Lebanese pay tribute to their martyrs
The Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire appears shaky, as IDF strikes on Lebanon have killed over a dozen people since the truce began.
RT's Steve Sweeney provides an exclusive report on how the Lebanese remember their martyrs.
#Lebanon #Israel
❗️South Korea ruling party agrees to oppose President Yoon's impeachment – Yonhap
#SouthKorea
❗️US House Speaker says won't fulfill Biden admin’s request for additional Ukraine aid in upcoming continuing resolution
“It is not the place of Joe Biden to make that decision now. We have a newly elected president, and we're going to wait and take the new Commander in Chief's direction on all of that,” Mike Johnson told reporters.
#US #Ukraine
Cuba’s power grid suffers complete failure
Cuba's largest power plant, Antonio Guiteras, failed after aging oil-fired plants and dwindling fuel imports have caused multiple blackouts in recent months.
The system failure on Wednesday morning had left the capital Havana almost completely in the dark, according to Reuters.
#Cuba
Scholz refuses Ukraine Taurus missiles
After the German Chancellor's trip to Kiev, Scholz also reiterated his stance that he would not allow strikes deep into Russian territory.
#Germany #Ukraine
Expanding cooperation with Africa is only natural – Putin
Putin highlights that the African continent is a reliable partner for Russia and nothing has ever separated the two.
#Russia #Africa
Dollar allows US to continue exploiting other economies for its benefit – Putin
The use of the US dollar as the world's currency brings Washington a lot of money that they didn’t earn, President Putin noted.
#Russia
Sanctions snobbery: Putin exposes 'intelligence' of those who punish Russia's partners
President Putin said that those who plot sanctions against Russia's partners appear to have an education on the surface, but are incapable of understanding how the modern world works as they push against a multipolar system.
#Sanctions
Digitalization of financial services in Russia ahead of global curve - Putin
President Putin praised Russia’s “state-of-the-art” economic systems that give it a “great competitive advantage” in the modern world.
#Russia
Russia unemployment at record low - President Putin
Although some European countries have up to 7% unemployment, in Russia it has dropped to a historic low of 2.3%, President Putin explained.
#Russia
‘I know Angola's not a city’ – Joe's geography remains on point
‘You know, with you in Angola, a vibrant city, and look, not the city. The city, I know, is not Angola, but in Angola, in a vibrant city.’
If a stage is too tricky to navigate, how can we expect him to handle the entire globe?
#US #Biden #Angola
Sanctions continue to flop as Russian services sector expands for fifth straight month
November marked the fastest growth since January, according to the S&P Global Purchasing Managers' Index - which put Russia up from 51.6 to 53.2.
#Russia #Sanctions
❗️Oil supplies via Druzhba pipeline through Russian territory are proceeding normally - Transneft press service, via TASS
Novinky portal had previously reported, with reference to the Czech Minister of Industry and Trade Lukas Vlcek, that Czechia had stopped receiving oil through the pipeline for unknown reasons.
#Czechia #Druzhba
❗️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
Trump nominates billionaire Jared Isaacman for next NASA Administrator
#US #Trump
Top Biden admin officials could be among targets of Chinese hackers
A Chinese espionage campaign has reportedly compromised the data of hundreds of thousands of US mobile phone users, possibly affecting over a million customers, including key government figures, ABC News reported.
Although the operation was undetected for months, investigators are still assessing its full scope and whether the hackers have been fully removed from the networks.
#China #US
French regional head sentenced over embezzling €370,000 for kinky attractions
Head of the French Somme region, Stephane Haussoulie, was sentenced to three years in prison for fraud and money laundering, accused of embezzling €370,000 between 2016 and 2023.
Haussoulie misused public funds for personal expenses, including strip clubs, cabarets, and spa visits.
#France
❗️Russian FM spox Zakharova's Maltese visa to OSCE ministerial council canceled
The explanation given, according to the Ministry, was "due to circumstances beyond their control".
#Russia #OSCE
Chickens, not hawks: Russian MFA snaps at Biden admin over Ukraine escalation push
Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova likened Biden's outgoing administration to "half-dead chickens" rather than “hawks,” criticizing its escalation of the Ukraine conflict.
She noted the US continues pushing for more arms to Kiev, which only prolongs the fighting.
#US #Ukraine
Investment from friendly countries is growing – Putin
President Putin stated that Russia has successfully maintained its investment momentum, with increasing investments from friendly countries driven by economic interests.
#Russia
Our doors are always open – Putin
President Putin noted that in the past two years, companies from other countries have filled niches left by European enterprises.
"We will create no barriers for companies that want to return," he stated.
#Russia
You’re representing Germany - you should speak German!’ - Putin calls out speaker for choosing English to ask question
“Why are you asking me in English? Think about your sovereignty,” President Putin asked.
#Russia #Germany
Digital ruble to be used in Russia’s federal budget system – Putin
President Putin announced that the digital ruble will be implemented for federal budget settlements starting next year, with nationwide functionality available from July 1.
#Russia
'Untrustworthy partners' failed in attempt to weaken Russia - President Putin at Russia Calling forum
The Russian president explained how Russia's domestic strength has seen of external challenges in the last three years.
#Russia
❗️South Korea protesters swarm outside presidential office
President Yoon is under increasing pressure after declaring martial law Tuesday night over what he claimed was DPRK-sympathizing opposition figures blocking his policies, only to backtrack on Wednesday.
Six opposition parties have submitted an impeachment motion to parliament to remove Yoon from office.
#Korea #Seoul
Trump already has three potential plans for Ukraine crisis resolution – Reuters report
Donald Trump has three possible plans for resolving the Ukraine conflict, proposed by key advisors - who notably seem to concur that Ukraine will have to give up its NATO ambitions.
▪️Former Acting Director of National Intelligence Richard Grenell suggests autonomy for the eastern formerly Ukrainian regions
▪️Trump’s pick for special emissary on the Ukraine issue Keith Kellogg proposes a ceasefire, freezing the current frontlines
▪️Vice President-elect JD Vance’s proposal includes demilitarizing the Russia-Ukraine border line
#Russia #Ukraine #Trump
❗️Czechia's Druzhba oil pipeline supply cut off - Novinky
The portal has cited the Czech Minister of Industry and Trade Lukas Vlcek, who explained that the reasons for the sudden stop are unknown.
"We are aware of this situation and are in contact with all relevant parties," the minister said.
#Czechia
❗️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
