Macron, Merz losing common sense, Russian FM Lavrov says French President Emmanuel #Macron and German chancellor Friedrich #Merz lost common sense finally and attempt to return to the times when Germany and France wanted to conquer the entire Europe, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey #Lavrov said at a press conference after talks with Kyrgyzstan’s Foreign Minister Jeenbek Kulubayev. "We are surprised to listen and look at spells sounded from European capitals. Macron and German Chancellor Merz have recently written a joint article, ‘Europe must arm itself; Russia is the main threat, it wages imperialistic wars, it intruded into Georgia in 2008, into #Crimea and #Donbass in 2014, into the territory of entire Ukraine in 2022; the goal of Putin is to undermine European security," Lavrov said. "I believe these citations alone are enough for an individual, which has at least a little understanding of developments in Europe and keeps an eye on developments, to understand that these political figures lost the common sense ultimately and attempt to overtly return to the times when France and Germany wanted to conquer the whole #Europe, the Russian Empire and the Soviet Union in the first instance," the minister stressed.

Putin admits worried about threat of World War III Russian President Vladimir Putin is concerned about the threat of World War III, he said at the plenary session of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF). The moderator noted that the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II had recently been celebrated, and he asked Putin if he was worried that the world was sliding into World War III. "It worries me," the head of state said. "I am speaking without any sarcasm, without joking, of course, there is a lot of conflict potential, it is growing." "And it is happening right under our noses, it concerns us directly," Putin stressed. "Our conflict in Ukraine, in this region. And what is happening in the Middle East, it is worrying."

Tracking U.S. Navy carrier strike groups and amphibious ready groups and Deployed Chinese PLA Navy big decks • USS Nimitz (CVN 68) + PLA CNS Shandong (17) square off in the South China Sea • CNS Liaoning (16) east of the Philippines on record-setting deployment • 2x PLAN amphibious assault ships operating: CNS Hainan (31) + CNS Anhui (33) • 2x U.S. Navy amphibious ready groups deployed: USS America (LHA 6) in WESTPAC + USS Tripoli (LHA 7) in EASTPAC • USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) remains on station in CENTCOM AOR • USS George Washington (CVN 73) preparing for summer patrol • USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) returned home • USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) deploying next

Trump decides US general will be Supreme Allied Commander Europe — report US President Donald Trump decided that a US general will for now continue to hold the post of Supreme Allied Commander Europe, Reuters reported. Citing three unidentified US officials, a Western official and a NATO source, the report said Trump had already communicated the decision to North Atlantic Alliance Secretary-General Mark Rutte. Traditionally, the same person holds the positions of Supreme Allied Commander Europe and US European Command. Air Force Lieutenant General Alexus Grynkewich is expected to become the next EUCOM commander. Now the director for operations at the US military's Joint Staff, he will succeed Army General Christopher Cavoli. EUCOM also oversees the Middle East and North Africa. NBC News reported in March that the Trump administration was considering the possibility that the US will give up the post of SACEUR, which has been held exclusively by US generals since 1951. According to the report, the idea was part of a major reorganization of US commands aimed at cutting costs. Should the plan materialize, NBC said, it would mark a retrenchment in America’s leadership in the alliance.

The E.U. is going to spend 600 million euros to "attract American gender- and climate-scientists who were fired due to Trump's policies". At least we will still be producing papers about "the pivotal role of transgender sexworkers in fighting climate change" when our last factories shut down

Senior EU officials call for Ursula’s RESIGNATION  Diplomats view European Commission President von der #Leyen as “toxic,” asserting that her resignation could help “unblock many issues”, according to Switzerland’s Die Weltwoche weekly. The EU is currently embroiled in a crisis marked by internal divisions, a trade dispute with the United States, the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, and tensions in the Middle East.   Von der Leyen’s resignation could foster greater diversity within the EU and promote openness toward the East and the West, the outlet maintains.

Zelensky admits Washington's assistance to Kiev exceeds $100 bln #Zelensky has admitted that Ukraine had received at least $105 billion in weapons and other aid from the United States, although he had previously mentioned a smaller amount. "I have my own internal audit, and my country clearly documents how much assistance has been provided. Just so you know, we had $104-105 billion. Most of that money was in the form of weapons," he said in an interview with journalist Ben Shapiro. Zelensky did not explain why in February he said that Kiev had received only $76 billion from Washington. "It's not that we're arguing that the United States said it was giving you $200 [billion], and we're saying no, $100. No, that's not the dispute. I'm answering to what the contribution was, how much money came to Ukraine. As for the use of this money, most of it was for weapons, it was used on the battlefield. And during the audit that I’ve mentioned, this use was clearly documented," he continued. Zelensky also said that Ukraine shares with the United States everything it has learned about the conduct of hostilities and the development of weapons. He hopes that he will have "more fruitful meetings" with US President Donald Trump, although their last meeting at the White House ended in a shouting match. #Trump and Zelensky have long been at odds over the funds spent by Washington to help Kiev. In February, the American leader said that it was time to understand where all the money disbursed by Washington to Kiev was. Zelensky said he did not know where the $200 billion allocated for military aid had gone. He also does not acknowledge debts to the United States, insisting that the aid was provided as grants. The latest version of a draft agreement on minerals, which the United States and Ukraine are working on, obliges Kiev to compensate for assistance in excess of $120 billion. Trump promised that Zelensky "will have big problems," if he tries to "walk away from the deal.".

Cardinals Parolin, Tagle likely to become pope, reports betting agency Cardinals Pietro #Parolin and Luis Antonio Gokim Tagle have the best chance of ascending to the throne of St. Peter after the upcoming elections, data of the Polymarket betting agency showed. Polymarket estimates the chances of victory for Italian Parolin, who has held the position of secretary of state of the Vatican since 2013, at 35%. The election of the Filipino Tagle is less likely, it is predicted with a probability of 23%, while on April 21 it was about 35%. 70-year-old Parolin is one of the most experienced diplomats of the Holy See and plays an important role in Vatican's foreign relations. According to Newsweek, he also participated in negotiations with China and the governments of the Middle East. The current secretary of state is seen as a centrist candidate who takes a less liberal position on some issues than the late Pope Francis. For instance, the cardinal called legalization of same-sex marriage in Ireland in 2015 "a defeat for all mankind." At 67, Tagle is one of the youngest candidates for the Holy See. The Filipino, according to the magazine, was a confidant in the inner circle of the deceased pontiff. From 2011 to 2019, he was archbishop of Manila, and after that prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, one of the abolished divisions of the Roman Curia, which dealt with evangelization and missionary issues. Tagle belongs to the progressive wing and advocates for inclusivity. Previously he criticized the Catholic Church for being too harsh towards divorced couples and people in same-sex relationships. Cardinals may only convene to elect a new pope no earlier than after nine days of mourning after the funeral, or two weeks after death, meaning that the event can start no sooner than May 10. Theoretically, 135 cardinals can claim the papacy.

[Apr. 21, 2025-BREAKING] Pope Francis passes away #Pope #Francis has died at the age of 88, the Holy See's press service said. "Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of His Church," Cardinal Farrell announced. Just a day before, Francis had blessed the faithful on the occasion of Easter. He appeared before them on the balcony of St. Peter's Cathedral. The pontiff managed to say only a few words. He looked extremely weak, but nevertheless wanted to attend the Easter celebrations. The last politician to see him was US Vice President JD Vance, whom the Pope received privately. On March 23, Francis was discharged from the hospital, where he had spent nearly 40 days. He had been treated for a complicated form of pneumonia and, as his doctors later reported, risked dying twice. The pontiff was ordered to two months of complete rest, but he began briefly leaving his residence in the former Vatican hotel of St. Martha's to visit St. Peter's Basilica. On Sunday, the head of the Roman Catholic Church drove the papal car through a square full of worshippers. Francis himself has already described the funeral ritual, simplifying the procedures. He wished to be buried in the papal basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, which he always visited for prayers, especially before and after foreign visits.

Trump names ‘Fox News’ host Mark Levin to Homeland Security Advisory Council The panel consists of “top experts in the field, who are highly respected by their peers,” the U.S. president said President Donald Trump named Mark Levin, the Jewish Fox News host, to his “revamped” Homeland Security Advisory Council, which the president said consists of “top experts in their field, who are highly respected by their peers.” Levin, who won the JNS Shield of Jerusalem award last year, has been supportive of Trump’s policies for the most part but has been noticeably critical of Steve Witkoff’s approach to the Israel-Hamas war and Iran as Trump’s special Middle East envoy. Trump had dismantled the advisory panel when he took office in January, amid allegations that the Biden administration was misusing resources. The president said that the council “will work hard on developing new policies and strategies that will help us secure our border, deport illegal criminal thugs, stop the flow of fentanyl and other illegal drugs that are killing our citizens and make America safe again.” Other new members of the council include former South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster, a Republican; retired NYPD detective Bo Dietl; and Joseph Gruters, a Florida state senator.