OT subject but worth a main-stream read- OT News Feeds...

HeavyG

https://twitter.com/visegrad24/status/1740512138626744429?s=20

Demonic Russian window strikes again.

lousubcap

Friday Russia-Ukraine update:

"A large wave of Russian missiles and drones has hit cities across Ukraine overnight. The country's air force says it has "never seen so many locations targeted simultaneously". More than 150 missiles and drones were used, according to a preliminary assessment from Ukraine's military. Officials say 12 people have been killed in Kyiv, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, Dnipro, Odesa and Lviv, Ukraine's westernmost large city. 

These attacks came days after Ukraine struck a Russian warship in the occupied Crimean port of Feodosiya. They also took place a day after the White House approved its last tranche of US military aid to Ukraine. Any more aid would require approval from Congress, where talks have stalled. Writing on Telegram after the attack, Ukrainian presidential aid Andriy Yermak said "the world needs to see that we need more support and strength to stop this terror".

Ukraine’s southern military command said a Panama-flagged bulk carrier that was heading to one of the country’s River Danube ports to load grain hit a Russian mine in the Black Sea causing it to lose speed and control and starting a fire. Two members of the 18-strong crew were injured, and one of them, an Egyptian, was taken to hospital. The captain intentionally ran the ship aground to stop it from sinking and Ukraine will use tugs to take it into port.

Ukraine’s air force said air defence systems shot down seven out of eight Shahed drones launched by Moscow during the night overnight, the country’s air force said on Thursday. The drones came down in three central and southern regions, the air force added."

lousubcap

Friday Israel-Hamas update:

"The Israeli military has urged more residents to evacuate parts of central Gaza as it presses on with its offensive against Hamas. At least 50 people were killed by Israeli airstrikes across Gaza Thursday, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.

Meanwhile, thousands of desperate civilians surrounded a relief convoy in northern Gaza, seeking food amid an acute hunger crisis.

Hezbollah said it launched more attacks on northern Israel on Thursday, as tension grows between Israel and Lebanon over the Iran-backed paramilitary group's clashes with Israeli troops.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is expected to travel to Israel next week to discuss next steps for the war, an Israeli official told CNN. Israel's military chief has said the war against Hamas is far from ending, despite diplomatic efforts. "

JohnInCarolina

HeavyG said:

https://twitter.com/visegrad24/status/1740512138626744429?s=20

Demonic Russian window strikes again.

In Putin’s Russia, window opens you!

lousubcap

Politics matter even if hosed up-

Beer sales in the U.S. are expected to plunge to their lowest level in 24 years, partly due to Bud Light’s 25% sales decline but just as much by the changing habits of younger drinkers.

Sales declined overall by 5% in the first nine months of the year, according to Beer Marketer’s Insights. Bud Light sales alone dropped by up to 30% and dragged down Anheuser-Busch sales overall.

But beer is also being crowded out by the changing tastes of young drinkers, who have increasingly turned to hard seltzer and non-alcoholic drinks. And when Gen Z members do drink, surveys show they prefer spirits to beer.

JohnInCarolina

lousubcap said:

Politics matter even if hosed up-

Beer sales in the U.S. are expected to plunge to their lowest level in 24 years, partly due to Bud Light’s 25% sales decline but just as much by the changing habits of younger drinkers.

Sales declined overall by 5% in the first nine months of the year, according to Beer Marketer’s Insights. Bud Light sales alone dropped by up to 30% and dragged down Anheuser-Busch sales overall.

But beer is also being crowded out by the changing tastes of young drinkers, who have increasingly turned to hard seltzer and non-alcoholic drinks. And when Gen Z members do drink, surveys show they prefer spirits to beer.

I suspect one other factor is the increasing availability of (legal and otherwise) marijuana.  Our oldest has related various tales of high school students taking gummies, not always at the most appropriate of moments…

lousubcap

And this bit on Russia-Ukraine Saturday:

: “Shelling kills 14 in Russia’s city of Belgorod following Moscow’s aerial attacks across Ukraine,” AP: "Shelling in the center of the Russian border city of Belgorod killed 14 people, including two children, and injured 108 others Saturday … Russian officials accused Kyiv of carrying out the attack, which took place the day after an 18-hour aerial bombardment across Ukraine killed at least 39 civilians … Western officials and analysts recently warned that Russia limited its cruise missile strikes for months in an apparent effort to build up stockpiles for massive strikes during the winter.”

lousubcap

What's in store for '24:

"It’s finally here: the last day of a long, wild year in politics. And now, we can all look forward to a very quiet, calm (my comment-wishful thinking) year that could (1) see a rematch of the last presidential election, (2) find the Supreme Court deciding if a former president should be tossed off state ballots for being an insurrectionist, (3) feature that same former president prosecuted on nearly 100 charges and (4) witness the current president get impeached for unknown reasons."

It's gonna be a wild ride at a minimum.  Fasten your seat belt. 

Botch

This morning David Pogue went over a bunch of the good things that happened in '23, and was a bit cheerier:
https://www.cbsnews.com/video/good-news-you-may-have-missed-in-2023/
 
(Mr. Pogue really carried the show...)  

lousubcap

It's about time:

U.S. Navy Helo Crews Kill Houthi Assault Boat Teams After Red Sea Attack

The following is the complete statement from U.S. Central Command.

On Dec. 31 at 6:30am (Sanaa time) the container ship MAERSK HANGZHOU issued a second distress call in less than 24 hours reporting being under attack by four Iranian-backed Houthi small boats. The small boats, originating from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen, fired crew served and small arms weapons at the MAERSK HANGZHOU, getting to within 20 meters of the vessel, and attempted to board the vessel. A contract embarked security team on the MAERSK HANZGHOU returned fire. U.S. helicopters from the USS EISENHOWER (CVN 69) and GRAVELY (DDG 107) responded to the distress call and in the process of issuing verbal calls to the small boats, the small boats fired upon the U.S. helicopters with crew served weapons and small arms. The U.S. Navy helicopters returned fire in self-defense, sinking three of the four small boats, and killing the crews. The fourth boat fled the area. There was no damage to U.S. personnel or equipment.

Until Sunday, U.S. forces had intercepted missile and suicide drone attacks on merchant ships without attacking Houthi forces directly."

Houthi spokesman, Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree said ten Houthis died in the attack.

“The American enemy forces attacked three boats belonging to the Yemeni naval forces, which led to the martyrdom and loss of ten members of the naval forces,” reads a translation of the statement posted on Telegram.
“[American] military movements in the Red Sea to protect Israeli ships will not prevent Yemen from performing its religious, moral, and humanitarian duty in support and victory for the oppressed in Palestine.”

The attack on the Danish-owned merchant ship is the second in less than a day after the Maersk Hangzhou was hit with an anti-ship ballistic missile launched from Yemen on Saturday.

lousubcap

Tuesday Israel-Hamas update:

"The Israeli military said it expects the conflict in Gaza to continue throughout 2024. In a new year’s message, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Spokesperson Daniel Hagari said troop deployments will be adjusted to prepare for “prolonged fighting.”  George Wright reports for BBC News.

Israel said it killed dozens of militants in the north of the Gaza Strip over the past day, as residents reported heavy fighting and shelling by Israeli tanks in parts of the Al-Bureij refugee camp. The developments follow Israel’s announcement of plans to withdraw some troops inside Gaza in a shift to more targeted “mopping up” operations. Dan Williams, Nidal A-Mughrabi, and Arafat Barbakh report for Reuters.

Thousands of childhood vaccine doses against diseases, including polio, rubella, mumps, and measles entered the Gaza Strip via the Rafah crossing yesterday, the Hamas-run health ministry said. The supplies will cover vaccinations for up to 14 months with the aid of Egyptian cold storage facilities. Reuters reports.

Former CIA Director General David Petraeus, said Israel must “clear and hold all of Gaza” to eliminate Hamas, comparing the war to the battle against the self-styled Islamic State militant group. Petraeus added he is concerned Israel’s military campaign in Gaza could “radicalize future generations.” BBC News reports.

Israel’s decision to withdraw troops from Gaza “appears to be the start of the gradual shift to lower-intensity operations in the north that we have been encouraging,” a U.S. official said. Andrea Shalal reports for Reuters."

lousubcap

Tuesday Russia-Ukraine update:

"Russian President Vladimir Putin pledged yesterday to “intensify” attacks against Ukraine and said that Ukraine’s support from the West was the biggest obstacle to ending the conflict. His comments follow days of mutual aerial bombardment, with Kyiv suffering fresh attacks by Russian drones this morning, killing at least four people and injuring almost 100. All 35 unmanned aerial vehicles launched by Russia last night were downed by Ukraine’s air force, according to an announcement on Telegram. Oliver Slow reports for BBC News.

Russian President Vladimir Putin promised to intensify strikes on Ukraine after the death toll rose to 25 in Saturday’s unprecedented raid on the Russian city of Belgorod, not far from the border. Moscow has blamed Kyiv for the Belgorod attack, which came a day after Russia launched some 158 missiles and drones on Ukrainian cities killing 30 people in Kyiv and elsewhere.

Ukraine’s air defence systems destroyed 87 of 90 drones launched on the country by Russia, some of which targeted port infrastructure in Odesa. Oleh Kiper, the head of the region’s military administration, said a 15-year-old boy was killed and seven people injured after falling debris from one of the drones hit a residential building in the southern city."

Edit to add the following article:

Russian Navy Retreats From Crimean Ports

https://gcaptain.com/russian-navy-retreats-from-crimean-ports/?subscriber=true&goal=0_f50174ef03-15b94cf139-170052525&mc_cid=15b94cf139&mc_eid=10465e83ed 

Botch

lousubcap said:

It's about time:

U.S. Navy Helo Crews Kill Houthi Assault Boat Teams After Red Sea Attack

The following is the complete statement from U.S. Central Command.

On Dec. 31 at 6:30am (Sanaa time) the container ship MAERSK HANGZHOU issued a second distress call in less than 24 hours reporting being under attack by four Iranian-backed Houthi small boats. The small boats, originating from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen, fired crew served and small arms weapons at the MAERSK HANGZHOU, getting to within 20 meters of the vessel, and attempted to board the vessel. A contract embarked security team on the MAERSK HANZGHOU returned fire. U.S. helicopters from the USS EISENHOWER (CVN 69) and GRAVELY (DDG 107) responded to the distress call and in the process of issuing verbal calls to the small boats, the small boats fired upon the U.S. helicopters with crew served weapons and small arms. The U.S. Navy helicopters returned fire in self-defense, sinking three of the four small boats, and killing the crews. The fourth boat fled the area. There was no damage to U.S. personnel or equipment.

Until Sunday, U.S. forces had intercepted missile and suicide drone attacks on merchant ships without attacking Houthi forces directly."

Houthi spokesman, Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree said ten Houthis died in the attack.

“The American enemy forces attacked three boats belonging to the Yemeni naval forces, which led to the martyrdom and loss of ten members of the naval forces,” reads a translation of the statement posted on Telegram.
“[American] military movements in the Red Sea to protect Israeli ships will not prevent Yemen from performing its religious, moral, and humanitarian duty in support and victory for the oppressed in Palestine.”

The attack on the Danish-owned merchant ship is the second in less than a day after the Maersk Hangzhou was hit with an anti-ship ballistic missile launched from Yemen on Saturday.

https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2024/01/01/red-sea-iran-dispatches-warship/7311704160252/?utm_campaign=dfn-ebb&utm_medium=email&utm_source=sailthru&SToverlay=2002c2d9-c344-4bbb-8610-e5794efcfa7d
 
Proxy war is one thing, this is a bit more... 

lousubcap

Wednesday Israel-Hamas update:

"Senior Hamas leader Saleh al-Arouri was killed yesterday in a suspected Israeli strike in Beirut. Arouri was a founder of the Hamas military wing, the deputy head of its political bureau, and an architect of the group’s Oct. 7 attacks that killed 1,200 people. Hamas confirmed Arouri’s death in a statement. Israeli military officials said they are preparing for retaliatory strikes from Hezbollah and Hamas militants in Lebanon. Dion Nissenbaum, Adam Chamseddine, Benoit Faucon, and Summer Said report for the Wall Street Journal.

Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati condemned the strike in Beirut reported to have killed a top Hamas leader. Meanwhile, Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib said his government was talking to Hezbollah to “impress on them that they should not respond themselves,” but added that “we don’t tell them, we dialogue with them in this regard.” The next 24 hours will clarify “whether they respond or not,” Habib said. BBC Newsreports.

Yemen’s Houthi group condemned the killing of a senior Hamas official yesterday, calling it a “brutal and cowardly crime.” They described Saleh al-Arouri as a “leader” of Palestinian resistance, expressing support for retaliatory action against Israel. Niamh Kennedy reports for CNN.

The U.N. Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), the United Nations peacekeeping mission responsible for patrolling the unofficial border between Lebanon and Israel, said it is “deeply concerned” about  rising regional tensions following the Beirut strike that killed a senior Hamas leader. Spokesperson Kandice Ardiel said, “We continue to implore all parties to cease their fire, and any interlocutors with influence to urge restraint.” BBC News reports. 

A former UK ambassador to Lebanon said the killing of a top Hamas leader yesterday is a “moment of real jeopardy,” adding that both Lebanon and Israel will be worried about a “miscalculation drawing them deeper into the conflict.” BBC News reports. Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron said it was “essential to avoid any escalatory attitude, particularly in Lebanon,” in response to the killing. Aurelien Breeden reports for the New York Times.

Israel carried out the strike that killed a senior Hamas leader in Beirut, according to a U.S. official. Israeli government spokesperson Mark Regev said Israel has “not taken responsibility” for the attack, but added that “whoever did it must be clear that this was not an attack on the Lebanese state. It was not even an attack on Hezbollah. Whoever did this did a surgical strike against the Hamas leadership.” Alex Marquardt reports for CNN."

lousubcap

Wednesday Russia-Ukraine update:

"Russia targeted Ukraine’s biggest cities with a barrage of drones, rockets and missiles, killing at least four people in Kyiv and one in Kharkiv. The State Emergency Service said 119 people have been injured. The bombardment, which also disrupted water and power supplies, came after Russian President Vladimir Putin said he would intensify attacks on Ukraine.

Valerii Zaluzhnyi, the commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian military, said air defences shot down all 10 of the Kinzhal hypersonic missiles fired at Ukraine by Russia. The consequences of the weapons hitting their targets would have been “catastrophic”, he added.

Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov accused Russia of “deliberately targeting critical infrastructure and residential neighbourhoods” in its attacks on Tuesday. The Russian defence ministry claimed the raids hit Ukrainian military-industrial facilities, as well as weapons storage facilities. “The goal of the strike has been achieved, all the targets have been hit,” it said.

Poland mobilized two pairs of F-16 fighter jets and an air tanker to safeguard its airspace during Russia’s assault on Ukraine. Polish military authorities last week said a Russian missile briefly flew through the country’s airspace, prompting concern.

Moscow said its air defences destroyed 17 Ukrainian Olkha rockets over Russia’s Belgorod, not far from the Ukrainian border. Vyacheslav Gladkov, the regional governor of Belgorod, said that one person was killed and five injured in the raids."

lousubcap

Thursday Israel-Hamas update:

"Israel said yesterday it dismantled a 250-meter tunnel below Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City as part of an underground military complex. The tunnel “led to a number of significant terrorist centers and was used for carrying out terrorist operations,” the Israeli military added. Daniel Victor reports for the New York Times.

The chief of Israel’s Mossad intelligence service, David Barnea, vowed yesterday that the agency would track down every Hamas member involved in the Oct. 7 attacks, irrespective of where they are located. Barnea made a comparison k to the aftermath of the Munich 1972 Olympic massacre, the strongest indication yet that Israel was behind the blast, although it has not formally claimed responsibility. Fadi Tawil, Tia Goldenberg, and Sami Magdy report for AP News.

European nations condemned comments made by Israeli officials calling for the resettlement of Palestinians out of Gaza. In a post on X, the Dutch Foreign Ministry said, “This does not fit a future two-state solution, with a viable Palestinian state alongside a secure Israel.” A spokesperson for the UK government also denounced the comments, saying, “Gaza is Occupied Palestinian Territory and will be part of a future Palestinian state. The UK firmly rejects any suggestion of the resettlement of Palestinians outside of Gaza.” Irene Nasser, Alireza Hajihosseini and Manveena Suri report for CNN."

lousubcap

Thursday Russia-Ukraine update: (pretty slim sources.)

"Ukraine and Russia swapped hundreds of prisoners of war (POW) in the first swap in almost five months, following a deal brokered by UAE mediators. Russia released 230 POWs, including 213 soldiers, 11 officers and six civilians, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenesnkyy confirmed. In exchange, Ukraine released 248 Russian military personnel, Moscow’s defense ministry confirmed. “We will keep working to bring back all of our people,” Zelenskyy added. Claudia Chappa reports for POLITICO.

Russia is progressing with plans to purchase Iranian ballistic missiles, according to U.S. officials. Delivery could take place as early as spring, although the officials added  they do not believe the deal has been formally completed. Michael R. Gordon, Gordon Lubold, and Benoit Faucon report for the Wall Street Journal. "

lousubcap

And in Iraq-

Developing: The U.S. military killed an Iraqi militia leader with an airstrike in Iraq’s capital city on Thursday. The group is known as Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba, and the man killed appears to be Abu Taqwa al-Saeedi, deputy commander of the Iran-backed Popular Mobilization Forces in Iraq, according to Charles Lister of the Middle East Institute. U.S. officials confirmed the strike in a short statement to Reuters news agency. 

Lister called the strike “A remarkably bold move by an otherwise risk-averse Biden admin[istration] that remains committed to sustaining a U.S. military presence in Iraq.” Early indications seem to suggest the Thursday strike involved an air-to-ground AGM-179 JAGM missile.

Iraqi officials called it “a blatant aggression and violation of Iraq's sovereignty,”according to a spokesman for Iraq’s military, using the social media account of Iraq’s prime minister. He also called it “unwarranted” and an “action [that] undermines the previously established understandings between the Iraqi Armed Forces and the Global Coalition Forces” fighting ISIS in the region.

Tallying up: “At my count, Iran-directed militants have launched 138 attacks on U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria since October 18 (i.e. in 78 days),” Lister wrote Thursday on social media. “Until now, U.S. retaliatory strikes in both countries have done nothing to enforce deterrence,” he said. “Will this? Time will tell.”

lousubcap

Friday Israel-Hamas update:

"Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has outlined proposals for the governance of Gaza after the war. “Gaza residents are Palestinian, therefore Palestinian bodies will be in charge, with the condition that there will be no hostile actions or threats against the State of Israel,” Gallant said. “Israel will not govern Gaza’s civilians,” he said, but added that Israel would militarily retain “operational freedom of action” to take any action to “ensure that Gaza will pose no threat to Israel.” James Shotter reports for the Financial Times.

Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) are intensifying operations in southern and central Gaza and have urged Palestinians to use a coastal road to evacuate the area. The IDF posted instructions on X stating, “The humanitarian corridor of Al-Rasheed Street…will be open to travel only from the north to the south of the Gaza Strip, be it on foot or by car, starting today, between 09:00 hours and 16:00 hours.” Celine Alkhaldi and Magdy Abbas report for CNN."

lousubcap

Friday Russia-Ukraine update:

"Russia said Ukraine launched attacks on its Belgorod and Kursk regions, as well as the Crimean Peninsula that Moscow invaded and annexed from Ukraine in 2014. Belgorod regional Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said the situation remained “tense” after 12 missiles were shot down over the region. Some 25 people were killed in an air attack on Belgorod on Saturday. There were no reports of casualties from Wednesday’s attacks.

The United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defence said Russia’s military might have changed its strike strategy in Ukraine to target the country’s defence industry rather than energy infrastructure as it did last winter. “Russian planners almost certainly recognise the growing importance of relative defence industrial capacity as they prepare for a long war,” the ministry said in its latest intelligence update.

Oleksandr Syrskyi, the commander of the Ukrainian army’s ground forces, said Russian forces were continuing their offensives in Bakhmut and Kupyan on the eastern front with fighting in Bakhmut particularly intense. Syrskyi said Russian forces had suffered losses in Lyman and were regrouping in preparation for a new offensive."

lousubcap

Red Sea and Houthis update:

WASHINGTON, Jan 4 (Reuters) – A Houthi drone boat ladened with explosives detonated in the Red Sea on Thursday but failed to cause any damage or casualties, the U.S. Navy said, as the Yemen-based group continued its attacks in defiance of international calls to stop. 

The latest attack came one day after 12 countries including the United States, Britain and Japan issued a joint statement cautioning the Houthis of unspecified “consequences” unless it halts its attacks, in what one U.S. official on Wednesday suggested was a final warning.

The Iran-aligned Houthis, who control much of Yemen, have launched wave after wave of exploding drones and missiles at commercial vessels since Nov. 19, trying to inflict a cost in what they says is a protest against Israel’s military operations in Gaza. 

The Houthi campaign has been extraordinarily disruptive to international shipping, causing some companies to suspend transits through the Red Sea and instead take the much longer, costlier journey around Africa.

Vice Admiral Brad Cooper, who leads U.S. Naval forces in the Middle East, told reporters on Thursday that the Houthi exploding boat drove out about 50 miles into the Red Sea and then detonated in dense shipping lanes. 

“It came within a couple of miles of ships operating in the area — merchant ships and U.S.Navy ships — and we all watched as it exploded,” Cooper told reporters, adding the target of the attack was not clear.

The Houthis have said their attacks on commercial shipping target vessels with Israeli links or were sailing to Israel.

But many vessels have had no Israeli connection and were not bound for Israeli ports, and major shipping lines have suspended their operations through the Red Sea.

Cooper said the ships that have been attacked have direct connections to 55 countries.

“So regardless of the vessel’s company ownership or its destination, these Houthi attacks are for sure destabilizing and contrary to international law and clearly … must stop immediately,” Cooper said."

lousubcap

Russia-Ukraine update from Politico Friday PM-

UKRAINE’S NEW STRATEGY: Ukraine has escalated its strategy of attacking Moscow-annexed territory and Russian sovereign lands with drones, a sign that it will take the fight more directly to the Russian homeland this year.

“Air raid sirens wailed in Sevastopol, the largest city in Crimea, and traffic was suspended for a second straight day on a bridge connecting the peninsula, which Moscow seized illegally a decade ago, with Russia’s southern Krasnodar region,” The Associated Press reports. “The Russian Defense Ministry said its defenses intercepted 36 drones over Crimea and one over Krasnodar, part of an emerging pattern of intensified Ukrainian aerial attacks in recent days.”

Ukrainian President VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY promised a more aggressive strategy, even as support for Kyiv’s defense has waned in the West, noting his country had developed a weapon that can strike targets 400 miles away and is constructing 1 million drones.

Russia, meanwhile, has launched more attacks on the Ukrainian capital and other important cities in recent days, destroying more infrastructure and attempting to break Ukraine’s will to resist the invasion.

The longer-range attacks signal how fighting on the ground is at a stalemate, though Ukraine has had immense success pushing Russian naval forces back in the Black Sea."

lousubcap

Some interesting commentary regarding Russia and Ukraine:

High Hopes for ‘Postwar’ Ukraine

“It’s possible that neither Ukraine nor Russia will win this war outright,” Doug Irving writes for The RAND Blog. “When it comes, peace might instead take the form of a cease-fire or an armistice, with both sides seething but exhausted. That's rough ground on which to rebuild.”   But Irving and others say rebuilding is critical to Ukraine’s future, even as the tab keeps running higher with every Russian missile strike. “Ukraine already has an outline of what (rebuilding) will look like,” Irving writes. “Its plan looks far beyond the immediate damages … and envisions more than $750 billion in economic support and projects that would raise a new Ukraine from the destruction. … In a 2022 Wall Street Journal op-ed, (Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky) promised to make Ukraine ‘the greatest growth opportunity in Europe since the end of World War II.’”    At CNN Opinion, Matthew Schmidt made a similar argument in late December: that unless it wins the war outright by retaking Crimea, Ukraine could try something else: enter a ceasefire with Russia; rebuild itself economically and politically with the help of the European Union, NATO, and international investors; and seek to reclaim lost territory over the long haul, similarly to the reunification of Germany after decades of Cold War separation between East and West. “(I)n short,” Schmidt wrote, “Ukrainians getting an upgraded country that can thrive in the Western fold … remains the likeliest way for Kyiv to win a long-term political face-off with Moscow.”

lousubcap

Monday Russia-Ukraine update:

"The stalemate over Ukraine aid continues as the Pentagon says it is “out of money.”Senate Republicans are demanding border policy changes in return for backing the White House proposals of $45 billion to fund Ukraine’s security assistance, and defense officials added there are no imminent plans to announce further aid packages to Kyiv. The announcement comes as  Russia intensifies its ground assault and drone attacks in Ukraine. Lindsay Wise, Ian Lovett, Doug Cameraon, and Nancy A. Youssef report for the Wall Street Journal.

Ukraine’s Air Force said it shot down 21 out of 28 Russian drones aimed at the south and east of the country. Russia also launched three cruise missiles, the Air Force added, without offering further details.

Dnipropetrovsk regional authorities said 12 people were injured in a Russian drone attack on the city of Dnipro.

Local officials said two people were killed in the city of Kherson after Russian forces occupying the opposite bank of the Dnipro River hit the city with numerous shelling attacks. Roman Mrochko, the head of the Kherson city administration, said several people were also injured.

Russia’s Defence Ministry said soldiers fighting on the front line in Ukraine marked Orthodox Christmas with military priests leading prayer services.

Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa, on an unannounced trip to Kyiv, promised $37m to NATO to help Ukraine avert Russian drone strikes. She also said Japan would donate five mobile gas turbine generators and seven transformers to maintain power supplies. Kamikawa was forced to hold her press conference with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba underground after an air raid alert. “Japan is determined to continue to support Ukraine so that peace can return,” she said.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told a security conference in Sweden that the situation on the battlefield remained relatively stable and that Russia could be defeated."

lousubcap

Monday Israel-Hamas update:

"The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said yesterday that it has “completed the dismantling of Hamas’ military framework” in the northern Gaza Strip. The IDF spokesperson added that while there may be Hamas members operating in the region, “they now operate without a framework and without commanders.” Jordana Miller reports for ABC News.

Israel vows to use different tactics in central and southern Gaza based on lessons “learned from the fighting so far,” the chief spokesperson for the IDF has said. He did not provide details on what specifically would change.. Isabel Kershner, Vivian Yee, and Ameera Harouda report for the New York Times.

The World Health Organization (WHO) canceled its plans yesterday to deliver aid supplies to Gaza after failing to receive security guarantees. “Heavy bombardment, movement restrictions, and interrupted communications are making it nearly impossible to deliver medical supplies regularly and safely across Gaza,” the WHO said. The delivery planned for yesterday was designed to sustain five hospitals in the northern part of the enclave. Reuters reports.

Palestinians must not be pressured into leaving Gaza and must be allowed to return to their homes once conditions permit, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said yesterday  during an ongoing trip in the  Middle East. The statement follows comments by some Israeli ministers and lawmakers calling for the resettlement of Palestinians outside of Gaza. Blinken also told reporters in Qatar that the Israel-Hamas war “could easily metastasize” beyond Gaza due to  rising regional tensions. George Wright reports for BBC News.

A new U.S. intelligence assessment found that it would be difficult for Israel to succeed in a war against the Hezbollah group in Lebanon due to the war in Gaza. The assessment, by the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency, follows comments by Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, who said, “We prefer the path of an agreed-upon diplomatic settlement … but we are getting close to that point where the hourglass will turn over.” Biden administration officials added that the President has dispatched top aides to the Middle East in attempts to prevent the war widening. John Hudson, Yasmeen Abutaleb, and Shane Harris report for the Washington Post."

lousubcap

Interesting breakdown:

NFL Swallows TV Whole, With 93 of Year’s Top 100 Broadcasts

https://www.sportico.com/business/media/2024/nfl-posts-93-of-top-100-tv-broadcasts-2023-1234761753/

lousubcap

Blowing the Doors Off-

Story on the Alaska Airlines door.  Turns out there were indicators...

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-67909417?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email

lousubcap

Tuesday Israel-Hamas update:

"Israeli military forces located what they said was the largest weapons production factory in Gaza so far, with underground workshops they said were used to manufacture long-range missiles and munitions. According to the military, the factory, located in the Bureij area, is connected through underground shafts to a tunnel network to transport the weapons throughout the Gaza Strip. Ronen Zvulun reports for Reuters.

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that nine more of its troops have been killed, bringing the total number to 185. Meanwhile the IDF said it has moved “deep” into Khan Younis while “eliminating 40 terrorists,” and Palestinian state media reports that a 16-storey residential tower block has been destroyed by Israeli warplanes in the city center. BBC News reports.

Israel announced it will briefly pause military activities in part of central Gaza today to allow humanitarian supplies to enter. The pause will run from 10:00 local time to 14:00. BBC News reports."

lousubcap

Tuesday Russia-Ukraine update:

"Kherson regional Governor Oleksandr Prokudin said Russian troops carried out 131 artillery attacks on the southern region, killing two people and injuring five.

Ukraine’s military said Russia had launched “a large number of ballistic missiles” and it was able to bring down 18 of the 51 that were fired. Air Force spokesman Yuri Ignat said air defences achieved “a good result”, with all eight drones destroyed and some Russian missiles missing their targets.

The Russian Defence Ministry said in its daily briefing it had used sea and air-launched long-range missiles, including Kinzhal hypersonic missiles, to strike what it called “facilities of Ukraine’s military-industrial complex”.

The Ukrainian military said Russian forces made unsuccessful efforts to advance in several areas along the front line, including around Lyman in the Kharkiv region as well as in the Donetsk and Zaporizhia regions."

lousubcap

Wednesday Israel-Hamas Update:

"The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said today it has hit approximately 150 sites in Gaza over the past 24 hours, with ground troops directing aircraft to strike “several terrorists” in the Maghazi area in central Gaza. The military added it uncovered more than 15 underground tunnel shafts in the area. Yuliya Talmazan reports for NBC News.

The political leader of Hamas, Ismael Haniyeh, said yesterday that Hamas will release Israeli hostages from Gaza only after all Palestinian prisoners are released from Israel. Kareem Khadder and Celine Alkhaldi report for CNN.

Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in central Gaza reported receiving dozens of casualties following heavy overnight airstrikes that killed 57 people, at least 10 of whom were children, the hospital said. The hospital said at least 70 people were wounded. Abeer Salman, Kareem Khadder and Tim Lister report for CNN.

The Israeli military said it killed another senior Iran-backed Lebanese Hezbollah commander yesterday. The commander, identified as Ali Hussein Burji, led Hezbollah’s aerial unit in southern Lebanon and was responsible for a drone strike yesterday morning on Israel’s northern command in Safed, the Israeli military added. Hezbollah denied Israel’s claims about Burji’s role in the drone strike and called the allegations “baseless.” Euan Ward, Anushka Patil, and Matthew Mpoke Bigg report for the New York Times."