Namibia is backing South Africa's case. Deputy prime minister of Belgium is also saying Belgium should back SA

BEIRUT (AP) — An Israeli airstrike killed an elite Hezbollah commander in southern Lebanon on Monday, the latest in an escalating exchange of strikes along the border that have raised fears of another Mideast war even as the fighting in Gaza exacts a mounting toll on civilians.

The strike on an SUV killed a commander in a secretive Hezbollah force that operates along the border, according to a Lebanese security official, who spoke on condition of anonymity according to regulations. Hezbollah identified the slain fighter as Wissam al-Tawil without providing details.

He is the most senior militant in the armed group to have been killed since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack into southern Israel triggered all-out war in Gaza and lower-intensity fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, which has escalated since an Israeli strike killed a senior Hamas leader in Beirut last week.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who is back in the region this week, appears to be trying to head off a wider conflict.

I feel like any time Blinken visits the press reports that he is there to pump the breaks or stop a massacre/escalation but Israel almost always does whatever he is "trying to stop" as soon as he leaves... almost like he isn't trying to stop it... its almost like he is giving them the go ahead

https://web.archive.org/web/20240108151242/https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-news-01-08-2024-18fbc9af50000c94fed59017fe82481e

Good grief. The weapons used in today's gang violence in Ecuador came from the Peruvian military 💀💀💀

The US-backed dictator, Dina Boluarte, has convened an emergency meeting to determine how this could have happened. The answer will be very obvious.

twitter | nitter

As a centrist, I support a 3 state solution. A secular nation in the donbass region where all people can live in peace

90% of empires stop bombing Yemen just one day before Yemen is about to surrender. Go on US and/or UK, try again! It'll work this time!

https://new.thecradle.co/articles-id/18512

The Hebrew edition of the paper wrote on 11 January that “one of the revelations revealed in the investigation is that at midnight on October 7, the IDF [Israeli army] ordered all of its combat units in practice to use the ‘Hannibal Procedure’ although without clearly mentioning this explicitly by name.”

The order was to stop “at all costs any attempt by Hamas terrorists to return to Gaza, that is, despite the fear that some of them have abductees,” the paper wrote.

In a just world the United States would be metaphorically (ah who am I kidding how about literally) torn limb from limb while every fucking mindless imperialist drone living here and abroad watches their shitty fucking empire crumble, slowly and painfully.

Hunter Biden showed the world today why he's the top dog, he walked into that hearing like a boss. Someone outside even asked him if he was on crack and he didn't answer so return of the king?

Whatever happens in Yemen, stay safe out there everyone. Check on your friends and family, because it's going to be a long night.

According to somebody on the radio “we (Taiwan) are surrounded by 23 ccp balloons right now, Taiwan is on the frontlines”

Governors do the most fash shit while no one is paying attention. Indiana’s governor signed a bill banning youth gender affirming care on his way out, and those on medication right now will be cut off at the end of the year if it holds up

https://nitter.nohost.network/DD_Geopolitics/status/1745658533377651177#m

• More than 15 F/A-18 aircraft launched from the aircraft carrier Eisenhower and participated in the strikes on Yemen.
• More than 60 targets were targeted in 16 locations in Yemen, in which more than 100 bombs and missiles of various types were used.

Lula is considering supporting South Africa's complaint against Israel at the Hague for genocide, says Palestinian ambassador.

Ibrahim Alzeben, the Palestinian ambassador to Brazil, met with the President on Wednesday morning (10).

So what this tunnel thingy says about nyc is: dig to fucking vaults, no one knows what the fuck happens underground.

P.S. But don't cause 9/11

Looks like US inflation is still super high and the newest trick to mitigate it, aka not counting rent increases, doesn't help much. CPI is at 3.9% without rent so yeah.

DAMN MY DAD COULD DRIVE UP INFLATION

Oh boy. Here we fucking go. sigh

Biden sent private message to Tehran amid airstrikes: ‘We’re well-prepared’

Joe Biden said on Saturday that the United States has sent a private message to Tehran that “we’re confident we’re well-prepared”, following a second night of US and British strikes against Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen.

US military strategists warned Saturday that the so-called “triple-h” threat (Hamas-Houthi-Hezbollah) could require a significant increase in US military capabilities to protect US national security interests and military personnel in the region and support a commitment to freedom of navigation.

Deptula warned that deterrence may not be possible by co-ercion alone and an international coalition “may need to completely destroy the Houthis’ means of power projection”.

Also, this part is pretty hilarious:

Meanwhile, in an interview on MSNBC on Saturday, Pramila Jayapal, the chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, urged the Biden administration, on the airstrikes authorized by the government’s executive branch without the inclusion of the congressional branch: “Come explain it to Congress.”

Like, you know Congress will probably be near unanimous in approving of this war, right? And if the Republicans put up a minor stink and have some of them vote against it, it'll just be because "Biden bad"? So what you're saying, in effect, is that you'd like to give Biden an even greater political mandate to make war....

Maybe if you're really "progressive" you should be out in the streets with the anti-war movement. Eh, Pramila?

Or, you know: go ahead and author a piece of legislation demanding that Biden stop attacking the Houthis. See how far you get. You don't have to beg Biden to do anything. Just fucking do it. I dare you. Actively challenge the power of the presidency, instead of whining that he's not asking for your permission. (No? Thought not.)

EDIT: More here: Is a huge war coming? US bombs Yemen, Iraq & Syria. Israel bombs Gaza & Lebanon. Both threaten Iran. (25 min video by Geopolitical Economy Report) where "former" U.S. and Israeli officials call explicitly for war with Iran.

US and Britain prepare to launch strikes against Houthi rebels | Financial Times

The US and the UK are preparing strikes against Iran-backed Houthi rebels who have been attacking commercial ships in the Red Sea.

The US is expected to lead the military response against the Houthis after the Yemen-based militant group began targeting vessels following Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza.

UK prime minister Rishi Sunak was preparing on Thursday night to authorise strikes, with Britain acting as part of a US-led military coalition.

Sunak convened a call of his cabinet ministers at 7.45pm following a meeting of the National Security Council, Whitehall insiders said.

The Pentagon has drawn up options for targeted strikes on Houthi positions in Yemen, including missile launch sites and weapons depots, according to US officials.

Pentagon press secretary Major General Pat Ryder said on Thursday he would not speculate on any future operations.

The Houthis have carried out more than two dozen attacks on merchant ships in the past two months in the Red Sea, causing acute disruption along a critical maritime trade route.

The Islamist rebels have become one of the most active factions in Iran’s so-called axis of resistance since the war between Israel and Hamas erupted on October 7.

UK defence secretary Grant Shapps said on Wednesday he was in regular contact with allies in the Middle East.

“We are all agreed and in one voice that this cannot continue,” he said of the Houthi rebels’ activities, adding: “We won’t allow it to continue.”

For Sunak this is potentially the most serious military crisis involving British forces since he became prime minister in October 2022, even if the UK is expected to play a junior role in a US-led operation.

Lord Kim Darroch, a former UK national security adviser, said: “Generally we contribute about 10 per cent of any joint operation. The French would normally be asked if they want to get involved.

“The important thing is that we are part of any operation, rather than how much hardware we deliver.”

The UK has two warships in the region, one of them HMS Diamond, which shot down seven of the 18 drones and missiles that the Houthis fired on Tuesday from areas that the group controls in Yemen.   

Should the US-led military operation go ahead, deploying British fighter jets to hit Houthi bases is thought to be one option. Firing Tomahawk cruise missiles from UK submarines is believed to be another option.

I'm watching alonost everything on the un security council meetings. Everyone save Palestine paid the "condemn Hamas" tax. Said hostages should be free and there should be a ceasefire and adequate humanitarian aid. That settlements are illegal and Palestine should be free. No displacement.

Then (they're the only delegation with a uniformed military person in it) comes on and says WHY NO ONE CONDEMNS HAMAS! LITTLE BABY BIBAS IN TERROR TUNNEL. (Never mind we kill any of the hostages we find....also just never mind what we do!) Just a non stop gaslighting fascist joke of a state. 1 little baby still alive compared to over 10,000 dead. Yeah we all feel so bad for you fascist genocidal bastards.

The UN has become a KKHHHHHamas Base and is no longer my friend!

You're so concerned about the [ARABS] - because I won't say Palestinians to validate them as a people or a nation) What about Pakistan and Afghanistan?! (Also because to the fascist mind they are all the same and I'm totally not dogwhistling my racist bigotry) They have issues! Where are all the SC meetings about them! (I'm also not going to bring this up in a serious meeting on it's own I'm just deflecting)

I just started LMAO . They're a joke on the world stage now. An absolute pathetic joke.

From the lady who single handledly destroyed Argentina's relations with China comes the completely expected accusation: The narcos in Ecuador are actually socialists, you guys!

https://www.rt.com/news/590289-hezbollah-leader-killed-in-alleged-israeli-airstrike/

More assassination bombing in Lebanon

I know there are broad consequences to doing so, including starting a World War, but at what point does it become a moral imperative for a communist superpower (i.e. China) to militarily intervene to stop a genocide? Or are the consequences just too great?

https://www.reuters.com/world/uks-cameron-says-hes-worried-israel-may-have-breached-international-law-gaza-2024-01-09/

UK's Cameron says he's worried Israel may have breached international law in Gaza

lol

I am a dumb guy, need help with a math question. Do you think a country of 330 million people can defeat 3 billion people in a hot war?

UN Security Council demands Houthis halt Red Sea attacks as US and UK warn of strikes (CNN)

The United Nations Security Council on Wednesday approved a resolution calling on Yemen’s Houthi rebel group to “cease its brazen” attacks in the Red Sea, as the United States and Britain hinted at military strikes.

The warnings come as the Iran-backed militants continue a weeks-long campaign to launch drones and missiles at vessels in the commercially vital shipping lane, which they say are revenge against Israel for its military campaign in Gaza.

The UN Security Council vote was 11 in favor, 0 against, and four abstentions, including Russia and China.

https://www.cnn.com/cnn/2024/01/11/middleeast/un-security-council-houthi-attacks-resolution-intl-hnk/index.html

Ansarallah response:

https://twitter.com/resistance_sa/status/1745546981932474811

https://nitter.net/resistance_sa/status/1745546981932474811

EDIT: Apparently the resolution from the security council did not authorize the use of force.

His Eminence Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah:

-"Israel" is drowning in failure and is in a deep pit, as confirmed by its analysts, and it has not achieved any victory or even a semblance of victory.

-"Israel" has not achieved any of its declared or undisclosed goals, and this is unanimously acknowledged by the "Israelis" themselves.

https://t.me/mmirlb/7469

South afrika very good guys, braver than all nato shitlibs.

Checked out azovsomething: 0 videos about palestine. Amazing bruh

How Israeli forces trapped and killed ravers at the Nova Festival | The Cradle

The danish government has just removed the last bit of protections from being surveiled lol source is in danish don't worry though, it has to go into public hearings first, which totally matter guys

Pope encourages Marxists and Christians to fight corruption, uphold rule-of-law - Vatican News

Pope Francis meets with representatives of the Dialop Transversal dialogue project, an initiative that invites socialists and Christians to work for a common ethic, and invites them to build a better future for our polarised world.

People who are poor, unemployed, homeless, immigrants, or exploited, as well as all those killed by past dictatorships and turned into rubbish by the "throwaway culture" of the present: the level of a society's civilisation is measured by the way they are treated, the Pope said.

Pope Francis reiterated the centrality of the vulnerable as well as the urgency of countering the triple "scourge" of corruption, abuse of power, and lawlessness—both in politics and in society—in his address on Wednesday with representatives of the DIALOP transversal dialogue project.

This is a dialogue project between socialists/Marxists, communists, and Christians aimed at formulating a common social ethic that can be proposed as a new narrative for a Europe in search of its identity, with an integral ecology between the Social Doctrine of the Church and Marxist social critique at its core.

The initiative was born in 2014 after a meeting between Pope Francis, Alexis Tsipras, then president of the Syriza party and later Greek prime minister after 2015, Walter Baier, president of the Party of the European Left, and Franz Kronreif of the Focolare Movement (both present at the audience).

"Do not stop dreaming"

Pope Francis received this morning, in the Paul VI Hall, before the General Audience, 15 members—7 from the left and 8 Catholics from different European countries—of this association.

He shared with them his pain for a world that today appears "divided by wars and polarizations" and, on the other hand, his encouragement to look to the future and try to imagine a "better world."

"We Argentinians say: don't wrinkle, don't go backwards. And this is the invitation I extend to you too: don't back down, don't give up, don't stop dreaming of a better world."

Freedom, equality, dignity, fraternity

"It is in the imagination, in fact, that intelligence, intuition, experience, and historical memory meet to create, venture, and risk," the Pope stressed.

He recalled how, over the centuries, "it has been the great dreams of freedom and equality, of dignity and fraternity, a reflection of God's dream, that have produced progress and advances."

In this sense, the Pope indicated three attitudes for DIALOP to carry out its commitment: the courage to break the mould, attention to the weak, and promotion of a culture based on the rule-of-law.

Turning the tide

Having the courage to break the mould means "opening up, in dialogue, to new ways."

"In an era marked at various levels by conflicts and disagreements, let us not lose sight of what can still be done to reverse the course," he said.

"Against rigid approaches that divide, let us cultivate confrontation and listening with an open heart, without excluding anyone, at the political, social, and religious levels, so that the contribution of each one can, in his or her concrete peculiarity, be positively accepted in the processes of change to which our future is committed," Pope Francis exhorted.

Criticism of finance and market mechanisms

The Pope then called for constant attention to be paid to the weak because the measure of a civilisation is evident in how it treats those on the margins of society.

In off-the-cuff remarks, the Pope recalled the history of the recent past. "Let us not forget that the great dictatorships—think of Nazism—discarded the vulnerable and killed them," he said.

He urged world leaders to put in place policies that are "truly at the service of humanity," saying society "cannot allow itself to be dictated by finance and market mechanisms."

"Solidarity, besides being a moral virtue, is a requirement of justice, which requires correcting distortions and purifying the intentions of unjust systems, as well as radical changes of perspective in the sharing of challenges and resources among men and among peoples," the Pope said.

And he defined "social poets" those who dedicate themselves to this field, because "poetry is creativity," and here it is a question of "putting creativity at the service of society, so that it becomes more human and fraternal."

Fighting corruption and illegality

Finally, Pope Francis encouraged a culture based on the rule-of-law.

"Fight the scourge of corruption, abuses of power, and illegality," he said, because "only in honesty, in deeds, can healthy relationships be established and we can cooperate with trust and efficiency in the construction of a better future."

Hence he expressed his gratitude for the "courage" to work "for a more just and peaceful world" and the recommendation that "the Gospel of Jesus Christ may always inspire and illuminate your research and actions."

During the audience, the DIALOP group presented to the Pope the results of the work of the last ten years, carried out also with the support of the Dicastery for Catholic Culture and Education.

"Beyond religious and ideological boundaries, Christians and Marxists, as well as people of good will," the association explained in a note, "recognise today that they are united in their commitment to the end of armed conflicts in the world and the security of the most basic human rights, in order to guarantee social equilibrium and peace for humanity."

US war tech literally becoming warhammer shit by using tech they don't understand and putting a skull put on it or something