Ukraine Forces Battle In ‘Dead Cities’
Between massive death and destruction, Ukrainian forces were still holding out in the eastern city of Severodonetsk despite being outnumbered by Russian forces, Ukraine’s president said.
PLO
Russian Foreign Minister Banned From Europe Airspace
Russia’s foreign minister said late Monday he had invited his Serbian counterpart to Moscow after three eastern European countries blocked his plane from traveling to Serbia.
WSJ: Saudi Arabia engaging in ‘serious talks’ with Israel
Saudi Arabia is engaging in “serious talks” with Israel about establishing business ties and strengthening security coordination, the Wall Street Journal reported Monday.
Muslim nations slam India over insulting remarks about Islam, Prophet Muhammad
India is facing major diplomatic outrage from Muslim-majority countries after top officials in the governing Hindu nationalist party made derogatory references to Islam and the Prophet Muhammad, drawing accusations of blasphemy across some Arab nations that have left New Delhi struggling to contain the damaging fallout.
Ohio Gov. DeWine will sign bill supporting armed teachers in schools
Ohio Republican Gov. Mike DeWine is set to approve a bill allowing public schools to arm their faculty following the legislation’s approval by the state’s legislature.
Ukraine’s President: ‘Churches Burning, Cities Destroyed’
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has urged Russia to “stop burning churches” and end attacks on his nation after a famed Orthodox Church was destroyed while explosions rocked the capital Kyiv, overshadowing Pentecost celebrations. Heavy street battles also raged in a strategic city in Ukraine’s east that Russian forces want to capture as part of an ongoing invasion.
EU Cancels Sanctions Against Russian Patriarch
The European Union canceled plans to impose sanctions against Russian Orthodox Church leader Patriarch Kirill after Hungary threatened to veto the bloc’s latest round of measures against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine.
Iran could have multiple nukes within years, foreign policy think tank says
Iran could be capable of developing multiple nuclear weapons within weeks, according to a new report from a foreign policy nonprofit group.
Israel and US to cooperate in blocking Iran from obtaining nuclear weapon
Israel and the USA this week pledged to continue coordinating their economic, diplomatic, and military efforts to block Iran from producing nuclear weapons, the Times of Israel (TOI) reports. Israeli and US defense officials have met several times since the beginning of the Biden administration to coordinate efforts in dealing with the Iranian threat.
Four Killed In US Hospital Shooting
Authorities say four people were killed as a gunman opened fire inside a U.S. Oklahoma state hospital Wednesday, after a bloody Memorial Day weekend.
Russia Warns It Could Strike US Over Rockets Deliveries To Ukraine
Moscow warned Wednesday that Washington’s decision to supply advanced rocket systems and munitions to Ukraine could lead to a direct military confrontation between Russia and the United States.
Israel launches government program to support LGBT community
Israel is launching its first-ever government plan to support the Israeli LGBT community, Newsrnd reports. Emphasizing security and the creation of equal opportunities for LGBT citizens, the program is part of a coalition agreement between the Yesh Atid and Meretz governing parties.
Cyber agency: Voting software vulnerable in some states
Electronic voting machines from a leading vendor used in at least 16 states have software vulnerabilities that leave them susceptible to hacking if unaddressed, the nation’s leading cybersecurity agency says in an advisory sent to state election officials.
WHO Strengthens Global Role
The World Health Organization (WHO) appeared to have strengthened its global role after member states agreed on an initial U.S.-led push to reform the rules around disease outbreaks.
US National Guard planning ‘cooperation’ with Taiwan military
The United States is planning on “cooperation” between its National Guard and Taiwan’s military, Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen said on Tuesday, deepening security ties in the face of what Taipei’s government complains is a rising threat from China.
Saudi Arabia and Israel preparing major diplomatic meeting
Saudi Arabia is allowing Israeli businesspeople to enter the country with their Israeli passports after receiving a special visa, sources close to the matter have told “Globes.”
Israel renews gas exploration, expects export deal to Europe
Israel is renewing offshore natural gas exploration and hopes to reach an agreement soon for exporting gas to Europe, Israel’s energy minister said on Monday.
Ukraine’s President Admits Defeats In East
Ukraine’s president has admitted that his forces are overwhelmed by the Russian military in the country’s east. Volodymyr Zelensky made comments amid relentless battles over Ukraine’s industrial heartland and warnings by Russia of an all-out war with the West.
50,000 participate in Jerusalem flag march, record number of Jews ascend Temple Mount
An estimated 50,000 Israelis took to the streets on Sunday and participated in the Jerusalem Day flag march, an event celebrating the reunification of Israel’s capital city in 1967.
Suicide drones launched from inside Iran said to have hit Parchin military site
A deadly explosion at Iran’s Parchin military complex on Wednesday was caused by quadcopter suicide drones, in an attack that fits a pattern of previous strikes that have been attributed to Israel, The New York Times reported Friday.