Ukraine agrees to stop strikes at energy sites
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky yesterday agreed to Russia's offer of mutual suspend in attacks on energy targets for 30 days as a step towards a broader ceasefire.
He accepted the pause on a call with President Trump. President Trump described the conversation as “very good.” Zelensky called the speech “positive, very substantive and straightforward” and revealed that he thanked Trump for his support from America.
The two leaders spoke the day after a conversation between Russian leader Vladimir Putin and Trump. It was the first time Trump and Zelensky had spoken since last month's disastrous oval office meeting.
Trump also raised the idea that the United States can control Ukraine's power plants. The idea that Ukrainian energy experts said perhaps it could not be done. The White House said the team will meet “in the coming days” in Saudi Arabia and “on the way for a complete ceasefire” with a widening pause to cover activities in the Black Sea.
What's next: Zelensky said the agreement requires oversight from us and Kyiv will prepare a list of sites that need protection. “The only arguments he wouldn't hit energy sites and Putin's words are too few,” he said. “War has made us practical people.”
analysis: Most of Putin agreed in Tuesday's call with Trump was spun as concessions, but the Russian leaders actually gave no foundation.
Details of the Trump administration
Canada is approaching Europe
As Canada is threatened by President Trump, talks are underway aimed at getting it to take part in projects to expand the EU's military industry. The agreement allows Canada to help build European fighter jets and other equipment in its own industrial facilities.
The goal is to strengthen the European defence industry and provide Canada with a reliable alternative to the US market, officials said. Canada's new prime minister, Mark Carney, visited Paris and London this week on his first overseas trip since calling Canada “the most European of non-European countries.”
background: Canada is a US authorized contractor whose factories produce munitions, tanks, aircraft, technical defense systems and naval vessels. A 2022 review found that the top destination for military equipment is the United States.
What's next: Partnerships and EU initiatives take years to bear fruit. European defenses are lagging behind due to lack of investment and US domination. This is a situation that becomes more clear as the willingness to Ukraine has exhausted the arsenals of EU members.
Israel seized Gaza territory
Israeli forces yesterday seized some of the major corridors that divide it in their most important ground operation since the collapse of a fragile ceasefire with Hamas, and were pushed deep into the Gaza Strip yesterday.
The military, according to the soldiers, launched “targeted ground activities” along the road known as the Netzarim Corridor, creating “partial buffer zones” in their territory to the north and south.
The operation followed extensive air bombings in Gaza that began on Tuesday. Hamas is not responding militarily. In Jerusalem, thousands of Israeli protesters called for a new ceasefire.
Gaza photos: For two months, the ceasefire escaped the tough job of identifying the body to Palestinians. Now they're back to it.
Yemen: President Trump has warned Iran to stop military equipment and general support “quickly” by US military strikes.
Dozens of men were sworn this month in Palaswara, a village on a rural corner of India. Half were not elected – their wife had.
While female bystanders in rural Indian politics are nothing new, some are beginning to fight back against the “boss husband.”
I lived in: Anthony Dolan, who, as Ronald Reagan's chief speechwriter and who developed the phrase “Evil Empire” to describe the Soviet Union, passed away at the age of 76.
Conversation starter
Arts and ideas
Why airline pilots don't always ask for help
In an age of struggle, US pilots face high dose calculations. You risk either staying quiet or receiving the help you need and being officially diagnosed with a mental health condition. Those who do it may never fly again.
Troy Merritt above suffered from the idea of suicide when he finally sought the care he needed. However, taking antidepressants was completely needed 18 months from his pilot job, spending over $10,000 on medical evaluations.
“Pilot jobs are kept to a higher standard because they are safety sensitive,” said Susan Northrup, the official US flight surgeon since 2021.
