Iran Scrambles to Tackle Fuel Shortages Amid a Winter Cold Snap

 

• Schools and other public institutions were forced to close
• Residential gas consumption hits record high on Saturday

A cold snap has forced school closures and other disruptions to public life across much of Iran, as authorities grapple with a shortage of natural gas for heating and electricity generation.

The closure of schools and other public institutions began over the weekend across provinces in the northern half of the country, according to reports in Iranian media. They will remain shut in coming days as part of efforts to manage the strain on fuel supplies.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-12-15/iran-scrambles-to-tackle-fuel-shortages-amid-a-winter-cold-snap

New Theory: NJ Drone Sightings May Be "Nuclear Sniffers" After Elevated NYC Radiation Levels

 The founder of an aerospace company specializing in military-grade drones published a video on the Chinese social media platform TikTok, sharing his thoughts on the mystery drone sightings in New Jersey. His expert opinion is alarming, leaving many wishing that Paul Krugman's theory about an alien invasion was true instead.

Source: Fox News

"I spoke to a gentleman a few months ago, who was trying to raise the alarm to the highest levels of our government ... about this one particular nuclear warhead that he physically put his hands on ... that was left over from Ukraine ... and he knew this thing was headed towards the United States," Saxon Aerospace's John Ferguson stated in the video.

He continued: "Everyone knows that this administration is pushing to get into war with Russia."

"Let's back up a few years ... remember when those drones were mysteriously flying across I-70 from Colorado to Nebraska to Kansas and then to Missouri? Well, it was believed that those drones were looking for radioactive material that came up missing in the US," Ferguson noted. 

Ferguson then explained the various payloads drones can support, such as laser sensors and optics, and he added, "Drones have no reason to fly at night... Because they don't see shit. Unless you have thermal optics - drones really don't see stuff at night - mapping must be done during the day." 

Ferguson then segued into the purported drone sightings in New Jersey, noting, "These drones are not nefarious in intent ... but if they're drones - the only reason they would be flying - and flying that low at night - is because they're trying to smell something on the ground." 

"My belief is that these drones are trying to smell something on the ground - if that's gas leaks or radioactive material - or whatever." 

Ferguson's theory was also shared with X user JerseyFutures (account now deleted), a self-proclaimed RF engineer, who speculated, "What you're seeing is American-made HPGe nuclear detector drones..." 

Simultaneously, the website Geiger Counter World Map shows counts per minute between 222 and 278 in New York City. 

Radiation Exposure Scale... 

Google searches for "real-time radiation map" have erupted.

Searches for "dirty bombs" have also erupted. 

Meanwhile, these purported drone sightings are happening around Congressional action on counter-drone authorities and expansion... We explained this on Saturday:

The mass hysteria surrounding drone sightings appears to have been exaggerated by MSM (Covid-style propaganda) and some on social media for multiple reasons: 

• Perhaps as a cover for drones with nuclear sniffer sensors seeking to find a potential threat. 

• Or, could this be a deliberate attempt to scare the nation with a drone psyop in order to push through H.R.8610, the Counter-UAS Authority Security, Safety, and Reauthorization Act of 2024?

On Saturday, NJ State Senator Jon Bramnick told NewsNation, "There must be something going on that they can't tell us because they're so fearful of what the public is going to do when they hear what the drones are doing."

Bramnick emphasized: "The Department of Defense has to come clean with the American public." 

https://www.zerohedge.com/military/latest-theory-drone-sightings-could-be-nuclear-sniffers-amid-elevated-radiation-readings

Russian Forces Destroy More US Patriot Launchers & Advance Closer To Pokrovsk

 Amid the continued rapid advance of Russian forces in Ukraine's east, and with the Donetsk villages of Vesely Gai and Pushkino (15km south of Pokrovsk) having been captured, Russia is also going after US-made Patriot batteries.

"Russian forces have destroyed four Patriot anti-aircraft missile launchers provided to Ukraine by Western nations," the Defense Ministry announced Saturday.

Ministerie van Defensie/Moscow Times

The statement said that air force jets along with with drones and artillery groups, "destroyed a combat control vehicle, an AN/MPQ-65 radar station and four launchers of the Patriot anti-aircraft missile system made in the US."

Zelensky has pleaded with the West to hand Ukraine at least 25 Patriot batteries, and some European countries have recently donated theirs to Ukrainian forces.

This isn't the first time that Russia has taken out Patriots. Back in October the defense ministry said its forces struck "two Patriot launcher stations made in the US" along with a control station and radar set part of the Patriot defensive network.

At that time a Ukrainian member of parliament had revealed that at least one Patriot battery was damaged in the October attack, but Kiev typically doesn't comment on the extent of damage to its Western-supplied weapons systems.

Early last summer the Biden administration took the drastic step of pausing all Patriot deliveries to allies, instead announcing that they would be redirected to Ukraine.

"We’re going to reprioritize the deliveries of these exports so that those missiles rolling off the production line will now be provided to Ukraine," Biden said at the time, with these first shipments having rolled out by late summer and into fall.

Patriot missile batteries have also been sent to to Ukraine from US bases of operations in neighboring Poland. All of this has been controversial as it impacts Europe's home defense.

President Biden at the start of that prior initiative had announced that "everything we have is going to go to Ukraine until their needs are met" amid the broader push to get more European countries to donate weapons.

Meanwhile there are more indicators that Ukraine's front lines are crumbling:

Ukraine's military leadership has replaced the commander overseeing defenses in the eastern Donetsk region where Russian forces are making swift advances, a military official said on Saturday.

General Oleksandr Tarnavskiy, 54, was appointed to head the operational and tactical group Donetsk, replacing General Oleksandr Lutsenko, the official at the General Staff told Reuters.

The weekend report further said, "Lutsenko was criticized by Ukrainian military bloggers and some lawmakers for failing to stop Russian troops' relentless push toward the strategic Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk."

https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/russian-forces-destroy-more-us-patriot-launchers-advance-closer-pokrovsk

20 (Or So) Obvious Questions About January 6

 by Jack Cashill via American Thinker,

Even before Donald Trump ascends to the presidency on January 20, his appointees should ask themselves the questions that follow — all of them simple and straightforward.  With Christopher Wray stepping down from the FBI directorship, they will have a much better chance of getting straight answers quickly.

Trump’s team should then share those answers widely.  This information will make President Trump’s pardon of more than 1,500 Americans much more comprehensible to the American public and much less controversial.

–Although now the FBI admits to having 26 confidential human sources in the crowd on January 6, how many total “assets” did the FBI and other entities plant, and what roles did they play?

–Was Ray Epps working for an entity? And if so, under what terms?

–Who planted the pipe bombs outside the DNC and near the RNC headquarters?

–Who instructed Kamala Harris to conceal the fact that she was at the DNC when the bomb was found and why?

–Why did Harris allow hundreds of J6ers to be prosecuted for threatening her designated space at the Capitol when she wasn’t at the Capitol?

–Who were the “two law enforcement officials” who told the New York Times that “pro-Trump rioters” fatally struck Capitol Police officer Brian Sicknick with a fire extinguisher, inflicting “a bloody gash in his head”?

–Who orchestrated the 100-day-plus suppression of Sicknick’s autopsy report?

–If Sicknick was not murdered, as the DOJ finally conceded, why did a federal judge give Julian Khater an 80-month prison sentence for spritzing Sicknick with an over-the-counter pepper spray?

–Has there been an official inquiry into the subsequent suicide deaths of four USCP officers, and if not, why has the DOJ routinely blamed the J6ers for causing those deaths?

–Why was there no crime scene investigation in the likely homicide of Rosanne Boyland?

–Who chose to ignore the obvious video evidence of Boyland being suffocated as a result of a police action and to falsely blame her death on an amphetamine overdose?

–Who suppressed the Boyland autopsy report for 90 days and stonewalled her family at every turn?

–Why was Lila Morris, the Metropolitan P.D. officer caught on video repeatedly bashing the unconscious Boyland over the head with a tree branch, not even disciplined?

–Why was Metropolitan P.D. lieutenant Jason Bagshaw promoted despite having been caught on video bashing the defenseless Victoria White bloody?

–Why did the DOJ not interview the eyewitnesses to the shooting death of Ashli Babbitt?

–Why did the USCP coddle and promote Babbitt’s killer, Michael Byrd, despite a shooting that, according to use-of-force expert Stan Kephart, “violated not only the law but his oath”?

–Who ordered the “shock and awe” raids on the homes of hundreds of non-violent protesters and why?

–Why has the so-called “Scaffold Commander” not been arrested despite multiple clear images of his face?

–Why has the man who constructed the mock gallows on the Capitol grounds not been arrested despite multiple clear images of his face?

–Why did the USCP allow the gallows to stand unmolested on Capitol grounds for more than four hours before the crowds gathered?

–Why was Emanuel Jackson quickly set free despite having been caught on video swinging a baseball bat at police officers over a two-hour period?

–If there was no insurrection, as the DOJ conceded, why were the sentences given to the J6ers so much more severe than the $30–50 fines given to the protesters who physically obstructed the Kavanaugh hearings?

These are the simple questions, the ones off the top.  I am sure readers will think of others I may have overlooked.  To be sure, more probing questions need to be asked about the January 6 Select Committee report as well as the charging documents for the J6ers.

Having read through much of this material, I am impressed by how casually — and routinely — our elected officials and federal jurists distort the facts to protect the party line.  In short, they lie, and some have done so under oath.

I am impressed, too, by the shamelessness of a DOJ that can boast of its success rate in securing convictions, knowing that the accused were allowed no change of venue and faced juries pulled from a pool 95 percent anti-Trump.  This needs to change.

More questions need to be asked as well about the security failures at all levels on January 6.  In his otherwise worthy book, Government Gangsters, Kash Patel more or less exonerates the Pentagon.  He should not have.  Incompetence explains much of what went wrong on January 6, but so does treason.

Nearly 1,600 American citizens were arrested for exercising their First Amendment rights on January 6, and roughly half of them have been incarcerated.  Save for the insurrectionists among them — if there were any — the rest deserve not just commutation of their sentences, but a full pardon.  Many may deserve compensation.  And all deserve the truth.

To learn more, see Jack Cashill’s newest book, Ashli: The Untold Story of the Women of January 6.

https://www.zerohedge.com/political/20-or-so-obvious-questions-about-january-6

23andme must secure its databases immediately

 23andMe, born from the techno-optimism of the Human Genome Project, revolutionized direct-to-consumer genetic testing. But with its valuation now in freefall, mounting layoffs and its board resigning en masse, 23andMe’s imminent failure raises a critical question: What will happen to the sensitive genetic data of its 15 million customers?   

This is not just 23andMe’s reckoning; it’s a warning for the customers of the entire direct-to-customer endeavor, which has long struggled to balance rapid innovation and profits with robust consumer protections. Your DNA — an immutable blueprint of your identity — could be sold, shared with unknown entities or exploited for targeted advertising and product development without your consent.

Beyond these personal risks, shared genetic data can even expose family members to unforeseen vulnerabilities, from stigmatization to medical and insurance challenges. As AI advances genomic analyses, the potential for misuse grows, amplifying risks of discrimination and exploitation that could span generations. 23andMe’s struggles demonstrate that the safeguards for protecting this deeply personal information are alarmingly fragile. 

The downfall of 23andMe highlights the hidden costs of its earlier success. The recent $30 million settlement over 23andMe’s data breach underscores the industry’s failure to safeguard sensitive information. Even so-called “anonymous” DNA can be re-identified through public databases, as seen in cases like California’s Golden State Killer investigation.  

23andMe and its peers amassed vast genomic databases, but as these databases become commodified assets in corporate failures, public trust erodes. Regulatory frameworks must prioritize long-term reliable privacy and ethical stewardship over short-term market volatility, ensuring genomic data serves as a public good, not a profit-driven commodity. 

23andMe’s current predicament highlights the urgent issue of genomic data ownership. The data belongs to 23andMe to sell. U.S. courts treat biological samples as corporate property, and the EU Data Act arguably grants companies ownership of derived genomic data. Fragmented state laws and loopholes in the Protecting Americans’ Data from Foreign Adversaries Act exacerbate the risks.

If 23andMe’s database is divided and sold, the potential for misuse — particularly by foreign entities with weak privacy protections or adversarial intentions — is deeply concerning. Such entities could exploit DNA from relatives of high-profile individuals, including presidents and military leaders, revealing vulnerabilities with far-reaching strategic implications. 

Stronger public-private partnerships could address some of these risks. Collaborations between private companies and public institutions can create centralized, secure genomic databases. By treating genetic information as a shared public resource, such partnerships could combine private innovation with public accountability, setting clear standards, protecting infrastructure and restoring trust in personalized medicine. 

Ultimately, regulations must recognize the uniqueness of DNA compared to other types of data. Policies should regulate the entire lifecycle of genetic information, from its collection to storage and potential sale. Clear, explicit opt-in consent, independent oversight of corporate practices and strict penalties for breaches are critical. At the same time, responsible companies should be empowered to provide meaningful health insights, ensuring the continued value of genetic data collection while maintaining transparency in data-sharing practices and investing in strong technologies to keep genetic information secure. 

Large DNA databases hold tremendous potential to advance medicine, offering statistical power for breakthroughs in linking genetics and disease. Private companies like 23andMe have often outpaced public efforts in scale and speed. However, without consistent regulation and sustainable business models, these advancements risk being overshadowed by privacy breaches and eroding public confidence. With clear, enforceable regulations, the potential sale or acquisition of the 23andme data would be far less perilous, ensuring that the benefits of genomic research are achieved without compromising personal security or trust. 

To protect the sensitive genetic data of millions and restore trust in genomic innovation, we must implement clear, enforceable privacy protections. Robust regulations are essential to ensure individuals can confidently contribute to genomic research without fear of misuse or exploitation.  

The collapse of 23andMe serves as a stark warning: without these safeguards, we jeopardize not only personal security but also the future of genomic breakthroughs, undermining the very optimism that once propelled this industry forward. 

Dov Greenbaum is professor of law at Reichman University and lecturer in biomedical informatics and data science at Yale University. Mark Gerstein is Albert L Williams Professor of Biomedical Informatics and professor of molecular biophysics and biochemistry, of computer science, and of statistics and data science at Yale University. 

https://thehill.com/opinion/technology/5039162-23andme-genetic-data-safety/

South Korea’s Central Bank Vows to Stabilize Markets Amid Political Turmoil

 

South Korea’s central bank vowed to stabilize financial markets and highlighted the importance of “uninterrupted implementation” of key fiscal and economic measures, in its first statement since lawmakers voted to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol.

“The Bank of Korea intends to utilize all available policy instruments, in conjunction with the government, to respond to and avert an escalation of volatility in financial and foreign exchange markets,” the central bank said on Sunday, addressing the fallout of Yoon’s failed martial law decree earlier this month.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-12-15/south-korea-s-central-bank-vows-to-stabilize-markets-amid-political-turmoil

Dockworkers' union EVP says Trump understands 'hard work, sacrifices and dedication' of members

 The vice president of a union representing thousands of dockworkers said after a recent meeting with President-elect Trump that the incoming commander in chief understands "the importance of the work our members do every single day."

Dennis A. Daggett, executive vice president of the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA), which represents the 45,000 dockworkers that went on strike in October, said he met with Trump on Thursday. The U.S. Maritime Alliance (USMX), which represents port employers, agreed when the strike ended to extend dockworkers' contract until Jan. 15 – five days before Trump is inaugurated.

ILA and USMX had come to terms on a substantial pay hike for workers, but talks broke down in November over an ongoing dispute over implementing automation at ports, which the union claims is a threat to union jobs. The USMX argues automation would improve safety and efficiency.

"I had the honor of meeting with President-elect Donald Trump yesterday, and I want to share an experience I never imagined in my wildest dreams," Daggett wrote Friday morning on Facebook.

President-elect Donald Trump rings the opening bell on the trading floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) on December 12, 2024, in New York City. ( Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

"Throughout my career, I’ve never seen a politician—let alone the President of the United States—truly understand the importance of the work our members do every single day," he continued. "But yesterday, President-elect Trump not only demonstrated that understanding but also showed the utmost respect for the hard work, sacrifices, and dedication of our membership."

Trump shared Daggett's post on his social media platform Truth Social on Saturday. The incoming president said in an earlier post that he met with the president and vice president of ILA on Thursday, noting that he is on the side of the union when it comes to automation.

Daggett said Trump was attentive to the group's concerns, receptive and engaged in a discussion about the "existential threat" automation poses to the Longshore sector, American communities and "the very fabric of this great nation."

Dockworkers strike at the Bayport Container Terminal in Seabrook, Texas, on October 1, 2024. (MARK FELIX/AFP via Getty Images / Getty Images)

He said it is "rare to meet a leader who truly listens, and even rarer to find one who is willing to act."

"Let’s put politics aside for a moment, as I know it can be challenging for some to grasp," Daggett said. "But I witnessed something extraordinary firsthand—this man truly wants to fight for America and its working class. In over 25 years of working in Washington, I have never seen a Republican take up the mantle for working-class people. President-elect Trump proved me wrong yesterday."

"He didn’t just tell us in private that he supports workers—he made it clear to the whole world," he continued.

Dockworkers strike at the Bayport Container Terminal in Seabrook, Texas, on October 1, 2024. (Photo by MARK FELIX/AFP via Getty Images / Getty Images)

Daggett concluded: "As we move forward, let us focus on the opportunities ahead. I will continue to fight for your jobs, our communities, and the future of the working class in this country."

USMX reportedly has a meeting set up with Trump's transition team, although it is unclear when the meeting will occur.

https://www.foxbusiness.com/politics/dockworkers-union-vp-says-understands-hard-work-sacrifices-dedication-members