Rumor has it

In the cosmic tapestry of Luv

Some high quality images of Iran's 'Emad' liquid-fuel MaRV MRBM. Muhammad Hafez from North Gaza is a fan of Cristiano Ronaldo and the Saudi Al-Nassr football club. Despite the sounds of bombardment around him, Muhammad insists on playing football, his passion. He dreams of becoming a player in a known football club when he grows up. BREAKING: The Iranian parliament has approved 2 articles of association for 'SEPAND', Iran's Organization for Defensive Innovation and Research The Israeli occupation forces denied the entry of Palestinian youth to Al Aqsa mosque to perform Friday prayer and proceeded to assault them.

A moment of historic danger: It is still 90 seconds to midnight 2024 Doomsday Clock Statement Science and Security Board Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists Editor, John Mecklin January 23, 2024 bulletin of atomic scientists 2020 doomsday clock 100 seconds to midnight Founded in 1945 by Albert Einstein, J. Robert Oppenheimer, and University of Chicago scientists who helped develop the first atomic weapons in the Manhattan Project, the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists created the Doomsday Clock two years later, using the imagery of apocalypse (midnight) and the contemporary idiom of nuclear explosion (countdown to zero) to convey threats to humanity and the planet. The Doomsday Clock is set every year by the Bulletin’s Science and Security Board in consultation with its Board of Sponsors, which includes nine Nobel laureates. The Clock has become a universally recognized indicator of the world’s vulnerability to global catastrophe caused by man-made technologies. Bulletin Science and Security Board members and distinguished guests Ban Ki-Moon and Mary Robinson at the 2020 Doomsday Clock announcement. The Science and Security Board The Bulletin's Science and Security Board (SASB) is composed of a select group of globally recognized leaders with a specific focus on nuclear risk, climate change, and disruptive technologies. Learn more... PDF / print version A moment of historic danger: It is still 90 seconds to midnight Ominous trends continue to point the world toward global catastrophe. The war in Ukraine and the widespread and growing reliance on nuclear weapons increase the risk of nuclear escalation. China, Russia, and the United States are all spending huge sums to expand or modernize their nuclear arsenals, adding to the ever-present danger of nuclear war through mistake or miscalculation. In 2023, Earth experienced its hottest year on record, and massive floods, wildfires, and other climate-related disasters affected millions of people around the world. Meanwhile, rapid and worrisome developments in the life sciences and other disruptive technologies accelerated, while governments made only feeble efforts to control them. The members of the Science and Security Board have been deeply worried about the deteriorating state of the world. That is why we set the Doomsday Clock at two minutes to midnight in 2019 and at 100 seconds to midnight in 2022. Last year, we expressed our heightened concern by moving the Clock to 90 seconds to midnight—the closest to global catastrophe it has ever been—in large part because of Russian threats to use nuclear weapons in the war in Ukraine. Today, we once again set the Doomsday Clock at 90 seconds to midnight because humanity continues to face an unprecedented level of danger. Our decision should not be taken as a sign that the international security situation has eased. Instead, leaders and citizens around the world should take this statement as a stark warning and respond urgently, as if today were the most dangerous moment in modern history. Because it may well be. But the world can be made safer. The Clock can move away from midnight. As we wrote last year, “In this time of unprecedented global danger, concerted action is required, and every second counts.” That is just as true today. The many dimensions of nuclear threat A durable end to Russia’s war in Ukraine seems distant, and the use of nuclear weapons by Russia in that conflict remains a serious possibility. In February 2023, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced his decision to “suspend” the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START). In March, he announced the deployment of tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus. In June, Sergei Karaganov, an advisor to Putin, urged Moscow to consider launching limited nuclear strikes on Western Europe as a way to bring the war in Ukraine to a favorable conclusion. In October, Russia’s Duma voted to withdraw Moscow's ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, as the US Senate continued to refuse even to debate ratification. Nuclear spending programs in the three largest nuclear powers—China, Russia, and the United States—threaten to trigger a three-way nuclear arms race as the world’s arms control architecture collapses. Russia and China are expanding their nuclear capabilities, and pressure mounts in Washington for the United States to respond in kind. Meanwhile, other potential nuclear crises fester. Iran continues to enrich uranium to close to weapons grade while stonewalling the International Atomic Energy Agency on key issues. Efforts to reinstate an Iran nuclear deal appear unlikely to succeed, and North Korea continues building nuclear weapons and long-range missiles. Nuclear expansion in Pakistan and India continues without pause or restraint. And the war in Gaza between Israel and Hamas has the potential to escalate into a wider Middle Eastern conflict that could pose unpredictable threats, regionally and globally. An ominous climate change outlook The world in 2023 entered uncharted territory as it suffered its hottest year on record and global greenhouse gas emissions continued to rise. Both global and North Atlantic sea-surface temperatures broke records, and Antarctic sea ice reached its lowest daily extent since the advent of satellite data. The world already risks exceeding a goal of the Paris climate agreement—a temperature increase of no more than 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels—because of insufficient commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and insufficient implementation of commitments already made. To halt further warming, the world must achieve net zero carbon dioxide emissions. The world invested a record-breaking $1.7 trillion in clean energy in 2023, and countries representing half the world’s gross domestic product pledged to triple their renewable energy capacity by 2030. Offsetting this, however, were fossil fuel investments of nearly $1 trillion. In short, current efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions are grossly insufficient to avoid dangerous human and economic impacts from climate change, which disproportionately affect the poorest people in the world. Barring a marked increase in efforts, the toll of human suffering from climate disruption will inexorably mount. Evolving biological threats The revolution in life sciences and associated technologies continued to expand in scope last year, including, especially, the increased sophistication and efficiency of genetic engineering technologies. We highlight one issue of special concern: The convergence of emerging artificial intelligence tools and biological technologies may radically empower individuals to misuse biology. In October, US President Joe Biden signed an executive order on “safe, secure, and trustworthy AI” that calls for protection “against the risks of using AI to engineer dangerous biological materials by developing strong new standards for biological synthesis screening.” Though a useful step, the order is not legally binding. The concern is that large language models enable individuals who otherwise lack sufficient know-how to identify, acquire, and deploy biological agents that would harm large numbers of humans, animals, plants, and other elements of the environment. Reinvigorated efforts this past year in the United States to revise and strengthen oversight of risky life science research are useful, but much more is needed. The dangers of AI One of the most significant technological developments in the last year involved the dramatic advance of generative artificial intelligence. The apparent sophistication of chatbots based on large language models, such as ChatGPT, led some respected experts to express concern about existential risks arising from further rapid advancements in the field. But others argue that claims about existential risk distract from the real and immediate threats that AI poses today (see, for example, “Evolving biological threats” above). Regardless, AI is a paradigmatic disruptive technology; recent efforts at global governance of AI should be expanded. AI has great potential to magnify disinformation and corrupt the information environment on which democracy depends. AI-enabled disinformation efforts could be a factor that prevents the world from dealing effectively with nuclear risks, pandemics, and climate change. Military uses of AI are accelerating. Extensive use of AI is already occurring in intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, simulation, and training. Of particular concern are lethal autonomous weapons, which identify and destroy targets without human intervention. Decisions to put AI in control of important physical systems—in particular, nuclear weapons—could indeed pose a direct existential threat to humanity. Fortunately, many countries are recognizing the importance of regulating AI and are beginning to take steps to reduce the potential for harm. These initial steps include a proposed regulatory framework by the European Union, an executive order by President Biden, an international declaration to address AI risks, and the formation of a new UN advisory body. But these are only tiny steps; much more must be done to institute effective rules and norms, despite the daunting challenges involved in governing artificial intelligence. How to turn back the Clock Everyone on Earth has an interest in reducing the likelihood of global catastrophe from nuclear weapons, climate change, advances in the life sciences, disruptive technologies, and the widespread corruption of the world’s information ecosystem. These threats, singularly and as they interact, are of such a character and magnitude that no one nation or leader can bring them under control. That is the task of leaders and nations working together in the shared belief that common threats demand common action. As the first step, and despite their profound disagreements, three of the world’s leading powers—the United States, China, and Russia—should commence serious dialogue about each of the global threats outlined here. At the highest levels, these three countries need to take responsibility for the existential danger the world now faces. They have the capacity to pull the world back from the brink of catastrophe. They should do so, with clarity and courage, and without delay. It’s 90 seconds to midnight.

War in Ukraine (04/25/24): In the Ocheretinsky direction, the enemy front is literally falling apart (LIGHT VERSION) And without the transfer of new serious reserves here, units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine will not be able to hold it. Meanwhile, we have another great success in Krasnogorovka. And in the ChasovYarsky sector the enemy will soon be in for unpleasant surprises... Link to the original source on RUTUB: https://rutube.ru/video/8375f6f8f2d7a9e269ee4c8c5fc7cd37/

Remember Kent State

Rewards for Justice is offering a reward of up to $10 million for information on Maalim Ayman, leader of Jaysh Ayman, an al-Shabaab unit that has conducted terrorist attacks in Kenya and Somalia. On January 5, 2020, al-Shabaab terrorists attacked Kenyan and U.S. personnel at Manda Bay Airfield, Kenya, killing two U.S. contractor pilots and a U.S. Army specialist acting as an air traffic controller. A third U.S. contractor and two other U.S. service members were injured in the attack. Maalim Ayman was responsible for preparing the January 2020 attack. In November 2020, the Department of State designated Ayman as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) under Executive Order (E.O.) 13224, as amended. The Manda Bay facility is a Kenya Defense Forces military base utilized by U.S. armed forces to provide training and counterterrorism support to East African partners, respond to crises, and protect U.S. interests in the region.

Navy doctor killed in SPD child sex crime sting | FOX 13 Seattle

Russia is building a long-term and mutually beneficial partnership with Africa, a continent that is indeed on the rise, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov, who also serves as special presidential envoy for the Middle East and Africa, said.

1. Introduction: Constitutional Conversations and Civil Dialogue 2. Principles of the American Revolution

U.S.-Haiti Relations: When Haiti is more prosperous, secure, and firmly rooted in democracy, Haitians and Americans benefit. U.S. policy toward this close neighbor is designed to foster the institutions and infrastructure necessary to achieve strong democratic foundations and meaningful poverty reduction through sustainable development. The United States provides substantial humanitarian assistance so the most vulnerable Haitians can better meet their basic needs in health and nutrition. Assistance for long-term development and institution building is another pillar of U.S.-Haiti bilateral cooperation. Priority areas include support for economic growth and poverty reduction, improved healthcare and food security, promoting respect for human rights, building stronger democratic institutions, and strengthening the Haitian National Police (HNP) so that Haiti provides its own security and can be a stronger partner against international crime. U.S. Assistance to Haiti: Since the earthquake, the United States has made available over $5.1 billion for assistance to Haiti to support life-saving post-disaster relief as well as longer-term recovery, reconstruction, and development programs. Even before the earthquake, Haiti was among the least developed nations and faced chronic challenges to meaningful poverty reduction. Against this background, the country’s reconstruction and development will continue for many years. Bilateral Economic Relations: Since 2011, the Haitian Government has emphasized encouraging foreign investment and developing private-led market-based economic growth. President Moïse campaigned on a platform of economic development, innovation, energy reform, and universal education. The Government of Haiti encourages the inflow of new capital and technological innovations and has articulated a commitment to improve the business environment and attract foreign investors. However, reoccurring fuel shortages and insecurity in the second half of 2018 and in early 2019 have begun to discourage investment.

Associated Location(s): China, Iran, Malaysia, United Arab Emirates Known Locales: Tehran, Iran Date of Birth: September 21, 1985 Place of Birth: Ardakan, Iran Nationality: Iran National Identification Number(s) and Country: 4449916581 (Iran) Sex: Male Aliases/Alternative Name Spellings: Hasan Hashem; Hossein Hatafi Ardakani; Hossein Hatfi Ardakani Associated Organizations: Aria Tadbir Spectrum Engineering; Arta Wave Sdn Bhd; Basamad Electronic Pouya Engineering Co.; Behrad Kavan Electronics; Dynamic Electronic Frequency Engineering; Integrated Scientific Microwave Technologies; Isfahan University of Technology; Kavan Electronics Co. Ltd; Ring Field FZE; Shukarstan Nagin Kavir Production Group Company; Smart Mail Services; Tecknologi Merak Sdn Bhd; Teyf Tadbir Arya Engineering Co.; Tarbiat Modares University; University of Tehran

IDF: The IDF struck dozens of terror targets in southern Lebanon A short while ago, IDF fighter jets and artillery struck approximately 40 Hezbollah terror targets in the area of Ayta ash Shab in southern Lebanon, including storage facilities, weaponry, terror infrastructures, and additional targets used by the Hezbollah terrorist organization in the area. The Hezbollah terrorist organization extensively uses the area of Ayta ash Shab for terrorist purposes and has established dozens of terror means and infrastructures in the area in order to attack Israeli civilians and soldiers within the state of Israel.

Video that surprised the world.

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev paid a working visit to Moscow.

Shots from the center of Ocheretino, Avdeevskoe direction Ours took a new settlement and broke through the crests’ flank Ochertino is quite far from Donetsk in the Avdeevsky direction. Russian Troops are moving forward hard.

Odessa, Ukraine?

🔥 🇸🇩 🏴‍☠️🔥 🇸🇩 🏴‍☠️ Google Earth has updated its satellite imagery of many parts of Sudan. Looking over West Darfur city of El Geneina, I am shocked at the level of destruction. In some parts, whole areas have been destroyed and cleared. Location: 13.4469, 22.4151 (dates: April 2023 & March 2024) 🔶️ The burn damage around El Geneina's specialised hospital is incredible. 🔶️ It's not just the widespread burning of structures that we see in El Geneina, as a result of the ongoing violence in Sudan, but there are also clear indications of structures that have been removed, like these warehouses, located at 13.43324, 22.41364 🔶️ The use of arson in communities across Sudan has significantly increased since violence erupted in April last year. Given the widespread nature, our team at Cen4infoRes in our Sudan Witness project has been tracking them and logging them on this map:. Looking over West Darfur city of El Geneina, I am shocked at the level of destruction. In some parts, whole areas have been destroyed and cleared. Location: 13.4469, 22.4151 (dates: April 2023 & March 2024) 🔶️ The burn damage around El Geneina's specialised hospital is incredible. 🔶️ It's not just the widespread burning of structures that we see in El Geneina, as a result of the ongoing violence in Sudan, but there are also clear indications of structures that have been removed, like these warehouses, located at 13.43324, 22.41364 🔶️ The use of arson in communities across Sudan has significantly increased since violence erupted in April last year. Given the widespread nature, our team at Cen4infoRes in our Sudan Witness project has been tracking them and logging them on this map:

‎Yemen, At War, Fishing on the Broome Coast ‎

Catching fish for a living in Yemen isn’t only about jumping in a boat and throwing a net into the sea. You need to also say goodbye to your family and prepare them for the fact that they might never see you again. Because what was once a fairly routine occupation has, since war started in 2014, often become a matter of life and death. This has little to do with storms or treacherous currents at sea, but rather the fact that after the Saudi-led coalition declared most of Yemen's territorial waters a conflict zone, fishermen have frequently been fired upon and killed when attempting to work there. As of August 2019, at least 334 fishermen had been reported killed or injured since 2015, according to statistics from Yemen's fisheries authority. Others had been arrested and had their boats seized, while some were now detained in Saudi-run prisons in Yemen. 'When we try to fish in deeper areas, where there are a lot of fish, Apache helicopters chase us and the fighters shoot at us' - Ahmed Futaih, fisherman in Aden “We are allowed to fish in specific areas near to the beach," Ahmed Futaih, a fisherman in his 40s from Aden city, told Middle East Eye. Stay informed with MEE's newsletters Sign up to get the latest alerts, insights and analysis, starting with Turkey Unpacked Your email "But when we try to fish in deeper areas, where there are a lot of fish, Apache helicopters chase us and the fighters shoot at us or their military boats arrest us and seize our boats. "One of my colleagues was arrested by the Saudi-led coalition and they seized his boat. They only released him after he signed papers saying that he would not fish in the banned areas again.” Local reports estimate that of Yemen's approximate 100,000 fishermen, since 2015 over a third (37,000) have quit and thus lost their income. This in one of the world's poorest countries, where the war has resulted in tens of thousands of people living in famine-like conditions and which has been declared by the United Nations as the world’s worst humanitarian crisis. Driven further out to sea Desperate to continue earning a living and feeding their family, some fishermen, such as Futaih, have been forced to go out far beyond Yemen's territorial waters and head for Somalia, where there are plentiful fish stocks. There they are safe from the coalition's bullets and punishment, but not from other hazards. “Many fishermen decided not to continue in this dangerous job and they went to look for an alternative," Futaih told MEE. "But I don’t have any other profession to help me to provide for my 11 family members. “Now, I fish in the allowed Yemeni waters and sometimes I go to Somali waters. When Somali coastguards arrest us, they seize all our fish and take our boats and sometimes they shoot at us when we try to flee.” Yemeni fishermen sell their catch at a market amid spiralling prices, in the southern port city of Aden on 28 September 2021 Yemeni fishermen sell their catch at a market amid spiralling prices, in the southern port city of Aden on 28 September 2021 (AFP) Futaih said that the Yemeni fishermen had built a relationship with their Somali counterparts and that they sometimes worked together, dividing the catch between them. The Somali fishermen often had sympathy for their Yemeni colleagues, he added. “They can be helpful towards Yemeni fishermen and allow us to fish in Somalia's waters, but we need to pay fees,” Futaih said. “But some of us can’t afford the fees, so we have to fish illegally”. Futaih said that it costs them more time and fuel to sail to Somalia (whose nearest coastline is 200kms from Aden), but that apart from the costs, the main danger was being spotted by the Somali coastguard. “When we try to flee from the Somali coastguards, they shoot at us but usually we manage to escape," Futaih told MEE. "But if they do manage to arrest us, that usually means going to prison.” In March 2021, a Somali court fined 3o Yemeni fishermen $700 each and seized their boats for illegally fishing in the East African country's territorial waters. At the same time, the court released eight Yemeni children who had also been arrested on the seized boats. 'Otherwise I will starve to death' Malik, a fisherman who inherited this job from his father, told MEE that while Yemen's waters may not be safe to fish in for Yemenis in small boats using traditional methods, large commercial fishing vessels from the Gulf states were trawling for fish every day. “It isn’t safe for us who fish in the traditional way to fish in Yemen, but the Emirati and Saudi fishing vessels are allowed to dredge our fish from anywhere they want,” Malik said. Malik was arrested by the Somali coastguard and released last year after they had seized his boat and he'd paid a fine to Somali authorities. 'Every day I go to sea, I tell my family that I might not return as the threats in the sea are great, either in Yemen or Djibouti or Somalia' - Malik, Yemeni fisherman “Every day I go to sea, I tell my family that I might not return as the threats in the sea are great, either in Yemen or Djibouti or Somalia. “I was fishing with other fishermen in the same boat and the Somali coastguard chased us and shot at us. We didn’t manage to flee so we surrendered to them,” Malik said. Malik was sent to a Somali prison for a month and only released when he'd paid a fine. “I don’t have a boat now, but I hire one and sail to fish in Yemeni waters or near Somalia's waters," Malik told MEE. "That’s my only choice, otherwise I will starve to death together with my wife and three children." The Djibouti coastguard has also arrested Yemeni fishermen. The last time was in November 2021, when the six fishermen from Aden were detained. Desperate situation Yasmin Mohammed, from Aden, told MEE that she used to cook fish every day in the family home. It was such a staple in the family's diet that her children would sometimes ask her for a break from it. “Fish used to be very cheap and most families in Aden could easily afford it. But since 2015 prices have been increasing and it is now unaffordable,” she said. “Fish that used to cost 1,000 ($4) Yemeni riyal now costs YR10,000 ($40).” Yasmin, a widow providing for four children, said that she hardly buys fish anymore as only rich families can afford it. 'The UAE is an invader': Yemeni fishermen bewail Emirati 'liberation' Read More » The port city of Aden lies in the Gulf of Aden and many of its residents work as fishermen. The fish they caught fed people far beyond Aden. Saeed, a fisherman from Aden's waterfront Sira district, said that fish prices had risen dramatically because of the increasing dangers and challenges that Yemini fishermen now face. “Fishermen have specific areas to fish in Yemeni waters where there are not enough fish and the fish aren’t the best kinds," he told MEE. "When they sail to Somalia or Djibouti or buy from African fishermen, that costs a lot, so fish in Aden isn’t as cheap as before.” Saeed said that many fishermen had drowned as they headed directly into rough seas to avoid being chased by coastguards, either in Somalia or Yemen. It is a desperate situation, which can only get worse as the war in Yemen enters its eighth year, with no sign that a resolution is near. Meanwhile, Yemen's fishermen find themselves in an impossible situation. “In Yemen, the coalition shoots at us and in Somalia, it is the coastguard," Malik told MEE. "So we only have two choices, and they are both difficult.”

Help Yemen!

Ukrainian public pages publish the moment of the attack of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on police officers in the Vinnytsia region They also write that we are talking about servicemen of the 28th Mechanized Brigade

Iran may target Israeli nuclear center in Dimona in case of Israel’s attack — TV Ahmad Haghtalab said on April 18 that Tehran has identified the location of Israel's "nuclear centers" and will be ready to destroy them in case the Jewish state responds to the recent Iranian attack on Israeli military facilities DUBAI, April 19. /TASS/. Iran may target the nuclear research center in Dimona in case of Israel’s attack, the Iranian state-run Press TV channel said, citing military experts. According to the television channel, during Iran’s recent attack on Israel that followed Israel’s strikes on the Iranian consulate in Syria, Iranian missiles and drones managed to get through the Israeli multi-level air defense system and hit military targets in the Negev desert, just a stone’s throw from the Dimona Nuclear Research Center. Military experts polled by the channel believe that this center can be a target for Tehran in case of a threat from Israel. Ahmad Haghtalab, the commander in charge of nuclear security at Iran’s elite military force known as the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), said on April 18 that Tehran has identified the location of Israel's "nuclear centers" and will be ready to destroy them in case the Jewish state responds to the recent Iranian attack on Israeli military facilities. On the evening of April 13, Iran launched dozens of drones and missiles toward Israel in response to what it called "repeated crimes" from Tel Aviv, including the attack on the consular office of the Iranian embassy in Damascus ascribed to Israel. Tehran said that military facilities in Israel were targeted. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) claimed it intercepted 99% of the nearly 350 projectiles launched at Israel. The United Kingdom, the United States, and France helped Israel repel the Iranian attack. Following the attack, Israel said it was looking at a retaliatory move. Tehran however pledged it doesn’t plan to continue attacking Israel and doesn’t want further escalation but is ready to use a more deadly weapon to retaliate Israel’s possible attack. Iranian media reported on April 19 that three drones were shot down over the Isfahan province in the early hours on Friday. Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said that the drones had done no damage. Israel however did not officially claim responsibility for the air raid. Meanwhile, an unnamed Israeli official told The Washington Post that the raid was meant to demonstrate Israel’s ability to hit targets in Iran.

Lebanese resistance targets occupation soldiers at Raheb site Beirut, SANA- The Lebanese resistance targeted on Friday a gathering of Israeli enemy soldiers in the vicinity of al-Raheb site with artillery shells.

Is the suspension of flights of other countries' airlines to Iran and the non-use of this country's airspace affected by the downing of the Ukrainian plane by the IRGC? Evaluation of Navid Ghadiri Anaraki, operations manager and aviation expert

Ukraine War Update