Palestine’s Vatican envoy urges Gaza ceasefire for Ramadan, Easter

"Palestinian Ambassador to the Holy See, Issa Kassissieh, met with a top Vatican official about the ongoing war in Gaza, stressing the need for immediate humanitarian assistance and calling for a ceasefire ahead of the holiest days on the Christian and Muslim calendars. As the Muslim holy month Ramadan and the Christian feast of Easter approach, “we hope that by this day there will be a ceasefire, so that especially the people in Gaza would see at the end of the tunnel a glimpse of hope, if there was any hope,” he told Crux." Crux

Navalny was close to being freed in prisoner swap deal

"Associates of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny said Monday that talks were underway shortly before his death to exchange him for a Russian imprisoned in Germany. According to Pevchikh, Navalny and two US citizens held in Russia were supposed to be swapped for Vadim Krasikov. He was serving a life sentence in Germany for the 2019 killing in Berlin of Zelimkhan “Tornike” Khangoshvili, a 40-year-old Georgian citizen of Chechen descent. German judges said Krasikov acted on the orders of Russian authorities, who gave him a false identity, passport and resources to carry out the killing." France24

Jerusalem police thwart terrorist plot coordinated with Hamas in Gaza

"The Shin Bet and the Central Unit of the Jerusalem District Police revealed a thwarted terrorist plot planned by two terrorists who coordinated with a Hamas terrorist in Gaza......uncovered the plot using undercover agents. One terrorist is a 17-year-old resident of Israel living in Shuafat, in East Jerusalem, who worked alongside his cousin, the second terrorist, who is a 29-year-old Palestinian resident of Nablus. With the assistance of the IDF, the older terrorist was arrested and taken into custody. Both suspects were interrogated, and extending their detention." JP

Putin loses top colonel after missile strike 'on medal ceremony' kills 19

"Vladimir Putin has suffered a major blow after losing a top colonel following a missile

strike during a medal ceremony, according to reports.
The hit which also killed 19 troops and injured another 12 wiped out Colonel Roman Kozhukhov in occupied Donetsk in Ukraine.
Another high ranking officer Colonel Mikhail Gudkov was wounded as was Major Alexander Abilov." Metro

Indonesia denies rumors on its diplomatic relations with Israel

"Presidential Special Staff Coordinator Ari Dwipayana emphasized that circulated news in foreign media, stating that Indonesia had plans for official diplomatic relations with Israel, is false.

"The information is completely incorrect," Dwipayana stated in a short message." Antara

Pentagon Chief warns: A NATO-Russia conflict likely if Ukraine falls

"Speaking before the American House of Representatives' Armed Services Committee, US

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin highlighted the importance of approving a new aid package for Ukraine for global security. He pointed out that Vladimir Putin's success in Ukraine would likely embolden him to take more aggressive actions in the region. "Other leaders, particularly autocrats, will see this as an encouragement if we fail to support democracy," Austin explained.
The Pentagon head also mentioned the direct threat to the Baltic states should Ukraine lose. "If you're in the Baltic states, you're rightly worried about being next. They are well aware of Putin's capabilities. Frankly, if Ukraine falls, a NATO conflict with Russia seems inevitable," Austin stated." essanews

Putin threatens to strike on Western nations

"Putin has escalated his rhetoric, warning of possible attacks against Western countries, citing Russia's arsenal as a threat, Russian agency RIA Novosti reported.....“Some have suggested sending NATO troops to Ukraine, but we must not forget the fate of foreign armies that invaded our country in the past,” Putin said during his address to the Federal Assembly. ”Any intervention now would end in even greater tragedy.” Russia has put its strategic nuclear forces on full alert, he added." NV

Light earthquake recorded in central Ukraine’s Poltava region

"Poltava region of Ukraine saw a 3.6-magnitude earthquake overnight. The epicenter of the quake, recorded at 02:22, was located in the Reshetylove district, west of the regional center, 10 km under the surface." Ukrin

83 combat clashes, 91 Russian airstrikes in past day

"During the last day, Ukraine reported 83 combat engagements, three Russian missile strikes, 91 airstrikes, and 142 attacks involving multiple rocket launchers. Russians launched a number of Shahed-136/131 kamikaze drones. Russian airstrikes targeted the settlements of Bolohivka and Mytrofanivka of Kharkiv region; Nadiia and Bilohorivka of Luhansk region; Terny, Yampolivka, Viroliubivka, Mykolaivka, Klishchiivka, Novoiehorivka, Oleksandropil, Novo-oleksandrivka, Ocheretyne, Novobakhmutivka, Sukha Balka, Zhelanne, Soloviove, Semenivka, Kostiantynivka, Vodiane, Urozhaine, and Staromaiorske of Donetsk region;

Novodarivka, Levadne, Mala Tokmachka, Robotyne, Novodanylivka, and Yurkivka of Zaporizhzhia region. Under Russian artillery fire came more than 110 settlements across Chernihiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Dnipropetrovsk, Kherson, and Mykolaiv regions.
Volyn and Polissia directions: the operational situation remains without significant changes.
Sivershchyna and Slobozhanshchyna directions: the enemy retains military presence near the border, performing subversive and reconnaissance missions to prevent the transfer of Ukrainian troops to other sectors.
Kupiansk direction: Ukraine repelled two assaults near Petropavlivka and Tabaivka of Kharkiv region.
Lyman direction: 12 enemy assaults were repelled near Terny and Yampolivka of Donetsk region and Bilohorivka of Luhansk region.
Bakhmut direction: the defense forces repelled two assaults near Ivanivske and Klishchiivka of Donetsk region." Ukrin

Nuland accidentally reveals the true aim of the West in Ukraine

"Until now, Americans have been told that all the US taxpayer cash being earmarked for

Ukrainian aid is to help actual Ukrainians. Anyone notice that the $75 billion American contribution isn’t getting the job done on the battlefield? Victory in military conflict isn’t supposed to look like defeat.
But now here comes Regime Change Karen, dropping some truth bombs on CNN about Ukrainian aid. She started off with the usual talking point of doing “what we have always done, which is defend democracy and freedom around the world.” Conveniently, in places where they have controlling interests and want to keep them – or knock them out of a global competitor’s roster and into their own. “And by the way, we have to remember that the bulk of this money is going right back into the US to make those weapons,” Nuland said, pleading in favor of the latest Ukraine aid package. Ukrainians are a convenient pretext to keep the tax cash flowing in the direction of the US military industrial complex. This gives a whole new perspective on “as long as it takes.” RT

Aid Truck Stampede 'Massacre' In Gaza: Israel Accused Of Opening Fire On Crowd

"There are reports of a mass casualty event in Gaza City with Hamas claiming at least 104

Palestinians killed and several hundred wounded or injured (though casualty numbers have fluctuated in the immediate aftermath). However, Israel is disputing local accounts of what happened and says people died following a stamped caused by Palestinians rushing aid trucks.
There are several different versions of what happened, but all accounts agree that mayhem was unleashed when some 30 humanitarian aid trucks containing food were positioned on the street under Israeli protection. Gaza has been on the brink of famine, and so reportedly hundreds of people rushed toward to trucks hoping to obtain something." ZH

Captured M2A2 Bradley

"One of the captured M2A2 Bradley ODS infantry fighting vehicles has unexpectedly become a centerpiece in Russian showcase events. However, the images circulating reveal more than intended, showing signs of additional tests that were likely meant to stay under wraps. Here’s what these hidden clues tell us. It appears that the Russians secured this particular Bradley in the area around Avdiivka. Following ballistic testing, it now serves a new purpose: a trophy paraded around Russian cities, demonstrating what Russian propaganda hails as the "strength of the Russian army in defeating Ukrainians and NATO." MS

Several killed in attack on security HQ in Chad

"Several people have been killed in an attack on the headquarters of Chad's National Security Agency, the government says.
"The situation is now completely under control," the government said.
It said members of the Socialist Party Without Borders (PSF) have been arrested and will be prosecuted.
The attack in the capital, N'Djamena, came hours after the announcement that Chad will hold the presidential election on 6 May." MS

4,000 U.S. Troops and Warship Recalled From Middle East Amid Houthis Aggression in Red Sea

"The U.S. will likely recall an impressive naval ship from the Middle East in a move representing a significant reduction in troop presence in the region.

Knewz.com has learned that the USS Bataan and two Marine forces comprising 4,000 soldiers will be sailing back to the U.S. sometime in March, according to CNN. However, a U.S. official kept the door open for the ship to remain in the Middle East if the situation deteriorates. When the USS Bataan arrived in the Middle East, it was part of a major concentration of U.S. forces in the region as Washington tried to navigate the fallout from the Gaza war. Now that the war across the region has entered a prolonged stage, the U.S. is shifting its resource management to improve efficiency." MS

Russia launches 105 airstrikes along frontline

"During the past 24 hours, 99 combat clashes took place while Russia’s invasion forces launched a total of 105 airstrikes, 10 missile strikes, as well as 163 attacks involving multiple rocket launchers. Russia’s airstrikes have targeted the settlements of Ploske,

Budarky, Varvarivka, Kupiansk, Synkivka, and Kislivka of Kharkiv region; Novoyehorivka, Makiivka, and Bilohorivka of Luhansk region; Terny, Rozdolivka, Vasiutynske, Chasiv Yar, Oleksandropil, Ocheretyne, Novobakhmutivka, Novoselivka Persha, Orlivka, Netailove, Kurakhove, Novomykhailivka, Vuhledar, Vodiane, Kostiantynivka, Staromaiorske, and Urozhaine of Donetsk region; and Novodarivka of Zaporizhzhia region. More than 120 settlements in Chernihiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Dnipropetrovsk, Kherson, and Mykolaiv regions came under Russian artillery fire.
Volyn and Polissia axes: the operational situation remained largely intact.
Sivershchyna and Slobozhanshchyna axes: the enemy maintains its military presence near the border, going for subversive and reconnaissance missions, thus preventing the Ukrainian command from transferring part of the units to other areas as reinforcement.
Kupiansk direction: Ukraine’s defense forces repelled two enemy attacks in the areas of Synkivka and Tabaivka of Kharkiv region.
Lyman direction: Ukrainian soldiers held their ground against 12 assaults near Terny and Yampolivka of Donetsk region, and Bilohorivka of Luhansk region.
Bakhmut direction: Ukraine repelled nine Russian attacks in the areas of Ivanivske and Klishchiivka of Donetsk region." Ukrin