Hamas accepts new hostage deal, which Israel counters with demand for additional captives

"At least five hostages held by Hamas, including New Jersey native Edan Alexander, could be freed under new cease-fire proposals, officials said Saturday as tens of thousands of protestors flooded Israeli streets demanding the release of all captives.
The terror group agreed to release the five hostages, who were kidnapped in its Oct. 7, 2023 massacre in Israel, in exchange for a 50-day cease-fire over the Eid al-Fitr holiday and continuing through Passover.
The proposal, put forward by Egypt after continued pressure from the US over the impasse, also calls for the release of Palestinian prisoners." ms

Thousands march in Paris against military aid to Ukraine

"Thousands of demonstrators marched through the streets of Paris on Saturday, protesting

French President Emmanuel Macron’s and NATO’s militaristic approach to the Ukraine conflict.
On Wednesday, Macron announced a new €2 billion ($2.16 billion) military aid package for Ukraine, after weeks of attempting to drum up support for his initiative to send Western troops as peacekeepers to the country. The new arms will include surface-to-air missiles, armored vehicles and drones, the French leader said." RT

198 clashes on frontline

"Nearly 200 combat clashes occurred between Ukraine's Defense Forces and Russian invaders on the frontlines.
In the Kharkiv sector, Ukrainian troops repelled two attacks by the enemy near Vovchansk and towards Kamianka. One battle is still ongoing. The enemy launched airstrikes on the village of Slatyne.

In the Kupiansk sector, the enemy conducted six assaults on the Ukrainian positions near Pishchane, Petropavlivka, and Zahryzove. The Ukrainian defenders repelled five attacks, with one battle still ongoing.
In the Lyman sector, throughout the day, Russian forces carried out 23 assaults near Nadiia, Yampolivka, Kolodiazi, Torske, and towards Nove, Olhivka, and Novomykhailivka. Five clashes are still unresolved.
In the Siversk sector, Russian forces launched three assaults near Ivano-Darivka and Pereyizne. Two attacks were successfully repelled by Ukrainian forces, while one battle continues.
In the Kramatorsk sector, there were 13 clashes near Maiske, Oleksandro-Shultyne, Predtechyne, Bila Hora, Chasiv Yar, Stupochky, and Kurdiumivka.
In the Toretsk sector, Russian troops attempted 18 assaults on the Ukrainian defensive positions, focusing on Krymske, Toretsk, and towards Dyliivka. All attacks were repelled.
In the Pokrovsk sector, the Russians attempted to break through the Ukrainian defenses 73 times near Novotoretske, Panteleimonivka, Oleksandropil, Vodiane Druhe, Yelyzavetivka, Lysivka, Kotlyne, Udachne, Novoserhiivka, Uspenivka, Novooleksandrivka, Sribne, Andriivka, and towards Kotliarivka. Four clashes are still ongoing. Airstrikes targeted Oleksievo-Druzhkivka, Oleksandropil, Sukhyi Yar, Poltavka, Kozatske, Myrnohrad, Pokrovsk, Chunyshyne, Hryshyne, Novooleksandrivka, and Novopavlivka.
In the Novopavlivka sector, the enemy launched 15 attacks near Kostiantynopil, Skudne, and towards Rozlyv. The Ukrainian defenders successfully repelled all the attacks. The enemy also conducted airstrikes on Zelenyi Hai and Piddubne.
In the Huliaipole sector, Russian forces conducted nine attacks near Pryvilne, Novosilka, and towards Novopil, and carried out airstrikes on Huliaipole, Novopil, and Zelene Pole.
In the Orikhiv sector, Russian forces attempted two assaults near Kamianske and Lobkove.
In the Prydniprovske sector, the enemy launched two attacks towards Sadove and Prydniprovske, both of which were unsuccessful.
In the Kursk operational zone, Ukraine’s Defense Forces repelled 31 enemy attacks throughout the day. The enemy also launched 17 airstrikes using 22 guided bombs and conducted 254 artillery strikes, including eight MLRS attacks, on Ukrainian positions and settlements." Ukrin

Zelensky: Putin ‘Will Die Soon’ And The War Will End

"Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky predicts the death of Russia’s leader Vladimir Putin “soon”, stating the invasion of his country would then have to end.
He said: “He will die soon, that’s a fact, and everything will be over. This may all end before then… I’m younger than Putin, so put your bets on me. My prospects are better.” Breitbart

Thailand reels from earthquake Bangkok grinds to a halt as tremors are felt from Burma earthquake

"Bangkok ground to a halt on Friday after a strong earthquake shook the clogged Thai capital, causing chaos and triggering citywide evacuations that left many thousands of people stranded for much of the day.

All urban rail systems were suspended and roads were gridlocked across one of Asia’s biggest cities after the earthquake in neighboring Burma caused tremors up to a magnitude of 7.1 in Bangkok, about 1,020km from the epicenter.
The earthquake killed nine people in Bangkok, including eight laborers who died after the collapse of a 33-storey building that was under construction. Rescuers with dogs searched for signs of life, with more than 100 missing at the site, authorities said.
Foreign tourists – some shirtless, bathrobes or swim shorts – had to leave their hotels and mingled with throngs of office workers evacuated from high-rise towers in Bangkok’s commercial districts, many in shock at a rare quake that caused some skyscrapers to sway for minutes." IrishTimes

Vice President JD Vance delivers remarks in Greenland

"Vice President JD Vance predicted that Greenland would voluntarily partner with the United States amid talks of acquiring the island. "If the people of Greenland were willing to partner with the United States, and I think that they ultimately will partner with the United States, we could make them much more secure," Vance said. "We could do a lot more protection."
The remarks came during a high-profile visit to the Pituffik Space Base, a U.S. facility on the island's northwest coast, which is otherwise a Danish territory.
Denmark, the vice president argued, hasn't done a good enough job securing Greenland from Russian and Chinese encroachment, leaving it vulnerable and in need of a U.S. takeover.
"What we think is going to happen is that the Greenlanders are going to choose, through self-determination, to become independent of Denmark," Vance said. "And then we're going to have conversations with the people of Greenland from there."
JustTheNews

Key points of Putin’s idea to place Ukraine under UN control

"Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed placing Ukraine under a temporary international administration as one possible way of resolving the ongoing conflict. The idea, he said, draws on international precedent and would aim to restore legitimate governance before any peace deal could be finalized.
During his meeting with Russian nuclear submarine officers on Thursday, President Putin described a possible international mechanism for stabilizing Ukraine – placing it under temporary external administration coordinated by the United Nations.
Problem: Collapse of legitimacy in Kiev
Putin argued that Ukraine’s constitutional legitimacy has broken down due to the expiration of Vladimir Zelensky’s presidential powers last year and the lack of elections since – rendering all of his government’s claims to authority invalid.
Consequence: Power vacuum filled by radicals

Putin has warned that groups with neo-Nazi views, such as the notorious Azov battalion – which receive Western weapons and actively recruit followers – could increasingly exert de facto control in Ukraine, potentially replacing formal civilian authorities.

Suggestion: UN-led temporary external administration

Putin proposed the use of a UN-led transitional authority, referencing prior international missions

.Purpose: Restoring constitutional order and setting legal framework for stable peace

The main goal, according to Putin, would be to organize democratic elections and install a functioning, legitimate government trusted by citizens and recognized globally." RT

209 clashes on front lines in past day

"209 combat clashes between Ukrainian forces and Russian invaders were recorded on the front line.

Russian airstrikes targeted multiple settlements, including Myropilske, Prokhody, Uhroidy, Krasnopillia, Khmelivka, and Mykhailivske in the Sumy region; Yablunivka, Zoria, Novoolenivka, Hrodivka, Pokrovsk, Chunyshyne, Novoserhiivka, Novomykolaivka, and Oleksiivka in the Donetsk region; Shevchenko, Novodarivka, Novopil, and Huliaipole in the Zaporizhzhia region.
In the Kharkiv sector, the enemy made six attempts to break through Ukrainian defense lines near Vovchansk and Fyholivka.
In the Kupiansk sector, Ukrainian defenders repelled 26 enemy attacks near Stepova Novoselivka, Zahryzove, and in the directions of Petropavlivka, Pishchane, Nova Kruhliakivka, and Bohuslavka.
In the Lyman sector, Russian forces attacked Ukrainian positions 32 times, attempting to break through near Nadiia, Kolodiazi, Myrne, Yampolivka, and towards Novoserhiivka, Nove, Olhivka, Dronivka, and Hryhorivka.
In the Siversk sector, three enemy attacks were stopped near Bilohorivka and Verkhniokamianske.
In the Kramatorsk sector, the invaders launched four attacks near Chasiv Yar and Predtechyne.
In the Toretsk sector, the enemy carried out 24 attacks in the areas of Krymske, Ozarianivka, Kurdiumivka, Toretsk, and in the directions of Dyliivka, Leonidivka, and Shcherbynivka.
In the Pokrovsk sector, Ukrainian defenders stopped 68 Russian attempted assaults near Panteleimonivka, Oleksandropil, Vodiane Druhe, Yelyzavetivka, Lysivka, Sukhyi Yar, Kotlyne, Udachne, Uspenivka, Preobrazhenka, Andriivka, and towards Malynivka and Novooleksandrivka.
In the Novopavlivka sector, the enemy carried out 14 attacks near Kostiantynopil, Rozlyv, Skudne, Dniproenerhiia, and Burlatske.
In the Huliaipole sector, nine Russian attacks were stopped near Pryvilne, Novosilka, and towards Vilne Pole.
In the Orikhiv sector, Russian forces attempted to storm Ukrainian positions four times in the directions of Shcherbaky, Lobkove, and Kamianske.
In the Dnipro River sector, no combat clashes were recorded over the past 24 hours.
In the Volyn and Polissia sectors, no signs of enemy offensive group formations were detected." Ukrin

NATO Weapons ‘Disappeared’ in Ukraine

"A

Ukrainian militant taken captive by the Russian Army admitted that he never saw the
NATO weapons he was trained to use in Germany in real combat action.
Recently, Western news outlets raised alarms that Ukraine has already become the world's biggest black market for firearms." Sputnik

Erdogan Claims Turkish Protest Movement Is ‘Street Terrorism,’ Warns End Is Near

"Turkey’s authoritarian leader, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, said on Monday that the “show” put on by protesters in support of jailed Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu will soon come to an end.
“Those who terrorize our streets and want to turn this country into a place of chaos have nowhere to go. The path they have taken is a dead end,” Erdogan said.
Erdogan has dismissed the protests as “street terrorism” and “evil” since they began after Imamoglu was arrested last week." Breitbart

Massive South Korean Wildfires Kill 24, Inflict ‘Unprecedented Damage

"South Korea suffered more than a dozen major wildfires over the weekend. The fires killed 24 people, forced 27,000 to evacuate, and burned more than 17,000 hectares of land.
Acting President Han Duck-soo said the fires continued to burn on Wednesday, causing “unprecedented damage.” Breitbart

Russia rains terror on Kharkiv

"At least 11 people, including a 5-year-old boy and a 14-year-old girl, were injured in a

massive Russian drone attack on the densely populated areas of the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv. The State Emergency Service (SES) posted photos of the aftermath, reporting 4 fires, including one at an area of 2500 square meters, as well as numerous damages and destruction in various parts of the city. Efforts to eliminate the consequences of the attack are ongoing." NV

NATO chief triggers confusion over ‘dead’ American troops

"Four US Army soldiers mysteriously disappeared during a training exercise in Lithuania near the Belarusian border on Tuesday. The Pentagon has yet to confirm their fate, after NATO

Secretary-General Mark Rutte triggered confusion by expressing condolences to their families.
The soldiers, from the 1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division based at Fort Stewart, Georgia, were conducting “scheduled tactical training” at the General Silvestras Zukauskas training ground in Pabrade, Lithuania when they went missing, prompting a large-scale search and rescue operation.
“The M88 Hercules armored recovery vehicle the four missing US Soldiers were operating during a training exercise has been located in Lithuania,” US Army Europe and Africa said in its latest update on Wednesday.
The armored vehicle “was discovered submerged in a body of water in a training area,” but “search efforts for the soldiers continue,” the US military added. The Lithuanian Armed Forces also stated that, at present, “there is no evidence or information confirming the death of the troops.” RT

224 combat clashes on frontline over past day

"224 combat engagements on the front, with the most intense fighting occurring in the Pokrovsk sector – 88 attacks.
The enemy launched airstrikes at the settlements of Turia, Krasnopillia, Uhroiidy, Mykhailivske, Prokhody, and Myropilske in Sumy region, Novopil in Donetsk region, Komyshuvakha, Temyrivka, Kamianske, Novoukrainka, Prymorske, and Stepnohirsk in Zaporizhzhia region, and Novooleksandrivka in Kherson region.

In the Kharkiv sector, the enemy made two attempts to breach Ukrainian defensive lines toward Vovchansk.
In the Kupiansk sector, four enemy assaults near Holubivka and Zahryzove were repelled.
In the Lyman sector, the enemy attacked 14 times attempting to break through Ukrainian defenses near Kopanky, Yampolivka, Novoserhiivka, and toward Nove, Kolodiazi, and Novomykhailivka.
In the Siversk sector, Ukrainian forces successfully repelled 11 attacks near Bilohorivka, Verkhniokamianske, and Ivano-Dariivka.
In the Kramatorsk sector, Russian invaders attacked four times near Chasiv Yar, Predtechyne, and Bila Hora.
In the Toretsk sector, 20 enemy attacks were carried out near Toretsk, Dachne, Krymske, and toward Dyliivka.
In the Pokrovsk sector, the Ukrainian defenders repelled 88 enemy assaults near Oleksandropil, Tarasivka, Yelyzavetivka, Lysivka, Novoukrainka, Kotlyne, Uspenivka, and Novooleksandrivka, as well as toward Preobrazhenka, Pokrovsk, Promin, Vidrodzhennia, and Novoserhiivka.
In the Novopavlivka sector, 25 assaults were repelled near Rozlyv, Vesele, as well as close to Kostiantynopil and Skudne.
In the Huliaipole sector, 16 enemy attacks were halted near Rivnopil, Novosilka, Pryvilne, Vilne Pole, and Novopil.
In the Orikhiv sector, Ukraine’s forces repelled nine assaults near Mali Shcherbaky, Lobkove, Shcherbaky, and toward Stepove.
In the Prydniprovske sector, Ukrainian forces successfully stopped two enemy attacks.
In Russia’s Kursk region, the enemy launched 19 airstrikes dropping 28 guided aerial bombs and carried out 492 shelling attacks, including nine using MLRS. Ukrainian forces repelled 25 enemy assaults in Kursk region." Ukrin

Ukraine, Russia agree ‘naval ceasefire’ in Black Sea

"Kyiv and Moscow have agreed to forego the use of military force in the Black Sea, according to a statement by Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov.
Umerov led the Ukrainian delegation at the latest round of talks with the United States in Saudi Arabia. Besides the maritime ceasefire, the negotiations touched on implementing a halt on Ukraine and Russia’s reciprocal strikes on energy infrastructure.
The minister outlined several key outcomes:
1. All sides agreed to ensure safe navigation in the Black Sea, cease the use of force, and

prevent commercial vessels from being used for military purposes. He added that any movement of Russian military vessels beyond the eastern Black Sea would be seen as a threat to national security and a violation of freedom of navigation, giving Ukraine full right to self-defense.
2. All parties agreed to implement the previous agreement that bans attacks on the energy infrastructure of both Ukraine and Russia.
3. All sides welcomed the involvement of third countries to support the implementation of the energy and maritime ceasefire agreements.
4. All parties committed to working toward a stable, lasting peace.
5. The United States confirmed its support for facilitating the exchange of prisoners of war, releasing detained civilians, and returning forcibly displaced Ukrainian children."
NV