Finland seizes ship sailing from Russia after suspected cable sabotage in Baltic Sea. So, the situation’s pretty clear cut, right? A ship, en route from Russia, gets snagged by the Finnish authorities. The reason? Well, there’s a strong suspicion that it was involved in some underwater cable sabotage in the Baltic Sea. That’s a serious matter, especially when critical infrastructure like communication cables are targeted. You can bet that people are going to have strong opinions about what should happen next.
It’s tempting to think about swift, decisive action. Some suggest retaliating in kind, a sort of eye-for-an-eye approach. The ideas range from sinking the ship to imposing sanctions, seizing assets, and even imprisoning the crew.… Continue reading
This year marks a historic milestone for the Republic of Ireland, as there have been no recorded gun killings. This is the first time in nearly six decades that such a statistic has been achieved. Historically, gun violence was more prevalent, particularly during the Troubles and the peak of drug-related crime. The last year without a gun-related fatality was 1968, highlighting the significance of the recent achievement.
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According to a source cited by Novaya Gazeta. Europe, Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov was urgently hospitalized in Moscow on the night of December 24-25 after his health rapidly declined during a planned State Council meeting. Kadyrov was reportedly transported to the Central Clinical Hospital for intensive care and was resuscitated, however he has not been seen in public since. This incident follows a previous hospitalization earlier in the year and reports of deteriorating health, potentially linked to the war in Ukraine and Kadyrov’s own reported “nervous breakdowns”.
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Finnish authorities have detained a cargo ship, the Fitburg, and its crew after a telecommunication cable connecting Finland and Estonia was damaged. The ship, flagged in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, had its anchor chain lowered in Finnish waters near the damage site. The crew, comprised of citizens from Russia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, and Azerbaijan, has been detained while investigations into aggravated criminal damage and interference with telecommunications are underway. The incident is part of a pattern of disruptions in the Baltic Sea, which has prompted security concerns and NATO initiatives to protect undersea infrastructure, with suspicions directed toward Russia.
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Russia attacks Ukraine’s Black Sea ports and civilian ships, Kyiv says, and it’s difficult not to be struck by the sheer contradiction of it all. The narrative of wanting peace, wanting what’s best for Ukraine, just doesn’t align with the actions of striking ports and civilian shipping. It’s like they’re speaking one language and acting in another, a language of coercion and disruption. It’s a strategy that inevitably hardens positions and raises costs, the exact opposite of what’s needed to build any path to negotiations.
The “we want peace” line rings incredibly hollow when the target list keeps expanding. This includes both the ports and the civilian shipping.… Continue reading
During a meeting with Benjamin Netanyahu, Donald Trump lamented his perceived lack of recognition for the Nobel Peace Prize, referencing conflicts he falsely claimed to have resolved. Despite his claims, Trump has ordered bombings in numerous countries, exceeding the record of his predecessors and leading to significant civilian casualties. As a consolation, Trump was awarded the Israel Prize, the nation’s highest cultural honor. His actions, including backing Israel’s war on Gaza and deploying military forces near Venezuela, have drawn further criticism.
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Construction work is underway on bridges near the Belarusian border in Lithuania as part of fortification measures agreed upon last July. This initiative, confirmed by the Lithuanian Armed Forces, is part of preparations for a Baltic defense line along the borders with Russia and Belarus, involving the installation of engineering structures for explosives on key bridges and roads. The military is also establishing storage sites for anti-tank obstacles, planting protective trees, and deepening irrigation ditches. Officials are aiming to balance defensive actions with a need to avoid causing panic, emphasizing the importance of consistent communication and long-term preparedness, as stated by Major Gintautas Ciunis of the Lithuanian Armed Forces Strategic Communications Department.
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President Zelensky suggests the war with Russia could conclude by 2026, citing the stabilization of the Russian army’s size as a key factor. He emphasized that territorial concessions remain a significant point of disagreement in peace negotiations, particularly concerning the occupied regions. Zelensky expressed skepticism towards Russia’s intentions, advocating for continued US pressure, including sanctions, and highlighting the importance of dialogue to prevent further escalation. He also discussed Ukraine’s growing domestic military industry and the ongoing negotiations for US security guarantees. Zelensky expressed his willingness to speak with Putin, even though he views him as an enemy.
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Contrary to Russian claims of a drone attack on Vladimir Putin’s Valdai residence, local residents reported no evidence of such an event. Interviews with 14 Valdai residents revealed they neither heard drone activity nor received air threat alerts on the night of December 28-29. Located near Lake Valdai, Putin’s residence is separated from the town, which is home to about 14,000 residents who are typically aware when Putin is present due to helicopter activity. The Ukrainian government has denied the claims, with President Zelenskyy calling it a lie to justify further aggression.
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Spanish investigators have determined the Russian cargo ship Ursa Major, which sank off the coast of Cartagena in December 2024, was carrying undeclared nuclear reactor components likely intended for North Korea. The ship, part of Russia’s shadow fleet, was en route from St. Petersburg to Vladivostok, with its manifest falsely listing only port equipment. The vessel sank after a distress signal, with evidence suggesting an external strike, and was followed by the arrival of a Russian warship and deep-sea recovery vessel, potentially to retrieve or destroy the sensitive cargo.
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Matt Underwood 
John Q. Hosedrinker