Largest POW Swap Of Ukraine War Unfolds - 2K Total In Coming Days

"Last week's Istanbul peace talks between Russia and Ukraine did not lead to much in terms of achieving ceasefire or peace as there were no breakthroughs whatsoever. However, it did give the two sides a chance to increase their swaps of POWs, and this is where Istanbul bore fruit.
The delegations agreed to a swap of 1,000 captives from each side, totaling 2,000 - which makes it by far the biggest single exchange of the war. Friday saw the two sides complete an initial round of fulfilling this agreement, with almost 800 people released." ZH

Victims Fight For Life After Mass Stabbing at German Railway Station, One Female Arrested

"Twelve people are injured and three of them are in “mortal danger” after a mass stabbing at Germany’s Hamburg Central railway station.
The attacks appear to have been at random among people crowded on the railway platform during the evening rush hour.

A mass stabbing was perpetrated at Hamburg Hauptbahnhof on Friday evening. A female suspect, as of yet unidentified, has been taken into custody, reports Germany’s Bild.
At least 12 people were injured. Three of these were said by paramedics to be in “mortal danger” and fighting for life. The attack, which took place on the platform between tracks 13 and 14 at the station was left slicked with blood.
The attack is the second mass stabbing in Germany in a matter of days. As previously reported, a stabbing in the early hours of Sunday morning in Bielefeld, North Rhine-Westphalia, allegedly by a Syrian migrant was days later classified as a possible terror attack after Islamist literature was found on the attacker and at his home. As well as using a knife, the man is alleged to have wielded a spear and a bottle of petrol." Breitbart

Jihadists Launch Deadly Attack On Russian Airbase On Syria's Coast

"In another clear indicator of just how drastically everything has changed in Syria in the wake of Bashar al-Assad's ouster in December last year, a militant group attempted to storm Russia's Hmeimim air base on Syria’s coast on Wednesday. Already the future of the base is uncertain,

but Russia has still been maintaining it - given also Hmeimim is Moscow's only airbase on the Mediterranean.
"Militants attacked a Russian air base in Syria, killing two soldiers, a Syrian government official and a local activist said Wednesday," according to The Associated Press. Russian statements, which offered little detail, did not indicate if the slain were Russian soldiers or possibly foreign nationals who were contractors.
At least two militants were killed during their assault on the airbase. They are being widely reported as foreign Islamist fighters affiliated with the new Syrian government's military under President Sharaa (Jolani)." ZH

141 combat clashes on frontline over past day, Russians attempting to advance in Zaporizhzhia region

"Ukrainian Defense Forces engaged in 141 combat clashes with Russian invaders along the front lines.
Airstrikes targeted the settlements of Velykyi Prykil in Sumy region, Mykolaivka in Chernihiv region, Rublene, Milove in Kharkiv region, Pokrovsk, Stepanivka, Novotoretske, Hnativka, Komar, Novoukrainka in Donetsk region, Novodarivka, Huliaipole, Vysoke, Kamianske, Novodanylivka, Stepnohirsk in Zaporizhzhia region.
In the Kharkiv sector, Russian forces attempted eight breakthroughs near Vovchansk, Mala Shapkivka, and toward Dovhenke.

In the Kupiansk sector, six assaults were repelled near Petropavlivka, Kolisnykivka, Kindrashivka, Nova Kruhliakivka, and towards Pishchane.
In the Lyman sector, Russians attacked 12 times near Hrekivka, Novyi Myr, Torske, Lypove, and Ridkodub.
In the Siversk sector, three enemy attacks occurred near Hryhorivka, Vyimka, and Bilohorivka.
In the Kramatorsk sector, Russians carried our four attacks near Chasiv Yar and Bila Hora.
In the Toretsk sector, the enemy conducted nine attempts to break through near Romanivka, Toretsk, Dachne, and Dyliivka.
In the Pokrovsk sector, the Ukrainian defenders repelled 44 Russian assaults near Nova Poltavka, Yelyzavetivka, Lysivka, Malynivka, Zvirove, Kotliarivka, Dachenske, Udachne, Troitske, Andriivka, and in the direction of Oleksiivka, Promin, Shevchenko Pershe, and Myroliubivka.
In the Novopavlivka sector, 14 attacks were halted near Kostiantynopil, Vilne Pole, and toward Shevchenko and Novopil.
In the Huliaipole sector, Ukraine’s forces stopped one enemy assault near Vysoke.
In the Orikhiv sector, Russian forces carried out two attacks near Novodanylivka.
In the Prydniprovske sector, no active Russian offensive actions were recorded.
In the Volyn and Polissia sectors, no signs of enemy offensive group formation were spotted.
Ukrainian forces also continued operations in the Kursk sector, where Russia launched 16 airstrikes, dropping 23 guided bombs, conducted 230 shellings, and seven MLRS strikes. Ukrainian defenders repelled 21 Russian assaults in this sector." Ukrin

Israeli Embassy Staffers Shot, Killed in D.C. Suspect Shouted ‘Free, Free Palestine’

"At least two staffers with the Israeli embassy were reportedly shot and killed outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, DC, on Wednesday night.

One witness claimed that the individual who committed the killing shouted, “Free Palestine,” repeatedly while being escorted out by police.
Danny Dannon, Israel’s ambassador to the U.N., called the shooting, “a depraved act of anti-Semitic terrorism” in a post on X.
Donald J. Trump
@realDonaldTrump
These horrible D.C. killings, based obviously on antisemitism, must end, NOW! Hatred and Radicalism have no place in the USA. Condolences to the families of the victims. So sad that such things as this can happen! God Bless You ALL!" 

Breitbart

144 combat clashes on front lines in past day

"Ukrainian forces engaged in 144 combat clashes with Russian invaders over the past 24 hours.
On the Kharkiv axis, the enemy made six unsuccessful attempts to advance near Vovchansk, Kamianka, and toward Mala Shapkivka.

On the Kupiansk axis, there were four enemy attacks near Kindrashivka, Zahryzove, and Nova Kruhliakivka, all repelled by Ukrainian forces.
On the Lyman axis, Russian forces made 17 attempts to push forward near Ridkodub, Hrekivka, and Zelena Dolyna, toward Novoserhiivka, Olhivka, Novyi Myr, and within the Serebrianskyi Forest.
On the Siversk axis, Ukrainian forces repelled two attacks near Bilohorivka.
On the Kramatorsk axis, the enemy launched three assaults near Chasiv Yar and in the direction of Predtechyne.
On the Toretsk axis, Russian troops carried out 16 attacks near Dyliivka, Druzhba, and Toretsk.
On the Pokrovsk axis, Ukrainian defenders repelled 54 enemy assaults near the settlements of Yablunivka, Zoria, Shevchenko Pershe, Nova Poltavka, Myroliubivka, Yelyzavetivka, Lysivka, Dachenske, Kotlyne, Novoserhiivka, Udachne, Troitske, Promin, Kotliarivka, Andriivka, and in the directions of Popovyi Yar and Novomykolaivka.
On the Novopavlivka axis, Ukrainian forces repelled 19 enemy attacks near Bahatyr, Odradne, Shevchenko, Vesele, Rivnopil, Novopil, Zelene Pole, and Vilne Pole.
On the Huliaipole axis, Russian troops made three unsuccessful attempts to advance near Vysoke.
On the Orikhiv axis, four attacks were repelled near Shcherbaky, Stepove, and toward Pavlivka.
On the Dnipro River axis, enemy units attempted to advance once, but were unsuccessful.
On the Kursk axis, Ukrainian troops repelled five assaults over the past day. The enemy also launched 17 airstrikes using 34 guided aerial bombs and conducted 191 shelling attacks, nine of which were from MLRS." Ukrin

New microbe discovered aboard Chinese space station

"Scientists have identified a new microbe that developed on board China's Tiangong space station, according to a new study.

The strain, officially named niallia tiangongensis, is a new variant of a terrestrial bacteria and was found in a cabin inside the space station.
The discovery holds major implications for future space missions, astronaut health, and biosecurity.
Niallia tiangongensis demonstrated noteworthy resilience to space-specific stressors, including enhanced repair from radiation damage and the ability to survive oxidative stress—factors critical for maintaining long-term spaceflight safety.
Samples were stored at very low temperatures, returned to Earth, and subjected to genomic, metabolic, and phylogenetic analysis.
Researchers found that the new strain belongs to the genus niallia in the family cyto bacillaceae, but is genetically distinct from known relatives on Earth." ms

164 combat clashes on front lines in past 24 hours

"Ukrainian forces engaged in 164 combat clashes with Russian invaders, with the highest number of enemy attacks reported in the Pokrovsk sector.
Enemy airstrikes targeted several areas, including Dvorichanske in the Kharkiv region, Berestok, Zoria, Poltavka, Koptieve, Popiv Yar, Myrnohrad, Udachne, Piddubne, Novodarivka, and Tolstoi in the Donetsk region, Filiia in the Dnipropetrovsk region, and Huliaipole and Vysoke in the Zaporizhzhia region.
In the Kharkiv sector, the enemy attempted to breach defensive lines near Vovchansk and towards Stroivka three times.

In the Kupiansk sector, one attack was recorded near Nova Kruhliakivka.
In the Lyman sector, the enemy launched 30 assaults, trying to break through Ukrainian defenses near Kopanky, Ridkodub, Novyi Myr, Hrekivka, Zelena Dolyna, Yampolivka, and Torske.
In the Siversk sector, one enemy attempt to advance near Bilohorivka was recorded.
In the Kramatorsk sector, six attacks took place near Chasiv Yar, Kurdiumivka, and toward Predtechyne and Bila Hora.
In the Toretsk sector, 14 attacks occurred near Druzhba, Petrivka, and Toretsk.
In the Pokrovsk sector, Ukrainian defenders repelled 44 enemy assaults near Yablunivka, Novoolenivka, Malynivka, Shevchenko Pershe, Myroliubivka, Promin, Lysivka, Zvirove, Udachne, Novoserhiivka, Troitske, Kotliarivka, and Andriivka.
In the Novopavlivka sector, the enemy carried out 33 attacks near Vilne Pole, Pryvilne, Zelene Pole, Kostiantynopil, Bahatyr, Burlatske, Vesele, and toward Odradne.
In the Huliaipole sector, Ukrainian troops repelled two assaults near Vysoke.
In the Orikhiv sector, two enemy attempts to advance were recorded near Novoandriivka and Mali Shcherbaky.
In the Dnipro River sector, one unsuccessful enemy assault was reported.
In the Volyn and Polissia sectors, no signs of enemy offensive group formations were observed.
In the Kursk sector, the enemy carried out 19 airstrikes, dropping 40 glide bombs, conducted 261 shelling attacks (including four with MLRS), and launched 13 assault attempts — all of which were repelled by Ukrainian forces." Ukrin

Trump Unveils $175 Billion Plan For "Golden Dome" Missile Defense System

"The Department of Defense has selected a design for President Donald Trump’s “Golden Dome” missile defense initiative, Trump announced.

“I’m pleased to announce that we have officially selected an architecture for this state-of-the-art system that will deploy next-generation technologies across the land, sea, and space, including space-based sensors and interceptors,” Trump told reporters at the White House.
In his first week in office, Trump signed an executive order directing the Department of Defense to devise a plan to implement his missile defense proposal.
“It should be fully operational before the end of my term. So we'll have it done in about three years,” the president said.
Trump said the plan the Department of Defense has selected should cost about $175 billion to complete.
The plan will meld new technologies with existing U.S. missile defense systems.
Canada may also partner with the United States to help develop the improved missile defense shield, the president said. “Canada wants to be a part of it, which would be a fairly small expansion, but we'll work with them on pricing.” 

ZeroHedge

"It Went Very Well" - Trump Sees Imminent "End To The War" After Two-Hour-Call With Putin

 "Confirming the optimistic readout from the Kremlin, President Trump just posted on TruthSocial stating that his call with Putin "went very well." 

Just completed my two hour call with President Vladimir Putin of Russia.
I believe it went very well.

Russia and Ukraine will immediately start negotiations toward a Ceasefire and, more importantly, an END to the War.
The conditions for that will be negotiated between the two parties, as it can only be, because they know details of a negotiation that nobody else would be aware of.
The tone and spirit of the conversation were excellent. If it wasn’t, I would say so now, rather than later.
Russia wants to do largescale TRADE with the United States when this catastrophic “bloodbath” is over, and I agree.
There is a tremendous opportunity for Russia to create massive amounts of jobs and wealth. Its potential is UNLIMITED. Likewise, Ukraine can be a great beneficiary on Trade, in the process of rebuilding its Country.
Negotiations between Russia and Ukraine will begin immediately.
I have so informed President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, of Ukraine, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, President Emmanuel Macron, of France, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, of Italy, Chancellor Friedrich Merz, of Germany, and President Alexander Stubb, of Finland, during a call with me, immediately after the call with President Putin.
The Vatican, as represented by the Pope, has stated that it would be very interested in hosting the negotiations.
Let the process begin!" 

ZeroHedge

93 drones launched by Russia in overnight attack on Ukraine

"Ukraine's air defense forces neutralized 93 drones launched by Russia in an overnight attack. Russian forces launched 108 strike UAVs — primarily Shahed-type drones and other drone decoys — from Bryansk, Shatalovo, Oryol, Millerovo, and Primorsko-Akhtarsk." Ukrin

177 clashes on front lines

"Ukraine's Defense Forces engaged in 177 combat clashes with Russian invaders.
Russian airstrikes targeted areas near Pyharivka in the Sumy region, Novopil in the Donetsk region, Huliaipole, Temyrivka, Stepnohirsk, Malynivka, and Mala Tokmachka in the Zaporizhzhia region, and Kozatske in the Kherson region.
In the Kharkiv sector, the enemy made three unsuccessful attempts to advance near Vovchansk and toward Kutkivka.

In the Kupiansk sector, three Russian attacks were recorded. Ukrainian forces repelled assaults near Zahryzove and toward Pishchane.
In the Lyman sector, 23 clashes were recorded. Russian troops attempted to advance near Yampolivka, Kopanky, Novomykhailivka, Zelena Dolyna, Torske, and in the direction of Hlushchenkove, Karpivka, Serebrianka, Yampil, Hryhorivka, Novyi Myr, Ridkodub, and Olhivka.
In the Siversk sector, Ukrainian troops repelled four attacks near Verkhniokamianske, Bilohorivka, and toward Hryhorivka.
In the Kramatorsk sector, the enemy launched six assaults near Chasiv Yar, Bila Hora, Kurdiumivka, and toward Predtechyne.
In the Toretsk sector, the enemy carried out 13 attacks on Ukrainian positions near Toretsk, Novospaske, and toward Dyliivka and Ivanopillia.
In the Pokrovsk sector, Ukrainian defenders stopped 72 Russian assault attempts near Myroliubivka, Zvirove, Yelyzavetivka, Malynivka, Lysivka, Udachne, Novoserhiivka, Troitske, Kotliarivka, Andriivka, and toward Zoria, Novoukrainka, Stara Mykolaivka, Shevchenko Pershe, Nova Poltavka, Popiv Yar, Myrnohrad, and Novomykolaivka.
In the Novopavlivka sector, Ukrainian forces repelled 22 Russian attacks near Kostiantynopil, Pryvilne, Rivnopil, Vilne Pole, and toward Novopil, Bahatyr, and Zelenyi Hai.
In the Huliaipole sector, no offensive actions by the enemy were recorded.
In the Orikhiv sector, four attacks were repelled near Mala Tokmachka and Stepove.
In the Dnipro River sector, Russian units attempted one unsuccessful advance.
In the Kursk sector, Ukrainian troops repelled ten attacks. Russian forces carried out 14 airstrikes using 32 guided bombs and shelled Ukrainian positions 227 times, including seven MLRS strikes." Ukrin

175 clashes on frontline over past day

"A total of 175 combat clashes occurred between Ukrainian Defense Forces and Russian invaders on the frontline.
The airstrikes targeted the settlements of Mykhalchyna Sloboda in Chernihiv region, Kamianka, Kolodiazne, Staryi Saltiv in Kharkiv region, Popiv Yar, Shevchenko Pershe, Sukhyi Yar, Novoukrainka, Zaporizhzhia, Burlatske, Pokrovsk in Donetsk region, Huliaipole, Chorne, Novodarivka, Novoandriivka in Zaporizhzhia region, Odradokamianka in Kherson region.

In the Kharkiv sector, the enemy launched six assaults near Vovchansk, Vovchanski Khutory, and Stroivka.
In the Kupiansk sector, two enemy attacks were repelled near Nova Kruhliakivka.
In the Lyman sector, 22 attacks occurred near Tverdokhlibove, Kopanky, Ridkodub, Hrekivka, Lypove, Torske, and toward Karpivka, Olhivka, Zelena Dolyna, and Hryhorivka.
In the Siversk sector, Russian forces launched six attacks at Ukrainian positions near Verkhniokamianske and Bilohorivka.
In the Kramatorsk sector, nine clashes were recorded near Chasiv Yar, Bila Hora, Kurdiumivka, and Stupochky.
In the Toretsk sector, 11 enemy assaults occurred near Toretsk, Petrivka, Shcherbynivka, Ozarianivka, Dyliivka, and Druzhba.
In the Pokrovsk sector, the Ukrainian defenders repelled 65 assaults near Malynivka, Myroliubivka, Yelyzavetivka, Lysivka, Dachenske, Zvirove, Novooleksandrivka, Kotliarivka, Novoserhiivka, Udachne, Troitske, Oleksiivka, Andriivka, Kotlyne, and directions toward Zoria, Shevchenko Pershe, Muravka, and Popiv Yar.
In the Novopavlivka sector, the Russians carried out 24 attacks near Kostiantynopil, Bahatyr, Shevchenko, Vilne Pole, and Rivnopil.
In the Huliaipole sector, no combat clashes were recorded.
In the Orikhiv sector, two enemy assaults were repelled near Lukyanivske and toward Novodanylivka.
In the Prydniprovske sector, one enemy attempt to advance was repelled.
In the Kursk sector, 18 combat clashes occurred. The Russians launched 19 airstrikes, dropped 35 guided bombs, and carried out 236 artillery shellings." Ukrin

US opposes ‘endless negotiations’ on Ukraine – Rubio

"The U.S. does not want negotiations between Russia and Ukraine to drag on indefinitely, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said, stressing that Washington expects concrete results.
Rubio said the U.S. would examine the ceasefire proposals from Russia and Ukraine. 

“If those papers have ideas on them that are realistic and rational, then I think we know we’ve made progress,” he said." RT

Pope Leo holds first meeting with Zelensky

"After presiding over his official installation Mass after his election to the papacy, Pope Leo XIV held a private meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, shortly after the two had a phone call amid ongoing ceasefire talks.
In remarks ahead of singing the Regia Coeli Marian prayer at the end of Sunday’s Mass, the pope voiced solidarity with those “who are suffering because of war.” Crux