Russian paratroopers eliminate enemy infantry by dropping munitions from quadcopters

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US finance giant JPMorgan has likened the US economy to a slow-boiled frog thanks to its $34-trillion national debt.

The 2024 outlook from the New York-based firm evoked the popular myth that a frog will calmly boil in a pot of gradually-heated water until it is cooked alive — but would hop out if thrown into already boiling water.

As the US government’s debt portfolio keeps swelling, hitting an unprecedented $34-trillion, economists' concerns have amplified urgent calls for intervention.

Predictions from the Congressional Budget Office have painted a bleak picture, suggesting that by the early 2030s, the US will spend more on ennoscriptments, mandatory programs, and debt interest than it earns in revenue.

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🇦🇪🇮🇱 UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has rejected Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's request to pay wages to Palestinian workers who were banned from entering Israel, Axios reports, citing a source.

Several weeks ago, the Israeli prime minister reportedly asked the UAE leader to pay unemployment benefits to Palestinian workers from the West Bank, whom Israel had banned from entering its territory following the October 7 attack by the Palestinian Hamas movement.

“Ask Zelensky for money,” Al Nahyan responded sarcastically to Netanyahu’s request, according to the outlet’s sources.

The UAE president was shocked that the Israeli prime minister thought he would be willing to pay for the problem that had arisen due to the Israeli decision not to let the workers in, the outlet’s source notes.

According to Axios, the UAE president said Zelensky receives a lot of money from other countries, "so maybe he could help" Netanyahu.

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The Pentagon has initiated an internal review following criticism from the US Congress and public scrutiny over the transfer of Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's powers to his deputy, Kathleen Hicks from January 2 to 5, 2024.

The examination aims to ensure clarity and transparency in decision-making processes, specifically concerning the transfer of certain powers, proper and timely notification to the president, the White House, Congress, and the American public. It will encompass a timeline of events, evaluations of the defense secretary's capacity to perform duties, and recommendations to enhance the notification process for the president and high-ranking officials, among others.

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🇷🇺 Russian Battlegroup Yug assault detachments undergo drills at unique training ground

Servicemen from assault detachments hone skills of close-quarters combat, train to use new types of small arms, large-caliber machine guns, and man-portable grenade launchers. Particular attention is paid to cohesion and establishing communications with the command post.

Enhanced training of personnel is conducted continuously on a rotational basis. All instructors have extensive experience of combat operations in the special military operation zone and other armed conflicts.

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💰 A possible military conflict over Taiwan could cost the global economy an estimated $10 trillion, eclipsing both Ukraine and COVID.

Bloomberg made the estimate, noting that the indicated amount is about 10% of world GDP.

A potential risk factor is the election of Taiwan's chief executive, which will be held on January 13. Tsai Ing-wen, who has held the position for two terms, will not be able to run again.

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🇷🇺 Vladimir Putin has granted Russian citizenship to American boxer Kevin Johnson, who previously addressed the Russian president with such a request.

Citizenship was also granted to Canadian hockey player Brendan Leipsic, who has been playing for Russian clubs since 2020.

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A Singaporean container ship, the KOTA HAKIM, used a sign to indicate its destination as it crossed the Red Sea, in an attempt to avoid being targeted by the Houthis. The sign stated that the ship had "no links (to) Israel", Sputnik has learned.

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❗️The losses of the Ukrainian Army over the past year exceeded 215,000 people and 28,000 weapons, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said during his first conference call this year.

Russian troops retain the strategic initiative along the entire line of contact, the minister noted.

The Russian military maintains the combat readiness of its nuclear triad at a high level for global strategic balance, he added.

❗️ Russia will engage in the serial production of all types of drones, from mini drones to heavy attack ones, Shoigu said.

A Ukrainian former man* TikToker proposes to search Ukrainian cities where there are still many men left in order to catch and send new batches of connoscripts to the front.

“They will definitely find five million,” he said confidently.

The supporter of a new wave of mobilizing five million justifies his position by saying his husband is fighting at the front.

*LGBT is recognized as an extremist movement in Russia

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🇫🇷 The Minister of Education of France, Gabriel Attal, has assumed the position of Prime Minister, becoming the youngest head of government in the country's history at the age of 34.

"In any case, France intends to open the way for dialogue with Russia, and to maintain relations between the two countries," Gabriel Attal, France's Secretary of State and Government's spokesperson stated on France Info radio station on March 25 2022.

“Russia is our neighbor, and it will remain so. Relations with Russia will be maintained in any case,” he said.

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❗️Two drones crashed on a fuel and energy complex facility in the Russian city of Oryol, the fire has already been localized, the governor said

🛢 Crude Oil Update 📉🌍

Economic concerns and increased oil supplies shape the 2024 outlook. Following modest gains, prices dropped after Saudi Arabia cut its selling price, with Brent crude at $75.65 and West Texas Intermediate at $70.25, remaining close to the expected $80 per barrel consensus. Analysts predict oversupply, economic uncertainty, and Middle East tensions will limit aggressive forecasts.

Recent events, like the Middle East tensions, prompted market caution, with a focus on global supplies and acknowledgment of lingering risks. Saudi Arabia's move hints at expected lower prices amid demand cooling and rising U.S. shale production. Influential factors include the U.S. election, potential cyber warfare, and the impact of new oil sources. Analysts vary on predictions, from a quiet year at $80 per barrel to potential rises above $100.

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❗️Three people were injured as a result of an attack by Ukrainian drones on fuel and energy facilities in the Russia's Oryol region, the governor said

Four Ukrainian drones were destroyed over the Kursk region and two over the Oryol region, the Russian Ministry of Defense reports

Russian forces are swiftly demolishing Ukraine's defense industry facilities that have been developed over a considerable period of time, wrote retired Royal Air Force Vice Marshal Sean Bell in an article for Sky News.

After nearly two years of high-intensity conflict, Ukraine and its Western "donors" face significant ammunition supply challenges.

"Ukraine has a fledgling industrial base that is very vulnerable to Russian missile attacks – it takes months to build manufacturing capability, and a single strike by Russia to destroy it," he said.

According to the expert, without constant military support from the West, Ukraine is "destined to become overwhelmed" by Russia.

“Russia has a huge defense industrial base that has shifted on to a war footing, funded by huge oil revenues. Russia is rearming, and fast,” he noted.

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