I’ve already printed out my copy. Watch the show he co-hosted this week with China Writers’ Group member Billy Bob (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100003511545399),

Blowback: Exposing Imperial Decline

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

Outline

TOPICAL

MOSCOW TROPHY EXHIBIT – It made Steve Rosenberg sad, and outraged allies. M1 Abrams made it to opening day!

A NEW CRUSHING OFFENSIVE – Is reported throughout the Western and Ukrainian press. Russia recounts Odessa massacre.

MACRON PANICS – Economist Interview begins with German-French Blitzkrieg, still threatens EU troops in Ukraine.

SANCTION EVERYONE – Allies and enemies: Russian Uranium, Chinese firms, the UAE, Türkiye, Belgium. It’ll work this time!

SOME GOOD PROTESTS – Like the paid ones in Tbilisi, Georgia, where water cannons, tear gas and rubber bullets are bad.

OTHER PROTESTS BAD – Like the US and – increasingly – global campus protests. All of the above are good against these!

THE HOUTHIS OUTRANGE 404 – There was a confirmed hit in the Arabian Sea ( MSC Orion ) 600 km from Yemen!

DATES

22 April – ( was ) Lenin’s birthday, of course rebranded to Earth day, started by a US senator in 1970.

1 May – International Workers day inherited from Soviet Union, so of course ‘EU Big Bang’ expansion day ( 2004 ) anniversary

2 May – 10 year anniversary of Odessa Trade Union massacre where they burned russian speaking people alive

5 May – Pashka, or Russian Orthodox Easter holiday, fasting and church event

7 May – Vladimir Putin’s inauguration ceremony at the Kremlin palace as Russian president

9 May – Den’ Pobedy, or Victory day in Russia, commemorating the 1945 victory over Nazi Germany, on the day of surrender.

21 May – Ukrainian ‘President’ Elensky’s term in office officially expires.

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BATTLEGROUND 404

STATEMENTS

‘No military aid from the US can in any way help Ukraine stop Russia’s heroic army and people from advancing as they are on the path of just and holy war to protect the sovereign rights and security of their country’

Im Chon Il, DPRK Deputy FM for Russian affairs

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‘We will give three billion pounds every year for as long as is necessary. We’ve just really emptied all we can in terms of giving equipment’

David Cameron, British Foreign Secretary in Kiev

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‘This country has lost its neutral status, its ability to be a mediator. It has sided with the Kiev regime, actively supports it, takes an anti-Russian position, imposes sanctions against us, adopts strategies that exclude Russia from the system of European security’

Maria Zakharova about Swiss ‘Peace Talks’

— — — — — — — — — — — — — —

‘We are confident that the day is coming when Odessa will throw off the yoke of contemporary Nazis and become a truly free city again where people of various nationalities can live in peace and accord’

Maria Zakharova about Odessa

— — — — — — — — — — — — — —

‘Apparently, this has something to do with the days of the week – his cycle is like this’

 Maria Zakharova about Macron’s troops

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‘It would be logical if Israel would give us their Patriot systems, because it would help us, in particular, to destroy Iranian drones used by Russia’

Oleksandr Merezhko, Ukrainian MP, Foreign Affairs Committee chair

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‘If you cannot produce enough interceptors to help Ukraine, how are you going to win a war against China’ –

Dmytro Kuleba, Ukrainian FM, paraphrased

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A CRUSHING OFFENSIVE?

– 404: Ukraine is on the brink – senior general Vadym Skibitsky GUR – only matter of time b4 Chasov Yar falls ( Economist UK )

– 404: Ukraine rushes to exploit short ATACMS window – Russians can adapt in a very short time – They are Borg! ( Newsweek )

– 404: ‘We have no weapons‘ – top Ukrainian spy fears tough month as Putin grinds forward – based on the above ( Politico EU )

– 404: The war-weary 47th mechanized is Ukraine’s ’emergency brigade’ – exhausted unit needs vehicle replacements ( Forbes )

– 404: Ukraine army headquarters ‘attacked by Russian missiles’ – Southern group in Odessa – Russian MOD ( Telegraph UK )

– 404: Ukraine battles to hold vital stronghold Chasov Yar – Russian ‘pincer’ – Ukraine admits situation ‘worsened‘ ( FT UK )

– 404: US intelligence acknowledged Russia‘s gradual progress and breakthrough possibility – Avril Haines ( Tass RU )

– 404: ‘Great battle‘ ongoing for control over logistics routes near Chasov Yar – Nazar Voloshyn ( Kyiv ‘Independent’ )

– 404: No safety in retreat: Ukrainian soldiers say rear defensive lines barely exist amid Russian advance ( AP )

– 404: Putin’s crushing new offensive could be the end of Ukraine – Con Coughlin ( Telegraph UK Opinion )

– 404: Ukrainian forces hold Chasov Yar despite Russian siege efforts – Nazar Voloshyn ( NVo Ukraine )

– 404: Ukraine to launch all-female drone unit amid Russian manpower advantage ( Euromaidan Press )

– 404: Ukraine lacks the soldiers to stop Putin – German experts and Ukrainian officials warn ( Bild DE )  

– 404: Russian officials say Ukraine attacked Crimea with US-made ATACMS – shot down 6 ( Reuters )

– 404: The Russian Ministry of Defense announced the liberation of the village of Berdychi ( Tass RU )

– 404: Russia launched 300+ missiles, 3,200 bombs in April, said Olodymyr Elensky ( NVo Ukraine )

– 404: Ukraine’s trust in NATO allies ‘dented‘ by arms delivery failures, Stoltenberg says ( Reuters )

– 404: Ukraine‘s General Staff reported 121 combat clashes on front lines in past day ( Ukrinform )

– 404: Russian video appears to show two HIMARS launchers destroyed in strike ( Newsweek )

– 404: Russia seeks to encircle Ukraine‘s key fortress City – Chasov Yar – ISW ( Newsweek )

– 404: Awaiting US aid, Ukraine‘s gunners fire sparingly at advancing Russians ( Reuters )

– 404: Kiev’s forces are up against a concerted Russian push in eastern Ukraine ( AP )

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– USC: American aid alone won’t save Ukraine – must build new brigades, force Moscow negotiate – Jack Watling RUSI ( FA )

– USC: US spent so much time fighting insurgents it forgot ‘what it means to fight a war‘ – US vet in Ukraine ( Business Insider )

– USC: Russia using chemical ‘choking agents‘ – in Ukraine, US says – breaching Chemical Weapons Convention ( BBC UK )

– USC: Nobody is competing with the US to begin with – Ru/Cn ‘local issues‘ that US can’t win anyway – Anatol Lieven ( FP )

– USC: Putin isn’t scared of Ukraine’s $61 billion boost – Russia can outwait West – Hal Brands ( Bloomberg Opinion )

– USC: Trump tells NATO members they are ‘on their own’ unless they increase defense spending ( Telegraph UK )

– USC: White House ‘refutes’ Russian claims of downing ATACMS missiles ( NVo Ukraine )

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– WEA: Saudi Arabia and Indonesia lobby EU to halt Russian asset confiscation – fearing for their own reserves ( Sputnik RU )

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– EUK: Recent aid to Ukraine will hardly change the course of the war – Retired Spanish General Pedro Pitarch ( ABC ES )

– EUK: Minister Radosław Sikorski to visit Washington DC – meeting with Biden+think tanks, discuss NATO ( Gov PL )

– EUK: Russia can’t match a Western asset seizure, but it can inflict pain – EU officials nervous about impact ( Reuters )

– EUK: Hungary – NATO state – rejects €100-billion 5-year Ukraine war chest, Szijjártó calls it ‘madness’ ( RT RU )

– EUK: Poland calls for ‘heavy brigade‘ of EU troops amid rising Russia threat – Radosław Sikorski ( Newsweek )

– EUK: Ireland considering making further benefit cuts to Ukrainian refugees – housing issues ( Telegraph UK )

– EUK: Western Industries say Russian oil price cap doesn’t work – London ‘International Group’ ( Reuters )

– EUK: German public opposed to sending Taurus missiles to Ukraine – 56% in RTL poll ( Telegraph UK )

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– RUC: Russians who fled abroad return in boost for Putin’s ‘war economy’ – residence and work problems abroad ( Bloomberg )

– RUC: Russian Aerospace Forces hit the IRIS-T air defense launcher in Ostroverkhova area with a missile strike ( Tass RU )

– RUC: Abrams captured in the Avdeyevka direction was brought to Poklonnaya Gora in Moscow ( photos videos, Tass RU )

– RUC: Shoigu stated great interest in the trophy exhibition in Moscow – 83 thousand people visited on first day ( Pravda RU )

– RUC: Russia denies claims of using chemical weapons ‘baseless and unsubstantiated’ – Peskov ( Barron’s / WSJ )

– RUC: Peskov said that those responsible for the burning of people in Odessa must be punished ( Tass RU )

– RUC: Kremlin more united than ever by Western refusal to engage in diplomacy ( Overton Magazin DE )

– RUC: Odessa to break free from extremist grip – Zakharova – crimes no statute of limitations ( Tass RU )

– RUC: Victor Medvedchuk names those behind Odessa tragedy in interview with TASS ( Tass RU )

– RUC: Azerbaijan’s president points to highest level of cooperation with Russia ( Tass RU )

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– ASO: US military aid for Kiev cannot stop Russian army’s advance – North Korean diplomat, KCNA ( Tass RU )

THE ART OF BEGGIUM, COPIUM

– ISR: Only 25% of US interceptors succeeded in Iran attack – 90% of Israeli interceptors hit – Army report ( Jerusalem Post )

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– 404: Too many countries ‘sitting on their hands’ while Ukraine suffers – ‘isolate Russia‘ – ground forces commander ( Times UK )

– 404: Israeli military phases out Patriot batteries in favor of modern Systems – Ukraine ‘clamoring’ for them ( Breaking Defense )  

– 404: Elensky named vital priorities for Ukraine at Ramstein – long-range missiles, 7 Patriots, shells, f-16s ( Euromaidan Press )

– 404: Deputy PM: There will be no forced return of Ukrainians from the EU – just ‘determining mobilization potential‘ ( DW DE )

– 404: Kuleba – ‘Political animal’ Putin aggresses when he senses fear, while strength makes him retreat ( Euromaidan Press )

– 404: Heroes of Mariupol denied US weapons over neo-Nazi past – Azov says it has  ‘moved on’ even has jews! ( Times UK )

– 404: Ukraine‘s Air Force spokesman explains how ‘faulty‘ F-16s can help Ukraine – we can cannibalize them ( Ukro Pravda )

– 404: Elensky ordered the galvanization of weapons deliveries – all possible measures to reduce timeframe ( Ukro Pravda )

– 404: Russian strikes overwhelmed Ukraine’s overstretched air defense amid Western aid delays ( Kyiv ‘Independent’ )

– 404: Ukraine eyes Israel‘s retired Patriots – ‘It would be logical if they gave them to us’ – MP Merezhko ( Newsweek )

– 404: Military Intelligence GUR – Ukrainian drones attack Russian refineries in Ryazan, causing fire ( Ukrinform )

– 404: Ukraine‘s UN envoy suggests Crimean bridge destruction in 2024 – Serhiy Kyslytsia on X ( NVo Ukraine )

– 404: Ukraine to introduce mobile app for military registration – May 18 when law comes into force ( Kyiv Post )

– 404: Ukraine’s draft dodgers are living in fear – but even more are needed against Russia ( Economist UK )

– 404: Kuleba hints negotiations with Russia may begin once Ukraine ‘forges Peace Coalition‘ ( Kyiv Post )

– 404: Send us Patriots: Ukraine’s battered energy plants seek air defenses against Russian attacks ( AP )

– 404: Israel to mothball Patriots, fate of systems badly needed by Ukraine unknown ( Kyiv ‘Independent’ )

– 404: Putin‘s fuel problem – How Ukraine is ‘sapping‘ Russia‘s diesel and gasoline ( Politico EU )

– 404: Elensky – Ukraine will join NATO only after defeating Russia ( Kyiv ‘Independent’ )

– 404: Elensky needs ‘significant acceleration‘ of Western arms supplies ( Interfax UA )

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– USC: SecDef Austin ‘intensified efforts‘ to persuade Europeans to ‘part with their Patriots‘ 12th Ramstein ( Euromaidan Press )

– USC: West plans to give Kiev F-16s, weapons, pilots, maintenance – JCOS General Charles Brown at Ramstein ( Tass RU )

– USC: Check your math JD Vance – small countries can beat big countries – Alexander Vindman ( Kyiv Post Opinion )

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– EUK: Brussels to host EU–UA Defense Industries Forum – May 6 ‘boost cooperation’ of defense industries ( Kyiv ‘Independent’ )

– EUK: Britain‘s David Cameron, in Kiev, promises Ukraine aid for ‘as long as it takes‘ – $5b annually ( Reuters, withdrew/back )

– EUK: Ukraine can strike inside Russia with British weapons, UK’s Cameron says – based on above, a day later ( Politico EU )

– EUK: Gazprom slumps to first annual loss in 22 years as trade with Europe hit – $6bn of $91.5bn total revenue ( Guardian UK )

– EUK: Switzerland invited more than 160 states to ‘Ukraine peace conference‘ – Russia not invited ‘at this stage’ ( Bloomberg )

– EUK: UK and Ukraine aim for 100-year partnership – Foreign Minister initiated negotiations in Kiev – it’s real.. ( Ukro Pravda )

– EUK: Ukraine has received Western weapons with permission to hit Russia – Latvian FM Baiba Braže intv. ( Ukro Pravda )

– EUK: Russia’s gas business will never recover from the war in Ukraine – hope for Chinese rescue in vain ( Economist UK )

– EUK: Switzerland peace summit to take place on June 15-16, Russia not invited, China unknown ( Kyiv ‘Independent’ )

– EUK: Latvian PM announces aid package of NBS ‘anti-aircraft guns’, ‘tactical drones’ and other assets ( Ukrinform )

– EUK: Cameron backs Ukrainian strikes on targets inside Russia using British-supplied weapons ( Sky UK )

– EUK: Ukraine can strike inside Russia with British weapons, UK’s Cameron says ( Politico EU )

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– RUC: Russia not to take part in any events on ‘Elensky’s formula’ – Maria Zakharova – Swiss lost neutral status ( Tass RU )

– RUC: Russia called on its partners to refrain from participating in the conference on Ukraine in Switzerland ( Tass RU )

– RUC: Latvia must name countries that allow Ukraine to hit Russia – Maria Zakharova ( Tass RU )

– RUC: Ukraine talks without Russia‘s participation not aimed at result – Peskov ( Tass RU )

MACRON’S DARK INTERVIEW

context: he gave a long interview to the Economist, with ‘dark urgent warning’ for Europe, starting with the Blitzkrieg.

– EUK: Europe facing ‘triple existential risk‘ Macron warns – Mil. security, economic prosperity, internal incoherence ( Tass RU )

– EUK: Macron hits out at ‘hidden Brexiteer’ European nationalists – all of them are hidden Brexiteers! ( Guardian UK )

– EUK: Russian aggression prompts Europe‘s ‘strategic awakening’ – says Emmanuel Macron ( NVo Ukraine )

– EUK: French president doesn’t rule out sending troops to Ukraine if Russia breaks front lines ( Tass RU )

– EUK: Paris, London should reflect on need for tactical nuclear weapons – Emanuel Macron ( Tass RU )

– EUK: Macron considers troop deployment if Russia breaches Ukraine‘s front lines ( NVo Ukraine )

JUST SANCTION EVERYONE!

context: includes Russian Uranium, 12+ Chinese companies, and 300 others in UAE, Slovakia, Belgium, Azerbaijan, Türkiye

– USC: US ‘confirms’ banned chemical weapons use in Ukraine, sanctions 280 individuals – State Department ( Ukro Pravda )

– USC: Senate passes Russian Uranium import ban, sending bill to Biden – risks raising enriched cost by 20% ( Bloomberg )

– USC: US Congress passes bill to ban enriched uranium imports from Russia – now only needs Biden signature ( Tass RU )

– USC: G-7 nations ‘pledge‘ to reduce reliance on Russia in US nuclear push – closing statement in Turin ( Ukro Pravda )

– USC: US, allies press UAE over Russia trade – visiting US–UK–EU officials – more firms may be sanctioned ( Reuters )

– USC: New US sanctions against Russia target weapons development, ban Uranium imports for nuclear power ( AP )

– USC: US imposes sanctions on Chinese companies for aiding Russia’s war effort ( NYT )

– USC: US sanctions companies in China for supporting Russia’s war in Ukraine ( CNN )

– USC: US includes Chinese groups in sanctions over aid to Russian military ( FT UK )

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BATTLEGROUND WEST ASIA

STATEMENTS

‘The idea that we will stop the war before achieving all of its goals is out of the question, we will enter Rafah and we will eliminate Hamas’ battalions there – with or without a deal, to achieve total victory’ – Netanyahu, Israeli PM

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‘Given the number of civilians sheltering in Rafah, it’s not easy to see how such an offensive could be compliant with international humanitarian law in the current circumstances’ – Andrew Mitchell, British Deputy Foreign Secretary

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‘The Israeli government, acting like Hitler, today is threatening to make the Palestinian people disappear’

Daniel Ortega, President of Nicaragua

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‘Washington fully supported, if not stimulated, the issuance of ICC warrants against the Russian leadership, but the American political system does not recognise the legitimacy of this structure in relation to itself and its satellites’ – Maria Zakharova

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‘American students express their anger because their government is complicit with Israeli crimes and provides it with weapons to kill Palestinian women and children’ – Vasily Nabenzya, Russian permanent representative to UN
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‘We advise America to put pressure on Israel to stop the genocide in Gaza because Yemen is preparing for a fourth round of military escalation’ – Yahya Saree, Ansarullah spokesperson

LEGAL BATTLES

– UN: Russian envoy Nebenzya said that Russia opposes the resolution on Srebrenica in the UN General Assembly ( Tass RU )

– UN: Money goes elsewhere, aid workers flee, Haitians endure on their own – UN asked for donations, got 14% ( WaPo )

– UN: US demands the UAE stop supporting parties to the conflict in Sudan – Linda Thomas-Greenfield ( MEMO UK )

– UN: UN court rejects Nicaragua case over German arms exports to Israel – ‘legal conditions not met‘ ( Guardian UK )

– UN: The UN’s nuclear watchdog chief will visit Iran next week as concerns rise about uranium enrichment ( AP )

– UN: More than 10,000 missing under rubble in Gaza, local authorities estimate – UN office report ( WaPo )

– UN: Russia says United States is being hypocritical over ICC and Israel – Zakharova ( PressTV IR )

– UN: ‘UN double standards‘ – Iran criticizes silence over US campus crackdowns ( PressTV IR )

– UN: UN warns of ‘unprecedented’ number of unexploded bombs dropped on Gaza ( WaPo )

– UN: Rebuilding bombed Gaza homes may take 80 years, UN says – report ( Reuters )

– UN: Türkiye wants to join South Africa’s UN court case against Israel ( Bloomberg )

THE BRAZEN COLONY

– ISR: Israeli army chief warns of offensive in Lebanon – Herzi Halevi – if the militant group does not withdraw ( Times UK )

– ISR: Israel high court hears first case challenging secret detentions in Gaza war – thousands gone ‘missing‘ ( WaPo )

– ISR: Israeli officials – unnamed – weigh sharing power with Arab states in Postwar Gaza – unpopular in both ( WSJ )

– ISR: AIPAC halts campaign fundraising for Republicans who voted against emergency Israel aid ( Haaretz )

– ISR: Israel allows trucks from newly reopened Erez crossing into Gaza after US pressure ( Reuters )

– ISR: Fuming over planned military appointments, Ben Gvir urges PM to fire Gallant ( TO Israel )

– ISR: Israel tells US it will punish the Palestinian Authority if ICC issues warrants ( Axios )

– ISR: Israel gives Hamas a week to strike a deal or Rafah offensive will begin – ( WSJ )

– ISR: Israel will strike Rafah regardless of hostage deal, says Netanyahu ( Times UK )

– ISR: Netanyahu faces cease-fire, split cabinet as Blinken visits ( Bloomberg )

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– USC: Which is worse, Israel’s lies about Gaza or its western backers who repeat those lies? Mehdi Hasan ( Guardian UK )

– USC: US and Israel ‘struggle‘ with clashing visions on ending Gaza war – cease-fire + reconstruction / offensive ( NYT )

– USC: Charge Palestine with genocide too – the case for ICC hearing two cases – Greame Wood ( The Atlantic US )

– USC: US nears completion of $320mn floating pier for Gaza aid – aimed at ‘getting around‘ Israeli politics  ( FT UK )

– USC: Israel has failed to restore deterrence – concept guiding Israeli strategy may not survive current war ( FP )

– USC: Blinken tours Kerem Shalom aid crossing as tank fire rings out from Gaza – who has tanks? ( Reuters )

– USC: Blinken urges Hamas to accept deal, says pier for aid close to completion ( WaPo )

– USC: Antony Blinken tells Israel and Hamas that ‘time is now’ for a deal ( FT UK )

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– EUK: EU top diplomat – at least 5 countries expected to recognize Palestinian state in May – Spa, Bel, Ire, Slo, Mal ( TO Israel )

– EUK: David Cameron backed Israel arms sales after death of UK aid workers – compliance with int-hum-law ( Guardian UK )

– EUK: Organizers of Eurovision Song Contest ready to remove Palestinian flags or symbols – they banned Russia ( AP )

– EUK: BBC may be ‘complicit in Israeli war propaganda’ claims Beirut correspondent – Rami Ruhayem ( Telegraph UK )

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– LAT: Colombia’s president says the country will sever ties with Israel, calling its government ‘genocidal‘ ( NYT )

– LAT: Colombia is the latest and largest country to sever ties with Israel ( WaPo )

THE REGIONAL PLAYERS

– USC: US shuffles military assets in Middle East after Gulf pushback – concerns about riling Iran and ‘ proxies’  ( WSJ Exclusive )

– USC: US and Saudis near defense pact to reshape Middle East – ‘incentives’  Israel to end war – adv. weapons ( Bloomberg )

– USC: Biden hugs the Saudis to strong-arm Israel – to ‘resurrect’ pact, and ‘moderate’ Israel if he can ( Bloomberg Opinion )

– USC: Israel and Saudi Arabia are trading places – worst of old kingdom, best of Israel – Thom Friedman ( WSJ Opinion )

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– WEA: Iran announces sanctions on US, UK for supporting Israeli crimes against Palestinians – more than two dozen! ( Irna IR )

– WEA: Türkiye halts all trade with Israel over war in Gaza – $6.8 billion in 2023 – ‘humanitarian tragedy’ in Gaza ( Bloomberg )

– WEA: Saudis push for ‘plan B’ that excludes Israel from key deal with US – bilateral defense, nuclear energy ( Guardian UK )

– WEA: Saudi Arabia steps up arrests of those attacking Israel online – closer US ties to tempt Israel ( Bloomberg Exclusive )

– WEA: Imran Khan hits out at ‘laughing stock’ government from his prison cell – economic crisis ( Telegraph UK Exclusive )

– WEA: UAE ‘cancels’ UK ministerial meetings after accusations of sending weapons to RSF in Sudan war ( Mena JR )

– WEA: All that’s left for them now is to murder me – but I’m not afraid to die – Imran Khan ( Telegraph UK Opinion )

– WEA: Emirati F-35 prospects languish amid high-stakes Chinese, US courting – experts ( Defense News )

– WEA: Don’t look away: The Taliban’s mistreatment of women has global ramifications ( Atlantic Council )

– WEA: Two Jordanian Aid convoys attacked by Israeli settlers, Jordan‘s foreign ministry says ( WaPo )

– WEA: Türkiye‘s Erdogan postpones tentative White House visit – invited by US for 9 May ( Reuters )

——————————————————

– PAL: Hamas leader demands ‘unconditional’ end to war in hostage negotiations – Yahya Sinwar ( Telegraph UK )

– PAL: Israel to face multiple shocks if it attacks Rafah – Hamas envoy Ahmad Abdul Hadi in Tehran ( Irna IR )

– PAL: Hamas is sending a delegation to Egypt for further cease-fire talks in the latest sign of progress ( AP )

HOUTHIS OUTRANGE UKRAINE

– WEA: US airstrikes against Houthi rebels insufficient to deter future Red Sea attacks – US intel. Avril Haines ( Stars & Stripes )

– WEA: Long-range Houthi strike in Arabian Sea raises concerns over rebel capabilities – 600km hit on MSC Orion ( Euronews )

– WEA: Houthis in first confirmed Arabian Sea ship attack – confirmed attack 600km away adds to concerns ( The Australian )

– WEA: Houthis shock US-led West with terrifying long-range strike on Israel-linked ship in Arabian Sea ( TO India )

– WEA: Portuguese-flagged ship is hit far in Arabian Sea, raising concerns over Houthi rebel capabilities ( AP )

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THE WEST’S UTTER HYPOCRISY

‘We follow as an example the hypocritical policies of those who teach us freedom lessons in the Gaza massacre’ – Erdoğan

GEO-SLOV – GOOD PROTESTS!

– 404: How Georgian government ‘provokes final break with West‘ and whether society can stop it ( Ukro Pravda )

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– USC: What if Russia wins in Ukraine? Ask Georgia – leader echoes Moscow, warns ‘global party of war‘ ( Bloomberg Opinion )

– USC: Georgian ‘billionaire kingmaker‘ lashes the ‘war party’ West – Ivanishvili – while president backs protesters ( Bloomberg )

– USC: Biden administration condemns Georgia for ‘Kremlin-inspired’ legislation – State Department spox Matt Miller ( The Hill )

– USC: Police in Georgia use tear gas, water cannons to disperse protesters outside of Parliament ( RFE / CIA )

– USC: US State Department condemns foreign influence bill advanced in Georgian Parliament ( Agenda GE )

– USC: US warns Georgia risks ties to West over ‘Kremlin-inspired‘ law – State Department ( Bloomberg )

– USC: ‘Billionaire’ ex-PM Ivanishvili returns to the stage as Georgian standoff intensifies ( Reuters )

– USC: Turmoil in Georgia could draw in Russia – Georgians ‘fighting for their democracy’ ( FP )

– USC: Georgia‘s Western trajectory at risk – United States Department of State ( State Gov )

——————————————————

– EUK: Thousands rally in Slovakia to protest overhaul of public broadcaster – Fico will abandon pro-West course ( Euronews )

– EUK: Thousands rally in Slovakia …  – ‘a decisive step on the way towards Orbán and Putin‘ – President Šimečka ( AP )

——————————————————

– EUK: Georgian police ‘crack down‘ on ‘foreign agent’ bill protesters – ‘water cannons outside Soviet parliament‘ ( Euractiv )

– EUK: European Parliament member called for depriving Georgia of its candidate status for EU membership ( Gazeta RU )

– EUK: Georgian opposition leader – Khabeishvili – beaten by riot police after protests against ‘Russia law’ ( Telegraph UK )

– EUK: ‘Unacceptable’ – EU FP chief Borrell strongly condemns police violence against protesters in Georgia ( Euronews )

– EUK: Georgia cracks down on pro-EU protesters in Russia pivot – after rare appearance of Bidina Ivanishvili ( FT UK )

– EUK: EU urges Georgia to ‘stay on European course‘ as protesters rally against ‘foreign agents’ bill ( Euractiv )

– EUK: EU leaders condemn Georgia for ‘crackdown‘ on protests opposing ‘foreign agents’ bill ( Guardian UK )

– EUK: Von der Leyen strongly condemns police violence against protesters in Georgia ( Euronews )

– EUK: EU warns Georgia ‘foreign agents’ bill threatens its chances to join bloc ( Guardian UK )

——————————————————

– WEA: PM was invited to US with ‘condition to temporarily suspend’ discussions on transparency bill ( Mfa GE )

– WEA: Georgian MFA statement: US Invitation was ‘not in conformity with the spirit of partnership’ ( Mfa GE )

– WEA: Georgian opposition calls for new protests after violent police crackdown ( RFE / CIA )

– WEA: Georgian Parliament adopts ‘foreign agent’ bill on second reading ( RFE / CIA )

THE WEST – BAD PROTESTS!

– USC: The ‘outside agitators‘ of campus protests – Police say some were ‘chaos professionals’ – Editorial Board ( WSJ Opinion )

– USC: Police break up UCLA protest camp in latest campus clampdown – more than 1,600 have been arrested so far ( FT UK )

– USC: America‘s new mob rule – the ‘left’ resorts to fomenting disorder to get its way – Editorial Board ( WSJ Opinion )

– USC: In an online world, a new generation of protesters chooses anonymity – fear of doxxing, hiding faces ( NYT )

– USC: US police resort to tear gas, rubber bullets as anti-Israel protests rock university campuses ( PressTV IR )

– USC: House passes antisemitism bill over complaints from First Amendment advocates – on to Senate ( WaPo )

– USC: How China sees US campus protests – Intolerant at home, Beijing sympathetic to US protests ( WSJ )

– USC: Biden condemns Campus unrest over Israel–Hamas war: ‘none of this is a peaceful protest‘ ( TIME )

– USC: At least 2,000 people arrested in pro-Palestinian protests on US campuses, AP tally shows ( AP )

– USC: Pro-Palestinian protests push corporate activism limits – after google fired 50 employees ( Axios )

– USC: UCLA: Riot police fire rubber bullets at pro-Palestinian protesters amid violent clashes ( Sky UK )

– USC: Speaker Johnson looks to unify Republican Party with crackdown on campus protests ( CNN )

– USC: Students erect pro-Palestinian encampments across major Canadian universities ( Reuters )

– USC: Celebrities donate to pro-Israel counter-protests – Seinfeld couple, Bill Ackman ( Times UK )

– USC: Universities hanging Palestinian flag is ‘despicable‘ says New York mayor ( Telegraph UK )

– USC: Pro-Palestinian ‘violence‘ won’t change my stance on Israel, Biden vows ( Telegraph UK )

– USC: Police at UCLA use stun grenades, breach barricades; 90 arrested at Dartmouth ( WaPo )

– USC: Nearly 300 arrested on New York Campuses, Mayor says, as clashes intensify ( NYT )

– USC: Campus protests challenge Biden re-election campaign and Democrats ( Reuters )

– USC: New York’s mayor blames ‘outside agitators‘ for Columbia upheaval ( FT UK )

– USC: Police use tear gas on anti-war protesters at Florida university ( Al Jazeera )

– USC: Police appear to fire rubber bullets at UCLA protesters ( CNN )

——————————————————

– ISR: US universities ‘contaminated by hatred, anti-Semitism‘ says Israeli president Herzog ( Telegraph UK )

——————————————————

– WEA: Iran slams crackdown on US student protesters – ignoring human rights obligations – FM spox. Nasser Kanani ( AFP FR )

– WEA: Iranian students bury decades-long tensions in show of support to US campus protest – Tehran Uni ( PressTV IR )

– WEA: Iran checkmates US warmongers, offers scholarships for students expelled for protesting Gaza war ( Sputnik RU )  

– WEA: As anger grows over Gaza, Arab leaders push back protests – fearful of outrage turning on them ( NYT )

– WEA: Iranian college offers free tuition to US students expelled for participating in anti-Israel protests ( NYP )

– WEA: Iran condemns US violence, says anti-war student protests proof of world awakening ( PressTV IR )

– WEA: Second Iranian university offers scholarships to expelled students in US, Europe ( PressTV IR )

– WEA: Türkiye’s Erdogan criticizes US crackdown on anti-Israel campus rioters ( TO Israel )

– WEA: Erdoğan slams US response to pro-Palestinian demonstrations ( Hürriyet TR )

——————————————————

– EUK: France‘s anger on 1May ahead of Paris Olympics – pro-labor, pro-Palestine, anti-Olympics clash with police ( WaPo )

– EUK: West-hating pro-Palestinian protests are a harbinger of much worse to come – ‘victimhood’ ( Telegraph UK Opinion )

– EUK: Jewish students condemn ‘toxic‘ anti-Israel protests on UK campuses – ‘torrent of antisemitic hatred‘ ( Guardian UK )

– EUK: European student protests erupt in solidarity with American pro-Palestinian counterparts ( Haaretz )

– EUK: French students take cue from US peers with pro-Palestine rally at Sorbonne ( Euronews )

– EUK: UK students begin new wave of protests against Gaza war after US arrests ( Guardian UK )

– EUK: Sunak backs police action as Jewish students condemn ‘toxic’ protests ( Guardian UK )

HYBRID THREATS = PEOPLE

– USC: Russia may not start an all-out war with NATO, but already has plans to destroy it from within ( Business Insider )

– USC: In Russia’s hybrid war on Europe, Moldova’s critical next 15 months ( USIP – United States Institute for Peace )

– USC: Campus protests give Russia, China and Iran fuel to exploit US divide – online campaigns ‘amplify’ ( NYT )

——————————————————

– EUK: Serbia lawmakers elect Balkan country’s new government with pro-Russia ministers sanctioned by US ( Toronto Star )

– EUK: NATO accuses Russia of being behind ‘hybrid, malign‘ activities on alliance’s territories – NATO statement ( Tass RU )

context: statement lists Czechia, Estonia, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, and the United Kingdom

– EUK: Moldova Referendum –  UK warns of Russian ‘hybrid‘ attacks before Moldova votes ( Bloomberg last week )

– EUK: As Ukraine loses ground Baltic countries ask: are we next? – midgets crying about ‘destabilization‘ ( WSJ )

– EUK: Greek left boss ‘grateful‘ for EU prosecutor seeking justice at home – Syriza doesn’t trust courts ( Euractiv )

– EUK: Media freedom ‘perilously close to breaking point’ says German ‘Civil Liberties’ NGO ( Guardian UK )

– EUK: Estonia ‘concerned‘ about possible hybrid attack from Russia – FM Margus Tsahkna ( Euronews )

– EUK: Hybrid war: NATO sounds alarm over ‘hostile’ Russian activity across Europe ( Euronews )

– EUK: Russia using ‘hybrid warfare‘ tactics to push migrants over Finnish border ( Euronews )

PLUS EU DEPORTATIONS

– EUK: ‘Endless torture‘ French police force migrants into Channel crossings as numbers hit new daily record ( Independent UK )

– EUK: Sunak to offer Ireland chance to join Rwanda scheme – rejects Irish request to take back refugees ( Telegraph UK )

– EUK: European media under attack from politicians, Reporters Without Borders sounds the alarm – Orbán, Fico ( Euractiv )

– EUK: Removal of migrants is ‘social cleansing‘ before Paris Olympics – bussing homeless to provinces ( Times UK )

– EUK: Macron accused of bussing homeless people to the provinces before Olympics TV crews arrive ( Times UK )

– EUK: Protesters blocking removal of migrants are ‘intimidatory and aggressive‘ – UK Home Office ( Telegraph UK )

– EUK: EU unveils €1 billion aid package – over three years – for Lebanon to curb refugee flows ( Euronews )

– EUK: Paris‘ Olympic promise falls short for unhoused people – mass evacuations of 80k ( Politico EU )

– EUK: London protesters block coach taking asylum seekers to Bibby Stockholm ( Guardian UK )

– EUK: Dozens arrested after London protesters blocked the removal of asylum seekers ( Reuters )

– EUK: ‘This is cleansing‘ Dublin sends in police and buses to dismantle tent city ( Guardian UK )

– EUK: Ireland breaks up asylum seeker ‘shantytown‘ amid dispute with UK ( FT UK )

– EUK: UK begins detaining migrants set to be deported to Rwanda ( Reuters )

TOTAL CHYNA MADNESS

– USC: ‘Monster manta ray‘ spy drone ready to prowl oceans for US navy – lingers on seabed gathering intelligence ( Times UK )

– USC: US official urges China, Russia to declare only humans, not AI, control nuclear weapons – State Department ( Reuters )

– USC: Biden calls allies Japan and India ‘xenophobic‘ along with China, Russia – weeks after Kishida summit ( Bloomberg )

– USC: US tests giant ‘Manta Ray’ drone for long-distance underwater missions – hibernates on sea floor ( Defense One )

– USC: China’s electric cars keep improving, a worry for rivals elsewhere – autonomous driving, bigger, roomier ( NYT )

– USC: China has crossed Biden’s red line on Ukraine – he warned Xi, now there are consequences ( WSJ Opinion )

– USC: About 4 in 10 Americans see China as an enemy – Pew report, five-year high – so 6 in 10 don’t – Ben ( AP )

– USC: Chinese EVs are good for the world – Biden says they’re bad for America – kill US auto industry ( WaPo )

– USC: Without Indonesia’s nickel, EVs have no future in America – need free trade deal with Jakarta ( FP )

– USC: US President Joe Biden calls Japan and India ‘xenophobic‘ countries in latest gaffe ( Euronews )

– USC: Joe Biden – US is prospering because of immigrants, unlike ‘xenophobic‘ Japan ( Telegraph UK )

– USC: China’s propaganda units harvest data from overseas tech firms – report by ASPI ( WaPo )

– USC: China has 350 warships – the US has 290 – that’s a problem ( Bloomberg )

——————————————————

– EUK: EU probe into Chinese EVs is ‘advancing’ – tariffs ‘before summer break’ – trade chief Vladis Dombrovskis ( Politico EU )

– EUK: China begins sea trial of aircraft carrier intended to challenge US – closer ending US stranglehold on Pacific ( Times UK )

– EUK: Chinese supercarrier Fujian about to enter sea trials – only US can beat her – Fr–UK outmatched at sea ( Telegraph UK )

– EUK: Chinese EV makers risk tougher duties over failure to cooperate with EU probe – warned by Commission ( Politico EU )

– EUK: Scholz and Macron to hold secret dinner in Paris ahead of Xi’s visit – talk EU car tariffs ( Politico EU )

– EUK: China‘s state is eating the private property market – by constructing social housing ( Economist UK )

– EUK: China‘s problem is excess savings not overcapacity – Carnegie associate ( FT UK )

– EUK: Croatian president hits out at prospect of EU TikTok ban – Milanovic ( Politico EU )

——————————————————

– RUC: China to launch ambitious mission to far side of the moon amid Nasa ‘space race’ concerns – Friday ( Guardian UK )

– RUC: China‘s factory activity expands at fastest clip in 14 months, Caixin PMI shows – second month in a row ( Reuters )

– RUC: Putin plans to meet Xi in China days after his new term starts – signaling importance – May 15-16 ( Bloomberg )

– RUC: Huawei profit surges 564% as it eclipses Apple in China – 70% smartphone sales growth in Q1 ( Bloomberg )

– RUC: China declines to meet with US on nuclear arms control, US State Department official says ( Semafor )

– RUC: China‘s factory activity holds up, signaling economic recovery can last ( Bloomberg )

——————————————————

– ASO: She was convicted of making a bank her personal ATM – and sentenced to death – Vietnamese property tycoon ( WSJ )

– ASO: As South Korea comes knocking – will AUKUS become the Asian NATO? – is it worth China‘s wrath? ( Times UK )

– ASO: Japan is haunted by a return to emerging-economy status – battering the yen to 34-yr low causes alarm ( FT UK )

– ASO: Japan likely spent about $23 billion in latest Yen intervention – second intervention this week ( Bloomberg )

– ASO: Japan is wrong to try to prop up the Yen – the attempt is both expensive and futile ( Economist UK )

– ASO: Solomon Islands picks China-friendly Manele as new prime minister ( Euractiv )

– ASO: South Korea discusses joining part of AUKUS pact with US, UK and Australia ( Reuters )

context: Japan discussed joining at the Biden summit, New Zealand and Canada are making noises too..

ECONOMIC MATTERS

– USC: Bird flu outbreaks in cattle will not affect supply, Americans told – beef and milk are safe – health officials ( Times UK )

– USC: Tesla’s downsizing worries supercharger industry – layoffs a blow to building national charging network ( WSJ )

– USC: Canada ‘unexpectedly‘ flips to deepest trade deficit since june – exports fall 5.3%, imports 1.2% ( Bloomberg )

– USC: Second Boeing whistleblower dies after short illness – Joshua Dean, 45, ‘had trouble breathing’ ( Times UK )

– USC: US Businesses are way more optimistic than consumers – poll –‘strong economy’ 80% vs 40% ( Bloomberg )

– USC: Apple’s $110 billion stock buyback plan is largest in US history – shares rise 7.9% a day ( Bloomberg )

– USC: Boeing sending first astronaut crew to space after years of delay – ‘a badly needed win’ ( Reuters )

– USC: Starbucks is running out of Americans to drink it’s expensive coffee – banking on China ( WSJ )

– USC: Boeing’s latest trouble is a jet part caught up in Russia sanctions – heat exchangers ( WSJ )

– USC: Supersize me – McDonalds plots bigger patties as it battles sluggish sales ( Telegraph UK )

– USC: Starbucks shares fall 12% as coffee chain slashes 2024 earnings forecast ( CNBC )

– USC: Mcdonalds posts ‘sales miss’ due to ‘Middle East hit’ – shares down 4% ( Reuters )

– USC: Starbucks plunges £12bn as consumers cut back on costly coffee ( Telegraph UK )

– USC: Apple mounts biggest ever share buyback as iPhone sales fall 10% ( Times UK )

——————————————————

– EUK: The world is poised on the edge of a new copper supercycle – insatiable appetite for the conductive metal ( Telegraph UK )

– EUK: Europe takes radical steps to boost production – ‘there is no other option’ competition with Cn–Us Thierry Breton ( WSJ )

– EUK: Europe’s farmers revel in affection despite Green Deal clash – politicians pay lip service, offer no solutions ( Politico EU )

– EUK: Carbon emissions are dropping fast in Europe – 15.5% reduction in energy generation and industry ( Economist UK )

– EUK: Slavery did not make Britain rich, finds report – delivered ‘only modest‘ gains – British Academic ( Independent )

– EUK: Births in Germany fall to lowest for a decade – downward pressure on labor force and economy ( FT UK )

– EUK: Tusk promises Poles will soon be richer than Brits – in GDP per capita terms, in 5 years ( Euractiv )

– EUK: France tops UK (again) in foreign investment race amid European slowdown ( Politico EU )

– EUK: Europe’s economic laggards have become its leaders – Greece, Portugal, Spain ( NYT )

– EUK: Sunak to allow oil and gas exploration at sites intended for offshore wind ( Guardian UK )

– EUK: UK economy will be worst performing in G-7 next year, says OECD ( Times UK )

PERIPHERY: Africa

– AFR: The rapid deterioration of the Sahel – needs development vs terrorism and Russian influence –  Editorial Board ( FT UK )

– AFR: Russian troops enter base housing US military in Niger – close proximity, no mingling – US official ( Reuters Exclusive )

– AFR: Russian, US troops sharing same Military Base sparks escalation fears – not great, manageable ( Newsweek )

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APPENDICES

APPENDIX : Videoclips

– Patel on ICC jurisdiction : https://twitter.com/MyLordBebo/status/1785412826246320512

– Rosenberg is upset: https://twitter.com/MyLordBebo/status/1785754569718247518

– Stalinium must flow: https://twitter.com/simpatico771/status/1786080009091797046

– Kuleba fighting China: https://twitter.com/DD_Geopolitics/status/1786027270550745513

– International Workers Days : https://twitter.com/upholdreality/status/1786009211765477525

– Cotton’s Little Gazas, wtf: https://twitter.com/Glenn_Diesen/status/1786004747687694653

– Biden unites Americans? https://twitter.com/OldRowOfficial/status/1785797802368303187

APPENDIX : Legend

USC = United States + Canada

RUC = Russia + China

EUK = Europe + United Kingdom | 404 = Ukraine

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

ASO = Australia + Oceania

AFR = Africa

LAT = Latin America