Putin announces 72-hour Victory Day ceasefire

"Russian President Vladimir Putin has declared a ceasefire in the Ukraine conflict for three days in honor of the 80th anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II. The truce will last from May 8 to May 10th, the Kremlin has said." RT

Canadian Election

"To the surprise of nobody (aside from a few excited folks about three hours ago), Canada's

liberal party has won Monday's national elections - with voters electing Mark Carney to a full term as the next Prime Minister according to national broadcaster CBC/Radio Canada.
According to CTV, Carney's liberals have won a minority (vs. majority).
As of 10:51 p.m EDT, the Liberals had won or were leading in 161 out of 343 ridings. Pierre Poilievre’s Conservatives are set to remain in opposition, with 137 ridings so far. Parties need 172 seats to form a majority.
After some momentary excitement based on a reported 'larger than expected' turnout at Canadian polls, betting market odds for conservative candidate Pierre Poilievre have fallen back to the low 20% range. " ZH

178 clashes on front lines in past 24 hours

"178 combat engagements occurred between Ukraine's Defense Forces and Russian troops along the frontline in the past 24 hours, with the highest number recorded in the Pokrovsk sector.
Throughout the day, the Russian army launched airstrikes on several areas, including Naumivka, Novodmytrivka, Myropilske, and Petrushivka in the Sumy region, Novopil, Popiv, Volodymyrivka, Poltavka, Nova Poltavka, Malynivka, Kozatske, Hrodivka, Novoekonomichne, Myrnohrad, Lysivka, Sukhyi Yar, Pokrovsk, Zvirove, Zelene Pole, and Piddubne in the Donetsk region, Huliaipole, Pavlivka, and Novodarivka in the Zaporizhzhia region, and Olhivka in the Kherson region.
In the Kharkiv sector, the enemy attempted to breach Ukrainian defensive lines nine times near Vovchansk, Vovchanski Khutory, Zapadne, and Mala Shapkivka.
In the Kupiansk sector, seven enemy attacks were recorded. Ukrainian defenders repelled assault actions near Zahryzove, Kindrashivka, Petropavlivka, Hlushkivka, and Nova Kruhliakivka.

In the Lyman sector, the enemy launched 18 attacks, attempting to break through Ukrainian defenses near Katerynivka, Nove, Kolodiazi, Yampilivka, and toward Lypove, Ridkodub, Zelena Dolyna, and Novyi Myr.
In the Siversk sector, Ukrainian troops repelled six enemy attacks near Ivano-Darivka and toward Hryhorivka and Verkhniokamianske.
In the Kramatorsk sector, Russian forces attacked ten times in the direction of Markove and near Chasiv Yar and Bila Hora.
In the Toretsk sector, the enemy launched 14 attacks near Toretsk, Druzhba, and toward Dyliivka and Dachne.
In the Pokrovsk sector, Ukrainian defenders repelled 59 Russian assaults near the settlements of Sukhа Balka, Yelyzavetivka, Sukhyi Yar, Malynivka, Lysivka, Kotlyne, Udachne, Novoserhiivka, Novooleksandrivka, Nadiivka, Troitske, Kotliarivka, Sribne, Andriivka, and toward Pokrovsk, Stara Mykolaivka, Oleksandropil, Novopavlivka, and Bohdanivka." RT

Spain declares state of emergency after nationwide blackout

"Spain

declared a state of emergency on Monday after a massive power outage plunged the
entire Iberian Peninsula into darkness. Authorities are still investigating the cause.
The blackout, which struck Spain and Portugal around midday and briefly affected parts of France, left millions without electricity, paralyzed public transport, and delayed flights." RT

Trump says Putin must stop its strikes on Ukraine and sign agreement

"President Donald Trump has expressed his disappointment over the Russian missile strike on Kyiv and uncertainty about Russian leader Vladimir Putin's intentions to end the war.
"We'll see what happens over the next few days. We'll probably learn a lot. I was very disappointed that missiles were flying. By Russia," he said as he left New Jersey.
Trump noted that Putin must demonstrate a willingness to end the war.
"I want him to stop shooting, sit down and sign a deal," he said." Pravada

U.S. and Japan Plot Dual-Use Ships as China Fires Warning Shots Against Confrontation

"Plans for joint building of commercial ships with military applications were announced by

U.S. Navy Secretary John Phelan, Nikkei Asia reports.
Phelan admitted that China's ability to convert commercial ships to military use "seems to be very quick," which he said is currently not the case with Japan and the U.S.
New U.S. ambassador to Japan, George Glass, earlier urged the U.S. and Japan to cooperate more on defense in the face of what he described as an increasingly "confrontational" China, who dismissed the comments as a diplomatic slur." Sputnik

168 combat engagements on frontline over past day

"168 combat engagements on the frontline.
The enemy also carried out airstrikes in the areas of the following populated places: Semenivka in Chernihiv region, Prokhody, Myropilske, Maryine, Uhroidy, Velykyi Prykil in Sumy region, Zirka, Kostiantynivka, Novopil, Zelene Pole in Donetsk region, Huliaipole, Malynivka, Zaliznychne, Orikhiv, Mala Tokmachka, Prymorske, Stepnohirsk, Lukianivske in Zaporizhzhia region, and the city of Kherson.

In the Kharkiv sector, the enemy attacked the Ukrainian positions six times in the areas of Vovchansk, Krasne Pershe, and Mala Shapkivka.
In the Kupiansk sector, three enemy attacks were repelled near Nova Kruhliakivka, Petropavlivka, and Zahryzove.
In the Lyman sector, 20 enemy assaults were repelled near Nadia, Nove, Ridkodub, Kolodiazi, Yampolivka, Myrne, and towards Novyi Mir.
In the Siversk sector, two enemy offensive actions were halted toward Verkhniokamianske.
In the Kramatorsk sector, 16 engagements were recorded near Chasiv Yar, Andriivka, Kurdiumivka, and towards Maiske, Stupochky, and Bila Hora.
In the Toretsk sector, nine attacks took place near Ozarianivka, Dachne, Dyliivka, Shcherbynivka, and Toretsk.
In the Pokrovsk sector, the Ukrainian defenders repelled 64 enemy assault actions near Yelyzavetivka, Lysivka, Kotlyne, Udachne, Novoserhiivka, Kotliarivka, Stara Mykolaivka, Nova Poltavka, Troitske, Novooleksandrivka, Novopavlivka, Bohdanivka, Andriivka, Bahatyr, Nadiivka, and towards Oleksiivka, Pokrovsk, and Malynivka.
In the Novopavlivka sector, 13 enemy attacks were stopped near Kostiantynopil, Pryvilne, Vilne Pole, and towards Odradne.
In the Orikhiv sector, the enemy attempted one advance near Lobkove.
In the Prydniprovske sector, one unsuccessful enemy attempt to advance was recorded." Ukrin

Russians drop aerial bombs on Kostiantynivka

"Russian forces dropped three aerial bombs on the private residential sector of Kostiantynivka in the Donetsk region, killing three civilians and injuring four others." Ukrin

Russian commander contradicts Kremlin, admits Ukrainian forces still fighting in Kursk Oblast

"Acting commander of Russia’s 810th Brigade of the Black Sea Fleet reported to Russian President Vladimir Putin that "scattered groups and individual soldiers" of the Ukrainian Armed Forces fighting in the Kursk region "will soon be destroyed," Russian government-controlled RIA Novosti reported on April 27.
The statement, contradicts an earlier report by Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov that Russian forces have fully recaptured the territory of Kursk Oblast, the Russian border region partially held by Ukraine since last August.
According to President Volodymyr Zelensky, fighting in Kursk Oblast continues." KievIndependent

Hezbollah leads some in Lebanon to talk of peace with Israel

"Since Israel's near annihilation of Hezbollah's terror leadership, and the backing of the

Trump administration, whose special envoy to Lebanon has made clear the U.S. goal of limiting the power and influence of the Iran-terror proxy, the winds of change are slowly blowing over Beirut.
The weakening of Hezbollah, Iran’s proxy, and the election of Joseph Aoun as Lebanon’s president in January 2025, represents a turning point in the country’s political trajectory. After more than two years of political deadlock, Aoun’s election was seen as a victory for the anti-Hezbollah camp, and has seemingly made the shift in public opinion regarding peace with Israel more palatable." FOX

Indian and Pakistani troops exchange fire in Kashmir

"Troops from Pakistan and India

exchanged fire in disputed Kashmir, officials said Friday, after the United Nations urged the nuclear-armed rivals to show “maximum restraint” following a deadly shooting in the region.
Relations have plunged to their lowest level in years, with India accusing Pakistan of supporting “cross-border terrorism” after gunmen carried out the worst attack on civilians in contested Muslim-majority Kashmir for a quarter of a century." Breitbart

4.5 earthquake struck in the US.

"A magnitude 4.5 earthquake struck in the U.S. north of Anchorage, Alaska.
Its epicenter was at the Willow Creek State Recreation Area, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).
According to the Richter scale, which measures the strength of earthquakes, quakes between 4.0 and 4.9 produce "noticeable shaking of indoor objects and rattling noise," and are "felt by most people in the affected area. Slightly felt outside. " MS

AFU shot down 57 Russian drones in evening

"Defense Forces shot down 57 drones used by Russian troops to attack Ukraine, and another 67 enemy imitators were lost locally. Russians launched a total of 149 attack UAVs (other types of imitator drones) into Ukraine from the areas of their cities of Kursk, Briansk, Orel, and Primorsko-Akhtarsk." Ukrin

174 clashes on front lines in past day

"As many as 174 combat clashes were recorded between Ukraine's Defense Forces and Russian troops.
Russian airstrikes targeted areas such as Novodmytrivka, Mykhailivka, Riasne, Prokhody, and Myropilske in the Sumy region; Kupiansk in the Kharkiv region; Novopavlivka in the Dnipropetrovsk region; Pokrovsk, Kotlyne, Oleksiivka, Bahatyr, Yablunivka, and Novopil in the Donetsk region; Huliaipole and Novoandriivka in the Zaporizhzhia region; and Vesele in the Kherson region.

In the Kupiansk sector, four Russian attacks were repelled near Nova Kruhliakivka and Zahryzove.
In the Lyman sector, 22 Russian attacks were repelled near Nadiia, Hrekivka, Nove, Novomykhailivka, and towards Serebrianka.
In the Siversk sector, three enemy attacks were stopped near Bilohorivka and Verkhniokamianske.
In the Kramatorsk sector, 13 attacks were repelled near Chasiv Yar, Kurdiumivka, Stupochky, Predtechyne, and Bila Hora.
In the Toretsk sector, 29 enemy assaults were stopped near Druzhba, Leonidivka, Krymske, and Toretsk.
In the Pokrovsk sector, 68 enemy assaults were repelled near Sukhа Balka, Yelyzavetivka, Novotoretske, Promin, Lysivka, Dachenke, Udachne, Uspenivka, Preobrazhenka, Kotliarivka, and Andriivka.
In the Novopavlivka sector, 13 attacks were stopped near Pryvilne, Dniproenerhiia, and Rozlyv.
In the Orikhiv sector, four assaults were repelled near Stepove, Mala Tokmachka, and Mali Shcherbaky.
In the Dnipro River sector, one enemy assault was successfully stopped." Ukrin

US War Games Simulate 'Full-Scale Battle' With China In Philippines

"The U.S. kicked off its largest annual military drills alongside the Philippines days ago this

week, simulating a full-on war with China. A total of 17,000 troops from 20 countries participated in the drills, dubbed Balikatan 2025, including 9,000 American soldiers and 5,000 Filipino servicemen.
U.S. Marine Corps Forces Pacific commander Lt. Gen. James Glynn said this year’s drills "will showcase a full battle test, the purposeful integration of real world security situations relevant to the region with live, virtual and constructive training opportunities that will give the Philippines and the U.S. a collective opportunity to demonstrate capabilities across all domains, across all services and all forces." ZeroHedge