Russia’s President Defends Invasion On Victory Day
Isolated from the Western world and facing unprecedented sanctions, Russia’s president defended his Ukraine invasion, invoking World War II, but without signaling an escalation.
Security
Violence Overshadows Philippines Election
There were reports of violence during Monday’s presidential election in the Philippines that the son of ousted dictator Ferdinand Marcos was expected to win.
Judge restricts Durham evidence on Clinton campaign ‘joint venture’ in Sussmann trial
A federal judge placed limits on special counsel John Durham’s evidence in court meant to demonstrate a “joint venture” involving Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign to discredit rival Donald Trump with Russia collusion claims.
EU Debates Oil Embargo As Ukraine War Escalates
Frustrated over the escalating Russian invasion of Ukraine, the European Union’s leadership announced a new plan to penalize Russia financially. It wants a total ban on oil imports from Russia by the end of the year, but several EU member states objected.
‘India Police Torture Pastor Over Conversion’
A pastor in northern India is recovering from injuries after he was allegedly detained and tortured by police on false charges of converting people to faith in Christ.
Has Pentagon depleted own stocks by sending Javelin missiles to Ukraine?
The United States has delivered so many Javelin tank-buster missiles to Ukraine that the Pentagon’s own stocks have dwindled perilously, according to defense insiders.
US intelligence helped Ukraine target Russian generals
Intelligence provided by the United States has helped the Ukrainian military target several Russian generals since Moscow’s invasion, the New York Times reported on Wednesday.
Pakistan: Christian school raided by armed men
The Global Passion Christian school in Pakistan was last week raided by armed men who demanded money and violently assaulted students and female staff, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports.
House Republicans Introduce Legislation To Defund Biden’s Disinformation Board
Republican Louisiana Rep. Mike Johnson will introduce legislation Tuesday that would defund the Department of Homeland Security’s new “Disinformation Governance Board,” which is set to be led by Nina Jankowicz.
Russia Attacks Steel Plant After Some Evacuations
Russia’s military resumed attacking a steel plant in Ukraine’s bombed-out city of Mariupol with terrified civilians and soldiers trapped inside after some escaped.
US Commission: ‘Afghan Christians Face Death’
The U.S. Commission for International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) says Afghanistan should be designated as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) due to the persecution of Christians and other minorities.
Nigeria: Fulani kill 21 Christians in Kaduna, Governor does nothing
Fulani Muslim militants murdered 21 Christian farmers in Nigeria’s Kaduna state last month, as Kaduna’s Fulani Governor Nasir El-Rufai remains silent about the ongoing slaughter of believers in his state, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports.
Ukraine President Seeks Evacuations From Mariupol As Battles Rage
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said 100 people trapped in a steel plant in the besieged city of Mariupol were evacuated as deadly clashes raged in the east. He spoke after meeting with U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who pledged humanitarian and security assistance amid the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Putin’s Future Uncertain Amid Health Scare
Russian President Vladimir Putin has reportedly nominated a hardline security official to replace him while he has cancer surgery.
US and UK held talks regarding China’s threat to Taiwan
The United States has held high-level talks with the UK over how they can co-operate more closely to reduce the chances of war with China over Taiwan and to explore conflict contingency plans for the first time, the Financial Times reported, citing people familiar with the situation.
Islamic State attacks natural gas pipeline in northern Sinai
Islamic State (ISIS) terrorists blew up a section of a natural gas pipeline in Egypt’s northern Sinai on Saturday, the Associated Press reported.
Sinwar threatens ‘war’ over Israel Police activity on the Temple Mount
The leader of Hamas in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar, said on Saturday that a war would erupt unless Israel ceased enforcing the law at the Al Aqsa mosque, and accused Knesset member Mansour Abbas of treachery for joining Israel’s coalition government.
Finland and Sweden intensify talks on joint NATO application
The sudden elevation in intensity of top-level talks between Finland and Sweden has raised the bar on the expectation that the two unaligned Nordic states will jointly announce their decisions to join NATO by May 16.
Massive Fighting In East Ukraine
Ukrainian forces desperately tried to halt a massive Russian attack on Ukraine’s east Saturday, fighting village by village to stop the advance.
NATO preparing for massive military exercises as Russia continues invasion of Ukraine
Tens of thousands of troops from NATO and its European allies are gearing up for a series of military exercises that the United Kingdom is calling one of the “largest shared deployments since the Cold War.”