TYB
NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day
April 25, 2026
The Persistence of Sunlight
This seaside sunset offered a surreal experience, captured in a sea and skyscape from the west coast of Sardinia, Italy, planet Earth. The Daliesque scene is a composition of sequential exposures made with a camera and long telephoto lens. The Sun is not melting, though. Its shifting and fluid appearance as it nears the horizon is caused as refraction along the line of sight changes and creates distorted images or mirages of the reddened solar disk. The changes in atmospheric refraction correspond to atmospheric layers with sharply different temperatures and densities. Another famous but fleeting effect of atmospheric refraction produced by a long sight-line to the setting (or rising) Sun is often called the green flash.
https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/astropix.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zC_JkGRWe2o
Comet Material, Solar Flares, Greenland Bombshell | S0 News and frens
Apr.25.2026
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrqXzXUnnqM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZuxGtlv9GFQ (BPEarthwatch: Double X Flares Welcome Comet Panstarrs)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXZ_6QIkvDw (MrMBB333: Earth about to absorb HUGE shockwave! Earthquake Alert)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YpmtrNEcN4 (EarthMaster: Earthquake in Mississippi tonight? Latest EQ activity. More Solar flares? Friday Night update)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5A1CZx-f7w (Time For Truth: Category 5 Super Typhoon Sinlaku: 175 MPH Winds & 30ft Waves Cause Devastation in the Pacific)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxccfnDdnI0 (Ray's Astro: Fly Through the Pleiades Seven Sisters | 12 Min Relaxing Space Journey 4K)
https://www.bastillepost.com/global/article/5806359-chinas-fengyun-4c-satellite-captures-powerful-solar-flare
https://www.accuweather.com/en/hurricane/atlantic-hurricane-season-forecast-2026-11-16-named-storms-predicted-by-accuweather/1875776
https://x.com/StefanBurnsGeo/status/2047861545074573761
https://meteoagent.com/schumann-resonance-forecast
https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/map/?extent=21.41216,-129.99023&extent=52.1874,-60.0293
https://www.volcanodiscovery.com/earthquakes-volcanoes/news/300651/Volcano-earthquake-report-for-Saturday-25-Apr-2026.html
https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/
https://www.spaceweather.com/
Fiery Elliptical Object Falls From Night Sky as Fireball
Updated 2026.04.25. 17:28
Reports of a fiery, elliptical object falling from the night sky on the 24th continued to surface.
The Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute stated that the object witnessed by citizens was likely a meteoroid, commonly referred to as a "shooting star."
Videos and photos capturing the scene of an object resembling a shooting star falling from the night sky were shared on social media (SNS) that day.
A resident of Incheon, identified as Mr. A, witnessed the object—described as a large shooting star—falling around 8:43 p.m. while driving near a road in Sipjeong-dong, Bupyeong-gu.
Footage from Mr. A’s car black box showed the object plunging with a long flaming trail, fragmenting once or twice during its descent.
Similar accounts emerged from Yangju, Gyeonggi Province. A citizen, Mr. B, told Yonhap News, “An unidentified object fell from the sky near the Cheonbo Tunnel in Hoeam-dong, Yangju.”
The Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute continues to assess the object as a shooting star. It was explained that larger meteoroids can appear as a "fireball" while burning.
A source from the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute commented, “The celestial object in the black box footage appears to be a typical fireball.
While its flaming trail gradually dissipates, we currently cannot estimate its landing location.”
https://www.chosun.com/english/national-en/2026/04/25/GYGWCDNHOJAEDGVLGZZBXX76JA/
other space objects and stuff
https://www.space.com/stargazing/comet-panstarrs-approaches-earth-on-april-26-heres-how-to-catch-it-in-satellite-imagery-this-weekend
https://kjzz.com/amazing-america/mormon-meteor-celebrates-90-years-with-return-to-state-capitol-complex
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5b-Pna6LtNA (Angry Astronaut: Fireball UFO Outbreak gets stranger!! And they've been here before!)
RICO gets a little bigger, maybe thats why
Cargo Mission Launching Saturday as Crew Wraps Week with Research
April 24, 2026 2:24PM
The Progress 95 cargo spacecraft from Roscosmos stands atop its launch pad at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan counting down to a liftoff at 6:21p.m. EDT on Saturday to resupply the Expedition 74 crew.
Progress 95 will orbit Earth for two days before catching up to the International Space Station for an automated docking to the Zvezda service module’s rear port at 8 p.m. on Monday delivering about three tons of food, fuel, and supplies.
Meanwhile, the seven orbital residents wrapped up the work week with a host of science investigations exploring human health and advancing space manufacturing.
NASA flight engineers Chris Williams and Jack Hathaway joined each other in the Columbus laboratory module for blood pressure measurements and Ultrasound 3 scans of their neck, shoulder, and leg veins.
Doctors monitored in real time and will use the biomedical data to monitor crew health. Williams then checked out the performance of the new European Enhanced Exploration Exercise Device.
Hathaway unpacked new medical accessory kits and pharmaceuticals from inside the Cygnus XL cargo spacecraft for stowage aboard the orbital outpost.
NASA flight engineer Jessica Meir trained to use the Health Maintenance System to care for sick or injured crew members and handle medical emergencies.
Afterward, Meir assisted Hathaway with the Cygnus XL cargo unpacking and then replaced laptop computers inside the Destiny laboratory module.
Flight engineer Sophie Adenot of ESA (European Space Agency) kicked off her shift photographing colloidal crystal samples, or microscopic beads that naturally line up into a crystal‑like pattern.
The photography work is for the 3D Colloidal Crystals physics study seeking to enable space production of advanced materials for Earth and space industries.
Adenot later watered seeds for a botany experiment designed to excite students about space-related career opportunities.
Station commander Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and Sergei Mikaev, both Roscosmos cosmonauts, took turns taking a computerized hearing test in the quiet environment of Quest airlock.
Afterward, Kud-Sverchkov checked the operation of the Zvezda service module’s Elektron oxygen generator while Mikaev jogged on Zvezda’s treadmill for a fitness test.
Roscosmos flight engineer Andrey Fedyaev cleaned vents in the Zarya module then replaced smoke detectors inside the Nauka science module.
https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/spacestation/2026/04/24/cargo-mission-launching-saturday-as-crew-wraps-week-with-research/
other NASA
https://nasawatch.com/trumpspace/nasas-red-wedding-preview-or-paranoia/
https://www.rocketcitynow.com/article/news/local/nasas-2026-student-launch-sees-rockets-soar-and-lessons-in-failure-marshall-space-flight-center-huntsville-alabama-uah/525-df89d6ab-a06f-4ee7-8924-262ecca47e22
https://www.space.com/astronomy/hubble-space-telescope/satellite-snaps-amazing-36th-birthday-pic-of-hubble-space-telescope-photo
https://x.com/vantortech/status/2047684618640335086
https://www.ans.org/news/article-7863/nasas-marshall-space-flight-center-hosts-nuclear-propulsion-coldflow-tests/
https://www.nasa.gov/missions/artemis/i-am-artemis/i-am-artemis-peter-rossoni/
STARCOM activates 593rd Test and Evaluation Squadron to grow space test workforce
April 24, 2026
The U.S. Space Force’s Space Training and Readiness Command activated the 593rd Test and Evaluation Squadron during a ceremony April 20, strengthening how the service develops its test and evaluation experts.
Aligned under Space Delta 12, the squadron will support the education and development of Airmen and Guardians who test systems before they are fielded for operational use.
The activation formalizes a mission that has grown through the Space Force’s partnership with the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base.
“This marks a significant milestone in how we develop the expertise needed to test and evaluate space systems,” said Lt. Col. David Heinz, commander of the 593rd TES.
“It allows us to grow a professional workforce that can keep pace with the speed of modern capability development.”
Through that partnership, students complete a yearlong, graduate-level program focused on test and evaluation.
The curriculum teaches how to plan tests, evaluate system performance, analyze results and report findings to decision-makers.
The program trains Airmen and Guardians together in the same classes while specializing in their respective career fields.
Each class has students from multiple disciplines, including pilots, engineers and space operators. While all students learn the same core principles of test and evaluation, they follow different tracks based on their roles and operational focus.
“Our job is to develop test experts,” Heinz said. “They leave here with the knowledge and experience to understand complex systems, design effective tests and deliver results that decision-makers can trust.”
The course has expanded in recent years from a shorter offering into a full academic program that awards a master’s degree in flight test engineering with a space test concentration.
The school runs two classes each year, returning trained graduates to the force every six months.
Students apply classroom instruction through practical exercises and domain-specific training events, preparing them to support test organizations across the Department of War.
Graduates return to their units with advanced training in test and evaluation, applying those skills across operational and test organizations throughout the force.
“The 593rd will serve as the center of mass for the Space Force’s test community,” Heinz said. “It allows us to scale the development of test expertise across the force.”
The activation increases the Space Force’s investment in building a dedicated test workforce and expanding its ability to evaluate new capabilities as they are developed.
“I’m incredibly proud of our team out here at Edwards AFB, and grateful for the exceptional support of our partners in the Test Pilot School and the 412th Test Wing,” said Col. Sacha N. Tomlinson, Space Delta 12 commander.
“This is the next step in modernizing the space test enterprise. The highly skilled, innovative, professional test leaders this squadron will develop will revolutionize test to keep pace with acquisition and operations, delivering combat capabilities for the joint force.”
https://www.starcom.spaceforce.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/4470499/starcom-activates-593rd-test-and-evaluation-squadron-to-grow-space-test-workfor/
extra Space Force and ICYMI
https://www.vandenberg.spaceforce.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/4470421/533rd-training-squadron-guardian-students-graduate-at-vandenberg-sfb/
https://breakingdefense.com/2026/04/space-force-tasks-a-dozen-companies-for-golden-dome-space-based-interceptors/
https://www.rocketcitynow.com/article/news/local/whiting-to-lead-us-space-command-event-marking-new-chapter-at-redstone-arsenal/525-2d7c6bc6-7ba8-402b-980b-6a1d8d5b6fe8
https://federalnewsnetwork.com/space-operations/2026/04/space-force-moves-air-force-reservists-into-part-time-guardian-roles/
Watch Russia launch 3 tons of cargo to the International Space Station today
April 25, 2026
Russia will launch its latest Progress cargo ship toward the International Space Station today (April 25), and you can watch the action live.
A Soyuz rocket topped with the robotic Progress 95 freighter is scheduled to lift off from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan today at 6:21 p.m. EDT (2221 GMT; 3:21 a.m. on April 26 local time).
You can watch it live here at Space.com, courtesy of NASA. Coverage will start about 20 minutes before launch.
The Russian freighter, known as Progress 95, is hauling about 3 tons of food, propellant and other supplies to the International Space Station (ISS).
It will dock with the orbiting lab on Monday (April 27) at about 8 p.m. EDT (0000 GMT on Tuesday, April 28). You can watch that arrival at Space.com as well.
Today's launch will kick off the second Progress mission of the year. Progress 94 lifted off from Baikonur on March 22 and reached the ISS two days later, overcoming the failed deployment of one of its docking antennas.
Progress 94 remains attached to the station. Progress 95 will dock to the port previously occupied by Progress 93, which departed on April 20 to make room for the newcomer.
Progress 93 burned up in Earth's atmosphere over the Pacific Ocean, the fate that awaits all Progress craft when their missions are over. That time will come for Progress 95 about seven months from now.
Progress is one of four cargo spacecraft that resupply the ISS these days, along with Japan's HTV-X, Northrop Grumman's Cygnus and SpaceX's Dragon capsule.
All are expendable except Dragon, which — like its astronaut-carrying counterpart, Crew Dragon — makes parachute-aided ocean splashdowns.
https://www.space.com/space-exploration/launches-spacecraft/progress-95-cargo-ship-launch-soyuz-international-space-station
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7FJUz-54AX0
extra space stuff
https://www.space.com/astronomy/solar-system/this-x-ray-image-shows-our-solar-system-breathing
https://interestingengineering.com/space/faintest-whispers-of-nuclear-proliferation-detect
https://news.ufl.edu/2026/04/space-nuclear-detectors/
https://news.cgtn.com/news/2026-04-25/VHJhbnNjcmlwdDkwMzM4/index.html
Nine injured after Ukrainian drone strike 1,700 km inside Russia – governor
25 Apr, 2026 08:04 | Updated 25 Apr, 2026 14:55
Nine people were injured early on Saturday when a Ukrainian drone hit a residential building in central Ekaterinburg, about 1,700 km (over 1,000 miles) inside Russia, according to regional Governor Denis Pasler.
He added that fifty residents were evacuated due to safety concerns.
Moscow has repeatedly highlighted that Kiev is attacking civilians because it cannot halt Russian advances on the battlefield.
One woman was hospitalized following the attack, Pasler said. He added that none of those who sought medical help were in serious condition and that most were diagnosed with mild smoke inhalation; they have continued to receive care.
The governor noted that emergency services were working at the scene, stressing that a “carpet” emergency plan had been introduced in the region and that air defense systems were operating.
Russia’s aviation authority earlier reported temporary restrictions on arrivals and departures at the city’s Koltsovo Airport.
Pasler also urged residents to remain calm and vigilant, advising them not to go outside, and reminded the public that publishing photos or videos of drones or their aftermath is prohibited.
The Russian Defense Ministry has stated that 127 Ukrainian drones were intercepted overnight over several regions.
The remote-controlled aircraft were shot down over Crimea, Tatarstan, Belgorod, Bryansk, Voronezh, Kaluga, Kursk, Orel, Smolensk, Rostov, Volgograd, Astrakhan, Sverdlovsk and Chelyabinsk regions, as well as over the Black Sea.
Moscow has accused Kiev of resorting to terrorist tactics and inflicting damage to third parties not involved in the conflict between the two nations.
The Kremlin has also noted that US-mediated talks with Ukraine had been placed on hold due to the war in the Middle East.
https://www.rt.com/russia/639045-six-injured-ukrainian-drone-ekaterinburg/
extra RT
https://www.rt.com/russia/638996-ukraine-telegram-minor-recruitment/
https://www.rt.com/russia/638995-rkn-bomb-conspiracy-fsb/
https://www.rt.com/russia/639040-ukraine-starving-soldiers-scandal/
Drones Strike Deep Into Russia’s Urals for First Time, Reaching 1,800 Km
Apr 25, 2026 16:03
Long-range drones struck targets in Russia’s Ural region for the first time overnight on April 25, reaching the cities of Yekaterinburg and Chelyabinsk—more than 1,800 kilometers from Ukraine, according to regional governors and monitoring sources.
According to Russian officials, including Sverdlovsk region governor Denis Pasler and Chelyabinsk region governor Alexey Teksler, air defense systems were activated following what authorities described as a drone attack on infrastructure.
Russia’s Ministry of Defense later claimed that 127 Ukrainian drones were intercepted across multiple regions overnight.
According to Astra and OSINT monitoring channel Exilenova+, explosions and air raid activity were reported in both cities, with potential targets including industrial and defense-related facilities.
In Yekaterinburg, local sources indicated that the attack may have been aimed at the “Vector” enterprise, a defense-linked manufacturer of radio and navigation equipment that is part of the Almaz-Antey concern and is under US and Ukrainian sanctions.
In Chelyabinsk, Russian Telegram channels and monitoring groups reported possible activity near the Chelyabinsk Metallurgical Plant and the Higher Military Aviation School of Navigators.
According to regional authorities, several individuals in Yekaterinburg sought medical assistance following the incident, while evacuations were carried out in parts of the city.
In Chelyabinsk region, officials stated that there were no casualties or significant damage following what they described as an attempted strike on infrastructure.
Monitoring sources cited by Exilenova+ suggested that Ukrainian “Liutyi” long-range strike drones may have been used in the operation, with estimated flight distances ranging from 1,700 to over 2,000 kilometers depending on launch points.
The actual range may be higher, as straight-line measurements from Ukraine’s borders do not account for operational flight paths.
This marks the deepest confirmed drone reach into Russia’s interior during the full-scale war.
Previous long-range strikes have targeted locations such as Orsk, approximately 1,400 kilometers from Ukraine, including a reported attack on the Orsknefteorgsintez oil refinery in October 2025.
Earlier, Russia’s Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu acknowledged that the Ural region—long considered out of reach—has entered the “zone of direct threat” from Ukrainian strikes, stating that “no region of Russia can feel safe.”
https://united24media.com/latest-news/drones-strike-deep-into-russias-urals-for-first-time-reaching-1800-km-18221
other Russia and Ukraine
https://www.the-express.com/news/world-news/205738/russia-drone-strikes-near-chernobyl-spark-fears-nuclear-catastrophe
https://www.firstpost.com/world/uk-scrambles-typhoon-jets-in-romania-over-russian-drone-incursion-near-nato-airspace-14004339.html
https://www.kyivpost.com/post/74713
https://www.kyivpost.com/post/74734
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/2026-04-25/live-updates-894094
other Israel
https://www.algemeiner.com/2026/04/24/idf-unveils-ai-powered-robotic-warfare-system-breakthrough-artillery-against-hezbollah/
https://x.com/IDF/status/2047627466756259942
https://www.jns.org/news/israel-news/idf-kills-terrorists-in-lebanon-amid-hezbollahs-ongoing-ceasefire-violations
https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/hezbollah-launches-several-explosive-drones-at-israeli-troops-in-south-lebanon-idf-no-injuries/
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-894101
Live Updates: Iran says no talks planned with US as Trump cancels American envoys trip to Pakistan
April 25, 7:10 PM
IDF orders evacuation of another Lebanese village, repeats warning to civilians amid attempts to return south • Dozens of Palestinians breach IDF checkpoints to enter Jenin refugee camp
April 25, 7:02 PM
Trump cancels US delegation’s trip to Pakistan for Iran talks
A US negotiating team, including US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, will no longer be traveling to Pakistan for US-Iran talks, US President Donald Trump told Fox News on Saturday.
Trump stated that he canceled the trip to prevent his team from taking an 18-hour flight “to sit around talking about nothing.”
“We have all the cards,” he continued, adding that “they can call us anytime they want,” in reference to Iran’s negotiators.
April 25, 4:58 PM
Hezbollah violates ceasefire with Israel again, launches projectiles at North
The IDF emphasized that the incident "constitutes a blatant violation of the ceasefire understandings by the Hezbollah terrorist organization."
Two projectiles were launched into Israeli territory by the Lebanese terrorist organization Hezbollah, triggering sirens in the areas of Manara, Margaliot, and Misgav Am in northern Israel, the IDF announced on Saturday.
One of the projectiles was successfully intercepted by the IDF, and the other fell in an open area. No injuries were reported.
The IDF emphasized that the incident "constitutes a blatant violation of the ceasefire understandings by the Hezbollah terrorist organization."
April 25, 4:36 PM
IDF intercepts suspicious aerial target in southern Lebanon
The IDF intercepted a suspicious aerial target identified in the vicinity of Israeli troops operating in southern Lebanon on Saturday.
The target was intercepted before crossing into Israeli territory and did not trigger air intrusion sirens.
April 25, 3:17 PM
IDF strikes terrorists in southern Gaza
The IDF on Friday struck several terrorists traveling in a vehicle in southern Gaza, the military announced on Saturday.
The terrorists were operating in an attempt to advance imminent attacks against Israeli troops, the IDF stated, adding that an aerial strike was ordered to eliminate the threat.
April 25, 2:08 PM
Iran conveyed demands and reservations about US positions to Pakistan, says Pakistani source
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi delivered Tehran's negotiating demands, as well as its reservations about US demands, to Pakistani officials during his visit to Islamabad, a Pakistani source involved in the talks told Reuters on Saturday.
1/2
April 25, 1:18 PM
Dozens of Palestinians breach IDF checkpoints to enter Jenin refugee camp
At least 10 Palestinians were detained by Israeli forces operating in the area, with IDF using drones to monitor and locate more suspects inside the refugee camp.
Some 20 Palestinians successfully breached military checkpoints to enter the Jenin refugee camp in the West Bank, the IDF said on Saturday afternoon.
IDF sources said dozens broke through barricades set up by the Israeli military in the Palestinian city surrounding the refugee camp, designated as a closed military zone by the IDF.
At least 10 Palestinians were detained by Israeli forces operating in the area, sources said, while an official IDF statement noted most of the suspects have been apprehended.
The incident is ongoing, sources stressed, adding that forces are using drones to monitor and locate more suspects inside the refugee camp.
This is a developing story.
April 25, 11:18 AM
Turkey could consider joining Strait of Hormuz demining operation, Hakan Fidan says
Speaking to reporters in London, Hakan Fidan also said he believed issues related to Iran's nuclear program could be resolved at the next round of talks in Pakistan.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said that Turkey could consider taking part in demining operations in the Strait of Hormuz following a possible peace agreement between Iran and the United States.
Fidan, speaking to reporters in London on Friday evening, said a technical team was expected to carry out mine‑clearing work in the strait after any agreement, adding that Turkey viewed such efforts positively in principle as a humanitarian duty.
The foreign minister said any demining work would be carried out by a technical team from various countries, formed after a possible Iran‑US peace agreement. Turkey would have "no problem" with participating in mine‑clearing operations under those conditions, he said.
April 25, 11:18 AM
IDF again warns Lebanese civilians not to return to south
The IDF's Arabic-language spokesman Avichay Adraee has on Saturday again warned Lebanese civilians to refrain from returning to southern Lebanon amid the ceasefire in Lebanon.
Despite repeated IDF warnings, civilians in southern Lebanon were trying to cross into their villages in recent days, The Jerusalem Post previously reported.
April 25, 10:11 AM
Iran says it has hanged agent working for Israel over sabotage in protests - Tasnim
Iran said it had hanged an Iranian working for Israeli intelligence on Saturday for vandalism and violence during nationwide protests this year, the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported.
It said Erfan Kiani, a “hired thug of Mossad,” had engaged in the destruction and arson of public and private property, spreading fear and terror across the central city of Isfahan, and wielding a machete.
He was hanged early in the morning after his sentence was confirmed by the Supreme Court and following legal procedures, Tasnim said.
April 25, 10:09 AM
WATCH: IDF strikes Hezbollah rocket launchers in southern Lebanon during overnight raid
The IDF destroyed Hezbollah rocket launchers loaded and aimed towards Israel in three separate locations in southern Lebanon, the military announced on Saturday.
The launchers were located in the areas of Deir El Zahrani, Reman, and Al-Saamiya in southern Lebanon, north of the Forward Defense Line established by the IDF.
"These launchers posed an immediate threat to IDF soldiers and to Israeli civilians," the military added.
2/2
Pentagon reenacts Ukraine's Spiderweb operation in secret Florida drills
Sat, April 25, 2026 - 17:30
The Pentagon fundamentally changes its counter-drone strategy, drawing on lessons from the war in Ukraine.
Large-scale exercises were held in Florida, where mass drone attacks were simulated to test US forces, according to Defense One.
Details of Florida exercises
The outlet says during Operation Clear Horizon, at Eglin Air Force Base, special forces recreated the Spiderweb tactics used by Ukraine against Russia.
The simulation involved a wide range of systems, from small commercial drones to larger platforms resistant to electronic warfare (EW) means.
A key feature of the tests was the use of fiber-optic-controlled drones and LTE-based systems. This allowed operators to control equipment even from other US states.
US strategy shift
The results of the exercises showed that the US military needs a unified system for integrating radar data and interception capabilities. In addition, the military acknowledged the need to develop low-cost drone interceptors.
Currently, the United States often uses expensive missiles costing millions of dollars to destroy relatively cheap drones.
Brigadier General Matt Ross, who heads the Pentagon's counter-drone center, said the United States has allocated more than $600 million over the past six weeks to rapidly integrate new technologies.
"We were over in Ukraine about six weeks ago, talking to the Unmanned Systems Forces… Then we've looked at those most promising technologies and we referenced their performance data in Ukraine instead of internal department testing and evaluation," Ross said.
According to him, the development of autonomous systems is progressing much faster than annual budgets are formed, creating new security challenges.
Spiderweb operation
In June 2025, Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) carried out a unique operation dubbed Spiderweb, during which four Russian military airfields deep in the country's rear were mass-attacked. As a result of the strike, the enemy lost about 40 strategic aircraft.
SBU chief Vasyl Malyuk later revealed details, noting that the airfields were struck simultaneously across three time zones. The scale and boldness of the operation impressed the international community.
In particular, US Senator Richard Blumenthal compared Spiderweb to the American operation to eliminate Osama bin Laden, highlighting the high level of skill of Ukraine's special services.
https://newsukraine.rbc.ua/news/pentagon-reenacts-ukraine-s-spiderweb-operation-1777126962.html
https://www.defenseone.com/threats/2026/04/pentagon-ukraine-counter-drone/413087/
extra drones home and abroad
https://www.dvidshub.net/news/563514/busy-airspace-record-number-consumer-drones-keeping-firefighters-grounded
https://www.essexmagazine.co.uk/2026/04/air-ambulance-pilot-issues-safety-plea-to-local-drone-flyers-on-world-pilot-day/
https://www.newser.com/story/387943/south-koreas-ex-president-faces-30-years-over-drone-plot.html
15 chemical spraying drones stolen in NJ as FBI investigates possible ‘nightmare scenario’: report
April 25, 2026 Updated April 25, 2026, 7:47 a.m. PDT
Someone stole 15 giant agricultural drones in New Jersey — and experts fear a “nightmare scenario” if they end up in the hands of terrorists.
The fleet of Ceres Air C31 drones, which are about the size of an ATV, were ripped off March 24 by a bogus delivery driver who duped shipping and logistics company CAC International in Harrison, according to The High Side substack.
A phony bill of lading was presented at the pick-up location for the drones which was bolstered by a fake confirmation email that CAC International took to be legitimate, the report stated.
The four-armed flyers can carry and spray up to 40 gallons of liquid chemicals, such as fertilizers and pesticides, and unleash the payload over a 15-acre span in just seven minutes.
The FBI is concerned the chemical-spraying drones could be used to disperse biological or chemical weapons, the report claimed.
“This was one of the most highly sophisticated thefts [the FBI] have seen in a long time, which is the main thing that has them so spooked,” a person who was briefed on the case told the outlet.
Retired FBI agent Steve Lazarus speculated that the drones could be easily weaponized.
“Even common chemicals, used improperly, can be a public safety danger. Throw in the internet recipes for biological and chemical weapons that anyone with a Tor browser has access to, and this is a potential nightmare scenario,” Lazarus told The High Side.
“The bureau is freaked out for a good reason,” Lazarus said. “These aren’t hobby drones with cameras. They’re industrial sprayers designed to carry and disperse significant amounts of liquid quickly and with precision.”
“What makes the thefts concerning isn’t just the equipment itself, it’s how easy they are to use once someone has them,” he said.
Each Ceres Air C31 costs about $58,000 — putting the total haul at roughly $870,000 — and dwarfs any consumer drone, with the 500-pound machines being more akin to flying heavy farm machinery.
The US military has been aware of the potential threat from weaponized farm drones for years.
An agricultural drone becoming a “[chemical or biological warfare] delivery platform is a definite possibility, especially for developing nations,” an Army manual on drone warfare from 2020 said.
“Such [agricultural] drones are readily available and could be used as a delivery system for chemical or biological attacks,” the Army report read.
The FBI refused to comment on any investigation. The Harrison Police Department, Ceres, and CAC International did not return requests for comments.
https://nypost.com/2026/04/25/us-news/15-chemical-spraying-drones-stolen-in-nj-as-fbi-investigates-possible-nightmare-scenario-report/
NESSIE HUNT Nessie hunt goes high-tech as underwater drone is deployed to scan Loch Ness for monster
22:04, 23 Apr 2026
NESSIE hunters are to launch a new search for the monster using an underwater drone.
A marine exploration firm is planning to use the cutting-edge craft to map part of the bed of 745ft-deep Loch Ness.
It uses much higher resolution technology to scan the depths than has ever been used before.
Earlier expeditions used equipment that would have spotted a large mass underwater but might have missed places where Nessie could be hiding out such as hidden caves and deep ravines.
Experts reckon only about three per cent of the vast bed of the loch – which has a surface area of 21 square miles – has been mapped at this high resolution.
The new search will concentrate on Urquhart Bay on the north shore which has long been a hot spot for sightings.
Just a few months ago an American woman reported spotting a dark shape emerging from the murky depths in the bay.
She said: “I first saw it and was like wow. It didn’t look like a wave, it looked like the head of something popping up.”
Marine exploration company Deep Sea Vision will launch their underwater drone, nicknamed Micro Millie, to scour the bay next month.
Craig Wallace, the firm’s President of Operations, said: “Micro Millie allows us to capture extremely detailed images of the loch bed, revealing features that traditional survey methods simply cannot resolve.
“This mission marks the beginning of a longer-term collaboration to map Loch Ness at much higher resolution.
“Loch Ness is a unique and challenging environment, and we’re excited to begin gathering data that will help build a clearer understanding of its underwater landscape.”
The expedition forms part of The Quest 2026, a four-day festival organised by The Loch Ness Experience which brings together leading Nessie hunters and marine scientists to try and solve one of the world’s most enduring mysteries.
Loch Ness Experience general manager Nagina Ishaq said: “The Quest continues to evolve each year, and this latest phase reflects a growing focus on exploration and understanding.
“While the mystery of Loch Ness is what draws global attention, initiatives like this are about building knowledge, using new technology to explore the loch in ways that simply haven’t been possible before.”
The legend of the Loch Ness Monster dates back nearly 1,500 years but exploded in 1934 when a photograph – later revealed as a hoax – was published showing the monster’s neck and head.
Hundreds of thousands travel to Loch Ness each year hoping for a glimpse of Nessie, pumping £40m into the local economy.
And there continues to be potential sightings, with six recorded last year and one already this year.
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/38913512/nessie-high-tech-drone-deployed-loch-ness-monster/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-eObuGYZbM ("Nessie" captured on VILN Clansman Webcam on 19/04/26, at 11.28AM.)
Missing scientists: No conspiracy, but some cases suspicious, observer says
Updated: Apr 24, 2026 / 08:06 PM CDT
A former Defense Department official who writes about UFOs is expressing doubts about any wide conspiracy underpinning the list of U.S. researchers who have died or gone missing in recent years, but he says some cases are worth examining.
“No, I don’t see a throughline. I don’t see a particular connection or broad conspiracy,” Marik von Rennenkampff, a contributor to NewsNation’s sister outlet “The Hill,” ” told “Elizabeth Vargas Reports” on Friday.
Von Rennenkampff was addressing online speculation that something nefarious is behind the loss of at least a dozen individuals with ties to the aerospace and defense sectors.
Some theories play up the angle that the scientists, contractors or former military officials may have had knowledge about government UFO programs.
Amy Eskridge said she ‘definitely did not’ plan death by suicide: Friend
Still, von Rennenkampff said, he is puzzled by at least two of the stories involving people with purported ties to UFOs:
–The Feb. 27 disappearance of retired Air Force Maj. Gen. William Neil McCasland, 68, who is believed to have left his Albuquerque, N.M, home on foot with a firearm.
McCasland’s military career included secret government programs, although some question whether his knowledge was up to date.
–The 2024 death of former Air Force intelligence officer Matthew James Sullivan, 39, who had been preparing to testify before Congress.
“I would really focus on McCasland and Sullivan … those particular cases,” von Rennenkampff said.
https://www.newsnationnow.com/missing/no-conspiracy-missing-scientists-writer-says/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CnpzSLgai8
moar NewsNation
https://www.newsnationnow.com/missing/amy-eskridge-energy-weapon-attack/
https://www.newsnationnow.com/space/ufo/feds-met-about-ufos-in-1990s/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=odW83jmLRY0 (Secret ‘90s government meeting on UFOs — researcher shares evidence | Elizabeth Vargas Reports)
https://www.newsnationnow.com/space/ufo/missing-scientists-interesting-common-ties-ufo-insider/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcHt-OBkabU (UFO insider reveals pattern behind missing scientists | CUOMO)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JT9pyIhkrcU (Two more deaths linked to missing scientists mystery; FBI investigates | Katie Pavlich Tonight)
UAP Caucus Co-chair in 2 classified SCIF briefings in past week
Apr 23, 2026
Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN) — Co-chair, Congressional UAP Caucus
Ask a Pol asks:
What was this week’s SCIF — Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility — briefing on?
Key Burchett:
“It’s in SCIF, dude, I can’t tell you,” Rep. Tim Burchett exclusively tells Ask a Pol UAP.
Was it on UAP?
“Oh, yeah,” Burchett says. “I was in one last week and it was…pretty intense, and I’m hoping they’ll get some more to some more members…”
Caught our ear:
”Trump doesn’t know the questions to ask,” Burchett tells us.
https://www.askapoluaps.com/p/2-ufo-briefings-in-a-week
extra AskaPol
https://www.askapoluaps.com/p/comer-11-missing-scientists-uap-oversight
https://www.askapoluaps.com/p/luna-vance-demons-uap-religious-perspective
https://www.askapoluaps.com/p/burlison-ufo-files-dubious-missing-scientists
https://x.com/AskaPol_UAPs
https://x.com/MattLaslo