If you want to see more from us and support our channel, you can donate via PayPal or consider the products available from our affiliates: My Medic, GridDown: Bugout, EMP Shield, Inergy, MyPatriot Supply, Nord VPN, Harvest Right, OffGrid, and shop our Amazon link for prep supplies!
SHOW NOTES
Russia has claimed that it has conducted missile strikes on barracks used by Ukrainian troops in Kramatorsk, in the eastern Donetsk region, killing 600 soldiers in retaliation for the deaths of dozens of Russian soldiers in a rocket attack a week ago. Ukrainian officials have denied there were any casualties. The Russian Defense Ministry said its missiles hit two temporary bases housing 1,300 Ukrainian troops. The Donetsk regional administration said seven Russian missiles hit Kramatorsk and two more hit Kostyantynivka, without causing any casualties. It said an educational institution, an industrial facility and garages were damaged in Kramatorsk, and an industrial zone was hit in Kostyantynivka.
There have been over 100 reported incidents of attacks or suspicious activity at US power stations in the first eight months of 2022, according to data from the Department of Energy. This figure includes at least half a dozen attacks on Duke Energy facilities in Florida and six on electrical substations in the Pacific Northwest. Security officials have warned that the US electricity infrastructure is vulnerable to extremists and saboteurs, and violent conspiracies targeting energy infrastructure have become one of the top themes on extremist social media platforms. Former Assistant Secretary for Infrastructure Protection at the US Department of Homeland Security, Brian Harrell, has warned of a significant increase in attacks on US energy infrastructure in 2023.
Shorelines in San Diego County, including the South Bay region, were closed due to sewage spilling over the border from Tijuana. The spillages were caused by recent storms flushing urban pollution into the ocean, with over 2.8 billion gallons of sewage- and chemical-tainted runoff flowing through the Tijuana River and its canyon tributaries. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has plans to build a diversion system north of the border, but has yet to secure funding. The EPA currently has $300 million largely earmarked for the expansion of the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant, which serves Tijuana. The EPA has a $630 million blueprint to reduce cross-border flows by 70%, which could significantly reduce beach closure days, particularly in the summer when sewage pollution from a dilapidated treatment facility floats up the coast from south of the border.
In these uncertain times, it’s natural to worry about the future. Changes in government policies both domestically and internationally have made life more difficult, and the possibility of food shortages due to the chaos and turmoil we are experiencing is a concern. Some people even worry about governments controlling food as a means of control. That’s why it’s important to be prepared with emergency food supplies. Ready Hour emergency food is a wise addition to any self-reliance lifestyle and emergency preparedness plan. As the saying goes, “those who know what’s coming are using today to prepare.” It’s recommended to have a minimum of three months’ worth of food for each person in your care in case of long-term emergencies. My Patriot Supply offers 3-Month Emergency Food Kits that provide the ideal amount of food to give your body over 2,000 calories per day, which is what the average adult needs to survive. Unlike some other companies, we don’t skimp on calories. My Patriot Supply has been in the business of helping American families like yours prepare for the worst for the past 15 years. Don’t fall for copycat “fake patriots.” Choose the original patriot preparedness company and ensure the survival of you and your loved ones.
Researchers have discovered that digital license plate company Reviver’s GPS tracking feature can be easily hacked, potentially allowing hackers to track the location and movements of vehicles. Reviver’s “Rplate” digital license plates are equipped with GPS tracking and can display messages, such as advertising or Amber Alerts. However, researchers from security firm KPMG found that the GPS tracking system can be easily hacked, allowing attackers to potentially track the location and movements of a vehicle in real-time. Reviver has said that it has implemented measures to address the issue, including adding a “handshake” protocol to verify that the GPS tracking data being received is legitimate.
The average price of a dozen eggs in California has reached $7.37 this week due to an outbreak of bird flu that has killed millions of hens, making it difficult for local grocers to stock eggs that comply with California law. The outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza, or bird flu, has killed tens of millions of egg-laying hens in the US, including millions of cage-free hens that California relies on to comply with Proposition 12, the 2018 animal welfare initiative that came into effect last year. The resulting shortages and price increases have disproportionately affected poorer Californians and have been exacerbated by new cage-free mandates in other states. Over 57 million chickens and turkeys have died or been culled since the outbreak began in February 2020, with close to 4 million egg-laying hens lost in December alone.
Two Iranian men have been arrested in Germany on suspicion of planning an attack with ricin and cyanide, according to authorities. The brothers, aged 32 and 25, were detained in the town of Castrop-Rauxel after authorities received a tip from the US. German authorities said that the men were suspected of planning an attack motivated by Islamic extremism, and that they would ask a court to keep them in jail while investigations continue. Herbert Reul, the top security official for the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, said that authorities had received “a serious tip that led police to intervene the same night”.
EMP Shield Inc. has developed the World’s first Electro Magnetic Pulse (EMP) defense technology that can defend your house, business, an entire electric grid, and more from a high altitude EMP threat (HEMP). Our products also provide some of the worlds most advanced power surge, lightning, and CME protection, defending electronics in less than 1 billionth of a second. In fact, not only are we the only product on the market that can protect your valuable electronics from an EMP strike but, our products can withstand over 40x EMP strikes with ZERO degradation and have a lifetime warranty. The EMP Shield has been tested at the Keystone Compliance laboratory which is a federally approved and DOD testing facility. Our testing of the EMP Shield has shown the EMP Shield FAR surpasses all military EMP Protection device standards. EMP Shield is dedicated to providing tested and proven products. We are passionate to prove just how capable our devices are.
On Sunday, supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro stormed government buildings in the capital of Brasília in an attempt to overthrow the week-old government of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. This event, which saw at least 300 arrests, was described as a “terrorist attack” and a “stunning security breach” that was similar to the 6 January invasion of the US Capitol by supporters of Donald Trump in 2021. Lula was not in Brasília at the time of the attack, but he gave a speech blaming Bolsonaro for the chaos and promising to punish those involved. He also ordered a federal intervention in the capital, bringing policing under the control of the central government. Bolsonaro, who is currently in Florida, responded to the events with a series of social media posts defending his record in government and condemning the invasion of public buildings.
On January 8, 2023, supporters of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro stormed the Brazilian Congress, the Supreme Court, and the Presidential Palace in an attempt to instigate the military to intervene and reinstall Bolsonaro as President. This followed the recent election of his adversary, Lula da Silva, who was inaugurated one day before the riot. The attack was seen as a copycat of the attack on the US Capitol in January 2021, but with significant differences, including the fact that Bolsonaro is no longer President and the destruction caused was more extensive. The main distinction between the two events is the potential role of the military in Brazil, which has a history of military coups and has factions that are more sympathetic to Bolsonaro. The situation has raised concerns about the stability of Brazil’s democracy, and the response of the military will be crucial in determining the outcome.
China has held large-scale joint combat strike drills targeting Taiwan, which began on Sunday and continued into Monday. The exercises were announced by China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) at around 11pm on Sunday and involved 57 warplanes and four ships. Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense said that 28 of the planes crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait, an unofficial boundary between China and Taiwan. China has stepped up its pressure on Taiwan’s military in recent years by sending warplanes or navy vessels on an almost-daily basis towards the self-ruled island. Taiwan will hold its annual two-day military drills starting Wednesday.
The Flex™ 1500 Power Station is the most versatile portable and modular solar energy platform in the world. It is also the lightest and most compact modular power platform there is. The Flex 1500 Power Station is composed of the Flex 1500 Power Console + one Flex Battery. Coupled with the MPPT Supercharger, it can charge faster than any comparable solar system out of the box. The Flex 1500 Power Station gives you the freedom to gather, store and use clean, renewable power whenever and wherever you need it.
A war between China and Taiwan would be disastrous for both sides, according to a war game simulation conducted by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). The simulation found that China would be unlikely to succeed in an invasion of Taiwan, but both sides would suffer significant losses. According to the simulation, the US would lose dozens of ships, hundreds of aircraft, and thousands of service members, while China would see its navy “in shambles,” with tens of thousands of soldiers taken as prisoners of war. Taiwan would also be heavily impacted, with its military severely degraded, its economy damaged, and its island without electricity or basic services.
Russia has launched a “powerful assault” on Soledar, a salt mining town in eastern Ukraine, according to the Ukrainian government. The attack is being led by Wagner, a Russian contract militia, and has resulted in a difficult situation for Ukrainian forces who are trying to repel the assault. Soledar is located a few miles from Bakhmut, where both sides have suffered heavy losses in intense trench warfare since Russia invaded Ukraine almost a year ago. Ukraine repelled an earlier attempt by Wagner to take the town, but the militia returned with more soldiers and fresh tactics. The attack on Soledar is part of a wider conflict in the region. In the village of Shevchenkove, a Russian missile strike on a marketplace killed two women and injured four others, including a 10-year-old girl.
The UK’s Defense Ministry has said that Russia is avoiding using its advanced Su-57 Felon fighter jets over Ukrainian airspace due to fears of “reputational damage” if the jets were to be shot down. The ministry stated that Russia has “almost certainly” used the jets in missions against Ukraine since at least June, but limited their use to flying over Russian territory and launching long-range missiles into Ukraine. The Su-57 is Russia’s most advanced fifth-generation supersonic combat jet. The UK Defense Ministry cited a satellite image from December 25 showing that five of the jets were housed at the only known Felon air base in Russia.
The Alexapure Pro transforms water from virtually any freshwater source into cleaner, safer drinking water. Reduces contaminants commonly found in drinking water.
You won’t survive without water for more than three days. How do you know yours is safe enough to drink?
The Alexapure Pro® Water Filtration System is the ultimate solution for cleaner, safer water. Its groundbreaking gravity-powered filtration process outperforms the competition—and we offer it at an affordable cost. You can trust Alexapure to supply safer water for your family. We do for ours!
The Kremlin has criticized Western countries for providing Ukraine with military support, saying that the delivery of weapons, including French-made armored vehicles, will “deepen the suffering of the Ukrainian people” and will not change the outcome of the conflict. The United States, France, and Germany have all announced plans to provide Ukraine with military aid. The conflict between Ukraine and Russia, which began in February of last year, is ongoing, with Ukraine calling for further assistance from Western allies in order to gain an advantage. Despite this, the Kremlin has said it appreciates French President Emmanuel Macron’s efforts to maintain dialogue between Russia and the West.
Update from General SVR
- Putin has called for full mobilization and announced that mobilization efforts will begin on January 18, with the first two weeks being covert.
- He supports the proposal to call on people who have already left the country and are banned from returning as part of the mobilization process.
- The ban on travel abroad will be introduced along with the declaration of martial law, which is expected to occur around the anniversary of the outbreak of hostilities in Ukraine.
- Putin has ordered the leadership of the security sector to prevent any political rallies or mass events, including those in support of the current government, until further notice.
- He has instructed them to prepare and conduct exercises to evacuate the country’s leadership in the event of a nuclear war, with larger exercises planned for this year.
- He has mentioned that preparations should be made for “big events” that will occur this year, but he did not specify what he meant.
- Participants noted that he appeared pale, frequently coughed, and seemed tired.
The Russian military and shipbuilders are reportedly blaming each other for the critical condition of the country’s only aircraft carrier, the Admiral Kuznetsov. According to Ukraine’s Defence Intelligence, the vessel is located at the 35th Ship Repair Plant in Murmansk and is in disrepair. The ship was unable to move on its own and attempts to move it with the help of tugs were also unsuccessful due to the critical condition of the hull. The metal structures below the third deck of the ship were reportedly significantly corroded and the holds were filled with muddy water, making it impossible to examine the ship in detail. Russian officials from the ship repair plant and the Northern fleet command are reportedly trying to shift responsibility for the vessel’s condition to each other. It is currently unclear when the Admiral Kuznetsov will be repaired and returned to service.
VPN stands for “virtual private network” — a service that protects your internet connection and privacy online. It creates an encrypted tunnel for your data, protects your online identity by hiding your IP address, and allows you to use public Wi-Fi hotspots safely. No one likes to be watched or tracked — even if they have nothing to hide. That’s why it’s important you step up your privacy game. When you’re browsing through a VPN, your traffic is encrypted so no one can see what you do online.
China has announced the reopening of border crossing points with Hong Kong, Russia, and Myanmar. Travelers from abroad are no longer required to undergo costly and time-consuming quarantines. However, those crossing between Hong Kong and mainland China are still required to show a negative COVID-19 test taken within the last 48 hours. The reopening of the border is expected to provide a much-needed boost to Hong Kong’s tourism and retail sectors. Meanwhile, only a fraction of the previous number of international flights are arriving at major Chinese airports.
OVERFLOW / WEB CONTENT
A plane’s door opened mid-air during a flight in Russia, causing luggage to be sucked out and forcing the pilot to make an emergency landing. All 25 passengers on board the Antonov AN-26 were “safe” as the plane landed in icy -41°C conditions. The door at the back of the plane, which is used for loading cargo and luggage, is normally curtained off from passengers, but was seen flapping wildly during the incident. Hats belonging to passengers flew off and disappeared into the cold air. An investigation is underway. The Antonov AN-26 planes were introduced in the USSR in 1970 and stopped being manufactured in 1986.
The US Consumer Product Safety Commission is considering a ban on gas stoves, according to commissioner Richard Trumka Jr. The appliances, which are used in around 40% of US homes, emit nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide and fine particulate matter, leading to health and respiratory issues, according to the Institute for Policy Integrity and the American Chemical Society. Researchers have also linked gas stoves to a greater risk of cardiovascular problems, cancer and other health issues. A peer-reviewed study published in December found that more than 12% of current child asthma cases in the US can be attributed to gas stove use. The commission will open public comment on hazards posed by the appliances later this winter.
Sweden’s Prime Minister, Ulf Kristersson, has said that Turkey’s demands for its support of Sweden’s application to join NATO are too high and cannot be met. In May 2022, Sweden and Finland applied to join NATO in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, however, Turkey has objected and accused the countries of harboring militants, including from the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party. Kristersson said that the demands, which include the extradition of certain individuals, are outside the scope of the three-way memorandum signed between Turkey, Sweden and Finland in 2022. Turkey has expressed disappointment with a recent decision by Sweden’s top court to stop a request to extradite a journalist with alleged links to Islamic scholar Fetullah Gulen, whom Turkey blames for an attempted coup.
It is being reported that the city of Soledar in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine, has been “practically destroyed” following a major assault by Russian troops, including the Kremlin-controlled Wagner Group. According to Ukraine’s Eastern Military Command spokesman, Serhii Cherevatyi, Russian troops had recently attempted to find a weakness in Ukraine’s defenses and had concentrated their most combat-ready units, including the Wagner Group, in the area. After an unsuccessful attempt to capture Soledar, Russian troops changed tactics and launched another major assault, which is expected to be powerful due to the deployment of additional units and the use of the Wagner Group’s “best reserves.” The city of Bakhmut, located around 215 kilometers southeast of Kharkiv, has also been the site of intense fighting between Russian troops and Ukrainian forces.
James Stavridis, former NATO Supreme Allied Commander, predicts that Russia’s forces in Ukraine will be “burned through and exhausted” by the end of winter, creating an opportunity for peace negotiations. Stavridis believes that there will be pressure on both sides in 2023 to enter negotiations to end the conflict and suggests that negotiations should occur in mid-2023. Ukrainian and Russian forces are currently fighting along an approximately 600 mile front, with Ukraine forcing Russia into defensive positions in the south and northeast, while Russian forces are seeking to advance around the eastern city of Bakhmut. Stavridis believes that Ukraine is winning the “ground war” due to their motivation and better equipment, but Russia has an advantage in the air with their use of drones to target infrastructure.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene said in a recent interview that she had “easily gotten sucked into” QAnon conspiracy theories that she saw online. Greene, a Republican from Georgia, was stripped of her committee assignments after joining Congress in 2021 due to statements she made about conspiracy theories and her past support of QAnon. Greene said in the interview that she never campaigned on those things and that they are “so far in the past.” It is unclear how many Americans support the QAnon movement, but various polls have suggested that the share of Americans who agree with at least some QAnon beliefs is 20%, while one 2021 poll found 30% viewed the movement favorably.
Former President Donald Trump made false claims about the death of Ashli Babbitt during a speech at his Mar-a-Lago event space on Saturday. Trump said Babbitt’s mother, Micki Witthoeft, had been arrested for protesting the death of her daughter, who was shot by a “lunatic” with a “record of not so good.” In reality, Witthoeft was arrested in a symbolic act on the second anniversary of Babbitt’s death at the US Capitol, where she was part of a mob that breached an internal window near the House floor. Babbitt was shot and killed by a security officer who drew his weapon after she tried to step through the window. Trump also suggested that Babbitt was killed for protesting a “stolen election,” but she was actually part of a group that broke into the Capitol during the riot on January 6, 2021.
The Republican-led US House of Representatives has made a number of changes to its procedures, following the COVID-19 pandemic and the Jan. 6 siege on the Capitol. The changes include ending proxy voting, increasing pressure on the Speaker to act in accordance with the wishes of the Republican conference, revamping the Office of Congressional Ethics and requiring metal detectors at the entrance to the House floor. Lawmakers are also expected to repeal the requirement that masks must be worn on the House floor and in the galleries, and permit lawmakers to bring guns onto the House floor. In addition, the Democrats’ ban on talking on the House floor will be lifted, and Republican lawmakers will be permitted to speak out of turn.
President Joe Biden will be meeting with the leaders of Mexico and Canada this week to discuss issues including immigration, drug trafficking and climate change at the North American Leaders’ Summit. Biden’s visit to Mexico comes as the US faces record numbers of migrants crossing the southern border, and as fentanyl overdoses continue to claim American lives. The meeting with Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also comes as the US seeks to repair relations with both countries. Immigration, particularly the record levels of migrants coming to the US-Mexico border, is expected to be a key focus of the talks. The leaders may also discuss the capacity of each country’s asylum systems and how to better process asylum seekers. The issue of drug trafficking, specifically the trafficking of fentanyl from Mexico to the US, is also expected to be addressed. Climate change is also expected to be a key topic of discussion, with López Obrador having turned to buying coal despite being a former climate leader.
A formal ethics complaint has been filed against newly-elected Republican Congressman George Santos by the Campaign Legal Center, a non-profit organization, with the Federal Election Commission (FEC). The complaint accuses Santos, from New York, of illegally using campaign funds for personal expenses, including for an apartment rental, and for submitting false information about both the source of his campaign donations and his campaign’s expenses. The complaint raises the possibility of foreign interference in the election and also questions the expenses listed on Santos’s campaign finance reports, which include several items costing $199.99, just below the $200 threshold at which receipts or itemized details are required by the FEC. The complaint also alleges that Santos “embellished” his work and education history during his congressional campaign. Santos has declined to comment on the allegations.
Donald Trump accused President Joe Biden of “convincing” Vladimir Putin to invade Ukraine during a speech at Mar-a-Lago over the weekend. Trump also defended the violent Capitol rioters as “protesting a dishonest election,” despite a lack of evidence. The former president also claimed that Biden was increasing the risk of a nuclear war due to his alleged lack of mental capacity. Trump also falsely claimed that Ashli Babbitt, a rioter who was shot and killed during the Capitol siege, was killed by a “lunatic” and not a police officer. Trump has been running for president again and has mostly been at Mar-a-Lago, surrounded by supporters.
Jair Bolsonaro, the former president of Brazil, has been hospitalized in Orlando, Florida with severe abdominal pain. His condition is reportedly “not worrying.” This comes after his supporters stormed Brazil’s Congress building and presidential palace in protest of the inauguration of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on January 1. The protests resulted in 170 arrests and were met with condemnation from world leaders, including President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Bolsonaro has a history of abdominal pain stemming from a 2018 stabbing while campaigning in Rio de Janeiro.
Pope Francis met with Archbishop Georg Ganswein, former Pope Benedict’s closest aide, on Monday. Ganswein, who was Benedict’s personal secretary from 2003 until his death in 2021, has recently caused controversy with the publication of a book about his time working alongside Benedict. The book, titled “Nothing But The Truth – My Life Beside Benedict XVI,” is due to be released on January 12 and is expected to provide an insider’s view of Benedict’s papacy and his final hours. Many are waiting to see whether Ganswein will be given another position within the Vatican or be assigned elsewhere. Some have speculated that Ganswein could be called upon by conservatives to fill Benedict’s shoes as a rallying point for those opposed to the reforms of Pope Francis.
A grand jury investigating whether former President Donald Trump and his allies committed crimes while attempting to overturn the 2020 election results in Georgia has completed its work and submitted a final report. It will now be up to Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis to decide whether to seek an indictment from a regular grand jury. The grand jury heard testimony from dozens of witnesses, including close Trump associates such as Rudy Giuliani and Lindsey Graham, as well as Georgia officials such as Governor Brian Kemp and Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger. The investigation focused on phone calls made to Georgia officials by Trump and his allies, false statements made by Trump associates, a group of Republican electors who falsely claimed Trump won the state, and alleged attempts to pressure a Fulton County election worker.
The trial of five members of the Proud Boys, a far-right extremist group, is set to begin this week on charges of plotting to oppose the authority of the US government and halt the certification of President Joe Biden’s 2020 election win, along with other related crimes. The trial comes weeks after the historic convictions of two leaders of the right-wing militia group Oath Keepers on similar charges. The Proud Boys gained notoriety in September 2020 when former President Donald Trump told them to “stand back and stand by” during a presidential debate. The group has been involved in violent demonstrations across the US and has been described as “Western chauvinists” by the Department of Justice.
The Duke of Sussex’s popularity among the British public has hit a record low of minus 38, according to a YouGov survey. This is due to claims made in his upcoming book, “Spare,” which is set to be released on Tuesday. In the book, Harry talks about killing 25 Taliban members during the Afghanistan war, taking drugs, and losing his virginity. He has also criticized “family members” and described the Queen Consort as “the villain” in television interviews. The Duchess of Sussex’s popularity has also declined to minus 42.
Prince Harry has revealed in an interview with Anderson Cooper on “60 Minutes” that he believed for many years that his mother, Princess Diana, faked her death. He didn’t believe she was dead until he visited the site of the car crash in Paris that claimed her life when he was 23. These are among the revelations in Harry’s upcoming memoir, “Spare,” which is set to be released on Tuesday. The memoir also details Harry’s life before meeting his wife Meghan Markle, including his time in the British Army and his service in Afghanistan, during which he killed 25 people. Harry also speaks about his and Prince William’s opposition to their father’s marriage to Camilla Parker Bowles and about his past drug use.
Amid recent gun violence in Washington, D.C., community leaders and activists plan to launch a campaign featuring posters that say “Thou shalt not kill.” The posters, which will be distributed to the public, are an attempt to stimulate discussion about stopping gun violence in the city. The D.C. mayor’s office is providing 1,000 posters and Andy Shallal, owner of Busboys and Poets, is underwriting the costs of printing an additional 2,000 posters. The posters will be available to the public starting Tuesday at the Busboys and Poets restaurant.
