I’ve already printed out my copy. Watch the show he co-hosted this week,

Blowback: Exposing Imperial Decline

https://www.youtube.com/@BlowbackExposingImperial-hh8ig

Outline

TOPICAL

MAHATMA KULEBA – Runs to India, only to be criticized, and told you can’t win, but we’re good at passing messages.

CHINA MADNESS – Yellen and CEOs in China, while the UK declares it the greatest threat. ‘Hack’ claims came from the US.

ISRAEL WON’T STOP – Despite the UNSC resolution, if anything the rampage – in hospitals – is speeding up.

MACRON LULA BROMANCE – Photo op, under ‘green’ headlines, but background has to be economic.

VOICE OF EUROPE – Scandal comes from Czechia, hysteria rocks the European political class. Russkies under every pillow.

RESOURCE SCRAMBLE – Oil, Gas, and ‘critical materials’ / minerals all slipping out of US / EU hands.

UKRAINE IS COLLAPSING – de-energized, shortage of everything, urgency of aid, presidential term ends.

CROCUS UNRAVELS – Ukraine cash and crypto, Tajiks and Turks arrested. Lavrov ‘Ukraine tip of the Iceberg’

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BATTLEGROUND 404

“According to Gandhi, the future depends on what we do in the present. Hence, supporting Ukraine today means supporting freedom and independence, supporting the legacy of the great Mahatma.”
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“India can play a very important role in bringing together more nations from the Global South. If India sits at the table of the peace formula then many other nations will feel safe and comfortable sitting next to it, and come and join this effort”
Hindu Mahatma Kuleba

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“Vladimir Zelensky’s peace formula is nothing but alchemy” – Empress Zakharova

THE REALITY

– 404: “Need help now” Russia is preparing to launch an offensive in June, our Forces are not ready – Elensky ( NVo Ukraine )

– 404: “Russians are depleting our strength week after week” – Ukrainian military about the loss of Avdeyevka ( Strana UA )

– 404: SBU head: Russia no longer using Crimean bridge for weapons supplies after repeated strikes ( Kyiv ‘Independent’ )  

– 404: Putin wants to completely destroy Ukraine, without the help of the United States we will lose – Elensky ( Rbc UA )

– 404: Ukraine is in a race against time to fortify its front line – but shortage of munitions and manpower ( Economist UK )

– 404: Ukraine digs deep as Russians advance – Elensky visits Sumy region – building 2,000km fortifications ( FT UK )

– 404: Missiles hit Kiev seconds after air raid alert, leaving people no time to shelter – SBU strikes ( Kyiv ‘Independent’ )

– 404: As ammo runs out, Ukraine still hopes it won’t need that ‘ride’ – ‘underwhelming Western support’ ( Politico EU )

– 404: Hand over ‘missing’ €5B in Russian asset profits, Ukraine tells EU – frustrated it won’t get cash ( Politico EU )

– 404: Elensky talks with Speaker Johnson, pleads for more military aid amid standstill in Congress ( NYP )

– 404: Burshtynska and Ladyzhynska TPPs destroyed by Russia‘s strike – years to repair ( Interfax UA )

– 404: Kharkov residents asked to minimize boiler use amid catastrophic electricity deficit ( NVo Ukraine )

– 404: The Russians can shoot ten times and the Ukrainians can only answer once – Syrsky ( Welt DE )

– 404: ‘Give us the damn Patriots’ Ukraine needs air defenses now minister says – Kuleba ( Politico EU )

– 404: Elensky on CBS News: “New Russian offensive coming, more help needed” ( Agenzia Nova IT )

– 404: Russia launches 99 drones and missiles at Ukraine, damages three power stations ( Kyiv Post )

– 404: Budanov called himself a champion of freedom of speech, and Telegram a problem ( Tass RU )

– 404: Kiev says new Russian offensive could come in May or June – Elensky ( Kyiv ‘Independent’ )

– 404: Shmyhal: Energy infrastructure damaged in six regions following night attack ( Ukrinform )

– 404: Ukraine‘s №2 city hit by guided bomb as Russia widens strikes – Kharkov ( Bloomberg )

– 404: War in Ukraine: Russia steps up strikes on Kiev‘s energy infrastructure ( Le Monde FR )

– 404: Russia captures almost 200 square miles of Ukrainian territory – ISW ( Telegraph UK )

– 404: Ukraine may have no choice but to lower its fighting age ( Kyiv ‘Independent’ Opinion )

– 404: Elensky dismisses head of security council – Danilov for Lytvynenko ( Times UK )

– 404: Ukraine‘s oil company Ukrnafta expands fuel imports in 2024 ( NVo Ukraine )

– 404: Elensky tells MEP delegation that EU solidarity is vital for morale ( Euractiv )

– 404: Ukraine’s Lose-Lose Energy War – de-energized, US won’t help ( TIME )

– 404: Ukraine electricity imports soar after Russian attacks ( Euractiv )

– 404: Elensky presses Johnson on urgency of Ukraine aid ( The Hill )

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– RUC: Col. Gen. Mordvichev, who led the capture of Avdeyevka, awarded Hero of the Russian Federation ( Izvestia RU )

– RUC: MOD talked about the interception of a missile attack in the Belgorod region – 18 Vampire MLRS ( Ria RU )

– RUC: Russian forces destroy two Ukrainian army groups in Kiev’s troop rotation attempt in DPR ( Tass RU )

– RUC: Russian strike destroyed foreign militants in Kharkov, reported underground – 20 personnel ( Ria RU )

– RUC: Debate about Ukrainian president’s legitimacy may be moot after May 20 – Lavrov ( Tass RU )

– RUC: Potential F-16 supplies to Ukraine not to change battlefield situation – Putin ( Tass RU )

– RUC: Russia to take into account that F-16 can carry nuclear weapons – Putin ( Tass RU )

– RUC: RIA Novosti shot unique shots of the internal structure of Storm Shadow ( Ria RU )

– RUC: Fifth Abrams destroyed in Avdeyevka direction – Ministry of Defence ( Ria RU )

– RUC: Elensky admitted that without US help Ukraine will lose ( Tass RU )

AMAZING COPIUM

– 404: American aid is finally coming back to Ukraine. Three priorities – artillery, armor, patriots – David Axe ( Telegraph UK )

– 404: Can Elensky win over Trump? – If all else fails, powers of persuasion to ensure continued US support ( Politico EU )

– 404: No electricity deficit in system, Russian attacks damage supply lines in two oblasts – Energy Ministry ( Ukro Pravda )

– 404: Ukraine‘s Energy Support Fund has €40 million to restore energy infrastructure in Kharkov Oblast ( Ukro Pravda )

– 404: Large-scale attack at night: Ukraine‘s AD destroys 84 out of 99 weapons Russians used to attack ( Ukro Pravda )

– 404: Digital Transformation Minister: Ukraine tests its own equivalent of Russia‘s Lancet drones ( Kyiv ‘Independent’ )

– 404: Ukraine‘s Elensky warns Putin will push Russia‘s war “very quickly” onto NATO soil if he’s not stopped ( CBS )

– 404: Not a crucifix, but a trident: they proved that Jesus Christ was Ukrainian – no evidence can refute! ( Znaj UA )

– 404: Ukraine set to transform into ‘world’s premier defense arsenal’, Ukroboronprom chief declares ( NVo Ukraine )

– 404: Nearly 10% of Poles favor sending troops to fight Russia – from 0% a year ago – ‘Macron Effect’ ( Kyiv Post )

– 404: Kharkiv will become a fatal city for the Russian occupiers if they decide to attack it – Syrsky ( NVo Ukraine )

– 404: Ukraine needs help rebuilding. Denmark is giving it – Dmytro Kuleba – deals with companies ( Bloomberg )

– 404: Russia loses 1,030 soldiers, 11 tanks and 27 artillery systems over past day – General Staff ( Ukro Pravda )

– 404: Ukraine may receive 1.5 million ammunition rounds in Czech initiative – FM Jan Lipavsky ( Ukro Pravda )

– 404: Defense Ministry establishes department for logistics planning – two years into war? ( Kyiv ‘Independent’ )

– 404: Russia on the brink as Ukraine wipes out 1,000 of Vladimir Putin‘s soldiers in single day ( Express US )

– 404: World Bank approves $1.5 billion loan for Ukraine under guarantees from Japan and UK ( Ukro Pravda )

– 404: Andriy Yermak: “The world can end Russia’s aggression by depriving it of oil revenues” ( Ukro Pravda )

– 404: Russian deployment of Zircon missiles suggests weapon shortage – Ukraine Air Force ( NVo Ukraine )

– 404: Ukraine to receive one million shells, up from 800,000, under $2 billion Czech initiative ( NVo Ukraine )

– 404: Kiev Forensic Institute on Russia‘s cutting-edge Zircon : does not adequately perform ( Ukro Pravda )

– 404: Air Force: Ukraine can down Zircon hypersonic missile with Patriot, SAMP/T ( Kyiv ‘Independent’ )

– 404: Latvia’s airBaltic may be first airline to resume flights to Ukraine, says Deputy PM ( NVo Ukraine )

– 404: Is the US Congress finally poised to pass Ukraine aid? It’s been eight months ( Atlantic Council )

– 404: Ukraine maps reveal Russian advances along frontline – Artyomovsk direction ( Newsweek )

– 404: Ukraine tries to reassure gas traders its Storage Sites are safe – EU gas traders ( Bloomberg )

– 404: Russia’s escalating missile attacks prompt Ukrainian calls for more US Aid ( VOA / CIA )

– 404: Ukraine to receive $1.5 billion development loan from World Bank ( Kyiv ‘Independent’ )

– 404: US secondary sanctions work: Russia struggles to collect oil payments ( Euractiv )

– 404: The British Challenger 2 is the wrong tank for Ukraine – David Axe ( Forbes )

– 404: Ukraine’s defenses are thin – so why is Russia not winning? ( Telegraph UK )

– 404: Defeatists will be on the wrong side of history ( Kyiv ‘Independent’ Opinion )

– 404: Russia loses 780 troops, 10 tanks, 21 APVs in a day: Kiev ( Newsweek )

– 404: Putin‘s Oil Industry is in trouble – Isabel van Brugen ( Newsweek )

MAHATMA KULEBA 

– 404: Ukraine sees India as powerful voice; Jaishankar highlights Indian efforts to resolve the conflict ( Economic Times IN )

– 404: Ukrainian minister Dmytro Kuleba will demand ‘withdrawal of Russian forces’ during visit to India ( The Hindu IN )

– 404: ‘Solution cannot be found on battlefield’ – Jaishankar on Russia–Ukraine war – ‘passing messages’ ( India Times )

– 404: Ukraine FM to make 1st India visit since Russian invasion, pitch for peace summit ( Hindustan Times IN )

– 404: India is mediator to convey messages on Ukraine, Gaza – no military solution – Jaishankar ( Tass RU )

– 404: Ukraine foreign minister arrives in New Delhi to boost ties with India, a historical ally of Russia ( AP )

– 404: Ukraine FM Kuleba: ‘India is a powerful voice, want more countries on our side’ ( Times of India )

– 404: Ukraine criticized over ‘Hinduphobia’ ahead of foreign minister’s India visit ( RT RU )

– 404: Ukraine remembers Mahatma Gandhi a little too late – India ( Sputnik RU )

– 404: Ukraine tries to forge ties with Russia‘s historic ally India ( Euronews )

– 404: Ukraine urges India to rethink ‘Soviet legacy’ of Russia ties ( FT UK )

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– RUC: Lavrov dismisses Elensky’s peace plan, says those pushing it are ‘not serious’ ( Kyiv ‘Independent’ )

– RUC: Ukraine’s offer of Peace Talks based on Elensky’s plan gets frosty Russian response ( Kyiv Post )

– RUC: Russia won’t take part in conference on Ukraine mentioned by Kuleba – Zakharova ( Tass RU )

– RUC: If Russian interests are respected, Moscow ready to guarantee the same – Lavrov ( Tass RU )

MOLDOVA FRONT

– WEA: Moldovan parliament approves CFE ( Conventional Forces Europe )Treaty suspension bill in first reading ( Tass RU )

– WEA: In Gagaúzia, residents protested at a meeting of Moldovan President Maia Sandu ( Izvestia RU )

– WEA: Gagaúzia residents take to the streets in protest against Sandu – video ( Sputnik RU )

– WEA: Sandu named the protesters in Gagaúzia ‘brought for money’ ( Mk RU )

ARMENIA FRONT

– WEA: Azerbaijan‘s MFA: EU and US to share responsibility for any possible destabilizing action by Armenia ( APA Az )

– WEA: Upcoming Armenia–US–EU high-level meeting not directed against anyone – MFA ( Public Radio Armenia )

– WEA: Azerbaijan says Armenia–EU–US conference creates ‘new dividing lines’ in region ( Andalou TR )

– WEA: Azerbaijani Ambassador expresses concerns over EU–Armenia–US meeting ( Aze Media )

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– RUC: Anti-Russian bias of Armenia–EU–US meeting raises concerns – Zakharova ( Tass RU )

– RUC: The EU mission to Armenia morphing into the NATO mission – Lavrov ( Tass RU )

– RUC: Broadcasts of Vladimir Solovyov blocked in Armenia ( Tass RU )

CROCUS CITY HALL

– 404: The Crocus City Hall attack could unleash chaos within Russia – Mykola Vorobiov ( Kyiv Post Opinion )

– 404: Why Putin is intent on blaming Ukraine for Crocus City Attack – hatred of Ukraine ( Kyiv Post Opinion )

– 404: Putin’s Paranoia – terrorism, delusion, and self-destruction – Timothy Snyder ( Kyiv Post Opinion )

– 404: Russia knew about Crocus attack in advance, Ukraine’s GUR chief says – Budanov ( Kyiv Post )

– 404: Russia to step up rhetoric of “terrorist threats” to support war in Ukraine – ISW ( Ukro Pravda )

– 404: Russia‘s policy of torture on show in Moscow terror ‘trial’ ( Kyiv ‘Independent’ Opinion )

– 404: Putin leaves it up to Steven Seagal to visit Crocus City victims ( Kyiv Post )

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– USC: Some in Putin‘s own circle see no Ukraine link to Moscow attack – ‘people familiar say’ ( Bloomberg )

– USC: Putin ‘selling manure’ by blaming Moscow terror attack on Ukraine, US says ( Telegraph UK )

– USC: Why Russia’s vast Security Services fell short on Deadly Attack – US didn’t share all ( NYT )

– USC: US repeatedly warned Russia ahead of Moscow attack, White House says ( Guardian UK )

– USC: White House: Putin linking Ukraine to Moscow attack ‘nonsense,’ ‘propaganda’ ( The Hill )

– USC: Russia links concert shooting to ‘Ukrainian nationalists’; US says ‘nonsense’ ( Reuters )

– USC: The Crocus Concert hall atrocity: No going back – Alistair Crooke ( Al Mayadeen LB )

– USC: Putin is ‘losing control’ in Russia: Dictator expert Roger Boyes ( Newsweek Opinion )

– USC: US calls Russia ‘manure salesmen’ over Moscow attack claims – Kirby ( DW DE )

– USC: Worries over ethnic tensions have Kremlin treading carefully on massacre ( NYT )

– USC: Russia concert hall attack dents Putin‘s tough image ( AP )

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– EUK: Russian population seems condemned to be chased by the imaginary threats of the Kremlin ( Le Monde FR )

– EUK: Putin’s mafia state can’t protect its own people – incompetence – Daniel Depetris ( Telegraph UK Opinion )

– EUK: Russians uneasy as repression increases after unfair election extends Putin‘s rule ( Sky UK )

– EUK: EU to Putin: Don’t use Moscow attack to intensify war on Ukraine ( Euronews )

– EUK: After the Moscow attack, could Putin‘s image suffer in Russia? ( DW DE )

– EUK: Putin’s cynical blame game should fool no one ( Guardian Editorial )

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– RUC: United States has hidden from Russia some of the information about the threat of a terrorist attack in Crocus ( Ria RU )

– RUC: They should not have survived: the West is panicking over terrorist confessions – Vladimir Kornilov ( Ria RU )

– RUC: Investigators establish link between Moscow terrorist attack suspects and Ukrainian nationalists ( RT RU )

– RUC: Moscow terrorists received a significant amount of cash and cryptocurrency from Ukraine ( Tass RU )

– RUC: US backed itself into corner by blaming IS for Crocus City Hall terror attack – Zakharova ( Tass RU )

– RUC: Russian MFA not received any proposals on counter-terrorist cooperation – Zakharova ( Tass RU )

– RUC: Patriarch Kirill declares inadmissibility of inter-religious hatred after the attack ( Vedomosti RU )

– RUC: FSB names accessories to Crocus attack, puppet-masters still unknown ( Vedomosti RU )

– RUC: Moscow concert hall death toll reaches 143 people – Ministry of Emergencies ( Tass RU )

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– WEA: Turkey detains 140 ISIS suspects amid reports Moscow terror suspect came from Istanbul ( Al Monitor SY-US )

– WEA: Turkey declares fight against ISIS amid reports of moscow terrorists visiting Istanbul ( UNN UA )

– WEA: Tajikistan arrests 15 people for preparing terrorist attacks in Dushanbe, Vakhdat ( Tass RU )

– WEA: Moscow attack: Turkey tracks down numerous active ISIS networks ( Le Monde FR )

– WEA: Turkey detains 147 people suspected of links to IS – interior minister ( Tass RU )

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BATTLEGROUND WEST ASIA

“There’s all of the Gaza Strip north of Rafah. People move down, they can move up” – Netanyahu

THE BRAZEN COLONY

– ISR: Amid arms embargo calls, data shows 99% of Israeli weapon imports are from US, Germany ( TO Israel )

– ISR: After canceling top aides’ trip to Washington, Netanyahu now seeking to reschedule ( TO Israel )

– ISR: Israel admits it may not be able to destroy Hamas now US has turned its back ( Telegraph UK )

– ISR: Popular English-language government spokesman Eylon Levy fired following fumbles ( Ynet )

– ISR: Israel has ‘no choice’ but Rafah offensive, Netanyahu tells US members of Congress ( CNN )

– ISR: Hostage families told Netanyahu they get better treatment from the White House ( Axios )

– ISR: Israel set out to destroy Hamas and free hostages – but worries it can’t do both ( WSJ )

– ISR: Suspended Israeli government spokesman Eylon Levy officially dismissed ( Haaretz )

– ISR: Israel won’t follow UN resolution calling for Ramadan ceasefire ( Times UK )

– ISR: Israeli soldiers play with Gaza women’s underwear in online posts ( Reuters )

THE RELUCTANT ENABLERS

– USC: American Jewish groups mourn passing of former US Senator Joe Liberman ( Jerusalem Post )

– USC: Trump tells Israel to ‘finish up’ Gaza offensive because nation is ‘losing a lot of support’ ( Fox )

– USC: US overlooks Israeli abuses in Gaza to justify arms transfers: Advocates ( Al Jazeera QT )

– USC: Behind closed doors, the US pushes to shape, not stop, the Rafah Operation ( WSJ )

– USC: Biden says Arab nations ‘prepared to fully recognize Israel’ for the first time ( CNN )

– USC: Israeli officials to visit US for talks on planned Rafah invasion ( Times UK )

– USC: State Dept. human rights staffer quits over Biden’s Gaza policy ( WaPo )

– USC: US takes hands-on approach to mold Israel’s Rafah operation ( Cradle )

– USC: Benjamin Netanyahu is Israel‘s worst prime minister ever ( Atlantic )

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– EUK The West’s shameful betrayal of Israel gives Hamas the chance to kill again – Andrew Roberts ( Telegraph UK )

– EUK: The UN’s anti-Israel resolution is just the latest iteration of its age-old enmity – Zoe Strimpel ( Telegraph UK )

– EUK: Israel and Hamas think they’re winning the war – but both have lost ( Telegraph UK )

THE GENOCIDE

– GAZ: 76 Palestinians killed in Israeli strikes in the past 24 hours, says health ministry ( Guardian UK )

– GAZ: Israeli soldiers shoot and kill two unarmed Palestinian men in Gaza – video ( Al Jazeera QT )

– GAZ: Troops raiding Gaza‘s Shifa hospital kill senior Hamas commander, says IDF ( TO Israel )

– GAZ: Why Israeli forces are raiding Gaza’s Al-Shifa hospital – again ( CNN )

– GAZ: Netanyahu says army ‘preparing to enter Rafah’ ( Al Jazeera QT )

THE UN

– UN: ICJ orders Israel to act on aid crisis in Gaza; Palestinian Authority names new cabinet ( WaPo )

– UN: ‘Famine is setting in’: UN court orders Israel to unblock Gaza food aid ( Guardian UK )

– UN: UN expert in Israel genocide accusation says she has been threatened ( Reuters )

– UN: UN top court orders Israel to open more land crossings for aid into Gaza ( AP )

– UN: Ireland to join South Africa genocide case against Israel ( Reuters )

THE REGION

– WEA: US says it doesn’t support Pakistan–Iran gas pipeline project going forward – threat of sanctions ( Reuters )

– WEA: Russian Pacific Fleet warships arrive in Red Sea – and submarines, exercises, readiness ( Sputnik RU )

– WEA: Pakistan says Iran‘s gas project ‘need of the hour’, pushes for US sanctions waiver ( PressTV IR )

– WEA: Kazakhstan aims to extend transportation of Russian oil to China for another decade ( Tass RU )

– WEA: Damascus asks US to end illegitimate presence on Syrian soil – Foreign Ministry ( PressTV IR )

– WEA: Saudi Arabia to participate in Miss Universe pageant for the first time ( Independent UK )

– WEA: Egypt seeks border security support from US amid Gaza negotiations ( Politico US )

– WEA: Russian Navy enters warship-crowded Red Sea amid Houthi attacks ( Bloomberg )

– WEA: Yemen conducts six attacks against ‘triangle of aggression’ – Saree ( PressTV IR )

– WEA: Jordan’s government struggles to contain unrest as Gaza protests grow ( WaPo )

– WEA: Tehran pledges 50 Million cubic meters of gas daily for Iraq ( Iran International )

– WEA: Saudi Arabia to chair UN forum on women’s rights and gender equality ( CNN )

– WEA: US military says it destroyed four Houthi long-range drones ( TO Israel )

– WEA: Iraq signs 5-year gas supply deal with Iran, says state media ( Reuters )

– WEA: Iran renews gas export contract with Iraq: Oil Ministry ( PressTV IR )

– WEA: Syria says Israeli strikes near Aleppo kill, wound dozens ( WSJ )

– WEA: Russian warships enter the Red Sea, navy says ( Reuters )

PERIPHERY: Africa

– AFR: Bad news, chocolate lovers: Cocoa prices have risen faster than bitcoin – West Africa supply problems ( NPR )

– AFR: Extortionate Easter eggs and shrinking sweets: fears grow of a ‘chocolate meltdown’ – climate ( Guardian UK )

– AFR: Niger cozies up to new friends China and Russia just days after sending US military packing ( SCMP CN )

– AFR: From a jail cell to Senegal’s presidency: the rapid rise of Bassirou Diomaye Faye ( FT UK )

– AFR: Russia‘s lies helped persuade Niger to eject US troops, AFRICOM says ( Defense One )

– AFR: Democracy teetering in African countries once ruled by France – Senegal ( NYT )

– AFR: Senegal‘s president-elect Faye vows to tackle graft in first address ( France 24 )

– AFR: Kenya, Uganda to end oil import feud over licensing ( Africanews )

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BATTLEGROUND EURASIA

“The fascism of Germany or Italy of the 1920s and 1930s does not now exist, except perhaps in Russia” – Martin Wolf 

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“I am 100% sure that as much as Europe needs the United States, the United States needs Europe” – Hanno Pevkur

RUSSYA MADNESS

– EUK: Vladimir Putin can be tried for his crimes now – only solution is trial by absentia – Geoffrey Robertson ( Telegraph UK )

– EUK: France doubles down on weapons to Ukraine – top official says Russia leaves no option but arms build-up ( Kyiv Post )

– EUK: Estonian PM urges support for Ukraine‘s NATO membership on Estonia‘s 20th anniversary in Alliance ( Ukro Pravda )

– EUK: Polish official says NATO considering shooting down Russian missiles that approach its borders ( Kyiv ‘Independent’ )

– EUK: France to deliver 78 Caesar self-propelled artillery units and shells to Ukraine – Defence Minister ( Euromaidan Press )

– EUK: UK heads for EU showdown as Russian gas keeps flowing – break dependence on Russia via France ( Politico EU )

– EUK: NATO must create ‘more strategic difficulties for Russia’ – Swedish FM Billström – sense of urgency ( Euractiv )

– EUK: Vladimir Putin‘s biggest weapon Is western fear – Germany is withholding key weapons ( Bloomberg Editorial )

– EUK: Estonians in favor of taking away voting rights in local elections from Russian citizens – Survey ( TVP PL )

– EUK: NATO discusses plans to shoot down Russian missiles if they approach alliance borders ( Telegraph UK )

– EUK: Estonian Defence Minister Pevkur supports Trump‘s NATO spending push – see quote ( NVo Ukraine )

– EUK: EU liberals leader – Valérie Hayer – visits Kiev as Ukraine takes spotlight in EU elections ( Euractiv )

– EUK: Trump, Orbán, and Musk. Is this Putin‘s secret global private group? Tony Meehan ( Ukro Pravda )

– EUK: Mark Rutte called on China to put pressure on Russia regarding the situation in Ukraine ( Ria RU )

– EUK: Donald Tusk: “We are in a pre-war era. I do not exaggerate” – first time since 1945 ( El País ES )

– EUK: Finland sees ‘elevated’ risk of Russian spying, Influence acts – security service ( Bloomberg )

– EUK: Czechs sanction Medvedchuk, website over pro-Russian EU political influence ( Reuters )

– EUK: Polish fighter jets scrambled to Russian missile attack on Ukraine ( Telegraph UK )

– EUK: Russian flotilla is a sitting duck for Ukraine, UK Says ( Newsweek )

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– USC: Trump’s anti-Ukraine view dates to the 1930s. America rejected it then. Will we now? Robert Kagan ( NYT Opinion )

– USC: US takes another step to stem the flow of technology to Russia for weapons – asks companies not to trade ( Reuters )

– USC: Exclusive : Russia doubled imports of an Explosives ingredient – nitrocellulose – with western help ( WSJ )

– USC: Putin is ‘serious threat’ to Eastern NATO, Ex-Defense official warns – Eldridge Colby ( Newsweek )

——————————————————

– RUC: Russian ambassador sees no reasons to expect Russian–US ties to improve under Biden ( Tass RU )

– RUC: NATO wouldn’t invoke Article 5 over strike on French troops in Ukraine – German MPs ( Tass RU )

– RUC: Putin slams allegations about Russia’s plans to invade Europe as utter nonsense ( Tass RU )

– RUC: Trade with China mainly settled in yuan, rubles: Russian deputy PM ( Global Times CN )

– RUC: India replaces Germany as Russia’s top medicine supplier – RNC Pharma ( RT RU )

– RUC: Russia requests another UN Security Council meeting on Yugoslavia ( Tass RU )

– RUC: Gas production in Russia up 14% in January-February ( Kommersant RU )

– RUC: Russian regulator booked 1.4 bln tons of oil resources in 2023 ( Tass RU )

CHYA MADNESS

– EUK: ‘We either stand up to China or be ruled by them’: Telegraph readers who boycott Chinese goods ( Telegraph UK )

– EUK: China could use its electric cars to attack the West – ‘data espionage’ is signature weapon China ( Telegraph UK )

– EUK: How China stole the West – and we happily gave it away – about a robotic lawnmower launch ( Independent UK )

– EUK: China hawks in UK only learned they had been targeted by hackers from US press release ( Telegraph UK )

– EUK: Europe’s economy is under attack from all sides – First Putin, now Xi, next Trump? ( Economist UK )

– EUK: How China ended up financing the Houthis’ Red Sea attacks – by buying Iranian oil ( Politico EU )

– EUK: Europe takes steps to be less dependent on China‘s raw materials ( Neue Züricher Zeitung SI )

– EUK: How China got its claws into the West’s net zero transition – stockpiling copper ( Telegraph UK )

– EUK: Netflix adaptation of sci-fi novel ‘The Three-Body Problem’ sparks anger in China ( FT UK )

– EUK: Armenia’s exports to Russia raise concerns over sanctions circumvention ( Euractiv )

– EUK: EU Commission to sign partnership with Australia on critical raw materials ( Euractiv )

– EUK: EU says plan to ensure critical raw materials supply is not aimed at China ( Euractiv )

– EUK: ‘Captain America’ is the first victim of Hong Kong national security law ( Times UK )

– EUK: Europe quietly works on Huawei-treatment for Chinese wind turbines ( Euractiv )

——————————————————

– USC: China‘s maritime power cause for action and alarm – needs a ‘Ships Act‘ like ‘Chips Act’ – Jerry Hendrix ( Asia Times )

– USC: Getting ready for war with China: The world’s greatest fighter jet gets an upgrade – F-22 – David Axe ( Telegraph UK )

– USC: Former US submarine captain sounds alarm over China‘s deep sea miners – seabed minerals ( Newsweek )

– USC: Janet Yellen will warn China that its flood of green energy exports is ‘warping supply chains’ ( NYT )  

– USC: Migrant workers who helped build modern China have scant or no pensions, and can’t retire ( AP )

– USC: China top critic’s exit from Congress threatens Anti-Beijing momentum – Mike Gallagher ( WSJ )

– USC: Bill to put US–China science pact under new scrutiny passes a House committee ( SCMP )

– USC: Yellen warns China’s industry ramp-up is distorting world economy ( Bloomberg )

– USC: TikTok aside, Congress has its eye on the US money going into China ( CNBC )

– USC: A pivot to China saved Elon Musk. It also binds him to Beijing ( NYT )

– USC: China decries US ‘bullying’ But, to many, China is the bully. ( WaPo )

——————————————————

– RUC: ‘Historic breakthrough’: China’s installed wind turbine cost drops to one-fifth of the US in green energy race ( SCMP CN )

– RUC: China’s in-development H-20 bomber worth the excitement: PLA Air Force deputy commander ( Global Times CN )

– RUC: Xinjiang regional Party chief welcomes a Arab delegations – refutes disinfo made by the West ( Global Times CN )

– RUC: US provokes clashes between other nations for its own interests – China‘s Defense Ministry ( Tass RU )

– RUC: Chinese leader Xi tells Dutch PM that restricting technology access won’t stop China‘s advance ( AP )

– RUC: China‘s Xi tells Dutch PM cutting supply chains would lead to confrontation ( Reuters )

– RUC: Imagine a world free from the oppression of a US-led global order ( CGTN Opinion )

– RUC: Huawei stages comeback with annual net profit more than doubling ( WSJ )

– RUC: Humanity’s future depends on China–US relations – Xi Jinping ( Tass RU )

– RUC: Global CEOs flock to China as tensions mount over export glut ( FT UK )

– RUC: PetroChina does business as usual with Russia ( Nikkei JP )

– RUC: Xi calls for more China–US exchanges ( China Daily )

ENEMIES WITHIN

– EUK: Video will kill the truth if monitoring doesn’t improve – two researchers – lessons from Taiwan on ‘disinfo’ ( Economist UK )

– EUK: Polish General overseeing Ukrainian soldier training dismissed amid probe – Gen. Gromadziński ( Euromaidan Press )

– EUK: Rightwing populists have many countries in their grip. Poland: How they can be pushed back ( Guardian UK Opinion )

– EUK: Czechs bust major Russian propaganda network – Prague’s VOE discouraged aid to Ukraine ( ‘Moscow’ Times NL )

– EUK: Poland dismisses the Eurocorps reaction unit commander who faces a counterintelligence investigation ( ABC )

– EUK: Polish general Adam Marczak died near Bachmut? How conspiracy theories can serve Russia ( Rp PL )

– EUK: Exposed: hard-right European politicians ‘on Putin’s payroll’ – Ger, Fra, Pol, Bel, Ned, Hun ( Times UK )

– EUK: Another Ukraine: a disinformation platform run by an exiled Ukrainian oligarch in Russia ( France 24 )

– EUK: Czech secret service: Russia paid cash to befriended Dutch and European politicians ( AD NL )

– EUK: Fascism has changed, but it is not dead – Le Pen, Orbán, Trump, Putin – Martin Wolf ( FT UK )

– EUK: Radical right now unstoppable in EU‘s Inner Six, polls show – Bel, Fra, Ger, Ita, Lux ( Euronews )

– EUK: France deploys 4,000 more troops amid security fears in run up to Olympics ( RFI FR )

– EUK: Czechia adds pro-Russian Ukrainian MP Medvedchuk to sanctions list ( Ukro Pravda )

– EUK: Disinformation has become the single biggest threat to electoral integrity ( Politico EU )

– EUK: France takes down fake website inviting volunteers to ‘enlist in Ukraine‘ ( France 24 )

– EUK: Poland dismisses Eurocorps commander amid counterintelligence probe ( Reuters )

– EUK: Russian propaganda network paid MEPs, Belgian PM De Croo says ( Politico EU )

– EUK: Orbán faces danger from new enemy brandishing a leaked tape ( Politico EU )

– EUK: Germany set to add citizenship test questions about Jews and Israel ( WaPo )

– EUK: No, Ursula von der Leyen’s grandfather was not an SS general ( Euronews )

– EUK: Could far-right voters spark a backlash on the EU‘s Green Deal? ( Euronews )

– EUK: French cyber defense chief warns Paris Olympics a ‘target’ ( France 24 )

– EUK: General is dead. Adam Marczak “died unexpectedly” ( Wiadomosci PL )

– EUK: France asks for foreign help for Olympics security: officials ( AFP FR )

– EUK: Germany braces for Russian influence operations ( DW DE )

——————————————————

– USC: Russian group spread disinformation about Princess of Wales – +Elensky, Macron – experts say – social media ( NYT )

– USC: US must establish independent military cyber service to fix ‘alarming’ problems ( Defense Scoop )

– USC: Feds ordered Google to unmask certain YouTube users. Critics say it’s ‘terrifying’ ( Forbes )

– USC: Rocked by deadly terror attack, Kremlin amps up disinformation machine ( NYT )  

– USC: Russia amps up online campaign against Ukraine before US elections ( NYT )

– USC: Trueau pledges $8.4 million to study ‘democratic decline’ ( National Post CA )

– USC: Prigozhin is dead, but his troll farms are alive ( WSJ Exclusive)

SOBERING UP

– EUK: Gen Skrzypczak : Elensky is very committed to wasting what we give him – weak rules leading to disaster ( Fronda PL )

– EUK: Europe’s diamond trade loses its sparkle as Russian sanctions bite – Antwerp slowdown costs billions ( Times UK )

– EUK: Western troops in Ukraine ‘bring the risk of world war’ Hungary‘s top diplomat tells Russian media ( Politico EU )

– EUK: It’s time we talked about the fall of Kiev – Iain Martin – not frozen, but nightmarish ( Times UK Opinion )

– EUK: Macron wants to run Europe’s Foreign Policy. Not everyone agrees – US, Germany ( Bloomberg US )

– EUK: Spain only for the rich? The Warsaw middle class buys houses there in case of war ( Wyborcza PL )

– EUK: Ex-Chancellor Schröder: Friendship with Putin can be useful ( Frankfurter Allegemenie DE )

– EUK: Putin’s F-16 threats could start a war with NATO, Swedish military official warns ( Euractiv )

– EUK: Denmark to sell F-16 Fighter Jets to Argentina following US approval ( Bloomberg )

– EUK: Is the Ukraine war still going on for several years? Rather not ( Welt DE )

– EUK: Foreign firms’ losses from exiting Russia top $107 billion ( Euractiv )

——————————————————

– USC: Russia‘s glide-bombs are ‘Miracle Weapons’ – Ukraine months away from fighting back with F-16s – David Axe ( Forbes )

– USC: Ukraine needs to open up about hard battlefield truths, US diplomat says – James Rubin State Dept ( Politico EU )

– USC: Ukraine blew up 2 more Russian landing ships. It’s too late to matter ( Forbes )

THE ECONOMY

– EUK: Britain is stuck in a doom loop of poverty. I have a plan to raise billions to address that – Gordon Brown ( Guardian UK )

– EUK: Macron‘s promise to help Kiev turns into a budgetary and military headache – send €3B or save €10B ( Le Monde FR )

– EUK: EU countries seal hard-line deal on Ukrainian grain, raising possibility of tariffs – on ‘sensitive’ products ( Euronews )

– EUK: Europe’s gas use to surge despite net zero promises – Only Germany beats Britain in gas power ( Telegraph UK )

– EUK: Ofgem – Office of Gas and Electricity Markets – is frog marching Britain into energy rationing oblivion ( Telegraph )

– EUK: One in five German children affected by poverty in 2022 – 21.8% of all children, 14.2 million people! ( Dpd DE )

– EUK: Experts slash economic growth forecast for ‘ailing’ Germany – low demand, high electricity prices ( Euronews )

– EUK: German economy suffers dramatic downgrade under Scholz – worst of G7 for 2nd year ( Telegraph UK )

– EUK: Expect a financial crisis In Europe with France at the epicenter – debt to GDP crisis ( Zerohedge )

– EUK: Concern over EU Commission’s relaxing of environmental requirements for farmers ( Euractiv )

– EUK: ‘There is no magic money tree’, Starmer tells cash-strapped UK councils ( Telegraph UK )

– EUK: Bank of England warns of risks to UK businesses from private equity bubble ( FT UK )

– EUK: EU Member states push for further safeguards against Ukrainian imports ( Euractiv )

– EUK: Germany is Europe’s sick man, nut others are coughing – like Italy ( Bloomberg )

– EUK: Europe’s industry declines as China ‘de risks’ from the West ( Euractiv )

——————————————————

– USC: Is America at risk of a bond market meltdown? This watchdog thinks so – Swagel FT interview ( CNN )

– USC: The triumphant USA is now producing more oil and gas than any nation ever has ( Telegraph UK )

– USC: Surge of new US-led oil and gas activity threatens to wreck Paris climate goals ( Guardian UK )

– USC: US buys 2.8 Million barrels of oil for Strategic Reserve – origin not mentioned  ( Bloomberg )

– USC: How US oil production hit a record under Biden despite climate policies ( Reuters )

– USC: UC Berkeley will repeal its landmark ban on natural gas in new homes ( NYT )

– USC: Oil prices advance as investors reassess US inventories data ( Reuters )

– USC: Why gasoline prices are rising faster than usual this year ( WSJ )

THE MILITARY

– USC: US Defense officials tease new commercial space strategies – use private companies for military missions ( Defense One )

– USC: China and Russia outpacing the US in mili-tech development, Australian defense official warns ( Business Insider )

– USC: The future is ‘not bright’ for towed artillery, Army general says – Gen. James Rainey ( Defense One )

– USC: US in talks with Türkiye over explosives needed for ammunition for Ukraine ( Ukro Pravda )

– USC: US Army suffers two Apache helicopter crashes within 48 hours – 7nth this year! ( The Hill )

– USC: US in talks with Turkey for more explosives to boost shell production ( Kyiv ‘Independent’ )

– USC: US turns to Turkey for explosives as war in Ukraine saps supply ( Bloomberg )

– USC: Navy to test microwave anti-drone weapon at Sea in 2026 ( USNI News )

——————————————————

– EUK: ‘We have to be more pragmatic and less bureaucratic’ – Robert Habeck, create European Arms Industry ( Euronews )

– EUK: Even without the USA, NATO would still win in a fight – on day one, but what about day 100? ( Telegraph UK )

– EUK: Latvia PM Evika Silina: open to various ways of EU funding for military – but we have to do it now ( Reuters )

– EUK: Poland suspended all military exercises along Belarus border after death of fifth soldier ( Minsk Times BY )

– EUK: UK military ‘couldn’t fight Russia for longer than two months’ – Deputy Chief Magowan ( Telegraph UK )

– EUK: Army can’t afford enough ammunition to protect Britain, general warns – Rob Magowan  ( Times UK )

– EUK: Cabinet clash over defense spending as general warns UK not ready for long war ( iNews UK )

– EUK: British Army ends beard ban, by royal command ( Times UK )

THE ELECTIONS

– USC: ‘Shame on you, Joe Biden’: protesters crash fundraiser with Clinton and Obama ( Times UK )

– USC: Trump‘s Truth Social deal puts him among world’s 500 richest people ( Business Insider )

– USC: Trump‘s net worth hits $6.5B, making him one of world’s 500 richest people ( Bloomberg )

– USC: Biden campaign to bring in massive $25M haul at star-packed fundraiser ( Politico US )

– USC: Trump net worth, upped by ‘DJT’ stock, puts him among world’s richest ( USA Today )

– USC: Three presidents and one mission: Beat Trump – Obama, Clinton jump in ( CNN )

– USC: Economic data vs. consumer feelings: What the gap means for Biden ( WSJ )

– USC: Trump‘s media company worth nearly $8 Billion on first trading day ( NYT )

– USC: Three Presidents with a complex past team up to Defeat Trump ( WSJ )

THE BALTIMORE BRIDGE

– USC: Biden vows to ‘move heaven and earth’ to rebuild Baltimore bridge as eight remain missing ( Telegraph UK )

– USC: Baltimore bridge collapse highlights global issue – improve old structure, accommodate large ships ( CNN )

– USC: Biden tells of train journeys over collapsed Baltimore bridge … that never had tracks ( Telegraph UK )

– USC: See how the Key Bridge collapse will disrupt the supply of cars, coal and tofu – top carport ( WaPo )

– USC: Building a new Key Bridge could take years and cost at least $400 million, experts say ( AP )

– USC: Cars, sugar and cruises: How the Port of Baltimore closure could hurt the economy ( CNN )

– USC: Outmoded bridge design likely contributed to catastrophic loss in Baltimore ( Politico US )

– USC: Deadly bridge collapse reveals a truth about immigration – maintenance workers ( CNN )

– USC: US officials board ship that hit Baltimore bridge, divers search for bodies ( Reuters )

– USC: Why the Baltimore bridge stood no chance against a 948ft ship ( Times UK )

– USC: US approves $60 million in urgent funds for Baltimore Bridge ( Bloomberg )

– USC: Baltimore Union fears loss of 2,400 jobs on Bridge collapse ( Bloomberg )

– USC: Baltimore bridge rebuild could take up to 10 years ( Fox )

——————————————————

– EUK: Baltimore bridge disaster likely to be ‘biggest marine insurance loss in history’ ( Times UK )

– EUK: London insurers face Baltimore Bridge payouts worth billions ( Bloomberg )

MACRON LOVES LULA?

context: Brazil has huge deposits : Iron, Tin, Copper, Bauxite ( aluminum ) Phosphate ( fertilizer ), Gold ( africa! ) etc.

– EUK: In Brazil, Macron and Lula show unity on global issues, despite divergences on Ukraine ( LeMonde FR )

– EUK: France‘s Macron embraces Brazil‘s Lula – and the memes poking fun at their ‘wedding’ ( AP )

– EUK: Macron and Lula ‘bromance’ on Brazilian island sparks social media frenzy ( Sky UK )

– EUK: Macron and Lula announce €1 billion investment plan for the Amazon ( France 24 )

– EUK: Macron and Lula launch submarine built in Brazil with French tech ( Reuters )

– EUK: Macron quips about cuddly ‘wedding’ pics with Lula ( France 24 )

——————————————————

– LAT: Macron–Lula bromance only goes so far – differ on Ukraine, Mercosur–EU and nuclear subs ( Brazilian Report )

PERIPHERY : The Pacific

– ASO: US, South Korea announce joint sanctions targeting financers of North Korea‘s weapons program ( Kyiv ‘Independent’ )

– ASO: Japan wants to enhance civilian air hubs and seaports for ‘contingency’. Are these also for the US military? ( SCMP CN )

– ASO: US and ally ( South Korea ) move to block North Korea‘s nuclear weapons program – sanctions evasion ( Newsweek )

– ASO: ‘India firmly supports Philippines‘: Jaishankar‘s swipe at China amid maritime disputes ( Times of India )

– ASO: Why didn’t New Zealand impose sanctions on China? – no broader law to allow sanctions ( Guardian UK )

– ASO: $75,000 for a baby? South Korean businesses float incentives as demographic crisis looms ( FT UK )

– ASO: US defense chief reaffirms support for Philippines, chides ‘dangerous’ Chinese conduct ( Reuters )

– ASO: Russia supplies oil to North Korea as UN sanctions regime nears ‘collapse’ – arms-for-oil ( FT UK )

– ASO: Philippines ups stakes in China row, vows countermeasures to coast guard ‘attacks’ ( Reuters )

– ASO: Sri Lanka PM says China to develop strategic Hambantota port, Colombo airport ( SCMP CN )

– ASO: New US sanctions target North Korean military finances – Russia, China, UAE ( Reuters )

– ASO: Happy-go-lucky Australia is feeling neither happy, nor lucky – economic turbulence ( NYT )

– ASO: Seoul bus drivers strike over pay, snarling commute in South Korean capital ( Reuters )

– ASO: Philippines says it will not yield to submission in row with ‘patronizing’ China ( Reuters )

– ASO: Japan amps up intervention threat as yen hits lowest since 1990 ( Bloomberg )

– ASO: Exclusive: Taiwan‘s navy chief to visit US next week, sources say ( Reuters )

– ASO: Japan to maintain trade sanctions on Russia for another year ( Kyodo JP )

– ASO: Seoul bus drivers strike for the first time in12 years ( Bloomberg )

– ASO: After Russia, is China the Islamic State‘s next target? ( Nikkei JP )

——————————————————

– RUC: Russia blocks extension of North Korea sanctions monitoring ( WSJ )

– RUC: No improvement in sight for Russia–Japan relations – envoy – substantial increase in military activity ( Tass RU )

PERIPHERY : Latin America

– LAT: Colombia expels Argentine officials after Milei slams Petro – communist, assassin, terrorist ( Bloomberg )

– LAT: The only real chance to end the chaos in Haiti – deploy international security force ( FT UK )

– LAT: EU top diplomat is ‘racist’ and a ‘warmonger’ Venezuela’s Maduro says ( Politico EU )

– LAT: Milei to cut 70,000 state jobs, boasting of chainsaw Austerity ( Bloomberg )

– LAT: ‘Cataclysmic Situation’ in Haiti leaves 1,500 dead in gang violence ( NYT )

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APPENDICES

APPENDIX : Videoclips

– Brussels : shit vs water : https://twitter.com/StarboySAR/status/1773005287064060139

– Lavrov Investigation : https://twitter.com/friendofrussia/status/1772674548099338458

– Colby mad on China: https://twitter.com/Kanthan2030/status/1773269339602383157

– Mahatma Kuleba : https://twitter.com/DD_Geopolitics/status/1772598030723645914

– Freeland on powder: https://twitter.com/OlgaBazova/status/1773260223001596309

– Elensky is Biden : https://twitter.com/djuric_zlatko/status/1773117402630308007

– Elensky will lose : https://twitter.com/SonjaEnde/status/1773719750389981690

APPENDIX : Legend

USC = United States + Canada

EUK = Europe + United Kingdom | 404 = Ukraine

WEA = West Asia, formerly Middle East | ISR = Israel

ASO = Asia + Oceania

AFR = Africa

LAT = Latin America

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