Mark MacKinnon

Oh, and find me here more and more often going forward… bsky.app/profile/markma…

Russia's foreign ministry has issued a warning of new, imminent attacks on Ukraine's capital and tells foreign diplomats to leave the city: "[T]he Armed Forces of the Russian Federation are commencing a systematic campaign of strikes against Ukrainian defense industry facilities in Kyiv. These strikes will target specific sites involved in the design, production, programming, and operational preparation of the UAVs utilized by the Kyiv regime—activities carried out with the assistance of NATO specialists responsible for supplying components, providing intelligence, and facilitating target acquisition. Strikes will be directed against both decision-making centers and command posts."

UPDATE: #Iran • Ghalibaf, Araghchi in Doha • Iran says no Hormuz toll but maybe “environmental fee”🍃 • Iran seeks China guarantees, may move Uranium there: Arabiya • Trump links deal to Abraham Accords • Saudi links Abraham Accords to irreversible path to Palestinian state

The leaders, especially those of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Pakistan who don't have formal diplomatic relations with Israel, were surprised by Trump's request. "There was silence on the line and Trump joked and asked if they are still there," one of the U.S. officials said

Kyiv. And this is how the Chornobyl Museum looks like from the outside #Ukraine

Navy Secretary Hung: The U.S. has paused a $14 billion arms sale to Taiwan.

National Chornobyl Museum. It was. I’m devastated

Part of the ceiling collapsed at Kyiv’s Lukianivska metro station, which civilians have been using as a bomb shelter, after a blast wave from the ongoing Russian attack.

Day 1551 🇺🇦👊 #Ukraine

Massive Russian ballistic missile barrage on central Kyiv overnight, with multiple shopping centers, apartment blocks and residential areas destroyed. Also, a reported use of Oreshnik on Bila Tserkva near Kyiv, The casualty count is just beginning to trickle in.

@DanielBShapiro Me, I'm wondering when the "Munich!" choir, BB & his transatlantic enablers are going to give sober statements admitting the JCPOA actually was the most workable deal, better than today, while avoiding war. Oh right, never, but don't worry - the whole world sees now anyway

Now is the time for our partners to transform solidarity with Ukraine into action. We are grateful for your warning of a massive strike. And we understand your warnings to your citizens. But the key warning must be heard not in Kyiv and not by foreigners. It must be a warning heard in Moscow by the Russian regime. You have the leverage. Use it now. Warn Moscow of the cost it will have to pay. Both publicly and through closed channels. Concerns and condolences are not enough. We need concrete action increasing the cost of war for the aggressor already now. This will be the best way to express solidarity with the Ukrainian people.

Kiev et Washington alertent sur l’imminence d’une attaque russe d’ampleur sur l’Ukraine, Moscou pourrait utiliser son missile Orechnik ➡️ l.leparisien.fr/MpBr

SCOOP - US warns #Japan to expect severe delays in #Tomahawk missiles due to Iran war. Tokyo agreed to buy 400 in 2024 in a landmark move to counter China. Defense Secretary Hegseth informed his Japanese counterpart Shinjiro Koizumi earlier this month ft.com/content/406bc3…

Statement by the leaders of Canada, Australia, France, Germany, Italy, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom on the situation in the West Bank. pm.gc.ca/en/news/statem…

The Baltic states request to transform NATO air policing to an air defence mission and enhance the current Allied presence in their countries with counter-drone capabilities.

So much winning…

Massive protests have erupted in Nuuk, Greenland following a visit from Donald Trump’s special envoy to Greenland, Jeff Landry, and the opening of the new U.S. consulate. The scenes stand in stark contrast to the opening of Canada’s consulate in Nuuk, where a large crowd of Greenlanders gathered to sing “O Canada” and celebrate Canada’s presence.

A Turkish court effectively ousted the main opposition leader, Ozgur Ozel, annulling the 2023 party congress that elected him chairman. The case was seen as a test of Turkey's shaky balance between democracy and autocracy reut.rs/4nIp7qp

At my direction, Global Affairs officials summoned Israel’s ambassador regarding the treatment of Canadian citizens on board the flotilla. I can confirm that all Canadians who were on board are safe and are in the process of being transferred to Türkiye. Consular officials will be present to meet and support Canadians upon their arrival in Istanbul. Officials at our Embassy in Tel Aviv have been engaged throughout and remain on standby to provide immediate assistance. Canada expects full respect for the rights and safety of all civilians.

We have been there multiple times this week. It is categorically NOT on a missile base and everyone we’ve asked says no military activity nearby. It is not a complex question to answer. Was the US deliberately responsible for this appalling tragedy? All the evidence says yes