TYB
https://www.autoevolution.com/news/nasas-new-hybrid-electric-jet-engine-just-proved-it-can-power-an-airliner-264834.html
NASA’s New Hybrid-Electric Jet Engine Just Proved It Can Power an Airliner
29 Jan 2026, 10:17 UTC
Five years ago, in 2021, American space agency NASA announced it is working on yet another project that doesn’t involve, well, space: the Hybrid Thermally Efficient Core (HyTEC).
Since then, NASA’s peeps, together with partner GE Aerospace, have been hard at work putting together something new in the aviation world, a fresh kind of engine that just nailed its first true test “at a level that could potentially power an airliner.“
HyTEC is an effort meant to create a hybrid aircraft engine with a smaller core than we’re used to, with the goal of achieving a 10 percent reduction in fuel consumption compared to today’s best-in-class engines, thus saving airlines millions of dollars per year.
Assembly work on the prototype jet engine, which is based on a Passport powerplant, began in the spring of last year, and, in December 2025, at the GE Aerospace Peebles Test Operation in Cincinnati, Ohio, it was finally ready to be put to the test.
Now, technically speaking, none of the engine’s component parts are new inventions, and some of them (stuff like the power system controls and electric motors) have been tested extensively over the years by many companies and organizations.
But this is the first time that these component parts have been tested as part of an integrated system in a jet engine.
NASA doesn’t specifically say what the changes that were made to the powerplant are, but we do know that it now includes electric motors to assist its operation, and that it has the ability to “extract energy from some of its operations and insert that supplementary power into other parts.“
The procedure, officially called a power extraction test, is described as one of the most complex such operations GE Aerospace has staged to date, and it sought to demonstrate the HyTEC system “could deliver the requisite power needed for a single-aisle aircraft safely and reliably.“
It’s too soon to say what the findings of this trial are, but NASA and its partner are presently busy going through the data generated during the test, trying to figure out how the technology can be applied to flight.
Hopes are that the engine design could become the first hybrid-electric powertrain of any kind to be used in actual airliners by the end of this decade.
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I said earlier that NASA didn’t go into the specifics of the modified Passport engine, but we do know what the HyTEC project is gunning for.
And, aside from integrating electric motors to assist with operations, the new engine design includes a smaller and more effective core.
The core of a jet engine is where the magic happens, if you will, perhaps the most important part of such a piece of hardware. Here, the compressed air is mixed with fuel and is then ignited to give the airplane the power it needs.
It is in the core where fuel savings can be achieved, generally by going for a higher bypass ratio. That’s the ratio between how much of the air flowing through the engine core is used for combustion, and how much moves around the core to be turned into thrust.
As you’re reading this, the plane with the best bypass ratio is the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, which allows nine times more air to move around the core and be turned into thrust than it uses for combustion.
With the HyTEC project, NASA plans to increase the bypass ratio to a staggering 15, which would translate into less fuel needed to operate the plane. This could be done by downsizing the core of the engine, while thrust output should remain the same.
That sounds easy, but it’s anything but. First of all, a smaller engine core would need to be made of special materials capable of withstanding more internal pressure and higher temperatures.
Then, a smaller core also calls for the resizing of other engine components. Eventually, the agency settled on using ceramic matrix composites for the task.
The resizing of the engine core is considered enough to allow the engine to cut back on its fuel needs by at least 10 percent, but if you also throw a hybrid system in there, the gain could potentially be much greater.
Also, using sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) instead of jet fuel is also considered as a solution for more efficiency.
On top of everything, a HyTEC engine would be used to provide power for other systems aboard the aircraft, which is also what happens with existing engines.
Unlike now, however, when about five percent of the engine's power is used for this, the new design would direct 20 percent of its power to the task.
We will keep an eye on the HyTEC project and report back every time we learn something new about it, but be warned: due to the nature of the work, that won’t happen very often.
FYI, the last time we were updated on the project was almost two years ago.
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https://www.morningstar.com/news/pr-newswire/20260129de74226/iss-national-lab-marks-record-year-for-space-based-scientific-results
ISS National Lab Marks Record Year for Space-Based Scientific Results
Jan. 29, 2026
Seventy-six peer-reviewed studies were published in fiscal year 2025, the highest annual number to date, bringing the total to nearly 630
The International Space Station (ISS) National Laboratory achieved a record-breaking year of scientific output last year, reflecting the growing impact of space-based research on both the scientific community and commercial innovation.
Results from ISS National Lab-sponsored investigations span biomedical research, advanced materials, Earth observation, and space-tested technologies, with findings enabled by the unique conditions of microgravity.
"Results from ISS National Lab-sponsored investigations reflect the value of high-impact research in space," said Roberts
In fiscal year 2025 (October 1, 2024-September 30, 2025), researchers published 76 peer-reviewed articles related to ISS National Lab–sponsored research, an increase from last year's record of 51 and the highest annual total to date.
Fifteen of these publications appeared in top-tier scientific journals, underscoring the significance of the findings and their relevance to national and scientific priorities.
With these additions, the cumulative total of peer-reviewed publications associated with ISS National Lab-sponsored research has reached nearly 630.
Together with a record number of patents and research-enabled products in a single fiscal year, these results highlight the ISS National Lab's role as a catalyst for high-impact research and technology development in low Earth orbit (LEO).
Several of the year's most notable findings were featured in Upward, the official magazine of the ISS National Lab, which reports on results from ISS National Lab-sponsored research and how findings impact people on Earth.
Results from investigations highlighted below represent a cross-section of the most transformative scientific discoveries over the past year.
Top ISS National Lab-Related Scientific Results Highlighted in 2025:
ISS research informs development of injectable cancer therapy
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved a new injectable form of a cancer therapy from Merck & Co. that combines the active ingredient in Keytruda® with an enzyme to treat a range of solid tumors.
ISS-based research by Merck published in 2019 examined how microgravity enables the formation of highly uniform protein crystals. The research helped to improve drug formulation and enable the development of an injection to deliver the drug rather than lengthy intravenous infusions.
Space-grown tumors support personalized cancer research
Researchers from Encapsulate, a Connecticut-based startup, used microgravity to grow three-dimensional tumors that more closely resemble human cancers, supporting the development of tumor-on-a-chip tools for personalized cancer research.
The company was granted a patent for its tumor-on-a-chip system and filed a second patent for a method to predict the metastatic potential of a patient's cancer.
Encapsulate also received additional funding from NASA, supporting efforts to translate the research toward clinical use.
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Cancer cells grown in space reveal new therapeutic targets
Massachusetts-based startup MicroQuin identified microgravity-induced changes in cancer cell signaling critical to cancer cell survival. Based on this new knowledge, the company developed a small molecule therapeutic that targets cancer cells and does not harm healthy cells.
Testing revealed that the therapeutic worked for all types of cancer.
New research advances treatment for macular degeneration
California-based Oculogenex, used microgravity to study intermediate age-related macular degeneration, which affects nearly 20 million Americans.
The outcomes exceeded expectations, demonstrating both prevention of retinal damage and notable improvement in retinal cell function. These findings inform next steps toward clinical trials and an upcoming scientific publication.
Brain organoids grow faster in microgravity
Axonis Therapeutics, another Massachusetts-based startup, reported that brain organoids grown on the ISS self-assembled in a matter of days and with greater uniformity than comparable cultures on Earth, which may take months to self-assemble.
These results enable faster testing of novel gene therapies for neurological diseases.
In-space refueling technology reaches operational milestone
Colorado-based startup Orbit Fab began delivering hydrazine fuel to satellites in geosynchronous orbit and signed a contract with the U.S. Space Force to provide in-orbit refueling services.
The company was also granted a patent for a system to transfer and store fuel or propellants in space, supporting satellite servicing and in-space logistics.
Cosmic-ray measurements revise theories of lithium origins
The Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer team published measurements showing that certain lithium atoms in cosmic rays are produced through collisions with interstellar matter rather than originating from the Big Bang, refining models of cosmic-ray formation.
Genes in Space™ advances the future space workforce
The Genes in Space™ program, which recently celebrated its 10th anniversary, provides students with hands-on experience designing space-based genetics experiments and research tools, helping to build skills in biology, engineering, and data analysis relevant to research in LEO.
"Results from ISS National Lab-sponsored investigations over the past year reflect the value of leveraging the unique environment of space to conduct high-impact research that cannot be replicated on Earth," said ISS National Lab Chief Scientific Officer Michael Roberts.
"These efforts advance our understanding of fundamental science and drive innovations that address practical challenges across healthcare, technology development, and beyond.
As we look to the future, the ISS National Lab is excited to build on these results that are influencing our planet while enabling a robust economy in low Earth orbit."
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The Future of Extraterrestrial Materials Analysis Group (ExMAG)
January 29, 2026
Last week NASA decided to halt support for MD Planetary Science Division Analysis and Assessment Groups.
The following email was shared widely by the ExMAG executive committee: “Dear Colleagues, The NASA Planetary Science Division (PSD) Director recently announced that the PSD will cease formal support for various Analyses and Assessment Groups (AGs) effective in May 2026.” Full email below.
The letter highlighted the significant values of AGs and recent changes in the NASA landscape that led to the decision.
You can review the full announcement here: https://science.nasa.gov/planetary-science/resources/psd-director-letter-to-the-community/
Despite this decision, the Extraterrestrial Materials Analysis Group (ExMAG) will continue its mission, serving as a vital bridge between the sample science community and NASA leadership.
Since our founding (transitioning from CAPTEM in 2021), ExMAG has been a cornerstone of two-way communication between the sample science community and NASA decision-makers. Recent successes highlight the power of our collective voices:
International Collaboration: ExMAG’s finding that accessing Chang’E-5 samples was a high priority was instrumental in NASA opening a dialogue with China, allowing US-based scientists to apply for these samples.
Mission Readiness: In collaboration with LEAG, the Special Action Teams have been critical in assessing the curation and technical readiness for upcoming Artemis missions.
Deep expertise: ExMAG has provided detailed technical analyses leveraging the deep sample expertise of the planetary science community to support curation of recently acquired asteroid Bennu and Ryugu samples, including the scientific rationale and recommendation for cold storage and long-term archiving of some of the returned Bennu samples.
The rigorous analysis of extraterrestrial materials does more than answer existing questions; it redefines our understanding of the solar system.
For example, the discovery of non-negligible OH in Apollo volcanic samples fundamentally shifted our view of lunar volatiles and the Earth-Moon formation.
As such, the Planetary Science and Astrobiology Decadal Survey, Origins, Worlds, and Life, placed several sample return missions as top priorities for space exploration.
In the meantime, asteroid samples from OSIRIS-REx and Hayabusa2 missions are available for the entire science community, and new samples are being planned to return from the lunar South Pole region by Artemis III and from the martian moon Phobos by the Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) mission in 2031.
In this new era, it is more essential than ever that community-led assessments of collection, curation, facility, and technology readiness help NASA to prioritize and plan for these samples’ return and analysis.
ExMAG remains committed to engaging the sample science community and providing a voice for the community to policymakers.
The loss of formal and financial PSD support will impact our operational infrastructure, specifically our annual meetings, the maintenance of the ExMAG website, and the archiving of past documents.
The Executive Committee is currently exploring alternative organizational models, archiving, web hosting, and funding options to ensure our long-term sustainability.
We are dedicated to maintaining a platform where community-driven analysis can directly influence the decisions that shape the future of planetary science.
We will keep you informed as we finalize our path forward. We want to thank you for your unwavering support and look forward to championing the interests of the sample community for years to come.
The ExMAG executive committee:
Yang Liu (Chair), Philipp Heck (Chair emeritus, acting Vice Chair), Neeraja Chinchalkar, Zack Gainsforth, Danny Glavin, Pierre Haenecour, Lydia Hallis, Rhiannon Mayne, Molly McCanta, Peng Ni, Evgenia Salin, Arya Udry, Nicolle Zellner
https://nasawatch.com/space-science-news/the-future-of-extraterrestrial-materials-analysis-group-exmag/
https://www.lpi.usra.edu/exmag/
Martian mudfossil?
Rocket Lab's 'Hungry Hippo' Neutron fairing arrives at spaceport in Virginia
January 8, 2026
Rocket Lab's new "Hungry Hippo" payload fairing has been safely delivered to the company's integration facilities at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS), in Virginia.
The novel rocket topper will cap Rocket Lab's Neutron launch vehicle, which is still currently under development.
The company had previously been progressing toward a Q1 2026 debut of the new medium-lift rocket, but a failure in the rocket's main stage during a recent pressure test has put Neutron on a more uncertain timeline.
While the next Neutron stage is being readied for its maiden flight, its Hungry Hippo fairing is undergoing post-delivery inspections ahead of transportation to MARS's Rocket Lab Launch Copmlex-3 (LC-3) for further tests.
Neutron is Rocket Lab's answer to the venerable SpaceX Falcon 9. The 141-foot (43-meter) tall, carbon composite launch vehicle will be capable of delivering up to 28,700 pounds (13,000 kilograms) to low Earth orbit, compared to Falcon 9's 50,265 pounds (22,800 kilograms). Like Falcon 9, Neutron is designed for partial reusability.
The rocket's Hungry Hippo fairing is a unique part of that reusability architecture, as, unlike other payload fairings, it remains attached to the launch vehicle rather than detaching to plumet back through the atmosphere.
The jaw-like mechanism opens like a clamshell to release Neutron's upper stage and payload for continued flight, then closes after deployment while the rocket's first stage decelerates and maneuvers for landing either back at its launch range or on a Rocket Lab transport vessel stationed at sea.
The 46-foot (14-meter) fairing made its way via barge and truck to Rocket Lab's facilities at MARS, after departing from the company's California test facility in December.
Now that is has arrived at LC-3, the fairing will undergo pre-launch qualification testing while it awaits Neutron's first stage.
"Hungry Hippo's arrival marks another step toward Neutron's debut that will usher in a new era of commercial space access," Rocket Lab said in an update on Jan. 26.
https://www.space.com/space-exploration/launches-spacecraft/rocket-labs-hungry-hippo-neutron-fairing-arrives-at-spaceport-in-virginia
https://rocketlabcorp.com/updates/new-blog-post-27/
https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/2015902729496092763
>who’s cleaning our solar panels is what I want to know
SpaceX Launches
January 29, 2026
Starlink Mission
SpaceX’s Falcon 9 is targeting the launch of 25 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
A live webcast of this mission will begin about five minutes prior to liftoff, which you can watch here and on X @SpaceX. You can also watch the webcast on the X TV app.
This is the 19th flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched USSF-62, OneWeb Launch 20, NROL-145, and 15 Starlink missions.
Following stage separation, the first stage will land on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship, which will be stationed in the Pacific Ocean.
There is the possibility that residents of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura counties may hear one or more sonic booms during the launch, but what residents experience will depend on weather and other conditions.
https://www.spacex.com/launches/sl-17-19
https://santamariatimes.com/news/local/military/vandenberg/spacex-set-to-launch-starlink-mission-from-vandenberg-this-morning/article_bce7969c-b6ce-4343-8b01-ba0711b361e2.html
Starlink Mission
SpaceX’s Falcon 9 is targeting the launch of 29 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
A live webcast of this mission will begin about five minutes prior to liftoff, which you can watch here and on X @SpaceX. You can also watch the webcast on the X TV app.
This will be the fifth flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched four Starlink missions.
Following stage separation, the first stage will land on the Just Read the Instructions droneship, which will be stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.
https://www.spacex.com/launches/sl-6-101
https://www.floridatoday.com/live-story/tech/science/space/2026/01/29/spacex-launch-day-heres-information-on-todays-starlink-rocket-launch-from-cape-canaveral-florida/88403312007/
China unveils plans to send a humanoid into space and create the world's first robot astronaut
Jan 29, 2026 at 6:59 PM (UTC+4)
China is readying the world’s first robot astronaut for future missions to space – and it will send metal and code where no other humanoid ‘bot has been before.
Shenzhen-based robotics firm, Engine AI, says it wants to send its PM01 humanoid robot into orbit.
Robots won’t need food or oxygen to function in space, so it could be a better solution than risking human lives.
The goal is simple and wild at the same time: build what it calls the world’s first humanoid robot astronaut.
The technicalities of sending a humanoid into space
Chinese tech company Engine AI says it has partnered with Beijing Interstellar Human Spaceflight Technology, a commercial space company, to launch a Humanoid Robot Astronaut Exploration Program into space.
The mission would use Engine AI’s PM01 humanoid platform, described as a general-purpose embodied intelligent system with high-precision sensors, fast motion response, and autonomous decision making.
The big pitch is that space is brutal, and robots can be built for it.
The space company points to the realities of vacuum, microgravity, extreme temperature swings, and radiation as the kind of conditions that push machines way beyond normal use on Earth.
The company says the partnership will focus on improving PM01’s adaptability and resilience so it can handle complex tasks more independently.
Introducing the world’s first robot astronaut
So what would a robot astronaut actually do?
Engine AI argues a humanoid could take on higher-risk roles that are dangerous for humans, including external maintenance work, exploring hazardous areas, and long-duration monitoring.
The idea is not to replace astronauts, but to reduce exposure to the things that can go wrong when you are operating outside a station.
Back on Earth, PM01 is already being pushed as a research-friendly humanoid built to mix human-like motion with serious computing power.
The company says the compact robot features an interactive display, a bionic structure designed to mimic human movement, and a waist that can rotate up to 320 degrees.
It stands about 1.38 meters tall and weighs around 40 kg, with a dual chip setup using an NVIDIA Jetson Orin module alongside an Intel N97 CPU.
To infinity and beyond!
https://supercarblondie.com/china-unveils-plans-to-create-the-worlds-first-robot-astronaut/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-uMnH_f7cU
USSF field commands successfully launch GPS III Space Vehicle 09 into orbit
Jan. 29, 2026
Space Systems Command and Combat Forces Command marked a critical step in enhancing global positioning capabilities with the successful launch of GPS III-9 Space Vehicle 09 on Jan. 27 at 11:53 p.m. EST (8:53 p.m. PST) from Space Launch Complex 40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Fl, using a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.
This significant mission also underscored the proven agility and responsiveness of the National Security Space Launch program.
Once operational, the Lockheed Martin-built SV09 adds another highly capable M-Code satellite to the constellation, increasing overall system functionalities in geolocation, navigation and system resilience.
GPS III satellites have a three-fold increase in positional accuracy and an eight-fold improvement in jam resistance compared to prior versions.
These advanced features enable the constellation to provide an across-the-board boost in effectiveness and lethality to weapon systems in every theater.
This GPS satellite is named in honor of Col. Ellison Onizuka, an accomplished U.S. Air Force flight test engineer, science and technology leader and astronaut from Kealakekua, Hawai’i who flew on the STS-51C space shuttle Discovery mission before perishing in the Jan. 28, 1986, space shuttle Challenger disaster 40 years ago.
The NSSL team led the rapid launch campaign shoulder-to-shoulder with the space vehicle team, Space Launch Delta 45 and SpaceX, who provided the launch service.
This program ran on a swift timeline, following in the footsteps of the two most recent GPS missions, the Rapid Response Technology-1 in December 2024 and GPS III-7 (SV08) in May 2025.
The GPS III-9 (SV09) launch, delivered through NSSL’s flexible and agile processes, demonstrates a commitment to rapidly deploying critical assets to the warfighter.
“When we combine the agility built into our contracting processes with the incredible teamwork between our launch and range teams, motivated space vehicle partners, and our seasoned launch service provider, we get outstanding results,” said Col. Ryan Hiserote, SYD 80 commander, NSSL program manager and mission director for this launch.
“Going faster while maintaining precision and excellence is key as we head into the future of space as a warfighting domain.”
Speed in the national security launch business is a carefully orchestrated, all-hands activity.
Technically, the effort began with a contract action that traded this mission from a ULA Vulcan launch to a SpaceX Falcon 9 launch, followed by a later trade in which a GPS IIIF (Follow-On) mission was moved from a Falcon Heavy to a Vulcan launch.
The launch campaign for GPS III-9 (SV09) was subsequently executed in only two months, reflecting highly polished processes for both the launch vehicle and space vehicle teams and showcasing the program’s unique ability to rapidly adapt the launch manifest to ensure a decisive advantage for the warfighter.
“What you’re seeing is an evolution of teamwork in process efficiency and focus. Continuing the work we started on RRT-1, we’re strengthening our base and gaining momentum,” said Dr. Walt Lauderdale, Falcon System program director and launch deputy mission director.
“These achievements are not only time-saving and efficient, but they are also essential for our future. We’re tackling the challenge to not only sustain and build out present constellations but launch entirely new space capabilities.”
Within CFC’s Mission Delta 31, the space vehicle team accomplished their regimen of processing actions, preparing SV09 for the battery of tests, encapsulation and integration with the Falcon 9. Their schedule was likewise reduced, and the ground campaign was smoothly executed.
https://www.spaceforce.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/4392527/ussf-field-commands-successfully-launch-gps-iii-space-vehicle-09-into-orbit/
Putin agreed to halt strikes during extreme cold in Ukraine — Trump
29 Jan, 2026 18:12
US President Donald Trump has claimed that Russia will not attack targets in Kiev and other Ukrainian cities “for a week.” Trump said that the decision came after he “personally asked” Russian President Vladimir Putin to suspend the strikes.
“Because of the extreme cold…I personally asked President Putin not to fire on Kiev and the cities and towns for a week,” Trump told reporters at a cabinet meeting on Thursday. Putin “agreed to do that,” Trump continued, adding that “we’re very happy” with the decision.
Earlier on Thursday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov refused to comment on rumors that Moscow and Kiev had reached a co-called ‘energy ceasefire’. The Ukrainian Air Force denied reports of such a truce.
Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky has repeatedly called for an energy ceasefire, during which both sides would cease targeting each others’ power plants and electrical grid.
These calls intensified this week, after repeated Russian strikes on power infrastructure left nearly a million households in the dark in Kiev on Wednesday, according to Ukrainian Energy Minister Denis Shmigal.
Russia maintains that it targets only those facilities used by the Ukrainian military and military industrial complex, and that its attacks are a direct response to Kiev’s deep strikes on Russian civilians and critical infrastructure.
Temperatures in the Ukrainian capital are predicted to dip to -13 Celsius (8 F) this weekend.
Russia agreed to an energy ceasefire last March, following talks with Trump’s administration.
However, Ukrainian forces broke the ceasefire within days, launching attacks on Russian oil refineries and gas infrastructure. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that Moscow chose not to retaliate in kind, preferring to honor the ceasefire.
After both Zelensky and French President Emmanuel Macron called for another truce last month, Peskov said that Russia seeks a permanent peace, rather than another temporary pause.
“We are working on peace, not on a ceasefire,” he said. “A stable, guaranteed, long-term peace, achieved through the signing of appropriate documents, is an absolute priority.”
https://www.rt.com/news/631732-trump-putin-strikes-ukraine/
Russia returns bodies of 1,000 soldiers to Ukraine – Putin aide
29 Jan, 2026 10:03
Moscow has handed over the bodies of 1,000 fallen soldiers to Ukraine while receiving the remains of 38 of its own troops, Russian presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky has announced.
The development was initially reported on Thursday by State Duma member Shamsail Saraliev, who is part of the parliamentary coordination group on issues related to Russia’s special military operation.
Medinsky later confirmed the move, saying it was part of humanitarian agreements approved last year during direct Moscow-Kiev negotiations in Istanbul.
Ukraine’s Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War has confirmed that Moscow returned the bodies, without commenting on how many soldiers’ remains Kiev handed over to Russia.
Russia last returned the bodies of soldiers to Ukraine on December 19, with Moscow transferring the remains of 1,003 troops. At the time, Kiev handed over the bodies of 26 Russian troops.
Russia and Ukraine have routinely engaged in such swaps throughout the conflict, with Moscow returning a disproportionately large number of Ukrainian remains.
In early December, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Moscow had returned the remains of more than 11,000 soldiers to Kiev, while receiving 201 bodies. The two sides have also conducted swaps involving prisoners of war.
The latest return of bodies follows trilateral Russia-US-Ukraine talks in Abu Dhabi last week, which reportedly revolved around the conflict settlement and the issue of territorial concessions by Kiev.
RT spam link?
https://www.rt.com/russia/
631700-russia-ukraine-soldier-body-swap/
https://punchng.com/ukraine-receives-1000-bodies-from-russia-in-latest-exchange/
Defense Forces strike radar station, drone control centers, and Russian ammunition depot
29.01.2026 13:05
The Ukrainian Defense Forces struck the Russian 1L119 Nebo-SVU radar station, several enemy UAV control points, and an ammunition depot.
According to Ukrinform, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported this on Facebook.
Thanks to the coordinated actions of the Ukrainian Defense Forces, as part of efforts to reduce Russian air defense capabilities in the temporarily occupied area of Lymarivka in the Luhansk region, the 1L119 Nebo-SVU radar station was destroyed.
The approximate cost of such a station is about $100 million.
Several enemy UAV control points were also hit. In particular, in the areas of the temporarily occupied settlements of Solodke, Rivnopillia, and Novohryhorivka (Zaporizhzhia region), as well as another one in the area of Pidstepne (Kherson region).
In addition, to undermine the invaders' offensive potential, an ammunition depot in the area of the temporarily occupied Vasylivka (Zaporizhzhia region) was hit.
The hits have been confirmed, and the extent of the enemy's losses is being clarified.
As reported by Ukrinform, President Volodymyr Zelensky has tasked the Ukrainian Armed Forces with ensuring that the Russian army suffers losses it cannot replenish, optimally 50,000 per month.
https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/4085589-defense-forces-strike-radar-station-drone-control-centers-and-russian-ammunition-depot.html
other Russia and Ukraine
https://english.nv.ua/nation/fpv-drone-attack-wipes-out-russian-troops-in-donetsk-town-video-50579460.html
https://united24media.com/latest-news/ukrainian-fpv-drones-thwart-russian-attempt-to-break-into-myrnohrad-15444
https://www.the-independent.com/bulletin/news/ukraine-war-today-zaporizhzhia-russia-zelensky-b2910331.html
https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-war-latest-update-2026-01-29/
https://www.kyivpost.com/post/68999
https://www.ardrossanherald.com/news/national/25807053.russian-drone-attack-kills-three-southern-ukraine-ahead-us-led-peace-talks/
https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/4085583-on-pavlohradpokrovskdmytrivka-highway-russians-attack-civilian-cars-with-drones-10-times-today-says-volunteer.html
https://militarnyi.com/en/news/ukrainian-navy-detains-traitor-planning-russian-attack-on-sea-baby-and-magura-drone-bases/
https://united24media.com/latest-news/ukraines-drone-commander-says-three-eliminated-russian-battalions-a-day-is-not-enough-15447
https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/4085505-air-defense-forces-destroy-84-out-of-105-russian-drones.html
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/rjoa8oolzg
other Israel
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-885002
https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/idf-believes-70000-gazans-killed-in-war-as-claimed-by-hamas-civilian-terrorist-ratio-still-unknown/
https://worldisraelnews.com/israeli-intelligence-chief-visits-washington-for-high-level-talks-on-iran/
https://www.jpost.com/podcast/jpost-headlines/article-884987
https://www.israelhayom.com/2026/01/29/idf-warns-aid-flooding-gaza-strengthens-hamas-not-civilians/
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-885004
https://www.jns.org/israel-returns-bodies-of-15-palestinians-to-gaza-after-idf-recovers-remains-of-ran-gvili-from-strip/
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/421679
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/synwljt8ze
Qatar and US take charge in Gaza as IDF urges halt to Hamas aid, return to war
January 29, 2026
Restaurants and banks reopen and markets bustle as money flows; army urges immediate halt to 4,200 supply trucks entering weekly, fears growing US‑Qatari sway and warns status quo chiefly benefits Hamas, while acknowledging new civilian administration is PA‑linked
Senior IDF officials are recommending an immediate stop to the flow of some 4,200 supply trucks Israel has been allowing into Gaza each week as part of the truce deal tied to the release of hostages by Hamas, saying the terrorist group is showing signs of recovery and is far from disarmed.
The trucks have been entering Gaza under the first phase of a U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.
But Israeli warnings focus less on the aid itself than on what officials describe as a lack of proactive Israeli strategy for what comes next, leaving Hamas the space to rebuild rather than being disarmed.
In private assessments, senior defense officials say the current “stalemate” in Gaza continues to benefit Hamas as it recovers, with Israel increasingly appearing reactive rather than in control.
They also complain that regional influence over Gaza is tilting toward Qatari and American diplomatic pressure three months after the war ended.
Hamas rebuilding, Israel cautions
Israeli commanders are sounding the alarm over what they describe as a “Hezbollah model” taking root in Gaza, where a violent terrorist group continues to dominate territory adjacent to Israeli communities, with no sign of dismantling or destruction of its capabilities.
“In Gaza in 2025, roughly 60,000 babies were born — about 10,000 more than the annual average — and we expect similar numbers in 2026 and every year,” senior officers said.
“During the war itself, we estimate about 70,000 Gazans were killed, not including the missing, and we are now engaged in the painstaking work of distinguishing terrorists from civilians.”
IDF forces remain in place with more than 40 manned positions along the Israeli side of the so‑called “yellow line” — the ceasefire demarcation line — and in the buffer zone near the border.
Meanwhile, Hamas — despite having been militarily degraded by Israeli forces — continues to produce rockets and explosives, staff its command centers, rebuild damaged tunnels and solidify its rule over nearly two million people in Gaza.
Many civilians are not only not opposing Hamas but are experiencing a relative return to normalcy, including reopening banks, restaurants and markets. Farmers have returned to their fields and schools have reopened, officials said.
According to the military, Hamas is even collecting millions of shekels in taxes from the very supply trucks entering from Israel and may soon stage fake handovers to give the impression it’s surrendering some of its weapons.
Meanwhile, Gaza faces mounting infrastructure problems. Garbage heaps are reported to be as high as 60 feet (18 meters), and the IDF says the most urgent need is restoring sanitation and sewage systems, a process expected to begin soon under elements of the truce agreement.
“What would be worst,” Israeli officers warned, “is if we agree that its weapons are stored in warehouses in Gaza. We must immediately stop the 600 trucks we are sending in daily, three to four times what Gaza needs according to the UN. We hope we can convince the U.S. of this.”
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Citing United Nations figures, Israeli officials said Gazans need about 80,000 tons of food per month to survive.
But Israel currently allows in four times that amount, with roughly 25 tons of food per truck, and Hamas levies about a 15% tax on those shipments, in addition to other fees paid at the crossing.
The military said Gaza is now “flooded with food, water, medicines and more,” and even the UN has complained it no longer has space to store supplies arriving from international aid organizations.
Warning ahead of Rafah crossing reopening
As part of Phase II of the Gaza ceasefire agreement, approved by the Security Cabinet under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s direction, the Rafah crossing is expected to reopen in both directions in the coming days, offering significant relief to Gazans.
The crossing is expected to be managed by Palestinian Authority officials, with an international body involved and external security checks — mainly for those entering Gaza — alongside the IDF.
Under the plan, which may not be implemented right away, the crossing would feature facial recognition cameras and remote Israeli control over the gate to Egypt.
However, if a low-level Hamas operative wishes to leave, Israel is not expected to prevent it.
The most serious concern about Rafah is the possibility that it could become a cargo crossing in the future. The military warns this would be a disaster: “In the months leading up to Oct. 7, some 11,000 trucks entered Gaza unchecked via Rafah, four times higher than in previous years.
Aid to Gaza must go through Israeli crossings under supervision. At most, Kerem Shalom could one day serve as a border triangle or resemble the cargo terminals at the Allenby crossing with Jordan.”
Summary of the war by COGAT
The Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), a Defense Ministry body responsible for implementing civilian policy in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, has reviewed the long Gaza war and emphasized multiple Israeli efforts that, in its view, prevented a humanitarian disaster or a UN declared famine during nearly two years of largely ground operations across much of the territory.
From the earliest Security Cabinet meeting in October 2023, shortly after the war began — when ministers declared that not even a bottle of water would enter Gaza — to the massive official aid deliveries that Israel eventually allowed into the enclave, COGAT says the Israeli government played a central role in managing humanitarian access, even as those deliveries also indirectly helped sustain Hamas.
The IDF identified what they describe as one of the war’s most significant failures: the absence of a coordinated national public diplomacy effort capable of countering and deflecting Hamas information campaigns, some of them enhanced by foreign actors, particularly in the second year of the war.
“Each agency did a bit on its own — COGAT, the Foreign Ministry, the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit,” military officials said.
“We only succeeded in countering campaigns, such as claims about starving Gazan children last year, when we formed special integrated teams that included Military Intelligence, which helped find evidence that images of extremely thin children were due to genetic diseases, not hunger.
But those teams were one offs, and the world decided the war was over, regardless of what we did.
“Anyone who thinks we had broad legitimacy because of global sympathy after the Oct. 7 massacre is wrong. Within two weeks of the war’s start, we were already hearing voices opposing and condemning our actions, including in Europe.”
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Regarding the new technocratic government intended to oversee civilian affairs in Gaza — expected to operate under the Palestinian Authority — the IDF acknowledges that many of its members are seen as aligned with Hamas, and believes the terrorist group may accept the arrangement to buy more time to recover.
“Tens of thousands of civilian clerks and administrators in Gaza are affiliated with Hamas,” the army explained.
“We will see real change only when at least the Hamas‑aligned city mayors and the senior management layer still dyed green begin to be replaced.
Hospital administrators, municipal workers, department heads who run day‑to‑day life — they all belong to the Hamas administration, and so the military wing can continue to exist alongside them.”
Pessimistic outlook for the year ahead
The military envisions one of three scenarios in the coming year:
Hamas continues to rule its territory, while any multinational force, if established, operates in a yet‑to‑be‑built “new Gaza” on the Israeli side of the yellow line; Hamas shifts into a “Hezbollah model,” acting as a powerful terrorist organization alongside a Palestinian civilian authority that is not part of it; or Hamas refuses to disarm and returns to fighting.
Security officials also worry about a scenario in which Israel is forced to accept Qatar and Turkey as the primary financiers of Gaza’s reconstruction.
“There must not be Turkish troops on our border with Gaza, and as for Qatar, we don’t see other countries agreeing to lead reconstruction financing. In any case, the agreement states there is no reconstruction without Hamas disarmament,” they said.
Last month, outgoing COGAT commander Major General Ghassan Alian banned further entry by Doctors Without Borders (Médecins Sans Frontières) into Gaza after the group refused to provide in advance a list of its personnel operating in the enclave.
The controversy stemmed from an incident in which one aid worker killed by IDF fire was a physiotherapist, but another was an engineer who had developed weapons for Hamas.
On this issue, the army said it is concerned about the constraints of the new reality in Gaza, contrasting sharply with the freedom to strike Hezbollah targets in Lebanon.
Additionally, the military identified a growing problem: illegal smuggling of supplies and goods from Israel into Gaza, especially in areas where reservists and civilian elements operate in the buffer zone.
“About 70% of Gaza will be rebuilt in the coming years, that’s a huge amount of money, contracts and exploitation of the current situation,” the army said. “A truck smuggled into Gaza worth about 100,000 shekels (roughly $32,000) could fetch about 500,000 shekels (about $160,000).”
Rising tensions in the West Bank
Despite Israel’s policy of distinguishing between the West Bank and Gaza, and the dangerous stagnation in the enclave, the Palestinian population in the West Bank is beginning to feel pressures that could raise tensions in an area that has been relatively calm.
The IDF is enforcing more restrictive movement policies for Palestinians, and Israeli authorities have not yet approved the return of roughly 120,000 Palestinian workers to Israel, even though the war is over.
Some military officials are pressing for decisive action on the West Bank front, including engaging the Palestinian Authority over thousands of armed men, rather than waiting as was done during the earlier period of relative calm with Gaza.
“The most dangerous thing is to get stuck, to not initiate or lead. COGAT had previously recommended changing policy on Gaza after Operation Guardian of the Walls (the Hebrew name for the 2021 Gaza war), suggesting Israel should take full control of the territory and dismantle Hamas while moving away from a policy of containment,” they said.
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'If Hamas won't disarm, IDF will act': Board of Peace sets deadline as preparations intensify
January 29, 2026 06:47
Intense diplomatic talks are underway ahead of the expected opening of the Rafah crossing in the coming days, as a U.S.-backed plan to transfer governance of Gaza to a technocratic council under the Board of Peace enters a decisive phase, officials involved in the process said.
Despite assessments in Israel that the crossing could reopen as early as Sunday, no final date has been agreed upon, according to officials familiar with the discussions.
The opening of the crossing is expected to mark the first entry of the technocratic governing body into Gaza, a move intended to replace Hamas’ control of the territory.
Senior American officials involved in the Board of Peace initiative addressed recent reports that Hamas is rebuilding its capabilities and profiting from taxes imposed on aid trucks entering Gaza.
They stressed that delays in implementing the plan are strengthening Hamas and underscored what they described as an urgent need to move forward.
Officials involved in the initiative said that without progress on demilitarizing Gaza and implementing the stages laid out by the Board of Peace, Hamas will continue to consolidate power in the territory.
If Hamas fails to move forward with disarmament and the dismantling of its military infrastructure, they said, Israel will be forced to respond.
“The IDF must be prepared and ready — not just in briefings or slogans,” one official said. “The forces should be visibly prepared, as we have done in the past. If Hamas refuses to move forward, the alternative will be military action, carried out by the IDF.”
Officials emphasized that foreign armies will not confront Hamas inside Gaza. If the terror group refuses to disarm, they said, “the IDF will deal with it.”
A senior Board of Peace official said the technical details of weapons handover are still being finalized, but the process is expected to begin during March.
“If Hamas does not disarm, the plan does not advance and the IDF will have to enter Gaza,” the official said. “There is no hesitation on this point.”
Addressing claims that Hamas is generating significant revenue by taxing humanitarian aid trucks, officials said that once the plan is implemented, control over aid routes will shift away from Hamas.
“As the plan moves forward, there will be oversight of the trucks, and the taxes will not go to Hamas but to the technocratic government,” one official said.
Responding to concerns that Hamas operatives could reemerge under the guise of civil security forces, officials said the Board of Peace has extensive intelligence, including names and detailed mapping of individuals involved in the Oct. 7 attack and in Hamas’ armed mechanisms.
“There will be no turning a blind eye,” one official said. “Anyone listed in the database — and it is a large and significant database — will not be allowed to take part in civilian policing in Gaza or in forces that assume control there. There will be no revolving door.”
Despite Israeli opposition, officials confirmed that Qatar and Turkey are expected to be involved in the Board of Peace framework.
They said U.S. President Donald Trump, who appointed the Board of Peace, believes that countries with direct leverage over Hamas are necessary to pressure the group to disarm, relinquish power and implement the plan.
Officials stressed that even after the Rafah crossing opens, there will be no expansion in the quantity or type of goods entering Gaza until Hamas disarms.
Plans for an international stabilization force have not yet been finalized, officials said, though many countries have expressed interest in contributing personnel.
For now, they said, progress hinges on establishing a clear and credible process for Hamas’ disarmament.
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/skyzfetlwl
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-885002
https://www.iranintl.com/en/liveblog/202601258930
https://www.rt.com/news/631714-trump-iran-new-strikes/
https://foxbaltimore.com/news/nation-world/trump-gives-iran-an-ultimatum-make-a-deal-or-face-the-us-military-tehran-islamic-republic-irgc-protests-middle-east
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/jan/29/britain-unlikely-assist-us-attack-iran-gulf-retaliated
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01-30/iranians-begging-donald-trump-intervention/106278760
https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/netanyahu-holds-security-consultation-israel-said-to-expect-iran-attack-even-if-us-strike-is-limited/
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jan/29/iran-seeks-to-avert-us-military-action-with-talks-in-ankara
other Iran
https://zamin.uz/en/world/185147-a-thousand-new-strategic-drones-have-been-provided-to-the-iranian-army.html
https://www.meforum.org/mef-online/irans-protest-crackdown-is-an-american-national-security-problem
https://elestoque.org/2026/01/29/uncategorized/iran-protests-go-international/
https://thehill.com/homenews/5713091-cruz-supports-arming-iranian-protesters/
https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/what-comes-after-the-bombs-possible-futures-of-iran-if-us-strikes-10909849
https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20260129-turkey-to-offer-mediation-in-us-iran-showdown
https://www.afr.com/markets/commodities/oil-hits-us71-a-barrel-on-trump-s-escalating-iran-threats-20260130-p5ny6i
Iran announces naval drill, Pentagon says ready to execute Trump order
January 29, 2026
Summary
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President Donald Trump on Wednesday said a "big beautiful armada" was heading toward Iran and warned of an attack more harsh than US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites if Tehran did not negotiate a deal on its nuclear program.
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Iran's foreign minister Abbas Araghchi appeared to reply to Trump's comments, saying Tehran was ready for a military response with "fingers on the triggers."
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Iran’s UN mission said on Wednesday it was ready for dialogue with the US but would defend itself if pushed.
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Documents reviewed by Iran International’s Editorial Board put the Jan. 8-9 crackdown death toll at more than 36,500, putting it among the deadliest attacks on protestors ever.
31 minutes ago
Protesters seek an end to Iran’s regime not a nuclear deal, Graham says
US Senator Lindsey Graham said protesters in Iran are seeking an end to the Islamic Republic rather than a renewed nuclear agreement, as he voiced support for ongoing demonstrations.
"The Iranian religious Nazi murderous regime and a fair nuclear deal do not go in the same sentence. The protestors who have been dying by the thousands are not seeking a fair nuclear deal for the ayatollah," Graham posted on X on Thursday.
"They are seeking to end the ayatollah’s repressive regime so they can have a life with freedom and without fear," he added. "Keep protesting, help is on the way."
1 hour ago
Iran’s army warns of 'immediate' response to any attack
Iran’s military warned on Wednesday that it would respond immediately to any new attack, saying military plans and orders were already in place to deal with a range of possible scenarios.
“If the enemy commits another foolish move and once again falls into miscalculation, we will respond to them immediately and in real time,” army spokesman Mohammad Akraminia was quoted as saying by state media.
"US aircraft carriers are seriously vulnerable to hypersonic missiles," he warned, asserting that "orders have been issued and the required plans have been prepared" for various scenarios.
1 hour ago
BREAKING NEWS
Hegseth says Pentagon ready to deliver what Trump expects on Iran
US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said on Thursday that Iran had the option to make a deal and should not pursue a nuclear capability, adding that the department would be prepared to deliver whatever President Donald Trump expects.
1 hour ago
Jailed dissident calls Tehran's protest claims a 'brazen lie'
Prominent jailed Iranian dissident Mostafa Tajzadeh accused Iran’s rulers of ordering mass killings during January’s nationwide crackdown and then lying about the scale of the violence, saying the bloodshed was both predictable and preventable.
“I have no doubt that the official statistics and narrative of what happened this January are a brazen lie," he wrote in a letter from prison posted on Telegram by moderate outlet Saham News.
"Only the formation of an independent, national truth-finding committee can reveal the real dimensions of this crime,” he added.
Tajzadeh also accused Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei of refusing to listen to society, clinging to monopolistic power, and turning politics into a battlefield.
Warning that Iran's current situation was "unsustainable," he argued that only responsible civic action and a historic national dialogue could prevent further catastrophe.
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2 hours ago
Mid East countries’ efforts to broker US-Iran talks have failed - WSJ
A number of Middle Eastern governments are trying to push the US and Iran into talks to avert a possible conflict, but the efforts have so far failed to gain traction, the Wall Street Journal reported.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty held separate phone calls on Wednesday with Iran’s foreign minister and US special envoy Steve Witkoff, but made no progress, the WSJ reported, citing people familiar with the conversations.
Iran strongly objected to US terms and warned that targets across the region would be fair game in the event of a US strike, according to the report.
Efforts by Qatar, Oman and Saudi Arabia in recent days were similarly unsuccessful, the report added, citing people familiar with those outreach efforts.
Qatar and Oman also sought ways to revive the negotiations, including proposals for some form of nonaggression pact, but the efforts have not gained traction, the report added, citing people familiar with the discussions.
Turkey has also been urging Washington to negotiate with Iran to avert a conflict Ankara views as destabilizing, the report said.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan proposed a three-way meeting with the US and Iranian presidents during a call with President Donald Trump on Wednesday, the report added citing an unnamed official briefed on the call.
3 hours ago
Middle East 'doesn't need a new war', Kallas says
EU foreign policy chief Maria Kallas was asked about a potential US attack on Iran on Thursday. "I think the region does not need a new war," she said.
3 hours ago
At least 10 US warships operating in Middle East - BBC Verify
At least 10 US warships are now believed to be operating in the Middle East, including the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, BBC Verify reported.
The report said a US guided-missile destroyer, the USS Delbert D. Black, was tracked sailing through the Suez Canal toward the Gulf on Wednesday, citing ship-tracking data from the MarineTraffic website.
A US official confirmed to BBC Verify on Tuesday that the aircraft carrier is in the region, although it has not appeared on public ship-tracking sites for more than a week.
BBC Verify also tracked a US Navy Osprey aircraft early on Thursday flying in the Gulf toward Oman. Ospreys are tiltrotor transport aircraft known to operate from the USS Abraham Lincoln.
Another Osprey was tracked on Tuesday broadcasting its position off the coast of Oman, which BBC Verify said could suggest the carrier is operating in the area.
3 hours ago
Iran plans naval shooting drills in Strait of Hormuz - reports
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards naval forces will carry out live-fire exercises next week in the Strait of Hormuz, Iran’s state-run English-language Press TV reported.
Earlier on Thursday, the Associated Press reported that Iran had warned mariners it planned to conduct naval live-fire drills in the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday and Monday, citing a notice to mariners broadcast by VHF radio.
The report cited two unnamed Pakistani security officials, who confirmed the warning had been issued.
3 hours ago
Iran summons German ambassador in Tehran
Iran summoned Germany’s ambassador to Tehran on Thursday over remarks by Germany’s chancellor a day earlier that Tehran said amounted to interference in its internal affairs, Iranian state media reported.
A day earlier, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, speaking about Iran, said a government that could only hold on to power through “sheer violence and terror against its own population” had its days numbered, adding that “it could be a matter of weeks” before it lost legitimacy.
5 hours ago
Iran arrests thousands to deter further protests - Reuters
Plainclothes Iranian security forces have carried out thousands of arrests in recent days in a campaign aimed at deterring any renewed protests following the deadliest unrest since Iran’s 1979 revolution, Reuters reported, citing sources.
Security forces launched widespread arrests and intensified their street presence through checkpoints, five activists inside Iran told Reuters, speaking on condition of anonymity. They said detainees were being taken to secret locations.
Similar accounts were provided to Reuters by lawyers, medics, witnesses and two Iranian officials, who said many detainees were being held in unofficial detention sites, including warehouses and other improvised locations.
The report cited two unnamed Iranian officials who confirmed that thousands of arrests had been carried out in recent days and said the judiciary was moving quickly to process cases.
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