United States President-elect Donald Trump claimed on Tuesday that “all hell will break out in the Middle East” if a deal for Hamas to return hostages isn’t reached before he assumes office on January 21. Trump insisted that Hamas should have returned the hostages a long time ago, or not even taken them. Insisting that “all hell will break out” if the hostages are not returned within the next two weeks, Trump stressed such a situation “will not be good for Hamas and it will not be good, frankly, for anyone.” The US president-elect noted his Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff has been in negotiations about a hostage deal and Witkoff noted he is probably flying back to Qatar tonight to continue the talks. NN: Hamas are you listing
How China Is Building More Nuclear Power Than Anyone Else in the World
In the US right now, there is a lot of talk about a so-called “nuclear revival.” But it remains to be seen whether we’ll see a meaningful uptick in actual power generation, from either new reactors, or old reactors getting a restart. Meanwhile, in China, nuclear construction is full steam ahead. In the last decade, China has built 37 nuclear reactors, and several more are coming down the pipe.e. The transcript has been lightly edited for clarity. China has added 37 nuclear reactors according to the International Atomic Energy Agency. The US has added two.
Nuclear is the cheapest energy source know to man:
With a complete combustion or fission, approx.
8 kWh of heat can be generated from 1 kg of coal, approx.
12 kWh from 1 kg of oil and around
24,000,000 kWh from 1 kg of uranium-235.
Related to one kilogram, uranium-235 contains two to three million times the energy equivalent of oil or coal.
The illustration shows how much coal, oil or natural uranium is required for a certain quantity of electricity. Thus, 1 kg natural uranium – following a corresponding enrichment and used for power generation in light water reactors – corresponds to nearly 10,000 kg of oil or 14,000 kg of coal and enables the generation of 45,000 kWh of electricity.
The cost of 1 enriched uranium pellet (UO2) Uranium dioxide is $40 and weighs 10 grams. The energy generated by the fission of a single uranium pellet is equivalent to: 1 ton of coal or; 120 gallons of crude oil or; 17,000 ft 3 of natural gas; With about 17 million British Thermal Units (BTU) worth of energy in a uranium pellet,
US, allies carry out operations against ISIS in Iraq, Syria
United States Central Command (CENTCOM) and its partner forces conducted joint operations in Iraq and Syria to fight the Islamic State (ISIS), the US military said in a statement on Monday. The military operations, carried out from December 30 to January 6, were conducted in cooperation with Iraqi forces and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and targeted ISIS sites in the Hamrin mountains of Iraq and near Dayr az-Zawr in Syria. “Partnered operations like these are critical to maintaining pressure on ISIS and preventing the terrorist group from taking advantage of the rapidly changing security environment in the region. The enduring defeat of ISIS is a global effort that relies on our Coalition, allies, and partners. U.S. Central Command remains committed to aggressively pursuing these terrorists that threaten the region, our allies, and our citizens,” CENTCOM Commander Michael Erik Kurilla stated.
Biden bans new oil, gas drilling in US coastal waters…… Trump: Biden ‘doing everything’ to hinder transition
Outgoing United States President Joe Biden announced on Monday his decision to prohibit any upcoming offshore oil and natural gas drilling along the East and West coasts of the United States, the Eastern Gulf of Mexico, and the North Bering Sea in Alaska. This decision affects a total of 625 million acres of American oceanic territory. “My decision reflects what coastal communities, businesses and beachgoers have known for a long time: that drilling off these coasts could cause irreversible damage to places we hold dear and is unnecessary to meet our nation’s energy needs,” Biden said in a statement. “As the climate crisis continues to threaten communities across the country and we are transitioning to a clean energy economy, now is the time to protect these coasts for our children and grandchildren,” he added. This initiative marks the most recent move in a series of last-minute environmental policies from the Biden administration prior to the return of US President-elect Donald Trump to office. Throughout his campaign, Trump vowed to significantly boost domestic fossil fuel output to reduce gas prices. NN: This is not the big deal it may seem on first blush. It will be easily overturned in the reconciliation bill. its another example of the anti American wok dope gay liberal Islamic lefties that Trump is rescuing not just America but the world from…… not a moment to soon.
Trump: Biden ‘doing everything’ to hinder transition
United States President-elect Donald Trump on Monday accused outgoing President Joe Biden of obstructing the transition of power.
“Biden is doing everything possible to make the TRANSITION as difficult as possible, from Lawfare such as has never been seen before, to costly and ridiculous Executive Orders on the Green New Scam and other money wasting Hoaxes,” Trump said in a post on his social network Truth Social, adding that these orders will soon be revoked.
Trump’s remarks come shortly after a joint session of Congress convened to certify his electoral college win over Democratic nominee Kamala Harris.
Hamas says it agreed to release 34 Israeli hostages
Hamas said on Sunday that it agreed to free 34 Israeli hostages it has been holding in Gaza since October 7, 2023. The release would be the first phase of a prisoner exchange deal, a Hamas official told the AFP. However, Israel denied the Palestinian organization’s claim. The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the Israeli government has not yet received a list of hostages. Meanwhile, Channel 12 reported Hamas has sent a list but has not indicated which hostages are still alive. The Saudi newspaper al-Sharq released on Monday what it alleges to be a list of the 34 hostages slated for release in the initial stage of a possible agreement for a ceasefire and hostage exchange between Israel and Hamas. This list reportedly comprises two children, 10 women, 11 elderly men, and 11 men under the age of fifty. The report mentions that an official from the militant group claims it could take approximately a week to assess the status of each hostage. However, Hamas has declined to confirm which individuals on this list are still alive. Earlier reports suggested that discussions concerning the hostage swap and ceasefire agreement were being renewed in Qatar. Part of these negotiations includes talks about Israel providing immunity to all Hamas leaders, albeit with the condition that they would be exiled to a different nation.
Oil Hits Two-Month High on Tightening Supply
Oil extended a rally that has brought it to the highest in more than two months as shrinking US crude stockpiles and a risk-on tone in broader markets overshadowed signs of a misfiring Chinese economy. West Texas Intermediate climbed for the fifth straight session, approaching $74 a barrel and settling at the highest closing price since mid-October. A push above key technical levels earlier in the week spurred fresh buying from quantitative funds, while strength in equity markets and a slump in the dollar aided Friday’s gain. WTI’s prompt spread firmed to almost $75 a barrel in a sign of a tightening supply outlook.
Capping oil’s advance, the onshore yuan weakened past a level that China had been defending throughout December, fanning concerns over the nation’s economic struggles.
The outlook for 2025 remains uncertain, however, with expectations for oversupply, the possible revival of idled OPEC+ production and lackluster demand from top importer China. The return of Donald Trump to the White House later this month also adds unpredictability for global markets. NN: Drill baby DRILL
US said to be planning $8B arms deal with Israel
The United States State Department sent an informal notification to Congress about plans to conclude an $8 billion arms deal with Israel that will include fighter jet munitions, attack helicopters, and artillery shells, Axios reported, citing sources familiar with the matter. It was said the deal would aim to boost “Israel’s long-term security by resupplying stocks of critical munitions and air defense capabilities.” It would also involve shipments of AIM-120C-8 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles for fighter jets which can be used against drones. In addition, the supply of JDAM bombs which are used to convert unguided bombs into precision munitions. The deal would require both House and Senate confirmation to enter into force. Some of the munitions would take up to one or more years to deliver, according to sources.
Trump calls NY sentencing order ‘rigged charade’……. Trump’s team: NY judge ruling violates SCOTUS decision
United States President-elect Donald Trump commented via his profile on TruthSocial on the decision by New York Supreme Court Judge Juan Merchan to throw out his bid to dismiss his hush-money case calling it a “rigged charade” and denouncing Merchan as a “radical partisan” guilty of violating the constitution. “Merchan has so little respect for the Constitution that he is keeping in place an illegal gag order on me, your President and President Elect, just so I cannot expose his and his family’s disqualifying and illegal conflicts. I am the only Political Opponent in American History not allowed to defend myself – A despicable First Amendment Violation!” wrote Trump. The president-elect once again called for the end of “lawfare” against him, stressing the importance of achieving unity ahead of his return to the White House on January 20.
Trump’s team: NY judge ruling violates SCOTUS decision
United States President-elect Donald Trump’s communications director Steve Cheung condemned in a statement the decision of New York Supreme Court Judge Juan Merchan to deny Trump’s bid to dismiss his hush-money case as a “direct violation of Supreme Court’s immunity decision.”
“This lawless case should have never been brought and the Constitution demands it immediately dismissed. President Trump must be allowed to continue the Presidential Transition process and to execute vital duties of the presidency,” Cheng stated.
The judge scheduled Trump’s sentencing for January 10 in New York City. At the same time, Trump will be sworn in as the 47th president on January 20.
China’s Factory Activity Growth Slows as Recovery Remains Bumpy
China’s manufacturing activity slowed its pace of expansion in December, as investors wait for more economic stimulus when Donald Trump — who is threatening tariffs on Chinese exports — returns to the White House. The Caixin manufacturing purchasing managers index fell to 50.5 from 51.5 in November, according to a statement released by Caixin and S&P Global on Thursday. While any reading above 50 indicates an expansion of activity, the figure was a disappointment compared with the median forecast of 51.7 by economists. “Exports dragged on demand amid mounting uncertainties stemming from the overseas economic environment and global trade,” Wang Zhe, senior economist at Caixin Insight Group, said in a statement accompanying the release. China’s 10-year government bond yields slid three basis points to 1.64%, a fresh record low. The offshore yuan gained 0.2% after the Chinese central bank set a strong fixing to support the currency. The benchmark CSI 300 index of onshore stocks fell as much as 1.6%.
The findings reflect uncertainties facing Chinese exports, which have powered the $18 trillion economy’s uneven recovery but may take a hit when Trump takes office later this month.
The US president-elect has threatened to impose steep tariffs that could decimate trade between the countries, potentially hurting the key growth driver. Standard Chartered’s Ding Shuang says that Chinese leaders need to tap the policy space “more ambitiously and more aggressively” to deal with external headwinds, such as trade tariffs. The result of the private survey matched the official one released earlier this week showing manufacturing activity grew for a third month, albeit at a slower rate. Falling export orders dampened overall sales and business optimism fell, according to Caixin.
Chinese manufacturers cut prices to support sales, adding pressure on an economy already in its longest deflation streak since 1999.
Chinese President Xi Jinping acknowledged new challenges from the external environment in a New Year’s Eve speech on Tuesday. Earlier that day, he said China is on track to meet its official growth target of about 5% for 2024 and the economy was “overall stable.” Officials have pledged to use greater public borrowing and spending as well as monetary easing to spur growth in 2025. The next easing step could come from the People’s Bank of China, which has vowed to cut the amount of cash banks must hold in reserves and interest rates at an appropriate time.
NN AUDIO FILE: ONCE IN A BLUE MOON
FBI: New Orleans attacker said he joined ISIS
The United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) said on Thursday that Shamsud-Din Jabbar, who killed at least 14 people in New Orleans yesterday, said he joined the Islamic State (IS) last year. A flag of the terrorist organization was found in the truck used in the attack. Jabbar was also a US Army veteran and lived in Texas. He was killed when he opened fire on the police officers who responded to the incident. The FBI said it now believes Jabbar acted alone and there is no further danger to the citizens of New Orleans. It confirmed there is currently no link between the attack and the Cybertruck explosion outside the Trump Tower in Las Vegas but that the investigation is still in the early stages.
NN: They are all declaimed lone wolves. Of curse he belonged to a Mosque of peaceful loving members of the Islamic terrorhood. Do you hear laughter?