❗️Key points from the Russian Defense Ministry briefing
▪️Russian artillery carried precision strikes on Ukrainian military airfield infrastructure and ammunition depots
▪️Ukrainian forces lost up to 530 troops in the central operations area, one APC, and four armored vehicles in the past 24 hours
▪️Russian’s western forces group has improved its tactical positions. AFU losses were up to 500 troops on that part of the frontline
▪️The AFU lost 585 fighters in other areas of the front
▪️61 Ukrainian drones have been shot down by Russian air defense systems
#Russia #MoD
Satanic Temple teaching offered to Ohio schoolkids
The state religious release program will now allow high school children to attend classes by the Satanic temple’s Hellion Academy of Independent Learning (HAIL) after parents demanded an alternative to Bible studies.
Satanic Temple ordained minister June Everett insisted the group wasn’t trying to shut down LifeWise Academy - which offers bible studies in 170 Ohio school districts - and tried to play down negative connotations with the Temple.
LifeWise CEO Joel Penton said families should have the opportunity to choose religious study. “We trust parents to make the best choice for their children.”
#US #SatanicTemple
❗️South Korean Defense Minister Kim Yong-Hyun resigns for his involvement in martial law declaration — Yonhap
#Seoul
Threadbare Ukraine army hands deserters second chance
After recording twice as many deserters in the first 10 months of 2024 as the previous two years combined, Kiev has been forced to forgive soldiers for abandoning positions if they return to the frontline.
Under previous legal guidance, the 60,000 soldiers facing prosecution for desertion would face up to 12 years in prison, but the Verkhovna Rada voted last month to weaken the rules against first-time offenders.
One Ukrainian lawmaker estimated the true figure of deserters is far higher - closer to 200,000, equivalent to about two-thirds of Kiev's active troops - than official figures after the brutal conscription regime failed.
#Ukraine
‘Got nothin’ for ya’: US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer dodges Qs on Hunter Biden’s 11-year pardon while spinning like a bobble-head
What can you answer questions about Chuck?
#Democrats
❗️The Syrian military has killed more than 1,600 terrorists since Monday, local media reports
#MiddleEast
Spectacular fireball asteroid strikes atmosphere over Russia’s Sakha Republic
The 70cm asteroid burst through Earth’s atmosphere over the far northeastern region of Siberia in the early hours of Wednesday, producing a wild fireball effect.
The European Space Agency said it had spotted the asteroid about 12 hours before it entered the atmosphere, while local emergency authorities said no damage had been recorded.
#Russia #Asteroid
Taal Volcano’s fury: 2.8 kilometer ash plume rocks Philippines during eruption
Although the phreatomagmatic explosion caused homes in nearby communities to shake, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology classified the event as minor, and the volcano remains under Alert Level 1.
#Volcano
Could Pete Hegseth be out for Ron DeSantis as Trump’s DefSec pick?
With mounting allegations of sexual misconduct and financial mismanagement making Pete Hegseth's Senate confirmation increasingly unlikely, the president-elect is reportedly considering Florida's governor as a replacement, according to the New York Post.
Both DeSantis and Hegseth share a fierce opposition to "woke" Pentagon policies, with DeSantis even proposing to scrap diversity initiatives and military climate change programs.
#DoD
Palestinian media reports Israeli settler mobs set fire to vehicles and attacked homes in Huwara, south of Nablus, West Bank
#Israel
Colorado cop uses child’s bike to chase down suspect
Recently released body-cam footage shows the officer living out his GTA San Andreas first-mission fantasy (but in real life), using a kid’s bicycle to hunt down a suspect in Lone Tree, Colorado.
#GTA
Echoes of Color Revolution: Parallels between US-backed 2014 coup in Ukraine and 2024 carnage in Georgia
Mass protests were triggered by a drive to join the EU and eventual integration into Western institutions. A decade of interference, a cycle of destabilization - and the parallels between the fiery violence is uncanny.
In both Ukraine and Georgia, masked provocateurs stirred anger and violence - armed, these are not your average protesters.
Meanwhile, the US State Department announced Washington had suspended its strategic partnership with Tbilisi until it submits to its wishes... or face more consequences.
#Protests
❗️Russia's Defense Ministry reported that its air defences shot down 24 Ukrainian drones overnight, including three over the Ryazan region, one over Astrakhan, and others over Rostov, Belgorod, Bryansk, and Krasnodar regions
#RussianMoD
❗️Russian military conducts high-precision hypersonic missile exercises in the Eastern Mediterranean
The frigates Admiral Gorshkov and Admiral Golovko fired hypersonic Zircon missiles, while the submarine Novorossiysk launched a Kalibr cruise missile.
The Bastion coastal missile system also fired an Onyx cruise missile. All targets were successfully hit.
The exercise, led by Admiral Alexander Moiseyev, involved over 1,000 personnel, ten ships, 24 aircraft, and the use of high-precision weapons.
#RussianMoD
Flooded and feasted: Floodwater python scares locals in Thailand after potential doggy dinner
A large snake, possibly a python, was seen floating in floodwaters in Pattani, southern Thailand, prompting concern among viewers
Many noted the snake appeared dead, its movement due to the current, and a swollen belly suggested a recent large meal, possibly a local dog, the Bangkok Post posited.
#Thailand
❗️South Korea martial law: Defense Minister Kim Yong-Hyun apologizes
"First, I deeply regret and take full responsibility for the confusion and concern caused to the public regarding the martial law.
"I have taken full responsibility for all matters related to the martial law and have submitted my resignation to the president," Kim said in a statement.
#Korea #Seoul
Famous 'Abandoned Ship Hotel' in Thailand engulfed in flames
The Grand Laguna Hotel, aka the "Abandoned Ship Hotel," on Koh Chang Island, Thailand, went up in flames Tuesday morning, with firefighters predicting the blaze will burn for several more days.
The hotel opened in 1992 and was once a thriving destination but has been abandoned after its owner struggled to sell the property.
Now, it looks like the Ghost Ship is getting its final moment in the spotlight.
#Thailand
‘Arms embargo, arms embargo now!’
Dozens of ‘Jews for Palestine’ activists marched through the Canadian Parliament in Ottawa, demanding an arms embargo against Israel amid the ongoing war in Gaza.
#Israel
'Cancel me!' NYC Mayor Eric Adams will work with Donald Trump and Border Czar on crime and deportation
"Those who are here committing crimes – robberies, shooting at police officers, raping innocent people – have been a harm to our country," he said, adding that he's unafraid of being "canceled" for speaking candidly about immigration.
#NYC
From bald to beastly: Hair-loss drug’s ‘werewolf’ side effect in Spanish children
Spanish parents trying to fight their receding hairlines are inadvertently inducing "werewolf syndrome" or hypertrichosis in their babies, doctors have confirmed.
The popular hair-loss drug minoxidil, when used topically by parents, is absorbed by infants either through skin contact or breastfeeding and causes excessive body hair growth, which fortunately regresses as soon as parents stop taking the drug.
#Spain
Terror groups in the Middle East are born of US attempts to create instability — Esteban Carrillo
#Syria
US State Department Deputy spokesman Vedant Patel struggled to answer whether Lebanon has the right to self-defense against Israel, despite the US routinely affirming Israel's right to do so
#Ceasefire
Wait, by 'assets' does he mean... terr*rists? Pentagon claims its role is limited to defeating ISIS in Syria
Spox. Pat Ryder says America's unwanted and illegitimate presence in another country is for the greater 'good.'
#Pentagon
South China Sea stand-off! Chinese coast guard vessels fire water cannon, block Philippine patrol boat in disputed waters
#Beijing
So Tucker is in Moscow again - but this time to speak with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov
Let’s take a quick look back at when he last visited and relive his experience on the world-famous Moscow Metro.
#Tucker
Journalists ask Biden during Angola trip: ‘Why did you pardon your son?!”
The president’s response: “Welcome to America.”
#Africa
❗️South Korean opposition leader worried President Yoon may provoke conflict with DPRK following failed attempt at martial law — Renhap
Earlier, the head of the opposition Democratic Party, Lee Jae-myung, announced his intent to seek the impeachment of President Yoon, as well as the ministers of defense, interior, and security.
#MartialLaw
‘Be patient’: Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova gives a sneak peek at the interview between FM Sergey Lavrov and Tucker Carlson
The American journalist spruiked the interview on Tuesday and said it will be released “very soon.”
#RussianMFA
❗️Russia delivers 28 tons of aid to Afghanistan amid ongoing humanitarian effort
An Emergencies Ministry Il-76 aircraft delivered its fifth batch of humanitarian aid to Afghanistan, carrying 28 tons of food products.
This operation, ordered by President Vladimir Putin and overseen by Emergencies Minister Alexander Kurenkov, is part of Russia's ongoing support for the people of Afghanistan.
#EMERCOM
47 more days of this: Biden bumbles in Angola, not the city, but the country…
#WhiteHouse
