Multiple Russian cities report explosions

"Air raid sirens and explosions were reported overnight in several Russian cities, marking a rare escalation in areas far from the front line.
The incidents affected locations including Kazan, Volgograd and Saransk, with reports pointing to possible drone activity." msn

Death toll from Afghan quake rises

"For several minutes after the earthquake struck, he could hear their screams. Then there was silence.
Mohibullah Niazi, a neighbor who helped in the rescue efforts, said that the eight people killed

on the outskirts of Kabul after a 5.8 magnitude earthquake struck northern Afghanistan the previous night were a refugee family recently returned from neighboring Iran.
There was only one survivor: a boy of around 3 years old, who was injured and has been hospitalized in Kabul.
Afghanistan’s deputy government spokesman Hamdullah Fitrat increased the overall death toll from the quake to 12, with another four people injured. Fitrat said five homes were destroyed and another 33 significantly damaged, affecting 40 families in the provinces of Kabul, Panjshir, Logar, Nangarhar, Laghman and Nuristan." AP

Floods, landslides triggered by heavy rain in Afghanistan leave 77 dead in 10 days, authorities say

"Widespread flooding, landslides and lightning strikes triggered by heavy rain and stormsacross Afghanistan have left 77 people dead and 137 injured over the past 10 days, the country’s Disaster Management Authority said Saturday.
More rain has been forecast for the coming days throughout Afghanistan, and the authority warned the public to stay away from river banks and areas prone to flooding." AP

UK Defense Minister warns Putin of 'serious consequences' after covert underwater military operation

"U.K. Defense Minister John Healey warned Russian President Vladimir Putin of "serious consequences" Thursday after revealing a weeks-long military operation to deter Russian meddling in the North Sea.

"To President Putin I say we see you, we see your activity over our cables and our pipelines, and you should know that any attempt to damage them will not be tolerated and will have serious consequences," he cautioned.
The defense minister detailed an operation involving a Royal Navy frigate, a Royal Air Force patrol plane and hundreds of personnel deployed to deter a trio of Russian submarines that were detected near underwater cables in Britain’s economic exclusionary zone.
One of the submarines, Healey announced, was a nuclear-powered Akula-class submarine, while the other two were spy submarines from Russia’s Main Directorate of Deep Sea Research, also known as GUGI. Subs from this unit were directed specifically by Putin "to conduct hybrid warfare activities against the UK" and its allies, Healey said." FOX

Russian drone destroys Nova Poshta branch in Zaporizhzhia Oblast

"Russian forces attacked the city of Zaporizhzhia and Zaporizhzhia Oblast in the night with an attack drone destroying a Nova Poshta branch in Novomykolaivka.
Nova Poshta has already begun contacting customers whose shipments were at the branch." msn

"That Is Not The Agreement We Have!" President Trump Slams Aya-TOLL-Ah Charging Fees For Hormuz Transit

"The last few hours have set the hopes for peace back a little as President Trump and the Ayatollah traded blows over control of the Strait of Hormuz.
First was the new Supreme Leader, Ayatoolah Motjaba Khameini's post on X that:

"We will definitely take the management of the Strait of Hormuz to a new phase."
Which prompted a response from President Trump:
"There are reports that Iran is charging fees to tankers going through the Hormuz Strait — They better not be and, if they are, they better stop now!"
And then an hour or so later, President Trump turned the rhetoric dial up to '11' once again:
"Iran is doing a very poor job, dishonorable some would say, of allowing Oil to go through the Strait of Hormuz.
That is not the agreement we have!"
Having earlier described Iran’s leaders as “much more reasonable” than their public comments would suggest, the new Supreme Leader also repeated demands for war reparations - a definite non-starter for US negotiators.
Stocks dipped and oil rallied modestly on this tête-à-tête." ZeroHedge

Lebanon on the brink as government moves against Hezbollah

"In an emergency session held at Baabda Palace on April 9, Lebanon’s Cabinet made a consequential decision: the immediate prohibition of all Hezbollah military and security activities on Lebanese soil.

The government in many times formally demanded that Hezbollah surrender its weapons and transition into a purely political party, ending its status as an armed non-state actor.
President Joseph Aoun delivered a pointed message in a speech on April 9 underscoring Lebanese sovereignty, insisting that 'the Lebanese State must negotiate for itself,' in a clear rejection of any regional power, particularly Iran, claiming authority to negotiate Lebanon’s future.
The Cabinet also ordered the Lebanese Army and security forces to impose full state authority across Beirut Governorate, declaring that only legitimate state institutions may possess weapons within the capital." msn

5.2 Earthquake - South Shetland Islands

"A strong magnitude 5.2 earthquake occurred in the South Atlantic Ocean near Elephant Island island, Antarctica, in the afternoon at 5.59 pm local time (GMT -4). 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

Israel to Begin Direct Talks with Lebanon to Disarm Hezbollah — Eyes ‘Historic’ Peace Deal

"Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel will begin direct negotiations with Lebanon “as soon as possible,” aimed at disarming Hezbollah and advancing what he described as a “historic, sustainable peace agreement.” Breitbart

134 clashes on frontline

"Russian forces attacked Ukrainian defensive positions 134 times since the beginning of the day.
According to the General Staff, in the Northern Slobozhanshchyna and Kursk sectors, the enemy carried out four airstrikes using six guided aerial bombs, conducted 62 shelling attacks on Ukrainian positions and settlements, two of which involved multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS).

In the Southern Slobozhanshchyna sector, the enemy launched four attacks on Ukrainian positions near Vovchanski Khutory, Prylypky, and Starytsia. One assault is ongoing.
In the Kupiansk sector, the enemy attacked six times near Petropavlivka, Novoosynove, and toward Lyman. One attack is ongoing.
In the Lyman sector, Ukrainian forces repelled five enemy assaults toward Lyman, Dibrova, Novomykhailivka, and Tverdokhlibove. One assault is ongoing.
In the Sloviansk sector, the enemy attempted to advance once toward Rai-Oleksandrivka.
In the Kramatorsk sector, the invaders launched one attack toward Nykyforivka.
In the Kostiantynivka sector, the enemy conducted 22 assaults on Ukrainian positions near Stepanivka, Pleshchiivka, Rusyn Yar, Ivanopillia, and toward Illinivka, Sofiivka, Kostiantynivka, and Novopavlivka. One attack is ongoing.
In the Pokrovsk sector, the enemy carried out 28 attacks. The invaders attempted to advance near Ivanivka, Rodynske, Myrnohrad, Shevchenko, Hryshyne, Pokrovsk, Udachne, Novomykolaivka, Novopavlivka, Molodetske, Myrne, Kotlyne, and Novopidhorodnie. Three assaults are ongoing.
In the Oleksandrivka sector, Russian forces launched six attacks near Oleksandrohrad, Vorone, Zlahoda, and toward Andriivka-Klevtsove. One assault is ongoing.
In the Huliaipole sector, 17 enemy attacks were recorded near Zaliznychne, Huliaipole, Varvarivka, Hirkе, Huliaipilske, Staroukrainka, and Dobropillia. Five assaults are ongoing." Ukrin