Friday, July 19, 2024

One Dead, Seven Wounded in Tel Aviv by ‘Aerial Target’

"One person was killed and seven wounded in the early hours of Friday morning in Tel Aviv,
Israel, as the result of what the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) called an “aerial target” — possibly a drone — that was undetected by defenses." Breitbart

It Was A Major Mistake For Zelensky To Insult Modi Last Week

"Zelensky insulted Indian Prime Minister Modi during his trip to Moscow last week by tweeting that “It is disheartening to see the leader of the world's largest democracy embrace the world's most notorious criminal in Moscow”, thus prompting India to summon the
Ukrainian Ambassador on Monday.
It’s unclear what he was told, but his hosts predictably made it clear that such rhetoric isn’t welcome, especially after Modi lamented the loss of life in all conflicts during his meeting with Putin. While some might imagine that Zelensky simply tweeted whatever his Western patrons told him to, the reality is that he probably did so on his own prerogative, though therein lies the problem. In his mind, the latest phase of the Ukrainian Conflict sparked by Russia’s special operation is an epic battle between democracies and dictatorships, not anything having to do with security dilemmas and national interests. This false perception was impressed upon him by the West over two years ago." ZeroHedge

Biden Nomination Odds Collapse On Reports Of Imminent Withdrawal, Harris Reportedly Vetting Running Mates

"BREAKING: @MarkHalperin on Newsmax says President Joe Biden has already agreed to step down which can happen as early as this weekend. Halperin says the speech is already
being drafted &
Biden will reportedly *not* initially endorse HarrisMultiples sources outline the apparent state of play on Biden at this time:
Plans to announce withdrawal from nomination as early as this weekend, with Sunday most likely
Jon Meacham polishing up remarks
Biden with NOT resign the presidency
Biden will NOT endorse Harris
Open convention with Harris and about 3 others
Super delegates will not be allowed to vote on 1st ballot
Harris is vetting at least four possible running mates, including Andy Beshear and possibly Shapiro
" ZH

"Largest IT Outage In History" Sparks Disruptions Worldwide

"Early Friday, a global IT outage caused by an issue with cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike
disrupted flights, banks, retailers, stock exchanges, 911 call centers, and media outlets. Experts say this could be one of the largest IT outages in modern history.

Bloomberg reported that CrowdStrike warned customers that its Falcon Sensor threat-monitoring product was the source of the chaos, causing Microsoft's Windows operating system to crash. There was no mention of what triggered the issue, and there were reports of disruptions in Microsoft's Azure cloud and 365 Office software." ZH

Fire Engulfs Artillery Factory Deep Inside Russia

"A fire has broken out at a key military facility in Russia, with Russian and Ukrainian social media channels posting videos of flames and smoke billowing into the air. Ukraine Fights was among pro-Kyiv Telegram channels which shared footage of the blaze at Uraltransmash in the Urals city of Yekaterinburg, in the Sverdlovsk region, around 1,100 miles east of Moscow. The site produces military equipment and machine tools used for Russia's war machine, the post noted. It is also the country's main producer of self-propelled artillery and makes oil drilling rigs as well as other civilian products." Newsweek

130 combat engagements in frontline over last day, most intense in Pokrovske and Toretske sectors

"There were 130 combat engagements with Russian troops on the frontline yesterday, with the greatest enemy activity observed in the Pokrovske and Toretske sectors. According to the updated information, over the past day, the Russians launched three missile attacks with four missiles at the positions of Ukrainian units and settlements, 73 air strikes, and used 101 anti-aircraft missiles. In addition, they fired 4675 times, 139 of them from multiple launch rocket systems.
The areas of Lyptsi, Vovchanski Khutory, Staritsa, Synkivka, Hlushkivka, Petropavlivka, Novoozynove in Kharkiv region were hit by air strikes; Siversk, Lyman, Tymofiivka, Vozdvyzhenka, Vovche, Kostiantynivka, Yelizavetivka, Berestky, Kostiantynopil, Novoselivka Persha, Chasiv Yar, Pivnichne, Toretsk, Oleksandropil, Shevchenko, Velyka Novosilka, Urozhayne in Donetsk region; Pyatikhatky in Zaporizhzhia region.
In the Kharkiv sector, Russian troops continued offensive and assault operations. There were 12 combat engagements in the area. All of them took place in the areas of Hlyboke and Vovchansk. Russians actively used bomber aircraft for attacks.
In the Kupyansk sector, 11 attacks took place over the last day. Ukrainian defence forces repelled all Russian army assaults near Sinkivka, Stelmakhivka and Berestove.
In the Lyman sector, Ukrainian troops stopped 14 Russian attacks near Makiivka, Nevske, Torske and Terny.
In the Siverskyi sector, the Ukrainian Defence Forces repelled five assault attacks. Russians tried to advance near Pereyizne, Spirne and Vyymka.
In the Kramatorsk sector, Ukrainian troops stopped six attempts by Russian troops to break through Ukrainian defences. The invaders, with the support of aviation, made their main efforts in the area of Chasiv Yar.
Russian troops continued to be active in the Toretsk sector yesterday. In total, the enemy attacked the positions of Ukrainian defenders 20 times in the areas of Pivnichne, Toretsk and New York. They carried out air strikes with anti-aircraft gunships and unguided aerial missiles." Ukrin

Thursday, July 18, 2024

Ukraine introduces earlier sunsets to spite Russia

"The Ukrainian parliament has voted in favor of ending Daylight Savings Time starting next year, citing firstly national security concerns. The move will result in awkward hours for residents of eastern regions.
Verkhovna Rada chairman Ruslan Stefanchuk had proposed the measure as far back as 2020, but did not have the votes to get it approved. It was passed on Tuesday, with 261 deputies voting in favor.
In the fall, we will switch to winter time and stay on it,” Yevgenia Kravchuk, a senior member of Vladimir Zelensky’s Servant of the People faction, said on Facebook. “No more disruptions of biological rhythms and ‘habits’ by the time change.
While Kravchuk explained the reasoning in terms of minimizing the inconvenience to Ukrainians, Stefanchuk’s proposal had other priorities.
The change “is intended to ensure the protection of territorial integrity and strengthen the national security of Ukraine, since the aggressor state [Russia] has imposed its time in the temporarily occupied territories,” said the original explanatory note from 2020. “Therefore, the installation and consolidation throughout Ukraine of a single Kiev time, without exception, will strengthen the security position of Ukraine and will contribute to the de-occupation and reintegration of temporarily occupied territories.” RT

144 combat clashes on front lines in past day

"As many as 144 combat engagements were recorded on the front lines in the past 24 hours.
Over the past 24 hours, 144 combat clashes have been recorded. According to detailed information, yesterday the enemy attacked the positions of
Ukrainian units and settlements with two missile strikes using one missile and 67 airstrikes using 104 guided aerial bombs. In addition, he launched 4,605 shelling attacks, including 94 using multiple rocket launchers. According to him, the aggressor carried out airstrikes near Hlyboke, Lyptsi, Mali Prokhody, Starytsia and Synkivka in the Kharkiv region; Terny, Lyman, Makiivka, Spirne, Chasiv Yar, Dobropillia, Pivnichne, Toretsk, Oleksandropil, Umanske, Pokrovsk, Zhelanne, Prohres, Arkhanhelske, Katerynivka, Urozhaine and Vodiane in the Donetsk region; Huliaipole, Lobkove, Rivnopil, Kamianske and Piatykhatky in the Zaporizhzhia region." Ukrin

Schumer Says "Best For Biden To Drop Out Of Race" As President Tests Positive For COVID

"Moments ago, ABC News reported that Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., advised President Biden to end his reelection for the greater good of the country and the Democratic Party.
Only eight days ago, Schumer had a different opinion on Biden: "I'm with Joe." Schumer pushed for the Democratic National Convention's delay as questions soared about the president's 2024 candidacy.
According to Axios, the delay "signals that the congressional leaders sympathize with rank-and-file Democrats who want more time to address concerns about Biden's ability to defeat former President Trump."
Vice President Kamala Harris's nomination odds for the party now stand at 50, while Biden's is at 38. Just hours after President Biden mentioned in an interview that he would consider dropping out of the presidential race if diagnosed with a "medical condition," the elderly president tested positive for Covid-19 this afternoon.
Unidos US president Janet Murguía informed the audience at the organization's national conference in Vegas about Biden's diagnosis. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said President Biden was delivering speeches in Las Vegas when he "experienced mild symptoms." KJP said the president "will be returning to Delaware, where he will self-isolate and will continue to carry out all of his duties fully during that time." ZH

Wednesday, July 17, 2024

Russian strikes destroy over 700 power facilities in Kharkiv Oblast

"In Kharkiv Oblast,
Russian strikes destroyed more than 700 energy facilities and 8,000 kilometers of power lines, Kharkiv Oblast Governor Oleh Synehubov said at a meeting of the Regional Office for International Cooperation on “Restoration of Energy and Sustainable Passage of the Autumn-Winter Period 2024/2025.”. NV

Trump’s VP pick J.D. Vance raises alarms in Europe over Ukraine policy

"Europe is already skeptical Trump might be persuaded to abandon Ukraine in its war against Russia’s invasion, The WSJ said. But on everyone’s mind was J.D. Vance, the 39-year-old
senator from Ohio, being chosen as the vice-presidential candidate. Vance is a "
leading voice among ultraconservative Republicans opposed to sending funding to Ukraine, pitting him against many hawkish members of his party who sided with Democrats in viewing the issue as a U.S. national security imperative," the article said.
Former Republican Congresswoman Liz Cheney, an outspoken Trump critic, went after Vance on social media, citing his opposition to Ukraine aid.
"He would capitulate to Russia and sacrifice the freedom of our allies in Ukraine," Cheney said." NV

Biden says he’ll drop out if doctors tell him to

"US President Joe Biden has said he would suspend his reelection campaign if doctors told
him he had a medical problem. Doubts about
Biden’s mental competency have long plagued his campaign, the more so since his disastrous debate performance against former President Donald Trump last month.
In an interview with BET News filmed earlier this week, Biden was asked whether anything would make him reconsider staying in the race for the White House.
“If I had some medical condition that emerged, if doctors came and said ‘you’ve got this problem, that problem’,Biden responded, before going on to defend his ability to “get the job done.” RT

Trump's Secret Service protection had been increased prior to assassination attempt due to Iran threat

"The
U.S. Secret Service in recent weeks had increased Donald Trump's security detail due to intelligence indicating there was an Iranian threat to assassinate the former president. "These accusations are baseless and biased," according to the representation of Iran in the United States." ABC

Potential Ukrainian Trace in Trump's Attempted Murder – Ukrainian Opposition Politician

"Zelensky and his backers in the Biden administration would do whatever it takes to destroy
those advocating a peaceful settlement in
Ukraine, the Other Ukraine movement's Council Chair Viktor Medvedchuk warned Trump.
iktor Medvedchuk, a Ukrainian opposition politician and chairman of the council of the Other Ukraine movement, wrote in an open letter to Donald Trump, the US Republican frontrunner.
"The terrorist [shooter of Trump], whoever he is, was clearly not a lone wolf," Medvedchuk noted. "On the campaign trail, you [Trump] have repeatedly stated that you will be able to bring peace to the long-suffering Ukrainian land. But this peace means the loss of power by the [Volodymyr] Zelensky [neo-] Nazi regime and its American handlers in the Biden administration." Sputnik

112 combat clashes on front lines in past day

"Some 112 combat engagements have been recorded on the front lines in the past 24 hours, with Ukrainian forces repelling 24 enemy attacks on the Pokrovsk axis.
Russian forces carried out airstrikes near Lyptsi, Vovchansk, Hlyboke, Mali Prokhody, Starytsia, Vovchanski Khutory and Veterynarne in the Kharkiv region; Mezhove, Novoselivka Persha, Vozdvyzhenka, Tymofiivka, Vovche, Hrodivka, Velyka Novosilka, Vuhledar, Katerynivka and Yelyzavetivka in the Donetsk region.
In the Kharkiv sector, seven combat clashes occurred near Hlyboke and Vovchansk.
In the Kupiansk sector, Ukrainian forces repelled nine enemy assaults near Synkivka, Andriivka, Pishchane, Berestove and Stepova Novoselivka.
In the Lyman sector, the enemy launched nine attacks near Hrekivka, Makiivka, and Nevske.
In the Siversk sector, Ukrainian defenders repelled 11 assaults by the Russian invaders near Verkhniokamianske, Spirne, Vyimka, Pereizne, and Pivnichne.
In the Kramatorsk sector, the occupiers attacked Ukrainian positions seven times near Chasiv Yar, Klishchiivka, and Opytne.
In the Toretsk sector, the enemy launched 11 attacks near Pivnichne, Niu-York and Toretsk.
In the Pokrovsk sector, Ukrainian forces repelled 24 assaults outside the settlements of Prohres, Vozdvyzhenka, Novooleksandrivka, Kalynove, Novoselivka Persha and Umanske, where the invaders, with the support of aircraft, tried to push Ukrainian units out of their lines. The greatest concentration of enemy attacks was recorded near Novooleksandrivka.
In the Kurakhove sector, Ukrainian forces repelled 23 attacks near Krasnohorivka, Heorhiivka, Kostiantynivka, and Paraskoviivka, where the enemy tried to break through Ukrainian defenses.
In the Vremivka sector, the enemy carried out six assaults on Ukrainian positions near Vodiane.
On the Huliaipole and Orikhiv axes, the occupiers attempted to dislodge Ukrainian units from their positions. Four Russian attacks were unsuccessful near Marfopil, Mala Tokmachka, and Novoandriivka.
In the Dnipro River sector, one enemy assault was recorded near Kozachi Laheri." Ukrin