Saturday, April 5, 2025

Thousands Protest Across Spain over Soaring Cost of Housing

"Protesters returned to the streets across Spain on Saturday in anger over high housing costs with no relief in sight.
Thousands marched in the capital, Madrid, and over 30 other cities in a demonstration organized by housing activists and backed by
Spain’s main labor unions.
The housing crisis has hit particularly hard in
Spain, where there is a strong tradition of home ownership and scant public housing for rent. Rents have been driven up by increased demand. Buying a home has become unaffordable for many, with market pressures and speculation driving up prices, especially in big cities and coastal areas.
A generation of young people say they have to stay with their parents or spend big just to share an apartment, with little chance of saving enough to one day purchase a home. High housing costs mean even those with traditionally well-paying jobs are struggling to make ends meet." Breitbart

Man reportedly dies during ‘forceful mobilization’ in Ukraine

"A Ukrainian man has allegedly died following an encounter with recruitment officers, who
tried to take him to a draft office as part of “forceful mobilization,” Strana.ua has reported. The outlet also published a disturbing video said to be taken at the scene.
The incident reportedly took place in the town of Sukhoy Liman in
Ukraine’s southern Odessa Region.
A group of men wearing military fatigues can be seen standing nearby. Civilians in the video refer to them as recruitment officers. Some people accuse them of beating the would-be recruit before he fell unconscious – something that draft officers deny. The onlookers also claim that one of the officers was seen beating an elderly woman in the area.
The would-be recruit is then seen falling to the ground. The man shows no signs of life as he is lying unresponsive with his eyes wide open. “It’s over, he is dead,” people in the crowd can be heard saying, with some of them accusing the officers of “beating him to death.” One of the draft officers then tries to revive the man with a heart massage to no effect." RT

112 clashes on front lines today

"Since the start of the day, there have been 112 combat clashes between Ukrainian and Russian forces, with the highest number of enemy attacks taking place in the Pokrovsk sector.
Russian
aircraft launched glide bomb strikes on the settlements of Petrushivka, Prokhody, Krasnopillia, Velyka Pysarivka, and Bratenytsia in the Sumy region.
In the Kharkiv sector,
Ukrainian forces repelled one enemy attack near Kamianka, while Kozacha Lopan and Slatyne were hit by airstrikes.
In the Kupiansk sector,
Russian forces launched five assaults on Ukrainian positions near Petropavlivka, Zahryzove, and Nova Kruhliakivka. Three attacks were repelled, while two clashes are ongoing.
In the Lyman sector, the
Russian army conducted 16 attacks near Novoiehorivka, Novoliubivka, Hrekivka, Nove, Katerynivka, and toward Zelena Dolyna. Two clashes are still underway.
In the Siversk sector,
Ukrainian defenders repelled two Russian attacks, with one more battle continuing near Bilohorivka and Verkhniokamianske.
In the Kramatorsk sector,
Ukrainian forces repelled three Russian attacks near Chasiv Yar and Hryhorivka.
In the Toretsk sector, the enemy attempted to dislodge
Ukrainian units near Kurdiumivka, Toretsk, Dachne, Leonidivka, and Druzhba, where nine assaults were repelled and three more clashes are ongoing.
In the Pokrovsk sector,
Russian forces made 46 attempts to push Ukrainian defenders from their positions near Kotliarivka, Valentynivka, Oleksandropil, Tarasivka, Lysivka, Shevchenko, Kotlyne, Udachne, Uspenivka, Novooleksandrivka, and Bohdanivka. Ukrainian forces are holding the line and have already repelled 39 enemy attacks.
In the Novopavlivka sector,
Ukrainian soldiers are currently repelling four enemy attacks near Rozlyv and Burlatske, with one assault already stopped.
In the Huliaipole sector, the enemy launched an airstrike on Komyshuvakha, while
Ukrainian units repelled an attack near Rivnopil.
In the Orikhiv sector,
Ukrainian forces successfully stopped four enemy assaults near Stepove, Mali Shcherbaky, and toward Mala Tokmachka and Novoandriivka.
In
Russia's Kursk region, Ukrainian defenders repelled six enemy attacks, with four more clashes ongoing. The enemy carried out 195 artillery attacks on Ukrainian positions and settlements, including ten with multiple rocket launch systems. Additionally, six airstrikes were recorded, with 14 guided bombs dropped." 
Ukrin

Kryvyi Rih attack: Russia's goal was deliberate terror against civilians

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine has described the Russian missile strike on
Kryvyi Rih as a deliberate act of terror against civilians and a complete disregard for peace efforts.

Russia launched a ballistic missile at a residential area in Kryvyi Rih, killing 19 people and injuring 68. Later that evening, the city was also attacked by drones, killing one more person and injuring seven. Currently, 38 victims of the missile strike remain hospitalized." Ukrin

Friday, April 4, 2025

Third parties trying to derail US-Russia talks – Putin envoy

"Certain countries want to throw a wrench into the normalization of
Russian-American relations, President Vladimir Putin’s investment envoy, Kirill Dmitriev, has said. He made his comment during a rare trip to Washington, where he met with top US officials.
“Different countries are trying to derail this dialogue, derail the restoration of the Russian-American relations,” Dmitriev told reporters on Thursday evening." RT

156 clashes on front lines in past day

"As many as 156 combat engagements were recorded on the front lines on Thursday, April 3, with the majority taking place in the Pokrovsk and Toretsk sectors.
Russian airstrikes targeted areas including Stepok, Myropilske, Pokrovka, Petrushivka, Velyka Pysarivka, Turia, Prokhody, Krasnopillia, Riasne, Velykyi Prykil, and Mykhailivske in the Sumy region; Mykolaivka in the Chernihiv region; Pokrovsk, Novopil, and Voskresenka in the Donetsk region; and Sichneve, Velykomykhailivka, Malynivka, and Komyshuvakha in the Zaporizhzhia region.
In the Kharkiv sector,
Russian forces launched four assaults near Kamianka and the Vovchansk area.
In the Kupiansk sector, five
Russian attacks were recorded. Ukrainian forces repelled assaults near Zahryzove, Petropavlivka, and in the direction of Nova Kruhliakivka.
In the Lyman sector,
Russian troops attempted 19 assaults near Hrekivka, Nove, Katerynivka, and toward Novomykhailivka, Torske, and Zelena Dolyna.
In the Siversk sector, the enemy attacked
Ukrainian positions near Verkhniokamianske and toward Ivano-Darivka and Vyimka, with four clashes recorded.
In the Kramatorsk sector,
Ukrainian forces repelled a single attack near Predtechyne.
In the Toretsk sector,
Russian forces launched 29 assaults near Krymske, Dachne, Druzhba, Dyliivka, Toretsk, and Leonidivka.
In the Pokrovsk sector,
Ukrainian defenders held off 57 attacks near Novokalynove, Tarasivka, Yelyzavetivka, Zvirove, Udachne, Preobrazhenka, Sribne, Novoserhiivka, Nadiivka, Uspenivka, Andriivka, and toward Romanivka, Oleksiivka, Vodiane Druhe, Kotliarivka, and Oleksandropil.
In the Novopavlivka sector,
Ukrainian forces repelled nine enemy assaults toward Rozlyv and Kostiantynopil.
In the Huliaipole sector, no offensive actions were reported.
In the Orikhiv sector, the enemy launched eight unsuccessful assaults near Stepove, Mali Shcherbaky, and Kamianske.
In the Dnipro River sector,
Russian troops attempted two unsuccessful assaults on Ukrainian positions.
In the Kursk sector, 13 combat engagements were reported. Russian forces conducted 359 artillery strikes — four of them using multiple rocket launchers — and launched 16 airstrikes, deploying 28 guided aerial bombs." Ukrin

Polish President Blasts Hate-Speech Law, Bemoans Push For 'Communist'-Style EU

"As Polish presidential elections near and the term of current President Andrzej Duda comes to an end, the head of state gave an interview to Telewizja Trwam and Radio Maryja. During the segment, Duda covered many topics, including the Sejm’s new so-called hate speech law, which he said he would not sign, saying it is built on lies about “well-established” concepts.
The president also called out the left for being hypocritical.
According to wPolityce, Duda said it is very characteristic that these left-liberal trends, which shout so loudly about tolerance and diversity, are the first to block free speech,” defining language “as they wish” while also “punishing any deviation” from what they say is correct.
This is an ongoing attempt to build a world, a language, on lies, on giving new meaning to concepts that are established,”
Duda told the show. “These people are very often people who smoothly transitioned from the communist system and from being members of the communist party, very quickly whitewashed themselves, painted themselves in other colors and started pretending to be great democrats. Before, they served the communists, and then they started pretending to be great libertarians,” he said." ZH

Thursday, April 3, 2025

Trump hits Ukraine with 10% tariffs, spares Russia and Belarus

"U.S. President Donald Trump unveiled his long-awaited package of "Liberation Day" tariffs on imported goods, speaking in the Rose Garden of the White House on the evening of April 2.
The U.S. imposed a basic 10% reciprocal tax on imports from all nations and higher tariff rates on dozens of America's largest trading partners, hitting Cambodia particularly hard with a 49% tariff, Vietnam (46%), Thailand (36%), and 34% on Chinese goods.
A 20% tariff on all goods from European Union countries and 31% on Switzerland.
Ukraine and the United Kingdom get off comparatively lightly with a 10% tariff.
Trump accused other nations of "looting, pillaging, raping and plundering" the US. The tariffs are expected to shave billions off global economic growth.
No tariffs were imposed on Russia and Belarus because, according to U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, no goods from those countries enter the American market." NV

Ukraine conflict ‘on precipice of ceasefire’ – Trump envoy

"The conflict between Kiev and Moscow is close to a ceasefire,
US President Donald Trump’s Ukraine envoy, Keith Kellogg, has said. He stressed that both sides would need to make concessions." RT

216 clashes, including 80 in Pokrovsk axis

"A total of 216 combat engagements have been recorded along the Ukrainian frontlines over the past 24 hours.
Russian
airstrikes targeted Turia, Uhroidy, Mykhailivske, Petrushivka, and Myropilske in Sumy region; Kozacha Lopan in Kharkiv region; Pokrovsk, Yablunivka, Oleksandro-Kalynove, Malynivka, Nova Poltavka, Hrodivka, Udachne, Kotliarivka, Novopavlivka, Krasna Poliana, Iskra, Odradne, and Novopil in Donetsk region; Zaliznychne, Huliaipole, and Novodarivka in Zaporizhzhia region.
In the past day, two clashes occurred in the Kharkiv direction in the Vovchansk area and toward Kamianka.
In the Kupiansk direction, four enemy attacks were recorded last day. The Defense Forces repelled assaults in the areas of Zahryzove and Nova Kruhliakivka.
In the Lyman direction, Russian troops attacked 21 times, trying to advance near Nadiia, Torske, Novoyehorivka, Kolodiaz, Yampolivka, Novoliubivka, and Dibrova.
In the Siversk direction, the Defense Forces repelled five assaults in the areas of Bilohorivka and Verkhniokamiansk.
In the Kramatorsk direction, six enemy assaults were reported in the area of ​​Chasiv Yar and toward Novomarkove, Stupochky, and Predtechyne.
In the Toretsk direction, the Russian army carried out 28 attacks in the areas of Toretsk, Ozarianivka, Diliivka, Krymske, and Leonidivka.
In the Pokrovsk direction,
Ukraine’s forces held back 80 Russian attacks in the areas of Panteleimonivka, Sukha Balka, Shevchenko, Vodiane Druhe, Yelyzavetivka, Promin, Zelene, Novyi Trud, Kotlyne, Udachne, Kotliarivka, Uspenivka, and Andriivka.
In the Novopavlivka direction, the Defense Forces repelled 13 enemy assaults in the areas of Kostiantynopil, Rozlyv, Dniproenerhia, Vesele, and Burlatske.
In the Huliaipole direction near Pryvilne and Novosilka, the Defense Forces repelled five attacks.
In the Orikhiv direction, in the areas of Stepove, Mali Shcherbaky, Kamianske, and Novodanylivka, the
Russians went for 12 assaults.
In the past day, in the Prydniprovia direction, the
Russian army attempted to advance five times.
In the Kursk operational area,
Ukraine repelled 28 Russian attacks. The enemy carried out 343 artillery strikes, five of them involving multiple rocket launchers, and 20 airstrikes, dropping 31 KAB glide bombs." Ukrin

Wednesday, April 2, 2025

Iran Threatens Strike on Strategic U.S. Base in Indian Ocean

"Senior Iranian officials are urging their own military commanders to strike a key U.S. military base in the Indian Ocean in an attempt to send a warning to President Donald Trump, the Telegraph reported.
On Sunday, the UK-based outlet cited a senior Iranian official who said top military leaders are considering a missile attack on Diego Garcia — a British-owned island hosting a major U.S. and UK air base — following the arrival of B-2 stealth bombers.
Known for their ability to evade air defenses and deliver nuclear or conventional payloads, the B-2s could be used in any future strikes against Iran’s underground nuclear facilities, according to Iranian state media cited by the Telegraph.
On Sunday, President Trump warned of “bombing the likes of which they have never seen before” if Iran refuses to agree to a new nuclear deal. While aboard Air Force One, Trump emphasized he prefers diplomacy but made clear that a military response is on the table. A letter was also sent to Iran’s supreme leader urging talks." 
Breitbart

Ukraine's military says it shot down 41 Russian drones overnight

"Ukraine's air defense forces shot down 41 drones launched by Russia overnight, while 20
enemy UAVs disappeared from radars without causing negating consequences. Starting at 20:00 on April 1,
Russian forces launched an attack on Ukraine using 74 Shahed strike drones and various decoy UAVs from multiple directions, including Millerovo, Primorsko-Akhtarsk, and Chauda (occupied Crimea)." Ukrin

Musk condemns ‘terrorist’ attack on Tesla dealership in Italy

"A Tesla dealership in Rome, Italy was hit by a fire early Monday morning. At least 17 cars were destroyed, as well as parts of the building.
Police have not apprehended any suspects or named a motive behind it. According to Italian media reports, investigators are considering several theories, including arson.
Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk condemned the incident as “terrorism,” effectively linking it to the ongoing string of protests and violent attacks against facilities linked to his car company and individual private vehicles. The anti-Tesla violence was initially confined to the U.S., but has recently spread to other parts of the world." RT

176 battles on front lines in past 24 hours

"Ukrainian and Russian forces engaged in 176 combat clashes over the past 24 hours.
The aggressor also conducted airstrikes in multiple settlements, including Myropilske, Naumivka, Prokhody, Uhroidy, Krasnopillia, Velykyi Prykil, Turia, Mykhailivske, and Petrushivka in the Sumy region, Zelene Pole in the Donetsk region, and Zaporizke, Novodarivka, Huliaipole, Zaliznychne, and Komyshuvakha in the Zaporizhzhia region.
In the Kharkiv sector, seven engagements occurred near Vovchansk, Krasne Pershe, Kamianka, and Lypsti.
In the Kupiansk sector,
Ukrainian forces repelled 11 enemy assaults near Pishchane, Stepova Novoselivka, Nova Kruhliakivka, and Zahryzove.
In the Lyman sector, the enemy launched 17 attacks attempting to advance toward Torske, Nove, Myrne, Novomykhailivka, and Zelena Dolyna.
In the Siversk sector,
Russian troops launched 15 attacks on Bilohorivka, Ivano-Darivka, Verkhniokamianske, Serebrianka.
In the Kramatorsk sector,
Ukrainian forces repelled three enemy assaults near Chasiv Yar, Kurdiumivka, and toward Predtechyne.
In the Toretsk sector, 14
Russian attacks were repelled near Leonidivka, Dachne, Shcherbynivka, Toretsk, and toward Dyliivka.
In the Pokrovsk sector,
Ukrainian defenders halted 64 enemy assaults near Kalynove, Tarasivka, Berezivka, Zelene, Kotlyne, Oleksandropil, Sribne, Vodiane Druhe, Yelyzavetivka, Lysivka, Udachne, Novooleksandrivka, Andriivka, as well as toward Bohdanivka, Novoserhiivka, Romanivka, and Pokrovsk.
In the Novopavlivka sector, eight enemy attacks were repelled near Kostiantynopil and Rozlyv.
In the Huliaipole sector,
Russian troops attacked five times near Pryvilne and toward Novopil.
In the Orikhiv sector, five failed enemy assaults were recorded near Novodanylivka and Stepove.
In the Dnipro River sector,
Ukrainian defenders repelled four attacks.
In the Kursk sector, 18 combat engagements were recorded. The enemy conducted 265 artillery strikes (including two from multiple rocket launchers) and 27 airstrikes, dropping 41 guided aerial bombs." 
Ukrin

Top German Politicians Are Calling For Resumption Of Russian Gas

"Senior
German politicians are already calling for a resumption of ties with Russia. For example Michael Kretschmer, a senior member of Friedrich Merz’s centre-right Christian Democrats, is now arguing that EU sanctions on Russia are "completely out of date" as they increasingly openly contradict "what the Americans are doing."
Financial Times in a fresh report quoted Kretschmer's words to the
German press agency DPA as follows: "When you realize that you’re weakening yourself more than your opponent, then you have to think about whether all of this is right." ZeroHedge