Soaring energy costs deepen UK’s cost-of-living crisis as Ofgem raises price cap… again
Millions of British households will face even higher energy bills starting in January, as regulator Ofgem announced a 1.2% increase in the domestic price cap.
This hike is attributed to persistently high wholesale energy prices, driven by supply concerns related to the ongoing Middle East conflict and the anticipated halt of Russian gas flows to Europe via Ukraine by year-end.
The increase is particularly troubling for families already grappling with the cost of living, especially after British inflation surged above the Bank of England's 2% target last month. Consumer groups have already warned that prices remain unmanageable for millions of customers.
#UK
❗️London’s Gatwick Airport evacuates part of south terminal due to ‘security incident’ — Sky News
Details to come.
#UK
UK won’t comment on potential arrest of Netanyahu following ICC warrants
The home secretary declined to comment on whether Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would face arrest in the UK following the ICC's issuance of warrants for alleged war crimes in Gaza.
Yvette Cooper told Sky News it "wouldn't be appropriate for me to comment" on the processes involved.
#Israel
Thursday's strike on a weapons factory in Dnepropetrovsk marked the first use of a new hypersonic intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM), according to Russian President Vladimir Putin
The Oreshnik, ‘Hazel,’ travels at Mach 10 and can reach anywhere in Europe within 20 minutes.
#Hazel
The Council of Europe is used by third parties to pressure those who refuse to comply, namely Moscow and Minsk, Russian FM Sergey Lavrov said at a joint meeting with Belarusian diplomats
#RussianMFA
Senior Russian MP warns West against provoking ‘missile crisis’ in Ukraine conflict
The West is “playing with fire” with its actions in the Ukraine conflict, senior State Duma MP Leonid Slutsky said on Telegram.
He cautioned that it is unwise to "provoke" Russia and accused the West of pushing the world toward a new "missile crisis.”
"Given the presence of advanced weapons in the Russian Army, such as 'Oreshnik,’ it is better not to play with 'fire' and not even try to provoke!" Slutsky wrote.
#Duma
Senate Republican Leader-Elect John Thune slams ICC arrest warrant for Bibi Netanyahu as ‘outrageous, unlawful, and dangerous’
He encouraged outgoing Senate Leader Chuck Schumer to bring a bill to the floor sanctioning the International Criminal Court for targeting Israel’s PM and ex-Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
#Senate
The US tries to impose a unilateral agenda worldwide — Russian FM Sergey Lavrov
The foreign minister said this while visiting Belarus.
#RussianMFA
US tightens sanctions on 50+ Russian banks, setting stage for policy clash under Trump
The US Treasury has imposed sweeping sanctions on Gazprombank, one of Russia's largest banks. The sanctions include halting its energy-related transactions through the US financial system, banning trade with Americans, and freezing US assets. Gazprombank, however, asserted that the measures would not impact its operations.
Additionally, 50 smaller Russian banks were sanctioned to restrict Russia’s access to global finance, a move Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said aims to curb the country’s efforts to "evade US sanctions."
The Biden administration may impose additional sanctions before leaving office, though President-elect Donald Trump could reverse them after taking power.
#Sanctions
Fake Florida Elon Musk scams grandma out of small fortune - but did he get catfished too?
Jeffrey Arthur Moynihan Jr, 56, operating under the guise of the world's richest man, befriended a 74-year-old Texas woman on Facebook in 2023 and promised a return of $55 million on her "investment" – a deal that, unsurprisingly, didn’t involve any actual returns.
When arrested, Moynihan claimed the stolen money was for a girlfriend he had only met online, suggesting that he might also be the victim of an even more tragic scam.
Police confirmed that the real Elon Musk was not involved in the incident, while Moynihan faces charges of grand theft.
#Florida
Russian Ka-52M helicopter crews launched strikes targeting Ukrainian forces and armored military equipment near the border of the Kursk region
#SMO
Palestinian media shares the aftermath of an Israeli air strike on the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza overnight
Five civilians were reportedly killed in the attack, and several others were injured.
#IDF
❗️The Russian Defense Ministry reported that its air defenses destroyed 23 Ukrainian drones overnight: 12 over Bryansk, nine over Kaluga, and two over Kursk regions
#RussianMoD
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says his government will enforce International Criminal Court arrest warrants should Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu or former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant visit Canada
"We will abide by all the regulations and rulings of the international courts."
#Canada
Former US Army officer Stanislav Krapivnik says Russia's hypersonic missile launch sends a ‘strong message’ to the United States following President Vladimir Putin's announcement of its use against Ukrainian military targets.
#Ukraine
❗️Chaos at London’s Gatwick Airport
The UK’s second-busiest airport is investigating an "ongoing" incident, emphasizing on X that the safety and security of passengers and staff remains its top priority.
Social media footage captured outside the terminal shows crowds of travelers moving away from the building.
“At present, the station and airport are being evacuated whilst the police are dealing with an incident. We would recommend delaying your journey until later this morning,” authorities said.
#UK
❗️New US sanctions against Gazprombank threaten Europe’s energy security, Hungary will not succumb to pressure, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said
#Sanctions
West pushes Iran to resume nuclear talks
The IAEA Board of Governors passed a new resolution urging Iran to improve cooperation with the agency and provide a comprehensive report on its nuclear activities.
The resolution was supported by the US, UK, France, Germany, and 15 other countries, while China, Russia, and Burkina Faso opposed it, and 12 countries abstained.
Western powers hope the resolution will push Iran toward negotiations, though uncertainty remains about whether President-elect Trump would support such talks, especially given Iran's nuclear advancements since the 2015 deal, which Trump exited in 2018.
#IAEA
Western elites are trying to constrain access to information — Sergey Lavrov
#RussianMFA
Ukraine should beg its pronouns don’t become was/were — Steve Gill on Ukraine escalation
#SMO
China’s Foreign Ministry says Beijing opposes violations of humanitarian and international law and condemns any actions that harm civilians, including attacks on civilian facilities in Palestine
#Gaza
Brooklyn horror: Migrant tosses pit bull off 14th-floor after dispute, walks free due to bail reform
Alberto Morris, a 33-year-old migrant from Panama, got into an argument with his newfound friend at a Halloween party, stole the keys to his Brooklyn apartment, and threw the owner's two-year-old pit bull off a 14th-floor balcony before robbing the place.
Morris was arrested on charges of aggravated animal cruelty, grand larceny, criminal mischief, and animal torture. Yet since the charges are non-bail eligible and Morris has no prior arrests, he was released after his arraignment.
The owner of the pooch is understandably shaken, feeling unsafe with someone who could commit such an atrocious act still roaming free.
#NYPD
IDF issues evacuation notices for several buildings near alleged Hezbollah facilities in Beirut district
Shortly after the notices were given, strikes hammered the area. Video shows the results of the stikes.
#IDF
❗️Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, whose country currently holds the EU's rotating presidency, announced on Friday that he would invite his Israeli counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu, for a visit, defying an ICC arrest warrant
#ICC
Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky has arrived in Kiev, expressing his intent to understand how Ukrainians are managing during the conflict
He also plans to evaluate the progress of Czech-funded projects on the ground and discuss strategies for directing international aid in the months ahead.
#SMO
World headlines react to President Putin’s statements about Russia’s IRBM strike in Ukraine
#SMO
Russia's ‘Oreshnik’ IRBM is impossible to intercept — Political scientist
#RussianMoD
Israeli media reports multiple rocket launches from Lebanon into the Haifa area overnight; video shows air defenses in action
Some rockets were intercepted, while others landed in open areas. No casualties or damage have been reported.
#IDF
DPRK is allegedly employing a new tactic against South Korea: nightly sonic attacks
Residents of Ganghwa Island report relentless bombardments of unsettling sounds, including gunshots, screams, and laughter, driving them to despair, AP reports.
#DMZ
Oreshnik Intermediate-Range Ballistic Missile: What do we know about Russia’s ‘Hazel’ IRBM?
Unprecedented Speed: Hypersonic missiles boast speeds of up to 12,250 km/h, capable of reaching targets from Russia to the UK in 19 minutes, Belgium in 14, Germany in 11, and Poland in just eight
Extended Range and Payload: With a range of up to 5,000 km, the missile can carry a nuclear warhead, delivering a 150-kiloton payload. Each missile may contain 3-6 warheads, each with individual guidance
Advanced Technology: The solid-fuel, hypersonic missile employs individual guidance for each warhead, enhancing its accuracy and destructive power
Comparison to ICBMs: While an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) from Russia could take approximately 40 minutes to reach a US target, this hypersonic missile significantly reduces flight time, underscoring its enhanced threat
Minimal Warning Time: The missile's speed and range allow it to strike with minimal warning, highlighting its potential for devastating surprise attacks
#IRBM
