Ukrainian law enforcement looking for ex-president’s son over draft-dodging
The eldest son of former Ukrainian President Pyotr Poroshenko, Aleksey Poroshenko, is being sought by law enforcement for dodging the military draft, several Ukrainian media outlets reported on Wednesday, citing sources in the armed forces.
Aleksey Poroshenko ignored two notices to report to a conscription office back in October. Poroshenko, his wife, daughter and son live in London and Singapore.
#Ukraine
Muhammad becomes most popular baby name in England
Muhammad topped the list of baby boy names in England and Wales for 2023 with 4,661 babies, up 484 from 2022. Noah dropped to second (4,382), and Oliver took third (3,556).
The Muslim communities in the UK keep growing, driven by immigration. Though according to some papers, the popularity of sports icons like Mo Farah, Mohamed Salah, and Muhammad Ali, are likely internal contributors to the rise.
#UK
Americans' phone data hacked by China in major telecom attack
A Chinese hacking group known as "Salt Typhoon" has stolen metadata from a "large number" of Americans through a broad cyberespionage campaign, a senior US official said, adding that the breach of telecommunications infrastructure is still ongoing.
The campaign has impacted dozens of companies globally, including at least eight in the US, such as Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Lumen, from which hackers could access details like call recipients, duration, and location.
#US #China
China sanctions 13 US military firms over Taiwan arms sales
China has imposed sanctions on 13 US defense companies and six executives in response to a $387 million arms sale to Taiwan by the Biden administration.
The sanctions target entities like RapidFlight and Cyberlux Corporation, as well as individuals including Raytheon's Naval Power president Barbara Borgonovi and BRINC Drones' CEO Blake Resnick.
#China #US
Russian FM spox Maria Zakharova's Maltese visa was annulled due to objections from Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia – local media
#Russia #OSCE
❗️South Korean police investigating President Yoon Suk Yeol for alleged "insurrection" following his declaration of martial law – AFP, citing senior police official
#SouthKorea
Russia’s Sergey Lavrov arrives to the annual summit of the OSCE foreign ministers
#OSCE #Russia
From spitting on that thang, to pumping and dumping that thang!
Haily Welch's catastrophic memecoin $HAWK crashed from $500mn to $40mn in mere hours, slightly longer than it took for the meme to cease being funny.
#HAWK
Ex-President Poroshenko’s son wanted for draft dodging amid out-of-control Ukraine mobilization
Ukrainian authorities are reportedly seeking Aleksey Poroshenko, the eldest son of former President Petro Poroshenko, for evading the military draft, according to armed forces sources cited by local media.
The development comes as Ukraine intensifies its mobilization efforts amidst mounting casualties and ongoing Russian advances in Donbass.
#Kiev
A large migrant caravan is moving north through Escuintla, Mexico, toward the United States
There's still 46 days until January 20…
#Migrants
Could Hunter’s pardon become Biden’s political peril?
Former Judge Andrew Napolitano explains that as Hunter accepted the pardon, he forfeits his Fifth Amendment rights related to the pardoned offenses and would have to answer questions from the House Oversight Committee about his business dealings and his father's ties - or risk potential legal consequences for noncompliance.
#Biden
Trump taps crypto-friendly lawyer for SEC chair - oh btw, Bitcoin passed $100K today
The president-elect nominated Paul Atkins, a veteran Washington attorney who has advocated for the use of digital assets, to be chairman of the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
The nomination comes as Bitcoin hit a new high of $103K, driven by hopes that the Trump admin will ease regulations on crypto, which have been hindered in particular by outgoing SEC chair Gary Gensler.
#Bitcoin
Russian Soyuz 2.1b roars into space from Plesetsk Cosmodrome
#Roscosmos
Cold War on heat! Russian Deputy FM to CNN on escalation risks
“We haven’t experienced anything like this in the past, not even during the height of the Cold War,” Sergey Ryabkov told CNN while discussing the escalating tensions between Russia and the West.
#RussianMFA
Wakey, wakey, Mr. President: Biden appears to doze off during a meeting with African leaders in Angola
Pardoning his son for the crimes Trump was impeached for attempting to uncover must be exhausting.
#Angola
❗️French President Emmanuel Macron accepts resignation of PM Michel Jean Barnier
#France
❗️Watch: Timeline of Russia’s Autumn offensive in DPR
#SMO #Russia
❗️‘One cannot become truly successful, unless one becomes fully self-sufficient’ – Vladimir Putin addresses the Russian Security Council
#Putin
Javier Milei hosts right-wing summit in Buenos Aires with Bolsonaro, Trump allies
Argentina's libertarian President Javier Milei is hosting a MAGA reunion in Buenos Aires with a South American flavor – the Conservative Action Political Conference – featuring former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro and allies of US President-elect Donald Trump.
Notable right-wing guests include Lara Trump, Steve Bannon, Ben Shapiro, Kari Lake, and Vox party leader Santiago Abascal – some of whom are expected to speak via video.
At the opening gala, Milei has already managed to bust out Trump's YMCA dance and rail against the rise of socialism in the world.
#Milei #Bolsonaro #Trump
❗️Czechia's Druzhba oil pipeline supply cut off for the second day — Czech News Agency
#Czechia #Druzhba
Footage: Argentinian seniors clash with cops over medication cuts
Elderly Argentinians scuffle with Buenos Aires cops as they protest against the govt's decision to limit access to free medications, essentially forcing pensioners to choose between buying food or medicine.
#Argentina
America's infrastructure: A Chinese code vulnerability?
90% of the software products used in critical US infrastructure – such as power grids, oil pipelines, and communications systems – rely on code written by Chinese developers, raising concerns about possible cyberattacks, a recent report by Fortress Information Security shows.
The IT security firm found over 9,000 vulnerabilities across more than 2,000 software products, with the majority linked to just 20 pieces of code.
What could go wrong?
#Beijing
Biden weighing pre-emptive pardons for Fauci, Cheney, and Schiff to shield from Trump’s fury — Report
The White House is considering pre-emptive pardons for Dr. Anthony Fauci, former Rep. Liz Cheney, and Senator-elect Adam Schiff amid concerns that Trump may launch criminal investigations into his political opponents after taking office, Politico reports.
Fauci has faced accusations of lying to Congress regarding Covid-19, while Cheney and Schiff were key figures in investigations related to Trump's role in the January 6th Capitol riot and alleged Russian collusion.
Still, Biden's team is wary of the potential backlash, while Trump himself has repeatedly said he opposes retaliation against his political rivals.
#47
West completely rejects Russia's reasons behind SMO – Deputy FM Ryabkov to CNN
Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister calls out Western leaders for completely rejecting the reasons that tragically forced Russia into SMO in Ukraine.
#RussianMFA
Moment huge boulder slams into pickup on highway in Peru killing three people
Warning distressing content
#Peru
Oreshnik not just a messenger, but test of our capabilities – Russian Deputy FM to CNN
Sergey Ryabkov explained that if it weren't for Trump's first administration, which effectively destroyed the INF treaty, Russia would not have the Oreshnik missile in its arsenal.
#RussianMFA
Russia-Pakistan relationship is not out to harm anyone or go against anyone's interests – Pakistan's Energy Minister on bilateral ties
#Pakistan
Amnesty International accuses Israel of genocide in Gaza, citing violations of historic convention
The human rights group stated Israel’s actions during the ongoing conflict meet the legal criteria set out in the 1948 Genocide Convention.
Amnesty claims that the IDF’s actions have resulted in indiscriminate killings, serious harm, and deliberate conditions aimed at destroying Palestinians in Gaza.
Israel has not officially commented on the report but has previously rejected all genocide charges, saying that criticizing its war is anti-Semitic.
#Gaza
Ukraine signals readiness for peace talks with Russia but stipulates conditions — Report
Ukrainian officials are holding talks with the incoming administration to address differences over the conflict with Russia and signal their readiness for peace, sources told the Wall Street Journal.
Andrey Yermak, Zelensky’s top adviser, is meeting key Trump aides, including chief of staff Susie Wiles, in Washington. While the Trump team remains wary of Ukraine’s NATO membership, Keith Kellogg, Trump’s special envoy for Russia, has backed continued US arms shipments to strengthen leverage with Moscow.
“Ukraine seeks a sustainable peace,” a source said, stressing that a temporary resolution would not serve US or Ukrainian interests.
#WSJ
Vancouver stabbing suspect shot by cops in convenience store
Two people suffered non-life-threatening injuries after a man stole liquor and a knife from a restaurant before attacking people in a 7-Eleven store. The suspect later died in hospital.
#OhCanada
