RSnake Report 20260103

Hello, and thanks for reading! Happy New Year! 📣 🎆 🎉 We had a nice, quiet night at the RSnake home front, but we had a great night too. I hope your New Year’s resolutions come true! One interesting infographic I saw was about the 2025 hype cycles. It is interesting that much of this was geopolitical, but also a large chunk was about completely pointless things like Labubu. I have a feeling Venezuela will make the list for 2026.

This has been a really intense news week, so let’s jump right into it.

In South of the Border news, and the biggest news of the week, Maduro has been captured in an overnight raid. He is allegedly currently aboard the USS Iwo Jima along with his wife, and they are headed back to the United States. Trump, in his latest press conference, said that the US government will run Venezuela until it can transition power. What exactly that means is unclear, but it sounds as if he is saying we have to take control of the country, not just decapitate the leadership, which means regime change. He also said the US was prepared to do a second and much “bigger wave” of an attack if need be, and that he was going to start making money for Venezuela by restarting its anemic oil industry. Still, confusingly, the embargo on Venezuelan oil remains intact.

Trump jokingly referred to it as the “Don-roe Doctrine” as a nod to the “Monroe Doctrine,” but he thinks he’s doing more than ever before - and honestly, he might be right about that. General Caine said that “integration” does not begin to explain the complexity of how these different military and intelligence elements came together to create tactical surprise and minimize civilian casualties. The operation included 150 aircraft from 20 other ships and bases, using layered effects from SPACECOM and CYBERCOM. The air defense systems included F22, F35, F18, E2, B1 Bombers, and drones to protect the helicopters and the forces aboard during the raid. One aircraft was hit but remained flyable and there was no loss of US life, despite numerous self-defense engagements during exfiltration and ultimately Maduro was loaded onto the USS Iwo Jima. Wow.

U.S. special operations raided Caracas using MH-47G Chinook and MH-60 Black Hawk helicopters from the 160th SOAR after airstrikes suppressed Venezuelan air defenses like Buk-M2E systems, targeting Fuerte Tiuna, La Carlota airbase, a communications center in El Hatillo, Higuerote Airport, and La Guaira port, with explosions, fires, power outages, and low-flying helicopters. NASA detected heat signatures at Fuerte Tiuna. The operation, launched from assets like the USS Iwo Jima and/or Puerto Rico airfields, captured President Nicolás Maduro and his wife in a surgical raid on a fortified house, pulling them from bed before they reached a steel safe room. They were helicoptered out and transferred to a ship for transport to New York.

Unsubstantiated sources indicate it was a negotiated exit, but I think this is likely at best a half-truth, given that he will likely face a pretty hefty prison sentence. One of the most important aspects of this was that the US helicopters were able to penetrate so easily into Venezuela, which was protected by numerous Russian air defense systems, and possibly from other countries as well. A Venezuelan Buk-M2E system from Russia, bought in 2015, was destroyed at Higuerote Air Base. This is going to really hurt Russian/Iranian propaganda and arms sales, because would you want to buy American weapons or weapons Americans can definitely destroy with zero casualties, even when you were given lots of time to prepare, if you were a country looking to defend itself?

Venezuela's Defense Minister stated the military will not negotiate or surrender and will triumph, despite reports of Maduro's capture. So there seems to be some disconnect about who is running the country, to say the least, but Trump indicated he was talking with Maduro’s VP, who appears to want to “make Venezuela great again.” Either way, this feels contested at the moment.

A few days earlier Trump confirmed a major explosion in Venezuela targeted a dock used to load drug boats and U.S. Southern Command announced a strike by Joint Task Force-Southern Spear on a narco-trafficking vessel in the Eastern Pacific, killing two suspected DTO members carrying illicit narcotics along a known route. I have heard rumors that the cartels are putting kill orders out to any fentanyl dealers because they don’t want US heat on them, which effectively neuters a huge amount of Chinese power in the region, given that fentanyl precursors originate from China.

In Russia/Ukraine news, Russian "Z-bloggers" expressed alarm over Venezuela's situation and Russian falling oil prices, warning that low prices could make Russian oil extraction unprofitable, leading to economic collapse, starvation, and somewhat surprisingly the call to kill the political leadership, whom they called traitors. They accused Putin of incompetence and predicted market takeover by others, leaving Russia isolated. I wonder if this sentiment is increasing, but Venezuela is not going to make Russia happy, that is for sure.

Russia's Tundra early-warning satellite system has deteriorated, with only one of three satellites operational. Kosmos-2552 remains functional but failed a maneuver in November 2025, while Kosmos-2541 and Kosmos-2563 have ceased orbit adjustments and are out of service. Overall, the system's failure is due in part to sanctions, funding shortages, and Russia's inability to produce new satellites, hindering the restoration of the Soviet-era network. That leaves a lot of room for cruise missiles, bombers, drones, and most importantly, ICMBs to penetrate deep into Russia without being noticed. This is a system that needs replacements to stay operational but it’s not getting them.

In a strange bit of news, if you recall, there was a sunk/sanctioned Russian cargo ship, Ursa Major, which sank off Spain in 2024. Apparently, it may have been carrying two VM-4SG nuclear reactors destined for North Korea. These are of the variety of pressurized water reactors, most commonly used to power cities. More on that story here. That’s a huge and nearly priceless loss for both Russia and North Korea. I guess North Korea will remain dark. ☢️ 

The Soviet-era UVB-76 "Doomsday" radio station unexpectedly broadcast Swan Lake shortly after Moscow promised retaliation against Kiev. It’s unclear if this was just to create some headlines or something larger being signaled to troops.

Meanwhile this week which seems to be a recurring thing, large portions of Moscow experienced power outages during a Ukrainian drone attack on the capital, as reported by Russian channels. Imagine living there and being told by the regime that the war effort is going well, and not having power once or twice a month due to drone strikes.

Zelensky recently stated that Russia mobilizes 43,000 people monthly, but its army size has stopped growing for the first time this year, potentially setting conditions for the war to end in 2026. That’s really bad news for Russia if true, and gives them a lot less leverage.

Previously, I said that we had captured the Bella 1, but that turns out not to be correct. In reality, the oil tanker Bella 1, sanctioned by the U.S. for carrying Iranian oil toward Venezuela, evaded U.S. Coast Guard interception in the Caribbean by painting a Russian flag and claiming Russian status. Its tracking signal vanished on December 17, 2025, and it changed course. The vessel, now renamed Marinera and registered in Russia with Sochi as its home port, previously sailed under the Panamanian flag. Russia issued a diplomatic note demanding the U.S. halt pursuit, complicating U.S. efforts under maritime law. I’m not sure it’s worth taking at this point, but perhaps the Ukrainians want a go at it.

In the funniest news of the week, Ukrainian intelligence faked the death of Volunteer Corps commander Denis Kapustin in a multi-stage operation using staged FPV drone footage of an attack on his van, deceiving Russian services into paying a $500,000 bounty. The funds now support GUR special forces equipment. Kapustin "died" on the anniversary of the Soviet Union's collapse and "resurrected" on Stepan Bandera's birthday, with GUR head Kyrylo Budanov congratulating the team on fooling Russian intelligence, which had commissioned the hit. 😆 

CIA and U.S. military officers provided targeting intelligence for Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian defense industry components, including explosives factories and petroleum facilities, with a focus on oil refineries' irreplaceable couplers to keep them offline for weeks. Very smart to do such a surgical attack. The campaign, coordinated in June 2025, avoided supplying weapons for other priorities. CIA Director John Ratcliffe briefed President Trump, who approved the covert role for its deniability and leverage against Russia. The CIA also authorized assistance for strikes on Russia's "shadow fleet" vessels in the Black Sea and Mediterranean.

In South East Asia news, Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense initiated Rapid Response Exercises nationwide, placing air-defense, anti-ship missile, and naval units on high alert in response to Chinese People's Liberation Army Eastern Theater Command snap drills surrounding the island. This is both good and bad news, because it proves that Taiwan can rapidly respond, but it also telegraphs to China what the defense patterns look like, and gives them time to prepare. However, in turn, it also offers Taiwan a look at what China will do to encircle Taiwan when the time comes. Starting on December 30, 2025, the PLA Eastern Theater Command conducted major military drills with live firing in five specified areas around Taiwan, advising vessels and aircraft to avoid the zones for safety.

Over 48 hours, China encircled Taiwan with large-scale live-fire exercises simulating decapitation strikes and port seizures, forming a noose-style blockade to cut supply lines, evolving from isolated shows of force into a coordinated network, with a potential third day of operations. Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated in a Tass interview that Russia would support China in a Taiwan conflict.

Taiwan plans to produce up to 1,600 unmanned attack surface vessels under a 1.25 trillion New Taiwan dollar special defense budget to enhance deterrence. Hull construction is simple, but integrating weapons, guidance, sensors, and command systems poses challenges. The Navy Command will designate the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology as the prime contractor to speed production.

In Africa news, Israel's recognition of Somaliland involves access to the Berbera strategic air base, featuring hardened aircraft shelters and a deep-water port near the Bab el-Mandab strait, usable by Israel, the UAE, or the U.S. for Red Sea surveillance and strikes opposite Yemen's Houthis. The US is considering recognizing Somaliland as well.

Somaliland faces internal divisions, with the Hargeysa government controlling 65-70% of the territory. Gadabursi and Ise clans in the west occasionally raise the Somali flag amid unrest, while Dhulbahante and Warsangeli clans in the east, covering 30% of the land, resist and identify with Somalia, defeating Somaliland forces in 2023. Recognition, mainly backed by the Isaaq clan, risks conflict or civil war between Isaaq and non-Isaaq groups in northern Somalia.

The UAE is pressuring African countries with loan promises to recognize Somaliland, with at least two major nations in talks to do so soon, according to Somali media. It makes a lot of sense that the UAE wants the region to continue to support shipping.

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud stated that intelligence shows Somaliland agreed to three steps with Israel: resettling Palestinians, hosting an Israeli military base on the Gulf of Aden coast, and joining the Abraham Accords. Implementation could open a Pandora's box of global conflict. Reports confirm Somaliland, a Somali separatist region, will accept Palestinian refugees, join the Accords, and allow the base in exchange for recognition. That’s a huge step toward securing Israel by relocating the Palestinian people, if it can be done peacefully. Logistically, that is a lot of people movement across the Gulf of Aden, and boats haven’t had an easy time docking in Gaza without Hamas interference.

In Middle East news, protests in Iran have been going on all week, spreading across cities with chants targeting clerical rule and Supreme Leader Khamenei, beyond economic issues like a 60-70% food price surge and currency collapse. Security forces used tear gas, live fire, and arrests nationwide, shutting down markets and bazaars.

There were calls for the Shah's return and reports of fatalities in violent clashes. Crowds in Tehran chanted "Javid Shah," locals in Kuhdasht chased off 50 Basij and IRGC forces at a funeral, tearing down regime banners, and protesters seized an IRGC base in Asadabad. Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi messaged supporters that the Islamic Republic is collapsing, Khamenei is hiding, and the process is irreversible, urging unity for a bright future.

Saudi airstrikes targeted UAE ships at Yemen's Mukalla Port carrying armored vehicles and weapons for UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council separatists, escalating tensions after the STC seized eastern Yemen areas despite Saudi warnings and a prior airstrike. The Saudi Air Force bombed STC positions heavily that day.

The UAE announced the voluntary withdrawal of its remaining counter-terrorism units from Yemen (the statement) on December 30, 2025, following a comprehensive assessment of safety and effectiveness, ending its military presence since 2019.

The statement came after Yemen's Saudi-backed Presidential Leadership Council canceled a joint defense pact, issued a 24-hour ultimatum for Emirati forces to leave, and Saudi strikes hit UAE military shipments. Yemen's civil war since 2015 pits Houthis against the PLC in Sanaa, with UAE-supported STC, part of PLC, opposing Houthis but seeking southern independence. Saudi Arabia believes the UAE encouraged STC mobilization in Hadhramaut and al-Mahra as retaliation for perceived Saudi pressure on the UAE over Sudan during MBS's Washington visit last month. It’s a little unclear to me why Saudi Arabia is so determined to stop the UAE. Still, my guess is a mix of what is going on in the Sudan and an independent Somaliland, and an STC-controlled Yemen gives the UAE-friendly control over the Gulf of Aden. Saudi Arabia would like control over at least half, it appears. Here is a map of the territory today.

The UAE's Yemen-escalation may respond to Saudi diplomatic pressure on UAE regarding Sudan, potentially rebounding conflicts in Africa. Sudan shows signs of renewed fighting, with the UAE establishing an RSF staging area in Ethiopia, including weapons shipments, and SAF leader Burhan rallying backers like Egypt, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia for central Sudan battles. Israel's Somaliland recognition forces African alignments, uncondemned by UAE and Ethiopia, rallying anti-Ethiopia powers like Egypt, Djibouti, Eritrea, Somalia, and partners Turkey and Saudi Arabia against UAE influence. Meanwhile, the Houthis view Israeli positions there as targets. What. A. Mess.

While the UAE forces have withdrawn from Yemen, the Southern Transitional Council declared a constitutional document for the "State of South Arabia," an independent sovereign state with Aden as capital, matching former People's Democratic Republic of Yemen borders, Arabic as official language, Islam as religion, and Sharia as legislation source, as part of Arab and Islamic nations. STC head Aidarous Al-Zubaidi stated a two-year transition ends with restoring South Yemen on January 2, 2028, enforceable immediately if demands are ignored or southern Yemen faces aggression, with all options open unless addressed via outlined framework with parties and international community. Hopefully this doesn’t spill over into direct aggression between Saudi and the UAE, who are neighbors and collectively also act as a stabilizing force in the Middle East to a large degree. It’s unclear how this will affect the Houthis if the country gets divided.

In North American News, Ukraine's drone capabilities have reshaped how the West is perceiving the future of warfare, prompting the U.S. to develop countermeasures. The latest example of that is Raytheon's Coyote guided missile and a video of it engaging various UAVs during trials at Arizona's Yuma Proving Ground. What I found interesting was that it appears to explode just before hitting the target into a disc/ring of explosive power. Perhaps it’s because the tip or tail of an aircraft will blind/explode or halt its ability to have thrust, vs hitting the middle, which may be able to withstand the explosive power? I don’t know, but it’s an interesting video nonetheless.

Briefly in tech news, Israeli cybersecurity billionaire Shlomo Kramer called for limiting the First Amendment and controlling social platforms to regulate their content. Specifically, he said he believed the government should control social media and speech. I know a fairly large contingent of security experts who don’t like the First Amendment, so this isn’t that strange to me, but it is strange to say it out loud in the media like this. The subsequent comments towards him were less than favorable, to say the least.

Okay, onto the articles!

A severe winter storm in Gaza has resulted in at least one fatality and poses a significant danger to nearly 900,000 displaced Palestinians living in tents amidst challenging humanitarian conditions. With healthcare on the brink of collapse and ongoing restrictions on aid, the situation is exacerbated by the harsh weather and continued violence despite a truce agreement. The international community is being urged to intervene and provide necessary support, as many remain vulnerable to freezing temperatures and flooding.

• A Palestinian woman died due to a wall collapse caused by a winter storm in Gaza.

• Severe weather conditions are endangering the lives of nearly 900,000 displaced Palestinians living in inadequate shelters.

• The healthcare system in Gaza is nearing collapse, with ongoing restrictions on humanitarian aid.

[RSnake: This is a good reason to Israel to push on the Somaliand deal and find them permanent housing.]

Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/12/28/gaza-storm-kills-palestinian-woman-as-israeli-curbs-on-aid-compound-misery?traffic_source=rss

Kim Keon Hee, the former first lady of South Korea and wife of former President Yoon Suk Yeol, has been accused of accepting bribes exceeding $200,000 and interfering in state affairs. Prosecutors allege that she received luxury gifts, including jewelry and handbags, from businesses and politicians as part of a broader investigation into corruption that has led to political turmoil in the country, including the incarceration of both her and her husband.

• Kim Keon Hee is accused of accepting bribes and interfering in state affairs.

• The case adds to the political instability in South Korea, with both the former president and his wife detained.

[RSnake: All things considered, this is a small bribe, but not good for her if true. In reality, this is likely just one bribe that they found, of many, many others.]

Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/rest-of-world/lavish-gifts-from-jewellery-to-handbag-south-koreas-ex-president-yoon-suk-yeols-wife-accused-of-taking-bribes-over-200000/articleshow/126223433.cms

ICE arrested over 17,500 illegal immigrants with past criminal convictions on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, including individuals from Mexico, Cuba, Somalia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Sudan, the Dominican Republic, and Venezuela. The arrests are part of a sweeping immigration crackdown that has led to the removal of over 2.5 million illegal immigrants since President Trump's return to office this year. DHS claims this has resulted in the most secure border in American history.

• ICE arrested more than 17,500 illegal immigrants with past criminal convictions on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

• Over 2.5 million illegal immigrants have left the US since President Trump returned to office this year under a sweeping immigration crackdown.

[RSnake: Those are the kinds of numbers that will start making a dent in illegal immigration. I believe the self-deportation window has closed now, as of the end of 2025.]

Source: https://www.foxnews.com/us/ice-delivers-greatest-gift-all-christmas-arrests-convicted-criminals-multiple-states

The U.S. has passed the FY2026 National Defense Authorization Act, authorizing $900.6 billion to strengthen military capabilities and close technological gaps with Russia and China. Key investments will be directed towards artificial intelligence, hypersonic weapons, space-based systems, and enhancing the defense industrial base to ensure America’s military superiority in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.

• The legislation includes significant funds for various military procurement, including shipbuilding, aircraft, and advanced weapon systems.

• It emphasizes the urgent need for technological advancements, particularly in AI and hypersonic capabilities, to maintain the U.S. military edge.

[RSnake: This hurts our budget deficit, but if we can use it strategically to align more countries in the western hemisphere, like Venezuela, or if I were to dream big, maybe even Cuba, it could end up paying off.]

Source: https://www.eurasiantimes.com/?p=260587

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) employs asymmetrical strategies to maintain control over its population and leverage power internationally, blending technology and ideology to suppress dissent and extend influence abroad. This includes state surveillance, economic manipulation, and cultural infiltration to exploit vulnerabilities in target nations. The CCP's long-term viability is questioned due to systemic financial challenges that may lead to significant transformations within China and its global approach.

• The CCP integrates technology and surveillance to enforce ideological conformity and suppress dissent among its citizens.

• China employs asymmetrical warfare strategies, extending its influence globally through economic means and cultural manipulation.

• The long-term sustainability of the CCP is in jeopardy due to increasing financial instability and internal disintegration.

[RSnake: From the article, this quote was kinda fascinating, “The system is currently hitting a terminal wall similar to Japan’s 1987 peak, but with far greater systemic volatility and much less internal cohesiveness. China carries the US-equivalent of $50 trillion in total debt. A $3 trillion property insolvency, such as the collapse of state-backed property developer China Vanke, effectively nullifies the People’s Bank of China's foreign exchange reserves, which it took decades to earn. As Americans, we cannot forget that this immolated wealth was the product of liquidating our heartland manufacturing to finance US trade deficits, which were then directed into ghost city full-employment projects supporting the CCP’s domestic legitimacy deficit.”]

Source: https://www.realcleardefense.com/articles/2026/01/03/break_the_asian_machine_age_1156560.html

The U.S. launched a military operation in Venezuela, resulting in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro as part of a strategy to combat drug trafficking and respond to ongoing tensions in the region. Following the operation, Maduro's location remains unknown, and Venezuela's government condemned the U.S. action, declaring a state of emergency. The international response includes condemnation from allies of Maduro and calls for action from supporters in the region, marking a pivotal moment in U.S.-Venezuela relations.

• The U.S. conducted a military strike in Venezuela, capturing President Nicolás Maduro.

• Maduro's government called the attack an act of imperialism and declared a state of emergency.

[RSnake: It’s kinda amazing we didn’t take a single loss. It just shows how well our systems did integrate and how well the layered effects work.]

Source: https://www.defensenews.com/news/your-military/2026/01/03/us-strikes-venezuela-says-nicolas-maduro-has-been-captured/

Ukrainian intelligence has warned that Russia is planning a false flag attack aimed at civilians around Orthodox Christmas on January 7, 2026. The operation is intended to create casualties that can be attributed to Ukraine, undermining international support during ongoing peace negotiations and justifying increased military actions against Ukraine.

• Ukraine's intelligence service predicts a mass-casualty false flag operation by Russia timed for Orthodox Christmas.

• The operation aims to fabricate evidence of Ukrainian involvement and destabilize peace negotiations.

[RSnake: We shall see, but this kind of thing is pretty likely, and if not on the 7th, it could happen just about any time. There are a lot of warnings about a buildup to show massive casualties as a reason to escalate further. I don’t know what he would gain by an escalation, but that is the rumor floating around.]

Source: https://euromaidanpress.com/?p=384341

Protests in Iran have escalated as demonstrators openly call for the overthrow of the Islamic Republic, sparked by economic grievances and a government crackdown on dissent. US President Donald Trump warned that the United States is prepared to intervene if Iranian authorities use lethal force against protesters, prompting strong reactions from Iranian officials who condemned US interference. The protests have spread across multiple cities, with security forces responding violently, resulting in several deaths among demonstrators.

• Protests in Iran have intensified, with calls for regime change growing louder amid widespread dissatisfaction with the government.

• President Trump issued a warning of US intervention if Iran kills peaceful protesters, further inflaming tensions between the two nations.

[RSnake: It is possible that we could see actual regime change. And I thought we already had Christmas! 🎅 🎄 ]

Source: https://www.iranintl.com/en/202601030226

China has expressed strong outrage towards the United States following its military operations in Venezuela, labeling the actions as acts of hegemony that threaten the security of the continent. The Chinese government condemned the U.S. for infringing on Venezuela's sovereignty and violating international law.

• China condemned the U.S. military actions in Venezuela.

• The U.S. actions are viewed as a violation of international law and a threat to regional security.

[RSnake: Of course they did. And of course, we’ll ignore them, just a couple of days after they encircled Taiwan, doing live fire drills. The Chinese delegation was also visiting Maduro just the day before. I don’t think we timed it for that purpose; it was weather-related, but a happy coincidence that they were still in the country as we were putting effects on targets.]

Source: https://www.mk.ru/politics/2026/01/03/gluboko-potryaseny-kitay-sdelal-rezkoe-zayavlenie-v-adres-ssha.html

After the fall of Bashar al-Assad in Syria, intelligence documents uncovered in Damascus reveal a comprehensive informant network operated by the Mukhabarat, leading to widespread detentions, torture, and deaths among citizens, often involving family members in the betrayal. These files, sourced from various intelligence agencies, document a history of brutality and human rights violations, substantiated by testimonies from former detainees and the ongoing identification of missing persons, with some estimates suggesting over 160,000 individuals have been forcibly disappeared since 2011.

• Intelligence documents recovered in Damascus expose a brutal informant system in Syria.

• The files reveal extensive human rights abuses, including torture and enforced disappearances.

[RSnake: At the same time, many of the people Assad detained were ISIS, so it’s hard to say this is good or bad news from the US perspective, but it gives you a sense of the scale of his operation before it collapsed.]

Source: https://sofrep.com/?p=224201

Japan approves record defense budget for fiscal year 2026 as it faces growing military pressure from three nuclear-armed neighbors and the US calls for higher defense outlays.

• The Japanese cabinet approved a $58 billion defense spending for fiscal year 2026, a record high for the 12th consecutive year.

• The budget aims to bolster unmanned defense systems and standoff missile capabilities to address Japan's deteriorating security environment.

[RSnake: Not a bad idea. This is the time for Japan to stock up. China is getting more aggressive in the region.]

Source: https://www.navalnews.com/?p=81731

The Department of Health and Human Services in the U.S. has considered altering the established childhood vaccine recommendations in a way that could lead to significant changes in public health policy. Recent actions by the health secretary have included halting investments in mRNA vaccines and reorganizing advisory committees, potentially jeopardizing access to critical vaccines for families across the country.

• The potential shift in childhood vaccine recommendations could affect millions of families' access to vaccines.

• The health secretary's decisions have already resulted in the dismissal of experts and substantial cuts to vaccine funding.

[RSnake: Good or bad, I don’t think it is a surprise that this was coming. The CDC/HHS has no one to blame but themselves for rushing COVID vaccines to market and selling them as 100% effective and having 0% side effects. They had to expect backlash from this propaganda. Even if it was a net good, you cannot lie to the US public and hope that they’ll let it slide.]

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/30/opinion/kennedy-vaccines-hhs-cdc.html

Russia is hosting festive events at the site of a massacre in Mariupol, and Ukraine's Foreign Ministry has condemned this as deliberate terror and an attempt to evade responsibility. The events are taking place three years after Russia dropped aerial bombs on the Mariupol Drama Theatre, where hundreds of civilians were killed. Ukraine's civilians still live under constant stress.

• Russia is hosting festive events at the site of a massacre in Mariupol, which Ukraine sees as an attempt to evade responsibility for war crimes.

• Three years after Russia dropped aerial bombs on the Mariupol Drama Theatre, where hundreds of civilians were killed, the theatre has not been fully rebuilt, and some parts are still under Russian control.

[RSnake: Ah… propaganda.]

Source: https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2025/12/30/8014072/

A vulnerability known as MongoBleed has been discovered in various versions of MongoDB, exposing over 87,000 servers to potential exploitation. Attackers can remotely extract sensitive information without needing valid authentication, with a critical fix now available for affected instances. Organizations are urged to prioritize patching to mitigate risks associated with this flaw.

• MongoBleed vulnerability affects multiple MongoDB versions, with over 87,000 servers exposed.

• Attackers can extract sensitive data without authentication, making this a critical security issue.

[RSnake: This effectively dumps memory, very similar to Heartbleed. The only good news is that it is a tiny percent of the Internet, unlike Heartbleed, which was virtually all SSL/TLS-enabled systems at the time. It caused the European Space Agency to be compromised. CISA has issued an alert on it.]

Source: https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/exploited-mongobleed-flaw-leaks-mongodb-secrets-87k-servers-exposed/

The US Food and Drug Administration Commissioner is working to get ahead of what could be the fourth wave of the deadly opioid crisis by targeting a substance derived from the kratom plant that is being sold to young people in gas stations and vape shops all across the nation. Deceptive marketing and easy access are helping fuel its spread, luring in an increasing number of young Americans.

• The concentrated compound, 7-hydroxymitragynine, known as 7-OH, is up to 13 times more potent than morphine.

• Deceptive marketing and easy access are helping fuel the spread of highly concentrated kratom products among young Americans.

[RSnake: Yep, these gas station opioids are very, very strong. Many new drugs like Krocadil (a codeine based opioid) and K2/Spice (a cannabinoid) can cause extremely nasty side effects, but unlike them, it’s over the counter.]

Source: https://www.dailywire.com/news/best-of-2025-this-drug-is-sold-in-your-gas-station-it-may-trigger-the-fourth-wave-of-the-opioid-crisis

Cryptocurrency thefts totaling over $28 million have been traced back to a 2022 LastPass data breach, where hackers accessed encrypted vaults containing users' credentials. The stolen crypto was laundered using Wasabi Wallet, a service that obfuscates transactions through a privacy technique called CoinJoin. This coordinated campaign also indicates that the attackers are linked to the Russian cybercrime ecosystem, as funds were traced back to Russian exchanges.

• Ongoing cryptocurrency thefts have been linked to the 2022 LastPass breach.

• Attackers have used sophisticated laundering techniques involving Wasabi Wallet.

• The operations are believed to be connected to Russian cybercriminals.

[RSnake: This is the primary reason I do not trust centralized password managers, they are too juicy a target.]

Source: https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/cryptocurrency-theft-attacks-traced-to-2022-lastpass-breach/

Trust Wallet reported a theft of approximately $8.5 million from over 2,500 wallets, likely connected to a recent supply chain attack known as Shai-Hulud, which compromised npm packages. In the attack, malicious code was embedded into the Trust Wallet Chrome extension, enabled by exposed developer secrets, allowing unauthorized access and theft of sensitive wallet information.

• Over 2,500 Trust Wallet users were impacted by a crypto theft.

• The attack involved a sophisticated supply chain breach related to npm packages.

• Malicious JavaScript was added to a compromised version of the Trust Wallet extension.

[RSnake: The supply chain is an absolute mess, and there is no easy fix here, because even if we balkanized the code we use, it’s easily infiltrated.]

Source: https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/trust-wallet-links-85-million-crypto-theft-to-shai-hulud-npm-attack/

A troubling trend has emerged on social media involving AI-generated images, with users prompting an AI model to manipulate photos of underage individuals inappropriately. xAI, the company behind the AI model, has faced backlash over the incident, including attention from French authorities seeking legal action. In response to the situation, xAI has acknowledged lapses in safeguards while facing criticism for its handling of the matter.

• AI model Grok generated inappropriate images of underage individuals based on user prompts.

• xAI has faced backlash and potential legal actions from authorities for the incident.

[RSnake: This is a very complex issue, and I don’t think any generative image model can get in front of this meaningfully if they want to allow any kind of NSFW images, but they can and likely should flag it and refer it to the police.]

Source: https://gizmodo.com/?p=2000704919

A ransomware attack hit Romania's largest coal-based energy producer, Complexul Energetic Oltenia, taking down its IT infrastructure and affecting around 19,000 employees, while another attack targeted Trust Wallet draining $7 million in crypto theft. A hacker was arrested for a KMSAuto malware campaign with 2.8 million downloads. The Gentlemen ransomware operation has added almost four dozen victims to its Tor data leak site.

• A significant ransomware attack hit Romania's largest coal-based energy producer, Complexul Energetic Oltenia, taking down its IT infrastructure and affecting around 19,000 employees.

• Another attack targeted Trust Wallet, draining $7 million in crypto theft.

[RSnake: This is possibly the Russians, but it’s possible it may have just been random non-state actors too.]

Source: https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/romanian-energy-provider-hit-by-gentlemen-ransomware-attack/

Federal authorities prevented an ISIS-inspired terrorist attack planned for New Year's Eve in North Carolina, involving an 18-year-old suspect who intended to use knives and hammers to attack a grocery store and fast food restaurant. The suspect had previously been monitored by law enforcement for online radicalization and communicated with undercover agents about his violent plans.

• An 18-year-old was thwarted from carrying out a planned terrorist attack inspired by ISIS.

• The FBI has been actively monitoring suspects involved in online radicalization and potential terrorist activities.

[RSnake: I told my wife that I wouldn’t be surprised at all if there were a terror attack on NYE, and here you have it. Thankfully, the FBI caught him, and also thankfully it was clearly not a well-planned attack.]

Source: https://www.dailywire.com/news/feds-thwart-isis-inspired-terrorist-attack-planned-in-north-carolina

Meta is acquiring Manus, an AI startup with a valuation of $500 million, in a deal worth $2 billion. The acquisition marks Meta's entry into the AI product space and has raised questions about Chinese involvement in the company. Manus will operate independently within Meta's ecosystem.

• Manus is an AI startup with a valuation of $500 million that claims to outperform OpenAI's Deep Research.

• Meta has acquired Manus for $2 billion and will integrate its agents into Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.

[RSnake: I am sure Meta can do code/hardware review, but the more interesting part is that they now want to move more firmly into the wearable space. I think the Meta glasses were a flop, from what I can tell, but they want to push into less obtrusive wearables.]

Source: https://techcrunch.com/?p=3079280

China is implementing strict regulations for humanlike artificial intelligence to ensure user safety and uphold societal values. These regulations include mandatory disclosures when users interact with AI services, security reviews for AI companies, and restrictions on emotionally engaging chatbots to prevent harmful content. This initiative reflects China's efforts to position itself ahead of the U.S. in AI regulation amidst contrasting approaches to technology governance.

• China's regulations will mandate disclosures for users interacting with AI services.

• The proposed rules aim to prevent AI from generating harmful content and ensure alignment with socialist values.

[RSnake: Socialist values… and there you have it.]

Source: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/chinas-plans-for-human-like-ai-could-set-the-tone-for-global-ai-rules/

A new framework called 'Think, Act, Learn' has been developed to enhance the capabilities of autonomous robotic agents by integrating Large Language Models (LLMs) into a closed-loop learning process. This approach allows robots to not only plan but also adapt and improve their actions based on continuous feedback, achieving a high success rate in complex tasks and demonstrating significant advancements over traditional methods.

• The T-A-L framework enables robots to autonomously learn and refine their policies through interaction.

• This new approach significantly outperforms existing methods in task planning and execution.

[RSnake: This is how humans learn, in tightly controlled teaching constructs, especially when we are young, so this makes a lot of sense to me.]

Source: https://arxiv.org/abs/2507.19854

The demand for memory chips has surged recently due to the growth of artificial intelligence applications, leading to a significant shortage. This shortage results in rising prices for various technology products such as smartphones, computers, and gaming consoles, with expectations that costs will continue to increase in the coming years.

• AI's growth has created a notable surge in demand for memory chips.

• The current chip shortage is expected to drive up prices for consumer technology products significantly.

[RSnake: Your laptop is going to get more expensive, due to the RAM, I’m betting.]

Source: https://www.npr.org/2025/12/28/nx-s1-5656190/ai-chips-memory-prices-ram

Senator Bernie Sanders expressed concerns about the rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) and its potential to surpass human intelligence, emphasizing the influence of wealthy individuals and corporations in advancing this technology. He proposed considering a moratorium on new AI data centers and called for more comprehensive studies on the societal impacts of AI, particularly on employment and mental health among young people.

• Sanders believes the fear of AI surpassing human intelligence is becoming more plausible.

• He advocates for a moratorium on the development of AI data centers and additional research on its societal effects.

[RSnake: I saw a very interesting thing about this the other day. Small countries increase their station in the world through labor, and selling products to the rest of the world. With AI and robotics, now we can do all that labor much closer to home, making it so that startup nations cannot get off the ground anymore. Similarly, the poor use their labor within the US to get up that ladder, but now the rich will no longer need human labor to continue to consolidate resources/wealth.]

Source: https://www.foxnews.com/media/sanders-says-science-fiction-fear-ai-running-world-not-quite-so-outrageous

DJI, a leading drone manufacturer, has been banned from selling its products in the United States due to unresolved national security concerns. As a result, U.S. consumers are faced with limited options for high-quality consumer drones, significantly altering the competitive landscape.

• DJI was added to the Federal Communications Commission's 'Covered List', prohibiting its product launches in the U.S.

• The ban impacts a wide range of DJI products, creating a gap in the market for affordable and reliable drones.

[RSnake: This will increase the cost of drones for a bit, but it will increase the drone building capabilities in other countries/companies that aren’t sanctioned.]

Source: https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-drones/

BYD, a Chinese automaker, has surpassed Tesla in electric vehicle sales, marking a shift in the global market. Tesla's sales decreased by 16 percent in the last quarter of 2025, largely due to the elimination of federal tax credits for electric vehicle purchases, while other automakers experienced gains.

• BYD becomes the world leader in electric car sales.

• Tesla's sales decline is linked to the removal of federal incentives in the U.S.

[RSnake: This is more of a problem internationally than here in the US, but it’s worth noting that China wasn’t even interested in this market until very recently. It’s big business, they can do it relatively well, and the vehicles are great at covert surveillance. ]

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/02/business/tesla-electric-vehicles-fourth-quarter-sales.html

Canada's condominium market is experiencing a significant downturn, with a surplus of micro-condos leading to a sharp decrease in their value. Major cities like Toronto are seeing thousands of unsold units and a cancellation of numerous condo projects due to declining demand and changing immigration policies, impacting the housing landscape.

• The value of micro-condos in Canadian cities, particularly Toronto, is plummeting, with some units reselling for significantly less than previous market rates.

• An oversupply of condos, combined with decreased demand following immigration policy changes, has resulted in thousands of unsold units and a shift in the market dynamics.

[RSnake: The buyers were mostly Chinese buyers propping up the market. I guess the Chinese elite are no longer interested or able to make those purchases.]

Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cqxq32zzq8eo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss

The K-beauty industry has rapidly grown into a multi-billion-dollar sector, with significant global demand for Korean skincare products fueled by social media trends. South Korea has become the world's second-largest exporter of beauty products, surpassing France, as its innovative products and marketing strategies continue to capture consumer interest worldwide. Despite its success, the industry faces challenges from competition and market dynamics, both domestically and internationally.

• K-beauty has evolved from a viral trend into a major economic force, with a domestic market valued at around $13 billion.

• South Korea's beauty product exports have surged, making it the second-largest exporter globally, as the U.S. surpasses other markets in demand.

[RSnake: I credit K-pop’s popularity.]

Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cj9y43mv332o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss

Nvidia has increased its investment in AI startups, participating in 67 venture capital deals in 2025, compared to 54 in 2024. The company's stock price has reached a $4.6 trillion market cap, driven by the growing demand for AI technologies, particularly since the launch of ChatGPT. Nvidia's investments are aimed at expanding the AI ecosystem and positioning itself as a key player in the rapidly evolving tech landscape.

• Nvidia has participated in 67 venture capital deals in 2025, surpassing its previous year's total.

• The company's market cap has risen to $4.6 trillion, indicating its dominance in AI technology investments.

[RSnake: They’re all in. Notably, they didn’t do this with Cryptocurrency, but they are doing it with AI.]

Source: https://techcrunch.com/?p=2942343

Iran faces a severe economic crisis with a record low rial value and rising inflation, while its agriculture is facing soil erosion and water scarcity, amid government budget struggles and a lack of regional cooperation.

• Iran is losing soil faster than any other country, and restoring fertility in its vast Zagros mountain range would require diverting roughly half of its annual oil revenues each year.

• Iran’s government has struggled to manage the economy, with chronic inflation, sanctions pressure, and financial constraints that officials say limit room for maneuver.

[RSnake: NASA was right - no water is getting to be a bigger and bigger deal. Iran’s regime is in trouble even if it can quell this uprising.]

Source: https://www.iranintl.com/en/202512291278

OpenAI is seeking to fill a position titled 'head of preparedness' with a salary of $555,000, focusing on enhancing safeguards in its products amidst concerns about their real-world effects. CEO Sam Altman emphasized the importance of understanding how AI models can impact mental health and security, as well as the company's aim to exponentially increase revenue within the next two years. The role entails designing strategies to mitigate potential risks associated with OpenAI’s AI products while bringing new innovations to market.

• OpenAI is hiring a high-level position to manage the safety and preparedness of its AI products.

• The role is critical as OpenAI aims to significantly increase its revenue while addressing concerns related to AI's impact on society.

[RSnake: If you want to figure out the best way to stop it from taking over the world, this is the position for you.]

Source: https://gizmodo.com/?p=2000703759

Silver prices have reached a record high of over $83 per ounce, with gold also experiencing significant price spikes. Analysts are warning of a potential currency crisis as investors flock to precious metals, anticipating volatility in the market, and Big Tech companies may begin acquiring silver mines to secure supply.

• Silver and gold prices are at record highs, indicating a potential shift in the market.

• There are concerns about liquidity in futures markets and the potential consequences of a currency crisis.

[RSnake: China is withholding export of Silver and Gold now, by the way. So I expect the value to keep going up.]

Source: https://www.zerohedge.com/precious-metals/when-prices-move-awful-lot-bad-things-become-possible