Ariston and Bosch operations in Russia transferred to Gazprom. Tajani: government ready to protect companies

Missiles, suspected to have been fired by Yemen's Houthi rebels, fell into the waters of the Red Sea. The private security firm Ambrey reported that three missiles were seen falling near a Panama-flagged, Seychelles-registered tanker described as 'engaged in Russian-related trade' during the attack. The ship was travelling from Primorsk, Russia, to Vadinar, India. These details matched a tanker called the Andromeda Star, which had previously broadcast its position off Mocha, Yemen.

"Erdogan dreams of re-establishing the Ottoman Empire and continues to attack and defame Israel today at the Jerusalem Forum." Thus in a post on social X, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz responds to the words uttered by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during a pro-Palestinian TV event. "The man of the Muslim Brotherhood dreams of overthrowing Israel, conquering Jerusalem and leading the Muslim world," Katz adds, "Erdogan, you can keep watching the TV series 'Kurulus Dizisi' and 'Dirilis Ertugrul' and just dream." He concludes: 'Israel is not the crusader empire and Jerusalem, the capital of Israel, is not Constantinople. Jerusalem will forever remain the capital of the Jewish people. Come back to reality and stop dragging Turkey into dark places: you are shaming the legacy of Atatürk and the Turkish people!"

At least four people were killed, all Yemeni citizens, in the drone attack on a gas plant in Khor Mor, Iraqi Kurdistan, according to a new assessment by Iraqi authorities. "Four Yemeni workers were killed and the plant suffered major damage, which will cause an electricity shortage," announced a regional government spokesman, who urged the federal authorities to find those responsible for the attack and bring them to justice.

A 5.8 magnitude earthquake has struck Taiwan, according to data from the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology. The tremor, local media said, was felt in the capital Taipei.

Israel's war in Gaza has created 37 million tonnes of debris, amidst which there are many unexploded bombs, which could take more than a decade to remove, a senior UN demining official said, quoted by the Guardian. Almost seven months into the war, there is an average of 300 kg of rubble per square metre in Gaza, Pehr Lodhammar, the former head of the UN Mine Action Service for Iraq, told a press conference. "Based on the current amount of debris in Gaza, with 100 trucks we are talking about 14 years of work... to remove it," he explained. The Israeli bombing campaign in Gaza has reduced large areas of the Strip to ruins. 65 per cent of the buildings destroyed in Gaza were residential, Lodhammar said. Clearing and rebuilding them will be slow and dangerous work because of the threat posed by bullets, missiles or other weapons buried in the collapsed or damaged buildings. On average, about 10 per cent of the ordnance does not explode after being thrown or fired, Lodhammar said. And this will require a lot of work by the demining teams.

"The US," said the Pentagon chief, "will provide Ukraine with additional Patriot missiles for its air defence, as part of a massive aid package" to Kiev. The package also includes more ammunition for the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems, Nasams, and additional equipment to integrate Western launchers, missiles, and air defence radars into Ukraine's existing armaments, many of which still date back to the Soviet era. This is, Austin claimed, the 'largest security assistance package we have committed to to date'.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, in conversation with his Spanish counterpart José Manuel Albares, thanked Spain 'for its constant assistance to Ukraine'. Today, the Spanish Defence Minister announced that Madrid will send Patriot missiles to Kiev, which will arrive at their destination in four days. The news came after pressure from the EU and NATO on the Spanish government to increase aid to strengthen Ukraine's air defence. Kuleba later reportedly thanked Albares 'for all his efforts to gather international support for Ukraine's Peace Formula'.

Spanish Defence Minister Margarita Robles, during the new meeting of the Contact Group for the Defence of Ukraine, announced that Spain will ship a number of long-range Patriot anti-aircraft interceptor missiles that will arrive at the logistics base in four days. This was announced by the Ministry of Defence in a note, which then specified that the aid to Kiev from Madrid planned for the next two months includes light and heavy machine guns, protected wheeled logistics vehicles, armoured infantry vehicles, anti-tank weapons and field artillery howitzers. These shipments will be followed by the supply of various anti-aircraft surveillance systems and remote weapon stations for drone defence, which are being prepared by the Spanish defence industry.

The European Commission has approved under EU state aid rules a EUR 300 million French measure to support Nuward, a subsidiary of Electricité de France (EDF), in the research and development of small modular nuclear reactors (Smr). The measure will contribute to the strategic objectives of the European Industrial Strategy and the European Green Deal.

France has notified the Commission of its plan to grant EUR 300m to Nuward to support its R&D (R&S) project on SMR technology. The project aims to develop processes for the design and construction of SMRs based on a simple, modular design and with a capacity of 300 MWe or less. The front-end design is the third phase of the overall Nuward project, which contains five separate phases. In December 2022, the Commission had already approved a EUR 50m French measure to support the second phase of the project, aimed at acquiring new knowledge for the design and construction of SMRs. According to the measure, the aid will take the form of a direct grant of up to EUR 300m, which will cover the research and development project until early 2027.

It will support Nuward in the dimensioning of SMR modules and components and in the validation of their integration into SMRs by means of numerical simulators and laboratory tests. Nuward will also carry out industrialisation studies related to the modular design and mass production of the SMRs. Finally, the measure will also support Nuward in the preparation of safety demonstrations required for project approval by national nuclear safety authorities.

To read more: France: Macron announces plan for 6 new nuclear reactors and 50 offshore wind farms

Never before has the role of the United Nations as an instrument of peace and negotiated conflict resolution been as weak, if not ineffective, in addressing the planet's major crises. But for Italy, this does not mean that we must give in to the difficulties. On the contrary, today more than ever it is necessary to push multilateralism and commit to a reform of the UN in order to then aim at strengthening it. The President of the Republic will arrive in New York on 5 May with precisely this logic in mind: to make a contribution to "overcoming the current political and structural difficulties" of the Alliance, explain the Quirinale. It will be a visit entirely dedicated to the problems of the United Nations and spent largely inside the Glass Palace. In fact, no contacts are planned with the US administration, which the Head of State has already probed by meeting President Biden at the White House in 2021. Not to mention that the eagerly awaited US elections are fast approaching as they are scheduled for next November.

Sergio Mattarella will therefore forcefully bring to the Glass Palace Italy's unshakeable 'belief' in the power of multilateralism to counter the blocs that are emerging on the planet. Above all in the dangerous North-South contrast. In fact, in this context of international crises (pandemic, war, energy, environment), a clear distinction is emerging between two blocs that can be defined as Global North and Global South, which only the United Nations would have the power to slow down. For instance through the UN's ambitious plans to finance interventions in the Global South through, to give just one example, the World Bank. On the eve of the 70th anniversary of Italy's membership of the UN, President Mattarella, accompanied by his daughter Laura, will land in New York on 5 May and leave on the 7th. He will then be at the UN Headquarters for a double appointment, which will be flanked by official talks with Secretary General Antonio Guterres and Assembly President Dennis Francis.

Mattarella's first commitment will be to speak at the Conference on the state of implementation of Goal 16 ('Peace, Justice and Institutions for Sustainable Development' of the 2030 Agenda). This is an appointment that is proposed every year to monitor one of the goals set by the Agenda for Sustainable Development, with respect to which Italy has taken a leading role. The President's second appointment at the General Assembly will be decidedly more political. He will speak on the theme 'Italy, the United Nations and multilateralism to address common challenges'.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan denied rumours that drones and ballistic missiles used by Iran to attack Israel on 13 April were intercepted thanks to early detection by a NATO radar base in south-east Turkey. International media reported this. "The Kurecik radar centre does not and cannot have any relationship, link or contact with any state other than the security of our country and our alliance," he said speaking at a pro-Palestinian TV event, and reiterated that Turkey has cut diplomatic and trade ties with Israel and will impose further trade restrictions.

Talks between Israel and the Egyptian delegation on a hostage and truce agreement in Gaza have concluded. Speaking to the media, Israeli sources described the talks as "very good", which resulted in "progress". A senior Israeli official told Channel 12 that "this is the last opportunity" to reach an agreement "before the army enters Rafah". Israel then made it clear to the Egyptians that it will not allow Hamas to waste time or "drag its feet" to prevent the military operation at Rafah.

The administration of the Paris institute of political studies (Sciences Po), occupied by a number of students in protest against Israel's war in the Gaza Strip, closed all university buildings and moved lectures online. In a statement, the university said it "strongly condemns these student actions that prevent the proper functioning of the institution and penalise the students, teachers and employees of Sciences Po". The note also pointed out that around 60 protesters were inside the occupied building and that administrators were meeting with a delegation of students "to try to find a way out of this situation through dialogue".

Polish President Andrzej Duda and Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda met on the last day of the week-long Brave Griffin 24/II military exercise along the Suwalki Gap, a strategically important stretch of land that is considered a potential flashpoint in the event of a standoff between Russia and NATO. Duda stated that 'a potential aggressor must see our preparedness'. The nearly 100-kilometre-long border between Nato members Poland and Lithuania is also a land corridor between Moscow's ally Belarus and Russia's Kaliningrad exclave in the Baltic Sea. "There is a potential threat, which is why these exercises continue," Duda added. The exercise included 1,500 Lithuanian infantry soldiers, nearly 200 members of the 15th Polish Mechanised Brigade and US and Portuguese military personnel.

Russian security forces arrested another alleged perpetrator of the attack on Crocus Hall on 22 March in which 144 people were killed. He is another Tajik and his name is allegedly Dzhumojon Kurbonov. Eleven people have been arrested so far in connection with the attack.

Pro-Gaza protests on American campuses are "part of democracy", Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in Beijing, criticising the "silence" by protesters at Columbia University and other universities on Palestinian Hamas militants who attacked Israel on 7 October. "Protests are a mark of democracy. Our citizens make their opinions, their anger, known whenever they think it is necessary. This reflects the strength of our country,' said the Secretary of State in the Chinese capital, where protests are certainly not the order of the day.

An 18-year-old girl was severely stabbed in an alleged terrorist attack in Ramla, central Israel. The Times of Israel reported this. According to ambulance services, the attacker was later shot dead. The police are investigating the circumstances of the attack.

The Italian G7 Presidency "intends to enhance the path "promoted by the Holy See" on artificial intelligence with the "Rome Call for AI Ethics" and "bring it to the attention of the other leaders at the summit in Puglia". Thus Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in a video message announcing "the participation of Pope Francis in the work of the G7 precisely in the session devoted to artificial intelligence".

"Under my leadership, Israel will never accept any attempt by the International Criminal Court (ICC) to undermine its inherent right of self-defence." Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wrote this on his X profile. "Israel will continue to wage its just war against genocidal terrorists until victory and will never stop defending itself," added Netanyahu, who concluded, "Even if the ICC does not affect Israel's actions, it would set a dangerous precedent that threatens the soldiers and officials of all democracies fighting against terrorism and aggression."

t will take about 14 years to clear the Gaza Strip of the 37 million tonnes of rubble caused by the Israeli retaliation for the Hamas attack. The estimate was explained in Geneva by Pehr Lodhammar, a senior official of Unmas, the UN Mine Action Service. According to Lodhammar, it is also virtually impossible to determine the exact number of unexploded ordnance in Gaza, and in this context it will be even more difficult to remove debris and rubble from destroyed buildings. ''We estimate 14 years of work with 100 trucks'', he said, explaining that ''we know that there is usually a failure rate of at least 10 per cent of the munitions that are fired and do not work''.

"There are currently reports of initiatives promoted by individuals or groups to bring aid by sea directly to the Gaza Strip, forcing the current naval blockade exercised by Israel. These initiatives are not coordinated either with UN agencies, or with Israel, or with the Italian government or - as far as we know - other governments and international organisations". The Farnesina wrote in a note. "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has no connection with such initiatives, nor is it involved in or supporting any fundraising in this regard. Participation is totally discouraged, nor can direct assistance be guaranteed, since the approach to the war zone presents a real risk of involvement in military action. The Farnesina," the note recalls, "has launched the 'Food for Gaza' table in coordination with the FAO, the World Food Programme (WFP) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to bring aid to Gaza in an agreed and protected manner".

Pro-Palestinian students occupied the sorica headquarters of Sciences Po in Paris, one of France's most prestigious universities, blocking the historic Rue Saint-Guillaume in the wake of campus protests in the US. Several dozens of students from Sciences Po's 'Comité Palestine' occupied the university overnight, filtering access to the front door. Already on Wednesday, a dozen tents had been pitched in the courtyard of a secondary building of the university, before the police proceeded to evict them.

Ukrainian military intelligence (Gur) claimed an operation conducted overnight that led to the destruction of a Russian Ka-32 military helicopter at Ostafyevo airport, south of Moscow. This was reported by the Ukrainska Pravda website, publishing a video released by the Gur showing a fire breaking out on board an aircraft. "On the night of 26 April 2024, an enemy Ka-32 multi-role helicopter was destroyed at the Ostafyevo airport," the Gur said in a note, pointing out that the airport belongs to the Russian Defence Ministry and is jointly operated with the Gazpromavia airline. According to the Ukrainians, that helicopter had been used to 'support the operations of the Russian occupation army'.

Kiev announces the evacuation of two hospitals in the city for fear of Russian raids. This was reported by the municipal authority of the Ukrainian capital.

Joe Biden changes his routine for when he leaves or returns to the White House. Whereas before the president used to walk alone on the South Lawn on his way to the presidential helicopter Marine One, he is now often surrounded by his advisers. This, the American media observe, changes the visual effect of the cameras and draws less attention to the 81-year-old president and his stiff gait due to his age.

One person was killed in a shelling by Kiev forces on the Russian border region of Kursk. Governor Roman Starovoit announced this on his Telegram channel, pointing out that 11 artillery shells fell on the village of Koroviakovka

The Russian Defence Ministry said that Moscow forces bombed a convoy in Ukraine carrying 'weapons and military equipment' from the West. The bombardment, the ministry specified, was carried out by air force, missile forces and artillery in the area of the Udachnoye settlement in the eastern Donetsk region. (

A 20-year-old British man, Dylan Earl, was indicted today by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) on charges of planning 'hostile activities for the benefit of the Russian state'. This was announced by Nick Price, head of the counter-terrorism division of the CPS, who said that the young man had, among other things, planned to burn down a commercial property linked to Ukrainian interests in the UK in March. The investigation also involves four other British citizens, suspected of aiding and abetting or other offences, according to media reports, also allegedly for the benefit of Moscow. (

Little Sabreen, the baby girl who was born by Caesarean section after her mother was fatally shot in an Israeli raid in southern Gaza, has died. The BBC reports that the baby survived only five days, after being admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit. She was buried, international media report, next to her mother.

Ukrainian military intelligence destroyed a Ka-32 helicopter belonging to the Russian Defence Ministry at Moscow's Ostafievo International Airport, an intelligence source told Rbc-Ukraine. The operation resulted in the burning of the Ka-32 helicopter.

Two Palestinians, one of them armed with an axe, were arrested by Israeli troops at an agricultural outpost in the central West Bank. This was reported by army sources. The Times of Israel reports. The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) say the two were planning to carry out a terrorist attack at the Makouk farm, near the Palestinian village of Wadi as-Seeq. According to the Israeli army, axes and knives were found in their vehicle. The two arrested were handed over to the Shin Bet, the Israeli security agency, for further interrogation.

China "can help calm tensions in the Middle East". This is what US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said about the conflict dossier around Israel and Hamas discussed in his meetings in China. (ANSA).

On Thursday 2 May, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will travel to Beirut, Lebanon, together with the President of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides. During her visit she will meet with Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Azmi Mikati and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri. This was announced by his spokesman Eric Mamer at the daily press briefing.

Spain will send Patriot missiles to Ukraine to support it in its defence against Russian aggression. The newspaper El Paìs writes this, citing government sources on condition of anonymity, who say Madrid will also send ammunition to Kiev. Spain has three Patriot missile batteries, bought second-hand from Germany in 2004 and 2014, El Paìs wrote. A Spanish diplomatic source told reporters yesterday that Madrid intends to "intensify" its "engagement with Ukraine".

Forbes Russia journalist Sergei Mingazov was arrested in the Russian city of Khabarovsk on a charge of posting about abuses committed in Bucha by Russian forces on Telegram, then on a charge of spreading false news about the military forces, with the aggravating circumstances of hatred and enmity, reported his lawyer, Kostantin Bubon, quoted by Rbk. Mingazov had previously worked for the daily Vedomosti and also for Tass. There are already numerous 'photocopy' convictions in Russia for spreading the news about Bucha.

Russian Defence Minister Serghei Shoigu today accused Ukrainian forces of continuing to bomb the Moscow-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, warning of possible "catastrophic consequences". "The continued Ukrainian bombardment of the Zaporizhzhia plant, which may have catastrophic consequences, is a cause for serious concern," the Russian minister, quoted by the Interfax news agency, said during a visit to Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan. Shoigu also returned to hint at a Kiev role in the 22 March terrorist attack on Moscow's Crocus City Hall, which left more than 140 people dead. 'The trail,' the minister said, 'leads back to Ukraine. All those responsible for illegal actions or crimes will receive the punishment they deserve, it is only a matter of time."

- Chinese leader Xi Jinping hopes that the US can look at the development of the Asian giant in a "positive" way. This was reported by the official Chinese news agency Xinhua after news of the meeting in Beijing between Xi and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. "This is a fundamental issue that needs to be addressed," the Chinese leader said, "so that relations between China and the US can truly stabilise, improve and progress.

Russian troops continue to advance in the Donetsk region of Ukraine, especially in the last week. This is according to the latest report compiled by British intelligence and released by the Ministry of Defence in London. ''The advance of Russian forces west of Avdiivka in Donetsk oblast has accelerated over the past week,'' the report continues. In particular, Russian ground forces are reportedly marching towards Ocheretyne, which is approximately fifteen kilometres from the centre of Avdiivka. British intelligence recalls that since Russian soldiers took control of Avdiivka in February 2024, the area has been used by Moscow's army to launch attacks against Ukrainian troops.

China and the United States should be "partners, not rivals", Chinese President Xi Jinping told US Secretary of State Antony Blinken today, adding that there are still a "number of issues" to be resolved in relations between the two countries. Chinese state media reported that. "The two countries should be partners, not rivals," Xi said, according to state broadcaster Cctv. "There are still a number of issues that need to be resolved and there is still room for further efforts," Xi added.

The new western weapons and military aid to Ukraine are intended to encourage Kiev to wage war 'in stronger ways' against Moscow. Admiral Tony Radakin, the British Chief of Defence Staff, said this openly in an interview with the Financial Times, evoking an escalation of Ukrainian 'long-range attacks' on Russian territory. Radakin admitted Kiev's current difficulties on the front line, but argued that they should not prevent him from seeing some underlying 'tendencies' favourable - in his view - to Ukraine. He claimed, for example, that Moscow had 'failed' in its plan to block the Ukrainian grain trade from the Black Sea. As for the new weapons coming from NATO allies - the US and the UK in the lead, including long-range missiles - the British admiral said he was convinced that they 'will definitely have an effect'. They will - in his words - provide Ukraine with "a greater long-range combat capability" and thus "increase operations deep inside" Russia's borders.

Madrid has agreed to provide Kiev with Patriot missiles, responding to Nato and EU demands that countries with such missiles hand them over to Ukraine to strengthen its anti-aircraft defence against Russian attacks. El Pais reports this today, citing government sources. After the Defence Ministry's initial refusal, Spain will send "a very limited number" of the US-made missiles, of which it has three batteries purchased from Germany between 2004 and 2014, one of which is located in Adana, Turkey, the sources report. The Ministry of Defence plans to purchase four new Patriot batteries of the more advanced 3+ configuration to equip itself with 'a genuine missile defence capability'. Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelenzky has asked EU and NATO allies for the delivery of six batteries to curb the Russian offensive expected in the coming months. Of the number of Patriots that will be sent, Madrid will "inform those in charge in Ukraine", because "this is a real war and it is better not to specify information", diplomatic sources told ANSA, stressing that the Spanish government has reiterated its commitment to support Kiev. "From the first moment Spain has sent military equipment, Leopard tanks and anti-aircraft defence material to Ukraine," the sources pointed out. The government is preparing a new arms package to be sent before 30 June, which includes 10 of the 19 Leopard 2 A4 battle tanks that are being overhauled and join the 10 sent to Ukraine last year, according to sources quoted by El Pais. On the other hand, the transfer of other anti-aircraft defence systems, after the supply of 12 Hawk anti-aircraft missile launchers to Kiev, is more problematic so that the Spanish army does not run out of them, military sources indicate.

Chinese President Xi Jinping will see US Secretary of State Antony Blinken today: Chinese Minister of Public Security Wang Xiaohong announced this in his meeting with Blinken, according to US sources.

- Su-25 warplanes of the Russian forces destroyed several strongholds of Ukrainian troops. This was stated by the Russian Defence Ministry, quoted by Tass. "Attack aviation crews of Su-25 aircraft carried out an attack with unguided aerial missiles against enemy strongholds and men in the area of responsibility of the Centre's force group. According to the reports of the leading aircraft gunner, all these targets were successfully hit," the ministry says.

The Kiev Prosecutor's Office ordered the arrest of Agriculture Minister Mykola Solsky on charges of corruption. Solsky will have to answer for his alleged involvement in the illegal acquisition of state-owned land worth about $7 million. Solsky denies the charges, which relate to events in 2017-2021. He was appointed Minister of Agriculture in March 2022. The judge set bail at $1.9 million. Solsky submitted a letter of resignation yesterday, but will technically remain in his post until parliament considers his request.

An Israeli civilian died following an attack by Hezbollah. This was reported by the IDF. The man was carrying out work at an infrastructure in the Har Dov area, on the border between Israel and Lebanon, was seriously injured during a Hezbollah anti-tank missile attack overnight and later died of his wounds, the Israeli army added.

Russia has lost 463,930 soldiers in Ukraine since the beginning of the war on 24 February 2022 - this was reported by the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. This number includes 950 casualties suffered by Russian forces last day. According to the report, Russia has also lost 7,262 tanks, 13,957 armoured fighting vehicles, 15,984 vehicles and fuel tanks, 11,867 artillery systems, 1,049 multiple launch rocket systems, 772 air defence systems, 348 aircraft, 325 helicopters, 9,461 drones, 26 boats and one submarine.

Russian forces are looking for "tactical gains" north-west of Avdiivka, but the main offensive operation, and the one most likely to succeed, is still Chasiv Yar. The Institute for the Study of War (Isw) wrote this. Chasiv Yar is located in Donetsk oblast, about 10 kilometres west of Bakhmut and 50 kilometres north of Avdiivka, cities taken by Russia in May 2023 and February 2024, respectively. According to Kiev, Russian forces have concentrated their efforts near Chasiv Yar, which they consider crucial for further advances towards the nearby cities of Kostiantynivka, Kramatorsk and Sloviansk. The US think tank stated that although it is possible that Russian forces could make some gains north-west of Avdiivka, an offensive in the area is "unlikely to result in an operationally significant penetration, let alone the collapse of the Ukrainian defence west of Avdiivka". The operation to take Chasiv Yar has the greatest short-term potential to be an operational victory for Russian forces, the Isw added. The seizure of Chasiv Yar would represent an opportunity for Russia to "launch subsequent offensive operations against towns forming an important Ukrainian defence belt in the Donetsk oblast".

Russian armed forces attacked the Balakleya railway station in the Izyum district of the Kharkiv region while Ukrainian armed forces personnel were getting off a train. This was reported to Ria Novosti by the head of the Nikolaiv metro, Sergei Lebedev. "The attack was launched yesterday at 4.40 p.m. at the Balakleya railway station," the official added, "when a train with Ukrainian military personnel arrived. It is not known how many dead and wounded there are, many ambulances arrived, everything was cordoned off."

The Iranian-backed Yemeni Houthi group claimed to have targeted the Msc Darwin ship in the Gulf of Aden. This was stated by the military spokesman of the Shia group that controls much of Yemen Yahya Sarea in a televised speech, as reported by Al Masirah, a Houthi-owned broadcaster. According to Sarea, 'an Israeli ship, the Msc Darwin was carefully targeted in the Gulf of Aden with naval missiles and drones'.

The US is putting the finishing touches to a 6 billion aid package to Kiev, one of the largest so far, with Patriot, artillery munitions, drones, anti-drone weapons, and air-to-air missiles for fighters. Politico reports this, citing two American executives. The package could be announced tomorrow and draws on the 61 billion in funds just approved by Congress. But these are armaments to be produced, not taken from the arsenals, so it will take years before they reach Ukraine.

Sweden will deploy mechanised units including CV90 and Leopard 2 tanks in Latvia, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson announced at a meeting with his Latvian counterpart Evika Silina in Stockholm today. "Strengthening security in the Baltic region is even more urgent today than it was previously," Silina commented. "The Swedish government's decision to officially start preparations for the deployment of some of its armed forces units in Latvia is excellent news for strengthening our common security."

According to Israeli officials, quoted by Ynet, Egypt fears the Palestinian 'war refugees' who might enter Sinai as a result of the Rafah assault, and is therefore in a hurry to propose an agreement to Hamas, believing that this could lead to the postponement of the operation in the southern city, as revealed by the same Cairo media. Meanwhile, the Israeli negotiating team received the "green light" from the war cabinet with a clear mandate: "Flexibility in Israel's position so that if there is a change due to military pressure, it will be possible to move forward quickly with an agreement". (

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed hope for improved relations as he opened the meeting at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing with Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, who warned of growing disagreements between the two powers. Blinken, in his opening lines, said he would be "very clear, very direct" and that he hoped for "some progress on the issues agreed by our presidents". Wang, for his part, replied that China-US relations 'are beginning to stabilise', while noting that he sees 'at the same time that negative factors in the relationship continue to increase'.