On Saturday, May 9, 2026, President Vladimir Putin participated in ceremonies marking the 81st anniversary of the Soviet Union’s World War II victory over Nazi Germany. The event, held in Moscow, featured Putin laying flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier near the Kremlin. This commemoration underscores the enduring significance of the war’s outcome in Russian national identity and memory.
Peruvian President José María Balcázar has drawn widespread condemnation for suggesting that Jewish people played a role in Germany’s descent into World War II by controlling banks and commerce. These remarks, made during a speech at the Chamber of Commerce of Lima, have been described as “absurd” and “historically untenable” by a joint statement from the Israeli and German embassies, which emphasized that Nazi ideology and Adolf Hitler initiated the war and the subsequent Holocaust. While Balcázar’s office later issued a statement expressing regret for any mistaken perception and reiterating the Peruvian state’s consistent position that Nazi fanaticism caused the war and the genocide, Jewish organizations have called for a public apology from the president.
Connie Palacioz, a World War II-era “Rosie the Riveter” who riveted B-29 Superfortress bombers in Wichita and later dedicated 26 years to volunteering with the restored B-29 DOC aircraft, has passed away at the age of 101. Palacioz began her impactful work at The Boeing Co. in Wichita at 17, contributing to the war effort by working on the B-29 production line from 1943 to 1945. Upon the return of B-29 DOC for restoration in 2000, she became a fervent advocate for the aircraft and the mission of Doc’s Friends, Inc., enthusiastically sharing her own experiences and those of other wartime production workers. Her humble dedication and trailblazing spirit, including her support for civil rights by working alongside a minority coworker, made her a national hero and an inspiration to many.
The Japanese embassy has warned that the erection of a statue in Auckland, New Zealand, symbolizing women forced into sexual slavery by Japan during World War II, could jeopardize diplomatic relations between the two countries. The proposed bronze statue, depicting a seated girl next to an empty chair, is intended to commemorate survivors of wartime sexual violence and was gifted by a South Korean non-government organization. The Japanese ambassador has argued that such a monument could create division and harm international cooperation, citing past instances where similar statues have led to strained relations and the severing of sister-city ties. While New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs acknowledges the sensitivity, it maintains that decisions regarding public monuments are primarily a local government and community matter.
Shigeaki Mori, a Hiroshima atomic bomb survivor and historian who became known for a hug he received from President Barack Obama, has died at age 88. Mori dedicated over 40 years to researching and identifying American prisoners of war who were killed by the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima, tracking down 12 such individuals and notifying their families. His work culminated in a book that brought international attention to this often-overlooked aspect of the bombing, contributing to U.S. confirmation of these deaths. President Obama referenced Mori’s efforts during his historic 2016 visit to Hiroshima, acknowledging the shared humanity in Mori’s quest for remembrance.
It’s quite remarkable, isn’t it, the news about Iran’s purported “drone aircraft carrier” sinking? The headline itself, proclaiming it as the “First Since WW2,” certainly grabs your attention, though it immediately sparks a cascade of questions and, let’s be honest, a fair bit of skepticism. It seems this vessel, officially designated as a drone carrier, is really a converted cargo ship, outfitted with a runway specifically for launching drones. The scale and nature of it are vastly different from what we typically envision when we hear the term “aircraft carrier.” Think less of a colossal, multi-deck behemoth and more of a modified ship with a rather basic addition for its aerial endeavors.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood