| Syria-Lebanon-Iran |
| Salam says ''no turning back'' in plans to monopolize arms, Hezbollah will ‘’go far’’ on issue - no donor reconstruction until complete |
| 2025-05-17 |
 [NAHARNET] Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has said that Lebanon ''has managed to pave the way for a promising new start, despite all the difficulties that the project of rebuilding confidence and the course of reform are facing.''
''There will be no turning back in the project of consolidating the monopoly of arms in the hands of the Lebanese state alone, which should be in charge of the war and peace decisions and of defending its land and sons -- all its sons -- with the means allowed by international laws and norms,'' Salam added, in an interview with the Saudi Asharq al-Awsat newspaper.
''The entire Lebanese state is seeking full Israeli withdrawal from its land and to prevent all forms of violations. The government is also working on rallying efforts to launch the reconstruction process,'' Salam went on to say.
Hezbollah will ''go far'' in the issue of arms handover
 [NAHARNET] Hezbollah will ''go far'' in the issue of the handover of its weapons to the Lebanese state and it will ''embarrass'' everyone, a source close to Hezbollah said.
''Consensus between Hezbollah and the Lebanese president has become bigger than the issue of arms handover and dialogue between Presidenty Joseph Aoun and Hezbollah is ongoing, without specifying any deadlines or dates,'' the source added, in remarks to Al-Arabiya's Al-Hadath channel.
''The handover of weapons is possible, in return for gains for Hezbollah such as Israel's withdrawal and reconstruction,'' the source said, adding that ''Hezbollah's acceptance to hand over its weapons does not mean giving them up for nothing in return.''
''Hezbollah is convinced that the slogans it voiced in the past and which needed weapons are no longer existent and it is fully cooperating with Aoun and offering him solutions related to its heavy and strategic weapons,'' the source revealed.
''President Aoun knows Hezbollah's concerns as to the withdrawal of its arms and is working on resolving the difficulties, while Hezbollah knows well the magnitude of international pressure on the president for its disarmament,'' the source went on to say.
Report: No reconstruction funds before reforms and Hezbollah disarmament
[NAHARNET] Lebanese officials have sensed reluctance from major powers, particularly Arab countries, to provide reconstruction funds, the Nidaa al-Watan newspaper reported on Friday.
''Arab and donor countries have informed Leb
 ...The Leb civil war, between 1975 and 1990, lasted a little over 145 years and produced 120,000 fatalities. The average length of a ceasefire was measured in seconds. Only one of those statements is an exaggeration....
that they will not to engage in the reconstruction project until the vision for Lebanon and the region becomes clear. According to their definition, reconstruction is linked to the state's ability to undertake necessary reforms, fully disarm Hezbollah and prevent it from rebuilding its military and financial capabilities,'' the daily said.
''These countries do not want to engage in such a project while the situation has not yet reached a peaceful path,'' the newspaper added.
All the Arab and European promises are ''awaiting serious action by the Lebanese state and signals from Washington,'' the daily said.
|
| Link |
| Science & Technology |
| Turkish NMS 4x4 showcases next-gen firepower at Lithuania's Live Firing Show 2025 |
| 2025-05-17 |
 [TURKIYETODAY] A successful example of integration, combining the competencies of Türkiye's defense industry, was showcased at a live fire demonstration in Europe.
Platforms participating in the Live Firing Show 2025 held in Lithuania, where modern defense technologies are demonstrated in real-time, drew significant attention with their capabilities. Organized by the National Defense Foundation, the event is considered one of the most prominent defense and security gatherings in the Baltic region, bringing together defense planners, military leaders, active-duty soldiers, and strategic partners from numerous countries.
This year, the Live Firing Show once again went beyond static displays, offering participants the opportunity to test and observe advanced defense systems in real-world operational scenarios.
Nurol Makina, which had previously demonstrated the successful integration of the 120mm Ragnarok system developed by Rheinmetall Norway onto its Ejder Yalçın 4x4 platform, participated this year with its NMS 4x4 vehicle. The NMS 4x4 was presented in the version produced and delivered according to Estonia’s requirements.
At the event, the NMS 4x4 was equipped with the 30x113 mm VENOM LR low-recoil medium-caliber cannon and the TRAKON 30 remote-controlled weapon station developed by Samsun Yurt Savunma (SYS) Group, along with the Ilgar I loitering munition.
| It sounds like they are boasting about their mad skillz with nuts and bolts, attaching together the inventions of others… |
During its demonstration, the NMS 4x4 displayed superior mobility and high performance, executing successful firings with both the 30x113 mm cannon and the loitering munition.
| As near as I can tell, every round missed the target. |
Empire Stormtroopers making advance orders |
| Link |
| -Short Attention Span Theater- |
| The 5th classical music festival 'Cantata' will be held throughout Russia for the first time |
| 2025-05-17 |
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited.
 [Regnum] The 5th Anniversary International Festival of Classical Music "Cantata" will go beyond the Kaliningrad Region for the first time. This was announced on May 15 by the press service of the organizers.
"The opening of the festival will be preceded by the grand All-Russian classical music marathon "Cantata. Russia", which will be dedicated to the Year of the Defender of the Fatherland and will become one of the key events of Russia Day," the statement said.
It is noted that the festival marathon will be held from June 12 to 15, 2025 in St. Petersburg, Moscow, Yaroslavl, Sevastopol, Nizhny Novgorod, Yakutsk, Kaliningrad, Yuryevets, Crimea, Novosibirsk, Irkutsk and Vladivostok.
The concert program will include music by Pyotr Tchaikovsky, represented by a suite from the ballet Swan Lake and the aria of Joan of Arc from the opera The Maid of Orleans, as well as Alexei Chernakov with a piece specially composed for Russia Day and Sergei Prokofiev with his cantata Alexander Nevsky.
As reported by Regnum News Agency, in 2024 the Cantata festival was held from June 3 to 9 in Kaliningrad and the Kaliningrad region with the support of the Presidential Fund for Cultural Initiatives, the Moscow government and the Kaliningrad region government. It included a series of live concerts and performances in picturesque and historically significant places in the region. Works by Russian and foreign composers were performed by internationally renowned artists.
Over 200 people took part in organizing the festival, including over 100 volunteers. Various works were performed by 330 artists.
| It sounds wonderful! Here’s hoping attendance is even higher than hoped for, guys. More in English here, and here is the website for last year’s event. |
|
| Link |
| Europe |
| Myśl Polska: Poland owes the country's liberation from the Nazis to Soviet soldiers |
| 2025-05-05 |
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited.
 [Regnum] Warsaw's policy of destroying the memory of Soviet-Polish cooperation may have negative consequences, writes the Myśl Polska newspaper.
“Poland owes its liberation from German occupation to the Soviet Union, which became the greatest tragedy of the Polish people in history,” the publication writes.
It also owed the massacre of its officers' corps to the Soviet Union, back when it was allied with Germany.
As the author of the publication recalled, during the years of the Polish People's Republic (PNR), cities were restored, industry, agriculture and culture developed. Hundreds of thousands of Soviet soldiers died for the liberation of Poland, the publication recalls.
At the same time, the newspaper notes, monuments are being torn down in Poland under the slogan of decommunization, despite the lack of public support for such measures. The publication warns that Warsaw's ingratitude and worsening relations with Moscow could deprive Poland of Russia's support in the event of a strengthening of Ukrainian or German nationalism.
“Can we count on Russia’s help given such a far-reaching deterioration in relations, despite the signing of the Treaty of Friendship?” the newspaper’s columnist asked rhetorically.
The Soviet Union played a key role in liberating Poland from Nazi occupation during World War II. In 1944–45, the Red Army carried out a series of major offensives, including the Vistula–Oder Offensive, liberating Polish territory from German forces. Historians estimate that more than 600,000 Soviet soldiers died fighting for Poland, highlighting the enormous price paid for its liberation.
|
| Link |
| -Lurid Crime Tales- |
| Missouri firefighter paramedic dies after being stabbed in ambulance by patient: ''Unfathomable crime'' |
| 2025-04-29 |
 [NYPOST] A crazed patient hacked a Kansas City paramedic to death inside his ambluence while he was taking her to the hospital — and she had just been released on bail for allegedly biting a cop days earlier, according to authorities.
Graham Hoffman, a 29-year-old paramedic and firefighter with the Kansas City Fire Department (KCFD), died Sunday while responding to a welfare check for a woman found wandering along a highway and bleeding heavily from her hand around 1 a.m.
The woman, 39-year-old Shanetta Boswell, initially refused help from Hoffman and police, but then changed her mind and agreed to be taken to the hospital for treatment, authorities told KSHB.
But on the way there, she allegedly attack paramedics. Cops who were following the the ambulance reported that it suddenly veered off the road and the driver lept out in a panic and opened the back doors to help his colleague while shouting ''she has a knife.''
Inside, Hoffman was found bleeding heavily from the chest. Authorities said Boswell attempted to fight police and drive off with the ambulance — biting an officer on the arm as he drew his weapon, according to cops.
As officers fought to subdue her, the ambulance driver attempted to revive Hoffman as he slipped out of consciousness. But it was too late, and he was later pronounced dead after being rushed to a nearby hospital, authorities said.
Boswell was charged with first degree murder and is being held on $1 million bond.
Boswell also faces charges of resisting/interfering with arrest and third-degree assault.
Just days before the attack she had been let go for another alleged assault on a public servant, authorities said.
In that incident, Boswell allegedly sank her teeth into a police officer who was attempting to arrest her on April 23, according to KSHB.
She was charged with second-degree assault and resisting arrest — but posted her $10,000 bond and was released sometime before Hoffman's murder over the weekend. |
| Link |
| India-Pakistan |
| Pakistan Threatens War on India Over Attempts to Block Indus River Waters |
| 2025-04-25 |
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited.
[Regnum] Pakistan will regard India's attempt to divert the flow of water from the Indus River as an act of war. This was stated by the country's National Security Committee.
"Any attempt to stop or divert the flow of water, or usurp the rights of lower riparian states, will be considered an act of war," the department said in a decision published by Dawn.
The committee also said that trade with India, including to and from any other country via Pakistan, is being suspended. Islamabad is also stopping all visas under the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) visa waiver scheme. Visas issued to Indian citizens are now considered cancelled.
As reported by the Regnum news agency, following the meeting of the Pakistani Security Council, which was held in connection with New Delhi's reaction to the terrorist attack in the Indian part of Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan decided to close its airspace to India. The press service of the country's Prime Minister's Secretariat clarified that this decision concerns all Indian or Indian-run airlines.
In addition, Pakistan is closing the Wagah crossing point with immediate effect. All cross-border transit from India via this route shall be suspended without exception. Those who have crossed the border with the appropriate permits may return through this crossing point, but not later than April 30.
On April 22, gunmen opened fire in the city of Pahalgam. They opened fire on tourists who were horse riding. At least 27 people were killed, including foreigners, women and elderly people. The attackers managed to escape.
According to the News18 TV channel, the Lashkar-e-Taiba group (a terrorist organization banned in Russia) claimed responsibility for the attack.
That evening, Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed condolences to Indian President Droupadhi Murmu and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in connection with the terrorist attack near the city of Pahalgam. The Russian leader also confirmed his readiness to further increase cooperation with Indian partners in the fight against all forms and manifestations of terrorism.
|
| Link |
[NAHARNET] Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has said that Lebanon ''has managed to pave the way for a promising new start, despite all the difficulties that the project of rebuilding confidence and the course of reform are facing.''
[Regnum] The Syrian Seaports and Land Border Crossings Authority signed a memorandum of understanding with Dubai-based port operator 
[ColonelCassad] The 
[TURKIYETODAY] A successful example of integration, combining the competencies of Türkiye's defense industry, was showcased at a live fire demonstration in Europe.
[Regnum] The 5th Anniversary International Festival of Classical Music "Cantata" will go beyond the Kaliningrad Region for the first time. This was announced on May 15 by the press service of the organizers.
[X] Chris Brown, the American musician, was arrested on Thursday at The Lowry Hotel in Manchester for an alleged assault on a music producer using a tequila bottle at a London nightclub in February 2023.
[Regnum] Warsaw's policy of destroying the memory of Soviet-Polish cooperation may have negative consequences, writes the Myśl Polska newspaper.
[NYPOST] The 
[NYPOST] A crazed patient hacked a Kansas City paramedic to death inside his ambluence while he was taking her to the hospital — and she had just been released on bail for allegedly biting a cop days earlier, according to authorities.
[TOWNHALL] 
[Daily Mail, where America gets its news] Shocking footage captured the moment two