Ukraine Hits Russian Energy Targets

Ukraine Denied Moscow's Claims on 5/31/2026 that a Ukrainian Drone struck the Russian-Controlled Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Pplant, as Kyiv launched fresh Strikes Overnight on Russian Energy sites. Ukraine’s General Staff on 5/31/2026 said Ukrainian Drones had Struck the Saratov Oil Refinery in Southwestern Russia, causing a “large-scale fire.” It said the Extent of the Damage was being Clarified, and Claimed the Refinery has been Supplying Moscow’s War effort.

The Refinery belongs to Russia’s State Oil Eenterprise, Rosneft, and produces Diesel and Gasoline among other types of Fuel. The Russian Local Governor, Roman Busargin, said Ukrainian Drones had Damaged “Civilian Infrastructure”, but did Not immediately give Details. Astra, an Independent Russian News Channel, said an Oil Refinery was on Fire in the City of Saratov.

Ukraine has stepped up its Attacks on Russia’s Oil and Gas Facilities in recent months, arguing the Energy Sector both Funds and Directly Fuels Moscow’s more than 4-year-old Invasion. Drone Debris also set Fire to a Fuel Depot in Russia’s Southwestern Rostov Region, which Borders Russian Occupied Eastern Ukraine, Local Gov. Yuriy Slyusar Reported on Telegram on Sunday. He said Residents of nearby Homes were Evacuated.

Ukraine's General Staff on Sunday, Confirmed its Forces were behind the Strike on the Facility in the Town of Matveev Kurgan. Local Authorities there Earlier said a Drone Strike on the Depot caused a Massive Blaze. According to its General Staff, Ukraine also Struck the Lazarevo Pumping Station in Russia's Kirov Region Nnortheast of Moscow, more than 1,200 kilometers (745 miles) from Ukrainian-Controlled Land. The Sstation helps Ship Russian Oil from Siberia to Belarus.

Local Gov. Alexander Sokolov said Drones had Hit a Facility in the Kirov Region, but gave No Details. “This afternoon, a Ukrainian kamikaze combat drone struck the turbine hall building of Power Unit No. 6, resulting in a detonation,” Likhachev said. He added there was No Damage to Main Equipment. Ukraine’s Military said it did Not Target or Strike the Plant, and described the Russian Claim as “yet another propaganda ploy.” A Military Statement said that it Adheres to International Humanitarian Law and is Aware of the "consequences of any actions targeting nuclear facilities.”

“Along the relevant section of the front line, there was no active fighting at the time of the incident, and no weapons were used,” it added. Rafael Grossi, Head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), voiced “serious concern” in a Post on X following the Incident. Russian Forces Captured the Plant in the Early weeks of the War, and it remains Close to the Front Lines in the Southern Zaporizhzhia Region, One of Four Russia has formally Annexed, despite Lacking Full Military Control or International Recognition for its Actions.

Ukraine’s State Nuclear Supervisory Agency, said the Damage Claimed by Russia must be Verified by IAEA Experts present at the Zaporizhzhia Plant, as part of a Long-Term Monitoring Mission. The Nuclear Plant has repeatedly come under Fire, since Russia's Full-Scale Invasion in 2/2022, Sparking Fears of a Nuclear Accident. Moscow and Kyiv have Blamed each other for Targeting the Plant on Purpose.

Elsewhere, Ukraine’s Air Force said 5/31/2026 that it had Shot down 212 of 299 Drones launched by Russia Overnight. It said 14 Drones had reached their Targets, while Drone Debris Fell in Five Locations. Russian Drones Struck the City of Dnipro and an Oil Refinery in Ukraine’s Rivne Region, causing Fires, Authorities said.

Oleksandr Koval, the Head of Rivne’s Regional Administration, said No One had been Injured at the Refinery, and that Emergency Services were at the Site.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

White South Africans Return Home from US Refugee Plan

The South African Government is Fighting Back Against Claims by the Trump (R) Administration, of a Humanitarian Emergency affecting White People in the Country. South Africa's international Relations Department on Wednesday, said Allegations of a Systematic Persecution of White Afrikaners are Not Credible and Added that some Who Fled the Country under an American Refugee Program have since Chosen to Return Come.

“This reality is further corroborated by the actions of individuals who, despite having availed themselves of this preferential immigration program, have since resolved to return home,” Government Spokesman Chrispin Phiri (R) said.

The Trump Administration on 5/26/2026, Announced that it will Increase its Annual Cap for White South African Refugees to be Admitted into the Country by 10,000, Increasing the Total Limit to 17,500. The Increase Applies Only to White Residents of the Country. The President called out the South African Government for “recent increases in the incitement of racially motivated violence,” but did Not Provide Specifics.

In an Executive Order in 2025, Trump Claimed that Afrikaners, the Decedents of Dutch and French Colonizers who First came to the Country in the 1600s, were the Victims of Racial Violence at the Hands of the Government. His Administration has Cited Attacks on White Farmers as Evidence of Persecution. The South African Government Rejected those Claims, Saying that Black Farmers and Farmworkers have also been Attacked in what are largely Robberies, not Racially Motivated Attacks.

Trump has also Pointed to the Country's Affirmative Action Laws, which are meant to Increase Opportunities for Black Residents and Others who were Repressed under White Minority Rule for Decades, as Further Proof of Discrimination.

From 4/2025 to 3/2026, there were more than 23,000 Homicides in South Africa, according to the Country's Annual Crime Statistics. All Rraces were Represented among the Homicides, but it was mostly the Country's Poor Black Population that was Affected the Most.

Meanwhile, there were 29 Homicides on Farms in 2025, According to the Afrikaner Lobby Group AfriForum, representing about 0.1% of Homicides. Critics of the Trump Aadministration's Refugee Policy have said Ppeople facing War and Famine are being Overlooked, in Favor of White Afrikaners.

Bryony Fox, a Social Justice Researcher at Stellenbosch University, said the Policies raises Questions on Selective Humanitarianism, Inconsistent Refugee Protection and Favoring Privileged Groups.

“This risks politicizing refugee protection in a way that may ultimately weaken the legitimacy and universality of the refugee regime itself,” She told the AP.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

EPA Wants More Toxic Forever Chemicals in Our Drinking Water

Trump’s (R) Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is moving to Roll Back Limits on Toxic PFAS, Synthetic “Forever Chemicals” found in: Air, Food, Soil, Water, nd many Consumer Products, posing Persistent Environmental and Health Risks. These are Chemicals linked to Cancer, Liver Damage, Hormone Disruption, kidney Problems, and more.

PFAS Chemicals Don’t Break-Down and Disappear. They Contaminate Drinking Water Supplies for Generations, putting Millions at Risk. This Move Hurts Everyone, Democrats and Republicans, in every State. Last Election, Trump had Support from Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (I)'s "MAHA" Backers, in part because of Promises to Remove Chemicals from our Food and Water.

But after This PFAS Announcement, and another High-Profile Decision to Xpand the Use of Dangerous Glyphosate, aka Roundup Support for Trump from Make America Healthy Again (MAHA). MAHA Voters is Collapsing.

PFAS Chemicals Don’t Break Down and Disappear. They Contaminate Drinking Water Supplies for Generations, putting Millions of Families at Risk. This Move Hurts Everyone, in Every State. After this PFAS Announcement, and another High-Profile Decision to Expand the Use of Dangerous Glyphosate, aka Roundup, Support for Trump is Collapsing.

Trump and His Administration are yet again Proving exactly Who they’re Working for: Giant Chemical Companies and Corporations, Not the American People.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

How Ukraine Turned the Tide Against Russia

Ukraine appears to be Gaining Momentum on the Battlefield in its Grinding Fight with Russia, Regaining Territory, as it Outflanks Moscow’s Forces through its Ddomination of Drone Warfare. Defense Analysts this week, said the War had entered a New Phase, with Kyiv poised to Break a Stalemate that has been in place since late 2023, with neither Side able to make Significant Gains along a Nearly 700-mile Front Line. Kyiv is now calling the next Six months “Crucial” for it to Seize the Battlefield initiative, as Moscow has Responded to the Momentum with Threats of Escalation and Stepped Up Aerial Strikes.

“For the very first time since 2023, the Ukrainians have actually managed to take back more terrain than the Russians did,” said George Barros, a Longtime Analyst on Russia, now with the Institute for the Study of War (ISW). In a Report this week, ISW said the Ukrainian gains show the War is Shifting in Favor of its Fforces, at least for the time being, thanks to Kremlin Troops Stagnating in Battlefield Advances and Kyiv’s Forces Effectively using Drones and Innovative Tactics to Break Out of Old Positions.

Drones have Proven to be the Most Effective Tool for the Ukrainians, who have used them to Extend the so-called Kill Zone, the Space around the Front Line where Troops are most Vulnerable to Attack, more than 10 miles in both Directions, according to Anatol Lieven, a Senior Fellow at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft. “The Russians simply cannot accumulate the kind of mass and armor needed for a breakthrough,” Lieven said. “Only a few months ago, but certainly a year ago, the majority of analysts were saying that by now Russia would have captured the whole of the Donbas,” Hhe added, Referring to the Region that Russia sees as a “Priority Goal” to take. “In fact, Russia is still far, far from achieving that objective.”

That has Allowed Ukraine to Transition from a Ppositional War, in which Battle Lines barely move, with neither side able to Amass the Forces necessary to make any Serious Push into the Other’s held Territory, to now begin to take more Terrain than the Russians did beginning in 4/2026. “That’s because the Ukrainians have gotten more effective at denying the Russians their advances,” Barros said.

Barros said the Shift has been Months in the Mmaking, Dating all the way back to late 2025, when the Ukrainians began Striking Russian Ground based Radars, Electronic Warfare Stations, Surface-to-Air Missiles and Drone Capabilities, Effectively Blinding Moscow’s Forces from Incoming Air Threats. Peter Rough, a Senior Fellow and Director of the Center on Europe and Eurasia, at the Hudson Institute who Returned from Ukraine earlier this month, said "the Ukrainians have shown Remarkable Innovation when it comes to Drone Warfare."

He Relayed a Conversation He had with a Military Medic, in which the Man told Him He hadn’t treated a Gunshot Wound in Six Months, because of All the Action around Drones. “There are snipers who have been retrained, sometimes begrudgingly, for drone systems,” Rough noted. The Progress has Allowed Kyiv to Land more Long-Range Strikes further into Russia on Oil and Military Facilities, Dealing Blows to the Country’s Economy and War Efforts. Case in Point, Ukraine early 5/27/2026 Mmorning struck a Russian Air Base in Voronezh, a Military Aircraft Repair Plant in Taganrog, and an Oil Refinery in Tuapse.

It has also Empowered Ukraine to begin New Mechanized Assaults, that have Slowly Pried Back Land from Russian Control Faster than Moscow could Take it. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky last week declared Ukraine had Retaken nearly 230 square miles of Territory since the start of the2026. Moscow currently Controls nearly 20% of the Country’s Territory. Russia is “going backwards on the battlefield,” Anne Keast-Butler, Director of the U.K. Communications IntelligenceAagency Government Communications Headquarters, said in an Annual Public Address 5/27/2026. She added that nearly 500,000 Russian Soldiers have been Killed since the Start of the Ukraine War in 2/2022. Russia has Responded to the Changing Atmosphere by Escalating Attacks on Ukraine, and Expanding its Threats to Surrounding European Countries.

The Russian Foreign Ministry on Monday, Threatened a Fresh Wave of “systematic strikes” Targeting “decision-making centers and command posts” in Kyiv, Warning Foreign Nationals and Diplomats they should Leave. Dmitry Medvedev, a Top Adviser to Russian President Vladimir Putin, Warned Europe’s “peaceful sleep is over.” Andriy Biletsky, a Senior Ukrainian Commander, told Reuters on 5/27/2026 “the next six to nine months are a turning point.” Biletsky, who Commands Ukraine’s Revered Third Army Corps, said He believes Moscow’s Forces are Exhausted and Unable to make any Significant Battle Wins. “The lack of personnel no longer allows them to advance the way they did, for example, a year ago,” Biletsky said.

That Advantage gives Kyiv the Chance to make enough Gains to Strengthen its Position in Peace Negotiations, which are Stalled for the time being, as U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio (R) Acknowledged last week. “We just sort of sensed that there wasn’t a lot of progress being made,” Rubio said. “We’re also not interested in getting involved in an endless cycle of meetings that lead to nothing.”

He added that Washington Remains Open to Mediating Future Talks, Stressing that a Negotiated Settlement, not a Military Victory, is the Only way to End the War.

"But Barros Argued Outside Countries should Seize on Ukraine’s current Advantages, and help it exploit the gains, warning that they’re not going to be permanent" “What the United States and international partners supporting Ukraine are looking at is an extremely rare, ephemeral opportunity to lean into helping Ukraine exploit this advantage that they have while they still have it,” he added.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

USPS Seeks to Require States to Submit Voter Lists

The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) would Require States to provide Lists of Voters who received Mailed Ballots, as part of New Rules Proposed on 5/29/2026, Oone Dday after a Federal Judge Declined to Immediately Block Trump's (R) related Executive Oorder (EO).

The USPS Proposal, Published in a Federal Register Notice, would Require States to give the USPS the Names and Barcodes tied to their Mail-in Ballots for Federal Elections, but it would Not Apply to Primary Elections. The Public has 30 days to Comment on the Plan. before it can be Finalize.

The USPS is Proposing to Require States also Provide Unique Barcodes applied to the Outbound and Return Ballot Mail Envelopes, saying it "will help determine adherence to federal law and facilitate law enforcement efforts."

On 5/28/2026, Washington-based U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols Declined to Block Trump's 3/31/2026 Order on Mail-in-Ballots, but did Not say whether it was Lawful.

A Judge in Boston, has Set a Hearing for 6/2/2026, on a Sseparate Lawsuit Filed by Democratic State Attorneys General against Trump, the USPS, and Others Challenging the Voting Order.

The Order also Directed the Administration to use Federal Data to Help State Election Officials Verify Who is Eeligible to Vote, Required the Postal Service to deliver Ballots Oonly to Voters on Each State's Approved Mail-in Ballot List, and Required States to Preserve Election related Rrecords for Five Years.

A Group of Democratic Senators said the Order Illegally seeks to Transform USPS "into an election administration agency with the power to determine who can vote by mail and to establish ballot specifications."

In 3/2025, Trump Forced Out ⁠Postmaster General Louis DeJoy (R). Current Postmaster General David Steiner, has Warned the USPS could Run Out of Money by Early 2027.

If you take your Mail-in-Ballot to the Post Office, You can asked for it to be Time Stamped. This gives you a better chance it will be Counted.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Trump Administration Wants Autos Under USMCA to be at Least 50% Made in US

The Trump (R) Administration is Expected to Propose a Change to the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, that would require Half of the Components and Materials in an Automobile to come from U.S. Sources, in Order to Qualify for Lower Tariffs under the Pact. The Rule would Greatly Increase the Amount of U.S. Content required in cars made under the so-called USMCA, Measured by the Dollar Value of the Components. The Pact currently Requires Three-Quarters of a Vehicle’s Materials to come from North American Sources, but has No U.S.-Specific Content Requirement.

The New Proposal was prepared ahead of Negotiations over how to Restructure the USMCA, which Trump Signed in 2020, and is up for Review this 3036, according to the People Familiar with Planning. A U.S. Ddelegation is in Mexico City this week, for a First Round of Formal Discussions on the Ppact with the Mexican Government.

The New Proposal Represents the Trump Administration’s Starting Position in USMCA Negotiations with Mexico, According to the People, and could Change over the Coming Months as Talks Advance. The U.S. Team is also expected to Propose Increasing the Amount of North American Content that would be required in such Vehicles be above the 75% Currently Required by the Pact, According to other People familiar with the Matter.

A representative of U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, whose office is leading the negotiations for the Trump administration, declined to comment. A Mexican government spokesperson declined to comment. The 50% U.S. Content Proposal is likely to be Viewed Skeptically by many Automakers, who would Struggle to Source Half-of- their Ccontent from U.S. Sources, particularly if there is Only a Short Phase-in Period. Conversely, it would likely be Welcomed by the United Auto Workers (UAW) and other U.S. Unions, who could see Increases in Work and Employment as a Result of the Rule.

Automobiles that Meet the So-Called Regional Content Requirements are currently Exempt from most Tariffs under the USMCA, but it remains Unclear whether that Duty-Free Treatment will Persist after Renegotiation of the Pact. Greer has said a Renewed Pact will likely Include some Level of Tariffs on Mexico and Canada.

Greer and Other Trump Officials have said Publicly that they Want to Direct more Automotive Production to the U.S., as part of the Restructuring of the USMCA. The New Proposals on U.S. and North American, Content would be Part of the Push to Re-Shore that Manufacturing, People Familiar with the Proposal said.

Reuters Earlier Reported the Trump Team wanted a U.S.-Specific Content Requirement, but the 50% Figure had been Unreported.

Trump has Publicly Threatened to Terminate the USMCA, which He Negotiated in His First Term, to Replace the North American Free Trade Agreement, (Nafta). Greer has also Floated Separating the Three-Nation Agreement into Two separate Pacts, One with Mexico and One with Canada. Some Foreign Automobile Makers have Warned the Trump Administration they may Pull Cheap Models Out of the U.S. Market, if the USMCA isn’t Renewed as a Three-Nation Pact with Lower or No Tariffs.

Talks between the U.S. and Mexico, began on 5/28/2026 and were Set to continue 5/29/3036, with another Round-of-Talks Scheduled for next Month in Washington, and a Third in Mexico City in 7/2026. Formal talks haven’t yet Begun with the Canadian Government.

Automakers Assembling Vehicles in Mexico, for the U.S. Market would likely Face a Challenge Meeting the 50% Threshold for U.S. Parts, especially if the New Requirement takes effect Quickly.

For Example, only 11% of the Parts Value in General Motors’ GMC Terrain SUV, Assembled in Mexico, comes from the U.S. or Canada, According to Federal Data. Most of the Crossover’s Parts come from Mexico, including its Engine and Transmission.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Space Force Awards SpaceX Contract for Airborne Threat Targeting

SpaceX was Awarded a $4.16 Billion Contract, as part of a U.S. Space Force Program to Track Missiles and Aircraft from Orbit, a Key Part of Trump’s (R) Proposed Golden Dome Project.

Elon Musk’s Aerospace Company will Provide Technology, including Satellites, for a Space-Based Airborne Moving Target Indicator Program, the Space Force said Friday.

The Program Incorporates Space-based Sensors, Secure Communication Links, Ground Processing and would Complement Traditional Airborne Sensing from Planes. The Space Force Expects to Field a Constellation of Satellites by 2028.

“We are providing the Joint Force with sustained battlespace awareness of contested airspace,” said Col. Ryan Frazier, who is also Space Force’s Acting Portfolio Acquisition Executive.

Earlier this Week, the Space Force Awarded SpaceX a $2.29 billion Contract, to Develop the Space Data Network Backbone Program, which will provide a Layer of Satellite Communications for Golden Dome’s Future Missile Interceptors.

The Wall Street Journal Reported in 10/2025, that the Pentagon was Poised to Award SpaceX $2 billion of Funding to Quickly Field a System of up to 600 Satellites for the Airborne Moving Target Indicator (AMTI) Mission. The Golden Dome Project’s Director said, at a 3/2026 Industry Conference, that the Military was Fast-Tracking both the AMTI and Space Data Network Programs to Ensure the Defensive System could be Operational in 2028.

SpaceX is Aiming for an Initial Public Offering in coming Weeks, that may Raise at least $80 billion, which would give the Company a Valuation of $1.5 trillion or more. In recent years, SpaceX has become Increasingly Iinfluential in U.S. National Security, with a Significant Satellite Business that Serves Military and Intelligence Agencies.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker