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☆ Soldier with Yemen’s exiled government opens fire, killing 2 Saudi troops and wounding another
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-10 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Ap-Live-Blog-Byline-Image.Png | The Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +5 min

A soldier for Yemen’s exiled government opened fire on Saudi troops as they exercised in eastern Yemen, killing two of them and wounding another in a rare insider attack during the kingdom’s nearly decadelong war there, officials said Saturday. The assault in eastern Hadramawt province comes as a yearslong cease-fire between Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s Houthi rebels largely has held despite the militants’ ongoing attacks against shipping in the Red Sea corridor. The attack on the Saudi troops took place Friday night in Seiyun, a city some 310 miles east of Sanaa. As troops worked out at a Saudi-led base there, the soldier opened fire, killing an officer and a noncommissioned officer, the state-run Saudi Press Agency said, citing a military statement. A Saudi-led coalition entered the war on behalf of Yemen’s exiled government in 2015.

Persons: Yemen’s, Wolf, Saudi solider, Aidarous, Hamid Rizq, ” Rizq, Mohammad Bagheri, Fayyad bin Hamid Al, Ruwaili Organizations: Saudi, Saudi Press Agency, Joint Forces Command, Yemeni Ministry of Defense, Yemen’s successionist Southern Transitional Council, First, Seiyun . Police, Authorities, United, Associated Press, Saudi Arabian Locations: Saudi, Yemen, Hadramawt, Saudi Arabia, U.S, Seiyun, Sanaa, Yemen’s successionist Southern, United Nations, Iran, Israel, Gaza, Lebanon, Amran, Houthi, Tehran

Tim Walz "misspoke" in a 2018 video circulated by the Harris campaign earlier this week that included the vice presidential candidate talking about his handling of weapons "in war," a campaign spokesperson said Friday. It’s the American way," the Harris campaign spokesperson said in a statement. “We can make sure that those weapons of war, that I carried in war, is the only place where those weapons are at,” Walz says in the clip posted by Harris’ campaign on Tuesday. “What bothers me about Tim Walz is this stolen valor garbage. In response to Julin's comments, the Harris campaign referred NBC News to statements from two men who served with Walz.

Persons: Tim Walz, misspoke, Harris, JD Vance, Walz, “ Governor Walz, Vance, Donald Trump, ” Walz, Harris ’, Walz's, you’re, Trump, Steven Cheung, Doug Julin, ” “ Tim Walz, ” Julin, Walz “, hasn’t, Joseph Eustice, he's, Al Bonnifield, ” Bonnifield, “ Organizations: Minnesota Gov, Republicans, “, Marine Corps, CNN, NBC, Washington Post, Minneapolis Star Tribune, Minnesota National Guard, Congress Locations: Minnesota, Michigan, Italy, Europe, Iraq, Afghanistan

☆ Global arms fairs from Russia to the UAE: Photographer’s take on bizarre world
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-24 | by ( Christy Choi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

CNN —An arms fair may contain all the trappings of war, but it is nothing like a battlefield. Nikita TeryoshinA shot of the reception at the 2016 MSPO expo, the biggest arms fair in Eastern Europe. “It was the only (arms fair I’d been to) where they were shooting real rockets over 20 kilometers (12 miles) maybe,” said Teroyshin. Fairgoers wait for a shuttle to a live demonstration site during the 2019 Army military expo held in Alabino, Russia. Forever.”) is paired with an image of three women in Islamic veils at an arms fair, one pretending to hold a rifle depicted in the poster in front of her.

Persons: ”, Nikita Teryoshin, “, ” Teryoshin, Nikita Teryoshin “, Teryoshin, Majid, Teroyshin, Lockheed Martin, Nikita Teryoshin Teroyshin, ‘, KAI, Nikita Teryoshin Saudi, Linda Åkerström, eyeshadow, Nikita Teryoshin Åkerström, ” Teroyshin, he’s, Åkerström, you’ll Organizations: CNN, Swedish Bofors, expos, Tiger, Kalashnikov, Lockheed, Manufacturing, ITT, Otis Defence, CTA, Elbit Systems, BAE Systems Locations: Russian, Swedish, Kielce, Poland, Lima , Peru, Belarus, France, Germany, South Korea, China, UAE, Peru, Russia, Vietnam, USA, South Africa, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India, “, DEFEXPO, Eastern Europe, Mali, Alabino, Abu Dhabi, Paris, Dortmund, Seoul, IDEX, Central, Western Europe, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Australia, Ukraine

☆ This guy is serious about crypto, but his joke character has gone viral
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-13 | by ( Peter Kafka | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Read previewLike a lot of people, Nick O'Neill got the crypto bug during the pandemic. But then he stumbled into a bit of viral fame: A joke post he made boasting about his crypto prowess took off, fueled in part by people who didn't realize he was joking. "Choose rich" is O'Neill's catchphrase, which is mostly a joke, but also very similar to things people used to say on crypto Twitter, for real. AdvertisementPeter Kafka: You make this thing that is a little sincere but is mostly a joke, and it triggers people who don't think it's a joke. Peter Kafka: I couldn't tell if you were satirizing crypto, or crypto culture, or Twitter/X culture.

Persons: —, Nick O'Neill, he's, O'Neill, Crypto, There's, Peter Kafka, That's, It's, bro, Solana, NFTs, Dan Bilzerians, there's, you've, X Nick O'Neill, Dave Portnoy's Organizations: Service, Business, pic.twitter.com, Twitter, MySpace, Washington Locations: Miami, Solana

☆ How Hispanic voters’ growing political power in Nevada could offer hope to the GOP
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-05 | by ( John King | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

“It’s amazing the political power that Hispanics are creating here in the state of Nevada,” Munoz said during a break at his Vegas restaurant, 911 Taco Bar. CNN traveled to Nevada – a key battleground next year – as part of our project tracking the 2024 campaign through the eyes and experiences of voters. And I think Biden’s done the same thing for us.”Antonio Munoz speaks to CNN's John King at his restaurant 911 Taco Bar in Las Vegas, Nevada. Yeah, that’s me.”Like Gurr, Sanchez is a Haley fan. Lombardo made inroads with Latino voters, and Padilla expects a hard fight to keep Nevada blue in 2024.

Persons: Las Vegas CNN — Antonio Munoz, Ronald Reagan, ” Munoz, Reagan, Munoz, ”, “, Joe Biden, Donald Trump, “ Trump, ” Antonio Munoz, CNN's John King, Mercado, Trump Valeria Gurr, ” Gurr, ” Valeria Gurr, Biden, –, Ron DeSantis, Nikki Haley –, Zoila Sanchez, ” Sanchez, Sanchez, Barack Obama, Trump, “ He’s, ” Zoila Sanchez, CNN Sanchez, George W, Bush, Haley, Haley’s, Carlos Padilla, ” Padilla, ” Carlos Padilla, CNN Padilla, we’ve, Republican Joe Lombardo, Democratic Sen, Catherine Cortez Masto, Lombardo, Padilla, I’ve, they’ve Organizations: Las Vegas CNN, Taco, Republican, CNN, Republicans, GOP, Taco Bar, JCPenney, Air Force, Las, Democrat, “, ”, Trump, Sunshine State, South Carolina Gov, White House, Republican Party, Biden, Trump loyalists, Delegates, Culinary Union, Democratic, Obamacare Locations: Las Vegas, Nevada, Vegas, Las Vegas , Nevada, ”, Henderson, Chile, Florida, United States, Mexico, ” Nevada, Treasure

☆ A defiant Ukrainian soldier called in an artillery strike on his own position in a moment of self-sacrifice — and survived
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-03 | by ( Rebecca Rommen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

A Ukrainian soldier called in an artillery strike on his own position, CNN reports. AdvertisementA Ukrainian soldier called in an artillery strike on his own position to try and stall a Russian advance, CNN reports. Alone and wounded, Serhii, whose call sign is "Fin," had Russian troops closing around him. Surrounded and ready to die, he called in artillery strikes on his position, successfully deterring advancing Russian forces. A Russian soldier even once entered Serhii's dugout, seemingly oblivious to his Ukrainian identity.

Persons: —, Serhii, Libkos, Oleksiy Tarasenko, Radio Svoboda Organizations: CNN, Service, 80th Air Assault Galician Brigade, Assault Brigade, Radio Locations: Ukrainian, Ukraine, Finland, Russia, Bakhmut, Bakhmut District, Donetsk Region, Russian, Ukraine's

☆ These are the elite special force units Israel could send into Gaza to clear Hamas' labyrinth of tunnels and rescue hostages
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-29 | by ( Nathan Rennolds | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Israel has sent elite troops into Gaza as its ground invasion of the territory ramps up. They will be tasked with clearing the Hamas' labyrinth of tunnels and rescuing over 200 hostages. AdvertisementAdvertisementIsrael has indicated that it had sent elite troops into Gaza as it intensifies its ground operations against Hamas following the October 7 terrorist attacks. "To the residents of the Gaza Strip: The Gaza governorate (Gaza City) has become a battlefield. Shelters in northern Gaza and Gaza governorate are not safe," read one leaflet in Arabic, per The Telegraph.

Persons: Israel, Herzi Halevi, —, Halevi, Benjamin Netanyahu, Sayeret, It's, Egoz, Sting ”, Jonathan Conricus, Khan, Gaza Ilia Yefimovich, John Spencer Organizations: Israel Defense Forces, Service, Hamas, Reuters, British SAS, YouTube, Duvdevan Commando, IDF, Hezbollah, Israeli Special Forces, K9, Israel, ARIS MESSINIS, Getty Images Israel, Associated Press, US Army, Urban Warfare, Modern, Institute, Health Ministry, AP Locations: Gaza, Israel, Yom, Lebanon, Entebbe, Uganda, Kibbutz Be'eri, Iran, Lebanese, Gaza City, Sderot, AFP, Khan Yunis, Rafah, West

☆ Gaza: Israel calls on 1.1 million people to evacuate south in order UN warns is 'impossible'
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-13 | by ( Helen Regan Caitlin Hu Mohammed Tawfeeq Akanksha Sharma Nadeen Ebrahim | Helen Regan | Caitlin Hu | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

Gaza City is part of the coastal strip and is particularly crowded. A man reacts outside a burning collapsed building following Israeli bombardment in Gaza City on October 11. Atrocities committed by Hamas in Israel last weekend sparked international revulsion and escalated the decades-old conflict between Israelis and Palestinians. Hamas militants breached the heavily-fortified border in a coordinated assault, indiscriminately killing men, women and children, and taking as many as 150 hostages back to Gaza. An IDF Artillery solider covers his ears as a shell is fired toward Gaza on October 11, near Netivot, Israel.

Persons: Jerusalem CNN —, “, Stephane Dujarric, Dujarric, Mohammed Abed, Israel, Christos Christou, Said Khatib, Foreign Affairs Anniken Huitfeldt, Israel “, ”, Biden, John Kirby, Jonathan Conricus, Israel Katz, ” Katz, Khan Yunis, paragliders, IDF Artillery solider, Alexi J . Rosenfeld, Antony Blinken, Young, Blinken, unprofessionally ”, CNN Basim Naim, Al, Kfar Organizations: Jerusalem CNN, Hamas, Israel Defense Forces, IDF, UN, United Nations, Palestinian Health Ministry, UN Relief and Works Agency, Health, World Health Organization, Getty Images, Foreign Affairs, White House National Security, Israel Defense Force, CNN, Palestinian, Getty, IDF Artillery Locations: Gaza, Jerusalem, Israel, Gaza City, Wadi Gaza, Egypt, AFP, Rafah, Netivot, Israeli, Kfar Aza, Be’eri

☆ Kyiv: Touting American-made guns, frontline Ukrainian soldiers fear potential loss of US military support
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-03 | by ( Vasco Cotovio Frederik Pleitgen Daniel Hodge Kostyantin Gak | Vasco Cotovio | Frederik Pleitgen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Donetsk region, Ukraine CNN —A Ukrainian solider rushes through the front-line in Klishchiivka, eastern Ukraine, as gun and artillery fire erupt around him. A Ukrainian soldier practices with an American-donated machine gun at a training ground in eastern Ukraine. Vasco Cotovio/CNNUnfazed by the artillery duels just a few miles away, over the battered city of Bakhmut, Vasyl, 44, practices with a US-made M2 Browning machine gun. “This is a large-caliber machine gun that works without failures,” said Vasyl, who asked that his last name not be used due to safety concerns. Back at the Ukrainian military training ground, smoke billows on the horizon but a momentary silence suggests an end to the artillery duel in the distance.

Persons: Panting, United States —, Joe Biden, Vasco Cotovio, ”, Vasyl, “, Oleksiy Danilov, Vladimir, Putin, ” Danilov, it’s Organizations: Ukraine CNN —, Russian, United, Ukraine, CNN, Ukraine’s National, US Locations: Donetsk, Ukraine, Ukrainian, Klishchiivka, American, Belgian, United States, Kyiv, Washington, Bakhmut, Soviet

☆ China says aim of its drills near Taiwan is to combat 'arrogance' of separatists
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Solider miniatures are seen in front of displayed Chinese and Taiwanese flags in this illustration taken, April 11, 2023. "The purpose is to resolutely combat the arrogance of Taiwan independence separatist forces and their actions to seek independence," Zhu said. "The provocation of Taiwan independence continues all day long, and the actions of the People's Liberation Army to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity are always ongoing," she added. "I hope that the majority of Taiwanese compatriots will clearly distinguish between right and wrong, resolutely oppose Taiwan independence, and work with us to maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait." Taiwan's defence ministry last week also took the unusual step of announcing it was monitoring Chinese drills in Fujian province, opposite Taiwan.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Zhu Fenglian, Zhu, Li Shangfu, Taiwan's, Yimou Lee, Ben Blanchard, Himani Sarkar, Gerry Doyle Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Taiwan Affairs, People's Liberation Army, Defence, Reuters, Democratic Progressive Party, Beijing, Thomson Locations: Rights BEIJING, Taiwan, Taipei, China, Shandong, Beijing, Fujian

☆ Russian officers beat up their soldiers for drinking, despite drinking themselves, per intercepted audio from Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-22 | by ( Sinéad Baker | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Russian commanders beat soldiers they find drinking, a Russian solider complained in intercepted audio. That's despite the commanders drinking themselves, the soldier said. "And if they notice a soldier with that smell [of alcohol], they beat him with a stick — can you imagine?" A Russian soldier was also arrested last year, accused of beating a captain to death while "in a state of intoxication," a Russian military court said. AdvertisementAdvertisementMany Russian soldiers use unencrypted communications, making it easier for their enemies to listen in.

Organizations: Service, Russian, UK Ministry of Defence Locations: Russian, Wall, Silicon, Ukraine, Russia

☆ Chinese blockade of Taiwan would likely fail, Pentagon official says
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Sept 19 (Reuters) - A Chinese blockade of Taiwan would likely fail and a direct military invasion of the self-ruled island would be extremely difficult for Beijing to carry out successfully, senior Pentagon officials told Congress on Tuesday. China's military in recent years has stepped up activity around Taiwan, which Beijing claims as its territory. However, whether Xi would order taking Taiwan by force, either through military options like a blockade or an invasion is unclear. "I think it is an option but probably not a highly likely option, when you start looking at the military options - much easier to talk about a blockade than actually do a blockade," McGee told lawmakers. He added flatly: "There is absolutely nothing easy about a PLA invasion of Taiwan."

Persons: Dado Ruvic, William Burns, Xi Jinping, Xi, Ely Ratner, Ratner, General Joseph McGee, McGee, Phil Stewart, Idrees Ali, Michael Martina, Patricia Zengerle, Marguerita Choy Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Pentagon, CIA, Affairs, House Armed Services, People's Republic of China . Army, Pentagon's Joint Staff, People's Liberation Army, PLA, Thomson Locations: Taiwan, Beijing, U.S, People's Republic of China, China

☆ Russian soldiers say they dream of conquering Ukrainian cities and moving their families there in haunting recruitment ad
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-19 | by ( Katherine Tangalakis-Lippert | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Russian troops wistfully discuss plans to "recapture Kyiv" in a haunting new recruitment ad. The commercial shows soldiers planning to move their families to conquered Ukrainian cities. Russia, which has struggled to recruit troops, has doubled payments to soldiers since the war began. It's a cool area," a second Russian Army member replies as gunfire pops and explosions ring out in the background. When the war is over and we recapture Kyiv, I will move my family there."

Persons: wistfully Organizations: Service, Russian Armed Forces, Moscow Times, Russian Army, Pentagon, of America, NATO Locations: Kyiv, Ukrainian, Russia, Wall, Silicon, Ukraine

At one point, Russian officials even claimed to have kicked Ukrainian forces back out of the village, which Ukraine staunchly denied. “That’s the hardest part.”Images from drone footage show the extensive damage to Staromayorske, Ukraine. Ukraine’s position is made harder still given Russian forces are on the eastern side of the river, able to use its natural boundary from which they can fire artillery. The wall graffiti is equally bleak: “There is no love.” “God is for Russia.” “Welcome to Mordor.”It is a nihilism that only amplifies a key question Ukrainian forces have: Why do the Russian troops fight so hard for these tiny settlements? The fact that Russian forces fight so persistently for each settlement has raised doubts about claims that Russia’s defensive line is fierce but thin.

Persons: Ukraine’s, Krivyh Rih, ” Krivbas, ’ Krivbas, Neskuchne, Krivbas, ”, ‘, haven’t, Reva, deminer Organizations: Ukraine CNN, Ukrainian, Ukraine, Staromayorske, Marines, CNN, Pentagon, ‘, Russian, Storm, AK Locations: Neskuchne, Ukraine, Staromayorske, Mariupol, Krivyh, Russian, “, Russia, Mordor

☆ What do we know about the US solider in North Korea?
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-19 | by ( Brad Lendon | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Seoul, South Korea CNN —For the first time in decades a US soldier is believed to be in North Korean custody. The US Army has identified the soldier who crossed the demarcation line into North Korea on Tuesday as Pvt. The last American known to be held by North Korea was Bruce Byron Lowrance, who, according to North Korean state-run media, crossed from China into North Korea. While in North Korea, he appeared in propaganda films, taught North Korean spies English and spent up to eight hours a day studying the writings of North Korean leaders. He was allowed to leave North Korea in 2004, two years after his wife, a Japanese national who was kidnapped from her home in Japan in 1978, was allowed to leave North Korea under a deal between Pyongyang and Tokyo.

Persons: Travis King, King “, ”, “, Isaac Taylor, King, Bryce Dubee, Donald Trump, Kim Jong Un, Trump, Bruce Byron Lowrance, Lowrance, Otto Warmbier, Warmbier, Charles Jenkins, Jenkins Organizations: South Korea CNN —, US Army, Joint Security, Democratic, Korean People’s Army, ” US Forces, 6th Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat, Armored Division, Joint Security Area, US Navy, Swedish Embassy, Pyongyang, United Nations Command, Central Intelligence Agency, US, North Locations: Seoul, South Korea, North, United States, Korea, Pyongyang, North Korea, Korean, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, ” US Forces Korea, Fort Bliss , Texas, South, Washington, Busan, Japan, Swedish, China, American, Tokyo

☆ Rubens painting ‘lost’ for centuries could sell for $7.7 million
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-20 | by ( Issy Ronald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —A Rubens painting lost to history and misidentified for almost 300 years has re-emerged with the help of X-ray analysis and could now fetch up to £6 million ($7.7 million) at auction next month. Flemish painter Peter Paul Rubens completed “Saint Sebastian Tended by Two Angels” more than 400 years ago. X-Ray analysis revealed Rubens' changes to the painting. Sotheby'sAnalysis revealed changes beneath the final painting as Rubens sculpted and molded his design to perfection for the first time. Initially, for example, Rubens painted Saint Sebastian facing the other way while he omitted another arrow piercing the saint’s right thigh in the painting’s final form.

Persons: CNN —, Rubens, Peter Paul Rubens, “, Sebastian, George Gordon, Sotheby’s, ” Gordon, Ambrogio Spinola, “ Ambrogio Spinola, …, Spinola, ”, Gordon, Laurent de la, Saint Sebastian, “ Rubens Organizations: CNN Locations: Flemish, Italian, Italy, Antwerp, Missouri, French, Rome, London

☆ Australia's most decorated soldier loses multiple defamation claims against media who alleged war crimes
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-01 | by ( Hilary Whiteman | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

In some cases, he found the papers established contextual truth, which is also a defense under Australia’s Defamation Act. “Today is a day of some small justice for the Afghan victims of Ben Roberts-Smith,” said McKenzie. Ali Jan was a husband … He was kicked off a cliff by Ben Roberts-Smith, and he was murdered with Ben Roberts-Smith’s participation. Claims of violent acts committed by elite troops were echoed in the Brereton Report, a four-year investigation into the alleged war crimes in Afghanistan released in November 2020. The responsibility for these atrocities does not end with Ben Roberts-Smith,” he said.

Persons: Australia CNN —, solider, –, Anthony Besanko, Besanko, Ben Roberts, Smith, Roberts, ”, James Chessell, newsrooms, ” Chessell, Peter Bartlett, MinterEllison, “, Nick McKenzie, Chris Masters, McKenzie, “ Ali Jan, Ali Jan, …, ” Besanko, Angus Campbell, Campbell “, unreservedly ”, It’s Organizations: Australia CNN, Federal Court, Sydney Morning Herald, Canberra Times, Australia’s, Cross, SAS, Nine, CNN, Australian, Australian Defence Force Locations: Brisbane, Australia, Afghanistan, Bali , Indonesia, Sydney, “

☆ Jan. 6 rioter who pinned DC Metropolitan Police officer calls his actions 'monumentally stupid' as he's sentenced to over 7 years in prison
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-15 | by ( John L. Dorman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

A man who pinned a DC Police officer to a Capitol door on January 6 was sentenced to over 7 years in prison. "Your actions are some of the most egregious crimes that were committed on that dark day," said the judge. "Your actions are some of the most egregious crimes that were committed on that dark day," the judge told McCaughey. Federal prosecutors had sought a sentence of 15 years and eight months, which would have been the longest sentence given to any Capitol riot defendant. "I do not foresee that changing anytime soon," he told the judge, calling McCaughey a "foot solider" in the push to overturn the election.

☆ Video appears to show Russian Wagner troops shooting their own comrade, shoving each other into enemy fire in chaotic trench battle
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-16 | by ( Sinéad Baker | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

A video from Ukraine shows a chaotic trench battle in the contested city of Bakhmut. A Ukrainian official said it showed Ukraine reclaiming territory from Russia's Wagner mercenaries. Gerashchenko quoted a soldier who sent him the video, saying it shows Ukrainian soldiers retaking a trench from Russian forces. Wagner group soldiers have been particularly involved in the battle for Bakhmut. The Wagner group took on a growing role in Russia's invasion of Ukraine as the country's army struggled to take over the country.

☆ Russian troops have turned to Wikipedia to find instructions on handling weapons and used 1960s-era maps in the country's invasion of Ukraine: NYT
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-17 | by ( John L. Dorman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

A New York Times investigation detailed Russia's blunders as they launched an invasion of Ukraine. "Never in its history has Russia made such stupid decisions," a retired Russian general told The NYT. Russian President Vladimir Putin displayed a high degree of confidence in the country's military when he launched the invasion of Ukraine in late February. But nearly ten months later, Russia has been unable to defeat the Ukrainian military and has found itself shunned and isolated from the West. The Russian military, which was seen as a formidable force before the conflict, in actuality had been "severely compromised" by longstanding corruption, per the report.

☆ Fact Check-Elon Musk did not say journalists with ‘they/them’ pronouns would pay more for Twitter verification
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-01 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Billionaire Elon Musk has not tweeted that he will double the Twitter verification fee for journalists who list nonbinary pronouns in their online bio, as claimed by some social media users. Instagram users shared a screenshot of a tweet that reads, “BREAKING: @elonmusk says journalists with ‘they/them’ pronouns in bio will pay a $16 monthly fee instead of the standard $8 verification because ‘they’ identify as multiple people.” (here) , (here) , (here). Musk has previously drawn criticism for mocking people who list their preferred pronouns in their online bios (here). After receiving backlash for the tweet, Musk tweeted in Dec. 2020, “I absolutely support trans, but all these pronouns are an esthetic nightmare” (here). Although Musk has been openly critical of people using nonbinary pronouns, there is no evidence that he said he would charge journalists using ‘they/them’ pronouns a higher fee for Twitter verification.

Ukraine's armed forces swept through southern villages and towns on a march to retake the key city of Kherson Friday as Russia said its military had completed a humiliating retreat from the area. It follows a grinding Ukrainian counteroffensive and a race by Russia to relocate more than 100,000 residents in the area. But Kyiv officials remained wary, warning that Russian forces could inflict severe military and civilian damage through artillery strikes and mines left behind as they pulled out. TwitterThe Antonivskiy Bridge is the only road crossing from the city of Kherson to the eastern bank of the river, where Russian forces have now established their new defensive lines. The Institute for the Study of War, a Washington-based think tank, estimated that Ukrainian forces progressed 4.3 miles in some areas of Kherson Oblast (meaning county or region) on Thursday alone.

☆ Ukraine has begun to retake a prized city after Russian occupation, another battlefield humiliation for Putin
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-11 | by ( Sinéad Baker | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Russian troops entered Kherson on Friday after Russian forces retreated in the night. It followed a public declaration of retreat from Russian officials, who left the city after steady advances by the Ukrainian military. Ukrainian officials shared pictures that they said showed Ukrainian flags raised in downtown Kherson, where Russian flags had been flying earlier in the war. Russia's defense ministry said on Friday that its withdrawal from the city was complete, saying all Russian soldiers and weapons had been taken across the river. Multiple reports also said that some Russian soldiers stayed behind in plain clothes.

The scale of the Russian military’s and political leadership’s setbacks in Ukraine have become too vast for even state media and pro-war activists to ignore. With Russian forces on the retreat, more and more they are accusing the leadership of betraying the troops. As Ukraine retakes territory, videos are appearing online appearing to show massive amounts of equipment abandoned by retreating Russian soldiers. Radical right-wing bloggers calling for Putin to take the gloves off in Ukraine are not a direct threat to the regime, Stanovaya said. The Russian elite is used to seeing Putin as a strong man, someone who deals with challenges and always knows where he’s taking the country.

☆ Donald Trump would 'probably not' pass this Florida civic literacy exam, academics say
▼ + stars: | 2022-08-07 | by ( Kayla Gallagher | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +13 min

Florida high schoolers attending a public college are required to meet civic literacy requirements. Academics in the Sunshine State are unsure if Donald Trump could pass the exam. Insider asked four college professors whether they think Trump could pass the test. Rick Bowmer/AP'Real history and civic responsibility'Since 2019, many future college students in Florida are required to take the Florida Civic Literacy Examination — a test modeled after the US Citizenship and Immigration Services Naturalization Test to encourage civic literacy in the Sunshine State. To pass the Florida Civic Literacy Examination specifically, students must answer 48 out of 80 questions correctly — 60% or higher.

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