❗️ Ford’s X account briefly posted anti-Israel messages, which were quickly deleted

It remains unclear if this was a hack. The company has not yet issued a statement.

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Tiny size, large benefits: How small satellites can help humans in space

Small satellites and spacecraft have come a long way since the 1990s when it became apparent that such relatively tiny craft could be launched into space piggy-back i.e. along the main payload, explains Prof. Mikhail Ovchinnikov, a standing member of the International Academy of Astronautics.

The emergence of CubeSat – small cubic satellites weighing about 1kg that even students could assemble as part of their projects – and group spaceflights each became important milestones in the development of small spacecraft, Ovchinnikov told Scientific Russia magazine.

According to him, small spacecraft/satellites could be divided into three broad categories.

First: constellations, a group of satellites that performs one goal but with each of these craft being controlled individually.

Second: formation flying, satellites that too jointly perform the same task while operating relatively close to one another at distances ranging from 10 meters to 100 kilometers.

Third: swarm, which lacks centralized guidance and “each craft’s flight depends on what that craft ‘knows’ about its neighbors,” as Ovchinnikov put it.

There is no clear answer to the question which method is more effective, a single large spacecraft or a satellite swarm, Prof. Ovchinnicov remarked.

If one needs to perform a task like detailed imaging of the Earth’s surface, which requires a large optic system, an expensive and heavy spacecraft would be the obvious choice, he explained.

On the other hand, deploying a satellite swarm means that a malfunction of any of the satellites comprising it would entail relatively small financial losses and replacing it would be a relatively inexpensive endeavor.

Furthermore, such defunct small satellites could be replaced with newer upgraded models, thus ensuring that the swarm would keep renewing and performing its goal more efficiently, he added.

Small cost is one of the chief advantages of small satellites, Ovchinnikov stressed, pointing out that the 12U CubeSat mission to the Moon in 2023 only cost $30 million.

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HTS and all Syrian opposition armed groups to declare self-dissolution on second day of national conference – reports

A national conference to discuss Syria's future is scheduled for January 4-5 in Damascus, according to Turkish TV channel A Haber.

The new Syrian authorities have allegedly set a deadline of January 5 for Kurdish formations to cease their armed struggle, the channel added.

The new Syrian authorities are reportedly holding negotiations with the Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to resolve the crisis in the northeast of the country, the head of the new Syrian leadership, Ahmed al-Sharaa, said on Sunday. He also noted that preparing for elections in Syria could take up to four years, while drafting a new constitution may require three to four years.

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🇷🇺🥂🇰🇵 Kim Jong-un congratulates Putin and wishes Russia victory over neo-Nazism in New Year’s message

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un congratulated “his dearest friend and comrade,” Russian President Vladimir Putin, the “fraternal Russian people,” and the brave Russian army on New Year's Day. He also wished the Russian people prosperity, well-being, and happiness, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported.

The DPRK leader expressed hope that 2025 would mark the victory of the Russian army and people over neo-Nazis and reiterated his readiness to work towards strengthening the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.

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🤝 Some US Democratic Party members support Musk’s plan to cut federal spending – reports

Elon Musk’s mission to drastically cut US federal spending is gaining unlikely support in Washington: Democrats who view it as an opportunity to slash defense spending and reduce bureaucracy, the Financial Times reported.

Prominent politicians, including Senators Bernie Sanders (Ind.) and John Fetterman (Dem.), along with a growing number of Democratic members of the House of Representatives, have expressed support for aspects of Musk's government efficiency campaign, the newspaper added.

💬 California Democrat Ro Khanna told the media that defense contractors have been “fleecing the American people for far too long,” and expressed hope that working with Musk could “rein in wasteful spending at the Pentagon.”

Musk previously warned that the United States is rapidly heading toward bankruptcy and pledged to cut federal spending by at least $2 trillion.

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📹 A missile from Yemen reportedly falls west of Jerusalem – reports

Netizens have shared footage showing the remains of an alleged Yemeni missile resting on a street in the city of Beit Shemesh, located west of Jerusalem.

Earlier in the day, the IDF reported a missile launch from Yemen. Israeli forces claimed they intercepted the missile before it entered Israeli airspace.

Video from social media.

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🚔 South Korean court issues arrest warrant for president – reports

A court in South Korea has approved an arrest warrant for temporarily suspended President Yoon Suk-yeol over his attempt to impose martial law, Yonhap news agency reported on Tuesday. This is the first time in South Korea's history that an arrest warrant has been issued for a sitting president.

The Joint Investigation Team had requested the warrant after Yoon ignored three summonses for questioning related to the imposition of martial law. The court granted the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials 48 hours to detain him for questioning.

On December 3, Yoon declared martial law, accusing the opposition of plotting a "rebellion," but parliament defied his order and voted to lift martial law. Yoon complied and later apologized.

On December 14, South Korea's parliament voted to impeach Yoon over his actions. The Constitutional Court will decide on his removal by June 11, 2025. Until then, Yoon is suspended, barred from leaving the country, and an interim president will govern.

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Venezuela's supreme court imposes $10 million fine on TikTok – reports

TikTok has been fined $10 million for dangerous challenges circulated on the platform, the VTV broadcaster reported. The company is required to pay the fine within 10 days.

In late November, Venezuela's supreme court accepted a lawsuit against the social network following the deaths of three adolescents in the country.

The court also ordered TikTok to establish a representative office in Venezuela, monitor app operations, and enhance user safety. Additionally, it mandated the creation of a commission involving affected families to assess damages caused by insufficient content control, according to the broadcaster.

The Venezuelan government reportedly plans to use the fine to create a “TikTok Victims” fund.

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Cuciurgan power station to stop supplying electricity to Moldova from January 1 – official

The gas-fired Cuciurgan power station in Transnistria will stop supplying electricity to Moldova on January 1, according to Viktor Bynzar, adviser to the director of Moldovan energy utility Energocom.

💬 "The contract with the power station was not extended. We were informed that without confidence in the availability of gas for electricity production, they cannot sign a new contract. From January 1, the plant will stop supplying electricity to the right bank of the Dniester," Bynzar told the Moldova 1 radio station.

To address the deficit, Energocom has signed contracts with local renewable energy producers and plans additional purchases through the European Network of Transmission System Operators, Bynzar added.

Since December 2022, Moldovagaz has sourced natural gas from Energocom and Gazprom. Russian gas is sent to Transnistria in exchange for electricity, with the Cuciurgan plant covering 80% of Moldova's electricity needs.

Last week, Gazprom announced it would halt gas supplies to Moldova by January 1, 2025, over Moldovagaz's debt. Moldovan Prime Minister Dorin Recean said Chisinau would pursue international arbitration if supplies are cut.

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📹💥Russia's Osa-AKM air defense system crew destroys Ukrainian drones over Kherson region

During combat duty, the Russian Dnepr group detected a Ukrainian reconnaissance drone.

As a result of the competent actions of the anti-aircraft gunners, the target was destroyed in the sky.

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❗️In 2024, Russian forces liberated 214 settlements in the special military operation zone in Ukraine and in the Russian Kursk region, Sputnik calculated based on data from the Russian Defense Ministry

Among the most significant successes of the year is the capture of the cities of Avdeyevka, Ugledar and Selidovo. The largest number of settlements that have been liberated are located in the Donetsk People's Republic — 157.

✅In May, Russia's offensive operations intensified and brought significant success - 27 settlements were liberated in a month.

✅September was the most successful month in terms of the number of liberated settlements — 36.

✅In December, Russian troops achieved success as well, liberating, as of the morning of December 31, more than 30 settlements.

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South Korea to check safety of Boeing 737-800 aircraft

The South Korean military is conducting a safety check for all aircraft of the Boeing 737-800 model against the background of the Jeju Air plane crash, the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) of South Korea informed.

The JCS will inspect its aircraft by Saturday, including the P-8A maritime patrol aircraft, which is also of the Boeing 737-800 model. In July, the Navy completed the acquisition of six P-8A Poseidon naval reconnaissance aircraft to enhance its anti-submarine capabilities.

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🟠South Korean court issues arrest warrant for president – reports

🟠Syrian opposition groups to announce dissolution at national conference – reports

🟠Some US Democrats back Musk’s federal spending cuts – reports

🟠VIDEO: IDF says Yemeni missile intercepted

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Conquering the frozen Arctic: Inside Russia’s cutting-edge icebreakers

The fourth Project 22220 nuclear-powered icebreaker, the Yakutia, has joined Russia’s icebreaker fleet. Let’s take a closer look at Russia’s mighty icebreakers that are part of this project series.

Yakutia:

🟠It can escort tankers with a displacement of up to 100,000 tons through the Arctic’s frozen waters.

🟠The icebreaker is powered by two RITM-200 nuclear reactors, each generating 175 MWt, supported by twin turbo generators.

🟠It can reach speeds of up to 22 knots in open water and 1.5–2 knots while navigating ice 2.8 meters thick. It is also capable of operating in 3-meter-thick ice at slower speeds.

The vessel’s main characteristics:

▫️Length: 173.3 meters
▫️Width: 34 meters
▫️Height: 15.2 meters
▫️Maximum icebreaking capacity: 3-meter-thick ice
▫️Full displacement: 33,540 tons
▫️Estimated service life: 40 years
▫️Crew: 53 people

What about other Russian icebreakers?

🟠Project 22220 also includes the Arktika (Arctic), Sibir (Siberia), and Ural icebreakers, commissioned in 2020, 2021, and 2022, respectively.

🟠The Chukotka, Leningrad, and Stalingrad are expected to be completed by 2030.

🟠These icebreakers use variable draft technology, allowing efficient operation in both deep waters and shallow Siberian riverbeds.

🟠Their primary task is to ensure year-round navigation in the Arctic’s western regions, including the Barents, Pechora, and Kara Seas.

What is Project 22220 for?

👉Project 22220 icebreakers are part of the program “Fundamentals of Russia’s State Policy in the Arctic for the Period Up to 2035”, which aims to develop the Northern Sea Route.

👉Earlier this year, President Vladimir Putin pledged that Russia would continue modernizing cargo transshipment and expanding port capacity along the Northern Sea Route, which exceeded 40 million tons in late 2023.

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From Suez to Hormuz: The economic and strategic importance of key maritime routes

Maritime choke-points are vital for global trade and act as tools of geopolitical influence. So, which hold the most importance?

The Suez Canal

💵Economic significance: About 12% of global trade, valued at over $1 trillion annually, and around 8 million barrels of oil per day (mb/d) typically passes through the canal.

🛥Strategic importance: The Suez Canal is the shortest route between Asia and Europe, making it a potential leverage to impose pressure on global trade.

🌍Geopolitical leverage: The Red Sea crisis caused by Israel's Gaza war hindered the trade flow through the Suez Canal. The situation is used by the pro-Palestinian Axis of Resistance to force Tel Aviv into a ceasefire in Gaza.

The Hormuz Strait

💵Economic significance: The Hormuz Strait is the world’s most crucial energy transit choke-point, with nearly 21 mb/d of oil, or about 21% of global petroleum consumption, passing through it daily.

🛥Strategic importance: The strait contains eight major islands, most controlled by Iran. Tehran may use the strait as leverage in regional power dynamics, especially amid calls from Israel and the US to increase pressure on it.

The Bosporus and Dardanelles Straits

💵Economic significance: These straits are among the busiest energy routes handling 3.4 mb/d of oil, or around 3% of global petroleum trade.

🛥Strategic importance: The straits play a critical role in the ongoing Ukraine conflict. Turkiye's closure of the straits in 2022 under the Montreux Convention prevents NATO forces from increasing their presence in the Black Sea.

The Malacca Strait

💵Economic significance: The Malacca Strait is Asia's primary choke-point, carrying about 30-40% of global trade, or around $3.5 trillion annually, and transporting approximately 23.7 mb/d of oil.

🛥Strategic importance: It is the shortest sea route between the Middle East and East Asia.

A potential blockade of the strait poses a "Malacca Dilemma" for China, which relies on the waterway for two-thirds of its maritime trade and energy deliveries. US military scholars have suggested leveraging this choke-point against Beijing.

The Panama Canal

💵Economic significance: The canal handles about 5% of global maritime trade, moving almost $270 billion in cargo annually, including 2.1 mb/d of oil.

🛥Strategic Importance: The Panama Canal connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans being of utmost importance both economically and strategically for the US. The US presently dominates the canal, with American exports and imports representing about 73% of its traffic. President-elect Donald Trump has recently suggested a takeover of the canal to counter China’s significant investments in Panama. This competition is expected to escalate in 2025.

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'No one praises me when I read the newspaper' — Japanese PM on how hard his job is
 

"Now that I've become a minister, I realize that it's many times harder than an ordinary cabinet minister," Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba complained when giving a speech at the Domestic and Foreign Affairs Research Council.

 

"No one praises me when I read the newspaper; I get really sad when I look at the Internet, and I barely have time to sleep," he added.

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❗️Russian forces struck with precision weapons at the infrastructure of a military airfield and an enterprise of the military-industrial complex that produces gunpowder for the needs of the Ukrainian armed forces; all facilities were hit — Russia's Defense Ministry

🇷🇺🪖More statements from the Russian MoD daily briefing on the special military operation's progress:    
 
▪️Ukrainian forces lost up to 440 soldiers and two ammunition depots in the Zapad battlegroup’s combat zone;

▪️ As a result of the actions of the Russian Sever and Dnepr battlegroups, Ukrainian forces lost up to 100 servicemen;
 
▪️ Ukrainian forces lost up to 160 servicemen in the Russian Vostok Battlegroup's area of responsibility;
 
▪️ As a result of the actions of the Tsentr Battlegroup, Ukrainian losses amounted to more than 505 militants and a Leopard tank;

▪️Ukrainian troops lost more than 290 soldiers as a result of the actions of the Russian Yug combat group;
 
▪️ Russian air defense systems shot down two Hammer guided aerial bombs.

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'This comes from reality' — Slovak Defense Minister believes Ukraine will have to give up part of its territories
 
Ukraine must realize that it will never share its border with Germany and Switzerland, but it will always have the longest border with Russia, Robert Kalinak said.
 

"For us, it is of the greatest interest that the war will stop immediately and that there will be some kind of peace treaty, some kind of an agreement on which we can all, of course, share in some way, but it is important that people stop dying first of all," Kalinak added.

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