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☆ NATO is seeing signs China might help Russia wage its war, but the US has threatened 'serious consequences' if it does
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-23 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

NATO's chief said Wednesday that there are "some signs" China may send lethal aid to Russia. The US has repeatedly threatened "serious consequences" if China further involves itself in the war. Stoltenberg then called the potential of China sending lethal aid a "blatant violation of international law." "We reinforced there that, again, there will be consequences for China should this partnership with Russia further deepen," Singh said. Blinken also said that the US has seen China "provide non-lethal support to Russia for use in Ukraine."

☆ Russia will resort to drafting college students to throw more troops at the front lines, Ukrainian intel says
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-23 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Russia is preparing to draft college students to the front lines in its war in Ukraine. According to Ukrainian intel, universities have set up "notification offices" to inform students. "Notification offices" are already being set up to help draft the students and ship them to the frontlines, Ukrainian intelligence alleged. The intel also said that full-time students are being assigned to work at these notification offices "without their consent or even prior notification." The draft efforts will continue through the next few months, but will finish by the spring, Ukrainian intel said.

☆ Dozens of civil rights groups are demanding the company that runs AP classes stand up to Ron DeSantis
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-22 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

30 civil rights groups demanded the College Board stand up to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. The College Board is facing criticism over the rollout of the AP African American studies course. Ron DeSantis after the botched rollout of the company's AP African American Studies course. DeSantis initially rejected the AP African American Studies course in January. But according to reporting from The New York Times, the College Board had repeated contact with DeSantis' administration to discuss the AP African American Studies' course curriculum.

☆ The average life expectancy of a front-line soldier in eastern Ukraine is around 4 hours, says an American fighting in 'the meat grinder'
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-22 | by ( Chris Panella | Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The average life expectancy of a front-line soldier in eastern Ukraine is just 4 hours, says a former US Marine. He said fighting is especially deadly in the war-torn city of Bakhmut, dubbed "the meat grinder." Fighting in Bakhmut is so bad, Offenbecker said, that it's been dubbed "the meat grinder." Bakhmut, which is located in Ukraine's occupied Donetsk region, has been besieged by Russian forces throughout much of the full-scale war. Despite a months-long attempt by Russian forces to encircle the city, Ukrainian troops have provided a stiff defense and have so far prevented the Russians from capturing it.

☆ Extras recruited for a Putin rally featuring patriotic rap remixes were offered just $7 to come stand in the freezing cold
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-22 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Extras were recruited, paid $7 and given free merch to attend a rally in Moscow on Wednesday. The rally featured performances, military propaganda, and only a three-minute speech from Putin. According to a Telegram post and reporting from Meduza, the advertisements for extras began appearing on social network channels last week, offering extras just $7 to attend the event. The event, which was held during freezing weather at the Luzhniki Stadium, was attended by about 200,000 people, Sky News reported. One montage appeared to show Russian children writing letters and drawing pictures to send to soldiers on the front lines.

☆ Putin put the last major nuclear arms treaty with the US on 'life support,' risking pulling the world back to a 'dangerous' time of uncontrolled arsenals, nuke experts say
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-21 | by ( Jake Epstein | Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Putin said Russia will suspend its participation in major nuclear arms control pact with US. Without the New START pact and nuclear arms control, the US and Russia could expand their nuclear arsenals. "More nuclear weapons and less arms control makes the world more dangerous," NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said. What is the New START treaty? "Suspension of the treaty is not equal to leaving the treaty, I assume there will be no Russian build-up above the treaty limits.

☆ The Mormon Church settles allegations it hid $32 billion in investments. A top exec said the church was worried its staggering wealth would cause members to stop donating.
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-21 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

The charges allege the two "went to great lengths" to hid the church's $34 billion in investment assets. A top exec said the church was worried revealing its wealth would cause members to stop donating, the Wall Street Journal reported. The church and Ensign Peak agreed to pay a collective $5 million settlement to settle the charges. The scale of the church's wealth only became apparent in 2019 when David Nielsen, a former employee of Ensign Peak Advisors, made a whistleblower complaint. The Mormon Church's investment portfolio features billions in Apple, Microsoft, and health care stocks, Insider previously reported.

☆ The US military once blasted airships with nukes on balloons to see if they could drop nuclear bombs on submarines and survive
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-18 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Airships were popular in naval combat and briefly considered for the delivery of nuclear weapons. In the 1950s, the military tried to nuclearize almost anything it could, a nuclear history expert said. The tests were a part of Operation Plumbbob's 24 above-ground nuclear tests from May to October 1957. "If we had already used blimps and airships effectively in World War II, then why wouldn't we consider putting nuclear weapons on them?" The US military eventually developed better aircraft and more effective ways of launching nuclear weapons, and the wild idea of using airships to drop nuclear weapons was lost to history.

☆ US and South Korea will wargame a nuclear crisis just days after North Korea issued its latest threat
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-17 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

The US and South Korea will simulate a nuclear crisis for a tabletop exercise next week. The exercise will come just days after North Korea's government issues its latest threats. North Korea threatened "unprecedentedly" strong action Friday as the US and South Korea plan large field exercises. The Pentagon-based exercise will involve possible scenarios where North Korea has used nuclear weapons, prompting personnel to react, manage, and resolve situations. North Korea warned that the US and South Korea's activities could plunge the Korean Peninsula into a "grave vortex of escalating tension," per AP.

☆ Russian balloons are drifting over Kyiv, likely to fake out its air defenses and force them to waste valuable missiles, Ukraine says
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-16 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Ukrainian forces reportedly detected six Russian balloons in Kyiv's airspace on Thursday. A Ukrainian military spokesman said the balloons were meant to " exhaust our air defense forces." The Kyiv City Military Administration posted about the balloons on Telegram on Wednesday. Yuriy Ihnat, a spokesman of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, said the high-altitude balloons "were launched to detect and exhaust our air defense forces," the BBC reported. Shooting them down can waste valuable surface-to-air missiles (SAMs), which can be effective against aircraft, helicopters, drones, and slower cruise missiles.

[1/5] A general view of the grand opening of Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Hollywood in Universal City, Los Angeles, California, U.S., February 15, 2023. The theme park world is meant to ignite interest from both new and seasoned fans of the Mario games through an immersive experience. It follows in the footsteps of its predecessor in Universal Studios Japan, also owned by the Comcast Corp (CMCSA.O) unit. Super Nintendo World will also be added to Universal Studios Florida in 2025. The opening of the park will be followed by the “Super Mario Bros” movie, which arrives in theaters on April 7 and stars “Guardians of the Galaxy” actor Chris Pratt, who voices Mario.

Prime Trust made $650 million in wire transfer deposits into the Binance.US account during the quarter, the bank records show. The Binance global exchange, Binance CEO Zhao and Prime Trust did not respond to detailed questions about the transfers. Among the dealers on Binance.US was Merit Peak, according to company messages, the trading firm managed by CEO Zhao. From January to March 2021, the account records show that Merit Peak received 89 transfers from the Binance.US SEN account totalling $404 million. These transfers often immediately followed a deposit into the Binance.US account by Prime Trust, the crypto custodian firm for Binance.US client funds.

☆ New video captures the moment one of Russia's horrifying thermobaric weapon launchers was destroyed, Ukraine says
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-15 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Ukraine says a new video shows the moment their forces destroyed a Russian thermobaric weapon launcher. Thermobaric weapons — also known as vacuum bombs — are considered especially devastating. "The 72 Brigade... have fried a Russian 'SoIntsepiok,' Yermak wrote in the video's caption, referring to the Russian rocket launcher, per CNN's translation. The destroyed launcher was a TOS-1 or TOS-1A, a multiple rocket system capable of launching thermobaric weapons. At the beginning of Russia's invasion, Ukraine's ambassador to the US accused Russia of using thermobaric bombs to cause devastation.

☆ NBA roundup: Bucks take advantage of undermanned Celtics
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The Celtics played without four starters: Jayson Tatum (illness), Jaylen Brown (facial fracture), Marcus Smart (ankle) and Al Horford (knee). Deandre Ayton provided the Suns with 29 points and a team-high 11 rebounds, while Chris Paul had 17 points to complement a season-high 19 assists. Kristaps Porzingis contributed 28 points, 12 rebounds and five assists, while Bradley Beal scored 19 points and Kendrick Nunn added 10 for Washington. Scottie Barnes added 17 points, and Precious Achiuwa amassed 11 points and 13 rebounds. Wendell Carter Jr. scored 26 points for the Magic, who have alternated wins and losses for the past six games.

☆ A United Airlines flight plunged within 800 feet of the Pacific Ocean on the same day severe turbulence injured 25 people, data shows
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-13 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

A United Airlines flight plummeted to just 800 feet above the Pacific Ocean late last year, data shows. The incident occurred the same day 25 people were injured from extreme turbulence on a Hawaiian Airlines flight. United Airlines said in a statement that after the pilots landed the plane at San Francisco International Airport, they filed "the appropriate safety report." The incident came on the same day that a Hawaiian Airlines flight from Phoenix to Hawaii experienced extreme turbulence that injured dozens of people. According to the Hawaiian Airlines pilot, a cloud suddenly "shot up," causing severe turbulence.

☆ The Pentagon once hid 10 giant red balloons across the US — and offered $40,000 to the first people to find them all
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-13 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The Pentagon's DARPA group once challenged people to find 10 giant red balloons across the US. Those locations included Union Square in San Francisco, Collins Avenue in Miami, Lee Park in Memphis, Tennessee, and Katy Park in Katy, Texas, Popular Science reported. MIT Media Lab Postdoctoral Human Dynamics researcher Riley Crane, who led MIT's successful group, told Popular Science. Twitter also proved to be useful for the challenge, allowing quick and widespread conversation about the possible locations of the balloons, Popular Science reported. But Crane told Popular Science that MIT's strategy focused more on creating a trusted team with goals of helping themselves, science, and charity.

☆ NBA roundup: Bucks best Clippers for 10th straight win
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +9 min

Brandon Boston Jr. scored 20 points and Paul George added 19 points and 11 rebounds for the Clippers. Norman Powell had 16 points and Marcus Morris Sr. scored 15 for Los Angeles, which has lost two games in a row. Domantas Sabonis put up 18 points, 11 rebounds and a team-high seven assists for the Kings. Detroit's Jaden Ivey supplied 17 points, eight rebounds and eight assists, while Isaiah Stewart had 15 points and 11 rebounds. Desmond Bane added 20 points, seven rebounds and five assists, while Jaren Jackson Jr. tallied 15 points and six rebounds.

☆ Newell Brands Slashes Profit Targets, Changes CEOs
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-10 | by ( Sharon Terlep | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Newell, which makes Elmer’s glue and other household products, has struggled since closing a $15 billion acquisition in 2016. Newell Brands Inc. said it was changing chief executives and slashed its financial forecasts for the year, as the maker of kitchen gadgets and school supplies prepares for potential economic downturn. Ravi Saligram , who took over as CEO in October 2019, will retire effective May 16 and hand over the top job to one of his deputies, President Chris Peterson . Mr. Saligram, a former CEO of OfficeMax and Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers Inc., has overseen a restructuring at the company.

☆ The FEC is forcing George Santos to announce if he's running for reelection because his campaign is already spending money
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-10 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

The Federal Election Commission asked Rep. George Santos to announce if he's running for reelection. Santos' election committee reported raising and spending funds for the 2024 election. In the letter sent on Tuesday, the FEC wrote that Santos' campaign committee has "accepted contributions and/or made expenditures in support of your 2024 candidacy." According to ABC News, Santos' campaign committee reported more than a dozen contributions totaling $28,000 and expenditures of around $43,000 after the November election. At the State of the Union Tuesday, C-SPAN captured an apparent tense back-and-forth between Santos and Sen. Mitt Romney.

☆ Ukrainian troops equipped with devastating HIMARS are waiting for US targeting data before firing on Russian forces, officials say
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-10 | by ( Chris Panella | Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Ukrainian troops usually won't fire their HIMARS without targeting data from the US, officials said. The US-provided HIMARS have been a key weapon for Ukrainian forces throughout the war. According to a senior Ukrainian official who spoke to the Post, the targeting process often involves Ukrainian forces identifying a Russian target, requesting more accurate coordinates from US partners, and then waiting to receive said coordinates. In one particular noteworthy incident from earlier this year, Ukrainian troops used their HIMARS to carry out a deadly strike on Russian positions in the eastern occupied city of Makiivka. The attack left scores of Russian troops dead and triggered widespread criticism of Moscow's military leadership.

☆ Newell Brands CEO Saligram to retire; forecasts 2023 results below estimates
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Feb 10 (Reuters) - Newell Brands Inc (NWL.O) said its top boss Ravi Saligram will retire effective May 16 and forecast annual results below analysts' estimates, sending the Sharpie maker's shares down 11% in premarket trading. Newell's fourth-quarter results beat estimates, but the company projected fiscal 2023 net sales between $8.4 billion and $8.6 billion. Analysts had expected full-year net sales of $9.08 billion, according to Refinitiv IBES data. The company forecast an annual profit per share of 95 cents to $1.08, compared with estimates of $1.42. Newell also expects a first-quarter loss between 3 cents per share and 6 cents per share, compared with estimates of a profit of 23 cents.

☆ NBA roundup: Bucks win ninth straight as Lakers rest LeBron James
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Khris Middleton scored 22 points off the Milwaukee bench, and Jrue Holiday finished with 18 points, seven rebounds and seven assists. Nikola Vucevic added 15 points and 17 rebounds and DeMar DeRozan finished with 14 points. Cole Anthony and Bol Bol scored 17 apiece as the Magic won for the third time in four games. Hawks 116, Suns 107Trae Young collected 36 points, 12 assists and seven rebounds to fuel host Atlanta to victory over short-handed Phoenix. Ish Wainright scored 17 points and Chris Paul added 15 points and eight assists for the Suns, who saw their three-game winning streak come to a halt.

☆ Ukraine says SpaceX needs to pick a side after the company decided Kyiv can't use its Starlink internet for military drones
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-09 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak tweeted Thursday that SpaceX needs to a pick a side in the war. SpaceX announced Ukraine wouldn't be allowed to use its internet services for military purposes like drones. Ukrainian presidential advisor Mykhailo Podolyak tweeted Thursday that SpaceX must choose to support either Kyiv or Russia after the company said that Ukraine can't use its Starlink internet service for military purposes. Podolyak said SpaceX can either be "on the side" of Ukraine and "the right to freedom" or the company can pick Russia and "its 'right' to kill and seize territories." According to BBC News, SpaceX took steps to limit Ukraine's ability to use the internet service for offensive measures like drones.

☆ 19,000 dead: 'Disaster of the Century' as thousands are still missing in Turkey and Syria's horrific earthquake
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-09 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

The devastating earthquake in Syria and Turkey has killed 19,000 people with thousands more still missing. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said: "We can call it the disaster of the century." And thousands are reportedly still missing under rubble and collapsed buildings. In a brief press conference Thursday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said: "We can call it the disaster of the century" and said the devastation spans 10 provinces. Rescuers and civilians look for survivors under the rubble of collapsed buildings in Kahramanmaras, Turkey.

☆ Nets forward Durant traded to Suns - reports
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Feb 9 (Reuters) - The Brooklyn Nets have traded All-Star forward Kevin Durant to the Phoenix Suns in a swap deal that includes four other players and future first-round picks, American media reported on Thursday. While Harden was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers, Irving moved to the Dallas Mavericks earlier this week, bringing the curtains down on Brooklyn's 'Big Three' experiment. Durant, 34, won back-to-back championships with the Golden State Warriors where he was also named NBA Finals MVP in both title-winning seasons. Both the Nets and the Suns are fifth in their respective conferences. ET on ThursdayReporting by Rohith Nair in Bengaluru; editing by Pritha SarkarOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

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