day two hundred thirty five (13. 933)

Pope Leo XIV submits his mail-in ballot ahead of Tuesday’s US midterm elections, registered in Chicago and having voted abroad in most races according to the Illinois state board of elections. Residence begin evacuation through a safe corridor from the war-raved city of Oleshky. More tankers in the Strait of Hormuz came under fire or disabled by limpet mines as Ukrainian drones target Russia’s shadow fleet in the Black Sea. French-style cost of living rallies expected to spread to German cities amidst protests over high energy prices. Houthi drones strike Riyadh as Tehran’s foreign ministry issues a warning of “earth-shattering” consequences if US and Israel resume attacks, implicating Berlin’s above complaints about fuel costs the country in the belligerent camp.

day two hundred thirty four (13. 929)

The Revolutionary Guard reports that three tankers crossing the Strait of Hormuz have hit sea mines and catch fire as Houthi rebels claim six strikes on Saudi airports and oil fields. Iranian lawmakers urge the Supreme Leader to authorise atomic bomb development. Moscow offers to act as mediator between Tehran and Washington, if requested. France braces for potential violence for planned weekend protest rallies.

day two hundred thirty three (13. 925)

With the election results inconclusive and neither of the two major party blocs securing a controlling majority, Knesset president Isaac Herzog urges no new vote. IDF shells eastern Gaza City and Deir Mimas in southern Lebanon after Hezbollah rejects Israeli-brokered framework for peace. Arab political parties make significant gains but both Netanyahu and opposition leader Eisenkot refuse to work with them, despite their participation being necessary to form a coalition government. Houthi strikes hit the airport in Aden and the largest Saudi refinery complex in Ras Tanura. Putin gives public praise to Elon Musk as the SpaceX CEO assists with Russia’s Rassvet constellation of satellites to target Ukraine. Bolsonaro and family arrive in Miami and are issued visas for the US. Iran says that Qatari negotiated peace deal to end US-Israeli aggression is unacceptable through intermediaries.

synchronoptica

one year ago: the discovery of tomb of King Tut (with synchronoptica) plus assorted links to revisit

two years ago: a tarot card inspired garden, more air-based food plus a Trump rally in Manhattan 

three years ago: presidential personal coats-of-arms 

four year ago: further adventures plus unblogged Crete

five years ago: your daily demon: Shax, Gulliver’s Travels plus more on being in the flow state

six years ago: the Greek flag adopted, priority group mall Santas, the short films of Al Jarnow, a pizza chain’s logo plus a home-makeover for the Simpsons

seven years ago: a constellation in the Southern Hemisphere, a mundane Halloween plus The Millennial Raven

eight years ago: a day-trip to Frankfurt plus more links to enjoy

 

day two hundred thirty two (13. 924)

As the vote count continues, Netanyahu claims that the right wing has a decisive lead and a mandate to govern, though the race is too close to call. Middle Eastern leaders meet during Moscow Gas Forum, Pezeshkian condemning US disregard for diplomacy and breaking their end of the deal with respect to the Islamabad MOU, saying the region’s problems are caused by American and they can resolve them without Washington. Saudi led coalition claims victories over Houthis, repelling them from Bab al-Mandeb, whilst more oil fields are struck. During a campaign rally, Trump says he can end the war whenever he wants, as costs approach fifty billion—fuel prices enjoying a temporary reprieve due to his diesel deal with Putin during a stump speech in Texas, poised to elect Democrats to high office for the first time in three decades. Fearing investigations after his run-off loss to Lula da Silva, Flávio Bolsanaro and family flee to the US on cancelled passports.

day two hundred thirty one (13. 920)

Labelling Norway another shithole country for denying him the Nobel Peace Prize once again—following Obama’s unchecked personal jokes at the expense of the president, ridicule that encouraged the failed businessman and sex-pest to run for political office in the first place, Trump disinvites the theoretical Norwegian immigrants he embraced during his first term with his Muslim majority country travel ban. María Corina Machado, who presented the US president her medal after kidnapping political rival Nicolás Maduro, returns to Caracas from exile to engage in talks with the puppet regime of Delcy Rodríguez, hoping to achieve real reform and perhaps torpedo US plans to steal Venezuela’s oil resources. Chief of German automotive company Audi under fire for pledges to build up manufacturing capacity in American amid domestic lay-offs and appearing in a campaign rally. Egyptian parliament authorises military aid for Saudi Arabia as the Mecca Alliance meet with Iranian officials in Tehran and agree to seek peace in the region, the inclusion of the Islamic Republic in the newly-formed defensive pact signalling a significant realignment of regional cooperation. Kremlin official Medvedev issues a public appeal to Trump to direct the CIA to assassinate Zelenskyy.

synchronoptica

one year ago: assorted links worth the revisit (with synchronoptica), superlative drone photography plus the Archbishop’s Palace in Charing

two years ago: The Terminator plus half-baked ideas 

three years ago: a rare vintage Japanese synthesiser plus an AI generates Halloween treats

four years ago: more adventures in Crete

five years ago: a Roger Corman classic (1958),  Austria declares neutrality (1955) plus more links to enjoy

six years ago: William Shatner in an Esperanto language film, even more links plus the Trump-Biden debate

seven years ago: assorted links worth revisiting 

eight years ago: Monster Mash, time travel with the dictionary plus Star Trek: Lower Decks

 

 

day two hundred thirty (13. 919)

Lula da Silva wins an unprecedented fourth term in Brazil’s presidential run-off against Bolsonaro’s son, his opponent refuses to concede. Serbia leader Aleksandar Vučić ousted by student movement, ending his twelve year reign. Israeli shells Gaza and southern Lebanon. Netanyahu warns that Iran may try to interfere with Tuesday’s elections. Trump calls off the attack on Iran as all non-essential staff are evacuated from Saudi Arabia. Tehran calls America’s quagmire the consequence of grave miscalculations from which the country must reverse to extricate itself. Republican representatives panic as they prepare for heavy losses in the mid terms.  Trump attempts to negate Alaskan ballots, saying voters do not know the meaning of incumbent.  Russian attacks on Kramatorsk intensify as Russia lobs super sonic drones.

day two hundred twenty nine (13. 914)

Former US presidents and contenders offered counter-messaging to Trump’s late appeals for GOP campaigns including the Bushes tossing their support to the Democratic candidates in races in Texas and Hilary Clinton describing the American president’s renovations to the White House “looking like Saddam Hussein opened a Cheesecake Factory.” Meanwhile, Trump hints at either a massive attack to “finish the job” or reaching a deal with Tehran, presumably to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, by Sunday. Hundreds of thousands of protesters rally in France amid heightened security and police presence. IDF conducts raids of West Bank towns, subjecting dozens of Palestinian residents to field interrogation and unwarranted detention with demolition of buildings in Hebron. The battle for control of Taiz intensifies as the Muslim world strongly condemns the Houthis for targeting the holy sites of Mecca and Medina in their assault against Saudi Arabia for backing the Yemeni government forces. As many outposts in the region have been abandoned already, the US issues more warnings regarding the safety of personnel assigned overseas and Russia denies reports of having evacuated nuclear scientists from the facilities at Bushehr. Moscow and Kyiv agree to a one-city ceasefire in Oleshky at the bidding of the Pope though Melania “Be Best” Trump tries to take credit, whilst the capital continues to sustain heavy bombardment.

day two hundred twenty eight (13. 910)

Amid unrelenting attacks from the Houthis, Saudi Arabia postpones hosting UN World Data Forum, days after cancelling its “Davos in the Desert”—the annual flagship Future Investment Initiative conference aimed to diversify its portfolio away from being a petrostate. The headquarters of Saudi-Aramco is evacuated over safety concerns for remaining staff. Though the White House defers with a GLOMAR response, sources familiar with the planning confirm to the press that Washington and Tel Aviv are in the process of finalising a renewed series of strikes on Pickaxe Mountain and Iranian petrochemical facilities, not wanting to further exacerbate markets (though they are reacting) in the last days to the run-up to the respective countries’ elections. Even if the ultra-conservative government of Netanyahu is ousted, Palestinians hold out little hope for reform or improvement as the opposition refuses to entertain a two-state solution. US troops withdraw from bases in Kuwait, Qatar and Jordan, as the Revolutionary Guard announces a total ban of American service members and vessels from entering the gulf region and threatens to attack personnel and US assets.

day two hundred twenty five (13. 903)

Alberta overwhelmingly rejects separatist agenda in a special referendum. France and Italy plan for a massive police surge to quell protests. Israel conducts airstrikes over Gaza City. Despite continuing indirect peace talks, Iran’s Supreme Leader announces that the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed through the end of Trump’s term—Gulf oil exports have surpassed pre-war levels in aggregate in spite of the conflict. US Vice president Vance declines to echo Trump’s endorsement for the re-election of Netanyahu.  UK re-arrests suspects linked to the alleged terror plot on RAK Fairford as fighter jets are deployed to Saudi Arabia to counter Houthi attacks. Yemeni refugees fleeing fighting cross the Red Sea en masse for Djibouti.

day two hundred twenty five (13. 900)

US strikes Iran’s Konarak naval base on the southeastern coast, in the first attack in nearly two months, possibly breaking Trump’s pledge not to attack until after the midterms. Houthi rebels kill over fifty Yemeni government soldiers shooting ballastics at a training centre. Pakistan suspends trade with Iran as violence escalates on both sides of the border. Egyptian parliament delays a planned vote on military assistance for Saudi Arabia. Israel bombards Nabatieh in southern Lebanon. Funding shortages force UN World Food Programme to end support for a half a million Palestinians in Gaza as deadly drone strikes kill in Khan Younis, a daily occurrence.

day two hundred twenty four (13. 898)

Trump maintains that Moscow is “doing very little—if anything” to help Iran militarily. Tehran, ahead of Israeli elections, claims Netanyahu seeks to expand fighting in the region in a campaign message that scolds America and the broader world for complaining about energy prices. Retreating from five month highs marginally, the cost per barrel of diesel falls after Washington pauses sanctions on Russian exports but the stunt fails to make a dent in the price at the pump, unclear if Russia can even deliver and afford to divert from the war effort in Ukraine. Trump accuses Zelenskyy of prolonging the conflict for political gain. Fighting in Yemen rages as Houthis move to capture Taiz and air raid sirens blare across Saudi Arabia and the Egyptian parliament votes on whether to join on the side of Riyadh. Macron urges the press to make a distinction between protesters and vandals as more than twenty four hundred are arrested in France as rallies spread to Spain and Portugal over high living costs.

day two hundred twenty three (13. 893)

The US sanctions Cuban banks for financial dealings with Iran—the US secretary of state also defending the pause on the embargo for Russian diesel, arguing it will offer global price relief. Tehran denies it is behind the Houthi insurgency in Yemen and attacks on Riyadh and has repeatedly offered to mediate talks with Saudi Arabia as a reconnaissance helicopter is downed in Najran and drones strike eastern provinces. Ahead of Monday’s independence referendum, a major fire breaks out at a military base in Alberta as Carney accuses Washington of trying to break Canada. A series of drone attacks on ships in the Black Sea bring war closer to NATO coastlines. Protests continue across France with looting and arson and thousands of arrest as students demonstrate against quality of educational opportunities, cost of living, the historic town hall of Limoges set ablaze. Ukraine hits oil facilities in the port of St Petersburg as Russia continues to target bridges and roads in Kyiv.

day two hundred twenty two (13. 889)

Fresh out of lung surgery, Pope Leo calls Vladimir Putin to appeal for the people trapped in the Russian occupied city of Oleshky to allow for humanitarian aid and evacuation. EU leaders meet in Brussels to come up with a workable budget and pledge more support for Ukraine. Zelenskyy confirms that the Starshield defensive arm of Starlink services are partially restored but not fully up to speed, demurring on reporters’ questions whether the Ukrainian leader is being ill-used as a scapegoat by Trump over the upcoming election. The Revolutionary Guard has re-mined the Strait of Hormuz with a super tanker exploding. More US senators demand action over illegal West Bank settlements as a UN reports cites the death of over three hundred fifty children and the continued suffering of eight hundred thousand Gazan residents since last year’s ceasefire. White House press secretary Katie Zachariah fired after five days on the job after inflating her credentials.  Trump signs an EO exempting Russia from sanction legislation, the package passed in honour of Lindsey Graham over the summer.  Saudi-led forces hold off Houthis from taking Taiz, claiming to have destroyed two of their missile launchers whilst the rebel group continues to shell the Yanbu in the Red Sea region of the kingdom.

day two hundred twenty one (13. 886)

Having ruled out further military attacks on Iran until after the 03 November elections, Trump tells a press gaggle that he has ruled out using a nuclear bomb on the Islamic Republic or committing ground troops—though deployments to the region increase. The president also tells reporters that the joint Israeli-US coalition may have gone too far in killing Iran’s leaders. Saudis and Houthis clash, each side intercepting the other’s drones with heavy shelling in the government capital of Aden. Chinese foreign ministry tells Israeli to open up Gaza immediately and reverse settlement policy in the West Bank. US secretary of state pressures Lebanon to confiscate weapons from Hezbollah. After ending sanctions on Russian diesel, the American president suggests he will unfreeze assets. Ukraine declares that the US is no longer an ally, vowing to destroy Moscow’s oil infrastructure, as Musk blames Trump for the slow-down of telemetry.

day two hundred twenty (13. 884)

Following more dementia-laced claims, Trump posts that drilling will soon begin in our Greenland. Increasing surveillance and sinking more ships, Tehran vows to keep fighting until the US concedes to their conditions. The UN issues more warnings of a food crisis as as plans to allow shipments of fertiliser through the Strait of Hormuz stall. Houthi rebels are positioned to take the city of Taiz as residents caught in the crossfire of the civil war experience deteriorating conditions. After raids on her home, the Trump administration seeks to strip congressional representative Ilhan Omar of her citizenship and deport her. Russian attacks leave hundreds of thousands without power in Kyiv and Ukrainian forces find their military response hampered over throttling Starlink access. Israel blocks the construction of key base to house one hundred fifty international troops for Trump’s Board of Peace in Gaza.

day two hundred nineteen (13. 882)

As Trump issues apologetics for China and Russia over helping Iran, Kyiv sustains blows from Moscow without the usual pre-warnings from NATO. Houthi rebels report attacks in Sanaa on Yemeni petroleum infrastructure from Saudi-led forces—more airports and oil installations came under fire as the US leans on Ankara for protection. After a Bulgarian tanker was sunk in the Black Sea by a Russian submarine drone, Sophia recalls its ambassador.

day two hundred eighteen (18. 880)

Ignoring Trump“s unilateral truce (which the American president admits to fabricating) on energy infrastructure, Russian immediately strikes nuclear facilities at Kharkiv and Ukraine continues to lob missiles and drones at Russian oil fields and refineries. Kyiv also targets Yandex data centres, reportedly blunting disinformation bots’ activity with noticeably less campaign engineering than usual. Houthi rebels shut down Saudi airspace again and Iran, reputedly, disables Qatari natural gas exports. Ship-spotting suggests that Moscow is buying diesel from Tehran and selling it to America.

day two hundred sixteen (13. 875)

Predictably Trump and Israel denounce the Nobel Committee’s selection of a civil rights lawyer for the Peace Prize, the American president imposing more sanctions on the International Criminal Court—hoping to blunt the justices’ ability to go after US and Israeli war criminals as it is revealed that the American ambassador in Jerusalem has been actively covering up the extent of death and violence in the West Bank. Meanwhile, unconscionably, Trump announces the lifting of all sanctions on Russian diesel, authorising the sale, delivery, offloading and importation through April 2027. Arranging the deal with Putin (allied with Iran), Trump is desperate to bring prices down just before the mid-term elections and betrays Ukraine by opening up this revenue stream for Moscow to allow them to keep prosecuting the war. Europe condemns normalising trade with the pariah nation and Kyiv responds to this development with continued bombings on Russian refineries, bringing into doubt whether Russian can deliver on the tonnage of oil that Trump speaks off—having earlier blamed Zelenskyy for the supply shortage and now hoping to make his lie ring true. Flooding the market may well backfire, after convincing European allies to dip into their statutory reserves that went no where, NATO members may use this opportunity to replenish their emergency supplies, as well as China, whose largess prevented a worse energy shock. It may also cause an imbalance with jet fuel and the lower profit margins in a global market may dissuade oil producers from ramping up production. At a campaign rally in Syracuse, the American president claims that resolutions are “moving along at a rapid speed” and pledges to “win or settle” the conflicts in Iran and in Ukraine soon. A Saudi-led coalition engages in a major offensive against Houthi forces in Yemen. Iran continues to fire on tankers and the US naval blockade has rerouted ships from the Persian Gulf.

synchronoptica

one year ago:  Nobel Peace Prize goes to Venezuelan opposition candidate (with synchronoptica) plus assorted links worth the revisit

two years ago: a visit to Himmelpfort and Fürstenberg

three years ago: an episode in the 1973 Arab-Israeli war 

four years ago: AI movie posters plus conjuring Swedish nonsense words

five years ago:  more links to enjoy plus Upstairs, Downstairs (1971)

six years ago: revolutionary China, happy birthday to the Candy Bomber, the moon Triton, the role of sharks in vaccines plus coin-op convenience

seven years ago: Dunbar Number, guerilla advertising plus more on noise pollution

eight years ago: more on Osaka’s Expo’70 plus a shopping cart that gauges one’s mood

 

day two hundred sixteen (13. 870)

South African jurist who fought apartheid and called out Israel’s genocide in Gaza, Navi Pillay, is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Saudi Arabia suspends commercial air traffic following deadly attacks on the capital’s airport by Houthi rebels as forces vie for control of the Yemen. The Revolutionary Guard strike more tankers attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz. Hurricane Isaias intensifies en route to US gulf coast. Former German Chancellor Gerhardt Schröder attends Putin’s birthday party as the scope of the treachery at the BND is still unfolding.  Secretary of war Hegseth announces that the execution by firing squad of the former US army major who killed thirteen fellow soldiers in 2019 will be live-streamed for the public. Trump reverses his earlier calls to bomb Iran before the midterms, the American president now saying he will wait until after the elections.

day two hundred fifteen (13. 866)

Israel forces the closure of the UK consulate in occupied East Jerusalem over sanction threats directed at illegal settlements in the West Bank. Hurricane Isaiah takes a quarter of oil refineries in the Gulf of Mexico off-line. Tankers, including those cleaving to the route off the coasts of Oman and Qatar, come under fire, slowing maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz to a trickle again. Fighting rages between Yemeni regulars and rebels as Houthis launch deadly strikes at Saudi airports. Newly obtained footage reveals the extent of damage sustained to US bases across the Middle East as troops posture towards abandonment and retreat. Despite issuing new demands, including the possibility of compromise of nuclear enrichment, the American president declares he has no interest in making a deal with Tehran and orders the military to prepare to resume hostilities imminently.

synchronoptica

one year ago: assorted links worth the revisit (with synchronoptica) plus cartoonist Rein Raamat

two years ago: boating on the Röblinsee 

three years ago: spiralling landscapes, vintage text book cover art plus LEGO art

four years ago: the cast of Star Trek in an energy company advert plus Saint Reparata

five years ago:  your daily demon: Raum, Baghdad’s House of Wisdom plus a bi-directional typeface

six years ago: more links to enjoy, Les Misérables (1985), poorly drawn animals plus Trump requires wildlife conservationist organisations to celebrate America’s hunting heritage

seven years ago: visualising Wikipedia updates in real time, Trump abruptly withdraws from the Syria-Turkish border, Call Me By Your Monet, The Million Eyes of Sumuru plus discouraging frivolous lawsuits in the Middle Ages

eight years ago: the degrading web plus calling attention to the problem of space junk