Trump Threatens Attack on Iran ‘Locked and Loaded’ to Defend Protesters

"Trump announced in a message on his website, Truth Social, on

Friday that the United States is ready to intervene to “rescue” anti-regime protesters in Iran should the government attempt to brutalize them.
“If Iran shots [sic] and violently kills peaceful protesters, which is their custom, the United States of America will come to their rescue,” President Trump wrote. “We are locked and loaded and ready to go. Thank you for your attention to this matter!” 

Breitbart

6.3 Earthquake Strikes Near Mexico City

"A powerful magnitude 6.3 earthquake was just detected 13 miles northwest of Ayutla de los Libres, Mexico, or about 220 miles from Mexico City......6.5 Earthquake in Guerrero, Mexico causes entire building to SWAY HUNDREDS evacuated from apartment buildings — ITVNews." ZH

Ukraine's HUR faked death of top anti-Putin Russian commander, claimed Kremlin bounty money

"Ukraine's military intelligence (HUR) faked the death of Denis Kapustin, commander of the Russian Volunteer Corps (RDK), and claimed the bounty placed on his head by Russia's intelligence service, HUR chief Kyrylo Budanov revealed on Jan. 1.
"Welcome back to life," Budanov said on a Telegram video, while congratulating Kapustin and the intelligence team involved in the operation.

The announcement follows reports published on Dec. 27 stating that Kapustin, also known by his nom de guerre "White Rex," had been killed during a combat mission in Zaporizhzhia Oblast. In its Jan. 1 statement, HUR said those reports were part of a complex special operation that misled Russian intelligence services.
Russian intelligence services had ordered his assassination and allocated a bounty of $500,000 for the successful completion of the assassination.
"Our side also obtained the funds allocated by Russian intelligence services to carry out this crime," Budanov was told by the commander of the Timur special unit in the video.
"As of now, the RDK commander is on Ukrainian territory and is preparing to continue carrying out assigned tasks,."
Budanov welcomed Kapustin during the briefing.
The Russian Volunteer Corps, led by Kapustin, carried out cross-border incursions into Russia's Belgorod and Kursk oblasts in 2023 and 2024, operating alongside other anti-Kremlin Russian formations linked to Ukraine's defense and security forces, like the Freedom of Russia Legion and the Siberian Battalion." 

KI

Ukraine strikes Rosneft oil plant in fiery drone attack

"Ukrainian drones have once again struck deep inside Russian territory — this time targeting a

vital oil refinery and port in the southern city of Tuapse. The Rosneft facility, which includes the key ELOU-AVT-12 crude processing unit, went up in flames after the attack. Explosions lit up the night sky, with eyewitnesses reporting 15 to 20 blasts. This marks at least the 8th time Ukraine has targeted this location since the war began, dealing yet another blow to Russia’s oil export operations." msn

5.2 Earthquake - Coral Sea, 117 km southeast of Port Vila, Shefa Province, Vanuatu

"A strong magnitude 5.2 earthquake occurred in the Coral Sea near the coast of Vanuatu in the morning at 8.35 am local time (Pacific/Efate GMT +11). The quake had a moderate depth of 143 km (89 mi) and was reported felt by some people near the epicenter." VD

Ex-Iranian Air Force pilot tells military to defend protesters

"A former Iranian Air Force pilot on Thursday urged those in the country’s military to safeguard Iranian citizens and not the interests of the government, as protests turned deadly.
In a video shared by Reza Pahlavi, the exiled crown prince of Iran, Colonel Fereydoun

Ezzedasti said that while he wore a military uniform many years ago, his service never ended.
“A soldier is responsible for safeguarding the life, security and honor of his own nation until his last breath,” Ezzedasti said in the clip. “Today, the noble nation of Iran, weary yet steadfast, has pinned its hopes on you. You have donned this uniform to defend your fellow countrymen; not to suppress them.”
In the 2 1/2-minute clip, Ezzedasti, who served during the Iran-Iraq war, said soldiers must stand alongside the nation, not against it, during sensitive times.
“Instead of aiming weapons at them, be their refuge and support,” he said, as it was reported that protests were spreading across Iran. Videos showed demonstrators gathered in various cities, at times with the sound of gunfire in the background." msn

Tehran launches violent crackdown on protesters

"At least six people were confirmed dead on the fifth day of spreading unrest across Iran.
Protesters vowed not to back down amid a violent regime crackdown in which riot squads opened fire on demonstrators and carried out mass arrests.
More cities joined the protests as night fell and clashes intensified in several locations, which forced officials to send in reinforcements.
Authorities said a volunteer member of the Basij paramilitary force was also killed in western Kuhdasht, and dozens of people were arrested as riot police and plainclothes agents attempted to contain the protests.
Protesters in more than a dozen cities chanted, “this year is a year of blood, Seyyed Ali will be overthrown” and “death to the dictator,” referring to supreme leader Ali Khamenei." msn

Tropical Cyclone Hayley bears down on Western Australia as man dies in north Queensland floods

"A man has died in floodwaters in Australia’s far north as residents on the other side of the country prepare for a major cyclone as it made landfall.

Police were called to the man’s submerged vehicle in the northern Queensland town of Normanton about 3pm on Tuesday.
The man, aged in his 70s, was found dead inside his car.
In Australia’s north-west, Tropical Cyclone Hayley made landfall on Tuesday night with residents in Beagle Bay, Cockatoo Island and Derby warned it was too late to leave.
“Gales with damaging wind gusts to 100 km/h are occurring over areas from north of Derby through to Cockatoo Island, and may extend further north towards Kuri Bay early on Wednesday morning,” the BoM said. “Gales should then ease during Wednesday morning as Hayley moves further inland and weakens.” Guardian

131 clashes on front line

"131 combat clashes between the Ukrainian Defense Forces and Russian invaders.
The Russian army carried out air strikes on the areas of Verkhnia Tersa, Lyubytske, and Orikhiv in the Zaporizhzhia region; Andriivka-Klevtsove in the Donetsk region; Mykhailivka in the Kherson region; and Zatoka in the Odesa region.
The Air Force, Rocket Forces, and Artillery of the Defense Forces struck two areas where Russian personnel were concentrated and a Russian UAV control point.

In the Northern Slobozhanshchyna and Kursk sectors, the invaders carried out one air strike using three guided bombs and carried out 84 shellings, including two with MLRS.
In the Southern Slobozhanshchyna sector, the enemy attempted six times to break through the defensive lines near Vovchansk, toward Obukhivka, and Dovhenke.
Seven enemy attacks took place in the Kupiansk sector. Defense Forces repelled Russian assaults toward Novoplatonivka, Bohuslavka, Kurylivka, Shyikivka, and Hlushkivka.
In the Lyman sector, the enemy launched 11 attacks, aiming to break through the defenses near Novoselivka, Yampil, Zarichne, and toward Stavky and Drobysheve.
In the Sloviansk sector, Ukrainian defenders thwarted a Russian attempt to advance in the Serebrianka area.
In the Kostiantynivka sector, Russian troops carried out 16 attacks in the areas of Oleksandro-Shultyne, Yablunivka, Pleshchiivka, Shcherbynivka, Torske, Rusyne Yar, and toward Sofiivka and Ivanopil.
In the Pokrovsk sector, Ukrainian defenders repelled 33 Russian army assaults in the areas of Myrnohrad, Pokrovsk, Udachne, Kotlyne, Molodetske, Filiia, Hryshyne, and toward Novopavlivka, Kucheriiv Yar, Bilytske, Novopidhorodnie, Nove Shakhove, Rodynske, and Serhiivka.
In the Oleksandrivka sector, the enemy carried out 15 attacks near Zlahoda, Rybne, Zelenyi Hai, and toward Andriivka-Klevtsove and Pryvillia.
In the Huliaipole sector, there were 15 Russian attacks in the areas of Huliaipole, Solodke, and Bilohiria." Ukrin