Palestine’s Vatican envoy urges Gaza ceasefire for Ramadan, Easter

"Palestinian Ambassador to the Holy See, Issa Kassissieh, met with a top Vatican official about the ongoing war in Gaza, stressing the need for immediate humanitarian assistance and calling for a ceasefire ahead of the holiest days on the Christian and Muslim calendars. As the Muslim holy month Ramadan and the Christian feast of Easter approach, “we hope that by this day there will be a ceasefire, so that especially the people in Gaza would see at the end of the tunnel a glimpse of hope, if there was any hope,” he told Crux." Crux

Navalny was close to being freed in prisoner swap deal

"Associates of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny said Monday that talks were underway shortly before his death to exchange him for a Russian imprisoned in Germany. According to Pevchikh, Navalny and two US citizens held in Russia were supposed to be swapped for Vadim Krasikov. He was serving a life sentence in Germany for the 2019 killing in Berlin of Zelimkhan “Tornike” Khangoshvili, a 40-year-old Georgian citizen of Chechen descent. German judges said Krasikov acted on the orders of Russian authorities, who gave him a false identity, passport and resources to carry out the killing." France24

Jerusalem police thwart terrorist plot coordinated with Hamas in Gaza

"The Shin Bet and the Central Unit of the Jerusalem District Police revealed a thwarted terrorist plot planned by two terrorists who coordinated with a Hamas terrorist in Gaza......uncovered the plot using undercover agents. One terrorist is a 17-year-old resident of Israel living in Shuafat, in East Jerusalem, who worked alongside his cousin, the second terrorist, who is a 29-year-old Palestinian resident of Nablus. With the assistance of the IDF, the older terrorist was arrested and taken into custody. Both suspects were interrogated, and extending their detention." JP

Putin loses top colonel after missile strike 'on medal ceremony' kills 19

"Vladimir Putin has suffered a major blow after losing a top colonel following a missile

strike during a medal ceremony, according to reports.
The hit which also killed 19 troops and injured another 12 wiped out Colonel Roman Kozhukhov in occupied Donetsk in Ukraine.
Another high ranking officer Colonel Mikhail Gudkov was wounded as was Major Alexander Abilov." Metro

Indonesia denies rumors on its diplomatic relations with Israel

"Presidential Special Staff Coordinator Ari Dwipayana emphasized that circulated news in foreign media, stating that Indonesia had plans for official diplomatic relations with Israel, is false.

"The information is completely incorrect," Dwipayana stated in a short message." Antara

Pentagon Chief warns: A NATO-Russia conflict likely if Ukraine falls

"Speaking before the American House of Representatives' Armed Services Committee, US

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin highlighted the importance of approving a new aid package for Ukraine for global security. He pointed out that Vladimir Putin's success in Ukraine would likely embolden him to take more aggressive actions in the region. "Other leaders, particularly autocrats, will see this as an encouragement if we fail to support democracy," Austin explained.
The Pentagon head also mentioned the direct threat to the Baltic states should Ukraine lose. "If you're in the Baltic states, you're rightly worried about being next. They are well aware of Putin's capabilities. Frankly, if Ukraine falls, a NATO conflict with Russia seems inevitable," Austin stated." essanews

Putin threatens to strike on Western nations

"Putin has escalated his rhetoric, warning of possible attacks against Western countries, citing Russia's arsenal as a threat, Russian agency RIA Novosti reported.....“Some have suggested sending NATO troops to Ukraine, but we must not forget the fate of foreign armies that invaded our country in the past,” Putin said during his address to the Federal Assembly. ”Any intervention now would end in even greater tragedy.” Russia has put its strategic nuclear forces on full alert, he added." NV

Light earthquake recorded in central Ukraine’s Poltava region

"Poltava region of Ukraine saw a 3.6-magnitude earthquake overnight. The epicenter of the quake, recorded at 02:22, was located in the Reshetylove district, west of the regional center, 10 km under the surface." Ukrin

83 combat clashes, 91 Russian airstrikes in past day

"During the last day, Ukraine reported 83 combat engagements, three Russian missile strikes, 91 airstrikes, and 142 attacks involving multiple rocket launchers. Russians launched a number of Shahed-136/131 kamikaze drones. Russian airstrikes targeted the settlements of Bolohivka and Mytrofanivka of Kharkiv region; Nadiia and Bilohorivka of Luhansk region; Terny, Yampolivka, Viroliubivka, Mykolaivka, Klishchiivka, Novoiehorivka, Oleksandropil, Novo-oleksandrivka, Ocheretyne, Novobakhmutivka, Sukha Balka, Zhelanne, Soloviove, Semenivka, Kostiantynivka, Vodiane, Urozhaine, and Staromaiorske of Donetsk region;

Novodarivka, Levadne, Mala Tokmachka, Robotyne, Novodanylivka, and Yurkivka of Zaporizhzhia region. Under Russian artillery fire came more than 110 settlements across Chernihiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Dnipropetrovsk, Kherson, and Mykolaiv regions.
Volyn and Polissia directions: the operational situation remains without significant changes.
Sivershchyna and Slobozhanshchyna directions: the enemy retains military presence near the border, performing subversive and reconnaissance missions to prevent the transfer of Ukrainian troops to other sectors.
Kupiansk direction: Ukraine repelled two assaults near Petropavlivka and Tabaivka of Kharkiv region.
Lyman direction: 12 enemy assaults were repelled near Terny and Yampolivka of Donetsk region and Bilohorivka of Luhansk region.
Bakhmut direction: the defense forces repelled two assaults near Ivanivske and Klishchiivka of Donetsk region." Ukrin