Russian threats of systematic strikes aim to scare diplomats

"Russian threats to launch "systematic strikes" on Kyiv are "shameless blackmail" aimed at intimidating foreign diplomats, Ukrainian Foreign Affairs Ministry stated. "The new threats from Russia are nothing more than shameless blackmail. Moscow practically admits that its attacks are aimed, among other things, at intimidating the foreign diplomatic corps," the statement read." Pravada

Israel Intensifies Strikes on Lebanon

“We are not slowing down — quite the opposite, I have ordered an acceleration,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, according to L’Orient Today.
“We will intensify the strikes, increase their force, and we will crush Hezbollah,” Netanyahu added.
The IDF said it will tighten defensive guidelines in the Confrontation Line area and several northern communities from Tuesday morning through the evening, limiting gatherings to 50 people outdoors and 200 indoors." Sputnik

Sri Lanka stuns with 100-bp rate hike as Iran war rattles currency, fuels inflation

"Sri Lanka's central bank stunned markets by raising its policy rate by an outsized 100 basis points on Tuesday, the biggest hike in four years, as policymakers scrambled to stem inflation and support a currency buckling under soaring energy prices." msn

Strong Chile earthquake shakes mining hub, but damage is minimal

"A strong earthquake struck Chile's important mining region of Antofagasta on Monday

afternoon, disrupting operations at some mines but ultimately sparing lives and critical infrastructure, authorities said.
The magnitude 6.9 earthquake hit the heart of the world's biggest copper-producing country, though major miners reported limited damage." msn

Macron warns Lukashenko against deeper role in Ukraine war

"Rare diplomatic contact: Macron and Lukashenko spoke by phone for the first time since Russia's full-scale invasion, with France initiating the conversation.
Warning over escalation: Macron cautioned Lukashenko about the risks of Belarus being drawn further into Russia's war and urged better ties with Europe.
Tensions on the border: Despite no current troop buildup, Ukraine warns of Russian pressure on Belarus and possible use of its territory for future offensives." msn

Drone attacks raise fears as Colombians vote to elect a new president

"Gladys Marín only has to cross the street to reach a school where polling stations will open Sunday in her small town in Colombia. But she's still not sure she'll make the short walk, because fears for her safety could outweigh the chance to vote for the country’s next president.
Her home in the southwestern village of Potrerito sits less than 100 meters (320 feet) from the

police station, which has become a frequent target for drone-dropped explosives. Authorities blame the attacks on a rebel faction that rejected a peace agreement signed a decade ago with the Colombian government.
Colombia will elect a new president and vice president on May 31 in what has been cast as a referendum on President Gustavo Petro’s policies, most notably his controversial “total peace” initiative to negotiate with the country’s remaining rebel groups.
By most accounts, violence tied to armed groups has worsened under Petro's watch.
According to Colombia's Electoral Observation Mission, 386 municipalities, or about a third of the country, are vulnerable to violence from illegal armed groups, and data from the Ideas for Peace Foundation think tank indicates that roughly 27,000 people remain under arms nationwide." msn

One killed and several injured in Russian strike on Odesa

"One person has been killed and several others injured in a Russian strike on the city of Odesa on the evening of 25 May. Infrastructure, residential buildings and an educational facility have been damaged in the attack." msn

5.0 Earthquake - South Pacific Ocean, 91 km southwest of Ambitle Island, Papua New Guinea

"A strong magnitude 5.0 earthquake occurred in the South Pacific Ocean near the coast of Papua New Guinea in the early morning at 1.00 am local time (Pacific/Port Moresby GMT +10). The quake had a shallow depth of 67 km (42 mi) and was not felt (or at least not reported so)." VD

233 clashes across frontline in past day

"A total of 233 combat engagements between Ukrainian forces and Russian invaders.
Ukrainian aviation, missile forces, and artillery struck six areas of concentrated manpower, one UAV command post, and three Russian artillery systems.
On the Northern Slobozhanshchyna and Kursk axes, Russian forces launched five airstrikes using 16 guided bombs and conducted 74 shelling attacks, including two MLRS strikes. One assault action was recorded.

On the Southern Slobozhanshchyna axis, Russian forces launched seven attacks near Fyholivka, Veterynarne, Starytsia, and toward Okhrimivka and Ternova.
On the Kupiansk axis, Ukrainian forces stopped four Russian attempts to advance near Novoosynove.
On the Lyman axis, Russian troops attempted 11 breakthroughs near Drobysheve, Dibrova, Yampil, Lyman, and Stavky.
On the Sloviansk axis, Russian forces launched eight assaults near Zakitne, Rai-Oleksandrivka, Kryva Luka, and Riznykivka.
On the Kramatorsk axis, one assault was recorded near Nykyforivka.
On the Kostiantynivka axis, Russian forces carried out 15 attacks near Pleshchiivka, Ivanopillia, Kostiantynivka, Illinivka, and Rusyn Yar.
On the Pokrovsk axis, Ukrainian defenders repelled 38 assault attempts near Toretske, Novooleksandrivka, Rodynske, Hryshyne, Udachne, Molodetske, Novopavlivka, Muravka, and toward Kucheriv Yar, Shevchenko, and Bilytske.
On the Oleksandrivka axis, Russian forces attacked four times near Ternove and toward Velykomykhailivka.
On the Huliaipole axis, Russian forces carried out 28 assaults near Pryluky, Zaliznychne, Olenokostiantynivka, and toward Hirke, Nove Zaporizhzhia, Staroukrainka, Verkhnia Tersa, Tsvitkove, and Charivne.
On the Orikhiv axis, Ukrainian forces stopped three Russian attempts to advance near Bilohiria, Stepnohirsk, and toward Prymorske.
On the Dnipro River axis, Russian troops attacked twice near the Antonivskyi Bridge." Ukrin