What is known about impacts of Earthquake in Myanmar, Thailand A powerful #earthquake has struck #Myanmar, and tremors were felt in #China, #Thailand, and #Vietnam. At least 43 workers were trapped in the debris of a collapsed building in Bangkok, AFP news agency reported. Magnitude - According to the Chinese Seismological Administration, the magnitude of the earthquake was measured at 7.9. - The European-Mediterranean Seismological Center estimated the magnitude at 7.7. The earthquake occurred 33 km southwest of the city of Mandalay, home to about 1.2 million people. According to the center, the epicenter was at a depth of 10 km. - Chinese seismologists believe the epicenter lay at a depth of 30 km. The epicenter was at 21.85 degrees north latitude and 95.95 degrees east longitude. - The tremors were felt in China, Thailand, and Vietnam. - A second, 6.4-magnitude earthquake occurred in Myanmar 12 minutes later, the Chinese Seismological Administration said. The second tremor was recorded at 21.60 degrees north latitude and 95.95 degrees east longitude. Its epicenter was at a depth of 30 km. Fallout - The earthquake damaged a 1 km bridge over the Irrawaddy River, linking the suburbs of Myanmar’s second largest city, Mandalay, with the city of Sagaing, the Myanmar Now portal reported. - The portal reported that the historic Mandalay Palace has partially collapsed. - A building fell in Bangkok due to the earthquake, Khaosod newspaper reported. - At least 43 workers were trapped under the rubble, AFP news agency reported. - Evacuation of residents of multi-storey buildings began in Bangkok. - Thailand's aviation regulator halted all flights after the earthquake, The Nation newspaper reported. - The Thai Meteorological Department has warned of potential imminent aftershocks, Khaosod newspaper reported. Reaction - Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra suspended a working event in the Phuket Province to hold an emergency meeting. - The Russian embassy is checking for possible injured citizens, said Ilya Ilyin, head of the consular department of the Russian diplomatic mission.

Europe at risk of ‘engaging in civilizational suicide’, says US Vice-President Vance US Vice President JD #Vance has told Fox News that European countries are at risk of "engaging in #civilizational #suicide," being unable to control their borders and limiting their citizens’ free speech. "#Europe is at risk, I think, of creating, of engaging in civilizational suicide. They are unable to or unwilling - too many countries - to control their borders. You see them starting to push back against that, and good. That's a good thing. You see them starting to limit the free speech of their own citizens, even as those citizens are protesting against things like the border invasion. That [protest sentiment] got Donald Trump and a number of European leaders elected," the vice president noted. According to him, the policy of open borders and the limitations of citizens’ rights are becoming a serious issue for European countries.

Jan. 26, 2025 - President Trump Statement "I was just informed that two repatriation flights from the United States, with a large number of Illegal Criminals, were not allowed to land in Colombia. This order was given by Colombia’s Socialist President Gustavo Petro, who is already very unpopular amongst his people. Petro’s denial of these flights has jeopardized the National Security and Public Safety of the United States, so I have directed my Administration to immediately take the following urgent and decisive retaliatory measures:   -Emergency 25% tariffs on all goods coming into the United States. In one week, the 25% tariffs will be raised to 50%. -A Travel Ban and immediate Visa Revocations on the Colombian Government Officials, and all Allies and Supporters. -Visa Sanctions on all Party Members, Family Members, and Supporters of the Colombian Government. -Enhanced Customs and Border Protection Inspections of all Colombian Nationals and Cargo on national security grounds. -IEEPA Treasury, Banking and Financial Sanctions to be fully imposed.   These measures are just the beginning. We will not allow the Colombian Government to violate its legal obligations with regard to the acceptance and return of the Criminals they forced into the United States!"

White House press secretary announces #deportation flights for #illegals have begun.

Which Middle East country is guilty of all this? President of #Cyprus, Nicos #Anastasiades at the UN General Assembly "way back" in 2021 already pointed the finger at Erdogan's Turkey which today is taking Iran's place of the world tyrant. Which country occupies Cyprus? Which country invaded Syria? Which country violates Iraq’s sovereignty? Which country intervened in Libya? Which country violates the sovereign rights of Greece? ... #Turkey!

Tehran to launch new centrifuges in response to IAEA anti-Iran resolution, statement reads The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (#AEOI) will commission a significant number of new centrifuges for uranium enrichment in response to the anti-Iran resolution adopted by the International Atomic Energy Agency (#IAEA) Board of Governors on Thursday, a joint statement by the Iranian Foreign Ministry and the AEOI said. "#Iran's specialized agencies at various levels have previously warned that taking any confrontational measures and using the [IAEA] Board of Governors to promote illegal, politically motivated statements will face retaliation. <...> In this regard, the AEOI chief ordered to take appropriate measures, including launching a significant number of new advanced centrifuges of different types," the statement posted on the Iranian Foreign Ministry's Telegram channel said. According to it, any further retaliatory measures will be taken only "to protect national interests and further develop the peaceful nuclear industry" in accordance with the country's growing needs "within the framework of its rights and obligations under the Non-Proliferation Treaty." On November 21, the IAEA Board of Governors adopted a Western resolution criticizing Iran for allegedly insufficient cooperation with the agency. According to the document, the IAEA must prepare a detailed report on Iran's nuclear program by the spring of 2025. The resolution passed with 19 votes in favor, three against and 12 abstentions.

Not only Israel: a new country is in the sights of the Houthis The #Houthis in #Yemen are escalating and now they are threatening to attack not only ships "serving" #Israel but also ships serving the #Emirates. And why is that? Since according to the Houthis, the Emirates and other countries are helping Israel to "break the blockade" through a "land bridge". This is what Muhammad Al Bakhiti (picture), a member of the political council of the Houthis, said today: "Since we prevent the passage of ships from the Red Sea belonging to companies that finance the Zionist entity... a new phase is coming in which we will prevent the United Arab Emirates and anyone who opens a bridge to it. I advised Israel to go through (Egyptian) Bab al-Mandab, because there is no difference between them and these naval companies that finance the entity and lift the blockade on it."

UK Court hands Assange a partial victory in the Biden DOJ's attempt to extradite him. US must provide explicit assurances that #Assange 1) can raise a 1st Am defense, 2) will have the same rights as US citizens and 3) will never face the #death penalty. Deadline is April 16.

🔻 Houthis promise not to attack Russian, Chinese, German ships in Red Sea A senior Ansar Allah (the Houthi) official has promised that the Houthis will not attack Russian, Chinese, and German ships in the Red Sea. "Chinese and Russian ships are not in the crosshairs. They are not our targets. As well as German (vessels)," Mohammed al-Bahiti, a member of the Ansar Allah politburo, said in an interview with the RTL and NTV television channels. According to al-Bahiti, this applies to ships that are not linked with "Israel’s Zionist regime." At the same time, according to NTV, the Houthi official said that the rebel movement would expand its military actions after the United States and United Kingdom’s strikes on targets in Yemen. "Attacks are possible on warships as well," he warned. "Our military operations will continue until the genocide in Gaza is stopped and until the population receives food, medicine, and fuel. Our goal is not to sink cargo ships but rather to force them to change their routes to increase companies’ economic losses," he explained, adding that this is meant to increase pressure on Israel. "All countries must pool efforts with us to stop crimes <…> in Gaza. Our intentions are true," he stressed. 🔻 Impact of the Red Sea crisis on global logistics and production Ongoing attacks on shipping in the Red Sea have led major automakers such as Tesla and Volvo Car to temporarily halt production in Europe due to a shortage of components. This event highlights the direct impact of Red Sea shipping disruptions on regional industrial operations. According to Tesla representatives, production of most vehicles at the Berlin plant will be suspended from January 29 to February 11. Tesla attributes this to a shortage of parts resulting from ships being rerouted through Africa's southernmost point. The increased travel times have disrupted the supply chain, causing delays in components and impacting the production of electric vehicles assembled for the European market. And this is just one of the episodes that have been announced.

Dam of discord: an escalating conflict between Ethiopia and Egypt The crisis surrounding the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam escalated at the end of 2023. Throughout the year, the governments of Egypt and Sudan have urged Ethiopia to reach a compromise during the dam negotiations to protect the rights and interests of all three countries. The parties remain concerned that Ethiopia is controlling the flow of the Nile, which could harm agricultural interests and water security in already arid regions. Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, on the other hand, stated that neither side would be at a disadvantage and that the hydroelectric power station itself would only bring benefits. It was planned for the agreements to be concluded before the end of the year. However, on December 20, the office of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi released a statement announcing the failure of the fourth round of negotiations.