Saturday, April 30, 2022

Russia To Pull Out Of International Space Station

Russia is set to pull out of the International Space Station and will no longer work with NASA and ESA (pictured: a view of the International Space Station taken on March 30, 2022 by crew of Russian Soyuz MS-19 space ship after undocking from the Station)  

Daily Mail: Russia will quit the International Space Station due to economic sanctions over war in Ukraine 

* General Director of Roscosmos Dmitry Rogozin confirmed the news earlier today 

* He did not specify a date for Russia's pullout, but a year's notice must be given 

* A Russian pullout from the International Space Station would pose a serious challenge for NASA, ESA and other space agencies to maintain the operation 

Russia is set to pull out of the International Space Station and will no longer work with NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA), according to the head of its space programme. 

General Director of Roscosmos Dmitry Rogozin told Russian state TV earlier today that Moscow will no longer co-operate with its international partners aboard the ISS, confirming that the decision to withdraw has already been taken. 

He said Roscosmos is not required to give an exact date of its withdrawal, but affirmed the Russian space programme will adhere to the stipulated year-long notice period.  

Read more ....  

Update #1: Russia Will Quit International Space Station Over Sanctions (Bloomberg)  

Update #2: Russia will pull out of the International Space Station over economic sanctions: report (Business Insider)  

WNU Editor: Not surprised by this announcement. Russia must now give a year notice before leaving the program.

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Britain’s Foreign Secretary Wants To Form A 'Global NATO'

 

The National: Liz Truss seeks a ‘global Nato’ approach to allies 

Britain’s Foreign Secretary Liz Truss has said the defence of one by all at the heart of the Nato alliance must become a global security and economic principle. 

Ms Truss told leaders at Mansion House in the City of London that the new geopolitics after the Russian invasion of Ukraine meant that Nato countries should operate defence alliances beyond Europe.

“I mean that Nato must have a global outlook, ready to tackle global threats,” she said. “We need to pre-empt threats in the Indo-Pacific, working with allies like Japan and Australia to ensure that the Pacific is protected.” Ms Truss said the G7 countries should adopt a similar approach, “collectively defending our prosperity”. 

Read more .... 

 Britain’s Foreign Secretary Wants To Form A 'Global NATO'  

The G-7 should act as an 'economic NATO' for collective defense against attacks in global markets, UK foreign minister says -- Business Insider 

UK Calls For 'global NATO' To Help Taiwan, Bolstering Security In Indo-Pacific Region -- Republic World  

UK’s Liz Truss: NATO should protect Taiwan too -- Politico 

Geopolitics is back: we need a global NATO and a Network of Liberty, Foreign Secretary Liz Truss -- Merco Press

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Secretary Of The Russian Security Council Nikolai Patrushev Is Interviewed By Rossiyskaya Gazeta

Secretary of the Russian Security Council Nikolai Patrushev. © Alexei Nikolsky/Russian Presidential Press and Information Office/TASS  

The Saker: Nikolai Patrushev, Secretary of the Russian Security Council, in an interview with Rossiyskaya Gazeta.  

Machine Translated and then refined by The Saker’s Team of Translators 

Nikolai Patrushev, Secretary of the Russian Security Council, spoke about the tasks of the Russian special operation and the role of the United States in supporting neo-Nazis in an interview with Rossiyskaya Gazeta. And also-about the near future of Europe, the Russian gold and foreign exchange reserves and sanctions, and what changes are waiting for our country in the near future.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: Nikolai Patrushev rarely gives interviews, and IMHO I see him as the second most powerful Russian leader after Putin. Here is a good summary on who he is .... The Second Most Powerful Man In Russia (New Lines Magazine).

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Editor's Note

 Blogging will return later this evening.

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Mapping The Russian Invasion Of Ukraine -- April 30, 2022

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Tweets On The Russia - Ukraine War

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Tweets Of The Day

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Picture Of The Day

A man receives a bag of vegetables while standing behind barriers sealing off a residential compound under lockdown, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Beijing, China April 28, 2022. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins.  

WNU Editor: The above picture is from this photo-gallery .... Beijing ramps up COVID testing to avert Shanghai-like lockdown misery (Reuters)

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Friday, April 29, 2022

US Congress Passes Lend-Lease Bill To Allow The Lending Of Arms To Ukraine

U.S. Marine Corps M777 towed 155 mm howitzers prior to being loaded onto a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III aircraft at March Air Reserve Base, California, April 22, 2022. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Austin Fraley)  

Defense News: Congress passes bill to loan US military equipment to Ukraine and allies 

WASHINGTON — Congress on Thursday passed a bill that would enhance President Joe Biden’s authority to lend U.S. military equipment to Ukraine. 

The House passed the Ukraine Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act, introduced by Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, by a 417-10 vote after the Senate unanimously passed the legislation earlier this month. 

“Today, we send to President Biden’s desk legislation to revive the consequential Lend-Lease initiative that turned the tide of World War II and will ensure the efficient delivery of further supplies to Ukraine and other Eastern European nations,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said in a statement ahead of the vote. 

The bipartisan legislation seeks to revive a World War II-era program that allowed the government to lend or lease military equipment to U.S. allies.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: Ukraine is a bankrupt nation with a devastated economy. There is zero chance that Ukraine will be able pay-off this debt in our lifetime. And what is worse is that if the past two months are any indication, most of these weapons will be used and/or destroyed  within a few weeks.

US Congress Passes Lend-Lease Bill To Allow The Lending Of Arms To Ukraine  

WATCH: House passes military lend-lease program to speed Ukraine aid -- AP  

U.S. Congress revives World War Two-era "Lend-Lease" program for Ukraine -- Reuters  

House sends Ukraine military aid lend-lease bill to Biden’s desk -- The Hill  

Lend-Lease Is Back as Congress Gives Biden New Tool for Quick Ukraine Weapons Shipments -- Military.com  

Congress Clears Bill to Allow Lending Arms to Ukraine -- New York Times  

Congress revives WWII-era program used to defeat Hitler to deploy aid to Ukraine -- FOX News

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UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace And Foreign Secretary Liz Truss Say Russia Should Be Pushed Out Of 'The Whole Of Ukraine' - Including Crimea

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace says the UK is 'supporting Ukraine's sovereign integrity... which includes Crimea'  

SKY News: Ukraine war: Ben Wallace backs Liz Truss and says Russia should be pushed out of 'the whole of Ukraine' - including Crimea 

Both Ms Truss and Mr Wallace's remarks imply that the UK government believes Russian forces must leave not just the territory occupied since the current invasion at the end of February, but also areas they occupied and annexed previously. 

Ben Wallace has reinforced Liz Truss' view that Russian forces must be pushed out of "the whole of Ukraine" - and suggested this should include Crimea. 

Speaking at an event at Mansion House on Wednesday evening, Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said Western allies, including the UK, must "double down" and "keep going further and faster" to "push Russia out of the whole of Ukraine". 

Asked on Sky News if Ms Truss was referring to Crimea, which was invaded and annexed by Russia back in 2014, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace replied: "Well, the international community believes Russia should leave Ukraine.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: Both UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace And Foreign Secretary Liz Truss do not understand the region. Case in point. Before the war Foreign Secretary Liz Truss called for the removal of Russian forces from the Rostov region, a region that has been in Russia proper for almost 1,000 years .... Today's Meeting Between UK Foreign Minister Liz Truss And Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov Did Not End Well (February 10, 2022).

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Ukraine Cracks Down On ‘Traitors’

 

AP: Ukraine cracks down on ‘traitors’ helping Russian troops 

KHARKIV, Ukraine (AP) — Viktor appeared nervous as masked Ukrainian security officers in full riot gear, camouflage and weapons pushed into his cluttered apartment in the northern city of Kharkiv. His hands trembled and he tried to cover his face. 

The middle-aged man came to the attention of Ukraine’s Security Service, the SBU, after what authorities said were his social media posts praising Russian President Vladimir Putin for “fighting with the Nazis,” calling for regions to secede and labeling the national flag “a symbol of death.” 

“Yes, I supported (the Russian invasion of Ukraine) a lot. I’m sorry. … I have already changed my mind,” said Viktor, his trembling voice showing clear signs of duress in the presence of the Ukrainian security officers.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: Everyone I know in Ukraine deleted their social media accounts a day or two after the invasion. And when I do talk to friends and family members in Ukraine who still have a phone and/or internet connection .... we avoid discussing the war, but instead focus on what is needed, and what can I do to make their lives manageable.

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U.S. Stocks Crash. Stagflation Worries Grow

 

Daily Mail: Dow plunges 900 points and Nasdaq dives 4% to finish its worst month since the Great Recession as Amazon leads tech sector in brutal selloff 

* Tech stocks plunged on Friday as Amazon shares had their worst day since 2006 

* Nasdaq composite plunged 4.2% to finish worst its month since 2008 crisis 

* The Dow dropped 939 points in a broad selloff to end the month of April 

Losses for technology stocks accelerated on Wall Street Friday, pushing the Nasdaq composite to its biggest monthly loss since the 2008 financial crisis. 

In a day of brutal selling, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 939 points, or 2.8 percent, ending April down nearly 5 percent for the month. 

The S&P 500 notched its worst month since the beginning of the pandemic, losing 3.6 percent on Friday and nearly 9 percent since March.  

Read more .... 

Update #1: Tech stocks sink again, Nasdaq has worst month since 2008 (AP)  

Update #2: US STOCKS-Wall Street closes sharply lower on Amazon slump, inflation worries (Reuters)  

Update #3: Dow tumbles more than 900 points and the Nasdaq drops 4% on Friday to close out a brutal month (CNBC)  

WNU Editor: Much of Europe is already experiencing stagflation .... Much of Europe is facing stagflation. France is already there (CNN). More here .... Europe’s Economy Slows to a Crawl as War and Inflation Take a Toll (The New York Times).

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Britain's Defence Secretary Predicts Russian President Putin Will Declare A Mass Mobilization Of Reserves On May 9th For A Final Push To End The Ukraine War

The UK has predicted that Vladimir Putin will use Russia's victory day parade on May 9 to announced the mass mobilisation of his reserves for a final push in Ukraine. Pictured: Russian military vehicles take part in a rehearsal of Victory Day military parade marking the 77th anniversary of the end to World War 2, at Red Square in Moscow, Russia on April 28, 2022  

Daily Mail: Putin 'could declare war on the world's Nazis' on Victory Day: UK predicts Russia will use parade on 9 May to announce mass mobilisation of reserves for final push in Ukraine to defeat West's support for Kyiv 

* Each year, Russia marks the end of the Second World War with a parade on May 9 

* Analysts have predicted he would use this occasion to declare victory in Ukraine 

* But his forces have mess less progress than expected since the invasion began 

* Britain's Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has predicted that Putin may instead use the parade to declare war on the world's 'Nazis' and mobilise his reserves 

The UK has predicted that Vladimir Putin will use Russia's victory day parade on May 9 to announced the mass mobilisation of his reserves for a final push in Ukraine. 

Speaking on Friday, Britain's Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said that the Russian president might declare a new war against the world's 'Nazis' at the parade which sees Moscow mark the end of Russia's involvement in the Second World War.

Putin launched his illegal invasion of Ukraine on February 24, calling it a 'special military operation' to 'de-nazify' Russia's neighbour - despite its president Volodymyr Zelensky being Jewish, and the far-right enjoying little support in the country.  

Read more ....  

WNU editor: I know among my family and friends in Russia that all those who are in the reserves have been ordered to be on standby since March. But I am skeptical that such an announcement will be made on May 9. If an announcement will be made, it will be done before or after that day.

Britain's Defence Secretary Predicts Russian President Putin Will Declare A Mass Mobilization Of Reserves On May 9th  

Putin May Declare War Against 'World's Nazis' on 'Victory Day:' UK Official -- Newsweek 

Putin could 'mass mobilise' the Russian population within days, UK warns -- Yahoo News 

Putin could declare World War III within days, says UK defence secretary -- Daily Star

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NATO Scrambled Fighter Jets Multiple Times This Week To Intercept Russian Warplanes Near Alliance Airspace In The Baltics And The Black Sea

 

Washington Examiner: NATO scrambled jets over Baltic and Black seas over Russian aircraft 

NATO has been forced to scramble fighter jets stationed near the Baltic and Black seas in recent days to “track and intercept” Russian aircraft near the alliance's airspace. 

NATO has tracked “a number of unidentified” aircraft over the Baltic and Black seas since Tuesday, and in response, it launched allied fighter aircraft from NATO’s Combined Air Operations Centers at Uedem, Germany, and Torrejon, Spain, the organization said in a statement on Friday.  

Read more .... 

Update #1: NATO jets scramble in response to Russian aircraft over Baltic and Black Sea (NATO) 

Update #2: NATO scrambled fighter jets multiple times this week to intercept Russian aircraft near alliance airspace (CNN) 

WNU Editor:These intercepts are nothing new. But it appears that the intensity of them has increased in the past week or two.

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Another ISIS Suicide Attack In Afghanistan Leaves Dozens Killed

Daily Mail: Suicide bomber kills 50 in suspected ISIS attack on Afghanistan mosque as the country descends further into chaos 

* At least 50 killed after suicide bomber targets last Friday prayers of the month 

* Eyewitnesses describe 'dead bodies everywhere' after 'deafening blast' in Kabul 

* Hundreds were inside the mosque at the time of the attack, survivors claim 

* Today's Zikr remembrance prayers seen as heretical by hardliner Sunni Muslims 

* Whitehall adviser says death toll could be 200 as Taliban insist only ten dead 

A suicide bomb blast killed at least 50 worshippers during Friday prayers at a mosque in Afghanistan today. Hundreds were gathered inside the Khalifa Sahib Mosque in western Kabul when the huge explosion took place. 

It's thought hundreds are injured.  

Read more ....  

Update:  Blast at Kabul mosque kills more than 50 worshippers (The Guardian/Reuters)  

WNU Editor: It loks like today's attack is the most deadliest in Afghanistan since the Taliban takeover last year.

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Kremlin Signals They Want The Ruble To Be Peg To Gold Prices And Other Commodities

This picture taken on August 13, 2021, in Moscow, shows Russian ruble coins and banknotes pictured next to Russian ruble sign. (AFP)  

Reuters: Kremlin says idea to peg rouble rate to gold prices is being discussed  

Russian President Vladimir Putin is discussing with officials the idea of pegging the ruble to gold and other goods, the Kremlin said on Friday. 

A powerful Russian security official said this week linking the ruble to bullion could give Russia more “sovereignty” over its financial system, which has been battered by Western sanctions since Moscow sent troops into Ukraine on February 24. 

Asked about the idea on a conference call with reporters, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said “this question is being discussed with Putin.”  

Read more ....  

Update: A New Gold Standard? Kremlin Confirms Intention To Back Ruble With Gold And Commodities (Zero Hedge)  

WNU Editor: Russia is a commodities-based superpower. Having its currency backed by gold and other critical commodities may work. But for now the Russian Central Bank is saying no .... Bank of Russia Rejects Ruble-Gold Peg Idea, Differs With Kremlin (Bloomberg)..

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White House Establishes A "Disinformation Governance Board"

 

CBS: Disinformation Governance Board to tackle spread of misinformation in U.S., focusing on Russia and U.S.-Mexico border 

The Department of Homeland Security is setting up a Disinformation Governance Board to try to counter the spread of false information. 

The board will focus on disinformation coming from Russia as well as misleading messages about the U.S.-Mexico border, the Associated Press reports. 

The immediate focus will be on misinformation from human smugglers, who spread false claims about U.S. border policy to migrants to help drum up business. 

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said during a briefing Thursday that the board will tackle misinformation on a range of issues, and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said part of its intention is to counter misinformation in Hispanic communities especially.  

Read more ....  

Update #1: Biden blasted for policing free speech with ‘dystopian’ disinformation bureau (NYPost)  

Update #2: White House defends DHS 'disinformation' board: 'Not sure who opposes that effort' (FOX News)  

WNU Editor: This is who is going to run the department .... Which useful idiot thought such a clearly partisan hack should be Biden’s ‘disinformation czar’? (NYPost editorial). More here .... Watch: Biden's New 'Disinfo' Queen Goes Full 'Libs Of TikTok' (Zero Hedge).

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US Navy Sailors Voice How Difficult Working Conditions Aboard The Aircraft Carrier USS George Washington Resulted In A String Of Suicides

USS George Washington (CVN 73) (U.S. Navy/MC3 Ricardo R. Guzman)  

Navy Times: Navy sailors detail difficult working conditions after string of suicides 

The USS George Washington had at least five shipmates die by suicide in the last year. 

Sailors detailed their struggles and the working conditions onboard. 

As her one-year anniversary with the Navy approached last May, Hannah Crisostomo swallowed 196 pain relievers. Her organs shut down. Her brain swelled during multiple seizures and she stopped breathing. 

 She was on life support for eight days, during which time doctors had warned her family that she may never regain normal brain functions. When Crisostomo woke up, she immediately wondered why she was still alive. Her thoughts grew more despairing during the next few weeks in the hospital and then in the Navy’s psychiatric ward. 

“If they keep me in the Navy, and they put me back in the same situation, I’m going to kill myself,” she recalled thinking, “and I’m going to be successful the next time.”  

Read more ....  

Update #1: After Three Suicides on U.S. Carrier, Crewmembers Voice Concerns (Maritime Executive)  

Update #2: Navy investigating conditions after USS George Washington deaths; Luria presses for answers (Virginia Pilot)  

Update #3: Navy opening investigation after 7 deaths on USS George Washington (The Hill)  

WNU Editor: We are now learning that there has been seven suicides, not three as originally reported .... Navy acknowledges suicides of 7 sailors assigned to the USS George Washington (CBS). 

Update #4: What is this Navy officer thinking .... Top sailor to USS George Washington crew: at least you’re not in a foxhole (Navy Times). More here .... Navy's Top Enlisted Leader Tells George Washington Crew at Least They Aren't 'Sleeping in a Foxhole Like a Marine' (Military.com).

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Is Ukraine Taking A Toll On President Biden's Cognitive Health?

 

New York Post: Joe Biden’s ‘kleptocracy’ gaffe breaks Twitter: ‘He’s lost’  

Gaffe-prone President Biden has raised concerns after his latest embarrassing blunder, which saw him repeatedly stumble over the word “kleptocracy” during a Thursday speech asking the US Congress for an additional $33 billion Ukraine aid package. 

“Alarming,” Arkansas Senator Tom Cotton tweeted alongside a clip of the concerning slip-up. Biden, 79, was talking about his administration’s plans to seize Russian assets when he ran into some linguistic trouble. 

“We’re going to seize their yachts, their luxury homes, and other ill-begotten gains of Putin’s kleptoc- — yeah — kleptocracy and klep- — the guys who are the kleptocracies,” Biden told reporters with a self-deprecating chuckle. 

“But these are bad guys.” Moments earlier, Biden also mistakenly said that the US will “accommodate” the Russian oligarchs “and make sure we take their — take their ill-begotten gains.”  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: They know there is a problem .... Biden’s decline is obvious to everyone but the press (Karol Markowicz, NYPost). 

I have noticed the past few weeks have been very hard for the US President. It looks like the Russia - Ukraine war is taking a heavy toll on his mental health.

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Mapping The Russian Invasion Of Ukraine -- April 29, 2022

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Tweets On The Russia - Ukraine War

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Tweets Of The Day

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Picture Of The Day

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un meets troops who have taken part in the military parade to mark the 90th anniversary of the founding of the Korean People's Revolutionary Army, in this undated photo. KCNA via REUTERS  

WNU Editor: The above picture came from this photo-gallery .... Top Photos of the Day (Reuters).

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IMF Report Says Africa Facing Rising Food And Fuel Prices Due To The Russia - Ukraine War

The IMF official has warned that rising food priced due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict could lead to unrest [File: Yuri Gripas/Reuters] 

Al Jazeera: IMF: Rising food and fuel prices stoke risk of unrest in Africa 

Experts have been sounding the alarm that the Ukraine conflict could lead to food insecurity across parts of Africa. 

Surging food and energy prices stoked by the war in Ukraine may lead to “social unrest” in Africa, the International Monetary Fund has warned. 

Most countries south of the Sahara are already seeing a slowdown in economic growth from last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the impact will be amplified by the rising cost of cereals and fuel, it said on Thursday.  

Read more .... 

 IMF Report Says Africa Facing Rising Food And Fuel Prices Due To The Russia - Ukraine War  

Africa Faces New Shock as War Raises Food and Fuel Costs -- IMF  

Rising prices stoke risk of unrest in Africa, says IMF -- AFP  

Ukraine war fallout could fuel unrest in Africa - IMF -- BBC  

War in Ukraine is compounding Africa's food crisis -- DW

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Thursday, April 28, 2022

More Americans View China As A Threat (Poll)

PEW Reseaarch: China’s Partnership With Russia Seen as Serious Problem for the U.S.  

Americans see China as a growing superpower – and increasingly say it is the world’s leading economy 

As war rages in Ukraine – one which China thus far has refused to condemn – Americans are acutely concerned about the partnership between China and Russia. Around nine-in-ten U.S. adults say it’s at least a somewhat serious problem for the United States, and a 62% majority say it’s a very serious problem – more than say the same about any of the other six problems asked about, including China’s involvement in politics in the U.S., its policies on human rights and tensions between China and Taiwan, among others.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: Wow! In this poll 92 per cent of respondents tell the Pew Research Centre that Beijing's partnership with Moscow is a threat to the US. 

More Americans View China As A Threat (Poll)  

Americans say China’s relationship with Russia is serious concern, survey finds -- SCMP  

U.S. Views of China Worsen as Xi Maintains Ties With Russia -- Bloomberg 

Two-thirds in US and China concerned about tensions between superpowers: survey -- The Hill  

62% of Americans see the China-Russia partnership as a very serious problem for the US, new poll shows -- Insider  

67% Americans see China’s influence & power as major threat to US, Pew survey finds -- The Print  

How Americans view China -- Axios

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Chief Of Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service Says Poland And The U.S. Want To Divide Ukraine

Russian Foreign Intelligence Service Director Sergey Naryshkin © Alexander Shcherbak/TASS  

Reuters: Russian Spy Chief Says U.S., Poland Plotting Division of Ukraine 

LONDON (Reuters) -Russia's foreign spy chief accused the United States and Poland on Thursday of plotting to gain a sphere of influence in Ukraine, a claim denied by Warsaw as disinformation aimed at sowing distrust among Kyiv's supporters. 

Sergei Naryshkin, the chief of Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR), cited unpublished intelligence that he said showed the United States and Poland, NATO allies, were plotting to restore Polish control over part of western Ukraine. 

"According to the intelligence received by Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service, Washington and Warsaw are working on plans to establish Poland's tight military and political control over its historical possessions in Ukraine," Naryshkin said in a rare statement released by the SVR. 

Poland denied the claim and said it was disinformation spread by Moscow.  

Read more ....  

Update #1: Naryshkin announced Poland has plans to establish control over the part of Ukraine (Newizv) 

Update #2: Poland plans to take control of part of Ukraine? (B92)  

WNU Editor: Russian Foreign Intelligence Service Director Sergey Naryshkin is not in the habit of making public statements. But this one caught my attention. 

Is it disinformation? I do not know. 

But Poland's ties to Western Ukraine are deeply historical. I should know. The family on my father's side originally moved from Poland 2 -3 centuries ago.It is something that you never forget.

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Satellite Images Show The Russian Navy Deploying Trained Dolphins To Guard Base

H I Sutton Illustration for USNI News  

Daily Mail: Russia 'deployed military DOLPHINS to protect Black Sea naval base as Ukraine invasion began’ 

* Putin stationed 'spy dolphins' to protect key Black Sea harbour, US satellites find 

* Pens of the tactful sea mammals moved to Sevastopol naval base before invasion 

* Dolphins used for 'counter diving', protecting harbour against undersea break-in 

* They can also carry bombs, plant mines and attack enemy divers, reports claim 

* Sevastopol warships out of Ukraine missile range but vulnerable to sabotage 

* Flagship the Moskva, images show, was kept at Crimea port before its sinking 

The Russian military deployed highly trained 'spy dolphins' to secure its Black Sea naval HQ, satellites appear to have shown. 

Images released by the US Naval Institute today show dolphin pens were moved to the gates of Sevastopol Harbour, Crimea in the run-up to the invasion of Ukraine. 

Dolphins are used by the Russian military for 'counter diver' operations.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: I cannot tell much from the satellite image. 

Satellite Images Show The Russian Navy Deploying Trained Dolphins To Guard Base  

Trained Russian Navy Dolphins are Protecting Black Sea Naval Base, Satellite Photos Show -- USNI News  

Russia deploys trained military dolphins at Black Sea naval base, according to analysis of satellite images -- SKY News

Russia is using dolphins to protect Black Sea naval base, satellite photos suggest -- USA Today  

Russian navy deploys dolphin units in Black Sea -- UPI  

Russian navy deploys trained dolphins to guard base: satellite images -- The Hill

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Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- April 28, 2022

Laurence Peter, BBC: Transnistria and Ukraine conflict: Is war spreading? 

Mysterious explosions in Transnistria, a breakaway Russian-controlled territory in Moldova bordering on Ukraine, have raised fears that the Ukraine conflict may be spreading. 

Separatist authorities said Ukrainian "infiltrators" were responsible. But Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has blamed Russian special services. 

Russia says it is concerned. 

It has about 1,500 troops in Transnistria. An official has said Russian-speakers in Moldova are being oppressed.  

Read more .... 

Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- April 28, 2022  

Western war aims are growing. But how much more will Nato commit to Ukraine? -- Dan Sabbagh, The Guardian

Inside Zelenskiy's World -- Simon Shuster, Time  

Ukraine wants armed drones. Is the U.S. ready to deliver? -- Politico  

How EU energy firms plan to pay for Russian gas without breaking the law -- Rob Davies and Larry Elliott, The Guardian  

What happens if Russia turns off its gas to Europe? Here's who's most vulnerable -- ABC News Australia  

Can Europeans live without Russian gas? -- Al Jazeera  

Russia’s retaliation on gas raises stakes for U.S. -- Morgan Chalfant, Laura Kelly and Zack Budryk, The Hill  

Contradictions in US Policy between Ukraine and The Middle East -- Emile Nakhleh, Cipher Brief  

Global food insecurity: Why Putin’s battle for Ukrainian farmland is so dangerous -- Anna Borshchevskaya, The Hill  

Putin and Parkinson's: What do experts say? -- Clare Roth, DW  

Blame game over Solomons–China deal must give way to clear-eyed strategy -- John Coyne, The Strategist  

Pakistan: Are attacks on Chinese workers jeopardizing Beijing's CPEC projects? -- Haroon Janjua, 

Do DR Congo peace talks stand a chance? -- Cai Nebe, DW

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Russia - Ukraine War News Round-Up -- April 28, 2022

 

Zero Hedge: Ukraine Says Russia Increasing Pace Of Attack In "Almost All Directions" 

Ukraine's military command posted a public social media message warning the public that Russia is "increasing the pace of the offensive operation" which is coming "in almost all directions". 

The Ukraine armed forces' statement said of the stepped up attacks that "in almost all directions, the Russian occupiers are exerting intense fire," with the most concentrated military activity "observed in [the] Slobozhansky and Donetsk directions" of Ukraine’s north and east. Starting earlier in the month Russia's defense ministry made it clear it's seeking full control primarily of Ukraine's east and south.  

Read more .... 

Live Updates  

Live updates | Russia-Ukraine War -- AP  

Ukraine: Explosions in central Kyiv amid UN chief's visit — live updates -- DW 

Russia-Ukraine war: Kyiv rocked by missile strikes as UN chief visits Ukraine capital – live -- The Guardian 

Live: UN team ‘shocked’ but ‘safe’ after strikes hit Kyiv during Guterres visit -- France 24  

Live Updates: Russia's war in Ukraine -- CNN  

Ukraine-Russia war live: Russia blocks evacuation of wounded Ukrainian fighters in an attempt to capture them, local governor says -- ABC News Australia  

Latest Russia-Ukraine war news: Live updates -- Washington Post 

 Russia - Ukraine War News Round-Up -- April 28, 2022 

Russia increasing speed of attack in south-east, says Ukraine -- The Guardian  

Explosions rock Kyiv again as Russians rain fire on Ukraine -- AP  

Blasts hit Kyiv while UN chief visiting, Ukraine blames Russian missile attacks -- ABC News Australia  

Russia hits Kyiv as U.N. head Guterres meets with Ukraine President Zelensky -- UPI  

Ukraine war: Rockets hit Kyiv as UN chief admits failings -- BBC  

US Department of Defense establishes control center for Ukraine military aid in Germany, official says -- CNN  

Britain says Ukraine controls majority of its airspace -- Reuters  

Moldova urges calm, boosts security after Transnistria blasts -- France 24  

Possible 'false flag' attacks in separatist Moldovan region of Transnistria raises concerns Russia plans to expand conflict -- ABC News Australia 

 Moldova facing ‘dangerous moment’ amid fears it could be drawn into Ukraine war -- The Guardian  

Video: Russian bombardments leave Mykolaiv residents without water supply -- France 24  

Russian rouble to be currency in occupied Ukraine: Administrator -- Al Jazeera  

Occupied Ukrainian city fears sham Russian referendum plans -- AP  

Occupied Ukrainian city of Kherson fears Russia plans rigged vote on republic -- ABC News Australia

Biden seeks $33B for Ukraine, signaling long-term commitment -- AP 

Biden proposes $33bn to help Ukraine in war -- BBC  

US Congress approves WWII-like weapons program for Ukraine -- RT  

US Congress revives WWII-era weapons programme for Ukraine -- Al Jazeera  

Kremlin accuses Britain of ‘threatening’ European security -- RT  

Russia says Ukraine weapons supplies threaten European security -- Al Jazeera  

Briton killed in Ukraine believed to be ex-soldier Scott Sibley -- The Guardian  

Ukraine conflict: British man Scott Sibley killed -- BBC  

Ukraine prepares war crimes charges against Russian military personnel, including pilots -- Reuters  

Putin Denies Russian Military Committed War Crimes in Mariupol and Bucha -- 19FortyFive  

An abandoned Russian military camp in a forest near Kyiv reveals horrors of the invasion -- CNN 

Russia's humiliating 'filtration' of civilians fleeing occupied Ukraine -- DW 

In bulletproof vests and helmets, Ukrainian farmers risk lives to plough fields -- France 24 

 Ukraine: German lawmakers overwhelmingly approve heavy weapons deliveries -- DW  

Microsoft: Russian Hacks Paired with Ukraine Air Raids -- AP  

Russia Uses Cyberattacks in Ukraine to Support Military Strikes, Report Finds -- New York Times  

Ukraine’s Military Advantage and Russia’s Stark Choices -- Michael Kofman and Ryan Evans, War On The Rocks 

 'Ukraine Is a Crime Scene,' But War Crimes Cases Against Russians Are Hard to Prosecute and Prove -- Military.com  

Ukrainians turn to social media, websites to find loved ones missing since Russian invasion -- ABC News Australia  

Wolverines! How the 1984 Classic ‘Red Dawn’ Inspired Ukraine Resistance Fighters -- James Barber, Military.com

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