Russia withdraws ammunition ships from Syria

"Russia is withdrawing ships carrying ammunition from Syria. The British Ministry of Defense spotted six Russian ships crossing the English Channel, Reuters reports.
The British military explained that the ships, which were observed by the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force, were leaving Syria." RBC

Thin-skinned German minister melts down over Vance's speech

"If Germany's socialist defense minister made anything clear, it's that Vance's criticisms cut deep.
Vice President
JD Vance minced no words in his Friday address at the Munich Security Conference in Germany, putting various European nations on blast for their heavy-handed suppression of political movements and ideas unfavorable to their respective ruling classes; for their dismissal of citizens' concerns and common sense; for their routine attacks on religious liberties; and for their ruinous mass migration policies.
"The threat that I worry the most about vis-a-vis Europe is not Russia. It's not China. It's not any other external actor," said Vance. "What I worry about is the threat from within."
Vance's speech clearly struck a chord, prompting German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, a member of the Social Democratic Party, to spend some of his time onstage refuting the suggestion that democracy and free speech are on the decline in his and other European nations.
"I had a speech I prepared today," said the German socialist. "It was supposed to be about security in Europe. But I cannot start in the way I originally intended."
"This democracy was called into question by the U.S. vice president," continued Pistorius. "

He speaks of the annulment of democracy, and, if I understood him correctly, he compares the condition of Europe with the condition that prevails in some authoritarian regimes. Ladies and gentlemen, this is not acceptable."Pistorius staked his claim on shaky ground.
Alternative for Germany is a right-leaning populist party founded in 2013 by free-market economists keen to strengthen German sovereignty and enraged by the European Union's bailout of Greece and other debtor nations. It has since also taken aim at mass migration, open borders, climate alarmism, Islamization, and gender ideology.
While Pistorius suggested that democracy is strong in Germany and the country's political establishment protects the rights of those who disagree with it, German authorities have worked feverishly to ban, vilify, disarm, de-bank, and criminalize the party. In certain German states, such as Saxony and Thuringia, the AFD has been classified as a "right-wing extremist" group.
Marie-Thérèse Kaiser, a member of the popular Alternative for Germany party, was convicted of a "hate crime" in May for sharing statistics about the disproportionate number of gang rapes committed by immigrants.
Evidently panicked over the alliance of the AFD and the Christian Democratic Union party on immigration, 124 parliamentarians introduced a motion urging an investigation into whether the platforming of certain voices in the German democracy is unconstitutional." Blaze

American released by Hamas sends message to Trump: ‘You are the reason I am home alive’

"An American citizen held hostage by Hamas for approximately 15 months has released a

video detailing his experiences while imprisoned, in which he thanks President Donald Trump for his role in securing his release.
Keith Siegel, a dual-national of the U.S. and Israel, was released by the terrorist group approximately two weeks ago after being held by Hamas for 484 days under "unimaginable conditions." WashingtonExanminer

Ukraine hands US reworked rare earths deal

"Ukraine has handed a revised draft minerals accord back to the US as it seeks to stop Donald Trump cutting off military aid for its fight against Russia. The Ukrainian side returned its “vision” to the US weeks after Mr. Trump demanded $500 billion in rare earth minerals from Kyiv to compensate for the hundreds of billions of dollars the superpower has given Ukraine to defend itself against Russian aggression." MS

Chinese companies "developing" Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine

"At least a dozen private Chinese companies are actively cooperating with businesses in the occupied areas of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts, providing them with either equipment or other products. NV reached this conclusion after analyzing open sources, including publications from Russian media and reports from occupation “administrations,” as well as speaking with domestic experts who monitor developments in Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine." msn

Trump boosts US-India defense ties with F-35 jet deal

"Donald Trump announced that the United States will significantly increase military equipment sales to India and pave the way for a contract regarding F-35 fighter jets for the country. India is the largest arms importer in the world, which for years has relied on Russia for its armaments and was recently considered a potential buyer of Su-57 fighters." MS

'We've just seen earthquake after earthquake after earthquake': Santorini earthquake swarm intensifies

"Santorini's earthquakes are intensifying as a rare earthquake swarm continues to rattle the Mediterranean's Aegean Sea. The earthquakes are probably caused by faults rather than volcanic activity. Greek authorities have closed schools and deployed emergency crews as a swarm of earthquakes intensifies near the volcanic island of Santorini." LiveScience

Large earthquake strikes West Texas, among strongest ever in state

"A 5.0 magnitude earthquake was recorded in West Texas late Friday evening, according to the U.S. Geological Survey, and could be felt by residents more than 150 miles away in El Paso. The earthquake struck near the border of Culberson and Reeves counties at 11:23 p.m. CST with an epicenter about 33 miles northwest of Toyah, Texas. Three smaller aftershocks also occurred within minutes of the first quake. The earthquake was also felt by Texans as far west as El Paso and in some cities in eastern New Mexico." TexasTribune

Zelensky urgently calls on Europe to form army after US walks back on commitment

"Europe needs to form a united military front against Russia, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned.
His urgent call comes after several European and US leaders met in Munich on Friday for a security conference to address the Russia-Ukraine war, which has entered its third year.
Zelensky said US Vice President JD Vance made clear that Ukraine will get less support from its greatest ally moving forward after spending more $183 billion on aid in the war, according to Congress's Ukraine Oversight Committee." DailyExpress

176 combat clashes

"Since the beginning of the day, there have been 176 clashes between the Ukrainian Defense Forces and Russian troops.
In the Kupiansk sector, the Russian invaders attacked the Ukrainian positions 35 times near Dvorichna, Petropavlivka, Stepova Novoselivka, Kolisnykivka, Lozova and in the direction of Novoosynove. As many 23 combat engagements are currently ongoing.
In the Lyman sector, the Russian army carried out 19 attacks on Ukrainian positions near the localities of Zelenyi Hai, Novoyehorivka, Hrekivka, Kolodiazi, Yampolivka, Terny, Torske and Dibrova, with nine combat engagements still ongoing.
In the Siversk sector, the Ukrainian defenders successfully repelled three enemy attacks, with six combat clashes currently underway. The invaders are attempting to advance in the areas of Verkhniokamianske and Ivano-Dariivka.

In the Kramatorsk sector, Ukrainian defenders repelled ten Russian attacks. The enemy is attempting to break through to Predtechyne, Stupochky, Bila Hora, and the area of Chasiv Yar. Seventeen combat engagements have been completed thus far.
In the Toretsk sector, Ukrainian defenders successfully repelled eight enemy assaults in the areas of Toretsk, Diliivka, and Krymske. Seven battles are currently ongoing.In the Pokrovsk sector, Russian forces have made 47 attempts to dislodge Ukrainian defenders from their positions in the areas of Zelene Pole, Tarasivka, Vodiane Druhe, Myroliubivka, Yelyzavetivka, Promin, Lysivka, Dachenske, Shevchenko, Pishchane, Kotlyne, Udachne, Nadiivka, Andriivka and Udachne. The defense forces are successfully holding back the enemy's attack and have repelled 24 attacks, with 23 combat engagements currently ongoing.
In the Novopavlivka sector, the enemy attempted to break through Ukrainian defenses nine times in the areas of Zelenivka and Velyka Novosilka. Six combat clashes are ongoing.
In the Huliaipole sector, the Russian army utilized glide bombs in the Zaliznychne, Verkhnia Tersa, and Kopani areas.
In the Kursk sector, there have been 11 combat engagements since the beginning of the day, with four of these engagements ongoing. Additionally, the enemy has carried out eight airstrikes, deploying eight guided bombs, and fired 182 times at Ukrainian positions and settlements." Ukrin