Iran Targeted ‘Major Civilian Areas’; Biden Admin Told Iran Attack Had to Be ‘Within Certain Limits’: Reports

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Iran intended to kill large numbers of people with the unprecedented attack that it launched against Israel over the weekend, according to a new U.S. intelligence assessment.

Reuters reported that the Biden administration communicated to Iran, through the Turkish government, that it’s attack on Israel had to be “within certain limits”.

Senior U.S. officials told Semafor that that the attack — which included hundreds of one-way suicide drones and missiles — was “designed to cause mass casualties and infrastructure damage,” the report said.

Israeli officials said that Iran crossed a major red line with its attack, the first time the Islamic Republic has ever directly attacked Israel, and would pay a steep price for the terror inflicted against the Jewish state.

They said that despite Iran’s claims that it was only targeting military infrastructure, Iran also targeted “major civilian areas” and that a direct military response would be required. (Read more from “Iran Targeted ‘Major Civilian Areas’; Biden Admin Told Iran Attack Had to Be ‘Within Certain Limits’: Reports” HERE)

Rand Paul ‘Not So Sure There’s a Difference’ Between Speaker Johnson and Democrats: ‘Completely Changed’

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Sen. Rand Paul said House Speaker Mike Johnson has “completely changed” his conservative principles since taking the gavel and ripped the speaker over his recent backing of a government surveillance program.

Paul (R-Ky.) — who has rarely criticized Johnson — excoriated the speaker during an interview on Fox News’ “Sunday Morning Futures,” suggesting he may be no different than the Democrats.

“People have to be strong in their convictions. He was seen as a conservative before he came to the speakership,” Paul said. “He’s completely changed and lost all his principles on the idea that we shouldn’t spy on Americans without a warrant.”

“Johnson hasn’t held his ground. He has power. He has a majority. Use the power of the purse, Speaker Johnson. Do something to make us think you are different than the Democrats, but so far, I don’t see a lot of difference.”

Last week, Johnson rankled hardliners within the Republican Party by wrangling legislation through the House of Representatives to reauthorize the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act Section 702 warrantless surveillance authority for two more years. (Read more from “Rand Paul ‘Not So Sure There’s a Difference’ Between Speaker Johnson and Democrats: ‘Completely Changed’” HERE)

Photo credit: Gage Skidmore via Flickr

Ukraine Faces Defeat Against Russia in 2024, Warns Former UK Commander

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Amidst the prolonged conflict between Ukraine and Russia, General Sir Richard Barrons, former commander of the UK’s Joint Forces Command, has issued a stark warning regarding Ukraine’s precarious position. In an interview with the BBC, Barrons expressed concerns over Ukraine’s ability to withstand the Russian onslaught, stating that there is a “serious risk” of Ukraine succumbing to defeat this year.

The Ukrainian forces, vastly outnumbered and outgunned by their Russian counterparts, are grappling with the daunting prospect of conceding to Russian advances. Barrons highlighted the potential for pessimism to permeate Ukrainian society as the conflict drags on, raising questions about the sustainability of their defense efforts.

Reflecting on the failed Ukrainian counteroffensive of the previous year, Barrons noted the strategic setbacks suffered by Ukraine despite concerted efforts to reclaim occupied territories. There are mounting apprehensions that Russia utilized this period to consolidate its position and prepare for further incursions into Ukrainian territory.

Anticipating a significant Russian offensive in the coming months, Barrons cautioned against the possibility of Russian forces breaching Ukrainian defenses and advancing into key strategic areas. He singled out Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city and a symbolic bastion of Ukrainian identity, as a potential target for Russian encroachment, emphasizing the demoralizing impact such a loss would have on the Ukrainian populace.

Barrons painted a grim picture of the ongoing conflict, describing the relentless pounding of Ukrainian positions by Russian forces wielding superior firepower and weaponry. The disparity in artillery, ammunition, and manpower poses a formidable challenge to Ukrainian resistance, compounded by the introduction of technologically enhanced munitions by the Russians.

One such innovation highlighted by Barrons is the retrofitting of Soviet-era “dumb bombs” with guidance systems, enabling precision strikes on Ukrainian targets while minimizing the risk to Russian aircraft. The deployment of these munitions, coupled with Russia’s overwhelming numerical advantage, has placed significant strain on Ukraine’s defense capabilities.

Recent statements from Ukraine’s top military brass corroborate Barrons’ assessment of the deteriorating situation on the Eastern Front. Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi acknowledged the escalation of hostilities following Vladimir Putin’s consolidation of power and the onset of warmer weather.

IDF: ‘Significant Strategic Achievement’ as Israel Stopped 99% of Iran’s Missiles, Drones (VIDEO)

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The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said Sunday that it had scored a “significant strategic achievement” after it prevented 99% of Iran’s drones and missiles from reaching their targets.

As Breitbart News reported, Iran attacked Israel overnight Saturday into Sunday with a swarm of over 300 drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles. Israel’s air defense systems intercepted most of them; the U.S., U.K., and Jordan also intercepted Iranian drones. . .

The only Israeli casualty was an Arab Israeli girl — a Bedouin Muslim hit by shrapnel in the Israeli city of Arad.

Analysts on Israel’s Army Radio suggested that Israel had reversed the situation of the past few weeks, when it found itself isolated in the world over the civilian cost of the war against Hamas in Gaza. One described the emergence of a Middle East “NATO,” heralded by Jordan’s effort to help protect Israel from the Iranian attack. (Read more from “IDF: ‘Significant Strategic Achievement’ as Israel Stopped 99% of Iran’s Missiles, Drones (VIDEO)” HERE)

Israel Vows ‘Unprecedented Response’ to Iranian Missile, Drone Attack

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Israel is vowing that they will deliver an “unprecedented response” to the Islamic Republic of Iran after Iran launched hundreds of drones and missiles at Israel on Saturday night.

Israel’s multi-layered air defense system — combined with air force assets from some of its top allies, including the U.S. and U.K. — shot down 99% of the suicide drones, ballistic missiles, and cruise missiles that Iran fired.

The Times of Israel highlighted a report from Israel’s Channel 12:

Channel 12 quotes a “senior Israeli official” pledging an ‘unprecedented response’ to Iran’s attack and urging Israelis not to go to bed due to what is coming Tehran’s way.

Israel’s Ynet News reported that Israeli officials said, “The fact that Iran for the first time attacks Israel from its territory requires a decisive response and one will come soon.” (Read more from “Israel Vows ‘Unprecedented Response’ to Iranian Missile, Drone Attack” HERE)

House Speaker Mike Johnson Will Push Aid for Israel, Ukraine

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House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) said he will be pushing aid for Israel and Ukraine this week as part of a national security package he has been working on for several months.

“The Republican speaker has sat for two months on a $95 billion supplemental package that would send support to the U.S. allies, as well as provide humanitarian aid for civilians in Ukraine and Gaza and funding to replenish U.S. weapons provided to Taiwan,” noted the Associated Press (AP). . .

“In anticipation of the attack, Israel’s Home Front Command canceled school for the next two days and ordered demonstrations in favor of the hostages still in Gaza — a Saturday night tradition in much of the country — to disperse. Other large gatherings were also banned,” it added.

Speaking with Fox News on Sunday, Johnson said that he and other Republicans “understand the necessity of standing with Israel,” adding that he would be advancing the aid this week.

“The details of that package are being put together right now,” he said. “We’re looking at the options and all these supplemental issues.” (Read more from “House Speaker Mike Johnson Will Push Aid for Israel, Ukraine” HERE)

Why the Sudden Rise in Fentanyl Deaths Among Young People?

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A mother who tragically lost her teenage son to fentanyl poisoning is speaking out about the opioid crisis among the nation’s youth. Federal data shows that among 10- to 19-year-olds, fentanyl deaths rose 182% from 2019 to 2021. . .

“The cause of Alec’s death was, in fact, fentanyl poisoning. I know that he took a pill, I don’t know how he got it or what he thought it was,” Hehl told The Daily Signal in an April interview. “I found him unresponsive in his room in the afternoon after speaking to him that morning and did not suspect anything abnormal.”

Hehl says she wishes society would focus on increased education around fentanyl and that the law would reflect greater penalties for drug dealers. “We need to make stronger efforts to combat the fentanyl attack,” she said.

According to the latest research from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, opioid overdoses took the lives of more than 80,000 individuals in 2021, with synthetic opioids such as fentanyl accounting for 88% of the deaths. And according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the leading cause of death for Americans ages 18 to 45 is fentanyl overdose.

“Fentanyl made a cameo appearance in the United States late in the 1970s, when it was known as ‘China White.’ Now, however, it has become the principal villain responsible for America’s overdoses and fatalities,” Paul Larkin, a senior legal research fellow in the Meese Center for Legal and Judicial Studies at The Heritage Foundation, wrote in a legal memorandum. (Read more from “Why the Sudden Rise in Fentanyl Deaths Among Young People?” HERE)

The U.S. Is Basically Facing World War III — But Biden & Co. Aren’t Acting Like It

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Gen. Omar Bradley is often credited with the saying, “Amateurs talk strategy. Professionals talk logistics.” The Biden administration does neither.

In September 2022, we argued that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s “Arsenals of Evil” — North Korea and Iran — couldn’t help the Kremlin retrieve its faltering position in Ukraine. . .

The two rogue states, each as anti-American as it gets, are providing Putin with drones, artillery and cruise missiles to defeat the United States and our NATO allies in Ukraine, all while pursuing their nuclear weapons programs unabated.

To underscore the extent to which America has fallen behind, Gen. Michael E. Kurilla, head of US Central Command, testified before Congress that “the Russians are firing five times as many artillery shells as the Ukrainians.” . . .

Russia is outproducing the US and NATO — churning out 250,000 artillery munitions per month, while NATO’s artillery coalition, led by France and the Czech Republic, is forced to scrounge on the open market to secure a one-time purchase of 800,000 rounds. (Read more from “The U.S. Is Basically Facing World War III — But Biden & Co. Aren’t Acting Like It” HERE)

Photo credit: Gage Skidmore via Flickr

Gordon Ramsay’s Pub Taken Over by Squatters: ‘Absolute Nightmare Scenario’

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Gordon Ramsay once said he doesn’t “run restaurants that are out of control” — but that’s apparently not the case at one of his London eateries.

A swarm of squatters have shacked up inside the celebrity chef’s $16.1 million pub — using Ramsay’s own kitchen appliances to barricade themselves inside, according to a report.

Shocking photographs taken by The Sun show the “professional squatters” holed up inside York & Albany pub, which the “Hell’s Kitchen” host was about to sign over to new partners in a multi-million dollar deal.

One person was seen barefoot and sprawled across on a black leather sofa inside the restaurant, with their personal belongings and debris, including empty wine bottles, strewn across the floor.

What appears to be a filthy plush dog toy is seen tossed on the floor near the swanky front bar that months earlier had been adorned with fresh flowers and pricey cocktails. (Read more from “Gordon Ramsay’s Pub Taken Over by Squatters: ‘Absolute Nightmare Scenario’” HERE)

Trump, Johnson Link Arms in a Move to Require Proof of Citizenship to Vote

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House Speaker Mike Johnson and former President Donald Trump on Friday projected unity and vowed to push election integrity legislation requiring every voter to prove they are a U.S. citizen.

Speaking at a joint press conference at Mr. Trump’s Mar-A-Lago estate, they said something must be done to ensure the nation’s elections are on the up-and-up and to stop illegal immigrants from casting ballots that could swing elections.

“We cannot wait for widespread fraud to occur,” Mr. Johnson said.

The Lousiana Republican said a vote on the measure would show voters where elected leaders stand on the issue.

“You will see Republicans stand for election integrity,” he said. “Democrats are going to have to go on the record.” (Read more from “Trump, Johnson Link Arms in a Move to Require Proof of Citizenship to Vote” HERE)

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