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European leaders stepped up pressure on Russia to accept an unconditional cease-fire in Ukraine, threatening to immediately impose a new round of punishing sanctions if the Kremlin did not change its stance by the end of Monday. “The clock is ticking — we still have 12 hours until the end of this day,” the German government spokesman, Stefan Kornelius, told a news conference. On Monday, the Kremlin spokesman brushed off the threat. “The language of ultimatums is unacceptable — you cannot talk to Russia like this,” the spokesman, Dmitri S. Peskov, told Russian news agencies.

Weapons manufacturers across Europe are rushing to secure contracts after EU countries announced plans to dramatically increase defence spending. Share prices of European arms companies had already risen sharply following the US decision to suspend military aid to Ukraine. ... Von der Leyen suggests the EU could raise "close to" €650 billion over four years, which would be added to a €150 billion loan to member states for defence investment, totalling €800 billion. European arms manufacturers view this as a golden opportunity to compete against their US rivals.

A 90 year old man tells his Rabbi that he is going to marry a teenage woman. “Well it’s good not to be alone. But you know a person has needs that must be fulfilled. And you want a happy home. So let me suggest something. You should hire a gardener.” Ahah, Rabbi , the think I understand. You are very wise. 6 months later they cross paths. “How are you? How is married life?” “Wonderful! And Rabbi, my wife is pregnant!” The rabbi strokes his chin, “And how is the gardener?” “Wonderful! She’s pregnant too! “

A little over a year ago, Yevgeny Prigozhin, Putin’s former cook and the founder of the notorious Wagner private military company, launched a coup attempt that fizzled quickly. But, significantly, the Russian military and security services did nothing to stop it. They just watched — hardly a sign of their loyalty to Putin. A few days ago, Georgy Zakrevsky, another head of a private military company, effectively called on Russians to get rid of the “Great” Putin (his modifier, not mine). When the guys with the guns start making fun of your greatness, it may be time to read the...

Revival of India's defence deals with Ukraine will be one of the key areas of focus for PM Modi since the supply chain has been disrupted by the ongoing war with Russia. The ripple effects of this damage have been felt globally, making the potential discussions on defence during the visit all the more significant "In 2023, the Ukrainian defence industry produced weapons and equipment worth $3 billion, adding 1.5% to the country's GDP growth", wrote Wilson Center in its 'Defense Technology Investment in Ukraine Is Attractive but Awaits Greater Risk Insurance'. The report also highlights the challenges and opportunities...

I haven't cross checked this but...

Donald Trump is seriously considering Florida Senator Marco Rubio as his running mate, according to a new report. NBC revealed on Thursday that it had spoken with "six people familiar with the presumptive Republican nominee's search for a 2024 running mate" and that Rubio is now a serious contender. The outlet reported: "The list is long, and it's extremely early in any kind of process," one Trump adviser said. "No one has been directly reached out to yet, and I do not expect that for some time."But Trump's apparent seriousness about Rubio, a 52-year-old, third-term senator, hints at the former...

America cannot survive another four years of Joe Biden. Recent polling posted at Real Clear Politics confirms that a Trump-Robert Kennedy, Jr. ticket would win over 60% of the vote. Joe Biden would be a distant second and would suffer the historic loss he deserves. Today, America is at a crossroads. There is only one man who can lead us back to our foundation, to law and order, to a rational foreign policy, to a thriving country that respects its border. If President Trump needs to take on Robert Kennedy, Jr. to ensure a united win in November, then he...

Ukrainian forces raided Crimea and “inflicted fire on the Moscow occupiers,” according to Ukrainian officials, in a campaign to build military pressure on Russia’s forces in the vital occupied peninsula. "There was a battle with the Russian occupiers; many were killed and wounded among the invaders' personnel,” Ukrainian Defense Intelligence spokesman Andriy Yusov told a Ukrainian outlet. “Unfortunately, there are losses among Ukrainian defenders too, though these are still not as many as among the Russians.” Yusov offered that statement after his colleagues released a video that purports to show Ukrainian special forces members riding jet skis to the Crimean...

Russia's air force has lost 90 planes since the start of the war in Ukraine and is becoming less formidable by overworking its jets, UK intelligence said. The British Ministry of Defence said in its latest daily intelligence update on Thursday that Russia is quickly depleting its fleet of warplanes through overuse because the conflict is dragging on for much longer than anticipated. "All aircraft have a projected lifespan, in flying hours," the update said, adding that it's highly likely that with the extra use, Russia is "eating into many of its airframes' lifespans" far more quickly than planned for....

Ukrainian armoured vehicles have smashed through a gap in Russian defences on the Zaporizhzhia front, it has been reported. Eight-wheeled Stryker and tracked Marder Infantry Fighting Vehicles were seen behind Russian tank traps and dragon's teeth near Verbove - suggesting a potential Ukrainian tactical breakthrough in the area. Russia analyst for The Institute for the Study of War, George Barros, said the news could mean Kyiv was preparing for another big push.

Among Republican presidential candidates, former U.N. ambassador and South Carolina governor Nikki Haley strikes the most fear unto Joe Biden’s campaign team, according to an insider. Driving the news: Haley, 51, is the only woman and one of three Indian Americans in the GOP’s pool of presidential hopefuls. What distinguishes her campaign, however, are policy positions that increasingly resonate with more moderate voters, particularly those actively looking for an alternative to Donald Trump. “If they nominate Nikki Haley, we’re in trouble,” a senior Democratic strategist close to the Biden campaign told Politico earlier this month. Such fears corroborate Haley’s positioning...

Former President Donald Trump lost six percentage points of support in a national tracking poll after skipping last week’s first Republican primary debate, though the 77-year-old is still well clear of the rest of the GOP field.An even 50% of likely Republican primary voters backed Trump in the Emerson College survey out Monday, down from 56% in the poll the outlet released Aug. 19, four days before the showdown at Milwaukee’s Fiserv Forum. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis gained two percentage points from the previous poll and placed second behind Trump with 12% support. Following the top two were entrepreneur Vivek...

Russian militants fighting in support of Ukraine have called on Wagner Group mercenaries to switch sides following the apparent death of their leader Yevgeny Prigozhin. “You are facing a serious choice now - you can stand in a stall of Russia’s defence ministry and serve as watchdogs for executors of your commanders or take revenge,” commander of the Russian Volunteer Corps (RVC) Denis Kapustin said in a video published late on Thursday. “To take revenge you need to switch to Ukraine’s side,” the commander added. The group was founded by RVC commander Kapustin, a far-right Russian national, a year ago....

Update from Ukraine | Ukraine Landed in Crimea and will break the Ruzzian defense on the South https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DqL-DmU3iyE The summary of the situation of Russian re-invasion to Ukraine covering the recent developments on the battlefield, as of 23rd August 2023 – 22:00 (Kyiv time). https://militaryland.net/news/invasion-day-546-summary/ *** Great interactive maps with viewer controlled Map magnification tool to use for each Front! https://militaryland.net/maps/

Ukrainian forces have carried out their most complex and ambitious operations to date against Russian military facilities in the occupied region of Crimea, officials in Kyiv have said. Special forces landed on the western shore of Crimea, near the settlements of Olenivka and Mayak, in a joint operation with the country’s Navy, according to Ukrainian Defense Intelligence. “While performing the task, Ukrainian defenders clashed with the occupier’s units. As a result, the enemy suffered losses among its personnel and destroyed enemy equipment,” the intelligence agency said. While they were there, the Ukrainian unit also raised the national flag, it added.

ONE of Putin's prized war planes has been damaged after a kamikaze drone strike deep inside Russian territory. The attack, at the military airport in the Novgorod region more than 700 miles from Ukraine, witnessed a "helicopter style" drone. The ministry said nobody was hurt and the fire was quickly extinguished. The aircrafts which survived the attack are reportedly being being moved to an airfield in the Murmansk region. The Russian defence ministry admitted a strike: “The Kyiv regime carried out a terrorist attack using a copter-type UAV on a military airfield in Novgorod region." "As a result of the...

Russia’s military casualties, the officials said, are approaching 300,000. The number includes as many as 120,000 deaths and 170,000 to 180,000 injured troops. The Russian numbers dwarf the Ukrainian figures, which the officials put at close to 70,000 killed and 100,000 to 120,000 wounded.

Former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot has been named a Richard L. and Ronay A. Menschel Senior Leadership Fellow, receiving a once-in-a-lifetime chance to mentor Harvard University students. Lori Lightfoot is bringing her skills and knowledge to Harvard University to teach a health policy and leadership course. According to The Harvard Gazette, the former mayor of Chicago has been named a Richard L. and Ronay A. Menschel Senior Leadership Fellow for the fall semester at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. The fellowship program provides a once-in-a-lifetime chance for people who recently held prominent positions in journalism, nonprofit organizations, multilateral...

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