Plane carrying 65 prisoners of war exploded

According to a report, a russian plane carrying 65 ukrainian prisoners exploded in the southern Belgorod region, bordering Ukraine. Reportedly, another nine people were on the plane including six crew. According to the report, Ukraine’s general staff said the plans was transporting missiles for Russia’s S-300 air defense systems. Reportedly, video footage showed the plane going down followed by an explosion.

According to the report, some ukrainian media suggested the plane may have been targeted by ukrainian forces but those reports were deleted. Reportedly, the chairman of Russia’s parliamentary defence committee said there was a second plane though that plane changed its course, there can now be no more talk of any other prisoner exchanges.

The eu consider presence in Red Sea seperate to the u.s.’s operation prosperity guardian

According to a report, the uk prime minister told the british parliament that the latest u.s. uk strikes on houthis in Yemen were self defence. Reportedly, the u.s. and uk hit eight targets following twelve attacks on ships in the Red Sea in ten days. According to the report, the uk prime minister said the attacks are unrelated to the war in Gaza.

Houthis are often described as iranian backed because they are shia muslims. Reportedly, they aim to control all of Yemen and have a conflict of interests with Saudi Arabia, Israel and the west. According to a report, the eu are considering a naval presence in the Red Sea, seperate to the u.s.’s operation prosperity guardian but it may take weeks to finalise.

Nikki Haley, Donald Trump’s only remaining challenger

According to reports, Nikki Haley is Mr Trump’s only remaining challenger for the leader of the republican party. Reportedly, Ms Haley, former governor of South Carolina was the u.s. ambassador to the u.n. in the administration of Donald Trump from January 2017 to December 2018. According to the report, she is the first indian american to serve in a presidential cabinet.

Reportedly, defining aspects of Ms Haley’s term was her advocacy of Israel, her defence of the Trump administration’s 2018 withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal, her withdrawal of the u.s. from the u.n. human rights council, reversed by the Biden administration and her defence of the u.s. withdrawal from the Paris climate agreement (reversed by the Biden administration). Presidential elections are scheduled for November.

Iraqi airbase attacked

According to a report, an unspecified number of u.s. personnel have been undergoing evaluation for traumatic brain injuries in an attack on the Al Asad air base which hosts u.s. troops. Reportedly, the u.s. military’s central command said the airbase was targeted with ballistic missiles and rockets on Saturday evening. According to the report, atleast one Iraqi service member was injured in the attack.

Reportedly, the strike was claimed by a group called islamic resistance in Iraq. According to the report, the group emerged in late 2023 and is comprised of several armed groups operating in Iraq, it has claimed other attacks on u.s. forces in recent weeks and the Al Asad airbase has been attacked repeatedly in recent years. Reportedly, the u.s. military said most of the missiles were intercepted.

Idf move southwards

According to a report, israeli forces have continued to push into southern Gaza, saying they are searching for top hamas officials they believe are hiding in Khan Younis, Gaza’s second biggest city. Reportedly, the israeli defence force said they had raided a tunnel in Khan Younis that had been used to hold hostages, though they were not there when it was discovered. According to the report, the focus of fighting is now in southern Gaza, though palestinian fighters advanced around the northern town of Jabalia as the idf were moving their tanks and infantry southwards.

Entomological warfare

Maoris in New Zealand called europeans pakeha, meaning white flea. Some people believe that the uk used fleas in order to move maori clans to clear the land for sales to europeans. One type of entomological warfare is achievable by degrees, the first step being the propagation of a virus, then fleas. The virus is used to contaminate the environment (and people), the fleas are attracted to the virus.

Leads to the question, has entomological warfare been used elsewhere? For instance in other commonwealth states or to clear the land for oil or other commercial purposes? It is reported that a large proportion of the land in Africa, particularly the western Sahel region suffers from soil degradation and water contamination which could be a symptom. Leads to famine and disease.

Jordan suspected of targeting militias in Syria

According to a report, atleast ten people including children were killed in suspected jordanian air strikes in south western Syria. Reportedly, several homes were destroyed in the town of Aman, about 20 km from the border, and a warehouse and house in nearby Malah.

According to the report, Jordan are believed to have carried out a number of airstrikes in Syria over the past year on suspected drug smugglers and their facilities. Reportedly, Jordan and its western allies said organised and armed militias operating in government controlled areas of Syria are behind a surge in smuggling into Jordan, particularly the amphetamines captagon for which there is a huge demand in arab states.

Pakistan launches retaliatory strikes

According to a report, Pakistan has launched a series of retaliatory missile strikes into Iran, killing nine people. Reportedly, the attacks targeted Iran’s Sistan and Balochistan provinces. The Balochistan region is split between Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan. According to the report, Pakistan said hideouts targeted in the operation were used by the Balochistan liberation army and the Balochistan liberation front, two separatist groups fighting for regional autonomy. Reportedly, Pakistan’s foreign minister said a number of militants were killed during the operation.

Iran target jaish al adl in Pakistan

According to a report, Iran said it used precision missile and drone strikes to destroy two strongholds of the sunni militant group, jaish al adl in the village of Koh-e-Sabz in Pakistan’s south west Balochistan province, a mosque in the village was also targeted. Reportedly, Koh-e-Sabz which is situated about 50 kms from the border with Iran was believed to be the home of jaish ul adl’s second in command who was killed during fighting with iranian forces in 2018. According to the report, jaish ul adl who have previously claimed responsibility for attacks against iranian targets are a seperatist group, their stated aim being the independence of Iran’s Sistan province and Pakistan’s Balochistan region, they operate on both sides of the border.

Reportedly, Pakistan’s foreign minister said the attacks killed two children, and warned Iran of serious consequences. According to the report, she said, “It is even more concerning that this illegal act has taken place despite the existence of several channels of communication between Pakistan and Iran. The iranian ambassador to Pakistan should not return from a visit to Iran.”

Reportedly, on Monday Iran launched missiles in northern Iraq and Syria which they claimed to be in connection to the killing of iranian revolutionary guards and the bombings during a memorial for the deceased revolutionary guard Qasem Soleimani.

Two seal commandos missing

According to a report, on Tuesday the u.s. military carried out a strike in Yemen, the attack targeted four anti ship missiles and comes a day after houthis targeted a u.s. owned and operated ship with ballistic missiles. Reportedly, a uk maritime security firm said three missiles were fired with two not reaching the sea, the other struck the bulk carrier, the impact caused a fire in the hold but the vessel remained sea worthy with no injuries onboard.

According to the report, on Thursday u.s. special operations navy seats boarded a boat bound for Yemen and confiscated iranian made ballistic and cruise missile components and other weapons in an operation in which two seal commandos went missing. Reportedly, the USS Lewis B Puller executed the night time boarding with the support of helicopters and drones.