Ukrainian forces struck Saky air base in Crimea overnight

"Ukraine's missile forces, in cooperation with other units of the Ukrainian Defense Forces, attacked the Saky air base in temporarily occupied Crimea overnight. "It is important to note that the air base was protected by 'modern' Russian air defense systems that once again failed to protect an important Russian military facility." Ukrin

Netanyahu Angry After Meeting With Vice President Harris

"Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was angered by Vice President Kamala Harris'

on-camera statement following their Thursday meeting, and he now says the words threaten to sabotage any potential peace deal with Hamas.
Diplomats speaking with Axios said Netanyahu's criticism stems from Harris speaking as if a ceasefire and hostage exchange would mark the final end of the war in Gaza, whereas Israel's position has all along been that counter-Hamas operations could resume even if a hostage deal is reached." ZH

"Coordinated Sabotage" Paralyzes France's Rail Network As Olympics Begin

"A "coordinated sabotage" has paralyzed France's high-speed train network, impacting a

quarter million travelers. The number is set to rise to 800k by the end of the weekend, ahead of the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics. rench state railway company SNCF described the overnight fire and cutting of critical signal cables near the tracks in Courtalain, northern France, impacting services to Paris, as a "massive attack aimed at paralyzing the high-speed line network." ZeroHedge

Moscow shows its teeth and threatens the US with direct confrontation

"Recently, Russian fighter jets were dispatched to "intercept" US bombers that came a little too close to the border with the Russian Federation. The Russian warplanes identified the aerial target as two US Air Force B-52H strategic bombers. As the Russian warplanes approached, the US strategic bombers corrected their flight path, moving away from the Russian border and then turning away." MS

It may already be too late for the Fed to stop a recession, former central bank president says

"It may be too late for interest-rate cuts to stop a recession, former Fed president Bill Dudley

wrote for Bloomberg. He called for the central bank to start cutting rates this month.
With rates slowing down the economy, unemployment will rise, triggering a recession indicator, he cautioned." MS

103 clashes since day-start

"103 combat engagements have taken place at the front, with the enemy attacking most actively in the Pokrovsk axis.

Kharkiv axis: the Russians launched four unsuccessful attacks near Hlyboke and two near Vovchansk, one of which is currently ongoing. The situation is under control.
Kupiansk axis: the enemy launched five assaults near Stelmakhivka, Petropavlivka, and Stepova Novoselivka. One battle is over and four are in progress.
Lyman axis: the invading army attacked 10 times near the settlements of Makiivka and Nevske, as well as in the Serebryansky forest area. Ukraine’s defenders repelled six enemy attacks, and four are still ongoing.
Siversk axis: the enemy attacked five times near Verkhniokamyanske, Spirne, and Mykolaivka. As a result of the fighting, the assaults were repelled.
Kramatorsk axis: the Russians launched eight assaults near Ivanivske, Chasiv Yar, Kalynivka, Maiske, and Hryhorivka. Defense forces repelled six attacks, and two more are ongoing.
Toretsk axis: the invaders also attacked eight times near Zalizne, New York, and Pivnichne. Five battles are over and three are ongoing." Ukrin

Biden Addresses the Nation After Dropping Out of Presidential Race

"Biden addresses the nation after dropping out of the 2024 presidential race and endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris." Breitbart

Romania sounds air raid alerts as Russian drone debris poses danger

"Romania issued an air raid alert for the second consecutive night due to the risk of debris from downed Russian drones following attacks on the border regions of Odesa Oblast. Residents of Romania's Tulcea County received RO-Alert notifications warning of potential debris from downed drones." NV

Putin, Assad Meet in Kremlin, Discuss Worsening Regional Situation Affecting Syria

"Russian President Vladimir Putin, in a meeting with his Syrian counterpart Bashar al-Assad, suggested discussing the situation in the region, noting that it is showing a tendency to escalate, which also affects Syria." Sputnik

These NATO States Are Embracing Conscription, Eyeing Future War With Russia

"Outgoing NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has insisted, “Today, we have 500,000 troops on high readiness, combat-ready battlegroups in the eastern part of the Alliance for the first time.” But the bloc is struggling to meet its goals of assembling 300,000 soldiers prepared to be activated within a month and another half a million in six months. There is also a

question of whether the bloc can filed a military fit for a protracted war akin to the Ukraine conflict.
This year, for the first time since it was abolished in 2006, Latvia reimplemented its draft. Male citizens are subject to conscription within a year of turning 18 years old. Additionally, Norway has unveiled a long-term plan to increase its ranks of mandatorily conscripted troops, employees, and reservists by 20,000 as well as double the military budget. In 2015, Lithuania brought back mandatory military service in 2015, each year drafting 3,500 to 4,000 men between the ages of 18-26 for a nine-month period. Although the Finnish Defense Forces employ only 13,000 people during peacetime, Helsinki claims it has the ability to activate over 900,000 reservists with 280,000 combat-ready troops. Sweden conscripts both men and women, Stockholm drafted 7,000 its citizens and the military expects to conscript 8,000 next year. The Swedes have had conscription since 1901." ZH

Kiev Mayor Klitschko Speculated That Zelensky Might Agree To Territorial Compromises With Russia

"Kiev Mayor Vitaly Klitschko, who’s emerged as one of Zelensky’s top rivals over the past

year, speculated in an interview with Italy’s Corriere Della Serra over the weekend that the Ukrainian leader might agree to territorial compromises with Russia. In his words, “Will he…consider a territorial compromise with Putin?...Zelensky will probably have to resort to a referendum. I don't think he can reach such painful and important agreements on his own without popular legitimacy.” ZH

Ukraine downs 25 of 38 Russian kamikaze drones overnight

"Russia launched at Ukraine a swarm of Shahed-131/136 one-way attack drones. A total of 38 Shaheds were targeting Ukrainian infrastructure facilities in several regions, including in the region of Odesa and in central Ukraine....Air defense forces were activated across Odesa, Kherson, Mykolaiv, Kyiv, Sumy, Zhytomyr, and Cherkasy regions." Ukrin

Netanyahu tells Congress ‘Our Fight Is Your Fight’; Thanks Trump in Address

"Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a powerful speech to a special joint

session of Congress on Wednesday, reminding the chamber that the U.S. has a stake in Israel’s fight against Hamas and Hezbollah terror.
“Our enemies are your enemies, our fight is your fight, and our victory will be your victory,” Netanyahu said. He recalled the many attacks by Iran and its proxies against Americans, and noted Iran’s intent to target America after controlling the Middle East. In defending itself, he said, Israel was defending the United States as well." Breitbart

Ukraine War Map Shows Two Battalions at Risk of Encirclement: 'Alarming'

"A new map appears to show Russian forces closing in on Ukraine's positions in the heart of fighting in the country's Donetsk region, as Ukrainian sources sound the alarm over Russia's advances on the eastern front.
Popular Ukrainian war-tracking blog, DeepState, said on Tuesday that Russian forces were trying to surround two Ukrainian battalions, belonging to the 31st Mechanized Brigade, west of the Donetsk city of Avdiivka." Newsweek

Giant explosion at Yellowstone sends tourists running for their lives

"The terrifying moment a giant explosion at Yellowstone National Park has been captured by
tourists as they ran for their lives.
Biscuit Basin, located just north of Old Faithful, erupted around 10am MST, sending a massive plume of superheated water and debris shooting into the sky. The National Park Service has closed all access to Biscuit Basin while geologists investigate the event." MS