Irish parliament have now started demanding samples from Aughinish are forensically analysed against missile fragments. This is a huge step closer to linking the russian refinery to the Kremlins military complex.
Folarin Balogun scores for the USA.
Three countries wanted him.
He was born in New York, raised in England, and has Nigerian parents.
He came through Arsenal's academy and played for England's youth teams.
Nigeria wanted him.
England wanted him.
The USA wanted him too.
In 2023, after a brilliant season in France, he made his choice.
He chose the USA.
Now, after scoring 19 goals for Monaco last season, he has scored at a home World Cup for the country he decided to represent.
Three nations wanted him.
Tonight, America got the goal.
This platform has made it clear that Israel and the Jewish people do not stand alone.
If you're Team Israel, comment below with "Shabbat Shalom."
Let’s unite together on this platform. 🇮🇱❤️
Congratulations to NASA astronaut Randy Bresnik (@AstroKomrade)!
@NASA has announced him as commander of the Artemis III mission.
He has Ukrainian roots (from Dnipro) and has visited Ukraine several times.
In 2017, while aboard the ISS, he became the second person after Leonid Kadenyuk to unfold the Ukrainian flag in orbit. In 2008, he also adopted a boy from Dnipro.
Wishing him all the best on this historic mission — a truly special connection between Ukraine and the stars.
🇺🇸🤝🇺🇦
The Pro-Russian AfD laughed when German chancellor Friedrich Merz praised the heroic fight of the Ukrainian people for independence, which he immediately used to call out the treasonous character of the AfD, and wishing them „farewell to Moscow“.
“Kyiv Post’s Jason Smart said he was ‘honored & humbled’ to have been awarded a medal by the 🇺🇦 Armed Forces & to receive a certificate from Chief of 🇺🇦 Defense Intelligence (HUR).”
Thank you, @KyivPost & it’s Editor (@BohdanNahaylo), for your support!
https://t.co/dw9OFR5z0V
Russians were so desperate regarding their May 9 parade. It has been canceled in almost all major cities across the country and scaled down in Moscow and St. Petersburg. Numerous air defense systems all over the country had to be relocated around Moscow, exposing most of the country.
Yet, the fear was still l so great that all TV teams from Western countries have been sent away. The live stream is scheduled to have a delay, just in case for an Ukrainian surprise.
In the end, Putin had to call Trump and ask him to speaks to Zelenskyy. Ukraine agrees to it but only in exchange of a prisoners swap. Russians accept it, teeth grindingly, and Zelenskyy trolls them on top.
Many would have enjoyed to see the May 9 parade being ruined by Ukrainian missiles, and I wouldn't discard yet the chance of something happening, but the fact that it all came to this is an Ukrainian win in itself. Btw., I would be surprised if the ceasefire would last full 3 days.
More importantly, however, is what happens on the battlefield. The Russian oil industry gets methodically destroyed. The Russian frontline losses exceed the recruiting numbers in Russia. There is no hope for Russians to take the Donbas any time soon, if at all.
Now, the war has persistently reached Moscow. The mobile internet hasn't been properly working in weeks and the airports have become open hostels for marooned passengers. Putin in the meantime is nowhere to be seen.
Russians are gradually losing control of the situation and now they are actively losing this war. None of their objectives materialized, and now they are not even safe in their own capital city.
Everyone in Russia is seeing what is happening, especially now at May 9, and they see that their regime is not in charge of the situation. It is unlikely that this will be without consequences forever, not even in Russia.
A frail old man with have face full of botox looking at the ashes of his work. The Ukrainian people broke him and his army.
In a way he fittingly represents Russia.
The Russian military May 9 parade today was the most pathetic display of the Russian army since the end of the Soviet Union. It was a disaster. It lasted only an hour and that sad event was over. Even North Korean were present to supplement the Russian army.
Compared to previous parades even during the failing war in Ukraine, Russians insisted to show their military vehicles on the Red Square. The fact that it could only take place because Ukrainians allowed it to happen paraphrases the humiliation Russians experienced. Though the internet was again fully turned off.
It is known that those parades only exist to encourage the own population as well as to certain extent to intimidate perceived foreign enemies, but it is now clear that both failed, miserably. Nobody sees a strong Russia. Russia has been diminished, and the mood inside the country is desperate.
The war is not over yet, but we see the hallmarks that we are entering its end stage. Ukrainians are valiantly holding the lines and efficiently destroying Russian human material. Ukrainian long range weapons are methodically wiping out Russian critical oil infrastructure.
Putin's hope that Trump might hand Russians a victory never materialized and they know it never will. Ukrainians are holding enough cards and they are playing them better than anyone expected. Today they played the May 9 card and the whole world saw it.
It was only yesterday when I said that the war in Ukraine unleashed by Russia is entering its final stage. Then, only a few hours later Putin announced that the war is "coming to an end".
Let’s clarify this at the beginning. His remark are coming from position of distress and weakness. The humiliating May 9 parade and more importantly the reasons, which led to it, left a serious mark on him. You cannot overstate the importance the May 9 holds for Putin. It is "his" national holiday, which stands above all. Having it diminished, especially in such a obvious manner, is to diminish him and his rule.
Putin has no intentions to seriously end the war at this point, because Russia hasn't achieved anything. Ending it now would put Russia's defeat into writing and bury him, politically, figuratively and eventually literally.
Putin tries to distract from his humiliation by attempting to launch another round of talks. This in itself is not new, but it comes at a time when Russian war effort and its economy are in great distress. It is the ideal opportunity to apply even more pressure on Russia.
The German government refused Putin‘s proposal to make Gerhard Schröder a „mediator“ in the war between Russia and Ukraine, calling it a fake proposal and part of the hybrid war.
Schröder is on the Kremlin payroll and a friend of Putin. The rejection is the only correct answer.
Happy Mother’s Day to Renée Good. Today, we honor her memory, her courage, & the ultimate sacrifice she made. She should be here with her babies today, but her legacy lives on in the people she loved, the lives she touched, & the continued fight for a more compassionate & just world. 💐