Following India’s countermeasures against Pakistan after the Pahalgam terror attack, including the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, Pakistan Minister Hanif Abbasi issued a nuclear threat. Abbasi warned of full-scale war should India halt Pakistan’s water supply, emphasizing the country’s hidden nuclear arsenal’s readiness for retaliation. He also mocked India’s economic sanctions, highlighting the disruption caused by Pakistan’s airspace closure. These statements follow similar provocative claims by Pakistan’s Defence Minister, Khawaja Asif, who admitted to past support of terror groups while accusing India of staging the attack.
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On the 39th anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster, a ceremony in Prypyat honored the victims and cleanup crews (“liquidators”). Attendees included survivors, relatives, government officials, and plant employees, who laid flowers and observed a minute of silence. State awards were presented to both Chernobyl liquidators and those responding to a 2025 Russian drone strike on the plant’s containment structure. The ceremony also acknowledged the bravery of those who remained at the plant during the 2022 Russian invasion, highlighting the ongoing nuclear threat and the lasting impact of the 1986 catastrophe.
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A driver plowed a vehicle into a crowd at Vancouver’s Lapu Lapu Day festival, resulting in multiple fatalities and injuries. A 30-year-old Vancouver man, known to police, is in custody. Witness accounts describe a chaotic scene with numerous people receiving CPR and the driver initially attempting to flee. The incident occurred near East 43rd Avenue and Fraser Street, leaving a trail of victims and debris. Police are still notifying families and have not yet released the exact number of casualties.
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Australian neo-Nazis, led by Thomas Sewell, are attempting to form a registered political party, the National Socialist Network, as a strategy to avoid legal repercussions and expand their influence. This tactic aims to utilize the party as a platform for disseminating their ideology, while simultaneously engaging in more extreme actions under the guise of political expression. The Australian Electoral Commission faces limitations in rejecting the party’s application due to its apolitical mandate, despite concerns from researchers who see this as a potential means to normalize extreme views. While some doubt the party’s ability to achieve significant political success, experts predict that the group’s visibility will increase through this effort. The strategy may also involve strategically downplaying overt Nazi imagery and rhetoric to attract support.
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Ukraine’s General Staff reported 62,400 Russian military casualties in Kursk Oblast, comprising 25,200 irreversible losses and 36,200 injuries, along with 983 prisoners of war. This follows Russia’s claim of recapturing the oblast and the involvement of North Korean troops, a claim denied by Ukraine, which also reported over 4,500 North Korean casualties. The Ukrainian operation, launched in August 2024, aimed to disrupt a planned Russian offensive and divert resources from eastern Ukraine.
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Over 130,000 people have viewed Pope Francis lying in state at St. Peter’s Basilica, with many taking photos and videos despite Vatican requests for solemnity. Initially, officials did not effectively curb the use of phones, leading to criticism. Subsequently, visitors were explicitly instructed to refrain from taking photos of the late pontiff. The pope’s funeral will take place on Saturday, following a public viewing period ending Friday evening.
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German authorities arrested two German-Russian men, Dieter S. and Alexander J., on suspicion of espionage and plotting attacks on German infrastructure, including potential U.S. military facilities. Dieter S. allegedly planned sabotage to hinder German military aid to Ukraine, gathering intelligence on targets and scouting locations with Alexander J.’s assistance. A judge ordered both men held in custody, while Interior Minister Nancy Faeser affirmed Germany’s continued support for Ukraine and its commitment to counter Russian threats. The alleged targets reportedly included the U.S. Grafenwoehr military base.
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President Andrzej Duda’s call for Ukrainian concessions to end the war with Russia prompted Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski to warn against appeasement, likening Duda to Neville Chamberlain. Sikorski’s criticism followed Duda’s suggestion that a peace deal requires compromise from Ukraine and his belief that Donald Trump could end the conflict. This disagreement highlights the differing views within Poland regarding the war and potential peace negotiations, with the government holding a more critical stance towards Russia than the President. Sikorski expressed hope that Duda would raise the Ukraine issue with Trump, while also acknowledging Europe’s increased military mobilization spurred by fear of both Putin and Trump.
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Russian Chief of General Staff Valery Gerasimov reported to President Putin the complete liberation of Kursk Oblast from Ukrainian forces, claiming a significant Ukrainian loss of 76,000 personnel. Gerasimov specifically acknowledged the contribution of North Korean troops in this operation. Putin declared the Ukrainian incursion a failed “adventure.” However, Ukraine disputes the Russian claims of heavy losses and reports ongoing fighting along the border, with Russian forces massing troops near Sumy Oblast.
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German authorities arrested two German-Russian nationals in Bavaria for suspected espionage on behalf of Russia. The suspects, Dieter S. and Alexander J., are accused of scouting potential targets for attacks, including U.S. military facilities, to undermine German support for Ukraine. Dieter S. allegedly planned sabotage operations, while Alexander J. assisted in information gathering. The arrests have heightened concerns regarding Russian espionage within Germany and prompted a strong response from the German government.
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John Q. Hosedrinker