may not be enough to satisfy the Biden administration’s demands for drastic improvements in humanitarian conditions there. Matthew Lee reports for AP News."

lousubcap

Friday Russia-Ukraine update:
"Ukrainian officials claimed today they used a barrage of drones to destroy at least six military aircraft and damage eight others at an airfield in Russia’s Rostov region. Russian defense officials claimed they intercepted 44 drones, and that only a power substation was damaged. The assault appears to be one of Kyiv’s biggest attacks yet in the war. ABC News reports.

And a bit more on the above: Vasily Golubev, the governor of Russia’s Rostov-on-Don region bordering Ukraine, said air defence destroyed more than 40 airborne targets. An electricity substation in Morozovsk district was hit and work was under way to restore power supplies, he added."

lousubcap

Monday Israel-Hamas update:

"Negotiations to secure a temporary ceasefire in Gaza and another round of hostage releases resumed in Cairo yesterday. In a statement, Hamas said its delegation had met with the head of Egypt’s intelligence service and reiterated a set of demands that include a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. Officials from the United States, Qatar, and Egypt were also expected to take part in the talks, along with an Israeli delegation. The negotiations achieved “significant progress” and a consensus on many controversial points, according to Egyptian state outlet Al Qahera News, citing a senior Egyptian official. Ephrat Livni and Adam Rasgon report for the New York Times.

Israel’s national security minister Itamar Ben Gvir said today that if Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu abandons plans for an offensive on Rafah, he may lose the support of the coalition that has kept him in power. “If the prime minister decides to end the war without launching an extensive attack on Rafah to defeat Hamas, he will not have a mandate to continue serving as prime minister,” Ben Gvir said. As one of the most far-right members of Netanyahu’s cabinet, Ben Gvir has been convicted for supporting terrorism and inciting anti-Arab racism, and earlier this year advocated for the mass relocation of Palestinians outside of Gaza. CNN reports. 

White House National Security Adviser John Kirby said yesterday there is growing frustration within the Biden administration over the way Israel is conducting the Gaza war. In an interview on ABC News, co-anchor Martha Raddatz Kirby presented Kirby with a timeline of statements by the administration that indicate a gradually changing view on Israel’s wartime operations in Gaza. “I’m glad you brought that timeline up because it shows… the growing degree of frustration that we’ve had with the way these operations are being prosecuted and the way that Israelis are acting on the ground in terms of civilian casualties,” Kirby said, adding that was a “core message that the president delivered to Prime Minister [Benjamin] Netanyahu in their phone call” last week. Miranda Nazzaro reports for The Hill."

lousubcap

Monday Russia-Ukraine update:
"Russia said Ukraine struck the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station controlled by Russian forces three times yesterday and demanded that the West respond. Kyiv has denied allegations it was behind the attack. The International Atomic Energy Agency said it was the first time the nuclear plant, Europe’s largest, was directly targeted since Nov. 2022, and that the attack had endangered nuclear safety. Reuters reports. 

Ukraine’s military said that fighting around the front line city of Chasiv Yar was “difficult” and “tense” but that its forces were resisting Russian air and infantry attacks."

lousubcap

Tuesday Israel-Hamas update:

"Hamas said today that Israel’s latest ceasefire proposal does not meet their demands, but that it would nonetheless study it and respond. In a statement, Hamas said Israel “remains stubborn and has not responded to any of the demands of our people and our resistance,” but maintained “it is keen to reach an agreement that puts an end to the aggression against our people.” The group said its leaders would review the proposal and inform mediators of their response. Israel’s foreign minister, Israel Katz, said yesterday that the talks were at a “critical point,” and “if matters work out, a large number of hostages will return home and, in stages, everyone.”​​ Mitchell McCluskey reports for CNN. 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said yesterday Israel has set a date for its planned offensive in Rafah. Netanyahu said the offensive was necessary for “the elimination of terrorist battalions there.” He added that the date had been agreed internally, but provided no further details. Sean Seddon reports for BBC News.

The Israeli agency that oversees the Palestinian territories said 419 humanitarian aid trucks had entered Gaza yesterday, the highest single-day number since the war began on Oct. 7. However, it is still a fraction of prewar levels, and aid officials have said 500 trucks must enter daily to avert starvation in the enclave. The Washington Post reports. 

A specialized U.N. committee will review whether Palestine will be granted full state member status in the U.N. this month, according to the U.N. Ambassador of Malta and Security Council’s president for April. “The council has decided that this deliberation has to take place during the month of April. That is the timeline — April 2024,” Vanessa Frazier said at a news conference yesterday. The committee held their first meeting yesterday to begin discussions on Palestine’s renewed application. Natalie Barr and Richard Roth report for CNN."

lousubcap

Tuesday Russia-Ukraine update:

"The head of the U.N. nuclear watchdog agency has condemned drone strikes at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, saying “such reckless attacks significantly increase the risk of a major nuclear accident and must be stopped immediately.” At least three drones detonated at the plant on Sunday, according to inspectors from the U.N. International Atomic Energy Agency who are stationed at the facility. Ukraine has denied Russia’s claims that it was responsible for the strike. Marc Santora reports for the New York Times.

Ukraine “will lose the war” if Congress does not approve military aid to help it fight Russia, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Sunday. “[I]f the Congress doesn’t help Ukraine, Ukraine will lose the war,” Zelenskyy said during a virtual meeting of the Ukrainian fund-raising group UNITED24, adding, “If Ukraine loses this war, other countries will be attacked. This is a fact.” Christian Edwards and Maria Kostenko report for CNN.

Russian trolls are attempting to undermine U.S. support for Ukraine, internal Kremlin documents show. According to a trove of documents obtained by a European intelligence service and reviewed by the Washington Post, Kremlin-linked political strategists and trolls have written thousands of fabricated news articles and social media posts which promote U.S. isolationism, stir border security fears, and attempt to amplify domestic racial tensions. Analysts and former U.S. officials say the campaign is part of an increasingly sophisticated Kremlin strategy to elevate the views of anti-establishment politicians opposed to the U.S. global role. Catherine Bolton and Joseph Menn report for the Washington Post.

Moscow requested an emergency meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)’s 35-nation Board of Governors over alleged Ukrainian attacks on the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. Kyiv has denied attacking the plant, accusing Russia of spreading disinformation.

Ukrainian Energy Minister German Galushchenko said Russia had struck as much as 80 percent of Ukraine’s conventional power plants and half its hydroelectric plants in recent weeks in the heaviest attacks since Moscow began its full-scale invasion in February 2022."

lousubcap

A story about the Baltimore harbour (nod) salvage operation:
https://news.usni.org/2024/04/08/divers-central-to-key-bridge-salvage-officials-say?utm_source=USNI+News&utm_campaign=4dafc6b67e-USNI_NEWS_DAILY&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_0dd4a1450b-4dafc6b67e-230648085&mc_cid=4dafc6b67e&mc_eid=da66ed6ca4. 

lousubcap

And a day late as yesterday marked 50 years on since Henry Aaron hit home run 715.  You tube video of the Vin Scully call here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjqYThEVoSQ. 

dbCooper

lousubcap said:

And a day late as yesterday marked 50 years on since Henry Aaron hit home run 715.  You tube video of the Vin Scully call here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjqYThEVoSQ. 

@lousubcap - Thanks.  That milestone had escaped me, really nice to revisit it.

* edit for typo

lousubcap

Wednesday Israel-Hamas update:

"Hamas could agree to release some hostages before a permanent ceasefire, according to Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar citing “sources involved in the ongoing negotiations.” The newspaper reports that Hamas is willing to consider a hostage release deal in which Israeli troops would gradually retreat from the Gaza Strip and Israel would eventually agree to end the fighting, along with the “proportionate” release of Palestinian prisoners and access to northern Gaza for displaced civilians.  Lazar Berman reports for the Times of Israel. 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said yesterday that “no force in the world” will stop Israeli troops from entering Rafah. “We will complete the elimination of the Hamas battalions, including in Rafah. There is no force in the world that will stop us. Many forces are trying to do this, but it will not help, because this enemy, after what it has done, will not do it again, it will cease to exist.” Lauren Izso reports for CNN.

President Biden called Netanyahu’s approach in Gaza a “mistake” and reiterated the U.S. call for a cease-fire for at least six weeks to allow for aid delivery. “I think what he’s doing is a mistake. I don’t agree with his approach,” Biden said in a Univision interview that was taped last week and aired yesterday evening. He added, “What I’m calling for is for the Israelis to just call for a ceasefire, allow for the next six, eight weeks total access to all food and medicine going into the country. I’ve spoken with everyone from the Saudis to the Jordanians to the Egyptians … They’re prepared to move this food in. And I think there’s no excuse to not provide for the medical and the food needs of those people. It should be done now.” Bryan Pietsch and Lior Soroka report for the Washington Post."

lousubcap

Wednesday Russia-Ukraine update:

"The U.S. State Department announced yesterday that it has approved a potential emergency $138 million in foreign military sales to Ukraine for repairs to the HAWK missile systems. The department added the purchase will “support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives” of the United States because it will bolster security of a partner country. Lauren Irwin reports for The Hill.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy inspected fortifications and trenches in the northeastern Kharkiv region and issued a new appeal for military support to protect the country’s second-largest city from Russian attacks. Russia fired a guided bomb at the city just as Zelenskyy announced his visit, injuring at least three people.

Ukrainian Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk said Ukraine’s air defence systems destroyed 20 attack drones launched by Russia overnight aimed at critical infrastructure and power facilities in seven Ukrainian regions. Damage was reported in Lviv, Odesa and Poltava.

Russia and Ukraine continued to trade accusations over attacks on the Russian-occupied Zaporizhizhia Nuclear Power Plant, Europe’s largest nuclear power station. Moscow claimed Kyiv struck the site with a drone for a third day. Kyiv reiterated that it does not take any military action against nuclear facilities.

The International Atomic Energy Agency’s Board of Governors will hold an emergency meeting on Thursday at the request of both Ukraine and Russia to discuss the Zaporizhzhia plant. The atomic watchdog earlier said the situation was “extremely serious”."

lousubcap

Thursday Israel-Hamas update:

"A senior Hamas official said yesterday that Hamas did not have 40 living hostages in Gaza who meet the criteria for an exchange under a proposed ceasefire agreement currently being negotiated with Israel. A senior Israeli official said Israel has been made aware of Hamas’s claim, and the senior Hamas official said the group had informed mediators facilitating the negotiations. The assertion raised fears that more hostages held in Gaza might be dead than previously believed. Israeli officials believe there are about 130 hostages remaining, and Israeli intelligence officers have concluded at least 30 of them have died in captivity. Adam Rasgon and Remy Tumin report for the New York Times.

President Biden yesterday promised Israel “ironclad” U.S. support amid fears of an Iranian reprisal for the Damascus consulate strike. “We’re going to do all we can to protect Israel’s security,” Biden said. “As I told Prime Minister Netanyahu, our commitment to Israel’s security against these threats from Iran and its proxies is ironclad — let me say it again, ironclad.” Biden’s comments come a day after he called for a ceasefire in Gaza and described Netanyahu’s approach to the war a “mistake.” Max Matza and Will Vernon report for BBC News."

lousubcap

Thursday Russia-Ukraine update:

"Russian missiles and drones struck Ukrainian power facilities across five regions in a major attack today, officials said, adding pressure to the embattled energy system as Kyiv’s air defenses run low. The strikes damaged facilities from the Lviv region on the Polish border to the northeastern Kharkiv region, causing 200,000 people to lose electricity. Tom Balmforth reports for Reuters.

Explosions were heard in the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv early on Thursday morning as it came under Russian missile attack.

Separately, Zaporizhia Governor Ivan Fedorov said blasts were heard in the southern Ukrainian region, and Ukrainian media reported a cruise missile attack was under way.

Russian forces also launched deadly attacks in the south and north of Ukraine, in Kharkiv and Odesa regions, killing seven people and injuring many more, officials said on Wednesday."

lousubcap

Worth a read regarding Ukraine, Russia and the US Congress- (article linked here):

Ukraine is hunting for Patriots

https://link.defenseone.com/view/56141ec615dd9602618b456aku823.hw4/7a9cdf03 

lousubcap

Friday Israel-Hamas update:

"A member of Hamas’ political bureau said a prisoner-hostage exchange is being discussed as part of larger ceasefire negotiations. “Part of negotiations is to reach a ceasefire agreement to have enough time and safety to collect final and more precise data” on the hostages held in Gaza, Basem Naim said in a statement yesterday. 

The Israeli military yesterday announced what it called a precise operation to kill Hamas members in Gaza, a day after a strike killed three sons of the group’s political leader, Ismael Haniyeh. The military said it had carried out “precise, intelligence-based operation” in central Gaza overnight with fighter jets and ground troops to “eliminate terrorist operatives and strike terrorist infrastructure.” It is not clear whether the operation announced was linked to yesterday’s deadly strike against Haniyeh’s sons, who the Israeli military said had been “on their way to carry out terrorist activities in central Gaza.” Cassandra Vinograd reports for the New York Times.

The Israeli military is constructing a new land crossing from Israel to northern Gaza, according to a statement released yesterday. It said the new northern crossing will “enable more aid to flow directly to civilians in the areas that have been challenging for trucks to access.” Lauren Izso and Caitlin Danaher report for CNN.

A specialized U.N. Committee failed to reach a consensus yesterday on Palestinian membership in the U.N., according to the president of the U.N. Security Council. Two thirds of the committee members were in favor of progressing with membership, with many countries arguing that “Palestine fulfills all the criteria that are required” to be granted full state member status, Malta’s Ambassador and Security Council President Vanessa Frazier said. Frazier added that no one explicitly objected to the membership qualifications, and that she would circulate a draft report on deliberations soon as today. Richard Roth and Michael Rios report for CNN.

China supports full U.N. membership for Palestine, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said yesterday. “The only way to end the vicious cycle of Palestinian-Israeli conflicts is to fully implement the two-State solution, establish an independent state of Palestine and redress the historical injustice long suffered by the Palestinians,” Mao said. "

lousubcap

Friday Russia-Ukraine update:

"The European Parliament delayed approval of a European Council budget to press for military aid to Ukraine. The Parliament yesterday refused to authorize an audit of the European Council and Council of Ministers’ 2022 budget in an attempt to pressure E.U. leaders to support Ukraine with additional Patriot air defense systems. The move is largely symbolic, but indicates growing frustration at the unwillingness of Ukraine’s allies to send it air defenses. Eddy Wax and Jacopo Barigazzi report for POLITICO.

Russian strikes yesterday completely destroyed a major power plant near Kyiv, energy company Centrenergo said. Trypillya power plant was the largest electricity provider for three regions, including Kyiv, officials said. Sarah Rainsford and Laura Ghozzi report for BBC News.

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) is negotiating with the White House as he prepares to advance wartime funding for Ukraine and Israel through the House, a top House Republican said yesterday. Stephen Groves reports for ABC News.

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Rafael Grossi said that drone attacks on the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in southern Ukraine must stop because of the risk of opening “a new and gravely dangerous” stage in the war. Grossi was speaking at a special meeting of his agency’s 35-nation Board of Governors to discuss the attacks.

Ukraine needs military aid and air defence systems in the face of Russia’s intensifying attacks, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, as he criticised his country’s allies for engaging in “lengthy discussions” and “turning a blind eye”."

lousubcap

We have a new war topic today; Israel-Iran:

"Israel vowed to “exact a price” from Iran as it weighs possible responses to Iran’s strikes on Saturday. Israel’s war cabinet has been authorized to respond to the attack and met on Sunday, with one of its members, Benny Gantz, saying the “event is not over.” Early today, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson Peter Lerner told reporters Israeli military officials had submitted a “wide range of options” to respond. The IDF’s response could be “strike or no strike,” Lerner said, adding that there are “a lot of different scenarios in between those two.” The Israeli government will “decide on the steps forward” as early as today or within the coming days, Lerner noted. ABC News reports. 

President Biden told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a call on Saturday that Washington will not support any Israeli counterattack against Iran, according to a senior White House official. “You got a win. Take the win,” Biden reportedly told Netanyahu during the call. The official said when Biden told Netanyahu the United States would not participate or support any offensive operations in Iran, Netanyahu said he understood. Meanwhile, the White House said Biden and King Abdullah II of Jordan spoke yesterday about the Iranian attacks, with both officials pledging to stay in contact in the upcoming days. Barak Ravid reports for Axios.

The U.N. Security Council convened an emergency meeting yesterday to discuss Iran’s attack on Israel, with diplomats calling for restraint by all parties. Israel’s ambassador, Gilad Erdan, who had requested the meeting, said Iran’s attack had “crossed every red line” and that Israel reserved the right to retaliate. Erdan called on the Council to take concrete action against Iran, including “crippling” sanctions. Iran’s ambassador, Amir Saeid Iravani, said his country had an “inherent right to self-defense” after Israel’s attack on its consulate building. Iravani said that Iran “does not seek escalation or war in the region,” but that if its interests, people, or security came under attack, it would “respond to any such threat or aggressions vigorously and in accordance with international law.” U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres told the meeting it was time to “step back from the brink.” Farnaz Fassihi and Gaya Gupta report for the New York Times.

Turkish, Jordanian, and Iraqi officials said yesterday that Iran gave warning before attacking Israel, but U.S. officials said Tehran did not warn Washington in advance. Iran’s Foreign Minister, Hossein Amirabdollahian, said that Iran gave neighboring countries and the United States 72 hours’ notice it would launch the strikes. 

Israeli officials said its Iron Dome defense system intercepted 99% of the 300 “threats of various types” launched by Iran on Saturday. A spokesperson for the IDF said Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launched 170 unmanned aerial vehicles and over 120 ballistic missiles and 30 cruise missiles. Several countries, including the United States, Britain, and Jordan, assisted Israel in intercepting Iranian drones, with French President Emmanuel Macron also confirming today that Paris took part in foiling Iran’s attack at “Jordan’s request.” James Gregory and Adam Durbin report for BBC News; Victor Goury-Laffont reports for POLITICO."

lousubcap

Israel-Hamas Monday update: (Fairly quiet.)
"House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) said yesterday that the House would vote in the coming days on aid for Israel following Iran’s attack. “House Republicans and the Republican Party understand the necessity of standing with Israel,” Johnson said on Fox News. He added, “We’re going to try again this week, and the details of that package are being put together. Right now, we’re looking at the options and all these supplemental issues.” Johnson also suggested that aid for Ukraine could be included in the legislation. Catie Edmonson reports for the New York Times."

lousubcap

Monday Russia-Ukraine update:
"Ukraine’s army chief, Colonel-General Oleksandr Syrskii, said on Sunday that Russian forces aimed to capture the city of Chasiv Yar by May 9, setting the stage for an important battle for control of high ground in the east where Russia is focusing its assaults.

The fall of Chasiv Yar, west of the shattered city of Bakhmut, by the date Moscow marks the Soviet victory in World War II would indicate growing Russian battlefield momentum as Kyiv faces a slowdown in Western military aid.

Rob Lee, a senior fellow at the Foreign Policy Research Institute, a think tank in Philadelphia, said on X that Chasiv Yar would likely prove an important battle. “Chasiv Yar is located on defensible high ground. If Russia takes the [town], they could potentially increase the rate of advance deeper into Donetsk [region] as part of an expected summer offensive,” he said.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told Ukrainians in his nightly address on Sunday: “The situation at the front during such a hot war is always difficult. But these days – and especially on the Donetsk front – it’s getting harder.”"

lousubcap

An interesting read from Defense One:

"Ukraine developments

Europe is planning for what happens if Ukraine loses. It’s ugly, Defense One’s Patrick Tucker reports. For example, “The Russians have actually managed to really ramp up the defense industry capability, put it on a war footing,” Hanno Pevkur, Estonia’s Defense Minister, told reporters Friday. “Then the unfortunate and quite dark logic arises from that: Once you've done all these things, once you’ve ramped up your economy or put it on a war footing, then there's not an easy way of going back. So they will probably have to maximize,” he said. Read on, here.  Filter bubbles and echo chambers: Who do you trust when it comes to Ukraine?A recent CBS poll conducted last week revealed (emphasis added) four out of five Republicans (79%) say they trust Donald Trump for accurate information about Ukraine (now that should scare everyone!)—while only a third (33%) say they trust journalists actually deployed inside Ukraine’s war zone. (In contrast, 74% of Democrats said they trust war-zone reporters).  Among that same group of Republicans, 60% said they trust the Pentagon (which earned 80% trust among Democrats), and 56% said they trusted “conservative social media/podcasts/websites.” (Similarly, Dems registered 51% trust in “progressive” media.)  There’s also this: “Three in 10 Americans say they don't remember the Cold War well enough to say whether the U.S. won or lost,” CBS reports. And those who don’t remember it “are less likely to back U.S. aid to Ukraine now,” according to the survey of almost 2,400 people. Details, here." How did we end up here?  Da-n!