Lords of the Boards
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U.S. Space and Rocket Center to hold third annual AI symposium
Updated: Jan 16, 2026 / 08:24 PM CST
HUNTSVILLE, Ala (WHNT) – The U.S. Space and Rocket Center is set to hold its third annual AI symposium from January 27 through 29.
The focus of the symposium this year is Agentic AI, which the Space and Rocket Center said is AI that has ‘sophisticated reasoning’ and ‘iterative planning.’
Activities and speakers will dive deeper into AI that will increase future productivity in multiple industries.
The Space and Rocket Center said that over the course of the three-day symposium, there will be over 21 speaker sessions, 4 Space Camp activities, and hands-on AI workshops.
Multiple evening events will also include a Welcome Cocktail Reception, a Planetarium Show Cocktails and Cosmos event, and a dinner under the SAT V Rocket.
Early bird passes for the symposium start at $550, and Exhibitor’s Booths start at $1000.
https://whnt.com/news/huntsville/u-s-space-and-rocket-center-to-hold-third-annual-ai-symposium/
https://www.rocketcenter.com/2026-AI-Symposium
STARCOM Releases Commander's Strategic Vision
Jan. 16, 2026
Space Training and Readiness Command
PATRICK SPACE FORCE BASE, Fla. – Maj. Gen. James E. Smith, Space Training and Readiness Command commander, released his strategic vision to the command on Jan. 8, 2026.
The vision document describes how the command will develop combat-credible space forces in support of the United States Space Force mission to secure the Nation’s interests in, from, and to space.
It frames STARCOM as the Space Force’s warfighting crucible—where Guardians are trained and educated, systems are evaluated, and tactics are integrated to deliver measurable combat credibility across the space domain.
Guided by the commander’s intent, the strategic vision outlines three focus areas that will drive the command’s priorities:
• Create combat credibility – Advancing Guardian warfighting expertise and validating systems and tactics in combat-realistic environments.
• Bolster our baseline – Strengthening and normalizing the command’s foundational processes, plans, and operational framework.
• Cultivate a collaborative culture – Building a team-first culture and strengthening partnerships across the Joint Force, industry, and allied and partner nations.
The strategic vision serves as the authoritative framework for STARCOM’s future plans and orders, aligning training, testing, and readiness efforts with evolving operational demands and leadership priorities.
You can read the full document here.
https://www.starcom.spaceforce.mil/Portals/2/STARCOM%20Strategic%20Vision%20-%20Final%20-%2020260108.pdf
https://www.starcom.spaceforce.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/4381958/starcom-releases-commanders-strategic-vision/
Putin talks to Iranian president
16 Jan, 2026 19:54
Russian President Vladimir Putin has held a phone call with his Iranian counterpart, Masoud Pezeshkian, amid mass protests that have gripped the Islamic Republic in recent weeks.
The unrest broke out late last month and was reportedly triggered by soaring inflation and the sharp devaluation of the Iranian rial.
The protests quickly devolved into violent confrontations with security forces, which have allegedly resulted in hundreds of deaths. The Iranian authorities have blamed the riots on the US and Israel.
According to a statement published by the Kremlin on Friday, Pezeshkian “briefed Vladimir Putin on the Iranian government’s sustained efforts to normalize the situation in the country.”
Both presidents called for the de-escalation of “tensions in Iran and in the region as a whole as soon as possible and resolving any emerging issues via exclusively political and diplomatic means.”
Putin and Pezeshkian also reaffirmed “their mutual commitment to further strengthening the strategic partnership between Russia and Iran,” including joint economic projects.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said this week that Moscow “resolutely condemns disruptive foreign interference” in Iran’s domestic affairs.
She accused foreign powers of attempting to turn a peaceful protest into “cruel and senseless unrest” and seeking regime change in Iran.
Zakharova described the US threats to use force against the Islamic Republic as “absolutely unacceptable,” and warned that military action against Iran could destabilize the entire Middle East.
She also attributed Iran’s economic woes to Western sanctions.
In recent days, US President Donald Trump has issued several threats against the country, calling on Iranian protesters to seize control of state institutions.
Earlier this week, the US leader said his administration was “looking at some very strong options” for action against Tehran.
Iran is a long-time Russian ally, with the two countries sealing a strategic partnership agreement during Pezeshkian’s visit to Moscow last January.
https://www.rt.com/russia/631055-putin-iran-president-phone-call-protests/
Trump envoy outlines demands on Iran
16 Jan, 2026 15:53
The US prefers a diplomatic solution to ongoing tensions with Iran rather than military action, President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff has said, urging Tehran to scale down its missile and nuclear programs.
A wave of protests kicked off in Iran in late December. Initially prompted by soaring inflation and a rapid devaluation of the national currency, they swiftly grew political and violent, with hundreds left dead across the country.
Tehran has blamed “terrorists” infiltrating the initially peaceful demonstrations, as well as meddling by the US and Israel.
In recent days, Trump has repeatedly threatened Tehran with military action and told protesters that “help is on its way.”
Washington, however, still prefers a diplomatic solution, Witkoff told the Israeli-American Council conference in Florida on Thursday.
“I hope there’s a diplomatic resolution. I really do,” he said.
The special envoy outlined Washington’s demands on Tehran; namely that it scale down its nuclear and missile programs.
Iran must “cut back on their inventory” of both fission material and missiles, as well as decease its support to foreign “proxies,” Witkoff said without elaborating.
“If they want to come back to the league of nations, we can solve those four problems diplomatically, and then that would be a great resolution. The alternative is a bad one,” he asserted.
Iran has insisted its nuclear program serves only civilian purposes, while Israel has repeatedly claimed that Tehran is about to create an atomic bomb.
Earlier this week, Iran’s top diplomat, Abbas Araghchi, said the country was ready to make formal guarantees about the nature of its research.
“We can guarantee the peaceful nature of our nuclear program, that it will always be peaceful. In return, we expect the sanctions to be lifted,” the foreign minister said in an interview with Fox News.
At the same time, Araghchi signaled that Tehran’s missile program was not negotiable, being considered necessary for defense and deterrence.
https://www.rt.com/news/631045-trump-envoy-iran-demands/
Trump envoy outlines demands on Iran
16 Jan, 2026 15:53
The US prefers a diplomatic solution to ongoing tensions with Iran rather than military action, President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff has said, urging Tehran to scale down its missile and nuclear programs.
A wave of protests kicked off in Iran in late December. Initially prompted by soaring inflation and a rapid devaluation of the national currency, they swiftly grew political and violent, with hundreds left dead across the country.
Tehran has blamed “terrorists” infiltrating the initially peaceful demonstrations, as well as meddling by the US and Israel.
In recent days, Trump has repeatedly threatened Tehran with military action and told protesters that “help is on its way.”
Washington, however, still prefers a diplomatic solution, Witkoff told the Israeli-American Council conference in Florida on Thursday.
“I hope there’s a diplomatic resolution. I really do,” he said.
The special envoy outlined Washington’s demands on Tehran; namely that it scale down its nuclear and missile programs.
Iran must “cut back on their inventory” of both fission material and missiles, as well as decease its support to foreign “proxies,” Witkoff said without elaborating.
“If they want to come back to the league of nations, we can solve those four problems diplomatically, and then that would be a great resolution. The alternative is a bad one,” he asserted.
Iran has insisted its nuclear program serves only civilian purposes, while Israel has repeatedly claimed that Tehran is about to create an atomic bomb.
Earlier this week, Iran’s top diplomat, Abbas Araghchi, said the country was ready to make formal guarantees about the nature of its research.
“We can guarantee the peaceful nature of our nuclear program, that it will always be peaceful. In return, we expect the sanctions to be lifted,” the foreign minister said in an interview with Fox News.
At the same time, Araghchi signaled that Tehran’s missile program was not negotiable, being considered necessary for defense and deterrence.
https://www.rt.com/news/631045-trump-envoy-iran-demands/
do over
US aircraft carrier heading to Middle East – Fox News
16 Jan, 2026 15:53
The US has deployed at least one aircraft carrier to the Middle East, Fox News has reported, citing anonymous military sources. It comes on the heels of thinly-veiled threats against Iran in recent days by President Donald Trump.
The Islamic Republic has been gripped by mass protests since late December amid public discontent over soaring inflation and the sharp devaluation of the Iranian rial.
The protests quickly devolved into violent confrontations with security forces, which have allegedly resulted in hundreds of deaths. Tehran has blamed the riots on the US and Israel.
On Thursday, Fox News reported that the warship reportedly on route to the region might be the USS Abraham Lincoln or one of two carriers that departed Norfolk and San Diego earlier this week.
The outlet added that at present, Washington already has three destroyers and three Littoral Combat Ships in the region.
Washington will also likely reinforce its military presence around Iran with air and ground strike capabilities, as well as missile defense systems in the coming days and weeks, unnamed sources told the outlet. Anonymous officials described this as “setting the force,” which would enable “offensive” military action should Trump opt for it.
Also on Thursday, NBC, citing multiple sources familiar with the matter, reported that Trump was considering delivering a swift and decisive blow to the Iranian government, as opposed to getting entangled in a prolonged conflict.
With his advisers presumably unable to guarantee that military action would result in the immediate toppling of the Iranian authorities, the US president has so far been hesitant to order an attack, the outlet claimed.
There have also been media reports that several Gulf nations have privately reached out to Trump in an attempt to dissuade him from launching strikes against Iran for fear of broader regional instability and a disruption to the global oil market.
Speaking to reporters this week, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova denounced Washington’s threats to use force against Iran as “absolutely unacceptable.”
https://www.rt.com/news/631061-us-moving-aircraft-carrier-middle-east-iran/
Kiev mayor urges residents to leave city
17 Jan, 2026 11:10
Kiev Mayor Vitaly Klitschko has urged residents to leave the city if they have the opportunity, citing a severe electricity crisis, widespread heating outages and mounting strain on infrastructure as freezing temperatures grip the Ukrainian capital.
Speaking to Reuters on Friday, Klitschko said the shortages followed waves of Russian strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
Moscow has said it targeted drone production facilities, energy infrastructure and other military‑related sites in response to Ukrainian strikes on Russian power facilities, as well as what it described as indiscriminate attacks on civilians.
“It’s the first time in the history of our city that, in such severe frosts, most of the city was left without heating and with a huge shortage of electricity,” Klitschko said, reiterating his appeal for residents who can relocate temporarily to do so.
He noted that sub‑zero temperatures had sharply increased demand while limiting the ability of utility crews to carry out rapid repairs.
Critics have condemned the appeal, arguing that many residents have nowhere else to go and that the call reflects a lack of preparedness by local authorities to manage the crisis in a city of roughly three million people.
Klitschko said households have gone without mains electricity for up to 20 hours a day, while heating was cut to about 6,000 apartment buildings.
Overnight temperatures have been falling to around minus 17 degrees Celsius, compounding the strain on the city’s energy system. Ukraine declared a nationwide energy emergency this week.
The country’s electricity system has suffered cumulative damage since 2022, with vulnerabilities compounded by aging Soviet‑era infrastructure and mismanagement. The power shortages have fueled the latest public spat between Klitschko and Vladimir Zelensky.
Earlier this week, Zelensky said Kiev was lagging behind other cities in responding to the energy crisis, stating in a public address that “little was done in the capital” and that urgent decisions were required.
Klitschko rejected the criticism as unfounded, saying he was being targeted with what he described as “total hatred” after warning residents about the severity of the situation.
He insisted city services were working around the clock to restore power and heating as quickly as possible.
https://www.rt.com/russia/631076-kiev-mayor-urges-residents-to-leave/
Elite Russian drone unit destroys Ukrainian hardware
17 Jan, 2026 11:09
The Russian Defense Ministry has published a fresh compilation of successful FPV drone strikes on Ukrainian forces by operators from the elite UAV unit Rubicon.
The targets included a US-made Humvee armored vehicle, Ukrainian drones, ground-based robotic systems, communications and electronic warfare devices, a dugout, and a temporary deployment point for Kiev’s troops, the ministry said in a statement on Friday.
The attacks featured in the clip took place near the town of Krasny Liman in Russia’s Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR), the statement read.
Russian Defense Minister Andrey Belousov said on Saturday that the country’s forces were continuing their operation to take Krasny Liman under control. “Its liberation would pave the way for the encirclement of Slavyansk, a key logistics hub of the Ukrainian military,” he stressed.
The Rubicon center was established on Belousov’s order in August 2024, with the first public mention of it coming several months later. The unit, which specializes in testing and deploying unmanned aerial vehicles, is understood to employ artificial intelligence in some of their explosive-laden strike UAVs.
In an article last September, Forbes magazine described Rubicon as “one of the most effective forces on the front,” which has expanded the kill zone, complicating Ukrainian logistics in particular.
https://www.rt.com/russia/631071-drone-ukraine-krasnormeysk-rubicon/
IAEA announces Russia-Ukraine ceasefire for Zaporozhye nuclear plant
17 Jan, 2026 08:50
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has said it has agreed with Russia and Ukraine on a localized ceasefire to allow repairs to start on the last remaining backup power line to Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP).
Europe’s largest nuclear facility, which has remained under Russian control since 2022, has repeatedly lost off-site power after the surrounding infrastructure sustained damage.
Russian officials have accused Ukrainian forces of targeting the plant, while Kiev has accused Moscow of cutting its power lines.
The IAEA said the final backup line was damaged and disconnected by military activity earlier in the month, leaving the plant reliant on a single external power connection.
The agency has warned that such disruptions raise nuclear safety concerns but has not assigned blame, a position Moscow says encourages further provocations by Kiev.
The IAEA continues to work closely with both sides to ensure nuclear safety at the ZNPP,” Grossi said on Friday, adding that the temporary ceasefire was the fourth such arrangement negotiated by the agency.
According to the IAEA, technicians from Ukraine’s electrical grid operator are expected to start repairing the line in the coming days.
Moscow has insisted that the only real threat to the ZNPP and its employees is the “reckless actions of Kiev’s armed forces,” which attack the infrastructure of the plant “almost every day.”
Ukrainian forces have repeatedly targeted not only the Zaporozhye facility but other nuclear-related sites as well. They struck the Kursk NPP in recent months with a drone, which hit an auxiliary building at the site in September, when Grossi was visiting Moscow. Kiev has denied involvement.
In November, Ukrainian drones targeted the Novovoronezh Nuclear Power Plant in Russia’s Voronezh Region. However, Moscow said no critical safety systems were damaged.
Separately, the IAEA said in December that the protective structure over the reactor at the Chernobyl site in Ukraine was critically damaged after a drone attack last year.
Moscow said the incident was a provocation by Kiev, while Ukraine blamed Russia.
https://www.rt.com/russia/631072-iaea-zaporozhye-nuclear-plant-ceasefire/
Ukrainian forces hit Russian air defenses in Crimea, drone depot near Donetsk
Sat, January 17, 2026 - 15:46
The Defense Forces of Ukraine struck air defense assets of Russian troops in the temporarily occupied territory of Crimea, as well as an enemy drone warehouse in the Donetsk region, according to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
In Crimea, a Nebo-U radar station was hit in the area of Yevpatoria, as well as a Pantsir-S1 surface-to-air missile and gun system near the settlement of Khutorok.
In the temporarily occupied territory of the Donetsk region, in the area of Donetsk, the Defense Forces struck a storage and preparation site for the use of unmanned aerial vehicles of the Russian troops.
The General Staff noted that the scale of the losses inflicted on the enemy is being clarified.
Strike on the Atlant Aero plant
On January 13, 2026, the Defense Forces of Ukraine carried out a missile strike on the Atlant Aero enterprise in Taganrog, Rostov region of Russia, using Ukrainian-made missiles.
The enterprise provides a full production cycle — from design to manufacturing and testing — of Molniya strike-reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicles.
In addition, components for Orion drones used by Russian forces are manufactured there.
On January 11, the Defense Forces of Ukraine carried out precision strikes on facilities involved in supplying the Russian army with energy resources, logistics, and air defense systems.
Three Lukoil drilling platforms in the Caspian Sea were hit, a Buk-M3 surface-to-air missile system launcher in the temporarily occupied territory of the Luhansk region, as well as a logistics supply warehouse of Russia’s 49th army in the Kherson region.
https://newsukraine.rbc.ua/news/ukrainian-forces-hit-russian-air-defenses-1768657601.html
https://caliber.az/en/post/russia-reports-large-scale-ukrainian-drone-attack
other Russia and Ukraine
https://112.ua/en/rosia-atakuvala-dnipropetrovsinu-dronami-ta-artilerieu-dvoe-poranenih-133481
https://112.ua/en/povitrana-trivoga-u-kievi-sili-ppo-pracuvali-po-vorozih-bezpilotnikah-133482
https://www.dagens.com/war/kyiv-hit-by-115-drones-in-russias-largest-drone-attack
https://english.nv.ua/nation/russian-drones-set-energy-site-ablaze-in-odesa-oblast-officials-say-photos-50576426.html
https://caliber.az/en/post/drone-strikes-in-ukraine-s-chernihiv-cause-injuries-property-damage
https://most.ks.ua/en/news/url/vijskovi-hersonskoji-brigadi-znischili-vorozhij-udarnij-dron-video/
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jan/17/ukraine-war-briefing-czechs-offer-drone-hunting-jets-as-zelenskyy-flags-air-defence-shortages
https://voennoedelo.com/en/posts/id12249-jet-powered-russian-drone-destroys-himars-near-border
Report: Seized Gaza documents reveal Hamas intent to raid Judea and Samaria
Jan 16, 2026, 9:37 PM (GMT+2)
Documents seized in the Gaza Strip indicated that the Hamas terrorist organization intended to carry out a raid on communities in Judea and Samaria and along the security barrier, Channel 12 News revealed on Friday evening.
According to the report, the documents - captured by IDF troops during operations in the Gaza Strip - included, among other things, correspondence and conversations between senior Hamas officials showing an intention to raid the communities.
Unlike the detailed plans that were found for the communities bordering the Gaza Strip, in this case there was no specific list of communities and no granular planning; rather, the documents exposed the terror organization’s intentions.
The report added that as part of the lessons learned from October 7 - based in part on these seized documents - IDF Intelligence instructed that the reference scenario for Judea and Samaria should mirror that of the Gaza envelope: a raid on the communities.
This is one of the reasons Defense Minister Yisrael Katz recently instructed Central Command to prepare an operational plan to seize additional refugee camps in Judea and Samaria, similar to the operations in Tulkarm, Jenin, and Nur Shams.
The goal is to capture the refugee camps and remain in them, not to enter and withdraw, according to the report.
The IDF Spokesperson’s Unit said in response that “the IDF is committed to the security of Israel’s citizens. Accordingly, ongoing situational assessments are conducted in light of all threats and developments as part of implementing the lessons of October 7.
The reference scenarios approved by the General Staff and the political echelon have been practiced in several drills, including the two-division exercise held in November."
The IDF Spokesperson’s Unit also stated that “no tunnel infrastructure is known to exist in the seam-zone area. The IDF and security forces operate in the Central Command arena at all times to deny offensive capabilities and thwart terrorism."
(Arutz Sheva-Israel National News' North American desk is keeping you updated until the start of Shabbat in New York. The time posted automatically on all Israel National News articles, however, is Israeli time.)
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/421021
other Israel
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/421031
https://www.timesofisrael.com/israeli-strike-on-vehicle-in-south-lebanon-kills-one-beirut-says/
https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2026-01-16/ty-article/israels-defense-minister-commends-idf-demolitions-in-gaza-during-cease-fire/0000019b-c77c-d85c-a9fb-f77fa5970000
https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2026-01-17/ty-article/.premium/top-official-in-ex-idf-chiefs-office-interrogated-for-obstructing-bibileaks-investigation/0000019b-c869-d810-a99f-dafd9fa50000
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/crime-in-israel/article-883634
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/syl4ixyr11l
Trump Says He Convinced Himself Not To Strike Iran
Updated January 17, 2026 11:41 CET
US President Donald Trump says he decided on his own not to launch military strikes against Iran, crediting Tehran's alleged cancellation of hundreds of scheduled executions as the decisive factor in his decision to hold back from military action.
"Nobody convinced me. I convinced myself," Trump told reporters outside the White House on January 16 when asked if Arab and Israeli officials had persuaded him to stand down.
"You had yesterday scheduled over 800 hangings. They didn't hang anyone. They canceled the hangings. That had a big impact."
The Islamic republic has faced one of the gravest challenges to its legitimacy in years after demonstrations began on December 28, 2025, over Iran's struggling economy, before snowballing into antiestablishment protests.
The Norway-based Iran Human Rights group has verified at least 3,428 protester deaths by security forces, while the US-based HRANA puts the verified death toll at 2,885.
Rights groups warn that the actual toll is likely higher due to an internet blackout imposed since January 8 that has severely hampered verification efforts.
Trump had initially warned that the United States was “locked and loaded” to take action if Iranian security forces killed protesters. He later threatened to take “very strong action” if Iran hanged protesters.
On January 17, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei repeated his claim that the United States had instigated the protests in Iran and blamed the casualties on Trump.
"We find the US president guilty due to the casualties, damages, and slander he inflicted upon the Iranian nation," he said in an annual speech marking a religious occasion.
Earlier on January 16, Trump publicly thanked Iran's leadership on Truth Social, writing:
"I greatly respect the fact that all scheduled hangings, which were to take place yesterday (over 800 of them), have been cancelled by the leadership of Iran. Thank you!"
Iran has not publicly confirmed plans to execute 800 protesters, nor has it announced the cancellation of any such scheduled executions.
The president’s comment comes after US media, citing regional officials, reported that Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Egypt had been urging the Trump administration not to attack Iran over recent days, warning that military action could trigger a wider regional conflict.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also spoke with Trump by phone on January 15, reportedly asking him to delay potential strikes so Israel could prepare for possible Iranian retaliation.
The White House maintains that all options remain "on the table" regarding Iran.
https://www.rferl.org/a/trump-iran-decided-against-attack-protests/33652391.html
Incursion Alert: Rising Drone Activity Over Jammu and Kashmir Border
Updated: 17-01-2026 21:30 IST
A Pakistani-origin suspected drone was briefly sighted over Samba district in Jammu and Kashmir, triggering a security operation.
Although nothing illicit was found, past incidents of arms drops underscore rising tensions. Drone movements were also reported in other sensitive areas, coinciding with heightened security measures ahead of Republic Day.
A potential intrusion was reported when a suspected Pakistani-origin drone appeared over the forward area of Samba district in Jammu and Kashmir.
The incident occurred around 7 pm, drawing attention as the device hovered over Kandral village in the Ramgarh area for several minutes.
Upon spotting the drone, security forces promptly initiated a search to rule out any illegal activities, such as smuggling of narcotics or arms. Fortunately, the operation yielded no illicit findings, according to officials.
This incident follows a previous recovery on January 9 of an arms drop, attributed to a Pakistani drone, in the region. As Republic Day approaches, drone movements have increased along the Line of Control, eliciting a responsive military engagement and diplomatic action.
https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/law-order/3773478-incursion-alert-rising-drone-activity-over-jammu-and-kashmir-border
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/drones-spotted-in-jammu-and-kashmir-again-4th-time-in-a-week-10771555
Unknown drone found on shore of lake in Moldova
17.01.26 18:35
In the Telenesti district of Moldova, an unknown drone approximately 2.5 meters long was discovered on the shore of a lake near the village of Nucare. Special services arrived at the scene.
According to Censor.NET, this is stated in a statement by the local police.
As discovered by a drone
A hunter contacted the police and reported that he had found a drone on the shore of a lake near the village of Nukareni.
It is noted that special services arrived at the scene and cordoned off the area. Specialists from the technical explosives unit must conduct a detailed examination of the discovered object.
Citizens were also urged not to approach or touch any drones or other suspicious devices they might find, and to report them to law enforcement agencies.
Moldova's Foreign Ministry condemns Russia for drone incident
The Moldovan Foreign Ministry emphasized that Moldova condemns such violations and condemns Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, "which threatens the security of our citizens."
This statement by the ministry was reported by Realitatea.
Russian drones in Moldova
On the night of November 25, six drones were detected in Moldovan airspace. One of them fell on the roof of a house in the village of Nizhni Kugureshti, Florești district.
Earlier, on the night of November 19, a drone flew into the country's airspace. In connection with this, the country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Russian ambassador.
https://censor.net/en/news/3595953/an-unknown-drone-was-discovered-on-the-shore-of-a-lake-in-moldova
Acid thug Arthur Collins under investigation over 'prison drone drops linked to organised crime'
Updated: 03:56 EST, 17 January 2026
Acid attack thug Arthur Collins is under investigation over 'drone drops in prisons linked to organised crime'.
Scaffolder Collins, 33, who is serving 20 years for a nightclub acid attack in 2017 that left 22 people injured, is reportedly a 'person of interest for drone activity' to prison bosses.
Prison sources say that it is believed that he has tried to arrange deliveries of illicit items and has previously been in hot water over a smuggled phone.
It's claimed he has also been caught with contraband, while footage also allegedly shows him injecting steroids in his cell.
'Collins has not changed and still thinks he is a gangster and the "big I am"', a prison source told the Sun.
'He was under investigation for drones, and they feared he was in touch with people on the outside who might arrange drops at the jail. They think he is involved, or trying to be involved, in organised crime.
'The prison's anti-corruption team keeps a close eye on who he mixes with and what he does. But despite everything, Collins is still having a pretty cushy life and is on an enhanced prison regime.'
Collins was convicted of GBH and ABH after throwing corrosive acid over a crowd on the dance floor at Mangle E8 in Hackney, East London.
In 2018, Collins was jailed for another eight months for using a smuggled mobile phone to call his reality TV star ex-girlfriend Ferne McCann, 35, from his cell.
Last year, he was moved to HMP Buckley Hall near Rochdale, Greater Manchester, from HMP The Mount in Bovingdon, Hertfordshire.
While behind bars, Collns has had relationships with Love Island's Amelia Peters and ex-glamour model Annie Bullah.
It was reported last June that Collins was being regularly visited by Amelia at HMP Buckley Hall in Rochdale.
But according to The Sun, Amelia has called it quits with the convict after reports of their romance surfaced, and her family urged her to break up with him.
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) recorded more than 1,000 drone 'drops' in 2024 across the prison estate. Sources told the Daily Mail that drone drops can be completed in as little as 20 seconds, carrying packages which can weigh as much as 7kg.
A spokesperson told Daily Mail: 'We don’t comment on individual prisoners. We’re investing £40m in new security measures to clamp down on contraband in prisons – including specialist anti-drone netting and windows – and offenders face extra time behind bars if caught with illicit items.'
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15472067/Acid-Arthur-Collins-investigation-prison-drone-organised-crime.html
Mystery as fleet of drones filmed over Bristol
18:00, 16 Jan 2026
"They were flying over the centre from all sorts of directions"
A Bristol man filmed what appears to be a fleet of drones hovering and flying over the city centre before dawn this week.
Mystery surrounds what the blinking lights in the sky were and where they came from, but it is the first time a phenomenon that has sparked conspiracy theories across the world has been captured on film in Bristol.
The man, who is from South Bristol and doesn't want to be identified, said he was standing near Cabot Circus car park at 5.30am on the morning of Wednesday, January 14, when he saw one drone and then realised it was being joined by up to seven others.
The video he recorded on his phone shows one small craft with a number of flashing lights lit up against the pre-dawn night sky, as the man exclaims: “What the f- is that?!”
He then realises there are others, and the sky above him is actually full of similar craft.
"They were flying over the centre from all sorts of directions and heading towards Kingswood way,” he told Bristol Live.
“I saw two that came from what looked like the South of Bristol and were heading towards Kingswood way, that’s where I lost them. I must have seen around 8.
They all headed in the same direction from their various points,” he added. At one point in the video, when he realises there are many more than the original one he saw, the man joked: “We’re being invaded!”
The man is adamant they were not aeroplanes, and Bristol Live research appears to confirm this.
According to air traffic control data, at 5.30am on Wednesday, there were just two planes in the sky high anywhere near Bristol, as transatlantic flights begin to arrive on their flight path to London’s airports.
All flights that morning took a course to the south of the city, flying directly over Nailsea, Whitchurch and Keynsham - not over the city centre.
The first flight that might possibly have been visible was a flight from Toronto to Heathrow which was at 23,000ft and was already over Bath at 5.30am, while a second flight from New York still hadn’t yet reached Bristol - it was directly over Backwell at 5.30am, again at a height of 23,000ft.
The video filmed from Cabot Circus show lights that were much lower, hovered and then moved- and there were as many as eight of them.
"Other people must have seen them too," the man told Bristol Live.."
https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/mystery-fleet-drones-filmed-over-10761120
“I believe he has,” Burchett on whether Rubio's looked into UFOs from within federal government
Jan 17, 2026
Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN) — Co-chair, Congressional UAP Caucus
LISTEN: Laslo & Burchett
Ask a Pol asks:
How’d your UFO conversation with Secretary of State Marco Rubio go?
Key Burchett:
“Yeah, I talked to Rubio,” Rep. Tim Burchett exclusively tells Ask a Pol UAP. “It was fine, but, you know, he’s not a Senator anymore…”
Follow-up: Is Rubio part of the cover-up now?
Has Rubio looked into UAP from within the federal government?
“I believe he has,” Burchett says. “I do.”
Is he a part of the cover-up now or…?
“No,” Burchett says.
Caught our ear:
“The more you dig, the more liars there are in this thing,” Burchett tells Ask a Pol.
ICYMI — Ask a Pol broke news of Burchett-Rubio confab
https://www.askapoluaps.com/p/uap-caucus-meeting-with-marco-rubio
https://www.askapoluaps.com/p/i-believe-rubio-has-looked-into-ufo
https://x.com/AskaPol_UAPs/status/2012588234920824894
https://x.com/MattLaslo
Trump may be preparing sensational speech at 2026 World Cup, linked to topic of aliens
January 2026, 11:38
Everything is connected to the Roswell incident.
Undoubtedly, one of the central figures of the upcoming 2026 World Cup will be the controversial president of one of the tournament’s host countries — Donald Trump.
Already now, the 79-year-old politician has found himself at the center of a number of controversial events related to the World Cup.
His strict entry restrictions on citizens from many countries continue to make media headlines amid concerns that fans from certain states may not be able to attend matches.
At the same time, Trump was awarded the first-ever FIFA For Peace prize, personally presented by Gianni Infantino.
According to media reports, up to 17,000 ticket holders have already canceled their travel plans to the United States, Canada, and Mexico less than six months before the start of the tournament, citing security concerns.
A number of sources in Washington claim that Donald Trump plans to use the upcoming World Cup as a platform for a speech that, according to them, will change humanity forever.
As reported by the Daily Star, during his address the politician is allegedly set to confirm that humanity has made first contact with extraterrestrials.
Now pay close attention: the date of the statement was not chosen by chance — it coincides with the 79th anniversary of the official announcement by the U.S. Army about the discovery of a flying disc following a UFO crash in Roswell, New Mexico.
That statement was later withdrawn, and officials insisted that the debris belonged to a high-altitude weather balloon used to monitor Soviet nuclear tests.
Despite numerous claims by whistleblowers that the Pentagon has allegedly been secretly engaged in reverse-engineering crashed UFOs, official representatives of the U.S. Department of Defense continue to deny the existence of any evidence of extraterrestrial life.
However, British documentary filmmaker Mark Christopher Lee is convinced that it is precisely the anniversary of the Roswell incident that Trump will use to “address the nation and the world and confirm the reality of extraterrestrial life, UFOs, and a possible first contact.”
In an interview with the Daily Star, he stated:
“Sources close to the Trump administration tell me that the speech is already prepared. This is not a drill. This is not speculation. This is reality. The date was not chosen by accident.
“The truth about what crashed in the desert many years ago will finally be acknowledged at the highest level of power. This will be the most important statement in the history of humanity.
“Since the FIFA World Cup will draw the attention of billions of people to North America, the timing guarantees that the message will be heard by the entire world.
Conspiracy theorists, ufologists, and skeptics are preparing for what could become the ultimate ‘I told you so’ moment.”
https://tribuna.com/en/blogs/trump-may-be-preparing-sensational-speech-at-2026-world-cup/
https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/trump-announce-most-important-revelation-human-history-79th-anniversary-roswell-ufo-crash-1771539
https://x.com/UAPWatchers/status/2011865412154061038
https://x.com/The_King_Of_UFO
UAP Whistleblower 'Gerb' Exposes Secret Club Running America's UFO Cover-up
17 January 2026, 12:43 PM GMT
A high-profile UAP whistleblower known as Gerb has detonated a political bombshell by accusing a powerful 'secret club' of running America's UFO cover-up from behind closed doors, linking the Pentagon's anomaly office to one of the most influential science laboratories in the world.
The Strange Metal That Triggered Alarm
According to Gerb, a mysterious metallic object recovered in Ohio and handed to Oak Ridge National Laboratory in 2024 was not treated as neutral scientific evidence, but instead became part of a tightly controlled system designed to sanitise uncomfortable truths about unidentified aerial phenomena.
His claims suggest that senior defence figures, corporate contractors and federal scientists have been rotating between the same elite institutions, raising explosive questions about whether the American public is being deliberately kept in the dark about possible non-human technology.
In 2024, AARO, the Pentagon's All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office, contracted Oak Ridge National Laboratory to examine a peculiar metallic specimen recovered from private land in Ohio.
The material was reported to have unusual properties that did not align neatly with known earthly alloys, sparking intense interest among UAP researchers. Instead of transparent findings, AARO later issued a brief statement suggesting the sample was likely ordinary.
Gerb blasted this conclusion as rushed and politically motivated, arguing that Oak Ridge had been chosen precisely because of its close ties to defence contractors rather than its independence.
Gerb Exposes The Revolving Door
Gerb's most damaging claim centres on former AARO chief Sean Kirkpatrick, who left his government role in December 2023 to become Chief Technology Officer for Defence and Intelligence Programs at Oak Ridge.
Gerb argues this creates an obvious conflict of interest, since Kirkpatrick had previously overseen which materials AARO sent for analysis, including the Ohio specimen.
The controversy deepened when Oak Ridge quietly removed a webpage celebrating Kirkpatrick's appointment, while he failed to list the senior position on his public CV. To Gerb, this is not coincidence, but evidence of image management and hidden alliances.
Gerb also pointed to former Undersecretary of Defence for Intelligence and Security Ronald Moultrie, who deleted his past position on Battelle's board from his official biography. This is crucial because Oak Ridge is operated by UT-Battelle, a subsidiary of Battelle itself.
In Gerb's view, this means the same corporate ecosystem effectively oversees both the investigation of UAP evidence and the Pentagon office meant to scrutinise it. He describes this as a 'closed loop of power' where the same players control funding, research, and public narratives.
Critics Call It A Cover-up
UAP advocates have rallied behind Gerb, accusing AARO of acting more like a disinformation machine than a truth-seeking body.
Supporters online have hailed him as a legend for exposing what they see as a coordinated effort to downplay anomalies and label everything mundane.
One commenter claimed AARO will never address this for reasons that should be obvious, while others argued taxpayers are being misled while paying for secrecy.
Defenders of AARO insist that movement between government, academia and defence labs is normal in national security work, and that Oak Ridge remains one of the most capable scientific facilities in the world.
Yet the deleted webpages, altered CVs and tight control over findings have only fuelled suspicion.
For now, the Ohio specimen remains shrouded in classification, and the full Oak Ridge analysis has never been released to the public. What Gerb has achieved, however, is far more significant than a single metal sample.
He has shifted the UFO debate away from blurry skies and towards the corridors of power, where influence, secrecy and corporate ties collide.
https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/uap-whistleblower-gerb-exposes-secret-club-running-americas-ufo-cover-1771604
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7g5Sn1DJF4
https://x.com/AlchemyAmerican
https://x.com/UAPGERB
Live UFO Sighting Triggers ISS Feed Blackout
Jan 16, 2026
Live UFO Sighting Triggers ISS Feed Blackout
UFO Captured LIVE on Kick! Was it landing?!
On January 14th, 2026, a remarkable "ufo video" captured over Chile showed a rapidly moving object, which is among the latest "ufo sightings" to challenge conventional explanations.
The footage, part of a compilation of "chile videos", provides compelling "real ufo" evidence, raising questions about what truly resides in our skies.
We also discuss potential anomalies from the "international space station", prompting further discussion on these unexplained phenomena. 👇 Join the discussion in the comments
But that's not all… The same day a UFO was caught LIVE on KICK AND another in Brazil! WHAT IS GOING ON?!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GdXx1W3871Q
https://x.com/ChaosMoogle
Insider Reveals : Rise of Superstates..Why Ukraine Falls to Russia & Why Mexico Will Fall to The US
Jan 13, 2026
Russian insider and whistleblower Stewart Swerdlow joins the podcast to give my audience his intel from briefings he has with Government officials..
Stewart comes from an impressive lineage.. His Great Grandfather was the first Soviet Union President and his Great Uncle started the KGB..
This podcast is continued on http://www.Ninoscorner.tv
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=733u2wMR66k
https://x.com/ninoboxer
https://x.com/expansionsnews
https://www.youtube.com/@stewartswerdlow
https://www.expansions.com/
1976 Tehran UFO Incident - Military Jets Chase UFO Over Iran | Richard Dolan
Jan 15, 2026
The 1976 Tehran UFO Incident remains one of the most credible military UFO encounters in history.
In this eye-opening episode, UFO researcher Richard Dolan breaks down the dramatic events of September 19, 1976, when the Imperial Iranian Air Force scrambled F-4 Phantom jets to intercept a brilliant, unidentified object over Tehran, Iran.
Public reports of a strange craft led to radar confirmation, a high-speed chase, electromagnetic interference disabling aircraft systems, and a smaller object detaching for a tense dogfight.
Richard explains the profound implications for UFO disclosure and what this case reveals about advanced non-human technology.
🔭 Key highlights from the 1976 Tehran UFO Incident:
Multiple civilian sightings and Tehran airport tower alerts
F-4 jets losing instrumentation and communications during pursuit
A smaller craft detaching from the main UFO, engaging in cat-and-mouse manoeuvres Weapons systems failure just as pilots prepared to fire
Official U.S. Défense Intelligence Agency documentation of the event:
This 1976 Tehran UFO Incident stands out due to its radar/visual corroboration, multiple trained military witnesses, and declassified reports—making it a cornerstone case in UFO studies.
Richard Dolan's thorough analysis uncovers why this encounter challenges conventional explanations and pushes the boundaries of what we know about unidentified aerial phenomena.
If you're fascinated by real UFO encounters, military chases, and hidden implications, hit LIKE, SUBSCRIBE to 4biddenknowledge TV for more deep dives with Billy Carson and experts like Richard Dolan, and drop a comment:
Do you think the 1976 Tehran UFO Incident proves extra-terrestrial involvement? 👇
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jDjxWkNde4
https://www.youtube.com/@RichardMDolan
https://x.com/4biddnKnowledge
https://x.com/I_D_Official
Laura Eisenhower
@eisenhowe8
“This is a station to station transporter. It was invented by Nikola Tesla on June 17, 1901.
It is the transporter that the NAZIs and the Japanese used from 1931 through 1945 to beam 124 million Chinese and Soviet people to the cloaked ships, alien, in space awaiting to receive them.
This is how the Greada Treaty of 1929 was actually initially enacted.
This is the heart and soul of the Deep State today. They, according to the terms of the Gready Treaty of 1929, still transport people up to cloaked ships waiting to receive them.
And, they still use wars to authorize and to hide the fact that they are doing it. The War in Ukraine disappears hundreds of thousands of Russians; just like in the good old days, says the Deep State NAZI faction.”
Dan Cooper
11:23 AM · Jan 16, 2026
https://x.com/eisenhowe8/status/2012244366094663946
https://www.youtube.com/@LauraEisenhower
https://lauraeisenhower.substack.com/
‘SKYWATCH’ (2026) | Official Trailer | UFO & Mystery Documentary | Breaking Glass Pictures
Jan 12, 2026
@BreakingGlassPictures presents the official trailer for ‘SKYWATCH’ (2026), an adventure and mystery documentary exploring unexplained aerial phenomena in one of Arizona’s most remote locations. The film will be available on major streaming platforms from 27 January 2026.
In ‘SKYWATCH’, Arizona’s Rogue Research & Recon Team travels north to Sedona for a night sky watch near Bradshaw Ranch, a site known for its isolation and long-standing reputation for unexplained activity. What the team captures during their investigation raises unsettling questions about what may exist beyond our skies.
Blending real-world investigation with adventure and speculative science, the documentary presents a grounded yet mysterious look at UFO sightings and aerial anomalies, inviting audiences to draw their own conclusions.
Written, directed, and produced by Clive Christopher, the film is supported by distributor Breaking Glass Pictures, known for releasing independent documentaries and genre-driven storytelling.
📅 Streaming Release Date: 27 January 2026
🎞 Runtime: 1:15:38
🎬 Genre: Adventure, Mystery, Documentary
🌍 Production Country: United States
🏭 Production Company: Golden Record Productions
🎭 Featuring: Clive Christopher, Dan Starkey, Kris Donald, Tom King, Andre McBride
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kClJegi03SQ
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt38350552/
https://x.com/UAPWatchers/status/2012562876758634622
https://uapwatchers.com/