Trump Meets with Syria’s Jihadi President… …Offers Dropped Sanctions and Normal Relations

"President Donald Trump met with Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, one day after announcing the U.S. would drop sanctions against Syria.

Trump said after meeting Sharaa that he would explore “normalizing” relations with Damascus, while Syria would explore joining the Abraham Accords to normalize relations with Israel.
Trump’s outreach to Damascus, especially if he can get Syria into the Abraham Accords, could prove long-term beneficial to the United States. The move could go a long way toward diminishing Chinese influence in the Middle East and further isolating Iran, which sank a great deal of blood and treasure into supporting the regime of dictator Bashar Assad and may now have nothing to show for it. The political geography surrounding Israel would change dramatically if Syria became friendly, cutting Iran off from its terrorist proxy Hezbollah in Lebanon." 

Breitbart

Massive fires engulf Russian regions, Buryatia declares emergency

"Massive wildfires swept through Russia’s Amur Oblast and Republic of Buryatia, with flames

nearing a major Amur highway and prompting Buryatia to declare a state of emergency.
In Amur Oblast, a large-scale forest fire approached a highway connecting Blagoveshchensk to Svobodny overnight into May 13, forcing drivers near Moskvitino village to navigate through intense flames, per local accounts cited by Telegram channels.
In Buryatia, authorities declared a state of emergency due to 22 active wildfires spanning more than 53,000 hectares, according to the regional government.
In Zabaykalsky Krai, 47 forest fires were recorded in the past day, with 22 extinguished." KI

Russian Delegation Arrived in Istanbul For Talks with Ukraine

"The Russian delegation to the Istanbul negotiations will include:
Mikhail Galuzin - Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs,
Igor Kostyukov - Head of the Main Directorate of the General Staff of the Armed Forces,
Alexander Fomin - Deputy Minister of Defense." 

Sputnik

ISIS Attack Thwarted at Army Facility Near Detroit, Michigan

"A former National Guard member from Melvindale, Michigan, near Dearborn, was busted for attempting a mass shooting at a base in nearby Warren, Michigan.

Ammar Abdulmajid-Mohamed Said, 19, was arrested and charged with providing training and materiel to undercover federal agents. Investigators claim the planned attack is related to ISIS.
The plan was to launch a mass shooting at the U.S. Army’s Tank-Automotive & Armaments Command (TACOM) facility just north of Detroit. This is not a military base but more of an Army facility.
Said not only provided ammunition, magazines, firebombs, and weapons training to undercover agents, but he also flew a drone of the TACOM facility while planning his nefarious attack." 

PJM

U.S. Engineers Find ‘Rogue Communication Devices’ in Chinese Solar Panels

"U.S. engineers have discovered mysterious, undocumented communication devices lurking in some Chinese-made solar power inverters and batteries.

“The rogue components provide additional, undocumented communication channels that could allow firewalls to be circumvented remotely, with potentially catastrophic consequences,” said Reuters’ sources.
In the case of the suspicious Chinese power inverters, the devices were designed to connect solar panel arrays and windmills to power grids. They have Internet capability, so their performance can be monitored and their software can be updated easily." 

Breitbart

168 combat engagements on frontline over past day

"168 combat engagements took place between Ukrainian defenders and Russian troops.
Enemy air strikes were recorded, in particular, in the areas of Richky and Bilopillia in Sumy region; Pidlyman and Kupiansk in Kharkiv region; Yalta, Kostiantynivka, Pokrovsk, Zvirove, Zaporizhzhia, Novoukrainka, and Novopil in Donetsk region; Dachne in Dnipropetrovsk region; Huliaipole, Vysoke, Stepnohirsk, and Kamianske in Zaporizhzhia region.

In the Kharkiv sector, Russian forces conducted offensive actions three times near Vovchansk and Kamianka.
In the Kupiansk sector, the enemy launched one attack yesterday. Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled the assault near Hlushkivka.
In the Lyman sector, Russian forces attacked 24 times. They attemptd to advance near Nova Kruhliakivka, Lozova, Novoiehorivka, Hrekivka, Kolodiazi, Yampolivka, and Ridkodub, as well as towards Hryhorivka.
In the Siversk sector, Russian invaders attacked Ukrainian positions five times near Verkhniokamianske and Bilohorivka.
In the Kramatorsk sector, eight combat engagements were recorded near Chasiv Yar, Hryhorivka, Bila Hora, and Kurdiumivka.
In the Toretsk sector, Russians attacked 19 times near Toretsk, Krymske, and Dyliivka.
In the Pokrovsk sector, Ukrainian defenders repelled 74 enemy assault and offensive actions near Stara Mykolaivka, Yelyzavetivka, Myroliubivka, Promin, Lysivka, Zvirove, Kotlyne, Udachne, Kotliarivka, and Andriivka.
In the Novopavlivka sector, Russian troops attacked Ukrainian Defense Forces’ positions 26 times near Bahatyr, Novopil, Burlatske, and Vilne Pole." Ukrin

Ukrainian forces down 62 Russian UAVs

"The Defense Forces of Ukraine successfully shot down 62 Russian drones, while 29 enemy UAVs vanished from radar. , Russian forces have launched 110 attack UAVs and other types of decoy drones from various locations, including Bryansk, Kursk, Orel, and Millerovo." Ukrin

EU agrees on 17th package of Russia sanctions

"The EU on May 14 agreed on its 17th package of sanctions against Russia, a senior EU

official speaking on condition of anonymity told the Kyiv Independent.
The measures target almost 200 ships of Russia's "shadow fleet," 30 companies involved in sanctions evasion, and 75 sanctions on entities and individuals linked to the Russian military-industrial complex.
Russia has been using the shadow fleet to avoid Western sanctions and ship out its oil above the G7-imposed price cap. European countries have also linked the fleet to espionage and sabotage operations." KI

Trump vows to lift sanctions on Syria

"U.S. President Donald Trump has said he will lift sanctions on Syria, reversing more than a decade of policy aimed at pressuring Damascus. He added that he hoped for a “fresh start” with the transitional government of Ahmed al-Sharaa." RT

Trump issues nuclear deal threat to Iran

"U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to reduce Iran’s oil exports to zero if ongoing

talks in Oman fail, which are aimed at reviving the 2015 nuclear deal. In 2018, Trump unilaterally withdrew from the accord that eased sanctions on Tehran in exchange for curbs on its nuclear program.
“If Iran’s leadership rejects this olive branch... we will have no choice but to inflict massive maximum pressure, drive Iranian oil exports to zero,” Trump said at the Saudi-U.S. Investment Forum in Saudi Arabia.
The U.S. president reminded the audience of the crippling sanctions he imposed in 2018, which he claimed left Iran’s economy on the brink of collapse. “They were a virtually bankrupt country because of what I did,” he claimed." RT

Hamas Gaza Leader Muhammad Sinwar Targeted In Israeli Airstrikes On Hospital

"The Israeli military has announced a major operation in Gaza, which has targeted Muhammad

Sinwar, who took over as the head of Hamas in Gaza following the killing of his brother, the better known late Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, in October.
Israeli jets targeted Sinwar during a major hospital strike in the southern Gaza Strip on Tuesday afternoon. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) claimed in a statement that it hit senior leaders in an underground command center, described as below the European Hospital in Khan Younis.
The air raid saw at least nine bombs dropped, with the ground having utterly collapsed in the area of the strike, which suggests there will be high civilian casualties. The jets may have used large US-supplied bunker-busting bombs." ZH

163 clashes on frontline over past day

"163 clashes were recorded on the frontline, with the most fighting occurring in the Pokrovsk, Novopavlivka, and Lyman sectors.
Airstrikes targeted the settlements of Doroshivka and Yuriieve in Sumy region, Poltavka and Rusyn Yar in Donetsk region, Novodarivka, Temyrivka, Huliaipole, Vysoke, Malynivka, Kamianske, and Pavlivka in Zaporizhzhia region.
In the Kharkiv sector, Russian forces launched four assaults near the settlements of Vovchansk, Topoli, and Petrivka.

In the Kupiansk sector, two attacks were recorded. Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled Russian assault actions near Pishchane and Zahryzove.
In the Lyman sector, the enemy attacked 29 times, attempting to advance near Novomykhailivka, Hrekivka, Tverdokhlibove, Novoserhiivka, Kolodiazi, Hryhorivka, and toward Ridkodub, Lypove, Zelena Dolyna, and Olhivka.
In the Siversk sector, the Ukrainian defenders repelled three Russian assaults toward Hryhorivka.
In the Kramatorsk sector, eight engagements were reported near Chasiv Yar and toward Bila Hora.
In the Toretsk sector, the enemy carried out six attacks near Toretsk and toward Dyliivka.
In the Pokrovsk sector, the Ukrainian defenders repelled 54 Russian assaults near the settlements of Lysivka, Malynivka, Yelyzavetivka, Zvirove, Kotlyne, Novoserhiivka, Udachne, Novooleksiivka, Novooleksandrivka, Zaporizhzhia, Andriivka, and toward Stara Mykolaivka, Muravka, Oleksiivka, Nova Poltavka, Yablunivka, Myroliubivka, Zoria, and Promin.
In the Novopavlivka sector, Ukrainian Defense Forces halted 30 attempts to break through defensive lines near Kostiantynivka, Skudne, Rivnopillia, Pryvilne, Vilne Pole, Shevchenko, Bahatyr, Novopil, Odradne, and toward Zelene Pole.
In the Huliaipole sector, there were no combat engagements.
In the Orikhiv sector, the enemy conducted three assaults toward Novodanylivka, Stepove, and Mala Tokmachka — all unsuccessful.
In the Prydniprovske sector, five Russian attempts to advance were repelled.
In the Kursk sector, Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 12 enemy attacks. Additionally, the enemy launched 18 airstrikes using 34 guided aerial bombs and carried out 264 artillery attacks at Ukrainian positions and populated areas, including 11 with multiple launch rocket systems." Ukrin

Violent Clashes Erupt in Libya After Top Official Assassinated

"Rival gunman exchanged fire in Libya's capital following the killing of a local militia leader

in clashes which prompted international calls for calm.
Following the night of violence, Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh posted on X, formerly Twitter, on Tuesday that security had been restored.
The clashes followed the killing of Abdel Ghani al-Kikli, also known as "Gheniwa," who is the head of the powerful Stability Support Authority (SSA) militia.
The SSA is under the Presidential Council, which came to power in 2021 with the Government of National Unity (GNU) through a United Nations-recognized process." Newsweek

‘Stop the clownery’ – top Russian MP to Zelensky

"A senior Russian MP has blasted Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky for continuing to block peace

negotiations with Moscow, saying Kiev should “stop the clownery” and return to diplomacy.
In an interview with RT on Monday, State Duma Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Leonid Slutsky noted that Zelensky “banned negotiations for himself.” He was referring to the Ukrainian leader’s 2022 order banning direct negotiations with Russia as long as President Vladimir Putin remains in office.
“He should recall his first profession less often and stop the clownery,” Slutsky said, in an apparent jab at Zelensky’s past as a comedian." RT

166 clashes on frontline over past day

"166 combat clashes between Ukraine's Defense Forces and Russian invaders along the front lines.
Russian forces launched airstrikes near the settlements of Boyaro-Lezhachi, Chumakove, Zinove, Bilohalytsia in Sumy region, Dvorichna in Kharkiv region, Stara Mykolaivka, Mayak, Shevchenko Pershe, Udachne, Novomykolaivka, Poltavka, Pokrovsk, Illinivka, Sukhyi Yar, Oleksiivka, Odradne, Voskresenka in Donetsk region, Novodarivka, Huliaipole, Vysoke, Pavlivka, Novoyakovlivka in Zaporizhzhia region, and Kozatske in Kherson region.
In the Kharkiv sector, Ukrainian forces repelled seven enemy attacks near Vovchansk and Krasne Pershe.

In the Kupiansk sector, five Russian attacks occurred; Ukraine’s Defense Forces repelled assaults near Pishchane, Hlushkivka, and Novoosynove.
In the Lyman sector, the enemy attacked 20 times, attempting to advance toward the settlements of Zelenyi Hai, Hrekivka, Ridkodub, Torske, Kolodiazi, Zelena Dolyna, Nadiya, Lypove, Novomykhailivka, Yampolivka, and in the direction of Olhivka.
In the Siversk sector, Ukrainian troops repelled six attacks; Russian units attempted to advance toward Hryhorivka and near Bilohorivka.
In the Kramatorsk sector, four combat engagements were recorded near Vasiukivka, Chasiv Yar, and towards Bila Hora and Predtechyne.
In the Toretsk sector, the Russians carried out nine attacks near Dyliivka, Petrivka, and Toretsk.
In the Pokrovsk sector, the Ukrainian defenders halted 60 assault and offensive actions of Russian forces near Nova Poltavka, Myroliubivka, Promin, Lysivka, Myrnohrad, Udachne, Novoserhiivka, Novooleksandrivka, Kotliarivka, Troitske, Andriivka, Stara Mykolaivka, Malynivka, Yelyzavetivka, Popiv Yar, Novomykolaivka, Muravka, and Oleksiivka.
In the Novopavlivka sector, Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 24 Russian attacks near Kostiantynopil, Bahatyr, Zelene Pole, Novosilky, and toward Shevchenko.
In the Huliaipole sector, no offensive actions by Russian forces were reported.
In the Orikhiv sector, the Russians launched six attacks near Mala Tokmachka, Mali Shcherbaky, and toward Pavlivka but were unsuccessful.
In the Prydniprovske sector, Russian forces made four unsuccessful attempts to advance.
In the Kursk sector, nine combat clashes of varying intensity occurred. Additionally, Russian forces launched 18 airstrikes using 20 guided bombs and conducted 254 artillery shellings at Ukrainian positions and settlements, including eight from multiple launch rocket systems." Ukrin