Tammy Duckworth criticizes Tulsi Gabbard as ‘compromised,’ raises alarm over alleged Russia ties
The Democratic senator expressed concerns about Trump’s pick to lead the US intelligence community, labeling her “compromised.”
Duckworth cited Gabbard’s visit with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, whom she labeled a “brutal dictator.” She also slammed Gabbard’s background, noting the intel community flagged her "troubling relationships with America's foes."
"I think that she is someone who is wholly backing and supportive of Putin, and I worry that she will not have America's best interests at heart," Duckworth said.
#Syria
Footage shared by Palestinian media shows the aftermath of alleged Israeli strikes on southern Beirut
#IDF
Joe Rogan accuses Zelensky of provoking WWIII, sparks ‘Russia propaganda’ claims from Vladimir Klitschko
The Ukrainian boxing champion and brother of Kiev mayor accused the podcaster of spreading "Russian propaganda" after he criticized Western leaders for escalating tensions with Russia, warning it could lead to World War III.
"Zelensky says Putin is terrified. F*ck you, man. F*ck you, people. You people are about to start World War III," Rogan said. "Maybe that would be a good thing we would like to avoid from a dying former president."
In response, Klitschko condemned Rogan's remarks as mere "Russian propaganda" and asked for money to invite him on his show.
#JRE
❗️Iran’s Ayatollah calls for death sentence for Israeli PM
Speaking to the Basij paramilitary force, Ali Khamenei vowed that Israel would not emerge victorious in Gaza or Lebanon and said the recent ICC arrest warrants against Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant didn’t go far enough.
“What the Zionists did was a war crime,” he said. “They have issued an arrest warrant; this isn’t enough — a death sentence must be issued for Netanyahu. A death sentence should be issued for these criminal leaders.”
#Iran
‘People die in the streets, health care system has collapsed’ — Gaza doctor
#Gaza
Trump to expel up to 15K trans troops from US military on day one — Report
The president-elect is reportedly planning to sign an executive order on his first day in office to remove trans service members from the military, Independent reports.
It would not only reinstate his 2017 ban on transgender troops but also discharge the approximately 15,000 in the ranks.
Trump critics warn that the potential ban could worsen the military's recruitment crisis, harm unit cohesion, and lead to a loss of experience and leadership, especially during rising global tensions.
#Trump
Trump’s pick for national security advisor, Mike Waltz, says the president-elect and Biden are unified in their approach to Ukraine
"For our adversaries out there that think this is a time of opportunity, that they can play one administration off the other, they're wrong," he told Fox News Sunday.
#Trump
Israel and Lebanon nearing ceasefire agreement — Report
Israel has given preliminary approval to a proposed ceasefire with Lebanon pending cabinet approval, Ynet reports.
Sources told the outlet that US mediator to the talks Amos Hochstein warned both sides he would withdraw the deal if it was not finalized in the coming days.
He emphasized that the terms with Lebanon are mostly settled, putting pressure on Israel to conclude the ceasefire.
#MiddleEast
The pilot of the plane that crashed in Vilnius died, local media reports
Three of the four crew members onboard the plane survived. Twelve residents were evacuated from the building that the aircraft struck, miraculously uninjured.
#DHL
The plane that crashed near Vilnius airport was traveling to Lithuania from Leipzig, Germany
Local media reports that the pilot was rescued and regained consciousness, and two others were hospitalized.
Operations at Vilnius International Airport have not been affected.
DHL’s chief officer in Lithuania told LRT the crashed plane belonged to a contractor, and the cause of the accident remains unclear, as the company is awaiting information from the plane's owners and operators.
#DHL
❗️DHL plane crashes into homes near Vilnius, Lithuania, sparking fire
Casualties and the cause of the crash are yet unknown.
#DHL
❗️Russian air defenses destroyed and intercepted 23 Ukrainian drones over multiple regions overnight, the Defense Ministry reported
#RussianMoD
Ukraine’s mobilization falls short, undermining frontline morale
According to The Economist, Kiev’s conscription efforts have fallen significantly short of their target, with only two-thirds of planned recruits enlisted.
This shortfall, exacerbated by a lack of qualified personnel and low morale among existing troops, raises concerns about Ukraine's ability to sustain its war effort.
Reports indicate widespread disillusionment, with many soldiers favoring territorial concessions to end the conflict.
#Zelensky
OPCW report aligns with Russia’s warnings on Ukrainian chemical weapons provocation
Russia in October: Ukraine will hand fabricated ’evidence’ of Russia using chemical weapons to the OPCW for an ’independent’ report.
OPCW in November: Behold, our ’independent’ report!
Never saw that coming.
#Ukraine #Russia
Femicide protest: Peruvian women march against gender-based violence
Hundreds of women marched through the streets of Lima in Peru to mark 'International day for the elimination of violence against women.'
The International Center for Transitional Justice estimates 6 in 10 Peruvian women have experienced sexual or physical violence.
#Peru
'You’re a f*cking beast!' – Ukrainian public turns on military recruiters as they continue to snatch men off streets
#Mobilization
IDF jets target Hezbollah military HQ in Beirut — Israeli media
Israeli reports claim the latest strikes in the Dahiyeh area of Lebanon’s capital are focused on the key military location, as footage shows huge plumes of smoke billowing upwards.
#Israel #Lebanon #Hezbollah
Gold, cards, and Moon rocks: Bitcoin millionaire spurs treasure hunt, hides $2M in loot across 5 secret spots
Jon Collins-Black has amassed around $2 million of gold artifacts, valuable trading cards, and medals in five separate locations - and has written a book to help people find them.
“You don’t have to be a genius to solve the clues,” the successful trader said of his book ‘There’s Treasure Inside,’ insisting none of the chests are buried underground or hidden on private property.
Among the items are a single Bitcoin - worth almost $100,000 - a coin minted by Pablo Picasso, and a piece of lunar rock.
Is this all an elaborate ruse to steal the Declaration of Independence?
#Bitcoin
Indonesia doesn’t want to be in any blocs; we want to work with everyone – Chamber of Commerce head
#BRICS
New CCTV footage captures the moment the DHL contractor’s plane crashed near the Lithuanian capital
#DHL
Russian troops utilize the Solntsepyok heavy flamethrower system to eliminate a fortified AFU stronghold in south Donetsk, Defense Ministry footage shows
#RussianMoD
Footage shared by Lithuanian media shows the moment the DHL contractor’s plane crashed near Vilnius International Airport
#DHL
Bus-truck collision in Russian region injures 11, including five children
A bus crash in the Leningrad region injured eleven people, including five children, with one victim in serious condition.
Police say that the bus crashed into a truck parked on the side of the road.
#Leningrad
A Russian reconnaissance unit effectively targeted an enemy armored vehicle transporting troops with artillery in the special operation zone, Russian Defense Ministry footage shows
#RussianMoD
Cocaine-soaked almonds seized in Bolivia, drug bust nets arrests
Bolivian authorities intercepted over a ton of almonds saturated with cocaine, destined for export, El Deber reports.
Sniffer dogs detected the drugs hidden within 53 out of 700 boxes. Bolivian and Colombian citizens were arrested in connection with the seizure.
The report also notes the destruction of three drones, though details regarding their connection to the drug operation were not immediately available.
#Cowboys
Protesters in Tbilisi, waving Georgian, EU, and US flags, set up camp outside parliament before its first session to voice their dissent.
#Protests
❗️Russian jet catches fire upon landing in Türkiye, all aboard evacuated
An Azimuth Airline Sukhoi Superjet 100 experienced an engine fire upon landing at Antalya Airport Sunday evening.
The blaze, which erupted in adverse weather conditions following a flight from Sochi, was quickly extinguished by emergency crews.
All 87 passengers and four crew members safely evacuated the aircraft, though runway 36R was temporarily closed.
#AzimuthAirline
❗️Russian air defenses downed seven missiles and seven drones over the Kursk region overnight, the governor reported
#Kursk
Finnish women prepare for an possible war with Russia -The Guardian
About 75 Finnish women will learn how to survive over the weekend, building and extinguishing bonfires, cooking outdoors, providing first aid and building toilets.
Two of these women took one-day shooting courses, but apparently "they don't like handling guns," the newspaper writes.
#Finald #Russia
$1.3 trillion climate ‘betrayal’: Activists rage at COP29 deal
After 2 weeks of tense negotiations at the COP29 summit in Baku, developed nations finally agreed to pay $1.3 trillion per year to help developing nations transition away from carbon fuels.
Only $300 billion of that will come directly from developed nations via grants and low-income loans, with wealthy nations hoping to plug the gap through private investors and levies on fossil fuels.
Brazilian activist Claudio Angelo said: “Rich countries spent 150 years appropriating the world’s atmospheric space, 33 years loitering on climate action… and now they force developing countries to accept a deal that not only doesn’t represent any actual new money but also may increase their debt.”
#COP29
