CZECH PLAN TO HELP UKRAINE
A Czech-led initiative to obtain ammunition for Ukraine may deliver a total of 1.5 million artillery shells within a year, which could help Kyiv overcome a worsening shortage of firepower, Prime Minister Petr Fiala said during a visit to the US.
The plan, in which the Czech Republic is acting as a mediator in procuring the shells from outside the EU, has already secured 500,000 shells.
Ukraine is struggling with dwindling artillery supplies and air defence as Russia has intensified ground operations and airstrikes.
The acute shortage of ammunition and manpower along the 1,200km front is stoking fears that Kyiv’s military effort is nearing a breaking point. –
BLACK HOLE DISCOVERY
Astronomers have discovered a black hole with a mass about 33 times greater than that of our sun.
The newly identified black hole is located about 2,000 light years from Earth – relatively close in cosmic terms – in the constellation Aquila, and has a companion star orbiting it, researchers said on 16 April.
The black hole, called Gaia BH3, and its companion star are travelling within the galaxy in the opposite direction of how stars typically orbit in the Milky Way.
Gaia BH3 probably formed after the death of a star that was more than 40 times as massive as the sun, the researchers said.
– Will Dunham/reuters