According to Russian state news, Sergei Naryshkin, the head of Russia’s foreign intelligence, spoke with the new head of MI6, Blaise Metreweli, in a “rather lengthy telephone conversation.” Simultaneously, the EU is debating how to use frozen Russian assets to aid Ukraine, but Belgium opposes the plan, fearing Russian retaliation. Meanwhile, Donald Trump’s envoys are set to meet with a top advisor to Vladimir Putin to discuss peace negotiations, as Trump believes a deal is nearing. Furthermore, Belarus has received Russia’s latest nuclear-capable missile system, as confirmed by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko.
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Amazon recently detected a North Korean imposter working as a sysadmin after noticing unusual keystroke input lag, a telltale sign of remote control. Amazon security personnel found that the suspicious individual’s keyboard lag was significantly higher than the norm, indicating that their laptop was being remotely accessed. Since April 2024, Amazon has thwarted over 1,800 DPRK infiltration attempts, with attempts increasing by 27% quarterly. These successes highlight the importance of actively searching for these impostors, as the company’s Chief Security Officer points out, while also noting that this is likely just the beginning of a larger issue.
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The US military conducted strikes on two alleged drug-trafficking boats in the eastern Pacific Ocean on Thursday, resulting in five deaths and marking the third such attack this week. This is part of Operation Southern Spear, a campaign aimed at curtailing narcotics trafficking. The ongoing campaign has raised questions in Congress, especially regarding the legality of the strikes and lack of public evidence connecting the boats to drug cartels. A provision in the recently signed defense policy bill withholds funds from the Secretary of Defense’s travel budget until unedited videos of the initial September strikes are released to Congress.
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On December 18, Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) conducted a successful overnight strike on a Russian military airfield in occupied Crimea, specifically targeting the Belbek airbase. The SBU’s Alpha unit utilized long-range drones to destroy air defense equipment, including radar systems and a MiG-31 fighter jet, resulting in damage estimated to be worth hundreds of millions of dollars. These systems are critical for protecting military and logistical facilities in Crimea, and their destruction will significantly weaken Russia’s defense capabilities on the Crimean axis. The SBU has stated that they will continue to dismantle the occupiers’ defenses to restore Ukrainian control of Crimea.
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President Zelenskyy criticized certain EU leaders for attempting to reintegrate Vladimir Putin and justify his actions, expressing regret that some European politicians are siding with Moscow. He emphasized that these individuals are perceived as outsiders, contrasting them with the majority of Europeans who blame Russia for the war. Zelenskyy highlighted the daily atrocities committed by Russian forces and asserted that attempts to ignore these realities are unacceptable. In his address, he alluded to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, condemning any efforts to shield Putin from accountability.
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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has initiated a national gun buyback scheme, mirroring the approach taken after the Port Arthur massacre and targeting surplus, newly banned, and illegal firearms. The government will collaborate with states and territories to fund the initiative, splitting costs and responsibilities for collection, processing, and destruction of weapons. This action follows the recent deadly attack in Sydney, with the aim to reduce the number of guns on the streets by exploring options like limiting gun ownership and bolstering firearms regulations. The Prime Minister’s announcement coincides with reforms to hate speech laws, and a national day of reflection has been declared to honor the Bondi attack victims.
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A source within Japan’s prime minister’s office suggested the country should consider possessing nuclear weapons, a departure from its long-held non-nuclear stance. The remarks, made by an individual involved in security policy under Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, came amid discussions of reviewing Japan’s Three Non-Nuclear Principles. While acknowledging the need for nuclear arms, the source also recognized the impracticality of such a move. This follows the potential for backlash due to Japan’s history as the only nation to have suffered atomic bombings and its commitment to a world without nuclear weapons, enshrined in its pacifist postwar Constitution.
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By the end of 2025, Russia’s irrecoverable losses in the war are projected to reach 1.2 million, a figure unseen since World War II, despite starting the war with approximately 1 million active-duty troops. This represents the effective destruction and rebuilding of the Russian army, now expanded to 1.5 million active personnel. The casualty rate includes those killed and severely wounded, with the proportion of killed soldiers rising annually. Despite these staggering losses and minimal territorial gains, the Kremlin shows no sign of relenting, continuing its strategy of relentless infantry assaults. This echoes the brutal tactics of the Soviet Union during World War II, prioritizing relentless attacks over the value of human life.
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Berlin prosecutors have charged a member of the Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party with performing a Nazi salute in parliament. The incident allegedly occurred in June 2023, where the suspect greeted a colleague with a Hitler salute at the Reichstag building. The accused, identified by Bild as Matthias Moosdorf, denies the gesture and had his parliamentary immunity removed in October. Moosdorf, a former foreign policy spokesperson, has faced scrutiny due to his pro-Russia stance and holds an honorary professorship at a Moscow music academy.
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On Thursday evening, NSW Police detained seven men in Sydney’s south-west, following information suggesting a potential violent act. Tactical operations police intercepted two vehicles as part of the investigation. Images from the scene show damaged cars and heavily armed officers detaining the men. Authorities have stated that, at this time, there is no connection to the ongoing Bondi terror attack investigation.
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John Q. Hosedrinker