Russian strike on Ukraine hydropower plant spills oil into Dniester River, threatening Moldova's water supply

"Moldova declared a 15-day environmental alert in the Dniester (Nistru) River basin after oil contamination linked to a Russian strike on Ukraine's Novodnistrovsk hydropower plant threatened the country's water supply.
"Russia's attack on Ukraine’s Novodnistrovsk hydropower plant has spilled oil into the Nistru River, threatening Moldova's water supply," President Maia Sandu said on March 15, adding that authorities had declared an environmental alert and were taking measures to protect residents.

Government analyses found that levels of petroleum products and aromatic hydrocarbons in the water exceeded permitted safety limits, prompting emergency measures.
Officials said authorities will install additional containment barriers at the Dubasari reservoir to prevent the spread of pollutants and will inventory water wells that could be used as alternative sources if needed.
The government also warned that restrictions on water extraction and use may be imposed in areas where contamination levels remain high.
Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu said the government's "primary objective is the protection of public health," urging citizens to rely only on official information as authorities monitor the situation and coordinate with international teams deployed through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism." KI

Basij troop members fail to report to their posts as fear of Israeli strikes increases

"As Israeli attacks on Basij and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) checkpoints in Tehran have intensified, an audio file has emerged that appears to feature a Basij commander speaking on a messaging platform used by his forces in one district of Tehran.
In the recording, he urges them not to panic during attacks by Israeli drones and not to abandon their posts. At the same time, one Tehran resident says the number of Basij members who have failed to report to their posts out of fear of being targeted has increased in recent days." msn

Iran’s ‘Crown Jewel’ Hit Trump: U.S. ‘Obliterated Every Military Target’ on Kharg in Historic Mideast Raid

"President Donald Trump announced Friday that the United States carried out what he described as “one of the most powerful bombing raids in the History of the Middle East,” declaring that U.S. forces “totally obliterated every MILITARY target” on Iran’s strategic Kharg Island — the regime’s so-called “crown jewel” and primary oil export hub — while warning Tehran its vital energy infrastructure

could be targeted next if it interferes with shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump detailed the operation in a Truth Social post Friday night, saying U.S. Central Command executed the strike at his direction and emphasizing that while every military target on the island was destroyed, the oil infrastructure was deliberately left untouched.
The president explained that the United States chose not to destroy the island’s oil facilities — at least for now.
“However, should Iran, or anyone else, do anything to interfere with the Free and Safe Passage of Ships through the Strait of Hormuz, I will immediately reconsider this decision,” he added." 

Breitbart

Biggest wildfire in Nebraska history continues to burn out of control

"Three major wildfires, including the largest one in Nebraska history, have burned around 600,000 acres of land in central and western Nebraska and remained 0% contained on Sunday after killing one person, officials said.

Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen has declared a state of emergency, freeing up additional resources to battle the blazes. Pillen has also deployed Nebraska National Guard troops to assist local firefighters.
Two Nebraska Army National Guard UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters are also working to fight the blazes, officials said. The fire killed one person on Thursday in Arthur County.
Pillen called on mayors of Nebraska's largest cities, Omaha and Lincoln, to provide additional personnel and equipment. The governor said he also would contact nearby states, including Iowa, to request help." msn

5.3 Earthquake - South Pacific Ocean, 188 km southwest of Isla Guamblin Island, Region Aysen, Chile

"A strong magnitude 5.3 earthquake occurred in the South Pacific Ocean 168 km (104 mi)

from Chile at 08:28 GMT. 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

4 dead and 142 injured in Oklahoma wildfires; more than 400 homes damaged statewide

"Raging wildfires in Oklahoma have left four people dead and over 140 injured, the state's medical examiner said on Sunday.

More than 400 homes and structures have been destroyed and at least 170,000 acres burned in Oklahoma after several wildfires broke out, prompting evacuations amid extreme fire weather conditions through the weekend.
A red flag warning is in effect for much of the state from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Monday due to gusty winds, low humidity, and dry vegetation.
Dangerous storm conditions across the Midwest and South have led to vehicle fatalities across the country.
In Kansas, a major crash on Interstate 70 in western Kansas near the border with Colorado, involved over 50 vehicles and left eight people dead, according to the Kansas Highway Patrol. Several other people were injured." ABC

144 frontline clashes over past day

"144 combat engagements took place between Ukraine’s Defense Forces and Russian troops.
Enemy airstrikes targeted Pysantsi (Dnipropetrovsk region), Zaporizhzhia, Vozdvizhivske, Verkhnia Tersa, Huliaipole, Samiilivka, Vasylivske, Charivne, Dolynka, Tavriiske, Veselianka (Zaporizhzhia region), and Lvove and Olhivka (Kherson region).
Ukrainian missile troops, artillery, and aviation struck three clusters of enemy personnel and equipment and two other important targets.
In the Northern Slobozhanshchyna and Kursk sectors, three engagements occurred yesterday. The Russians shelled Ukrainian positions 110 times, including twice with MLRS, and dropped nine glide bombs.

In the Southern Slobozhanshchyna sector, Russian forces tried three times to break through defensive lines near Vovchanski Khutory, Fyholivka, and Vovchansk.
In the Kupiansk sector, the enemy attacked three times toward Kurylivka and Petropavlivka.
In the Lyman sector, Russian troops launched five attacks, attempting to breach defenses near Drobysheve, Stavky, and Lyman.
In the Sloviansk sector, Ukrainian defenders repelled ten enemy attempts to advance near Zakytne, Riznykivka, Yampil, Platonivka, Dronivka, and toward Rai-Oleksandrivka.
In the Kramatorsk sector, Russia attacked three times near Nykyforivka and Novomarkove.
In the Kostiantynivka sector, the enemy carried out 28 attacks near Kostiantynivka, Ivanopillia, Illinivka, Kleban-Byk, Pleshchiivka, Rusyn Yar, and Sofiivka.
In the Pokrovsk sector, Ukrainian defenders stopped 20 assault actions near Toretske, Rodynske, Myrnohrad, Udachne, and Novopavlivka.
In the Oleksandrivka sector, Russian forces attacked six times near Oleksandrohrad, Zlahoda, and Dobropillia.
In the Huliaipole sector, the enemy carried out 18 attacks near Huliaipole, Zaliznychne, Varvarivka, Zelene, Charivne, Huliaipilske, and Myrne.
In the Orikhiv sector, Russian troops attempted three times to improve positions near Shcherbaky, Stepnohirsk, and Pavlivka.
In the Prydniprovske sector, Ukraine’s Defense Forces repelled three enemy attacks times yesterday." Ukrin

UN force in Lebanon says peacekeepers fired upon

"UN peacekeepers said they were fired upon "likely by non-state armed groups" in south Lebanon on Sunday, while a Hamas source said an Israeli strike killed an official from the Palestinian militant group.
Israel said no direct talks were planned with Lebanon to end the latest war with militant group Hezbollah. which has been raging for two weeks. The statement came a day after a Lebanese official said Beirut was preparing a delegation to negotiate with Israel." msn

Ukrainian intelligence strikes two Russian military vessels

"Defense Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU) conducted strikes on two military vessels belonging to Russia in the night.
The Maykop air base in Russia's Republic of Adygea as well as the Afipsky plant and the port of Kavkaz in Krasnodar Krai were also attacked." Ukrin

Trump administration declines attempts to begin Iran ceasefire talks

"The Trump administration has declined attempts by several Middle Eastern governments to open ceasefire negotiations with Iran,

according to sources cited in a new Reuters report on Saturday.
Officials from countries in the region, including Oman and Egypt, have explored ways to bring Washington and Tehran to the negotiating table in hopes of pausing the fighting.
U.S. officials have signaled that the White House is not currently interested in pursuing ceasefire talks and instead intends to continue military operations against Iranian targets, the sources in the report said." 

JustTheNews

Protesters torch Communist Party HQ in Cuba as video appears to capture gunfire

"Protesters attacked a Communist Party headquarters in Cuba overnight, ransacking the

building and attempting to set it on fire, while video from the scene appeared to capture gunfire and a man on the ground outside, according to footage obtained.
Dramatic footage shows a large crowd gathered outside the building in the city of Morón as a fire burns in the street and protesters throw burning objects at the structure.
Protesters can be heard chanting "Libertad, libertad!" — Spanish for "Freedom, freedom!" — moments before gunfire rings out in the video." FOX

5.3 Earthquake - North Pacific Ocean, 95 km south of San Miguel, El Salvador

"A strong magnitude 5.3 earthquake occurred in the North Pacific Ocean near the coast of Departamento de Chinandega, Nicaragua, late in the evening at 11.00 pm local time (GMT -6). The quake had a shallow depth of 56 km (35 mi) and was felt widely in the area. The shallow depth of the quake caused it to be felt more strongly near the epicenter than a deeper quake of similar magnitude would." VD

117 clashes on front lines

"117 clashes with Russian troops along the frontline since the start of the day.
In the Northern Slobozhanshchyna and Kursk sectors, Ukrainian forces repelled two enemy assaults. Russian forces also launched two airstrikes, dropping six guided bombs, and carried out 84 attacks on Ukrainian positions and settlements, including two using multiple launch rocket systems.

In the Southern Slobozhanshchyna sector, Russian troops attacked Ukrainian positions three times near Vovchanski Khutory, Fyholivka, and Vovchansk. One battle is still ongoing.
In the Kupiansk sector, the enemy launched two attacks toward Kurylivka and Petropavlivka. One engagement is continuing.
In the Lyman sector, Ukrainian troops repelled four Russian attempts to advance near Drobysheve, Stavky, and Lyman. One clash is ongoing.
In the Sloviansk sector, Russian forces attempted to advance ten times near Zakitne, Riznykivka, Yampil, Platonivka, Dronivka, and toward Rai-Oleksandrivka. Ukrainian forces successfully repelled all assaults.
In the Kramatorsk sector, Russian troops launched two attacks near Nykyforivka and Novomarkove.
In the Kostiantynivka sector, Russian forces carried out 25 assaults near Kostiantynivka, Ivanopillia, Illinivka, Kleban-Byk, Pleshchiivka, Rusyn Yar, and Sofiivka. One assault is still underway.
In the Pokrovsk sector, Ukrainian defenders repelled 13 Russian assaults near Toretsk, Rodynske, Myrnohrad, Udachne, and Novopavlivka. Three clashes are still ongoing.
Preliminary estimates indicate that 35 Russian soldiers were killed and 12 wounded in this sector. Ukrainian forces also destroyed or suppressed 263 drones of various types, as well as two vehicles, a piece of special equipment, an artillery system, and one enemy infantry shelter.
In the Oleksandrivka sector, Russian troops attempted five assaults near Oleksandrohrad, Zlahoda, and Dobropillia, but Ukrainian forces repelled them all. The settlement of Pysantsi was hit by an airstrike.
In the Huliaipole sector, Russian forces carried out 14 attacks near Huliaipole, Zaliznychne, Varvarivka, Zelene, Charivne, Huliaipilske, and Myrne. Four clashes are still ongoing. Airstrikes targeted areas near Vozdvyzhivka, Verkhniа Tersa, Samiilivka, Vasylivske, and Dolynka. Four clashes are ongoing.
In the Orikhiv sector, Ukrainian defenders repelled one Russian attempt to advance near Pavlivka. Russian aircraft also struck areas near Tavriiske, Veselianka, and Zaporizhzhia.
In the Dnipro River sector, one clash occurred, while Russian airstrikes targeted Lvove and Olhivka." Ukrin

Russia targets Kyiv region’s energy infrastructure in massive overnight attack

"Civilian facilities in Ukraine

were damaged and four people were killed as a result of Russia’s massive overnight attack. In total, during the night Russia launched around 430 drones of various types and 68 missiles, including 13 ballistic missiles. According to preliminary data, 58 missiles were shot down by Ukrainian air defenses." KI

Israel strikes Iran’s Basij internal security forces at Tehran checkpoints

"The Israeli Air Force targeted Iran's internal security forces, known as the Basij, after they had set up traffic checkpoints in multiple areas across Tehran.
Israel's military announced that it had been targeting the Basij soldiers manning those checkpoints "during the past day," after conducting "the extensive strike on the most central assets of internal security forces and the Basij." It's unclear how exactly Israel took out the checkpoints, but local Iranian state media claimed it was via drone." msn