"President-elect Donald Trump has pledged to start building a "great Iron Dome" air defense network for the U.S.""I will direct our military to begin construction of the great Iron Dome missile defense shield, which will be made all in the USA, much of it right here in Arizona," the Republican said during a rally in Phoenix on Sunday.
The Iron Dome is an Israeli air defense system that intercepts incoming short-range rockets and shells as part of the country's layers of advanced air defenses. It has a range of about 43 miles.
Trump told the crowd in Arizona on Sunday: "Ronald Reagan wanted to do it many, many years ago, but they didn't really have the technology … But they have it now, you can knock a needle out of the sky." Newsweek
"Russian President Vladimir Putin sent a grim warning to Ukrainian leader VolodymyrZelensky - and the rest of the wider world - following a drone attack on Kazan, boldly stating: "They will face many times more destruction".
Putin unleashed his fierce scolding in response to Ukrainian drones blitzing the Russian city of Kazan, striking a crucial fuel depot for the second occasion in just over a week, disclosed a top Russian regional figure." IrishStar
"Tonight, a massive 'Chrismas Eve asteroid' the size of a ten-story building will skim past Earth at 14,743mph According to NASA's Asteroid Watch dashboard, the space rock 2024 NX1 will reach its closest point to Earth at 02:56 am GMT in the early hours of Christmas Eve." MS
"A cluster of fireballs streaked across the Southern sky Saturday night, leaving witnesses dazzled and alarmed — especially in light of reports of mysterious drone sightings in New Jersey and across the northeast.This time, though, the truth is out there.
Experts say the spectacular light show was the result of a derelict Chinese satellite colliding with Earth’s atmosphere.
The decommissioned satellite entered the atmosphere above New Orleans around 10 p.m. and burned over Mississippi, Arkansas, and Missouri, astronomer Jonathan McDowell of the Harvard–Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics posted on X.
Not everyone is buying the “harmless space junk” narrative.
“Chinese satellites and Chinese drones over American soil. I mean what could go wrong,” wrote another." MS
"Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets will appeal to the UnitedNations and the International Committee of the Red Cross about the execution of five more captured Ukrainian soldiers by Russian troops.
The Brigadier General Mark Bezruchko 110th Separate Motorized Brigade has posted a video showing yet another crime committed by the Russians, the execution of soldiers who have surrendered. The video shows Russian soldiers shooting five Ukrainian captured defenders." Ukrin
"The UK economy is heading "for the worst of all worlds" as GDP showed no growth in the third quarter of 2023, according to official figures.
The stagnation comes as business groups warn that activity is set to fall at the start of the new year. The Office for National Statistics said that UK gross domestic product (GDP) showed no growth between July and September, in the run up to the Autumn budget. Statisticians had previously estimated 0.1 per cent growth for the quarter." GBN
"Seven Chinese nationals were arrested recently for illegally entering Guam around the time of a recent U.S. missile interception test on Dec. 10 and 11, according to Guam authorities.
The Chinese nationals had arrived on a boat from Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands, according to authorities." ZeroHedge
"A total of 117 combat engagements have already been reported along the frontlines since the beginning of the day.
In the Kupiansk sector, the enemy launched six assault operations near Kucherivka, Stepova Novoselivka, Bohuslavka, Zahryzove, and Nova Krystynivka. One battle is ongoing.
In the Lyman sector, the invading forces attacked Ukrainian positions 23 times near Zelenyi Hai, Novoserhiivka, Novoiehorivka, Hrekivka, Makiivka, Terny, Toretsk, Hryhorivka, and in the directions of Druzheliubivka, Dibrova, and Serebrianka. Sixteen enemy attacks are ongoing.In the Siversk sector, the enemy attacked Ukrainian units four times outside Bilohorivka, Verkhniokamianske, and Vyimka. Three attacks are still ongoing.
In the Kramatorsk sector, Ukrainian forces repelled two Russian attacks near Chasiv Yar and Stupochky. One battle is still ongoing.
In the Toretsk sector, the enemy launched four attacks near Toretsk and Druzhba. Two clashes are ongoing.
In the Pokrovsk sector, the invaders made 17 attempts to push Ukrainian defenders from their positions near Sukha Balka, Promin, Lysivka, Zelene, Dachenske, Novoukrainka, Pokrovsk, Novovasylivka, Novoielyzavetivka, and Novoolenivka. Ukrainian forces are holding back the enemy's onslaught and have already repelled 13 attacks. Four clashes are still ongoing.
In the Kurakhove sector, the aggressor attacked Ukrainian forces nine times near Sontsivka, Stari Terny, Kurakhove, and Dachne. Four clashes have been completed, and five more are ongoing.
In the Vremivka sector, the invaders attacked Ukrainian positions 23 times near Novosilka, Kostiantynopolske, Yantarne, Uspenivka, Rozlyv, Rozdolne, Blahodatne, and Vremivka. Seven clashes are still ongoing.
In the Orikhiv sector, the enemy launched one attack in the direction of Novoandriivka.
In the Dnipro River sector, Ukrainian forces repelled one enemy attack.
In Russia's Kursk region, Ukrainian forces repelled ten Russian attacks during the day. Eleven more attacks are ongoing. The enemy launched approximately 300 strikes." Ukrin
"President-elect Donald Trump seems poised to revive the Monroe Doctrine, signaling a renewed focus that the US will continue Western Hemisphere domination for decades and will no longer tolerate any other competition in controlling strategic maritime chokepoints or natural resources in the region.
Trump vented on Truth Social how "President Jimmy Carter foolishly gave away" the Panama Canal for one dollar. He explained, "It was solely for Panama to manage, not China or anyone else."The core issue is that China now controls two of the five ports adjacent to the canal: Balboa on the Pacific and Cristobal on the Caribbean. While the US spent three decades engaged in nation-building activities across the Middle East, China transformed Panama into a geographic and commercial hub, strategically positioning itself for political, economic, and military advancement.
He also touched on the high fees for US ships to transit the canal that connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans: "The fees being charged by Panama are ridiculous, especially knowing the extraordinary generosity that has been bestowed to Panama by the U.S. This complete "rip-off" of our Country will immediately stop…."
The big picture is that the Monroe Doctrine may be revived during Trump's second term to counter China's efforts to dominate the Western Hemisphere without firing a shot. This likely implies that the Trump administration will aim to reclaim control of geostrategic chokepoints—critical ports—and ensure the flow of natural resources remains under US control for decades to come." ZH
_4.jpg)
