US tightens sanctions on 50+ Russian banks, setting stage for policy clash under Trump
The US Treasury has imposed sweeping sanctions on Gazprombank, one of Russia's largest banks. The sanctions include halting its energy-related transactions through the US financial system, banning trade with Americans, and freezing US assets. Gazprombank, however, asserted that the measures would not impact its operations.
Additionally, 50 smaller Russian banks were sanctioned to restrict Russia’s access to global finance, a move Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said aims to curb the country’s efforts to "evade US sanctions."
The Biden administration may impose additional sanctions before leaving office, though President-elect Donald Trump could reverse them after taking power.
#Sanctions
Fake Florida Elon Musk scams grandma out of small fortune - but did he get catfished too?
Jeffrey Arthur Moynihan Jr, 56, operating under the guise of the world's richest man, befriended a 74-year-old Texas woman on Facebook in 2023 and promised a return of $55 million on her "investment" – a deal that, unsurprisingly, didn’t involve any actual returns.
When arrested, Moynihan claimed the stolen money was for a girlfriend he had only met online, suggesting that he might also be the victim of an even more tragic scam.
Police confirmed that the real Elon Musk was not involved in the incident, while Moynihan faces charges of grand theft.
#Florida
Russian Ka-52M helicopter crews launched strikes targeting Ukrainian forces and armored military equipment near the border of the Kursk region
#SMO
Palestinian media shares the aftermath of an Israeli air strike on the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza overnight
Five civilians were reportedly killed in the attack, and several others were injured.
#IDF
❗️The Russian Defense Ministry reported that its air defenses destroyed 23 Ukrainian drones overnight: 12 over Bryansk, nine over Kaluga, and two over Kursk regions
#RussianMoD
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says his government will enforce International Criminal Court arrest warrants should Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu or former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant visit Canada
"We will abide by all the regulations and rulings of the international courts."
#Canada
Former US Army officer Stanislav Krapivnik says Russia's hypersonic missile launch sends a ‘strong message’ to the United States following President Vladimir Putin's announcement of its use against Ukrainian military targets.
#Ukraine
Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh claims the US is not seeking war with Russia, doubles down on military assistance for Ukraine
#USDoD
The Times of London reports that Russia is making significant battlefield gains against Ukraine, whose defensive position is weaker than at any point since the war began
Despite Western arms shipments, including Storm Shadow missiles, Russia’s offensive continues to erode Ukrainian defenses, aided by superior manpower, according to British military intelligence.
#SMO
Israeli President calls out ICC's 'outrageous' arrest warrant for Netanyahu and Gallant, claiming that 'it makes a mockery of the sacrifice of all those who fight for justice – from the Allied victory over the Nazis till today'
#Netanyahu #Warrant
MSNBC MELTDOWN: Pam Bondi nominated as Trump’s AG has their skin crawling because she's ‘GOOD’
MSNBC: “We should all fear her because she’s competent… she knows what she’s doing.”
“She is a dangerous and effective pick…”
Ohhh… She actually knows what she's doing… oh no!
#TrumpPicks
‘Children were pimped out by their ‘Aunt’’: HHS Secretary Becerra being read the riot act for outrageous sex-trafficking in US
Q: “Do you remember the teenage girl who was in a house with men with no private bedroom?”
“Are you familiar with the sponsors who utilized a strip club as the home address for these children?”
This the American dream...?
#SexTrafficking #US #HHS
Footage: Russian drone destroys Ukrainian bunker
In the video released by Russia's Ministry of Defense, the operator guides the UAV into a door of the bunker before it explodes.
#SMO #MoD
‘The West’s 500-year global hegemony is over and the future will belong to Eurasia’ – Hungarian PM
#Hungary
Serbia’s Vucic issues a passionate warning to Western leaders
#Serbia
❗️Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, whose country currently holds the EU's rotating presidency, announced on Friday that he would invite his Israeli counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu, for a visit, defying an ICC arrest warrant
#ICC
Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky has arrived in Kiev, expressing his intent to understand how Ukrainians are managing during the conflict
He also plans to evaluate the progress of Czech-funded projects on the ground and discuss strategies for directing international aid in the months ahead.
#SMO
World headlines react to President Putin’s statements about Russia’s IRBM strike in Ukraine
#SMO
Russia's ‘Oreshnik’ IRBM is impossible to intercept — Political scientist
#RussianMoD
Israeli media reports multiple rocket launches from Lebanon into the Haifa area overnight; video shows air defenses in action
Some rockets were intercepted, while others landed in open areas. No casualties or damage have been reported.
#IDF
DPRK is allegedly employing a new tactic against South Korea: nightly sonic attacks
Residents of Ganghwa Island report relentless bombardments of unsettling sounds, including gunshots, screams, and laughter, driving them to despair, AP reports.
#DMZ
Oreshnik Intermediate-Range Ballistic Missile: What do we know about Russia’s ‘Hazel’ IRBM?
Unprecedented Speed: Hypersonic missiles boast speeds of up to 12,250 km/h, capable of reaching targets from Russia to the UK in 19 minutes, Belgium in 14, Germany in 11, and Poland in just eight
Extended Range and Payload: With a range of up to 5,000 km, the missile can carry a nuclear warhead, delivering a 150-kiloton payload. Each missile may contain 3-6 warheads, each with individual guidance
Advanced Technology: The solid-fuel, hypersonic missile employs individual guidance for each warhead, enhancing its accuracy and destructive power
Comparison to ICBMs: While an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) from Russia could take approximately 40 minutes to reach a US target, this hypersonic missile significantly reduces flight time, underscoring its enhanced threat
Minimal Warning Time: The missile's speed and range allow it to strike with minimal warning, highlighting its potential for devastating surprise attacks
#IRBM
DPRK leader Kim Jong-un blames the US for ushering in the most chaotic and violent international environment since WWII, KCNA reports
#DPRK
Astronomers have captured the first-ever images of a dying star outside the Milky Way, using the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope Interferometer (real name btw)
The magnified image of WOH G64 in the Large Magellanic Cloud shows the star enveloped in a fiery, egg-shaped cocoon, possibly indicating a pre-supernova ejection of material.
#SpaceJam
Russia makes significant progress as Ukraine is weaker than ever — The Times
Kiev hanging on for dear life as the West wanes in the distance, shipments have dwindled as Russia’s offensive wears down the frontlines, writes the British newspaper. Western allies provided the Storm Shadow missiles in attempt to slow Russian forces down.
British military intelligence has stated that the line of combat for Ukraine is unstable, the advance of the Russian forces has accelerated and they outnumber the UAF. Now the ‘Oreshnik’ strike sends a strong message that could force submission.
#Russia #Ukraine
Joe Rogan mocks the ladies of the View after they call him a ‘Dragon Believer’
View's Joy Behar: We went from Walter Cronkite to this guy Joe Rogan... Who believes in dragons... He believes in DRAGONS!!!
Rogan response: That’s my new official X description, Rogan said, changing his new X bio to 'Dragon Believer'
Not like Dungeons and Dragons… More like Game of Thrones, Dragons…
#Rogan #Dragons
⚡️Trump selects Pam Bondi for attorney general after Matt Gaetz withdraws
Former AG of Florida, Bondi is a big supporter of Trump, who railed against Democrats after they labeled him a felon.
#TrumpPicks
‘The use of ‘Oreshnik’ [strike] may force the West to start hinting at negotiations’ — Ramzan Kadyrov on Telegram
“It is time to give a powerful blow also to the targets of those states that are afraid to openly admit their participation in the conflict,” Kadyrov said.
#Russia #Ukraine
SPECIAL COVERAGE: ‘This is a dramatic escalation’, Arnaud Develay on Ukraine
Vladimir Putin has addressed the nation after long-range Western weapons were used against Russia.
RT discuss the latest with political consultant and human rights defender, Arnaud Develay.
#Russia #Ukraine
‘UK forces are ready to face Russia tonight’ — British Deputy Chief Rob Magowan
This was his response when MPs asked him ‘how many British brigades could get to NATO's eastern flank’ in the event of a major escalation with Russia.
#UK #Russia #Ukraine
