Russia Removes Taliban From Terror List

"Russia's Supreme Court on Thursday lifted its two-decade-old ban on the Taliban, the Tass

news agency said, reopening opportunities for business and investment between the two countries, and aligning with the Kremlin's bid to stabilize Afghanistan.
The move is undoubtedly a diplomatic win for the Taliban, which has been largely ostracized on the world stage after it wrested back power in a swift and chaotic takeover when the US withdrew its troops from the country in 2021." ZH

US Offers Russia Sanctions Relief For Peace, But Warns Trump Could 'Move On'

"The U.S. is pushing a Ukraine peace proposal that would effectively freeze the war, importantly with

Ukrainian territories now held by Russia remaining under Moscow’s control - something which the Zelensky government is likely going to reject. White House patience is wearing thin.
The Trump administration has presented allies with an outline of the potential peace deal between Russia and Ukraine, which according to Bloomberg offers to ease sanctions on Moscow if a lasting ceasefire is achieved.
But the Kremlin has to agree to stop fighting, and one U.S. official cited in reports has underscored that this is not being presented as a definitive settlement, and European countries allies wouldn't necessarily recognize the occupied territories as Russian. So this is not likely to fully satisfy either warring side." ZH

U.S. forces destroy Houthi-controlled fuel port in Yemen – key source of revenue’ for the terror group

"U.S. military strikes destroyed a major fuel port in Yemen Thursday that served as a key

source of “illegal revenue” for Houthi terrorists, according to U.S. Central Command.

The airstrikes targeted the Houthi-controlled Ras Isa fuel port on Yemen’s Red Sea coast, which the U.S. military said the Iran-backed terror group has used to “sustain their military operations.”
“Despite the Foreign Terrorist Designation that went into effect on 05 April, ships have continued to supply fuel via the port of Ras Isa. Profits from these illegal sales are directly funding and sustaining Houthi terrorist efforts,” read a statement released by CENTCOM." 

NYP

Missile attack on Kharkiv: Injury toll grows to 74

"A Russian missile strike on Kharkiv has left 74 people injured." Ukrin

140 combat clashes recorded on frontline in past day

"143 combat clashes between the Ukrainian Defense Forces and Russian troops were recorded on the frontline, with the Pokrovsk sector experiencing the fiercest fighting.
In the Kharkiv sector, Russian troops attempted an advance near Vovchansk but failed.
In the Kupiansk sector, Ukrainian defenders repelled four enemy assaults near Petropavlivka, Synkivka, and Zahryzove.

The Lyman sector saw heavy fighting, with Russian forces launching 20 attacks. They attempted to advance near Novovodiane, Nadiya, Novyi, Novomykhailivka, and Yampolivka, moving toward Hrekivka and Hryhorivka.
In the Siversk sector, Ukrainian troops successfully fended off two Russian attacks near Bilohorivka and in the direction of Verkhniokamianske.
The Kramatorsk sector witnessed eight Russian assaults on Ukrainian positions, with fighting concentrated in the areas of Chasiv Yar, Kurdiumivka, and toward Stupochky.
In the Toretsk sector, Russian forces launched 11 attacks near Toretsk, Ozarianivka, and Druzhba.
In the Pokrovsk sector, Ukrainian defenders thwarted 64 enemy assaults in the areas of Sukha Balka, Stara Mykolaivka, Zelene Pole, Vodiane Druha, Yelyzavetivka, Novotoretske, Promin, Lysivka, Kotlynne, Uspenivka, Preobrazhenka, and Andriivka.
In the Novopavlivka sector, Ukrainian troops successfully repelled nine Russian attacks in the areas of Kostiantynopil, Rozlyv, and Pryvilne.
In the Orikhiv sector, Ukrainian defenders successfully repelled an enemy assault near Mala Tokmachka, maintaining their positions." Ukrin

France helped Zelensky write apology letter to Trump

"French

diplomats reportedly helped Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky write a conciliatory letter
to US President Donald Trump in a bid to help the two leaders mend ties. Despite resumed contacts, relations between Zelensky and Trump have remained strained..... diplomats in France, Germany and the UK “sweated over how to try and repair the badly damaged relationship between Trump and Zelensky." RT

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