125 clashes on front lines in past day

"As many as 125 combat clashes were recorded across the frontlines in Ukraine over the past 24 hours.
Enemy airstrikes targeted locations in the Sumy region -- Petrushivka, Osoivka, Mala

Rybytsia, Myropilske, Riasne, and Pokrovka; in the Donetsk region -- Pokrovsk, Dovha Balka, Zoria, Nova Poltavka, Malynivka, Kalynivka, Shevchenko Pershe, Razine, Hrodivka, and Zelene Pole; and in the Zaporizhzhia region -- Komyshuvakha, Verbove, Lukianivske, Stepnohirsk, and Kamianske. Additionally, guided bombs were used in an airstrike on Kherson.
In the Kharkiv sector, the enemy attempted two assaults near Vovchansk and Zapadne.
In the Kupiansk sector, five Russian attacks took place near Nova Kruhliakivka, Bohuslavka, Zahryzove, and toward Petropavlivka.
In the Lyman sector, 16 enemy assaults were recorded near Nadiia, Novoserhiivka, Hrekivka, Novomykhailivka, Nove, and toward Olhivka and Zelena Dolyna.
In the Siversk sector, nine enemy assaults were recorded near Hryhorivka, Ivano-Darivka, Vyimka, and Verkhniokamianske.
In the Kramatorsk sector, five clashes occurred near Chasiv Yar, Kurdiumivka, and Stupochky.
In the Toretsk sector, 13 enemy assaults were recorded near Toretsk and Leonidivka.
In the Pokrovsk sector, Ukrainian defenders repelled 29 attacks near Oleksandropil, Yelyzavetivka, Lysivka, Zvirove, Uspenivka, Novooleksandrivka, Preobrazhenka, Troitske, Andriivka, Bohdanivka, Stara Mykolaivka, and toward Serhiivka.
In the Novopavlivka sector, 15 attacks were recorded near Kostiantynopil, Rozlyv, Pryvilne, and toward Bahatyr.
In the Huliaipole sector, no combat engagements were recorded.
In the Orikhiv sector, six Russian assaults were repelled near Lobkove, Mala Tokmachka, Novodanylivka, Stepove, Kamianske, Shcherbaky, and Mali Shcherbaky.
In the Dnipro River sector, the enemy conducted three unsuccessful offensives.
In the Kursk sector, 14 engagements were recorded in the past 24 hours. The enemy carried out 23 airstrikes, launched 37 guided bombs, and conducted 413 artillery strikes, including 17 from multiple rocket launchers." Ukrin

Ukraine strikes Russian missile brigade behind Sumy attack

"Ukraine’s defense forces have struck the permanent deployment site of the 448th missile brigade of the Russian army in Kursk Oblast. This brigade had launched a missile strike on the city of Sumy on Palm Sunday 13 April." Pravada

Trump Suggests Iran Slow-Walking Talks, As 2nd Round Set For Rome

"A second round of nuclear talks between the United States and Iran are set for Saturday in Rome, Axios reports, after both sides cited positive and constructive opening dialogue in Oman last weekend.

The rival delegations in Oman say they achieved their objective of shifting from indirect to direct talks. By the end of it, Trump's

regional envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi briefly spoke in the presence of the Omani foreign minister.
The Trump administration reportedly wants the same format for the upcoming Rome talks. According to Axios, Witkoff and Arachchi's first interaction lasted for about 45 minutes, which was longer than expected. Axios further says:
The source described that conversation, the highest-level dialogue between U.S. and Iranian officials in eight years, as "substantive, serious and excellent."
During comments to reporters in the Oval Office while meeting with El Salvador President Nayib Bukele on Monday, Trump repeated that threat of military action being on the table.
"Iran wants to deal with us, but they don’t know how. They really don’t know how. We had a meeting with them on Saturday. We have another meeting scheduled next Saturday, I said, ‘that’s a long time,’ so I think they might be tapping us along," he explained.
He continued, "If we have to do something very harsh, we’ll do it. And I’m not doing it for us. I’m doing it for the world. These are radicalized people, and they cannot have a nuclear weapon."
A reporter asked him if options include directly striking Iran's nuclear facilities, to which he responded, "Of course." 

ZeroHedge

Vance blasts Zelensky for ‘absurd’ claim

"U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance has accused Vladimir Zelensky of making “absurd” statements, after the Ukrainian leader suggested that Washington is on Russia’s side in the conflict between Moscow and Kiev.

In an interview with CBS News on Sunday, Zelensky claimed that “Russian narratives are prevailing in the U.S.” and that Moscow has “enormous influence” on the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump and its policies.
Responding in a conversation with the UnHerd outlet published on Tuesday, Vance described Zelensky’s remarks as “certainly not productive.”
“I think it is sort of absurd for Zelensky to tell the U.S. government, which is currently keeping his entire government and war effort together, that we are somehow on the side of the Russians,” he stressed.
“If you want to end the conflict, you have to try to understand where both the Russians and the Ukrainians see their strategic objectives,” Vance added." RT

Zelensky lashes out at Trump envoy

"U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff has no mandate to discuss

territorial issues between Moscow and Kiev, Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky has said.
The statement came in response to a journalist’s question during a press conference alongside NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte in Odessa on Tuesday. The Ukrainian leader was asked to comment on Witkoff’s recent remarks that a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine revolves around “five territories.”
“Ukraine is a sovereign state and all territories belong to the unitary state of Ukraine, and therefore, only the people of Ukraine can speak about the territories of our state,” Zelensky replied.
Recognizing any formerly Ukrainian regions as belonging to Russia “is another red line” for Kiev, he added." RT

111 combat clashes on frontline over past day

"111 combat engagements occurred between Ukraine’s Defense Forces and Russian invaders.
The enemy also conducted airstrikes in areas including Krasnopillia, Myropilske, Turia, Prokhody, Novodmytrivka, Naumivka, Osoivka, Mala Rybytsia, and Petrushivka in Sumy region; Novopil and Zelene Pole in Donetsk region; and Malynivka, Huliaipole, and Novodanylivka in Zaporizhzhia region.

In the Kharkiv sector, the enemy conducted one offensive action near Vovchansk.
In the Kupiansk sector, three enemy attacks were repelled near Nova Kruhliakivka and Zahryzove.
In the Lyman sector, the enemy attacked 14 times, attempting to advance near Novomykhailivka, Tverdokhlibove, Nadiya, and toward Nove, Zelena Dolyna, and Hryhorivka.
In the Siversk sector, the Ukrainian defenders repelled five assaults near Verkhniokamianske and Bilohorivka.
In the Kramatorsk sector, three combat engagements were recorded near Chasiv Yar, Predtechyne, and Stupochky.
In the Toretsk sector, the enemy launched 19 attacks near Dachne, Dyliivka, Toretsk, and Kurdiumivka.
In the Pokrovsk sector, the Ukrainian defenders repelled 32 assaults near Sukha Balka, Zelene Pole, Yelyzavetivka, Lysivka, Udachne, Novoserhiivka, Troitske, Vodiane Druhe, Bohdanivka, Andriivka, and toward Stara Mykolaivka.
In the Novopavlivka sector, 12 attempts were made by the enemy to break through near Kostiantynopil, Pryvilne, Rozlyv, Vilne Pole, and toward Odradne.
In the Orikhiv sector, offensive action was recorded near Kamianske.
In the Prydniprovske sector, one unsuccessful enemy attempt to advance occurred.
In the Kursk operational zone, Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 17 Russian attacks yesterday. The enemy also launched 38 airstrikes using 72 guided bombs and conducted 407 artillery shellings of Ukrainian positions and settlements, including five attacks from MLRS." Ukrin

Germany’s next chancellor to join Kyiv’s May 9 ‘coalition of the willing’ lineup

"German Conservative leader and next German

Chancellor Friedrich Merz is expected to
make his first official international visit to Ukraine after taking the office. The visit is being prepared and may coincide with the summit of the "coalition of the willing" in Kyiv on May 9." NV

99 combat clashes on frontline over past day

"Over the past day, April 14, a total of 99 combat engagements took place between Ukraine’s Defense Forces and Russian occupiers along the frontlines.
Russian aviation targeted the areas of the following settlements: Osoivka, Mazenivka, Krasnopillia, Myropilske, Prokhody, Uhroiidy, Mykhailivske, Petrushivka, Riasne, Mala Rybytsia, and Stepok in Sumy region, Slatyne, Udy in Kharkiv region, Yablunivka, Nova Poltavka, Hrodivka, Oleksandro-Kalynove in Donetsk Region, Huliaipole, Zaliznychne, Stepnohirsk, Novoandriivka in Zaporizhzhia region.

In the Kupiansk sector, the Ukrainian defenders repelled one enemy attack near Nova Kruhliakivka.
In the Lyman sector, the enemy launched 20 assaults near Nadiya, Nove, Katerynivka, Hrekivka, Zelena Dolyna, Torske, Bilohorivka, and Hryhorivka.
In the Siversk sector, Russian forces carried out three attacks near Verkhniokamianske and Ivano-Darivka.
In the Kramatorsk sector, four combat clashes occurred near Chasiv Yar, Andriivka, and towards Maiske.
In the Toretsk sector, the enemy carried out 11 assaults near Ozarianivka and Toretsk.
In the Pokrovsk sector, the Ukrainian defenders repelled 28 enemy assault and offensive actions near Sukha Balka, Yelyzavetivka, Lysivka, Kotlyne, Udachne, Kotliarivka, Bohdanivka, and Andriivka.
In the Novopavlivka sector, the enemy attacked the Ukrainian positions seven times near Kostiantynopil and Rozlyv.
In the Orikhiv sector, Ukrainian forces repelled three attacks near Stepove, Lobkove, and Mali Shcherbaky.
In the Prydniprovske sector, two Russian assault attempts were repelled.
In the Kursk sector, 17 combat engagements occurred; the enemy carried out 56 airstrikes, dropped 89 guided aerial bombs, and conducted 436 artillery shellings, including 26 from multiple launch rocket systems." Ukrin

Los Angeles and Orange counties were jolted by a strong earthquake near San Diego

"A 5.2 magnitude earthquake hit Southern California just outside San Diego on Monday, and people received text alerts on their phones mere seconds before the quake occurred." Breitbart

Sandstorms, high winds prompt Beijing to cancel hundreds of flights and close parks

"High winds and the threat of sandstorms prompted Beijing to cancel hundreds of flights and

close public parks, as massive gales felled hundreds of trees, crushing cars and damaging older homes across China's capital.
Beijing's two massive international airports, Beijing Capital and Daxing, canceled 693 flights by 2 p.m. local time, with warnings of more violent weather on its way, especially in the country's north and along coastal areas.
More flights and trains were canceled in other parts of China. Some parts of the country recorded their most powerful winds in more than 75 years, registering at up to 92 mph.
Weather agencies in China blamed the poor air quality on a sandstorm sweeping across northern China from northern Mongolia, where authorities there said it had left several dead, before being carried south by winds." CBS

Russia strikes Sumy with ballistic missiles

"Russian forces launched ballistic missile strikes on the city of Sumy. Authorities have confirmed over 30 fatalities and dozens of injuries." NV

US teen plotted to kill Trump and flee to Ukraine

"A Wisconsin teenager accused of murdering his parents had also plotted to assassinate US President Donald Trump and flee overseas while framing Russia for the crime, according to an unsealed FBI affidavit.
Nikita Casap, 17, was charged last month with first-degree murder after police found the bodies of his mother and stepfather, both shot in the head, inside their Waukesha home. He was arrested in Kansas after fleeing in a stolen vehicle with $14,000 in cash, passports, and the family dog. Officers also recovered an unloaded revolver, boxes of ammunition, and two cell phones during the traffic stop.

“Casap appears to have written a manifesto calling for the assassination of the President of the United States. He was in touch with other parties about his plan to kill the President and overthrow the government of the United States,” the warrant unsealed on Friday stated.
“The killing of his parents appeared to be an effort to obtain the financial means and autonomy necessary to carry out his plan,” it added.
The FBI alleges that Casap paid, at least in part, for a drone and explosives intended for use as a “weapon of mass destruction.” The affidavit states the equipment was meant to support the planned attack.
Messages uncovered on his phone showed Casap discussing the plot with an unidentified user on Telegram. On January 21, he asked, “What country will be blamed for the crime?” The user replied, “Russia will be blamed for it, this is the goal.”
Casap’s phone also contained conversations with a user using a Ukrainian phone number, appearing to discuss a post-attack escape plan. “How long will I need to hide before I will be moved to Ukraine? 1-2 months?” he asked. “So while in Ukraine, I’ll be able to get a normal job and have a normal life? Even if when it’s found out I did it?” he added." RT

158 combat clashes on frontline over past day

"Over the past day there were 158 combat clashes between Ukraine’s Defense Forces and Russian invaders on the frontline.
Russian forces launched airstrikes particularly in the areas of the settlements of Lisne, Myropilske, Petrushivka, Uhroiidy, Riasne, Osoivka, Velykyi Prykil, and Hlybne in Sumy region; Nova Poltavka and Novopil in Donetsk region; and Huliaipole, Pryvilne, Chervone, Malynivka, Kamianske, and Stepnohirsk in Zaporizhzhia region.
In the Kharkiv sector, the enemy launched three offensive actions toward Vovchansk and Vovchanski Khutory.
In the Kupiansk sector, there were four Russian attacks. The Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled assaults near Petropavlivka, Nova Kruhliakivka, and Zahryzove.
In the Lyman sector, the enemy attacked 21 times, attempting to advance near Serhiivka, Katerynivka, Ridkodub, Novomykhailivka, Zelena Dolyna, Hrekivka, Torske, Yampolivka, and Nove.
In the Siversk sector, the Ukrainian defenders repelled two Russian assaults near Verkhniokamianske.

In the Kramatorsk sector, six combat clashes were recorded near Chasiv Yar and Predtechyne.
In the Toretsk sector, the enemy launched 21 attacks near Toretsk, Ozarianivka, Druzhba, and Leonidivka.
In the Pokrovsk sector, the Ukrainian defenders halted 54 Russian assaults near the settlements of Sukha Balka, Tarasivka, Vodiane Druhe, Yelyzavetivka, Kotlyne, Novoserhiivka, Bohdanivka, Andriivka, and towards Stara Mykolaivka, Zvirove, Udachne, and Oleksandropil.
In the Novopavlivka sector, the enemy unsuccessfully tried to break through 10 times near Kostiantynopil and Rozlyv.
In the Huliaipole sector, 11 clashes occurred near Novopil, Novosilka, Pryvilne, Vilne Pole, and Shevchenko.
In the Orikhiv sector, the enemy carried out four assaults near Stepove, Shcherbaky, and Mali Shcherbaky.
In the Prydniprovske sector, Russian forces made two unsuccessful attempts to advance.
In the Kursk region operational zone, Ukraine's Defense Forces repelled 18 Russian attacks. The invaders launched 37 airstrikes using 58 guided bombs and carried out 505 artillery shellings of Ukrainian positions and settlements, including 18 with multiple launch rocket systems.
In the Volyn and Polissia sectors, no signs of the enemy forming offensive groupings were spotted." Ukrin

‘Time to put up or shut up’: Trump on Ukraine peace talks

"U.S. President Donald Trump

said that peace talks aimed at ending the war in Ukraine could still succeed, but declared the time has come to “put up or shut up.”  According to the agency, Trump made the comment a day after expressing frustration with Russia and calling on it to “move” toward a deal." NV

120 clashes on front lines in past 24 hours

"As many as 120 combat engagements were recorded on the front lines in the past 24 hours, with the most intense fighting recorded in the Pokrovsk and Kursk sectors.
Enemy airstrikes targeted Velykyi Prykil, Petrushivka, Prokhody, Myropilske, Krasnopillia, Novodmytrivka, Uhroidy, Svarkove, Mala Rybnytsia, and Osoivka in the Sumy region; Zolochiv and Slatyne in the Kharkiv region; Mykolaivka, Hrodivka, Novopavlivka, Voskresenka, Romanivka, Zoria, Oleksandro-Kalynove, Rozlyv, Myrne, and Komar in the Donetsk region; and Huliaipole in the Zaporizhzhia region.

In response, Ukrainian aviation, missile troops, and artillery struck 18 enemy targets over the past day, including seven personnel and equipment concentration areas, six artillery systems, two command posts, and three air defense assets.
In the Kharkiv sector, Ukrainian defenders stopped attacks by two Russian sabotage and reconnaissance groups near Ridne (Perovske) and Tykhe.
In the Kupiansk sector, two enemy attacks were repelled near Zahryzove and Nova Kruhliakivka.
In the Lyman sector, Russian troops launched 18 attacks attempting to advance near Nadiia, Tverdokhlibove, Novomykhailivka, Katerynivka, Nove, and toward Olhivka, Hrekivka, Zelena Dolyna, Zarichne, and Torske.
In the Siversk sector, Ukrainian defenders repelled three enemy assaults toward Hryhorivka and near Bilohorivka.
In the Kramatorsk sector, 11 combat clashes occurred near Chasiv Yar, toward Predtechyne, and west of Andriivka.
In the Toretsk sector, Russian forces carried out 16 attacks in the areas of Dachne, Dyliivka, Shcherbynivka, and Toretsk.
In the Pokrovsk sector, Ukrainian defenders halted 31 enemy assault and offensive operations near Kalynove, Yelyzavetivka, Uspenivka, Lysivka, Kotlyne, Novoserhiivka, Troitske, Kotliarivka, Preobrazhenka, Vodiane Druhe, Novoukrainka, and Andriivka, as well as near Sribne.
In the Novopavlivka sector, Ukrainian forces repelled five enemy attacks near Kostiantynopil and toward Shevchenko.
In the Huliaipole sector, no offensive actions by the invaders were recorded.
In the Orikhiv sector, Ukrainian defenders repelled a Russian attack toward Mali Shcherbaky.
In the Dnipro River sector, the Russian army made four unsuccessful attempts to advance toward Ukrainian positions.
In the Kursk region, 23 engagements were recorded in the past 24 hours. Russian forces conducted strikes using 133 guided bombs and 542 artillery attacks, including 15 with multiple launch rocket systems." Ukrin