6 Ukrainian HIMARS systems destroyed

"Russia had destroyed six U.S.-made HIMARS missile systems since the beginning of the
conflict in Ukraine, Interfax reported." Interfax

China Blasts 'Severe Violation' Of Sovereignty As Pelosi Becomes Highest US Official To Visit Taiwan In 25 Years

"A WSJ correspondent notes "Taiwan's Foreign Ministry is hosting a live stream of a
welcoming ceremony for a very special, albeit unnamed, guest at Taipei Songshan Airport." Meanwhile, regional reporting says a Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force Su-35 fighter jet(s) is crossing the Taiwan Straight." ZH

Germany Vows "Will Help Taiwan" If China Attacks, While Russia Blasts "Purely Provocative" Pelosi Visit

"German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said Tuesday at a moment all eyes are on US
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's Air Force plane reportedly en route to Taiwan, "We do not agree with a situation where a big neighbor attacks a small one, while violating international law. And this also applies to China."

She pledged that "in case of aggression from China, Germany will help Taiwan" in the statement. Like in Ukraine over the past months, once 'neutral' Germany has grown much more active on the foreign policy front in following Washington and the UK's more bellicose and interventionist stances of late." ZH

Minibus carrying evacuees bombed

"A Russian anti-tank missile launched on a minibus carrying evacuees from Russian-occupied Kherson region in southern Ukraine to central Ukraine's Kryvyi Rih region has killed two people " MT

U.S. kills al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahri in drone strike

"The United States killed al Qaeda leader Ayman Al-Zawahri in a drone strike over the
weekend, an operation that included tracking him down through his family, a senior administration official confirmed to reporters.

The strike, carried out by a CIA-operated Air Force drone, occurred at 6:18 a.m. Sunday local time in Kabul as the al Qaeda leader stood on the balcony of his house, the official said." MS

U.S. fears Russia is using a ‘nuclear shield’ in Ukraine

"U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke of fears over a nuclear accident in Ukraine. He
told reporters late Monday that there are “credible reports” that Russia “is using this plant as the equivalent of a human shield, but a nuclear shield in the sense that it’s firing on Ukrainians from around the plant.” CNBC