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February's Full Snow Moon dazzles in a flurry of stunning photos from around the world
February 13, 2025
The second full moon of 2024, the Snow Moon of February, wowed skywatchers around the world with a dazzling display last night.
February's full moon rose on Wednesday (Feb. 12) and remained high in the sky for most of the night before finally setting with the morning sun.
Astrophotographers around the world turned their attention to our lunar companion, capturing some remarkable images, and we've rounded up some of the best below.
cont.
https://www.space.com/the-universe/moon/february-full-snow-moon-2025-dazzles-in-a-flurry-of-stunning-photos-from-around-the-world
Valentine's Day Aurora Alert: Geomagnetic storm could bring northern lights as far south as Michigan and Maine tonight and tomorrow
February 13, 2025
A fresh blast of solar wind is set to enhance aurora activity just in time for Valentine's Day.
If conditions are right, the northern lights could be visible as far south as northern Michigan and Maine over the coming days.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has predicted G1 (minor) geomagnetic storm conditions on the evening of Thursday (Feb. 13) and high activity throughout Friday (Feb. 14), as a fast-moving solar wind stream heads for Earth.
According to Spaceweather.com first contact with the solar wind stream is expected on Feb. 14, just in time for Valentine's Day.
What's driving the active aurora conditions?
This upcoming geomagnetic storm is driven by a high-speed solar wind stream flowing from a coronal hole — a vast region in the sun's atmosphere where solar wind escapes more easily.
Solar wind speeds have appeared elevated throughout the week, ranging from 311 to 373 miles per second (500 to 600 kilometers per second), and in fact already sparked G1 storm conditions on Feb. 9.
Another wave of speedy solar wind is expected to arrive between Feb. 12 and Feb. 13, which is what could set the stage for G1 storm conditions on Feb. 14.
When the solar wind reaches Earth's magnetic field, it brings a stream of charged particles that interact with our atmosphere.
These interactions energize atmospheric gases, causing them to glow and produce the mesmerizing northern lights (aurora borealis) in the Northern Hemisphere.
Faster, denser solar wind can further enhance these displays, intensifying their brightness and activity. The stronger the geomagnetic storm, the farther south the auroras can be seen.
Where and when to see the northern lights this week
The best chances for aurora sightings will be at high latitudes, including Canada, Alaska and parts of the northern U.S.
If geomagnetic activity is strong enough, skywatchers in northern Michigan and Maine may get a special Valentine's Day light show.
https://www.space.com/stargazing/aurora-borealis/aurora-alert-geomagnetic-storm-could-bring-northern-lights-as-far-south-as-michigan-and-maine-this-week
https://spaceweather.com/archive.php?view=1&day=13&month=02&year=2025
https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/products/3-day-forecast
Space Development Agency seeks industry input on integrating satellite network into ‘Iron Dome’
February 12, 2025
The U.S. Space Development Agency (SDA) is moving quickly to align its satellite network with a sweeping new missile defense initiative directed by the Trump administration.
The agency published a call to industry Feb. 11, seeking perspectives on integrating its Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA) into a broader missile defense system dubbed “Iron Dome for America.”
This initiative, established by presidential executive order, aims to create a comprehensive shield against sophisticated threats including hypersonic and ballistic missiles.
SDA, operating under the U.S. Space Force, has been rapidly acquiring hundreds of satellites for the PWSA, with dozens of satellites projected to launch to orbit this year.
This network in low Earth orbit consists of two primary components: a data transport layer for rapid communications and a tracking layer designed to detect and monitor advanced missile threats.
The agency plans to award one or more contracts for 60-day studies focused on several areas, including digital simulation modeling of the proposed architecture, and the integration of the Missile Defense Agency’s Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor satellites into the PWSA’s tracking layer.
Integration of space assets
Unlike Israel’s Iron Dome, which protects a relatively small geographic area, the U.S. system must defend a vastly larger territory against more sophisticated threats.
This scaling challenge makes the integration of space assets crucial for the system’s success.
Beyond satellite integration, the SDA is also looking to accelerate the adoption of technically mature and novel sensor phenomenologies into the PWSA.
A key area of interest includes leveraging the Transport Layer — a network of communication satellites that is part of the PWSA — to support multiple weapon systems that would be deployed to intercept missile threats.
Another focus is on supply chain security, an issue identified as a priority in the executive order. Interoperability is a top concern, as the agency seeks solutions to ensure seamless communication between space-based and ground-based missile defense architectures, including commercial systems and other defense networks.
SDA said the results of these 60-day studies will be shared with key U.S. government agencies, including the U.S. Space Force and the Missile Defense Agency, to help shape the future of the Iron Dome for America architecture.
SDA set a deadline of February 28 for industry submissions, after which the agency will evaluate proposals and select the most promising concepts for further study.
The Missile Defense Agency in a separate Jan. 31 request for information (RFI) requested submissions from industry, also due Feb. 28, on “innovative missile defense technologies, architectures, concepts, and concepts of operations” to detect and defeat threats posed by ballistic, hypersonic and cruise missiles, as well as aerial drone attacks.
https://spacenews.com/space-development-agency-seeks-industry-input-on-integrating-satellite-network-into-iron-dome/
https://sam.gov/opp/9df3f09d7ef2475b8e7e5534dca6197e/view
Hun Sen releases recordings of plot detailing drone assasination method
Feb 13, 2025
Senate President Hun Sen released two audio clips containing information about the terrorist plot to assassinate him and his family in Takhmao City, Kandal province.
The audio clips were made public yesterday, following Mr Hun Sen’s revelation that he and his family were targeted in a planned drone attack.
“We know who their leader is and where he is. But we haven’t released it yet because we need to get rid of violent extremists first,” he said.
The clips were recordings of two people discussing the use of drones, loaded with fuel instead of pesticides for agriculture use, to attack Mr Hun Sen’s residence in Takhmao city.
Mr Hun Sen revealed on February 11 that terrorists have been planning a drone attack on his residence in Takhmao city in recent weeks with the intent to kill him.
He disclosed the terrorist plot publicly during the inauguration of a school building at Wat Preah In Samak Dham in Ang Snuol district, Kandal province.
“Does a country that boasts of being democratic and respecting human rights support such acts and allow these people to stay in it?” Mr Hun Sen inquired.
Mr Hun Sen said that he was waiting to see which political parties and politicians will come forward to condemn or keep silent or support such acts?” he said.
“I would like to announce that I will eliminate anyone who wants to kill me and my family,” Mr Hun Sen said.
He released two video clippings, the first before his announcement of the plot in Kandal province and the second after he had done so.
Mr Hun Sen stated that he had learned about the plot in advance through a secret voice message and urged foreigners to be cautious about supporting any terrorist activities.
“There is a plot to attack Takhmao by drones. You want to kill me. This is terrorism, and I ask foreigners to be careful not to support terrorist activities,” he said.
Although he did not identify people behind the plot, his revelation comes amid opposition groups abroad announcing the formation of a government in exile and inciting efforts to overthrow the government.
Mr Hun Sen also called on foreigners not to interfere in Cambodia’s internal affairs as the nation works to manage its national security.
The plots have drawn widespread condemnation from both the military and police forces.
General Vong Pisen, Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces, issued a statement strongly condemning the planned drone attack on the residence of Mr Hun Sen.
“This plot is a terrorist act that attempts to assassinate the nation’s top leaders in order to drag Cambodia into a new era of social chaos and war,” Gen Pisen said. “We strongly condemn and oppose all acts of terrorism committed by illegal rebel groups.”
National Police Chief General Sar Thet also issued a statement strongly condemning the planned drone attack on the residence of Mr Hun Sen as an attempt to destabilise the country.
Thong Mengdavid, a geopolitical analyst and professor at the Institute of International Relations and Public Policy at the Royal University of Phnom Penh, believes extremist groups remain determined to disrupt peace and security in Cambodia.
He noted that these groups have become more aggressive recently, even planning a drone attack on the residence of former Prime Minister Hun Sen, now the President of the Senate, in Takhmao city, with the aim of assassinating him.
Mengdavid stated that such actions violate political ethics in a democratic society.
He also highlighted the troubling reality that these extremist groups receive foreign support, often using human rights and democracy promotion as a guise.
He noted that the Government should be vigilant, particularly regarding airstrikes, as modern technology, including drones and AI, poses significant risks.
He also called for the expedited creation of a terrorism law, enabling Cambodia to cooperate internationally in apprehending and investigating those plotting terrorist acts on its soil.
Yang Peou, Secretary-General of the Royal Academy of Cambodia, said the revelation of the drone attack plot reflects the ongoing efforts of extremist groups to destabilise the government, even attempting to target Mr Hun Sen’s family.
Peou praised Mr Hun Sen as a political leader who has contributed to peace in ASEAN and beyond, and ensures stability and harmony for Cambodia.
Peou urged the Government to take decisive legal action against those attempting to overthrow the government, emphasising that a drone attack is a clear criminal offence.
He called for an investigation to uncover those behind the plot, warning that failure to address this threat could lead to greater insecurity and exacerbate political issues, as targeting the leader is an attack on the country’s stability.
https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501639191/hun-sen-releases-recordings-of-plot-detailing-drone-assasination-method/
‘Size of picnic tables’: U.S. Sen. Bernie Moreno sounds alarm over Ohio drone sightings
Feb. 13, 2025, 12:04 p.m.
U.S. Sen. Bernie Moreno wants the U.S. departments of transportation and homeland security to probe a series of unexplained drone sightings in Ohio.
The Westlake Republican sent a letter Thursday asking U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem for information on an “alarming number of drone sightings” constituents have reported, particularly in Mercer, Darke, and Van Wert counties.
“In some cases, my constituents noted that the drones were the size of a picnic table or hot tubs and flying as low as 100 feet and at speeds of up to 80 miles per hours,” Moreno’s letter said, citing a local television report in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
The letter requests that the agencies help state and local law enforcement address residents' concerns.
It added that in December 2024, Dayton’s Wright-Patterson Air Force Base was forced to close its airspace for about four hours because of drone sightings.
https://www.cleveland.com/news/2025/02/size-of-picnic-tables-us-sen-bernie-moreno-sounds-alarm-over-ohio-drone-sightings.html
https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/25524480-letter-to-secretaries-duffy-and-noem-1/
https://www.moreno.senate.gov/
Russia launches fresh drone attack against Ukraine shortly after Trump-Putin phone call
February 13, 2025 10:45am EST
Ukraine's air force indicated in a Facebook post on Thursday that the Eastern European nation had been targeted in a drone attack overnight.
"85 ENEMY UAVS SHOT, 52 DRONES FAILED TO REACH THEIR TARGETS (LOCATIONALLY LOST)," the top of the post read, according to a Google translation of the Ukrainian text.
The announcement came after U.S. President Donald Trump noted on Wednesday that he had spoken to both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
In a Truth Social post, the president described his call with Putin as "lengthy and highly productive."
During President Joe Biden's White House tenure, the U.S. provided billions worth of assistance to Ukraine as the embattled nation has been contending with a Russian onslaught.
But Trump is pushing for an end to the years-long war between the two foreign nations.
He said in the post that he and Putin "both agreed, we want to stop the millions of deaths taking place in the War with Russia/Ukraine."
"We have also agreed to have our respective teams start negotiations immediately, and we will begin by calling President Zelenskyy, of Ukraine, to inform him of the conversation, something which I will be doing right now," he noted.
In a post later on Wednesday, Trump said his talk with Zelenskyy had gone "very well."
"He, like President Putin, wants to make PEACE," Trump noted.
https://www.foxnews.com/world/russia-launches-fresh-drone-attack-against-ukraine-shortly-after-trump-putin-phone-call
Moldovans to Russia: Say, Are These Drone Parts Yours, Comrade?
February 13, 2025 11:22 AM
Back in September, I noted that the war in Ukraine that supposedly doesn’t directly involve neighboring countries keeps spilling over into those member countries, including some members of NATO.
When you have that many drones, missiles, aircraft, and other stuff flying around, some of it is going to get blown up with debris landing on the wrong side of the border.
Apparently, the Moldovans are getting sick of it, and they summoned the Russian ambassador to the Moldovan Foreign Ministry – where he was greeted by a conference table laid out with drone parts.
There’s something delightful about the ambassador’s expression, as he realizes the usual “those aren’t ours” defense isn’t likely to work with the visible Russian lettering on the parts.
The Moldovans are making a few more moves to tell the Russians that continued violation of sovereign airspace will have consequences:
Moldova’s foreign ministry summoned the head of the Russian diplomatic mission in its capital, Chisinau, and condemned the “unacceptable violations” which “represent a serious threat to national security and the citizens” of Moldova.
The ministry also presented the Russian diplomat with fragments of the drones “as concrete evidence” of the violations.
The ministry separately terminated a 1998 Moldova-Russia agreement on cultural centers and said that “the Russian Cultural Center is to cease its activity in our country.”
I know this is going to shock you, but apparently some of the Russians who enter a country to work in a Russian Cultural Center turn out to be spies.
Back in 2018, the Trump administration gave an expulsion order to Oleg Zhiganov, the director of the Russian Cultural Center in Washington, with the declaration, “the individuals who are being sent back to Russia are intelligence officers being cloaked by their diplomatic positions here in the U.S., and are considered to be aggressive collection personnel.”
The previous head of the Russian Cultural Center in Washington, Yury Zaytsev, was also investigated by the FBI on suspicion of being a Russian spy.
As Connor Simpson wrote back in 2013, “if a Russian diplomat offers a young, up-and-coming professional in Washington an all-expenses paid trip to the mother country, complete with fancy hotels, drinks, and meetings with Vladimir Putin’s political underlings, well, that guy just might be a spy.”
Similar concerns have been raised about Russian Cultural Centers in Berlin and Paris. Moldova is not a NATO member but has a well-established “partnership” with NATO.
The Moldovans have a particular bone to pick with Russia, over Transnistria, a breakaway region that claims to be an independent state, but that almost the entire rest of the world considers to be Moldovan territory with a lot more hammers and sickles on its government buildings.
Back in 2023, I visited that rogue territory that I would compare to a surreal Soviet Disneyland.
Transnistria is yet another Russian-influenced “frozen conflict” zone and disputed territory, a sliver of land in a narrow valley stretching north–south along the bank of the Dniester river, with Moldova on one side and Ukraine on the other.
Earlier in 2023, the Moldovan president, Maia Sandu, accused Vladimir Putin of attempting to overthrow the government by fomenting violence through foreign actors and internal criminal groups.
https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/moldovans-to-russia-say-are-these-drone-parts-yours-comrade/?
Drone captures breathtaking footage of Mount Etna eruption
Thu 13 Feb 2025 09.14 EST
A Drone has captured breathtaking footage of a volcanic eruption on Mount Etna, with plumes of smoke rising from its summit and lava flowing from the new Bocca Nuova crater.
Mount Etna, standing at about 3,330 metres (10,900ft) high and located above the Sicilian town of Catania, often erupts but rarely causes damage.
Etna is the tallest active volcano in Europe and has erupted frequently across the past 500,000 years. The last major eruption of Etna was in 1992
https://www.theguardian.com/world/video/2025/feb/13/drone-footage-captures-breathtaking-mount-etna-eruption-video
Fireworks & Drone Shows Light Up Haikou's Lantern Festival
HAIKOU, China, Feb. 13, 2025
On Feb. 12, the date of the 2025 Lantern Festival, highly anticipated fireworks and drone shows were held in Haikou, creating an extravaganza of light and color in the skies of the coastal capital in south China's Hainan Province thanks to the precision of technology blended together with the elegance of art.
That evening, the largest drone show in the city's history buzzed to life above downtown Evergreen Park.
Three thousand drones danced in and out of formation, painting floating coconut trees, bougainvillea flowers, and many more Hainan themed images that shone as bright as the sparkling lights of the city skyline below.
As the drone show came to an end, the fireworks show burst onto the stage of the skies.
At nine PM on the dot, Haikou Bay was lit up by a thunderous roar as thousands of golden meteors shot high into the air, painting the heavens with streaks of shining sparks.
For the first time in 13 years, a fireworks show was underway in Haikou. Not just any fireworks show - a level-1 fireworks display, the highest level show possible.
As the crowds watched in wonder, 'Rainbow Lucky Cloud' fireworks burst in cotton candy hues, bringing the show to a climactic end.
The Haikou fireworks show was visible across three city districts - Meilan, Longhua, and Xiuying, and the six kilometer long coastal viewing area, including prominent landmarks such as the Wormhole Library, Century Park, and HCC Plaza provided viewers plenty of room to enjoy the show.
A Chinese city known for a rich cultural atmosphere, Haikou took the opportunity of this year's fireworks show to showcase the area's intangible cultural heritage through the medium of the latest technology.
Over sixty supporting activities were also held during the holiday period, including the Flower Exchange Festival Art Week, allowing attendees to enjoy the festival in a myriad of ways and boosting the local economy.
https://www.streetinsider.com/PRNewswire/Fireworks+%26amp%3B+Drone+Shows+Light+Up+Haikous+Lantern+Festival/24340556.html
https://www.sandboxx.us/news/the-pentagon-is-getting-a-counter-drone-task-force-as-threats-from-unmanned-aerial-systems-increase/
https://www.realcleardefense.com/2025/02/13/the_pentagon_is_getting_a_counter-drone_task_force_1091169.html
The Pentagon is getting a counter-drone task force as threats from unmanned aerial systems increase
February 11, 2025
Enemy drones are “changing the character of conflict,” according to a recent strategy document published by the Pentagon, and the threat is only increasing as the U.S. military scrambles to act in a unified way to stop them.
In the wake of reports in November and December about large and mysterious drones seen in the skies of New Jersey, a new law is taking effect that will create a counter-unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS) task force that will align all military bases with procedures for stopping the threat.
The language passed in the 2025 National Defense Authorization Act and signed by President Joe Biden before he left office gives the secretary of defense 30 days to establish or designate the task force.
The SecDef and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, will them have 90 days to, with the help of the task force, review and update all DoD memos and directives related to taking down enemy drones “to provide clarity to and an expedited decision-making process for commanders with respect to effectively countering unmanned aircraft systems or unmanned aircraft incursions at military installations in the United States.”
Within 120 days, the SecDef, having completed a review of existing C-UAS guidance, will have to distribute new guidance to base commanders, who will then issue base-specific operating procedures for how to counter drones.
The defense secretary, in the same timeframe, will also have to submit a report to the House and Senate Armed Services Committees on how the military is being trained to defeat hostile drones, complete with a description of training and curriculum provided to commanders.
The Pentagon, which has new leadership with the recently installed Pete Hegseth, has yet to announce initial actions in setting up the task force.
This effort to coordinate domestic counter-drone efforts, signed into law December 7, comes just days after the Pentagon announced it had a new classified strategy for countering drones, both domestically and across the globe.
According to an unclassified fact sheet, action items for the Defense Department include working to “sense and make sense” of just how much of a threat unmanned systems pose by developing a deeper knowledge base about them; disrupting and degrading threat networks; and improving active and passive defenses, in part by clarifying authorities and streamlining coordination across doctrine, leadership, and facilities.
Part of the challenge of countering the threat from drones is that it runs counter to much of how the military has been trained to think about major military threats.
Drones take many shapes, can be cheap and easily purchased, are hard to spot, and have numerous civilian uses that muddy the picture of what’s actually a threat and what’s not.
(In her first press briefing following the January 20 inauguration of President Donald Trump, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the drones spotted over New Jersey belonged to civilians, had been authorized by the Federal Aviation Administration, and were “not the enemy,” despite rampant speculation and fears. Some local leaders still aren’t so sure)
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In 2020, as I reported at Military.com, a group of infantry Marines put together their own 96-page operating manual about hiding from drones on the battlefield and in training, since clear guidance from top leadership was not forthcoming.
“The environment over the last 20 years has not really forced us to place a premium on camouflage,” Captain Walker Mills, a co-author of the manual, said at the time.
“The current environment and the commandant’s planning guidance [both indicate] … ‘Hey, we need to worry about this a little bit more.'”
That, of course, was before the start of the war in Ukraine, which put a major spotlight on the impact of drones in warfare, revealing their ability to defeat major battlefield weapons systems like tanks, evade jamming with an ever-evolving range of control mechanisms and frequencies, and overwhelm defenses with swarming capabilities.
On home turf, as domestic drone systems become more common – as seen in the recent New Jersey incidents – the difficulty of distinguishing friend from foe also continues to challenge military leaders.
Measures used to take down drones at military bases range from jammers to bullets. USA Today reported that UAS incursions to DoD installations may number in the thousands, though most are not made public.
Zak Kallenborn, a drone swarms analyst and adjunct fellow with the Center for Strategic and International Studies, told Sandboxx News that defending against drones on the homeland comes with its own slate of challenges, as DoD must interface with FAA, the Department of Homeland Security, and other agencies that may have purview.
Then there’s the concern, he said, about taking a too aggressive approach to a drone that may not pose a threat at all.
“How does a local base commander balance those risks, especially when we know that at least a substantial amount of these drones are just, you know, some guy that’s just flying around,” Kallenborn told Sandboxx News.
“We do know those people exist, and they may just be flying in the general area. And so how you appropriately assess and engage that threat can be a challenge in a domestic environment where you know that someone might get very well upset that their drone got shot down as well as, you know, managing some of the legal issues that come with it.
So I think there’s a lot of uncertainty in terms of how to do that.”
While Kallenborn voiced support for the Pentagon’s C-UAS strategy and the new task force initiative, he emphasized that the challenges are real – the threat from drones is so diverse and quickly evolving that it evades a “silver bullet” solution.
Countering the range of threats, he added, is going to take a mix of detectors and interceptors, as well as effective policy to employ them.
“So how do you integrate all of these in a systematic way across the department, I think, is gonna be the key challenge,” Kallenborn said.
“Because this isn’t just a single part of the DoD that has this challenge. It’s potentially everyone and everywhere.”
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This satellite image shows the world's largest underwater drone in China ⚓
February 13, 2025 at 04:00 AM
A mysterious device spotted by satellite images at a Chinese shipyard has intrigued experts.
With its 150-foot (45-meter) length and lack of a conning tower, this craft could well be the largest underwater drone ever designed.
China appears to be quietly pursuing an ambitious project to strengthen its maritime power.
This underwater drone, still shrouded in secrecy, could mark a turning point in modern naval strategies.
A craft with intriguing features
The absence of a conning tower, a typical feature of conventional submarines, suggests that this craft is designed to operate without a crew.
Its modest dimensions for a military submarine, but imposing for a drone devoid of any life support equipment, make it a potentially versatile tool.
Satellite images reveal an unusual structure, with X-shaped rudders, a sign of a design focused on stealth. These features could enable discreet and prolonged missions.
Underwater drones, a weapon of the future
Underwater drones have already proven their effectiveness in recent conflicts, such as in the Black Sea. Their ability to operate without human risk makes them valuable strategic tools for modern navies.
By developing a craft of this size, China demonstrates its ambition in this field. This drone could surpass American models, such as the Orca XLUUV, in terms of size (it would be 6 to 8 times larger) and capabilities.
This drone could be used for reconnaissance missions, mine laying, or even targeted strikes. Some experts also mention deep-sea missions, similar to those of the Russian submarine Losharik.
This would open new perspectives for underwater exploration and warfare.
A well-known shipyard
The Guangzhou shipyard, already known for its surface drones like the JARI USV, appears to be behind this project.
The construction of this craft is part of a broader strategy to modernize the Chinese navy. Aircraft carriers, destroyers, and now underwater drones: Beijing is strengthening all aspects of its maritime power.
This underwater drone could redefine the balance of power in the South China Sea and beyond. Its ability to operate discreetly and for extended periods could make it a formidable weapon.
https://www.techno-science.net/en/news/this-satellite-image-shows-the-world-largest-underwater-drone-in-china-N26502.html
Russia prepares to cut oil production due to sanctions and drone attacks, Reuters reports
Thursday, 13 February 2025, 13:58
Russia is facing the threat of a reduction in oil production due to US sanctions and Ukrainian drone attacks.
Reuters noted that the US sanctions have complicated access to tankers supplying oil to Asia, while drone strikes have damaged refineries, reducing domestic refining.
Washington imposed restrictions on 180 Russian tankers in January. During the same period, Kyiv has stepped up drone attacks on oil refineries in an attempt to strengthen its negotiating position.
"Russia will have no choice but to slow oil production," said the heads of Russian oil companies.
They believe that the country is accumulating a surplus of oil and storage capacity is limited. Some of the tanks have been destroyed in the Ukrainian attacks.
Exports through the ports of Primorsk, Ust-Luga and Novorossiysk fell by 17% in January compared to the same period in 2024.
Russia has stopped publishing official data on shipments, although traders and analysts have reported a decline in exports.
Reuters reported that the cost of transporting cargo from the Russian Pacific port of Kozmino to China rose fivefold in January.
According to maritime analyst Windward, downtime and drifting of ships carrying Russian fuel in certain areas increased by 300%.
Background:
The US sanctions against the Russian oil fleet pose serious problems for the country's exports.
In January, oil revenues to the Russian state budget were close to their annual minimum due to cheaper oil and higher payments to state-owned oil refineries.
https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2025/02/13/7498126/
https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russia-braces-oil-output-cuts-sanctions-drones-hit-2025-02-12/
Suspected gas blast at Taiwan mall kills four, injures 26
Feb 13, 2025
TAIPEI (Reuters) -A suspected gas explosion at a department store in Taiwan's central city of Taichung killed at least four people and injured 26 on Thursday, among them tourists from the gambling hub of Macau, fire officials said.
The blast on the building's 12th storey, where construction work was taking place, caused damage from the ninth floor upwards, the fire department said in a statement.
Two dead and five injured were tourists from Macau, it added.
The food court of the Taichung Shin Kong Mitsukoshi department store on the 12th floor was closed at the time due to the building work, it added.
One of the injured was in intensive care in hospital, the health ministry said.
Writing on his Facebook page, Taiwan President Lai Ching-te called for a speedy investigation into the cause of the blast.
https://www.msn.com/en-ie/news/world/suspected-gas-blast-at-taiwan-mall-kills-four-injures-26/ar-AA1yZ7jU
Iran Releases Footage of "World's First" Sub-Launched Suicide Drone
Feb 12, 2025 3:20 PM
Iran's defense ministry has released footage of what it claims to be the world's first submarine-launched loitering munition (suicide drone).
A brief video run by state news shows a delivery device emerging from below the water, then blowing off its nosecone and ejecting a folding-wing drone into the air.
The ministry said that - unlike most drones - this munition is autonomous. Once launched, it operates without a man in the loop or human remote control, and finds and destroys its target using AI.
This eliminates the need for a radio link to a control station, reducing vulnerability to electronic countermeasures.
For Western operators, AI-controlled lethal munitions are a matter of ethical concern, but the U.S. and many other nations are moving ahead rapidly in developing the technology - led by Ukraine and Russia.
Both militaries have thousands of hours of combat video feed from drone operators on the front line in Ukraine, and that footage is key for training AI models how to identify real military targets.
Iran has an active and well-developed drone program, and has previously used long-range loitering munitions to attack shipping. It has even converted a small boxship into a "drone carrier" specifically for this purpose.
its proxy force in Yemen - the Houthi rebel group - has used hundreds of shore-launched drones to attack Western merchant vessels and warships in the Red Sea.
If practical in real-world use, Iran's new submarine-launched drone could begin its flight from a position closer to the target vessel, reducing the time available to detect and defeat it.
Iran's ministry of defense claims that the new AI-driven drone can be launched from an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV), increasing stealth and lowering risk to Iranian personnel.
The underwater delivery device portrayed in Wednesday's video bears visual similarity to Iran's small torpedo-shaped AUV, evidence of which has been captured by U.S. forces in the Houthi conflict.
https://maritime-executive.com/article/iran-releases-footage-of-world-s-first-sub-launched-suicide-drone
Did he raise the Christos?