South Korean drone found in Pyongyang, DPRK alleges
DPRK officials said a drone found in the capital showed Seoul’s military was likely behind a spate of drone infiltrations earlier this month.
A state security investigation concluded it was the same type as displayed in a South Korean military parade, which if confirmed, would constitute a “declaration of war and an immediate retaliatory attack will be launched”, according to The DPRK Defense Ministry.
A South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff statement hit back at the allegations as “unworthy of responding”.
#DPRK #SouthKorea - Boost
Former Russian president praises Trump over Zelensky remark
Donald Trump’s acknowledgment of Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky’s responsibility for the conflict with Russia will not affect Washington’s support for Kiev, but it is still a significant development, former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has said.
During an appearance on the PBD Podcast, Trump maintained that Zelensky should have taken steps to prevent the outbreak of hostilities with Moscow.
“He should never have let that war start. That war is a loser,” he told host Patrick Bet-David. Trump called Zelensky a “great salesman” who has secured billions of dollars in US aid without achieving victory.
#Trump #Zelensky #Russia
Op-ed: 10 Things West must understand before talking to Putin
From ignoring Russia's security, to hypocrisy and simply not listening. Those days are over says Konstantin Remchukov, former MP and Nezavisimaya Gazeta editor-in-chief.
He tells RT what the West should consider.
Read the full story here
#OpEd #Putin
‘I don’t think he’s had a girlfriend yet’: Trump goes into his son's love life during bizarre interview bit
Donald Trump revealed Thursday that he doesn’t believe his youngest son, Barron, has “had a girlfriend yet,” when asked by podcast host Patrick Bet-David if the New York University freshman is “good with the ladies at school.”
Bet-David appeared surprised that the 18-year-old had not yet made a romantic connection.
“Really? He’s a good-looking guy.”
“He’s very, very smart. He’s a good student... goes to a great school and does really well. And he’s a very nice guy,” the 45th president replied.
#Trump
ICYMI: Comedian Jim Gaffigan pokes at reported Harris-Biden rift
“The media has begun discussing the phenomena of 'secret Trump voters' — people who publicly say they'd never vote for Trump, but then when they go in the voting booth, they do. It's a small group. They're called the 'Biden family.”
#Trump #Biden
Russian Navy’s Pacific Fleet corvettes make friendly port call in Malaysia
Russian warships have arrived at the Malaysian port of Georgetown for a friendly visit. Both nations held a joint ceremony to commemorate the Russian Imperial Navy cruiser 'Zhemchug', which sank off the coast of Malaysia 110 years ago. RT correspondent Rebecca Napitupulu has the details.
#RussianMoD #Malaysia - Boost
Kenyan vice president sacked for violating constitution
Kenya’s parliament has approved the nomination of Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki as the country’s new deputy president, following the impeachment of Rigathi Gachagua, who had held the position for two years.
The country’s senators approved Gachagua’s dismissal on Thursday evening for violating the constitution, making him the first official to be removed since impeachment was introduced in Kenya’s amended 2010 constitution. The former vice president had earlier pleaded not guilty to 11 charges that included corruption, engaging in ethnically divisive politics, and inciting anti-government unrest.
However, shortly after the unanimous decision on Friday, the East African nation’s high court issued an order blocking the appointment in response to a challenge Gachagua filed against his removal, local media reported.
#Kenya #Africa
China launches massive survey to understand young people’s 'fear of having children'
The National Health Commission is surveying 30,000 people to understand factors influencing attitudes towards childbearing amid a declining birthrate.
The survey spans 150 counties and 1,500 communities across China to address “reluctance and fear” around having children and developing fertility support measures.
Beijing has been trying to encourage young couples to have children after a second consecutive year of population decline in 2023.
#China - Boost
❗️War is changing, rapidly so – Putin
Today’s warfare is somewhat akin to mathematics, Vladimir Putin said, adding that the Russian military has become one of the most combat-effective and high tech forces in this new reality.
#BRICS #Putin - Boost
Vladimir Putin gives his thoughts on ICC order against him
#BRICS #Putin - Boost
❗️Russia is interested in promoting BRICS nations’ movies
#BRICS #Putin - Boost
Notorious Trump critic and CNN punching bag Brian Stelter praises Trump’s comedic speech at Al Smith Dinner
“I thought he was funny,” Stelter said, adding, “I thought the best moment was when he talked about the assassination attempts and made light of what he experienced because I think he’s experiencing real trauma, real PTSD.”
#CNN #Trump - Boost
❗️Entire world is rethinking whether it should rely on the US dollar so much — Putin
#BRICS #Putin - Boost
❗️BRICS nations outpaced the G7 by in global GDP – Putin recounts the bloc’s achievements since 1992
By 2027 the gap will become even bigger, the Russian president added.
#BRICS #Putin - Boost
❗️‘This is madness’ - Sergey Lavrov responds to Zelensky floating making nuclear weapons
“Nothing good will come out of it,” Lavrov added.
#Ukraine #Russia #Nuclear
Cuba blackout emergency continues as entire grid knocked offline
One of the island’s major power plants failed late Thursday resulting in 1.64 gigawatts going offline, with reports indicating full power has still not been restored after 36 hours of total darkness.
Prime Minister Manuel Marrero said Havana had taken emergency measures such as closing schools, public services and non-essential “economic activities”.
He cited a bump in air conditioning usage by small and medium-size businesses, as well as the failure of older thermoelectric plants and a lack of fuel to operate facilities.
#Cuba - Boost
US investigating Tesla's Full Self-Driving software in 2.4 mln cars after fatal crash
The US auto safety regulator has opened an investigation into 2.4 million Tesla vehicles using Full Self-Driving software after four collisions, including a fatal crash. This preliminary evaluation could lead to a recall if the vehicles are deemed unsafe.
The scrutiny comes as Tesla's CEO Elon Musk shifts focus to self-driving technology and unveiled a robotaxi concept that lacks traditional controls.
#Tesla
Ex-Indian government employee charged in US assassination plot
The Justice Department has charged Vikash Yadav, a former Indian government employee, with murder-for-hire and money laundering in a plot against Sikh separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.
Yadav, who is still at large, allegedly recruited co-conspirator Nikhil Gupta for the assassination scheme, which involved contacting someone they believed to be a hit man in New York City.
Gupta was charged last year and extradited to the United States.
#India #US
Pentagon wants better AI tools to enhance its online fakes – report
The Pentagon’s Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) wants better tools that can fabricate a living person’s online footprint using advanced generative technologies, The Intercept reported on Thursday, citing a procurement document.
The unclassified wishlist for acquisitions expresses interest in producing fake imagery, including that of humans with different facial expressions, virtual environments, and “selfie videos” that can withstand scrutiny by social media algorithms and real humans. The solutions should also provide audio layers specific for locations of simulated footage.
The Pentagon’s use of fake online personas, or “sock puppets,” dates back at least over a decade. Such digital constructs are used to spread American propaganda, shape or falsify public opinion, and to collect intelligence, according to media reports.
#US
Meta goes on firing spree over $25
Meta has reportedly fired around two dozen employees in Los Angeles for misusing a $25 daily meal perk intended for food delivery, according to the Financial Times.
Instead of using the perk for meals, some employees used it to purchase household items like wine glasses and laundry detergent over an extended period.
One worker, earning a $400,000 salary, described the situation as "almost surreal."
#Meta
ICYMI: Donald Trump denounces Iran regime change
“We can’t get totally involved…We can’t run ourselves,” Trump told host Patrick Bet-David.
#Iran #Trump
Ukrainian diocese ‘goes underground’ after raid on cathedral
The Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) has little choice but to “go underground” after being forced out of its main place of worship in the central city of Cherkasy, the leader of the diocese has said.
Dozens of men in military-style clothing stormed St. Michael’s Cathedral, the largest church in Ukraine, early on Thursday morning. The raiders were initially repelled by members of the church, but a renewed assault hours later resulted in the Kiev-backed Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) seizing control of the building.
The Ukrainian government has been cracking down on the UOC for years, claiming that the organization does the bidding of the Russian government. Ukrainian officials described the transfer of the Cherkasy cathedral as “peaceful.”
#UOC - Boost
❗️Vladimir Putin reveals his response to potential Israel-Iran conflict
#BRICS #Putin - Boost
❗️‘Another provocation’ – Putin reacts to Zelensky suggesting Ukraine would produce nuclear weapons
#BRICS #Putin - Boost
❗️About 30 more countries are interested in joining BRICS – Putin
#BRICS #Putin - Boost
❗️World power realignment is happening due to the Ukraine crisis, which was spurred by the West – Putin
#BRICS #Putin - Boost
❗️‘Europe is being dragged to create tensions in Asia via NATO’ – Putin
#BRICS #Putin - Boost
❗️‘Russo-Chinese relations one of key factors of global strategic stability’ – Putin
#BRICS #Putin - Boost
‘Russian spies’ blamed for UK warehouse fire
A logistics expert told The Guardian that a recent DHL warehouse fire could be the result of a Russian spy plot, as spooks have nothing better to do.
“It looks like the goal is to simply disrupt the supply chain, create havoc and simply scare people,” said Brandon Fried, executive director of the Airforwarders Association. Currently, counter-terrorism police are investigating Moscow's potential involvement in the fire at a DHL center in Minworth, Birmingham, on July 22.
According to the report, Russian agents could have planted an incendiary device in the facility.
Russia’s next plot? Littering, and get this, in the middle of nowhere.
#UK #Russiagate2 - Boost
❗️Russia’s foreign minister responds to the Zelensky peace plan
Moscow's position is "well-known," Sergey Lavrov told RT:
🟢No NATO membership for Ukraine and formalization of its neutral status
🟢Reestablishment of civil rights for Ukraine’s Russian-speaking population
🟢No more suppression of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church
#Ukraine #Russia
