Podcasts about Russian

The Ouija board started as a simple parlor game in 1890 — but paranormal researchers warn it might open doorways to something far more sinister. And if a spirit starts spelling out the name Zozo, you may have just made contact with one of the most dangerous entities on the other side.IN THIS EPISODE: Some believe the Ouija board is a harmless game – others feel it is a paranormal, evil portal to allow entry into our world of ghosts, dead relatives, and even demonic entities. How dangerous is the Ouija Board? (Ouija Board Dangers) *** On April 12th, 1961 the first man to ever make it into space was a Russian cosmonaut by the name of Yuri Gagarin. He is considered a hero to his country, and an inspiration worldwide to those who are fascinated by space travel. But what few do not know is that there is a theory that there was someone before Yuri Gagarin – and the story has been kept a secret. (The Cosmonaut Conspiracy) *** Apparently, if you want to have a satisfying life, it's best to not have the name Elizabeth Brewer. I have two stories completely unrelated except that atthe center of each sombre tale is a woman named Elizabeth Brewer. (Two Terrible Tales of Elizabeth Brewer)CHAPTERS & TIME STAMPS (All Times Approximate)…00:00:00.000 = Show Open00:01:49.989 = Ouija Board Dangers00:13:23.084 = *** The Cosmonaut Conspiracy00:26:41.234 = *** Two Terrible Tales of Elizabeth Brewer00:44:02.400 = ***The Golgotha Dancers (Bonus Story - Fiction)01:06:21.361 = Show Close*** = Begins immediately after inserted ad breakSOURCES AND REFERENCES FROM THE EPISODE…“Is The Ouija Board Dangerous” (https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/2adx4nxx) and “Why You Should Avoid Contacting The Sinister Demon Zozo” https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/3cnmc9he) by Stephen Wagner; and “Who Invented The Ouija Board” (https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/v8xavm6h) by Mary Bellis -- both for LiveAbout.com“The Cosmonaut Conspiracy” by David Crookes from All About Space Magazine, posted at LiveScience.com: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/hn5m2r52“Two Terrible Tales of Elizabeth Brewer” by William Ellis-Rees for London Overlooked: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/kbxvw4a2, https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/5y7yukyk“The Golgotha Dancers “By Manly Wade Wellman, originally published in Weird Tales October, 1937Weird Darkness theme by Alibi Music Library. = = = = =(Over time links seen above may become invalid, disappear, or have different content. I always make sure to give authors credit for the material I use whenever possible. If I somehow overlooked doing so for a story, or if a credit is incorrect, please let me know and I will rectify it in these show notes immediately. Some links included above may benefit me financially through qualifying purchases.)= = = = ="I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness." — John 12:46= = = = =WeirdDarkness® is a registered trademark. Copyright ©2026, Weird Darkness.= = = = =Originally aired: May 26, 2021EPISODE PAGE: https://weirddarkness.com/DangerousOuijaABOUT WEIRD DARKNESS: Weird Darkness is a true crime and paranormal podcast narrated by professional award-winning voice actor, Darren Marlar. Seven days per week, Weird Darkness focuses on all things strange and macabre such as haunted locations, unsolved mysteries, true ghost stories, supernatural manifestations, urban legends, unsolved or cold cases, conspiracy theories, and more. Weird Darkness has been named one of the “20 Best Storytellers in Podcasting” by Podcast Business Journal. Listeners have described the show as a blend of “Coast to Coast AM”, “The Twilight Zone”, “Unsolved Mysteries”, and “In Search Of”.DISCLAIMER: Stories and content in Weird Darkness can be disturbing for some listeners and intended for mature audiences only. Parental discretion is strongly advised.#WeirdDarkness, #OuijaBoard, #Zozo, #Paranormal, #DemonicEntity, #SpiritBoard, #Supernatural, #HorrorStories, #TrueScaryStories, #Occult

Russian-born journalist Julia Ioffe is one of America's most influential voices on Russia-US relations, reporting on Putin's regime for over 15 years. Her new book, Motherland – which has been longlisted for the 2025 National Book Award for Non-Fiction – tells the stories of the many women who have shaped modern Russia, from feminist revolutionaries to the fearless members of Pussy Riot and Yulia Navalnaya. In December 2025, Ioffe joined CNN chief international correspondent Clarissa Ward to share her insights on life inside Putin's Russia and the possibilities for political change. She explored the history of modern Russia through the lives of its women, from the Bolshevik revolution to the present day, shining a spotlight on the remarkable women who, with enormous courage, defy Putin's regime and are fighting for a better future for their country. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week we focus on the Trump Administration's seizure of Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro as Ralph welcomes legendary former ambassador, Chas Freeman, who calls it nothing more than a “gas station stick-up.” Then our resident Constitutional scholar, Bruce Fein, lays out some of the legal ramifications of the whole affair.Ambassador Chas Freeman is a retired career diplomat who has negotiated on behalf of the United States with over 100 foreign governments in East and South Asia, Africa, Latin America, the Middle East, and both Western and Eastern Europe. Ambassador Freeman was previously a Senior Fellow at Brown University's Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs, and served as U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense, U.S. ambassador to Saudi Arabia, acting Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, and Deputy Chief of Mission and Chargé d'Affaires in the American embassies at both Bangkok and Beijing. He was Director for Chinese Affairs at the U.S. Department of State from 1979-1981. He was the principal American interpreter during the late President Nixon's historic visit to China in 1972. In addition to Chinese, Ambassador Freeman speaks French and Spanish at the professional level and can converse in Arabic and several other languages.We have been engaged in murder on the high seas, people who are suspected on flimsy grounds of carrying narcotics. If they are carrying narcotics, it is not to the United States [but] between Venezuela and Trinidad, from which the drugs go to Western Europe and West Africa. We have been guilty of acts of piracy, seizing vessels on the high seas, on the basis of no authority. And (very dangerously) we have seized a Russian-flagged tanker…And we are risking a war with a nuclear-armed superpower over an issue that is peripheral to Venezuela.Ambassador Chas FreemanDomestically, we have a constitutional crisis. We are the most powerful country on the planet, and our domestic constitutional crisis has turned out to be contagious to the international system. And so we're seeing the disappearance of well-established norms of human behavior, interactions between states. It will not be easy to resurrect those. The precedents we've just set could come home to trouble us.Ambassador Chas FreemanI think we have scared everybody around the world. If there is no protection from international law, people will arm themselves as heavily as they can to defend themselves. So diplomacy is not prospering in this environment. And I would just conclude by saying that the Trump administration has more than decimated our diplomatic service. About one third of the diplomatic service has left or is in the process of leaving public service of the government. So they join scientists and engineers in trying to bail out from what they consider to be an increasingly intolerable situation. Not a happy picture.Ambassador Chas FreemanBruce Fein is a Constitutional scholar and an expert on international law. Mr. Fein was Associate Deputy Attorney General under Ronald Reagan and he is the author of Constitutional Peril: The Life and Death Struggle for Our Constitution and Democracy, and American Empire: Before the Fall.The fact is, if you read the NATO Charter Article 5—I think right now we've got 32 members of NATO, and 31 countries would be obliged to take up war and arms against the United States. [The United States' intervention in Venezuela] is an invasion. It's every bit as much of an invasion as Hitler going into the Sudetenland after Munich. Everybody knows this isn't going to be a voluntary secession. If it isn't by military conquest, it'll be by coercion, by threats. So we may be at war with all the other NATO members. That's why I liken this to the Napoleonic Era when France and Napoleon were against all of Europe. He had no allies anymore, and I think we will have no allies either. Bruce FeinNews 1/9/25* Our top story this week is, of course, the kidnapping of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Maduro, who has served as president of the Bolivarian Republic since 2013, was abducted from his home, along with his wife, by the Fort Bragg-based Delta Force squadron. Maduro was then transported to New York and is now being held in detention pending trial. Before getting into the fallout of this operation, it is critical to note the complicity of the mainstream press. Semafor reports, “The New York Times and Washington Post learned of a secret US raid on Venezuela soon before it was scheduled to begin Friday night — but held off publishing what they knew.” The preeminent American newspapers justified their decision to withhold this critical information from the public by claiming that publishing what they knew could have endangered American soldiers. This decision however raises longstanding questions about what the role of the media should be in national security matters. Is it their responsibility to protect American forces as they carry out legally dubious missions? Or is it their responsibility to inform the public of their own government's shadowy operations if they might endanger all Americans?* Meanwhile, the future of Venezuela appears deeply uncertain. Despite pressure from the Venezuelan exile community to install one of their own to lead the country, such as Maria Corina Machado, Trump has shown little interest in this path, saying Machado “doesn't have the support within or the respect within the country,” per Reuters. Instead, he has so far supported the elevation of Vice President Delcy Rodríguez. Rodríguez, who has been “likened…to a sort of Venezuelan Deng Xiaoping,” according to NBC, has sought to court Trump in the past and it seems that for the time being at least, he is content to keep her in place so long as she is willing to accede to the demands of the American oil companies.* Whatever the long-term outlook for Venezuela in general, this incident is sure to have certain short-term consequences. At the administration level, this operation was seen as a rousing success and is likely to embolden them to attempt similar operations in other countries deemed adversarial. The Hill reports Trump said “Colombia…[is] Run by a sick man,” referring to Colombian President Gustavo Petro, but won't be for “very long.” Similarly, he remarked that “We're going to have to do something [about Mexico].” Cuba, he said, is “ready to fall.” South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham, traveling with Trump, added that Cuba's days are “numbered.” It remains to be seen how far Trump will go with regime change operations in these sovereign nations, but the success of the Maduro abduction makes each one – and the inevitable blowback from these actions – that much more likely.* Beyond Latin America, Trump is again pressing for an American annexation of Greenland. According to the BBC, the administration is discussing “a range of options” including military force. Ironically, the White House is claiming that the acquisition of Greenland – a semi-autonomous region of Denmark – is a “national security priority,” despite Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen's warning that any attack would mean the end of NATO, rattling the foundations of U.S. international security architecture. Nevertheless, Trump has continuously returned to the idea of annexing Greenland, so do not count on this quietly fading away, consequences be damned.* Moving to domestic politics, the AP reports the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the private entity created in 1967 to shepherd public funding to PBS, NPR and hundreds of public television and radio stations across the country, has voted to dissolve itself. The CPB has been under heavy assault by the Trump administration, which pushed Congress to defund the entity last year. Patricia Harrison, the organization's president and CEO, is quoted saying “CPB's final act would be to protect the integrity of the public media system and the democratic values by dissolving, rather than allowing the organization to remain defunded and vulnerable to additional attacks.” With the shuttering of CPB, the future of public media hangs in the balance. It will be up to the next Congress to restore funding, or allow these cherished institutions to fall into the dustbin of history.* Alongside the federal assault on public media, the federal government continues its assaults on public health. The New York Times reports Jim O'Neill, acting director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, has “announced dramatic revisions to the slate of vaccines recommended for American children,” drawing down the number from 17 to just 11. The six vaccines on the chopping block, those for hepatitis A, hepatitis B, meningococcal disease, rotavirus, influenza and respiratory syncytial virus – which, the Times notes, is the “leading cause of hospitalization in American infants,” – will only be recommended for some high-risk groups. Meanwhile, the New York Post reports Dr. Mehmet Oz, administrator for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, has unveiled new federal guidelines recommending alcohol use. Dr. Oz is quoted saying “Alcohol is a social lubricant that brings people together…it does allow people an excuse to bond and socialize, and there's probably nothing healthier than having a good time with friends in a safe way.” He added that the takeaway should be, “Don't have it for breakfast.” Given the well documented health risks of alcohol consumption, it is difficult to see this as anything besides a sop to the alcohol industry.* In more local news, the primary race between incumbent Congressman Dan Goldman and former Comptroller Brad Lander in New York's 10th congressional district is turning into nothing short of a proxy war between different factions within the Democratic Party. Goldman, who officially announced his reelection bid this week, was immediately endorsed by New York Governor Kathy Hochul and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, per the New York Daily News. Lander on the other hand, can boast the endorsement of Mayor Zohran Mamdani along with support from Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, among other local progressives, per ABC7. With so much political muscle on both sides, this primary is sure to have important ramifications for the future direction of the Democratic Party.* For his part, Mayor Zohran Mamdani has hit the ground running. On January 5th, Mamdani signed Executive Orders No. 9, on combatting hidden junk fees, and No. 10 on fighting subscription tricks and traps. Among other things, these executive orders will Establish a Citywide Junk Fee Task Force, to be cochaired by Deputy Mayor of Economic Justice and former Biden Administration Secretary of Labor Julie Su. This announcement ends with a message stating that Mayor Mamdani “takes the protection of New York consumers and tenants seriously,” citing his recent “executive order to hold ‘Rental Ripoff' hearings in every borough,” which will “provide an opportunity for working New Yorkers to speak about the challenges they face – from poor building conditions to hidden fees on rent payments,” to be followed by a report and policy recommendations. This all from NYC.gov.* A fascinating new poll has been released by “Speaking with American Men,” also known as the SAM Project, which seeks to understand young American men of various backgrounds. One startling number from this study is that 31% report having been homeless or near-homeless in the past five years. In more direct political findings though, only 27% say Trump is delivering for them, and slightly less, 25%, say Republicans are delivering. However, despite these abysmal numbers, just 18% say Democrats are delivering for them. Clearly, while young men are not joined at the hip to the Republican Party, the Democrats have a long way to go to win them back and won't get there without profoundly changing their approach to courting this key voting bloc.* Finally, the battle between Netflix and Paramount over corporate control of Warner Bros. Discovery continues to drag on. This week, WB announced they would formally reject Paramount's latest bid, their eighth so far, arguing that it is inferior to Netflix's proposal, citing the “extraordinary amount of incremental debt,” Paramount would have to incur in order to take over the larger company. This is estimated to be over $50 million. Although Paramount's hostile bid is higher per share than Netflix's offer, Paramount's bid includes WB's cable assets, such as CNN, which the company believes will be worth more if spun off from the rest of the company. This from CNN itself. Meanwhile, Paramount – led by the Ellison family – is calling in political favors on their behalf. In a letter to the House Judiciary antitrust subcommittee, Paramount Chief Legal Officer Makan Delrahim, who led the Antitrust Division of the DOJ under Trump 2017-2021, accused the proposed Netflix WB merger of being “presumptively unlawful,” because it would “further cement [Netflix's] dominance in streaming video on demand,” per Deadline. Congress cannot directly block a merger or acquisition, that power rests with the DOJ, but it does possess oversight power in that realm and can exert pressure to this end. Given the high stakes of this fight, expect all parties to call in their chits on Capitol Hill and in the administration in order to win the big prize.This has been Francesco DeSantis, with In Case You Haven't Heard. Get full access to Ralph Nader Radio Hour at www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/subscribe

52 MinutesPG-13Dr. Matthew Raphael Johnson is a researcher, writer, and former professor of history and political science, specializing in Russian history and political ideology.Pete and Dr. Johnson continue a project in which Pete reads Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn's '200 Years Together," and Dr' Johnson provides commentary.Borhy Splacheni Krovyu: The Foundations and Causes of the Russo-Ukrainian War of 2022-2025Dr Johnson's PatreonDr Johnson's CashApp - $Raphael71RusJournal.orgTHE ORTHODOX NATIONALISTDr. Johnson's Radio Albion PageDr. Johnson's Books on AmazonDr. Johnson's Pogroms ArticleThe Unmentionable Genocide: New Khazaria, the Russian Revolutions and Soviet Legality in the 1920s by Dr. Matthew Raphael JohnsonWith Friends Like These. . . Patriarch St. Tikhon, General Anton Denikin and the Defeat of the White Armies, 1917-1922 by Dr. Matthew Raphael JohnsonThe Orthodox Nationalist: Karl Marx “On the Jewish Question” (1844)Pete and Thomas777 'At the Movies'Support Pete on His WebsitePete's PatreonPete's SubstackPete's SubscribestarPete's GUMROADPete's VenmoPete's Buy Me a CoffeePete on FacebookPete on TwitterBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-pete-quinones-show--6071361/support.

This week, we kick off our new series Setting Course 2026 by welcoming Former Senior CIA Official Rob Dannenberg back into the SmarterMarkets™ studio. David Greely sits down with Rob to discuss the inflection point being created by the Russian war in Ukraine, the capture by the United States of Venezuelan President Maduro, and the potential implications of this widening of the range of acceptable behavior by great powers as we move into 2026.

Well, the great and powerful President Donald J. Trump is DOING IT AGAIN—he's making people's heads explode by simply and in straight-forward language asserting the national security interests of the United States above those of other nations.This time, by asserting America's national security interest in Greenland, just off America's coast, sharing our North American continent, and of vital importance to the defense of the United States.  The same Greenland and surrounding Arctic waters that are currently swimming with Russian and Chinese assets..Indeed, Trump is directly affirming a reality of international relations that too many have politely ignored for too long—America has NO PEER NATIONS IN OUR HEMISPHERE, and arguably not in the entire world. As the guarantor of Pax Americana, the national security interests of America must rationally trump (heh!) those of all other nations, particularly of course those of our global adversaries, but also our non-peer allies.

Trump's Deposition of Maduro: A Strategic Pivot for the Western HemisphereOn January 3, 2026, U.S. forces conducted a military operation in Venezuela, resulting in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and the effective end of his regime. energypolicy.columbia.eduThis action, directed by President Donald Trump, marks a significant escalation in U.S. foreign policy toward Latin America. Beyond immediate regime change, the move addresses longstanding concerns about foreign influence in the region, while promising humanitarian, security, and economic benefits. By removing Maduro, the U.S. aims to neutralize Russian and Chinese footholds close to its borders, alleviate a massive refugee crisis, enhance national security, and foster a prosperous trading partner in Venezuela. This fits into a broader Trump administration strategy to reassert U.S. dominance in the Western Hemisphere, as evidenced by actions in Panama and alliances with leaders like El Salvador's Nayib Bukele.Countering Undeniable Russian and Chinese InfluenceRussia and China have maintained substantial presences in Venezuela for years, using economic and military ties to expand their influence in the Western Hemisphere. Russia provided Venezuela with loans exceeding $17 billion, often repaid in oil, and supplied advanced weaponry, including air defense systems. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The BBC has heard reports of hospitals being overwhelmed in Iran as officials have issued fresh warnings to those taking part in the anti-government protests that have spread across the country for almost a fortnight.Kyiv's energy supply is cut for emergency repairs to infrastructure hit by Russian air strikes as temperatures in Ukraine fall even lower.And there's FA Cup euphoria for Macclesfield as the non-leaguers beat Premier League club and FA Cup holders, Crystal Palace

Interview with Ingvald, technologist with the Azov Brigade, recorded in December 2025 in Kyiv. ----------Azov brigade is one of the most combat-ready units of the security and defense forces of Ukraine. For over 10 years they have stood against the Russian federation's attempts to invade the free civilized world. Ingvald was also a member of the “BIRDS OF FURY” unit of the Ukrainian armed forces. A unit of the Armed Forces of Ukraine that uses the «Backfire» unmanned aerial vehicle system which has been specially designed to destroy enemy forces and equipment. This drone can fly far beyond the front line, venting our fury on the enemy, and return home to pick up a new payload.The «Backfire» is immune to enemy radio electronic countermeasures, and like us, is ready to unleash its rightful rage against our genocidal invaders. However, we and our planes need your help to continue destroying the Russian occupiers before they come knocking on your door.----------LINKS:https://zlyizbir.org.ua/https://zlyizbir.org.ua/en/https://www.azov.international/----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Save Ukrainehttps://www.saveukraineua.org/Superhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.orgNGO “Herojam Slava”https://heroiamslava.org/kharpp - Reconstruction project supporting communities in Kharkiv and Przemyślhttps://kharpp.com/NOR DOG Animal Rescuehttps://www.nor-dog.org/home/----------

The Russian Orthodox Church, a longtime arm of the Kremlin, is running an intelligence operation targeting MAGA's Christian nationalism, to help turn America into a dictatorship.  This week's bonus show continues our conversation with Russian mafia expert Olga Lautman. She exposes a sweeping op by the Kremlin's church. You can read her investigation in the show notes. Russians, being white and Christian, get a pass that other terrorist regimes, like Iran, don't. We fact check their mind-hacking op, and also answer questions from Gaslit Nation listeners–like if Putin and Trump got in a fight, who would win?  Whether it's MAGA, the Kremlin, or the regime in Iran that looks on the verge of collapse, it's the same mind-hack everywhere: confuse, divide, and exhaust. The antidote is clarity, which can only be maintained through self-care. This weekend, be sure to find some time in nature, and be gentle on yourselves and others. We're all in this together, and we will overcome.  Join our community of listeners and get bonus shows, ad free listening, group chats with other listeners, ways to shape the show, invites to exclusive events like our Monday political salons at 4pm ET over Zoom, and more! Discounted annual memberships are available. Become a Democracy Defender at Patreon.com/Gaslit Show Notes: Be sure to read Amanda Gorman's poem for Renee Good. It's here for those who don't have Instagram, where she originally posted it: https://bsky.app/profile/elizabethjacobs.bsky.social/post/3mbximyqaos23 Gil Duran on Thiel and Greenland: https://bsky.app/profile/gilduran.com/post/3mbx2lvjrec2h Russia's Orthodox Church and the Weaponization of Religion https://olgalautman.substack.com/p/insights-from-chapter-2-russias-orthodox?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=email&triedRedirect=true  

SHOW1-8-2026THE SHOW BEGINS IN DOUBTS ABOUT THE SARCASTIC INVENTION, THE DON-ROE DICTRINE..SPHERES OF INFLUENCE AND THE RETURN OF THE MONROE DOCTRINE Colleague Anatol Lieven, Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft. Anatol Lieven argues that "spheres of influence" have returned, with the US reasserting the Monroe Doctrine in the Western Hemisphere and threatening to seize Greenland. Unlike traditional alliances, this approach risks alienating fellow democracies. Lieven contrasts this with Russia's territorial ambitions in the former Soviet Union and China's historic regional goals. NUMBER 1COLD WAR TACTICS: THE SEIZURE OF A RUSSIAN TANKER Colleague Anatol Lieven, Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft. Lieven discusses the US Navy's detention of a Russian-flagged ship in the North Atlantic, viewing it as a dangerous escalation akin to piracy. This move humiliates Moscow and aims to control oil supplies. Lieven warns that if European nations mimic these seizures, Russia may retaliate violently, risking a direct war. NUMBER 2THE SUPREME COURT AND THE MYTH OF THE UNITARY EXECUTIVE Colleague Richard Epstein, Civitas Institute. Richard Epstein challenges the view that the Roberts Court blindly supports a "unitary executive." He argues the Court is correctly questioning the constitutionality of independent administrative agencies, like the FTC, which insulate officials from presidential removal. Epstein contends that relying on case counts ignores the specific legal merits regarding separation of powers. NUMBER 3TRUMP V. ILLINOIS: LIMITING PRESIDENTIAL POWER OVER THE NATIONAL GUARD Colleague Richard Epstein, Civitas Institute. Discussing a recent unsigned Supreme Court order, Epstein notes the Court upheld a decision preventing the President from deploying the National Guard without a governor's consent. This ruling contradicts claims of judicial bias toward the executive, affirming that the President cannot simply declare an emergency to override state sovereignty. NUMBER 4ONE YEAR LATER: ANGER AND STAGNATION AFTER THE PALISADES FIRE Colleague Jeff Bliss, Pacific Watch. A year after the Palisades fires, Jeff Bliss reports that residents remain angry over government inaction. Rebuilding is stalled by the Coastal Commission's strict regulations, and fuel loads in canyons remain high due to environmental restrictions on brush clearing. The fires, driven by Santa Ana winds, highlight systemic bureaucratic failures in Los Angeles. NUMBER 5#SCALAREPORT: AI AND ROBOTICS DOMINATE CES Colleague Chris Riegel, CEO of Scala.com. Reporting from CES, Chris Riegel highlights the dominance of AI and robotics, from household droids to military applications. While the tech sector booms with massive infrastructure spending, Riegel warns of a "K-shaped" economy where Main Street struggles with softening demand, masking the wealth concentrated in artificial intelligence and data centers. NUMBER 6LANCASTER COUNTY: AMISH SPENDING AND DATA CENTER GROWTH Colleague Jim McTague, Author and Former Barron's Editor. Jim McTague reports that the Lancaster County economy remains robust, evidenced by heavy Amish spending at Costco and thriving local businesses like Kegel's Produce. Despite some local protests, data centers are being built on old industrial sites. McTague sees no need for Fed rate cuts given the stable local economy. NUMBER 7THE NUCLEAR ESCROW: MANAGING PROLIFERATION AMONG ALLIES Colleague Henry Sokolski, Nonproliferation Policy Education Center. Henry Sokolski warns that allies like Poland, Turkey, and South Africaare considering nuclear weapons due to eroding trust in US guarantees. He proposes a "nuclear escrow" account: storing refurbished warheads in the US for allies to deploy only during crises, providing leverage without permanently stationing targets on foreign soil. NUMBER 8THE SIEGE OF 717 AND THE VOLCANO OF THERA Colleague Professor Ed Watts, Author of The Romans. In 717 AD, Arab forces besieged Constantinople but failed due to the city's massive walls and "Greek fire." Professor Watts explains that a subsequent volcanic eruption in Thera was interpreted as divine punishment for the empire's sins, leading to a spiritual crisis and the rise of iconoclasm to appease God. NUMBER 9THE STUPIDITY OF SUCCESSORS: MANUEL AND ANDRONICUS Colleague Professor Ed Watts, Author of The Romans. Manuel Komnenos favored grand gestures over systemic stability, weakening the Roman state. His successor, Andronicus, was a nihilistic sadist whose tyranny and family infighting destabilized the empire. Watts details how the refusal to punish rebellious family members created a culture of impunity that eventually led to a violent overthrow. NUMBER 10THE CRUSADES: FROM COOPERATION TO CONFLICT Colleague Professor Ed Watts, Author of The Romans. Relations between East and West collapsed during the Crusades. While the First Crusade cooperated with Rome, the Second and Third turned hostile, with Crusaders seizing territory rather than returning it. Watts notes that the theological schism of 1054 and cultural distrust entrenched this division, setting the stage for future betrayal. NUMBER 111204: THE SACK OF CONSTANTINOPLE AND THE END OF CONTINUITY Colleague Professor Ed Watts, Author of The Romans. The Fourth Crusade, diverted by Venetian debt, sacked Constantinople in 1204, burning the city to quell resistance. Watts argues this marked the true end of the ancient Roman state. The meritocratic system collapsed, and elites like Nicetas Choniates lost everything, severing the 2,000-year political continuity of the empire. NUMBER 12VENEZUELA: THE REGIME SURVIVES MADURO'S EXIT Colleague Mary Anastasia O'Grady, Wall Street Journal. Despite Maduro's removal, the Venezuelan regime remains intact under hardliners Delcy Rodriguez and Diosdado Cabello. Mary Anastasia O'Grady notes that repression continues, and European oil companies are hesitant to invest. The regime feigns cooperation to avoid US intervention, but genuine recovery is impossible without restoring the rule of law. NUMBER 13RUSSIA'S OIL CRISIS AND REGIONAL DEFICITS Colleague Michael Bernstam, Hoover Institution. Russiafaces a financial crisis as oil prices drop below $60 per barrel. Michael Bernstam explains that increased global supply forces Russia to sell at deep discounts to China and India, often below cost. This revenue loss prevents the Kremlinfrom paying soldiers, sparking severe regional budget deficits. NUMBER 14EUROPEAN FREEZE AND THE MYTH OF BOOTS ON THE GROUND Colleague Simon Constable, Journalist and Author. A deep freeze hits Southern Europe while commodity prices like copper rise. Simon Constable reports on the UK's bleak economic mood and dismisses the feasibility of British or French "boots on the ground" in Ukraine. He notes that depleted military manpower makes such guarantees declarative rather than substantial. NUMBER 15ARTEMIS 2 RISKS AND THE SEARCH FOR LIFE IN SPACE Colleague Bob Zimmerman, BehindtheBlack.com. Bob Zimmerman urges NASA to fly Artemis 2 unmanned due to unresolved Orion heat shield damage, arguing safety should trump beating China. He also dismisses concerns about lunar methane contamination and highlights a new study suggesting ice caps could allow liquid water lakes to exist on Mars. NUMBER 16

Day 1,415. Today, the world responds to Putin's latest outrage that has seen a nuclear-capable ballistic missile fired by Russia hit Ukraine just 50km from Nato's border, with one leading European politician saying the pressure on Putin must now be “turned up to the maximum and made unbearable.” We hear from the man who recently interviewed Oleksandr Kamyshin, a key aide to President Zelensky and get Francis's final thoughts from Hungary. Later, we interview the commander of Operation Interflex, the British-led military effort to train Ukrainian recruits.ContributorsDominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X.Lily Shanagher (Foreign Reporter). @LilyShanagher on X.Tom Mutch (Journalist). @Tomthescribe on X.Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.With thanks to Colonel Andrew Boardman (Commanding Officer of Operation Interflex).SIGN UP TO THE ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST' WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:http://telegraph.co.uk/ukrainenewsletter Each week, Dom Nicholls and Francis Dearnley answer your questions, provide recommended reading, and give exclusive analysis and behind-the-scenes insights – plus maps of the frontlines and diagrams of weapons to complement our daily reporting. It's free for everyone, including non-subscribers.CONTENT REFERENCED:United24Media: Ukraine's Drone Strikes Hit Up to 100,000 Russian Troops in Late 2025—2026 Plans Aim Higherhttps://united24media.com/war-in-ukraine/ukraines-drone-strikes-hit-up-to-100000-russian-troops-in-late-2025-2026-plans-aim-higher-14798LISTEN TO THIS PODCAST IN NEW LANGUAGES:The Telegraph has launched translated versions of Ukraine: The Latest in Ukrainian and Russian, making its reporting accessible to audiences on both sides of the battle lines and across the wider region, including Central Asia and the Caucasus. Just search Україна: Останні Новини (Ukr) and Украина: Последние Новости (Ru) on your on your preferred podcast app to find them. Listen here: https://linktr.ee/ukrainethelatestSubscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatestEmail: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this all–new “quick response pod,” Paul checks in from a cold New York City and connects the chill in the air to the brutally cold reality on the ground in Ukraine after a new wave of Russian attacks on civilians and infrastructure. On his birthday, he reflects on sacrifice, leadership, and the inspiration he draws from people fighting for freedom in Ukraine, Iran, across America, and around the world—and calls on listeners to speak out, push back, and look out for each other. Paul also tees up two powerful new conversations: a fresh report from inside Kyiv with counteroffensive reporter Tim Mak on wartime innovation and technology, and the return of actor and patriot Ron Perlman—star of Hellboy, Sons of Anarchy, and more—bringing his trademark fire back to the show. He shares big news about Independent Americans cracking the top 40 on the Apple Podcasts news charts, thanks the vigilant community that helped get it there, and doubles down on why independent media, integrity, and truth-telling matter more than ever in the face of Putin, Trump, and anyone trying to shut people up or shut them down. Because every episode of Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff breaks down the most important news stories--and offers light to contrast the heat of other politics and news shows. It's independent content for independent Americans. In these trying times especially, Independent Americans is your trusted place for independent news, politics, inspiration and hope. The podcast that helps you stay ahead of the curve--and stay vigilant. -WATCH video of this episode on YouTube now. -Learn more about Paul's work to elect a new generation of independent leaders with Independent Veterans of America. -Join the movement. Hook into our exclusive Patreon community of Independent Americans. Get extra content, connect with guests, meet other Independent Americans, attend events, get merch discounts, and support this show that speaks truth to power.  -Check the hashtag #LookForTheHelpers. And share yours.    -Find us on social media or www.IndependentAmericans.us.  -And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch now in time for the new year.  -Check out other Righteous podcasts like The Firefighters Podcast with Rob Serra, Uncle Montel - The OG of Weed and B Dorm.  Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media.  And now part of the BLEAV network!  Ways to listen: Spotify • Apple Podcasts • Amazon Podcasts  Ways to WATCH: YouTube • Instagram  Social channels: X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Unleashed! The Political News Hour with Bruce Robertson – In light of Maduro's oppression of his own people, his collusion with narco-terrorists, his theft of elections, and the increased infiltration of Chinese, Cuban, and Russian elements in the region, most Americans will see that this was the right thing to do. History will show that this was an act of war and not about one man. It was about a...

//The Wire//2300Z January 9, 2026////ROUTINE////BLUF: PROTESTS CONTINUE AS ANOTHER VEHICLE RAMMING AND SHOOTING INCIDENT INVOLVING FEDERAL AGENTS OCCURS OVERNIGHT. EVACUATIONS UNDERWAY IN KIEV AS RUSSIA STRIKES CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE SERVING THE CITY.// -----BEGIN TEARLINE------International Events-Ukraine: Overnight, major strikes were reported throughout the country, as Russian forces conduct large-scale missile strikes on multiple fronts. Russia conducted an Oreshnik IRBM strike on the Bilche-Volytsko-Uherske Natural Gas storage facility in western Ukraine. Large-scale drone strikes were also reported throughout Kiev, which damaged infrastructure including the city's water supply.Analyst Comment: These strikes were the largest to hit Ukraine during the war so far. At the moment, battle damage reports have not been made public, however the use of an Oreshnik (which has only been used once so far during this war) would have undoubtedly crippled the gas storage facility, which serves most of Ukraine, including Kiev. The mayor of Kiev has urged citizens to evacuate, due to the inability for utility services to provide heating for most of the city.Caribbean: This morning the United States seized another oil tanker attempting to flee Venezuela. The M/T *OLINA* was seized off the coast of Trinidad, as part of the widening operation to target Ghost Fleet vessels smuggling oil out of Venezuela. This brings the total number to 5x tankers seized so far.-HomeFront-Oregon: Yesterday evening, a state of civil unrest broke out after a shooting was reported involving Customs and Border Patrol. CBP agents conducted a traffic stop of a known TdA member and his wife on Southeast Main Street, in the vicinity of the Adventist Health campus. During the traffic stop, the TdA member attempted to ram officers with his vehicle, prompting the shooting. From there, the suspects egressed from the area to the east, where they were found by Portland PD officers on East Burnside St. with gunshot wounds. In the hours after the shooting, riots broke out throughout the city, and carried on throughout the night.Utah: Yesterday evening an ambush was reported in Ogden, which originated from a domestic dispute. Local authorities initially responded to reports of shots fired at a single-family residential home on E 5800 South, in a subdivision south of the intersection of Hwy 89 and Crestwood Dr. When authorities arrived, the suspect began firing at police by engaging them from within the home with small arms. A barricaded-shooter situation developed, and after a few hours the suspect was detained by SWAT and identified as James Joseph Rios.Concerning casualties, 2x neighbors were wounded by the shooter, during the initial engagement that prompted the police response.Analyst Comment: What initially prompted this incident is unclear; at the moment it looks like Rios simply decided to start shooting at his neighbors either randomly, or due to a mental health incident. However, the investigation is still underway, so more details may come to light over the next few days.-----END TEARLINE-----Analyst Comments: In Minneapolis, the situation is deteriorating on multiple fronts. Following the ICE-involved shooting a few days ago, ANTIFA forces have moved into the area to establish an "Autonomous Grieving Zone" at the site of the shooting involving Renee Good. Portland Avenue from E 34th Street to 33rd Street was blocked, with barricade obstacles preventing people from freely migrating through the area. Early this morning, locals reported that police moved in to clear the obstructions from the street, however a significant agitator presence remains throughout the area.Around the city, atmospherics aren't great: rioters continue to cause civil unrest, and open and clear threats to federal agents have become routine. These threats

This isn't about drugs. It isn't about fentanyl. And it's not even about war. This episode breaks down the real strategy unfolding in Venezuela—and why oil, leverage, and sanctions enforcement are reshaping the global balance of power. Venezuela holds the largest proven oil reserves on Earth—worth over $17 trillion. The United States doesn't need that oil to survive… but China does. And that's the point. As Trump enforces sanctions, tightens the blockade, and cuts China off from Venezuelan, Iranian, and Russian crude, the pressure is mounting. Political prisoners are being released. Oil revenue has collapsed. And the petrodollar—long dependent on Saudi Arabia—may be getting a brand-new source. This isn't invasion. It's leverage. And it may be the most ambitious energy strategy ever attempted.

At first glance, the U.S. capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro might look like an obvious disaster for Vladimir Putin. Russia has lost a key partner, and the prospect of Venezuelan oil flooding the market could depress prices even further, further constraining the Kremlin's ability to fund its war against Ukraine. Then there's the embarrassing contrast between the U.S. operation in Caracas, which was over in hours, and Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which is now entering its fifth year. But the reality might be more complicated. To better understand what Trump's Venezuela operation could mean for Moscow, Meduza spoke with political scientist Seva Gunitsky and Russian oil-industry expert Craig Kennedy. Timestamps for this episode: (2:17) Why Maduro's ouster could be good for Putin(16:00) A turning point for the global order(24:36) The sorry state of the Russian oil market(35:58) Washington's seizure of a Russian-flagged shipКак поддержать нашу редакцию — даже если вы в России и вам очень страшно

2026-01-09 | UPDATES #094 | Oreshnik Over Lviv: Russia's Psychological Escalation — and Belgorod Goes Dark. The Oreshnik strike on Lviv looked physical – dramatic – cinematic even. Repeated explosions, dulled by a blanket of snow into a deep thudding set of booms. But this weapon exists more for psychological impact than it does for physical, at least, when the nuclear warheads are not loaded. Western Ukraine — Lviv region, near the EU and NATO frontier — was struck amid a nationwide barrage on Kyiv and multiple regions. And Russia is claiming it fired Oreshnik — the nuclear-capable intermediate-range ballistic missile it has used only used one before.At the same time, over the border, Belgorod is reported in blackout conditions after Ukrainian strikes on Russian energy infrastructure — Ukraine's answer to Russia's winter campaign of imposing darkness and cold on Ukrainian civilians. This episode is about the strategic message sent by the strike on Lviv, what was meant by the messaging, and whom it was aimed at. ----------SOURCES: Reuters — Lviv region strike; Sadovyi/Kozytskyi; speed claims reported via Ukrainian media.Reuters — Russia claims Oreshnik launch; Ukrainian denial; Kapustin Yar launch confirmation; claimed targets. Reuters — Kyiv attack details; casualties; “critical infrastructure” damage and water disruptions.Reuters — “hypersonic missile near EU border” escalation framing and raid scale. AP — Nationwide raid scale; Kyiv heat outages; Oreshnik framing; Kallas quote; broader political context. Ukrainska Pravda — Air Force spokesman Ihnat: “Launches likely took place from Kapustin Yar… being confirmed.” Ukrainska Pravda — Zelensky quote on Qatari Embassy damage and call for “clear reaction.”Ukrinform — Sybiha quote; UN Security Council / Ukraine–NATO Council action; “grave threat” framing. TASS — Gladkov statement: “significant damage” in Belgorod (used as Russia-side claim only).France 24 live — reported Belgorod outage scale citing governor (treated as reported claim pending corroboration). Reuters (background, within the week) — Belgorod oil depot fire after Ukrainian drone attack; Ukraine energy degradation campaign context. ----------Silicon Curtain is a part of the Christmas Tree Trucks 2025 campaign - an ambitious fundraiser led by a group of our wonderful team of information warriors raising 110,000 EUR for the Ukrainian army. https://car4ukraine.com/campaigns/christmas-tree-trucks-2025-silicon-curtainThe Goal of the Campaign for the Silicon Curtain community:- 1 armoured battle-ready pickupWe are sourcing all vehicles around 2010-2017 or newer, mainly Toyota Hilux or Mitsubishi L200, with low mileage and fully serviced. These are some of the greatest and the most reliable pickups possible to be on the frontline in Ukraine. Who will receive the vehicles?https://car4ukraine.com/campaigns/christmas-tree-trucks-2025-silicon-curtain- The 38th Marine Brigade, who alone held Krynki for 124 days, receiving the Military Cross of Honour.- The 1027th Anti-aircraft and artillery regiment. Honoured by NATO as Defender of the Year 2024 and recipient of the Military Cross of Honour.- 104th Separate Brigade, Infantry, who alone held Kherson for 100 days, establishing conditions for the liberation of the city.- 93rd Brigade "Kholodnyi Yar", Black Raven Unmanned Systems Battalion ----------SILICON CURTAIN LIVE EVENTS - FUNDRAISER CAMPAIGN Events in 2025 - Advocacy for a Ukrainian victory with Silicon Curtainhttps://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extras----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------

Silicon Bites Ep283 | 2026-01-08 | The tanker seizure drama has apparently opened the flood gates of Z-patriots rage and tears. They bemoan the humiliation of their navy and demi-god Tsar, the weakness of the Russian navy, and the lack of counter response, and above all the shifting perception that Russia will not be carving up this world with Trump, as they had thought, but that he may be carving slices off their power, influence and geopolitical reach. This is genuine panic and rage by Russia's nationalist imperialists, and it's delicious to behold. Let's unpack it.If you want a snapshot of Russia's decline into strategic humiliation, you could look at the battlefield map in Donbas, but for a fresher dose of prime humiliation, look at the loss of their tanker this week to US forces, that conducted a joint UK-US operation. Because this week, the United States — backed operationally by the United Kingdom — ran down a sanctions-busting “grey fleet” vessel that literally tried to cosplay sovereignty mid-flight from Venezuela, changing identity, switching flags, painting a Russian tricolor on the hull while being pursued. None if that helped, and it was nonetheless seized.----------Silicon Curtain is a part of the Christmas Tree Trucks 2025 campaign - an ambitious fundraiser led by a group of our wonderful team of information warriors raising 110,000 EUR for the Ukrainian army. https://car4ukraine.com/campaigns/christmas-tree-trucks-2025-silicon-curtainThe Goal of the Campaign for the Silicon Curtain community:- 1 armoured battle-ready pickupWe are sourcing all vehicles around 2010-2017 or newer, mainly Toyota Hilux or Mitsubishi L200, with low mileage and fully serviced. These are some of the greatest and the most reliable pickups possible to be on the frontline in Ukraine. Who will receive the vehicles?https://car4ukraine.com/campaigns/christmas-tree-trucks-2025-silicon-curtain- The 38th Marine Brigade, who alone held Krynki for 124 days, receiving the Military Cross of Honour.- The 1027th Anti-aircraft and artillery regiment. Honoured by NATO as Defender of the Year 2024 and recipient of the Military Cross of Honour.- 104th Separate Brigade, Infantry, who alone held Kherson for 100 days, establishing conditions for the liberation of the city.- 93rd Brigade "Kholodnyi Yar", Black Raven Unmanned Systems Battalion ----------SOURCES:Michael Naki - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEs10co9JVI&t=1326sUK Ministry of Defence press release (Jan 7, 2026): operational support details + Healey quotes (GOV.UK)Reuters exclusive (Jan 7, 2026): timeline, seizure near Iceland, submarine shadowing, no confrontation, second tanker (Reuters)Financial Times (Jan 8, 2026): legal/flagging dispute framing, “ghost fleet” context TIME (Jan 8, 2026): UK support overview, RAF + RFA Tideforce reference, contextThe Wall Street Journal (Jan 7, 2026): shadow fleet scale + escort reporting The Times (Jan 8, 2026): additional operational colour (attributed) The Guardian (Jan 7, 2026): additional reporting, context and reactions (used cautiously) ----------SILICON CURTAIN LIVE EVENTS - FUNDRAISER CAMPAIGN Events in 2025 - Advocacy for a Ukrainian victory with Silicon Curtainhttps://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrasOur events of the first half of the year in Lviv, Kyiv and Odesa were a huge success. Now we need to maintain this momentum, and change the tide towards a Ukrainian victory. The Silicon Curtain Roadshow is an ambitious campaign to run a minimum of 12 events in 2025, and potentially many more. Any support you can provide for the fundraising campaign would be gratefully appreciated. https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extras----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------

In this episode of This Week in AML, Elliot Berman and John Byrne unpack a fast‑moving start to 2026 across the financial crime, regulatory, and geopolitical landscape. They discuss the U.S. military's recent operation in Venezuela and its potential sanctions implications, FinCEN's holiday‑week rule changes—including the extension of AML/SAR requirements for investment advisers and new guidance preparing the industry for the residential real estate reporting rule—and the OCC's renewed warning about voluntary SAR misuse. The conversation also explores brewing crypto legislation in the U.S., the implementation of the OECD's Crypto‑Asset Reporting Framework in the EU and UK, and the Netherlands' new €3,000 cash‑transaction ban. International stories include a troubling investigation into U.S.-registered aircraft ending up in drug‑trafficking networks and FIFA's controversial decisions involving Russian clubs amid global sanctions.

learn essential Russian vocabulary for countries

Tragedy unfolded in Minnesota when an ICE agent fatally shot a woman who was trying to evade in her car after running into the ICE officer. Glenn examines the incident and provides critical context that the ICE officer had that contributed to his split-second decision. The Left's reaction, however, including Minnesota's leadership, only raised the political temperature. Glenn and Stu further explain how the Minnesota woman left few options for the ICE officer with the decisions she made. President Trump announced that he is moving to ban giant corporations from buying private homes, but Glenn warns this isn't a solution and will only lead to more problems. Glenn and Glenn's chief researcher, Jason Buttrill, discuss America's seizure of a Russian oil tanker. Glenn admonishes ABC News' coverage of the Minnesota ICE shooting. Glenn goes through the difference between rugged individualism and the "warmth of collectivism." Glenn warns of what you're consuming while on social media. You become what you engage with, so be wary of consuming dark and negative press.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hey BillOReilly.com Premium and Concierge Members, welcome to the No Spin News for Wednesday, January 7, 2026. Stand Up for Your Country.  What we know so far about an ICE agent who shot a civilian in Minneapolis. Talking Points Memo: Bill breaks down the hysteria surrounding Greenland and Trump and explains what's likely to happen. The latest in Venezuela after the U.S. seized a Russian‑flagged, Venezuela‑linked oil tanker in the North Atlantic. Jeffrey Halstead, Genasys spokesman and former Chief of Police, joins the No Spin News to discuss why high crime has dropped in the U.S. and whether policy changes are driving this shift. Bill examines the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act and what it entails. Will it be voted on? Final Thought: Asking others for money. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Outcry mounts over a fatal ICE shooting in Minnesota. The U.S. seizes a Russian-flagged oil tanker in the North Atlantic. And the White House doubles down on plans to acquire Greenland. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A short while ago in a Wisconsin courtroom, 18-year-old Nikita Casap pled guilty to the double homicide of his mother and stepfather, but this story gets even more macabre. The teenager lived with his parents’ corpses for weeks before stealing their vehicle, cash, jewelry and passports along with the family dog, all while talking to someone who spoke Russian about a plot to kill Donald Trump and overthrow the government. His sentencing is scheduled for later this spring, and the Federal government is watching this case closely, ready to add even more charges to keep Casap behind bars for the rest of his life.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

COLD WAR TACTICS: THE SEIZURE OF A RUSSIAN TANKER Colleague Anatol Lieven, Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft. Lieven discusses the US Navy's detention of a Russian-flagged ship in the North Atlantic, viewing it as a dangerous escalation akin to piracy. This move humiliates Moscow and aims to control oil supplies. Lieven warns that if European nations mimic these seizures, Russia may retaliate violently, risking a direct war. NUMBER 21962 CUBAN MISSILE CRISIS

A short while ago in a Wisconsin courtroom, 18-year-old Nikita Casap pled guilty to the double homicide of his mother and stepfather, but this story gets even more macabre. The teenager lived with his parents’ corpses for weeks before stealing their vehicle, cash, jewelry and passports along with the family dog, all while talking to someone who spoke Russian about a plot to kill Donald Trump and overthrow the government. His sentencing is scheduled for later this spring, and the Federal government is watching this case closely, ready to add even more charges to keep Casap behind bars for the rest of his life.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donate (no account necessary) | Subscribe (account required) Join Bryan Dean Wright, former CIA Operations Officer, as he dives into today's top stories shaping America and the world. In this episode of The Wright Report, Bryan explains why Minnesota's governor is openly escalating toward a constitutional crisis, how a deadly ICE confrontation is being weaponized politically, and why Democrats may be preparing nationwide unrest to distract from a massive fraud reckoning. He then covers major White House moves on housing, defense contractors, Venezuela, China, Russia, and Greenland, showing how Trump's strategy is reshaping global power. Tim Walz Declares a De Facto War on the Federal Government: Minnesota Governor Tim Walz announced that his state is "in a state of war" with the federal government after an ICE officer shot and killed protester Renee Good during an immigration raid in Minneapolis. Video shows Good used her vehicle as a weapon against the officer, who fired in self-defense after being struck. Walz ordered the National Guard to prepare for deployment and called on activists nationwide to rise up, prompting warnings that his rhetoric may meet the legal definition of insurrection. A Manufactured Crisis and the Somali Fraud Reckoning: Bryan explains why the timing of Walz's escalation matters. Attorney General Pam Bondi just surged federal investigators into Minnesota to probe billion-dollar Somali fraud rings tied to Medicaid, daycare centers, and migrant nonprofits, many of which donated to Democratic campaigns. Federal funds to Minnesota and other blue states have been frozen or cut, and the White House is preparing a nationwide fraud announcement. Bryan warns that the death of an activist is being exploited to distract from what could become one of the largest corruption scandals in U.S. history. White House Targets Defense Contractors and Housing Costs: President Trump issued an executive order blocking major defense contractors from paying dividends or buying back stock until weapons production accelerates. CEO compensation is capped at five million dollars annually. Trump also moved to ban large institutional investors from buying additional single-family homes, arguing corporate buyers are pricing Americans out of the housing market. Senate Republicans are already drafting legislation to codify the policy. Trump Confronts Socialist Housing Policy in New York City: The Justice Department is reviewing whether New York City's new socialist mayor and his housing director violated anti-discrimination laws. The housing director has publicly called homeownership a tool of white supremacy and advocated seizing private property, with the mayor openly endorsing her views. DOJ officials say racial targeting in housing policy is unlawful and will be challenged. Global Shockwaves from Venezuela and the Ghost Fleet: Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed a three-phase U.S. plan for Venezuela, beginning with stability under remnants of the Maduro regime, followed by economic recovery and eventual democratic transition. The United States will act as Venezuela's sole oil dealer while seizing ghost-fleet tankers moving Iranian and Russian oil. Trump authorized U.S. forces to seize ships even after they reflagged as Russian, directly squeezing Moscow's war finances and Beijing's energy supply. Greenland and Europe's Energy Reality Check: Denmark warned it would use lethal force if U.S. troops attempt to seize Greenland, even as Chinese submarines map Arctic waters near U.S. defenses. Bryan contrasts Europe's military posturing with its fragile energy reality, as winter cold, snow-covered solar panels, and weak wind output drive electricity shortages and price spikes across Germany and Northern Europe "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." - John 8:32     Keywords: January 8 2026 Wright Report, Tim Walz ICE shooting Minneapolis, Renee Good protest death, Minnesota National Guard insurrection rhetoric, Somali fraud Medicaid daycare nonprofits, Pam Bondi investigation surge, defense contractor dividend ban Trump, institutional investors single family homes, Zohran Mamdani housing discrimination DOJ, Venezuela stability first strategy Rubio, ghost fleet tanker seizures Russia Iran, Greenland Denmark threat U.S. troops, China Arctic submarine mapping, Europe winter energy crisis

Today's Headlines: Officials identified Renee Nicole Good — a U.S. citizen — as the woman shot and killed by an ICE officer in Minneapolis after he fired three rounds into her car at close range. Video shows Good waving agents around her stopped vehicle before they approached on foot. Despite the footage, Trump and DHS Secretary Kristi Noem labeled her a “domestic terrorist,” a claim Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey called “bullshit” while telling ICE to leave the city. Meanwhile, the administration says the U.S. will take over selling Venezuela's blockaded oil “indefinitely,” with proceeds routed through offshore accounts overseen by Trump — though Energy Secretary Chris Wright insists the money will eventually benefit Venezuelans. Trump also bragged that the U.S. seized a massive Russian-flagged oil tanker and, when asked what happens to the oil, replied: “We keep it, I guess.” On Greenland, leaders in Greenland and Denmark are rejecting any U.S. move to acquire the territory and have requested emergency NATO talks — warning it could destabilize the alliance. European partners are now prepping contingency defense plans of their own. In other news, Trump floated banning large investors from buying single-family homes (details TBD… allegedly coming “in two weeks”), while also publicly pressuring defense contractors to cap executive pay and ramp up production — singling out Raytheon as not sufficiently obedient. And in Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis is calling a special session to gerrymander.  Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode: Axios: Woman killed by ICE in Minneapolis identified as Renee Nicole Good WSJ: U.S. to Control Venezuelan Oil Sales Indefinitely AP News: Trump says US has seized an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela The Guardian: Marco Rubio says he will meet Danish officials to discuss Greenland next week Kyivpost: Germany Could Join Multinational Force From Outside Ukraine, Merz Says CNBC: Trump says U.S. to ban large investors from buying homes Axios: Trump threatens to nix Raytheon's defense contracts AP News: Gov. Ron DeSantis calls for special session in April to redraw Florida's congressional districts Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The new year has only just begun, and already we have seen an event with massive significance for the world of energy. The US operation to remove Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro opens a new era for a country that holds – according to some definitions – the world's largest oil reserves.So far there has been little impact on oil markets. But what are the implications going to be for energy in the months and years to come? To discuss how this volatile situation might evolve, host Ed Crooks is joined by regular guest Amy Myers Jaffe, Director of NYU's Energy, Climate Justice and Sustainability Lab, and an expert on oil earlier in her career. History never repeats itself, the saying goes, but sometimes it rhymes. Amy draws a parallel between Venezuela today, and Iraq after the US-led invasion and the overthrow of Saddam Hussein in 2003. There are some similarities in the position of the two oil-rich countries, which were both dragged down by mismanagement and sanctions. But Amy argues that Venezuela's oil system is in far worse shape, with looted equipment, chronic power and fuel shortages, and damage that may not be reversible.Melissa Lott, another Energy Gang regular, also joins the show, and raises the question of what regime change in Venezuela might mean for the energy transition. Melissa is a partner at Microsoft, but appearing on the show in her usual role as an independent commentator and energy expert. Then it's on to the other places, people and technologies that are likely to make a big impact on energy this year. Ed is watching the Gulf Coast buildout of new liquefied natural gas (LNG) plants. It is a boom so big that Wood Mackenzie expects US LNG exports to roughly double from 2023 levels by around 2030, with more growth beyond.The gang assesses the likely consequences of surging LNG supplies: downward pressure on global gas prices, and potential financial strain for exporters. There is also the possibility that a peace deal in Ukraine could make the oversupply even worse, by allowing more Russian gas to flow west into European markets. Next up, it's people to watch in 2026. Melissa names the US energy secretary Chris Wright, and Ed picks new FERC chairman Laura Swett. As the US power grid, and its energy system more generally, face mounting challenges because of the growth in data centers needed for AI, effective policy and regulation will be critical. Amy chooses China's President Xi Jinping: the country's next five-year plan could reshape the global competition for energy dominance.On technologies to watch, battery storage is a hot topic. Melissa and Ed discuss the supply chains needed to meet growing demand, and innovative products such as Form Energy's iron-air batteries, which are being deployed in a first-ever commercial project that will be fully operational this year. Amy's choice is humanoid robots. They're expensive and still imperfect, but are they going to rule the future? They are already being trialled for repetitive factory tasks. Amy says her Roomba can't cope with a spilt bowl of cereal. But will new flexible AI-guided robots be able to do the job properly?Follow the show so you don't miss an episode this year – it's going to be a busy one.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Day 1,414. Today, as yet another Russian shadow fleet tanker makes the news, but this time after an explosion by a suspected Ukrainian drone in the Black Sea forced it to divert to Turkey, we hear live from Ukraine where overnight strikes left two regions without power as temperatures plummet below zero. We report how the value of defence company shares have surged after comments by Donald Trump - but not if they're based in the US - and we hear from Ukraine's International Legion about proposed changes that have left some soldiers in “total bewilderment”. ContributorsDominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X.Lily Shanagher (Foreign Correspondent). @LilyShanagher on X.With thanks to Anna Conkling, Freelance journalist & contributor to the news app Noosphere. @ConklingAnna on X.SIGN UP TO THE ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST' WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:http://telegraph.co.uk/ukrainenewsletter Each week, Dom Nicholls and Francis Dearnley answer your questions, provide recommended reading, and give exclusive analysis and behind-the-scenes insights – plus maps of the frontlines and diagrams of weapons to complement our daily reporting. It's free for everyone, including non-subscribers.CONTENT REFERENCED:Noosphere - news apphttps://www.noosphere.app/author/anna/'Everyone's in shock' — Ground Forces reorganization leaves International Legion soldiers in limbohttps://kyivindependent.com/everyones-in-shock-ground-forces-reorganization-leaves-international-legion-soldiers-in-limbo/Ukraine now has the fortress belt it wishes it had in 2022https://www.economist.com/europe/2026/01/07/ukraine-now-has-the-fortress-belt-it-wishes-it-had-in-2022LISTEN TO THIS PODCAST IN NEW LANGUAGES:The Telegraph has launched translated versions of Ukraine: The Latest in Ukrainian and Russian, making its reporting accessible to audiences on both sides of the battle lines and across the wider region, including Central Asia and the Caucasus. Just search Україна: Останні Новини (Ukr) and Украина: Последние Новости (Ru) on your on your preferred podcast app to find them. Listen here: https://linktr.ee/ukrainethelatestSubscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatestEmail: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Driver shot in deadly ICE encounter; Investigators to look at key moments in deadly ICE shooting video; U.S. seizes two tankers off Venezuela, including one with Russian flag; and more on tonight's broadcast. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A short while ago in a Wisconsin courtroom, 18-year-old Nikita Casap pled guilty to the double homicide of his mother and stepfather, but this story gets even more macabre. The teenager lived with his parents’ corpses for weeks before stealing their vehicle, cash, jewelry and passports along with the family dog, all while talking to someone who spoke Russian about a plot to kill Donald Trump and overthrow the government. His sentencing is scheduled for later this spring, and the Federal government is watching this case closely, ready to add even more charges to keep Casap behind bars for the rest of his life.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alex Perez reports on an ICE agent fatally shooting a woman in Minneapolis, sparking anger and protests; Martha Raddatz has the latest on the U.S. seizing a Russian-flagged oil tanker in the North Atlantic and a second tanker in the Caribbean; Rachel Scott has details on the White House doubling down on plans to acquire Greenland; David Muir reports on the families impacted by the California wildfires one year later; and more on tonight's broadcast of World News Tonight with David Muir. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jack walks us through the Russian odyssey that lead to his sobriety. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

ICE Murder in Minneapolis. Trump, Venezuela, and the Global Fight for Democracy from Kyiv. Never Trust a Chickenhawk. Iran Protests Continue to Grow and Spread. Knicks Bounce Back, America Can Too. In this all-new Independent Americans bonus pod, Paul Rieckhoff takes you from the streets of Minneapolis to the freezing front lines of Kyiv with fearless war correspondent Tim Mak. Together they connect Trump's Venezuela “snatch and grabs,” ICE's killing of Renee Nicole Good, and Russia's winter assault on Ukraine to show why Ukraine is still the front line for freedom—and why this moment is a global test for democracy, American credibility, and the future of war.​ Reporting live from Kyiv, Tim details Russia's deliberate targeting of Ukraine's power and heat infrastructure, what it feels like to live and report through blackouts and missile strikes, and how oil prices and Russian tankers are fueling Putin's war machine. Paul and Tim dig into how Ukrainians really see Zelensky, the Americans serving in Ukraine's International Legion, Trump's unchecked power over the U.S. military, and Tim's work on The Counteroffensive and The Arsenal—human-centered, frontline journalism designed to cut through the numbness of modern news. If you care about Ukraine, American leadership, or stopping authoritarianism abroad and at home, this urgent, unflinching conversation from Kyiv is a call to action for every independent American. Because every episode of Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff breaks down the most important news stories--and offers light to contrast the heat of other politics and news shows. It's independent content for independent Americans. In these trying times especially, Independent Americans is your trusted place for independent news, politics, inspiration and hope. The podcast that helps you stay ahead of the curve--and stay vigilant. -WATCH video of this episode on YouTube now. -Check out Tim Mak's Counteroffensive. -Learn more about Paul's work to elect a new generation of independent leaders with Independent Veterans of America. -Join the movement. Hook into our exclusive Patreon community of Independent Americans. Get extra content, connect with guests, meet other Independent Americans, attend events, get merch discounts, and support this show that speaks truth to power.  -Check the hashtag #LookForTheHelpers. And share yours.  -Find us on social media or www.IndependentAmericans.us.  -And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch now in time for the new year.  -Check out other Righteous podcasts like The Firefighters Podcast with Rob Serra, Uncle Montel - The OG of Weed and B Dorm.  Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media.  And now part of the BLEAV network!  Ways to listen: Spotify • Apple Podcasts • Amazon Podcasts  Ways to WATCH: YouTube • Instagram  Social channels: X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Join Eric, @DrJoeEsposito, @TimAndrewsHere, @Autopritts, @JaredYamamoto, Greg, and George LIVE on 95.5 WSB from 3pm-7pm as they chat about the ICE incident, the Russian oil tanker incident, protected bats, and so much more! *New episodes of our sister shows: The Popcast with Tim Andrews and The Nightcap with Jared Yamamoto are available as well!

The US military THIS MORNING carried out an operation landing US special forces on board a Russian oil tanker that came out of the the Caribbean. 

Protesters take to the streets after a 37-year-old woman was shot and killed by an ICE officer while she was in her car. The Minneapolis police chief joins. Plus, the United States seizes an oil tanker that Putin claims was under Russian protection.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Howie Kurtz on the fatal shooting of a woman by an ICE agent in Minneapolis, the U.S. seizure of two oil tankers, including a Russian-flagged vessel, in the North Atlantic, and the Trump Administration's new dietary guidelines.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, Bill touches on the US forces boarding and seizing a Russian-flagged oil tanker, part of a shadow fleet selling oil under the table. The conversation also delves into the tragic shooting of a 37-year-old woman in Minneapolis during an ICE protest, and the differing views on the incident. Additionally, Bill explores the topic of rent control in LA with Joel Larson from 'How-To-Money', discussing its potential effects on housing affordability and the long-term consequences of such policies.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A president is kidnapped, the government remains, and we're told it isn't regime change. We pull back the curtain on what our guest calls “regime changeover,” a strategy that uses spectacle and lawfare to force leverage without admitting occupation. From sanctions that harden national unity to a reworked indictment against Nicolás Maduro that quietly retreats from early cartel claims, we dissect how narratives are built, sold, and then reshaped when facts don't fit the script. We get specific about why Venezuela resists the usual playbook. The Bolivarian civil-military structure blunts elite-driven coups, and a hybrid economy makes redistribution politics both urgent and volatile. When sanctions stall, pressure shifts to the shadows: covert action, destabilization, and the threat of a managed civil war. But force carries a heavy price. Without the will to occupy, Washington risks isolating itself across Latin America and the Global South while strengthening alternative alliances. That's where heavy crude and strategic minerals enter the story—these aren't just commodities; they're logistical lifelines for militaries and power systems in a world edging toward multipolar confrontation. The regional map matters. Cutting fuel flows to Cuba raises the stakes, inviting Russian or Iranian lifelines and reviving Cold War optics—tankers instead of missiles. Meanwhile, the financial track turns sanctions into profit centers, enabling distressed-asset deals and court-enabled seizures that move wealth under the veneer of legality. At home, executive overreach and headline diplomacy make lasting agreements harder, not easier. Durable deals rely on predictability and trust; tweets and tariffs deliver neither. We close with a clear takeaway: if the policy toolkit is limited to pressure and spectacle, the outcome is shrinking leverage, hardened resistance, and a region looking elsewhere for partners. If this perspective challenges how you've seen Venezuela, Cuba, and U.S. foreign policy, share the episode, leave a review, and subscribe so you never miss future deep dives. Your feedback shapes what we dig into next.

Prior to the U.S. attacks that dislodged president Nicolas Maduro of Venezuela, American forces have for weeks been blockading U.S.-sanctioned ships carrying Venezuelan oil. In mid-December, the United States began boarding, and seizing, tankers in the so‑called “shadow fleet” that move sanctioned oil across the globe, starting with stateless vessels. In a dramatic turn, this week the U.S. Coast Guard, with U.S. and allied military support, intercepted and boarded two Russian-flagged oil tankers in international waters, prompting protests from Moscow.Can the U.S. lawfully board and seize Russian‑flagged merchant ships? What does international maritime law, and the law of naval warfare, have to say about actions like these? To unpack the legal and geopolitical stakes, host Tess Bridgeman speaks with Rob McLaughlin, professor at the Australian National Centre for Ocean Resources and Security and the ANU College of Law, who previously served as both a Seaman officer and Legal officer in the Royal Australian Navy, including in senior roles such as Fleet Legal Officer, Strategic Legal Adviser, Director of Operations and International Law, and Director of the Naval Legal Service. Show Note: Elizabeth Hutton, Maritime Law Enforcement on the High Seas: Authority, Jurisdiction, and the Seizure of The Skipper An Expert Backgrounder (Dec. 22, 2025)Rob McLaughlin and Connor McLaughlin, Was the Visit and Seizure of the Skipper off the Coast of Venezuela Lawful? (Dec. 17, 2025)See also Question 31 in Tess Bridgeman, Michael Schmitt, and Ryan Goodman, Expert Q&A on the U.S. Boat Strikes (Dec. 13, 2025)Michael Schmitt and Rob McLaughlin, Blockading Venezuela: The International Law Consequences (Dec. 18, 2025)Michael Schmitt, Ryan Goodman and Tess Bridgeman, International Law and the U.S. Military and Law Enforcement Operations in Venezuela (Jan. 4, 2026)Just Security's Collection: U.S. Lethal Strikes on Suspected Drug Traffickers, Operation Southern Spear, Operation Absolute Resolve  

What happens when investigating fraud becomes a crime — but committing it doesn't?

Do you remember the $20 MILLION Rosemont Seneca payment from a Russian oligarch to Hunter Biden?

From Minneapolis streets to South Carolina politics, from voter manipulation to international sanctions, today's episode covers the most explosive events shaping America:

ICE murder in Minneapolis: Trump's war comes home / Trump seizes Russian-flagged tanker, plunders Venezuelan oil, threatens to attack Greenland / Europe on brink of war with Russia and America at Paris summit

It seems everyone in Minnesota knew about the fraud, and Gov. Walz did nothing about it. The ICE shooting in Minneapolis. Getting ready for the Peach Bowl. Trump pulls U.S. out of dozens of treaties and organizations New Ritz Carlton coming in downtown Indy. Popcorn Moment: Melanie Philips age of unreason. Marketplace: Indiana University (IU) sitting chairs. Andre Carson's despicable comments President Trump threatens to CUT OFF major defense contractor RAYTHEON because they are enriching themselves over America. Iran threatens the US. Russian flagged Venezuelan ship seized by US. Trump pulls U.S. out of dozens of treaties and organizations. Thursday Music Moment: Rapper's Delight. Kung Fu TV Theme song. Andre Carson's despicable comments. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cilia Flores’ Role: Far from being a symbolic first lady, Flores is a mastermind behind corruption and drug trafficking. She was sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury and linked to major criminal activities, including her nephews’ cocaine smuggling. Western Hemisphere Strategy: The discussion emphasizes the Monroe Doctrine and its modern interpretation under Trump (“Donroe Doctrine”), asserting U.S. dominance in the Western Hemisphere to counter Russian, Chinese, and Iranian influence. Military Operation: The arrest of Maduro was a highly precise Delta Force mission, compared to past U.S. interventions like Noriega’s capture in Panama. The podcast praises Trump’s decisiveness and military success without U.S. casualties. Regional Impact: Cuba: Faces severe pressure due to loss of Venezuelan oil and the death of Cuban guards during the raid. Other Leftist Regimes: Leaders in Nicaragua, Colombia, and Brazil are considered weakened. Mexico: While not a failed state, concerns about narco-terrorism and water treaty disputes are highlighted. Future of Venezuela: Interim President Delcy Rodríguez is described as another Marxist figure, raising concerns about continuity of corruption. Advocates for free and fair elections to restore stability and attract foreign investment, especially in oil and gold sectors. Venezuela’s vast natural resources make it a prime candidate for rapid economic recovery if governance shifts toward pro-market policies. Please Hit Subscribe to this podcast Right Now. Also Please Subscribe to the 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson and The Ben Ferguson Show Podcast Wherever You get You're Podcasts. And don't forget to follow the show on Social Media so you never miss a moment! Thanks for Listening YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@VerdictwithTedCruz/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/verdictwithtedcruz X: https://x.com/tedcruz X: https://x.com/benfergusonshowYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@VerdictwithTedCruzSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Krystal and Emily discuss Trump seizes Russian vessel, China salivates over Taiwan, Trump seizes 50 million Venezuelan oil barrels. Blowback Pod: https://blowback.show/ To become a Breaking Points Premium Member and watch/listen to the show AD FREE, uncut and 1 hour early visit: www.breakingpoints.comMerch Store: https://shop.breakingpoints.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.