Russia mounts surprise assault on northern Ukraine in most serious cross-border offensive in two years (www.cnn.com)
Russian forces have made two cross-border assaults inside northern Ukraine, according to information from Ukrainian sources and officials, in what President Volodymyr Zelensky is calling a “new wave of counteroffensive actions” by Russia....
Australia tries to stop a violence against women 'epidemic', starting with schools (www.bbc.com)
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UN General Assembly backs Palestinian bid for membership (ddnews.gov.in)
Israel orders people in more areas of Gaza's Rafah to evacuate (www.reuters.com)
Israel called on Saturday for Palestinians in more areas of Gaza’s southern city of Rafah to evacuate and head to what it calls an expanded humanitarian area in Al-Mawasi, in a further indication that the military is pressing ahead with its plans for a ground attack on Rafah....
Eurovision Is Plunged Into Crisis as Deep Political Divisions Intensify (www.rollingstone.com)
Did China's Xi Jinping expose disunity in Europe? (www.dw.com)
The Chinese president’s visit to Europe yielded little breakthrough on issues like trade and Ukraine. But it did show that Beijing prefers to work one-on-one to avoid collective opposition to its interests....
US says Israel’s use of US arms likely violated international law, but evidence is incomplete (apnews.com)
Japanese angst as India set to become 4th largest economy (www.dw.com)
Once an economic powerhouse that was the envy of much of the world, there is deep concern in Tokyo that the economies of China and Germany have already surpassed Japan’s — and that India’s will do so next year....
The State Department said that Israel's military campaign in Gaza may have violated international law. (www.nytimes.com)
The Biden administration has concluded it is “reasonable to assess” that Israel’s military campaign in Gaza has violated international law, but has not found specific instances that would justify the withholding of military aid, the State Department told Congress on Friday....
Malaysian ex-PM"s wife sued over $346m of luxury goods (www.bangkokpost.com)
1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) is among companies that are suing the wife of former Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak for allegedly obtaining over US$346 million worth of luxury goods through misappropriated funds.
Northern lights dazzle over UK, Europe and across the hemisphere (www.theguardian.com)
Aurora borealis sightings further south than usual from Ireland and Britain to Czech Republic and Germany as solar storm hits Earth’s atmosphere
Climate protesters try to break into Tesla's Germany factory, multiple people arrested (www.cnbc.com)
Jordanian authorities shut down Muslim Brotherhood-linked TV station (www.middleeasteye.net)
This shutdown comes amid a sweeping crackdown on pro-Palestinian activism in Jordan that has seen hundreds of people arbitrarily detained by security forces since 7 October....
Afghanistan: Hundreds feared dead in Baghlan and Takhar flooding (www.bbc.co.uk)
UN assembly approves resolution granting Palestine new rights and reviving its UN membership bid (apnews.com)
Philippines sends ships to disputed atoll where China building 'artificial island' (www.reuters.com)
Poor Kenyans feel devastated by floods and brutalized by the government’s response (apnews.com)
Strong solar storm could disrupt communications and produce northern lights in US (apnews.com)
An unusually strong solar storm headed toward Earth could produce northern lights in the U.S. and potentially disrupt communications this weekend....
Satellite Images Reveal Where Russian Nukes Could Be Stored in Belarus (www.nytimes.com)
Russia already has nuclear warheads on its own soil that are close to Ukraine and NATO countries, but by basing some in Belarus, the Kremlin appears to be trying to accentuate its nuclear threat and bolster its nuclear deterrent....
US announces $400 million military aid package for Ukraine (www.cnn.com)
The US announced on Friday a new $400 million military aid package to Ukraine....
Chinese zoo under fire after dyeing dogs to resemble pandas (www.nbcnews.com)
Two “panda dogs” in a new exhibit are actually Chow Chows dyed black and white, state media reported, citing zoo officials....
Russia Victory Day parade: Only one tank on display as Vladimir Putin says country is going through 'difficult period' (news.sky.com)
On 9 May every year, Russia celebrates Victory Day, putting on a large parade in honour of the country’s victory over Nazi Germany 79 years ago - in what remains an important symbol of the country’s national identity....
Slovakia’s Fico plots to dismantle the free press (www.politico.eu)
Journalists warn new populist prime minister is trying to sideline those in the media he disagrees with....
Madhya Pradesh: Summer Storm Damages World's Largest Floating Solar Plant at Omkareshwar Dam (Watch Video) (wattsupwiththat.com)
Indore: A summer storm on Tuesday damaged a floating solar plant at Madhya Pradesh’s Omkareshwar dam. The floating solar plant,