Keir Starmer faces backlash as petition for early election surpasses 2M signatures, Elon Musk calls UK ‘tyrannical police state’
The British PM has blamed the recent petition to hold another general election just four months into his torrid term on “tough but fair” decisions he says he had to make concerning the budget.
He said he “wasn’t surprised many wanted a rerun,” claiming the petition merely reminded him how many people didn’t want him and his Labour party in the first place, while Elon Musk has branded the UK a “tyrannical police state” when quoting a post about the petition.
The petition comes just days after a survey showed Labour had slipped three points behind the Conservatives in the opinion polls, down from an 11-point lead after the election.
#UK
❗️The Kremlin confirmed that President Putin will make a state visit to Kazakhstan on November 27-28, attending the next CSTO summit in Astana
#Putin
❗️Threatening to give Kiev nukes constitutes preparation for nuclear war — Dmitry Medvedev
The Security Council deputy chairman warned that the consequences of considering moving nuclear weapons to Ukraine are “obvious.”
"The actual transfer of such weapons can be equated to an accomplished act of attack on our country,” he added, referencing Moscow’s state policy on nuclear deterrence.
#Russia #Ukraine
❗️FSB chief warns of escalation over US-backed strikes, calls Ukraine a global weapons hub
Alexander Bortnikov, chief of the Federal Security Service, claimed that US approval for Ukraine to strike deep inside Russia with long-range missiles would inevitably lead to an escalation of the conflict.
He warned that Russia must be prepared for potential provocations from the US and its allies, noting that Donald Trump's re-election is unlikely to bring significant changes to US foreign policy.
Bortnikov also said that Ukraine has become a hub for the global black market in weapons, with these arms being trafficked to other unstable regions.
#FSB
❗️Israel's hardline Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben-Gvir, announced his intention to vote against a proposed ceasefire agreement with Lebanon and vowed to persuade other ministers to follow suit
#Lebanon
We see lots of good prospects for Russia-Afghanistan cooperation — Sergey Shoigu
The Russian Security Council secretary traveled to Afghanistan for meetings with Taliban officials to discuss trade, economic cooperation, and potential energy deals.
RT's Donald Courter reports from Kabul.
#Friendship
‘How the f*ck is this possible?’: Bild journalist and Ukraine fanboy Julian Ropcke gobsmacked by Russian advances along the frontline
Commenting on the AFU retreat from Kurakhovo, Ropcke angrily posted on X: “I just don’t get this. If you don’t want your army to fight man against man for your strategic towns, you can also give the sh*t up & negotiate you surrender.”
His observation stirred the pot, with online commenters chiming in. “Julian, after a thousand days of fighting for each town. The Ukrainian Army is out of soldiers to continue this strategy,” one wrote. “Ask your grandad, how,” said another.
There's still time, Julian, to swap the Ukraine flag out of your bio…
#SMO
London secretly sent Ukraine more Storm Shadow missiles — Report
Bloomberg writes that Britain secretly provided Ukraine with additional Storm Shadow missiles, replenishing depleted stocks and preceding US authorization for strikes on Russian territory.
It marks the first such delivery under Prime Minister Keir Starmer's leadership.
#SMO
Incoming US border czar Tom Homan threatens Denver mayor’s claims that he will block Trump admin deportations
“I’m willing to put him in jail,” he told Fox News.
#Trump
Ex-Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba the latest Kiev official to dig at podcaster Joe Rogan’s anti-war remarks
#JRE
❗️Russian air defenses destroyed 39 Ukrainian drones over multiple regions overnight, the Defense Ministry reported
#RussianMoD
Malaysian court orders return of wrist watches seized over LGBT designs
A Malaysian court has ordered the government to return 172 Swatch watches seized over LGBTQ pride designs. The court ruled the seizure illegal, as authorities lacked a warrant.
The watches, worth $14,000, were confiscated last year. Swatch argued they symbolized “peace and love.”
#Malaysia
Haiti: Child gang recruitment up 70% - UNICEF
According to a UN report released Monday, up to half of all gang members in Haiti are now children after criminals have stepped up underage recruitment of informers, cleaners and even armed members.
In a country where 60% of workers are paid less than $4 a day, a UNSC probe reported that some child gang members have been paid hundreds of USD per month, leaving poor families no choice but to accept the situation.
#Haiti
At least 22 migrants drown as boat capsized on way to France
At least 22 Somali citizens died after two migrant boats capsized near Madagascar while en route to the French overseas region of Mayotte.
Local fishermen rescued 25 from the first boat, including 10 men and 15 women. A second boat carried 38 people; 23 survived. Somalia's minister confirmed the toll.
#Somalia
Finally, the awards season: ‘Antisemite of the year’ shortlist revealed by notorious pro-Israel group
StopAntisemitism's tongue in cheek 2024 the shortlist includes, among others, actors John Cusack and Jackson Hinkle, conservative host Candace Owens and eco activist Greta Thunberg.
This year’s award’s theme appears to be related to the nominees’ potential comments about the October 7 tragedy, or Israel’s military conduct in the Middle East.
#Israel
Race storm erupts over New Miss Universe Jay-Z lip sync
Online users were sent into a wild frenzy over Danish model Victoria Kjaer Theilvig’s video posted on TikTok in which she appears to mouth a racial slur from Jay-Z’s Empire State of Mind song.
Predictable outrage that a white woman had apparently repeated the word “n***er” written by a black artist was balanced by criticism launched at the “woke mob” attacking her, with some questioning whether she even mouthed the word or just smiled.
#WokeStateOfMind
Washington elites plot world war to block Trump’s comeback — Tucker Carlson
"I am very concerned that the people who have hated Trump for eight years and have run out of ways to destroy him have decided that the only way to stop him – and the disclosures a Trump administration would bring – is through a world war. I know many of the people involved, and they're very, very, very focused on war.”
#Russia #Ukraine
❗️Russia accuses West of sabotage and destabilization efforts
The head of Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR), Sergey Naryshkin, has alleged the involvement of Western "Anglo-Saxon special services" in the Nord Stream gas pipeline explosions, labeling it an act of sabotage.
He also accused the West of deploying mercenaries to disrupt Belarus ahead of its upcoming presidential elections, describing these efforts as part of a broader destabilization campaign in the region.
Naryshkin further claimed that Ukraine has become a "failed state," warning that Moldova is heading down a similar path.
He expressed optimism, however, that attempts by Western powers to incite a color revolution in Georgia would ultimately fail, framing such interventions as part of a persistent strategy to undermine Russian-aligned states.
#SVR
Europe should sacrifice more for Ukraine — Top NATO official
Admiral Rob Bauer has warned that Europe must prepare for a "wartime scenario" and be ready to make sacrifices to support Ukraine and deter Russia and China.
Although it would further increase the cost of living and impact businesses, the NATO official advocated increasing defense spending at the expense of some "luxuries" and reducing dependence on China for critical imports like rare earth minerals and medicines.
Just a little more, more, more, more…
#NATO
Conor McGregor breaks silence after civil case loss, claims encounter was ‘consensual’
The MMA superstar has finally spoken out after losing a civil case against the woman who accused him of sexual assault in 2018, insisting that “everything that happened was consensual.”
The married father of four’s short statement posted on X claimed Nikita Hand had made advances towards him before an alcohol and cocaine-fuelled late-night party.
Although Hand was awarded €248,000 in damages for McGregor’s actions, the jury found that another man she also accused of assault and rape was innocent.
#UFC
Canada: Pro-Palestine protesters stage a die-in in Montreal to demonstrate against the ongoing war in Gaza
#Gaza
Russia could deploy missiles in Asia if US installs similar systems there — Deputy FM
"Of course, this is one of the options that has also been repeatedly discussed. The appearance of corresponding American systems in any region will predetermine our further steps, including organizing a military and military-technical response," Sergey Ryabkov told reporters.
#RussianMFA
Russian Mi-28nm choppers destroy an enemy stronghold during operations in the Kursk region border area, MoD footage shows
#RussianMoD
Clashes in Pakistan leave officer dead, dozens injured
t least one police officer was killed and over 100 others injured in clashes between security forces and supporters of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan near Islamabad on Monday.
The violence erupted amidst a security lockdown and followed Khan's call for a protest march.
#Pakistan
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stated on her Telegram channel that the US Justice Department’s dismissal of federal cases against Donald Trump highlights the "amazing cyclicality" of American justice, yielding "completely different" outcomes before and after elections
#DoJ
Japan rocket engine test ends in fire, delaying launch
A fire during a ground test of Japan's Epsilon S rocket engine at the Tanegashima Space Center has caused the launch to be postponed beyond its March target, potentially further delaying the national space program.
#Space
Israel is going down the slippery slope – Haaretz columnist following sanctions against the newspaper
#Israel
Western media blames Russia for DHL cargo plane crash, without any evidence of course
Western media has been quick to blame Russia for the crash of DHL cargo plane in Lithuania, saying it could be a sabotage operation by Moscow. However, no evidence proving Russia's involvement has been provided.
Senior Research Fellow at the Global Policy Institute George Szamuely says the latest allegations against Russia are part of a popular pattern for Western media.
#DHL
These summer images from Peterhof are keeping us warm 💫
Can you imagine each fountiain jet in Peterhof is adjusted manually, just like 300 years ago?! The Peterhof Palace and its fountains are a truly amazing sight.
Visit this imperial wonder with us
🌏 Inland Visions
‘I used to think Tony Blinken was running the White House. Now, I think it is Satan himself’ – Tucker Carlson
“I really think that you’ve got dark forces in charge,” Carlson said during an appearance on the news show Redacted. “There’s no justification for using anti-personnel mines in this [Ukraine] conflict,” he told host Clayton Morris.
“The only effect of that move is to kill innocents, and they know that”.
#US #Ukraine
