"U.S. President Donald Trump announced a surprise prisoner exchange and three-day ceasefire in Russia's war against Ukraine from May 9-11 amid mounting tensions between Kyiv and Moscow on the eve of Russia's Victory Day celebrations.The announcement was swiftly followed by a tongue-in-cheek official decree from President Volodymyr Zelensky in which he said he would "allow a parade to be held in Moscow."
"For the duration of the parade (beginning at 10:00 a.m. Kyiv time on May 9, 2026), the area of Red Square shall be excluded from the plan for the use of Ukrainian weapons," the declaration reads. It also includes the precise coordinates of Moscow's Red Square.
The declaration makes no mention of a ceasefire on attacks elsewhere in Russia.
"They were concerned about one specific square, and now, as part of the diplomatic process, permission has been granted to hold a parade in that square," an official from the Presidential Office told reporters." KI
"Russian geological surveys aboard the research vessel Akademik Alexander Karpinsky havemapped sedimentary formations beneath Antarctica's Weddell Sea that could hold roughly 511 billion barrels of oil — nearly double Saudi Arabia's proven reserves and roughly 10 times the North Sea's total historical production. Russia's state geological company Rosgeo has described the surveys, which intensified between 2020 and 2024, as scientific research conducted under the Antarctic Treaty. But the 1991 Madrid Protocol explicitly bans all commercial oil and mineral extraction on the continent — meaning even if the reserves are real, no country can legally drill a single barrel." msn
"Local police said three hikers died after Dukono volcano erupted on Halmahera Island, North Maluku, Indonesia, at 07:41 WIT (22:41 UTC) sending volcanic ash about 10 km (6.2 miles) above the summit. Rescue teams evacuated 17 hikers while the search for three others continued." W
"A strong earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.0 hit Samar, Philippines, at 06:09 UTC (14:09 LT). The agency is reporting a depth of 73.3 km (45.5 miles). EMSC is reporting M6.0 at a depth of 56 km (34.8 miles)." W
"Tropical Storm Hagupit was moving west through Yap State at 22:00 ChST (12:00 UTC) with maximum sustained winds of 70 km/h (45 mph). Tropical Storm Warnings remained in effect for Ulithi, Ngulu, Fais, Yap Proper, and adjacent coastal waters. PAGASA expects the system to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility on May 9 and be named Caloy." Wd
"Heavy rain flooded roads across the Monterrey metropolitan area, Nuevo León, Mexico damaging dozens of vehicles and disrupting traffic in several municipalities. According to the Nuevo León Civil Protection agency, the rainfall event damaged 42 vehicles and caused electrical incidents, fallen trees, and road closures across the region." W
"245 combat engagements between Ukraine’s Defense Forces and Russian troops were recorded along the frontline.
Ukraine’s aviation, missile forces, and artillery struck 10 areas of personnel concentration, one command post, two artillery systems, and one logistics depot of Russian forces.
In the Northern Slobozhanshchyna and Kursk sectors, the enemy carried out 35 shelling attacks, including one with MLRS. Ten assault attempts were recorded.In the Southern Slobozhanshchyna sector, Russian troops launched 15 attacks near Prylipka, Vovchansk, Lyman, Starytsia, and toward Izbytske, Chaikivka, and Ternova.
In the Kupiansk sector, the enemy attempted one assault toward Radkivka.
In the Lyman sector, Russian forces made eight attempts to break through Ukrainian defenses, attacking toward Drobysheve, Zarichne, Stavky, Yampil, and Lyman.
In the Sloviansk sector, Ukrainian forces repelled two Russian attempts to advance toward Rai-Oleksandrivka and Kalenyky.
In the Kramatorsk sector, one attack was recorded toward Tykhonivka.
In the Kostiantynivka sector, Russian forces carried out 21 assaults near multiple settlements, including Kostiantynivka, Ivanopillia, Pleshchiivka, Illinivka, Rusyn Yar, Novopavlivka, Toretske, and Sofiivka.
In the Pokrovsk sector, Ukrainian forces stopped 37 Russian assault attempts near Novooleksandrivka, Bilytske, Muravka, Zatyshok, Ivanivka, Dorozhnie, Rodynske, Hryshyne, Kotlyne, Udachne, Molodetske, Novopidhorodnie, and toward Serhiivka and Novopavlivka.
In the Oleksandrivka sector, the enemy attacked three times near Oleksandrohrad and Vorone.
In the Huliaipole sector, Russian forces launched 22 attacks in multiple areas, including Dobropillia, Zlahoda, Zaliznychne, Bahate, Olenokostiantynivka, and toward Nove Zaporizhzhia, Vozdvyzhivka, Staroukrainka, and Charivne.
In the Orikhiv sector, one assault was recorded near Shcherbaky.
In the Prydniprovske sector, Russian forces conducted three attacks toward Antonivka." Ukrin
"Sir Keir Starmer has insisted he will carry on as prime minister despite a disastrous set of local election results for Labour, while Nigel Farage has hailed a “big historic night” after Reform UK made major gains across the country.Reform UK has gained over 1,200 councillors across the country, as well as taking hold of 12 councils so far, while Labour has lost control of 30 councils and has seen the mayoralty in Hackney go to the Green Party.
Sir Keir Starmer’s party has also lost in Wales after 27 years in power and first minister Eluned Morgan lost her seat.
The constituency results in the Scottish Parliament election have been declared, with the SNP winning 57 of the 73 seats.
The Green Party has won the mayoralties in Hackney, Lewisham and Waltham forest, and has won four councils so far.
The Liberal Democrats so far appear on course to record an eighth consecutive year of council gains, gaining more than 150 councillors, and taking control of Stockport and Portsmouth, and becoming the only party on Richmond upon Thames Council, but they lost their slender majority in Hull.
The Conservatives were the biggest losers of the night, dropping 674 seats, while Labour lost 187." msn
"A strong magnitude 5.9 earthquake occurred in the Indian Ocean near the coast of n/a aroundnoon at 1.17 pm local time (GMT +6). The depth of the quake could not be determined, but is assumed to be shallow. The quake was not felt (or at least not reported so)." VD
"A massive 200-hectare base came under fire.
In the Moscow region, residents are reporting drone flights, explosions, and air defenseactivity in many areas. In Naro-Fominsk, an attack was recorded on the Nara production and logistics complex, which belongs to the Russian Ministry of Defense.
The complex is designed for the storage and distribution of military cargo and provides automated logistics for the Russian armed forces.
An attack on such a facility could significantly impact supplies to the Russian army." RB
"Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan told reporters on May 7 that his country is "not an ally" of Russia's war against Ukraine and confirmed that he will be skipping the upcoming Victory Day parade in Moscow.That same day, the Russian Foreign Ministry summoned the Armenian ambassador to express outrage over President Volodymyr Zelensky's recent visit to Yerevan.
Zelensky met Pashinyan on May 4 at the European Political Community summit in Yerevan, marking the first time a Ukrainian president has visited Armenia in 24 years. He described his talks with Pashinyan as "good" and said the leaders were discussing a possible meeting in Kyiv later this year.
"It is important that we are resuming active dialogue between our countries," Zelensky said.
Russia, however, said it was "incomprehensible" for Armenia to provide a "platform" for Zelesnky. The foreign ministry summoned Armenian Ambassador Gurgen Arsenyan to express their "righteous indignation," claiming that hosting Zelensky was a betrayal of Yerevan's relationship to Moscow." KI
"Zakharova claimed at a briefing that “Kyiv could be subject to a massive missile strike” should UAVs attack the Russian capital on May 9.
She added that Russia will “stop any provocations” by Kyiv during Russian Victory Day celebrations and will take “appropriate measures.”
Zakharova claimed that U.S. President Donald Trump “supported” Russia’s May 8-9 ceasefire initiatives." msn
"U.S. military attacks Iran locations on southern coast, and allegations of UAE involvement; Explosions rock Abu Dhabi. CENTCOM says intercepted Iranian counterattacks.
Iran says U.S. violated ceasefire after Centcom targeted Iranian facilities responsible for attacks; U.S. says ceasefire not violated despite striking Iranian oil tanker and targets in Bandar Abbas and Qeshm.
The Trump admin mulls restarting operation to guide ships through the Strait of Hormuz with naval and air support as early as this week after Saudi Arabia and Kuwait lifted restrictions on U.S. access to their bases and airspaces
Iran national security commission 'red line': No uranium has left the country; The right to enrich uranium, the complete lifting of sanctions, and the release of the country's assets are non-negotiable red lines.
French nuclear-powered carrier steams through Suez Canal in support mission as Europe seeks diplomatic influence over Hormuz outcome.
First Chinese tanker reportedly attacked: shipping industry source told Caixin that this was the first time a Chinese tanker was hit in the three-month-long war, calling it "psychologically very hard to accept." ZeroHedge
"A strong magnitude 5.3 earthquake occurred in the South Pacific Ocean 238 km (148 mi) from New Zealand in the evening at 8.53 pm local time (GMT -12). The quake had a shallow depth of 41 km (26 mi) and was not felt (or at least not reported so)." VD
"There were 156 combat clashes along the front line.
In the Southern Slobozhanshchyna sector, the enemy launched four assaults near Prylipka and toward the settlement of Izbytske.
In the Kupiansk sector, Russian forces attacked twice near Radkivka, with one clash still ongoing.
In the Lyman sector, the enemy launched eight assaults in the areas of Kovalivka, Drobysheve, and Lyman.
In the Sloviansk sector, Ukraine's Defense Forces successfully repelled one attempt by Russian troops to advance near Rai-Oleksandrivka.In the Kramatorsk sector, the enemy conducted no offensive operations today.
In the Kostiantynivka sector, Ukraine's Defense Forces also repelled six enemy assaults near Kostiantynivka, Illinivka, Rusyn Yar, Pleshchiivka, and Ivanopillia.
In the Pokrovsk sector, the enemy carried out 21 attacks. Russian troops attempted to advance near Bilytske, Nykyforivka, Rodynske, Novooleksandrivka, Pokrovsk, Udachne, Molodetske, Hryshyne, and Kotlyne, as well as toward the settlements of Hannivka, Novopavlivka, and Shevchenko. Two clashes are still ongoing.
According to preliminary estimates, 72 Russian troops were killed and 23 wounded in this sector today. Ukrainian forces destroyed nine vehicles and 11 pieces of special equipment, while damaging four vehicles, five artillery systems, and one UAV command post. A total of 172 enemy drones of various types were destroyed or suppressed.
In the Oleksandrivka sector, Russian forces attempted three assaults near Sichneve, Kalynivske, and Oleksandrohrad. One engagement remains ongoing.
In the Huliaipole sector, 17 enemy attacks took place near Rybne, Dobropillia, Sviatopetrivka, Pryluky, Zaliznychne, Staroukrainka, Verkhnia Tersa, and Charivne. Five clashes are still ongoing. Airstrikes targeted the settlements of Liubytske, Vozdvyzhivska, and Dolynka.
In the Orikhiv sector, the enemy launched three assaults near Shcherbaky, with one clash still ongoing.
In the Prydniprovskyi sector, Ukrainian defenders successfully repelled three assaults toward the Antonivskyi Bridge and Bilogrudyi Island." Ukrin
