⚡️Fire erupts in Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius, Russia, as result of faulty wiring
#Russia
More than 40% of young Americans view health insurance CEO killing as ‘acceptable’ – poll
An Emerson College poll found 41% of young voters aged 18-29 view UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson’s alleged killer's actions as “acceptable.”
Support breaks down to 24% calling it somewhat acceptable, 17% completely acceptable, with a partisan divide evident: 22% of Democrats view the alleged killer’s actions as acceptable, compared to 12% of Republicans and 16% of independents.
#UnitedShooting
EU pumps Israel with military funding - despite outrage over Gaza war
Israel has raked in over €238 million in EU research grants through the Horizon program since October 7, even as it faces accusations of genocide in Gaza by the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court.
This funding includes over €640,000 handed to an Israeli aerospace company that supplies the military, slipping through under the guise of "dual-use" technologies with civilian labels.
Even though Israel isn't a full EU member, it has received over $2 billion in funding from the bloc in the last decade.
#EU #Israel
⚡️Passenger train derails in Russia's Murmansk - casualties unconfirmed as rescue teams arrive on site
The train collided with a freight train, according to the transport prosecutor's office.
Rescuers and three ambulance teams have been dispatched to the scene, Governor Chibis said.
#Russia
‘You don’t like the Russians? Fine, I like them’: Slovakia pushes to keep Russian gas flowing across Ukraine
Slovak PM Robert Fico urged Europe to keep Russian gas flowing through Ukraine after the transit deal that ends this year, citing Slovakia's €500M in annual fees.
“Are we just going to let that pipeline dry up?” he said. “In the name of what?”
Sadly, we all know the answer to that.
#Ukraine #Russia #Slovakia
❗️Europe discussing 100,000-strong 'peacekeeping' force for Ukraine - Reuters
Citing sources among European and Ukrainian officials, the agency reports that a coalition of up to eight European countries - including Germany, France, Italy, the UK and Poland - are discussing sending a military contingent to Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire.
#Ukraine #Europe
❗️1 reported dead as boat capsizes off Mumbai
56 people were on board the ferry, with authorities confirming 21 had been saved.
A massive search and rescue operation involving 11 Navy vessels, three Marine Police boats and one from the Coast Guard has been launched to try and help the remaining passengers.
#India
❗️Hamas allegedly agree to release Israeli hostages who require medical care, as well as elderly and female soldiers held in the enclave - Al Arabiya
#Hamas #Gaza #Israel
❗️Andrew Tate: Cops can seize $2.5mn in unpaid taxes, court rules
Transactions made by the controversial influencer using seven now-frozen accounts were a "straightforward cheat", a UK court ruled Wednesday as it gave the green light to seize funds to pay the Inland Revenue.
Tate and his brother Tristan have reportedly not paid any taxes on ₤21 million ($26.7mn) in online revenue generated from War Room, Cobra Tate, Only Fans among other platforms between 2014-2022.
In a July hearing, attorney Sarah Clarke quoted a video Tate posted, in which he claimed: “when I lived in England I refused to pay tax.”
#UK #AndrewTate
EU's top diplomat Kaja Kallas pledges €1.5bn per month to Kiev starting January next year
Much easier to splash Brussels' cash and not Estonia's?
#EU #Ukraine
❗️Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong arrives in Kiev
#Australia #Ukraine
Irish President Michael D. Higgins condemned Israel's accusation of antisemitism against his people as ‘gross defamation’
Higgins’ response was to Israeli FM Gideon Saar's claim that Ireland delegitimized Israel and applied double standards in its Gaza war response.
#Ireland
Dmitry Medvedev condemns The Times’ labeling of attack on Lt. General Kirillov as ‘legitimate defense’
The ex-Russian president argued on Telegram that, under this twisted logic, all NATO officials assisting Ukraine are effectively engaged in the war against Russia - and therefore, legitimate military targets. This extends beyond them, as editors and employees at outlets like The Times also fall into the same category.
"Logical? Absolutely! So, be careful! After all, a lot of things could happen in London.”
#Russia
Tragic twist: Wisconsin teen shooter’s dark obsession with Columbine massacre, parents could be charged
Natalie 'Samantha' Rupnow, a 15-year-old student at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin, who later became a shooter, harbored a disturbing fascination with infamous school attackers, particularly Eric Harris of the Columbine massacre.
Police are still investigating what led Rupnow to open fire at her school, where she killed a fellow student and a teacher before taking her own life.
Investigators suspect that bullying may have pushed Rupnow to her breaking point, but they are still examining how she obtained her weapon. The potential for criminal charges against her parents remains a possibility as the investigation unfolds.
#Wisconsin
Another one bites the bust: American-made Abrams destroyed by drone teamwork
Russian paratroopers discovered the rig in the Kursk region and immobilized it with an FPV drone before a second UAV finished the job.
#RussianMoD
Flat Earther finds out the Earth is actually NOT FLAT
The YouTuber Jean Campanella went all the way to Antarctica, a $35,000 trip that proved the opposite of his notion that there is “no 24-hour sun."
"Sometimes you are wrong in life and I thought there was no 24-hour sun. In fact I was pretty sure of it. And it's a fact – the sun does circle you in the south."
Duh…!
#FlatEarther #Antarctica
Nuclear bunker sales booming in US
While experts doubt their efficacy, private bunkers are selling like hot cakes in the United States, the Independent reports.
As media and politicians keep speculating about potential nuclear conflicts with Russia and other countries, fallout shelter sales are set to rise from $137 million last year to $175 million by 2030.
One might say that turning profit on doomsday is the ultimate American way.
#US
❗️UPDATE: Eight injured in Murmansk region train collision - Governor Chibis
There were 360 passengers on board the double-decker passenger train that collided with a freight train in the Murmansk region.
“Until the middle of tomorrow, there will be severe frost in the area of the accident, as low as to -25℃,” the head of Meteo forecasting center, Alexander Shuvalov, told RT.
#Russia
Two Russian strategic missile carriers fly 15-hour flight near Alaska coast - Ministry of Defense
The Tu-95MS aircrafts’ scheduled flight in airspace over the neutral waters of the Bering and Chukchi Seas, near the western coast of Alaska, was escorted by Su-35S and Su-30SM aircraft.
#Russia
Zelensky should give direct answer on Christmas ceasefire proposal – Orban
“There is a ceasefire proposal on the table. Take it or leave it,” Hungarian leader Viktor Orban wrote on X, commenting on a quote by Vladimir Zelensky bashing the PM's attempt to mediate the Ukraine crisis. “It’s your responsibility,” Orban added.
So far, Zelensky appears to have ruled out a ceasefire, yet seems hesitant to clarify his decision, due to it likely resulting in a PR hit.
#Ukraine #Hungary
❗️Mumbai boat tragedy: Speedboat rammed into ferry - owner alleges
Unverified footage appears to show a speedboat intentionally ramming into the side of the passenger vessel at high speed.
#India
A week in the life: NASA astronauts stuck in space
What started as an 8-day mission for NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams has morphed into an unexpected 10-month marathon in space.
The duo’s return was first pushed to eight months when Boeing's troubled Starliner capsule returned empty in September, before the latest delay till next March or April.
#NASA
Disney removes transgender subplot from school sports series
Disney confirmed it removed dialogue referencing a character's gender identity from Pixar's upcoming series Win or Lose, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Perhaps the presence of a trans player simply made it too obvious who was going to ‘win or lose’ in the end.
#Disney #LGBTQ
Trump’s approval hits historic high
Donald Trump’s popularity hit a seven-year high, with 54% of Americans confident in his upcoming presidency and 55% approving of his transition, per a CNN poll. This contrasts with 2016, when only 40% approved of his cabinet picks and 41% supported his plans.
According to Fox News, the president-elect may have Joe Biden and his historic approval lows to thank for stark shift.
Who knew - Joe actually achieved something.
#US #Trump
Iran under fire: France, Germany, UK, slam Tehran’s ‘peaceful’ nuclear program
European powers have called on Tehran to reduce its highly-enriched uranium, which they label a "nuclear escalation," while Iran maintains it is for "peaceful" energy purposes.
In a statement ahead of a UN Security Council meeting on Iran’s nuclear program, the three parties claimed it was “without any credible civilian justification.”
Iran's Ambassador to the UN, Amir Saeid Iravani, turned the accusations around, claiming it was the West that had broken promises from the 2015 Vienna Agreement, pointing to the US withdrawal under Donald Trump, which resulted in sanctions against Tehran.
#Iran #UNSC
Spring warmth won’t solve it: Russian oil spill crisis update, fuels sink to seabed - cleanup zones expand
Spring warmth might aid in breaking down lingering oil residues, but the real challenge lies beneath the waves, where fuel oil has settled on the seabed, complicating recovery efforts, analysts told RT.
The Russian Emergencies Ministry has increased the scope of operations, with the cleanup zone now covering 49 kilometers and patrol routes extending up to 70 kilometers.
#Russia
Hold on tight: UK inflation skyrockets to 8-month high
UK inflation rose to an eight-month high in November, with consumer prices climbing 2.6% annually – up from 2.3% in October and 1.7% in September.
This sharp increase, the highest since March, highlights persistent price pressures squeezing the economy.
With economists warning that inflation could reach 3% by 2025, the cost-of-living crisis shows no signs of abating.
#Economics
Cessna plane crashes into building near Honolulu International Airport, two killed
#Hawaii
❗️’I was following orders of Ukrainian special services’: Man arrested for planting the bomb that killed Russian Lt. General Igor Kirillov speaks
#FSB
Eye spy with my little eye: Florida candidate for Congress spruiks ‘bill to make sure no political flags are flown in government buildings’
#RepublicanParty
