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First Post
2 days ago
- Politics
- First Post
Operation Spider Web hands Ukraine ‘cards' to play with at negotiation table
With Operation Spider Web, Ukraine has played its cards and acquired a seat at the negotiating table with a position of relative strength. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has also punctured the myth of Russian invincibility and called out Vladimir Putin's bluff of imminent victory and nuclear rhetoric. read more Months after US President Donald Trump berated him at the White House for not having any cards, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy played his cards on Sunday. In an audacious attack with no precedent in the world, Ukraine struck five airbases and possibly a submarine base as well across the length and breadth of Russia — including in the far-off Siberia. With 117 drones, Ukraine destroyed nearly a third of Russia's long-range, nuclear-capable bombers and airborne early warning and command (AEWAC) fleets. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With Operation Spider Web, Ukraine reminded the world that the war is far from being decided and Ukraine is far from being defeated. In the David versus Goliath face-off, Ukraine has shown it has mastered asymmetric warfare and has the ability to impose costs despite its adversary having superiority in every domain. Even though Trump has for months parroted Russian talking points that Ukraine is on the brink of defeat, the situation on the ground is a stalemate at best and, at worst, costs far outweigh the benefits for Russia. Neither side currently holds a decisive upper hand in the battlefield and Russia's incremental gains and Ukraine's resilient defence signal not victory, but a prolonged stalemate, says Shreya Sinha, a European affairs scholar at Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF). Facts in face: Russia has gained just 1 per cent of Ukrainian territory since January 2024. Zelenskyy destroys Russian invincibility — and asserts Ukraine's resilience For months, visuals of Ukrainian neighbourhoods in Russian airstrikes and the sting of betrayal as the principal ally, the United States, appeared to switch allegiance to the adversary, had dominated the news cycle. But that was until Sunday. Since Sunday, have dominated the news cycle as well as deliberations of strategists across the world as Ukraine ushered the world into a new age of modern warfare with the attack. Suddenly, Russia is no longer as invincible as Vladimir Putin had been portraying and not as victorious as Trump had been saying. 'Ukraine's drone strikes have communicated the nation's resilience and innovation, challenging assumptions about asymmetry in capability. In a non-kinetic warfare paradigm, Ukraine has not only held ground but also reinvented itself as a formidable actor in drone-based hybrid warfare, shaping perceptions globally,' says Sinha, an Associate Fellow of European studies at the Delhi-based think tank VIF. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian airbases and the destruction of several nuclear-capable intercontinental bombers is among the most audacious covert ops in military history. Some of the images, shown here, reveals the damage. Ukraine claims 40 aircraft destroyed.… — Vishnu Som (@VishnuNDTV) June 4, 2025 To be sure, Russia was never close to an overwhelming victory despite what the propagandists said as every gain came at a very high cost. Consider these facts: Russia has lost its Black Sea fleet to the extent that it is essentially inoperable and has also lost a third of its long-range bomber aircraft and nearly half of its AWAC fleet. It has suffered around 1 million troop casualties . Ukraine has also assassinated some top generals. Despite outnumbering and outgunning Ukraine, Russia has suffered disproportionately higher losses and it needs to be asked whether such losses are worth the gains, says Swasti Rao, a scholar of geopolitics at Jindal School of International Affairs (JSIA). STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Rao pointed out that even though Russia controls a fifth of Ukrainian territory, a large chunk of it was captured with the annexation of Crimea in 2014 and subsequent insurgency in eastern Ukraine before 2022. As per the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), Russia currently controls around 19 per cent of Ukrainian territory — around 4-5 per cent was captured with the annexation of Crimea in 2014, around 2-3 per cent was captured by pro-Russia insurgents in eastern Ukraine during 2014-22, and Russia has captured just 12 per cent in the full-scale war since 2022. Rao says that the way Ukraine dealt a blow worth $7-8 billion to Russia with drones worth just a few million dollars at most tells the entire cost versus benefit story of the war. More than weapons, Ukraine lacks soldiers, but, with innovation in drone warfare, Ukraine has compensated its low numbers to a great extent, says Rao, an associate professor at JISA and a non-resident fellow at Eastern Circles think tank. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'The situation now is that the war is costing Russia much more than it's costing Ukraine in all domains — equipment, money, and reputation. As a result of the war, Russia has become dependent on China for the sustenance of its war and economy. For a superpower to become a junior partner of a rising power is a major loss of reputation,' says Rao Ukraine seeks strength at negotiation table With the drone attack, Zelenskyy has aimed for many birds with one stone. Besides securing a tactical edge with the attacks and reminding the world that the war is nowhere near its conclusion and that Ukraine does hold cards, Zelenskyy's biggest accomplishment is, in the words of Rao, the confirmation of a seat at the negotiating table. 'Ukraine sought, and successfully acquired, a relative position of strength in ongoing negotiations with these strikes. The final outcome of the war is unlikely to change in the sense that Ukraine is unlikely to get Russia-occupied territories back, but such military successes strengthens its hands in talks and securing better terms, such as increased say in talks and perhaps negotiating security guarantees,' says Rao. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Such a situation is a far cry from the situation just a few months back when Trump had said that Ukraine having a seat at the table in decisions about the end of the war was not a must. While Russia has acquired a position of relative strength, Russia has lost some leverage and Ukraine has called out Putin's bluff to a great extent. Rao tells Firstpost, 'Despite such a large military and famed intelligence apparatus, Ukraine has called out Russia's bluff again and again. Ukraine has assassinated Russian generals at the time and place of its choosing. Ukraine has sunk prized Russian ships. Now, Ukraine has destroyed some of the most valued Russian Air Force planes. As Russia has lost a face in all domains, ranging from border security and foreign intelligence to domestic security and base security, its leverage in talks has also been affected.' While Putin has vowed to retaliate and maintained his stand in his latest telephonic conversation with US President Donald Trump, if Ukraine manages to hold onto advantages gained through the recent drone attacks, it can secure a deal that addresses its concerns better, suggests Rao. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD For Ukraine, full-scale concessions are simply not on the table anymore and Ukraine is set to push for its terms more forcefully, says Sinha of VIF. 'It's now certain that Ukraine will not sign a deal that legitimises recent Russian gains, such as in Novopil in Donetsk, Vodolahy in Sumy, or Bilohorivka in Luhansk. These are not just pieces of land, but they are proof that this war is still very much ongoing, to which Ukraine has given its all. Any future peace deal would likely hinge on international security guarantees and a long-term roadmap to reconstruction and political stability,' says Sinha. As for the immediate future, even though Putin's supporters have called for a nuclear attack on Ukraine and some have suggested that Putin could launch a new offensive with unprecedented fury, neither is likely — even as Putin has vowed retaliation. For many weeks, Russia has been launching hundreds of drones and missiles on a near-daily basis, so the increase of scale would not mean much for Ukraine. As for the nuclear attack, there is consensus that it is a red line that the international community, including China, would allow Putin to cross. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD At multiple points in the war, China, the principal ally of Russia, and India, which has functioned as a backchannel on occasions, made it clear to Putin that nuclear weapons were off the table come what may. As for a ground offensive, Russia may not be in a position to launch it anytime soon without a fresh mobilisation of its troops as it faces resource crunch for such a massive offensive in Ukraine, says Kseniya Kirillova, a Russia analyst at Washington DC-based think tank Jamestown Foundation. More than Ukraine's attacks, the question of a new offensive would be decided by internal stability in Russia, says Kirillova. 'It appears that Putin is reluctant to declare such a mobilisation and is instead interested in a temporary pause. New aggression could emerge if the war in Ukraine stalls and Putin concludes that propaganda alone is no longer sufficient to maintain regime stability. However, if Europe demonstrates a credible readiness to defend itself, this would serve as an effective deterrent. It is important to remember that it is weakness, not strength, that provokes Putin,' says Kirillova
Cision Canada
16-05-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
Africa Energy's Annual General and Special Meeting of Shareholders to be Held on June 20, 2025
VANCOUVER, BC, May 16, 2025 /CNW/ - Africa Energy Corp. (TSXV: AFE) (Nasdaq First North: AEC) ("Africa Energy" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that its Annual General and Special Meeting of Shareholders will be held in Canada on Friday, June 20, 2025, at 9:00 am (Pacific Time) at Suite 2500, 666 Burrard Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6C 2X8 for the following purposes: View PDF version View PDF To receive the consolidated audited financial statements and accompanying management discussion and analysis of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2024, together with the report of the auditors; To approve the appointment of MNP LLP as auditors of the Company to hold office until the next Annual General Meeting, at a remuneration to be fixed by the directors of the Company; To approve the Company's incentive stock option plan, as more particularly described in the accompanying Management Information Circular; To set the number of directors at six (6); and To elect directors to hold office for the ensuing year. The record date for the Annual General and Special Meeting was May 12, 2025. The Notice of Meeting, Management Information Circular and related meeting materials are available under the Company's profile on SEDAR at and on the Company's website at Holders of Euroclear Sweden Registered Shares The information set forth below is of significance to shareholders who hold their securities ("Euroclear Registered Securities") through Euroclear Sweden AB, which securities trade on Nasdaq First North Growth Market Stockholm. Shareholders who hold Euroclear Registered Securities are not registered holders of voting securities for the purposes of voting at the Meeting. Instead, Euroclear Registered Securities are registered under CDS & Co., the registration name of the Canadian Depositary for Securities. Holders of Euroclear Registered Securities will receive a voting instruction form ("VIF") by mail directly from Computershare AB ("Computershare Sweden"). Additional copies of the VIF, together with the Company's Management Information Circular, can also be obtained from Computershare Sweden and are available on the Company's website ( The VIF cannot be used to vote securities directly at the Meeting. Instead, the VIF must be completed and returned to Computershare Sweden, strictly in accordance with the instructions and deadlines described in the instructions provided with the VIF. About Africa Energy Corp. Africa Energy Corp. is a Canadian oil and gas exploration company focused on South Africa. The Company is listed in Toronto on TSX Venture Exchange (ticker "AFE") and in Stockholm on Nasdaq First North Growth Market (ticker "AEC"). The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact persons set out above on May 16, 2025, at 5:30 pm E.T. The Company's certified advisor on Nasdaq First North Growth Market is Bergs Securities AB, +46 739 49 62 50, [email protected]. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. SOURCE Africa Energy Corp.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Africa Energy's Annual General and Special Meeting of Shareholders to be Held on June 20, 2025
VANCOUVER, BC, May 16, 2025 /CNW/ - Africa Energy Corp. (TSXV: AFE) (Nasdaq First North: AEC) ("Africa Energy" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that its Annual General and Special Meeting of Shareholders will be held in Canada on Friday, June 20, 2025, at 9:00 am (Pacific Time) at Suite 2500, 666 Burrard Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6C 2X8 for the following purposes: View PDF version To receive the consolidated audited financial statements and accompanying management discussion and analysis of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2024, together with the report of the auditors; To approve the appointment of MNP LLP as auditors of the Company to hold office until the next Annual General Meeting, at a remuneration to be fixed by the directors of the Company; To approve the Company's incentive stock option plan, as more particularly described in the accompanying Management Information Circular; To set the number of directors at six (6); and To elect directors to hold office for the ensuing year. The record date for the Annual General and Special Meeting was May 12, 2025. The Notice of Meeting, Management Information Circular and related meeting materials are available under the Company's profile on SEDAR at and on the Company's website at Holders of Euroclear Sweden Registered Shares The information set forth below is of significance to shareholders who hold their securities ("Euroclear Registered Securities") through Euroclear Sweden AB, which securities trade on Nasdaq First North Growth Market Stockholm. Shareholders who hold Euroclear Registered Securities are not registered holders of voting securities for the purposes of voting at the Meeting. Instead, Euroclear Registered Securities are registered under CDS & Co., the registration name of the Canadian Depositary for Securities. Holders of Euroclear Registered Securities will receive a voting instruction form ("VIF") by mail directly from Computershare AB ("Computershare Sweden"). Additional copies of the VIF, together with the Company's Management Information Circular, can also be obtained from Computershare Sweden and are available on the Company's website ( The VIF cannot be used to vote securities directly at the Meeting. Instead, the VIF must be completed and returned to Computershare Sweden, strictly in accordance with the instructions and deadlines described in the instructions provided with the VIF. About Africa Energy Corp. Africa Energy Corp. is a Canadian oil and gas exploration company focused on South Africa. The Company is listed in Toronto on TSX Venture Exchange (ticker "AFE") and in Stockholm on Nasdaq First North Growth Market (ticker "AEC"). Important information The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact persons set out above on May 16, 2025, at 5:30 pm E.T. The Company's certified advisor on Nasdaq First North Growth Market is Bergs Securities AB, +46 739 49 62 50, Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. SOURCE Africa Energy Corp. View original content to download multimedia:
Business Wire
01-05-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Simpson Oil Reminds Parkland Shareholders to Vote the GOLD Proxy Card For Meaningful Boardroom Change
GRAND CAYMAN, Cayman Islands--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Simpson Oil Limited ('Simpson Oil', 'we' or 'our'), the largest shareholder of Parkland Corporation ('Parkland' or the 'Company'), holding 19.8% of the Company's outstanding common shares, reminds shareholders to vote FOR its nine highly-qualified director nominees using the GOLD universal proxy card ahead of the Company's upcoming Annual General Meeting (the 'Meeting') on May 6, 2025. To ensure their vote is counted, shareholders must submit their proxy by 5:00 p.m. (Mountain Time) on Thursday, May 1, 2025. Simpson Oil's call for boardroom change continues to gain momentum. In addition to the overwhelming support we've received from fellow shareholders, both Glass Lewis and ISS—the two leading independent proxy advisory firms—have recommended shareholders vote for meaningful boardroom change on the GOLD universal proxy card. As part of their recommendations, the proxy advisors highlighted Parkland's longstanding underperformance, financial and strategic missteps, and a troubling pattern of entrenchment and gamesmanship by the board of directors (the 'Board')—further underscoring the need for new, independent oversight. Over the past two years, rather than addressing the ongoing performance issues and serious concerns raised by Simpson Oil, other shareholders, and the market at-large, the Board has instead engaged in gamesmanship and distraction tactics. In the latest example, Chairman Mike Jennings issued a last-ditch plea to shareholders. Had the incumbent Board been doing its job of creating long-term value, such an appeal wouldn't be necessary. They've had their chance. It's time for a new Board—aligned with shareholders and equipped with the independence, experience, and skillsets needed to Refuel Parkland and deliver lasting value. YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT, NO MATTER HOW MANY SHARES YOU OWN. PLEASE VOTE THE GOLD PROXY TODAY. Simpson Oil reminds shareholders to use only the GOLD proxy card to vote for ALL NINE of Simpson Oil's highly qualified director nominees: - Monty Baker - Michael Christiansen - Mark Davis - Jackie Doak - Chris Folan - Brian Gibson - Marc Halley - Darcy Morris - Karen Stuckey Only the GOLD universal proxy card allows shareholders to vote for Simpson Oil's entire slate. Do not vote using management's blue card or voting control. If you have already voted using management's blue proxy card, you are encouraged to vote only using the GOLD proxy or voting control number, which will override any previous vote. The deadline to vote is 5:00 P.M. Calgary Time on Thursday, May 1, 2025. If you would like to vote shares that you hold in your Employee Share Purchase Plan (ESPP), if you have not received your Voting Instruction Form (VIF) by mail, or if you need help voting the GOLD proxy, please contact Carson Proxy, at 1-800-530-5189 (North America Toll Free), 416-751-2066 (Local and Text), or by email at info@ If you miss this deadline, we still encourage shareholders to submit the GOLD proxy and Simpson Oil will endeavour to ensure that your vote is counted. For more information on the Simpson Oil nominees, their plan to unlock shareholder value at Parkland, and how to vote, visit Proxy materials are also available under Parkland's SEDAR+ profile at including a GOLD Proxy Card or voting instruction form. Advisors Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP is serving as legal counsel. Longacre Square Partners is serving as strategic advisor, and Carson Proxy is serving as proxy solicitor.
The Hindu
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Thiruvananthapuram to host Koottam 2025, the two-day volunteering carnival
'Koottam 2025 is a celebration where volunteering takes centre stage,' says Gautham Ravindran, CEO and co-founder of Volunteer For India (VIF), the NGO organising the festival in association with the Thiruvananthapuram Municipal Corporation. The fete is set to take place on April 26 and 27 at the Tagore Theatre in Thiruvananthapuram and will be inaugurated by Kerala Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs minister GR Anil. Touted as the biggest volunteering festival in the country, Koottam was born out of a conversation between the co-founders of VIF, Ramalingam Natarajan and Gautham, about how 'to make volunteering more accessible and interesting for people.' 'Our discussion led to the concept of a volunteering carnival. At a regular carnival, everyone has fun with entertainment, games and so on — bringing the community together. We wanted to add the idea of volunteering to this setting, especially with people shying away from volunteering without understanding its true meaning and making it too serious. We want to make it fun,' says Gautham. VIF, he adds, is an organisation aimed to bring social change through structured volunteering programmes. The venue is divided into two sections — while one is focused on volunteering, consisting of workshops, stalls by NGOs, and so on, the other will have elements of a carnival with a pop-up market, game and activity zone and Kutti Koottam, a designated space for children, where storytelling sessions, improv, origami workshop, open mics and so on will take place. The festival will also have a volunteering station, where people can engage in 20 to 30 minutes of volunteering activities to get a hands-on experience of volunteering. 'These activities can be as easy as upcycling a T-shirt into a cloth bag or making a seed ball you can take home,' Gautham adds. 'This time around 34 NGOs have booked the stalls to introduce their work through engaging activities. We will also have panel discussions around politics, content creation and its impact on society,' says Gautham. There will also be workshops related to sustainability. The carnival has two fundraising concerts by the Sufi band, Mehfil-e-Sama and Jassie Gift on April 26 and 27 respectively. These are the only ticketed events at the carnival and the money will support a project called Gift a Story run by VIF, focused on building libraries for the underprivileged. This is the second edition of the carnival. Last year, it was organised at the Loyola School, Sreekariyam, in association with around 16 NGOs and participation from around 2000 people. 'The idea is to slowly grow this into a larger festival where people from different walks of life come together and celebrate. However, in the long run, we want to have smaller events throughout the year,' says Gautham. He adds that the Koottam community has been active in the past few months with initiatives such as beach clean-ups and food distribution drives with around 400 volunteers involved in the activities. Register via for free passes. Tickets for the concerts are available on
