TYB
Chilled New York City
Feb 04, 2026
The New York metropolitan area was showing the effects of a prolonged cold spell in late January 2026. During a stretch of frigid weather, ice choked the Hudson River along Manhattan’s western shore.
The OLI (Operational Land Imager) on Landsat 8 captured this image of the wintry landscape around midday on January 28. The image is false-color (bands 5-4-3) to distinguish ice (light blue) from open water and snow.
Vegetation appears red. Ice is abundant in the Hudson River and visible in smaller amounts in the East River, the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir in Central Park, and waterways in New Jersey.
Temperatures in New York City dropped below freezing on January 24 and stayed there for over a week. The high on January 28, the date of the image, was 23 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 5 degrees Celsius).
Low temperatures and harsh wind chills gripped much of eastern North America over this period amid a surge of Arctic air.
Much of the ice in the image likely floated there from farther upriver, where tidal currents are weaker and salinity is lower.
These conditions allow water to freeze sooner and at higher temperatures than the faster-flowing, brackish water near the river’s mouth, shown here.
A complete freeze of the Hudson around Manhattan is unlikely, experts say, although it did occur back in 1888. Still, the ice buildup was substantial enough for NYC Ferry to suspend services for several days.
Iced-up rivers can have other implications, from flooding and infrastructure damage to changes in hydrologic processes that affect water quality and aquatic habitats.
Scientists, government agencies, and emergency responders are increasingly turning to remote sensing technologies such as synthetic aperture radar and hyperspectral imaging to track river ice.
Improved monitoring can aid in water resource management and mitigate ice’s effects on infrastructure and ecosystems.
In addition to the river ice, other signs of winter were visible across New York.
A fresh layer of snow coated the landscape following a winter storm, in which a weather station in Central Park recorded nearly 12 inches (30 centimeters) of accumulation on January 25.
And the low angle of the midwinter Sun caused the tall buildings in Midtown and Lower Manhattan to cast long shadows.
In a neighboring borough on February 2, a shorter shadow was cast—this one by the weather-prognosticating groundhog known as Staten Island Chuck. Folklore holds that the sighting signals six more weeks of winter.
When compared with data from NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information, the New York rodent was deemed the most accurate of his peer weather “forecasters.”
This year, Chuck might be right, at least in the near term: the National Weather Service forecast called for below-average temperatures to persist, with Arctic air returning to the city by the weekend.
https://science.nasa.gov/earth/earth-observatory/chilled-new-york-city/
The Government vs. Comic Books: America’s Forgotten Censorship Battle | HISTORY This Week
Feb 2, 2026
February 4, 1955. In a New York courtroom, the Comics Czar takes the stand.
He’s in charge of enforcing a new code, meant to keep comic books from corrupting America’s youth, and he’s here to prove that his work has cleaned up the industry.
But that afternoon, a noted psychologist named Fredric Wertham argues that his work has not nearly gone far enough. When the hearing comes to a close, the committee is left to decide: what is the future of the comic book?
Why did one of the country’s leading psychologists see them as a major threat to American children? And what can the Great Comic Book Scare teach us about moral panics?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzN6JBkPGEM
Is NASA blurring their photos? What could be hiding on the moon? | Reality Check
February 4, 2026
Ross Coulthart explores untold stories using a fact-based approach to address various topics, from unidentified aerial phenomena to other mysteries that often go unreported.
In this week's episode, Coulthart sits down with theoretical physicist Maaneli "Max" Derakhsani to discuss the possibility of artificial structures on the moon, citing anomalies in NASA's lunar photographs.
Derakhsani suggests NASA's national security mandate may prevent public disclosure of these findings.
Coulthart discusses Edgar Mitchell's alleged sighting of blue lights following Apollo 14, supported by NASA photographs showing anomalies in the lunar sky.
Is this the extraterrestrial evidence needed for further investigation into lunar anomalies?
CHAPTERS
:00-3:11 Intro
3:44-6:05 Discussion on Anomalous Structures and Heat Anomalies
6:05-8:58 Discovery of Carbon Nanotubes and Techno Signatures
8:58-18:11 Carl Sagan's Hypothesis and the Search for Techno Signatures
18:11-27:44 NASA's Mandate and National Security Concerns
27:44-38:17 The Clementine Mission and High-Resolution Imagery
38:17-1:03:32 Anomalies in Clementine Images and Fractal Analysis
1:03:32-1:21:56 Lunar Horizon Glow and Refractive Phenomena
1:21:56-1:28:56 Anomalies in Blue Ghost Images and Lighting Effects
1:29:56-1:34:58 Historical Anomalies and Apollo Missions
1:34:58-1:39:16 Alan Bean's Description of the Moon's Sky
1:39:16-1:40:11 Debate on Reflective Debris in the Lunar Sky
1:40:11-1:42:09 Edgar Mitchell's Alleged Observations
1:42:09-1:45:32 NASA photographs and anomalies
1:45:32-1:46:37 Future investigation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOmrBWjyUtc
https://x.com/rosscoulthart
https://www.nasa.gov/centers-and-facilities/armstrong/nasa-armstrong-contributions-propel-artemis-deep-space-innovation/
NASA Armstrong Contributions Propel Artemis, Deep Space Innovation
Feb 04, 2026
NASA is leveraging expertise, capabilities, and partnerships across its centers to make Artemis campaign and deep space exploration safer, more reliable, and efficient.
At NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, contributions include technical leadership, unique flight-testing capabilities, and management of a key technology program that advances critical exploration concepts.
Artemis II is an upcoming challenging test flight, and the lessons learned will directly prepare NASA to return humans to the surface of the Moon on Artemis III and beyond, as well as send the first astronauts – Americans – to Mars.
Gulfstream G-III aircraft collects heat shield data
As preparations continue for the Artemis II launch, NASA Armstrong technicians modified a Gulfstream G-III to collect heat shield data during Orion’s reentry.
As part of NASA’s Scientifically Calibrated In-Flight Imagery, the G-III will join other aircraft to capture Orion’s thermal protection data.
“Before the Artemis II mission begins, the aircraft will complete a dress rehearsal over the Pacific Ocean to verify the airborne system performance,” said Robert Navarro, NASA Armstrong support aircraft fleet project manager.
Technicians at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston installed sensors and special windows for the imagery mission with assistance from NASA Armstrong technicians.
Measuring Orion’s reentry heat
NASA Armstrong also assists with the Orion heat shield spectrometer system for Artemis II. The system is designed to collect shock layer radiation data from the heat shield during atmospheric entry, data that will be used to enhance astronaut safety.
NASA Armstrong’s expertise in integrating technologies, high reliability flight test instrumentation, and flight operations are a match for some Artemis and deep space projects.
“There is nothing that can go to space or come back without going through the atmosphere, so our mission of atmospheric flight research and test is very relevant,” said Brad Flick, NASA Armstrong center director.
“We specialize in testing technologies and working through the challenges of flight.”
Testing Orion’s launch abort system
NASA Armstrong demonstrated that approach when it tested a system to enable Artemis astronauts to escape harm in the event of an emergency on the ground, or in the boost phase of the Orion spacecraft.
“We proved the system could get the astronauts to safety,” said Cathy Bahm, project manager for NASA’s Low Boom Flight Demonstrator.
Earlier in her career, she played key roles in engineering, integration, and management for Pad Abort-1 and Ascent Abort-2 that validated the Orion spacecraft’s launch abort system.
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Armstrong integrated and tested the capsule and abort system and operations at the launch abort pad at White Sands Test Facility in New Mexico for the Pad Abort-1 test.
“Hopefully we’ll never need it, but knowing I contributed to the safety of future astronauts is a highlight of my career,” Bahm said.
“Looking back on it, it was a tremendous accomplishment for the center, the team, and a contribution to the future of space travel.”
Flight Opportunities program advances space tech
Another contributor to future space travel is the Flight Opportunities program, which matures capabilities needed for NASA missions and commercial applications while strategically investing in the growth of the U.S. commercial spaceflight industry.
NASA Armstrong manages the program, which supports flight testing of promising technologies, instruments, and experiments aboard commercial vehicles.
Part of the agency’s Space Technology Mission Directorate, the program identifies the best ideas – from industry, academia, and NASA researchers – for flight testing.
Flight Opportunities advanced precision landing and optical communications technologies for future lunar missions.
“Landing safely in shadowed lunar regions is critical,” said Greg Peters, Flight Opportunities program manager.
Another deep space technology Flight Opportunities supported was a vibration isolation platform that helped provide extremely precise pointing for the Deep Space Optical Communications technology demonstration.
That instrument used lasers to transmit data between Earth and the Psyche spacecraft from more than 215 million miles away, which could benefit future missions to Mars.
NASA Armstrong tested Doppler Lidar system navigation on an F/A-18 to prepare for Moon and Mars missions.
Contributions to Artemis, deep space exploration
NASA Armstrong’s work supporting Artemis and future deep space exploration missions also includes:
A NASA F/A-18 based at NASA Armstrong tested an autopilot for the SLS (Space Launch System) that proved sensors would work at the trajectory needed for landing on Mars.
NASA Armstrong researchers advanced a Fiber Optic Sensing System that flew in space for the first time on the Low Earth Orbit Flight Test of an Inflatable Decelerator mission.
NASA Armstrong researchers developed a cryogenic FOSS, called CryoFOSS, to support future deep space missions. CryoFOSS was used during testing of a system designed to liquefy oxygen – as it would on the Moon or Mars – for use as return-trip fuel. By producing fuel on-site, missions could avoid carrying return fuel from Earth, significantly reducing launch weight and overall mission cost.
NASA Armstrong staff were in the control rooms when the Orion spacecraft launch abort system was demonstrated.
Before the Ascent Abort-2 tests could advance, NASA Armstrong assisted with component testing and integration work.
NASA Armstrong photographers and videographers documented the Orion parachute tests in Yuma, Arizona.
Under the Artemis campaign, NASA is returning humans to the Moon for economic benefits, scientific discovery, and to prepare for crewed missions to Mars.
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>of course they won't mention pedos, pizzagate, but benign or fear mongering ai atlas
so far
NASA Heat Shield Tech Contributes to America’s Space Industry
Feb 04, 2026
This Jan. 29, 2026, photo captures the streak the Varda Space Industries W-5 capsule made while returning to Earth.
The capsule uses a protective heat shield Varda produced made of cutting-edge material it licensed from NASA.
The material, known as C-PICA (Conformal Phenolic Impregnated Carbon Ablator), provides a stronger, less expensive, and more efficient thermal protection coating to capsules, allowing them – and their valuable contents – to return to Earth safely.
Developed at NASA’s Ames Research Center in California’s Silicon Valley, C-PICA sets the standard for heat shields, reflecting the decades of expertise that NASA brings to designing, developing, and testing innovative thermal protection materials.
This flight test of Varda-produced C-PICA was supported by NASA’s Flight Opportunities program.
https://www.nasa.gov/image-article/nasa-heat-shield-tech-contributes-to-americas-space-industry/
https://techxplore.com/news/2026-02-neptunium-yields-plutonium-insights-space.html
https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2025/qi/d5qi01015b
Neptunium study yields plutonium insights for space exploration
February 3, 2026
Researchers at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory are breathing new life into the scientific understanding of neptunium, a unique, radioactive, metallic element—and a key precursor for production of the plutonium-238, or Pu-238, that fuels exploratory spacecraft.
The ORNL team's research arrives during a period of increased national interest in the use of Pu-238 in radioisotope thermoelectric generators, or RTGs.
Often used in space missions such as NASA's Perseverance Rover for long-term power, RTGs convert heat from radioactive decay into electricity.
Advancing RTG knowledge and application possibilities also requires the same high-level evaluation of both chemical reactions and structural characterization, two key aspects of the materials science for which ORNL is known.
"When people want to do scientific experiments in space, they need something to power their instruments, and plutonium is typically the power source because things like solar and lithium ion batteries don't withstand deep space," said Kathryn Lawson, radiochemist in ORNL's Fuel Cycle Chemical Technology Group and lead author of the new study.
"Plutonium is the solution, so the more scientific inquiry there is to go on a spacecraft, you need to have these types of batteries," said Lawson. "The demand always exceeds our supply. Hence, we need to have a great understanding of neptunium chemistry to support that production of Pu-238."
The team's findings, which illuminate important chemical and structural aspects of neptunium, were discovered through thermal decomposition—or by breaking down neptunium samples with heat—helping scientists to identify critical intermediate phases and guide more precise thermal treatments to discover additional neptunium insights.
The research is published in the journal Inorganic Chemistry Frontiers.
At ORNL, this and other modern characterization techniques provide useful data on neptunium's chemistry, helping advance the lab's Pu-238 production process. A critical radioisotope for use in space exploration is being produced at ORNL.
Neptunium is an important precursor of Pu-238, meaning it participates in a nuclear reaction that eventually results in Pu-238. Unlocking neptunium's complex secrets for a better understanding of its chemistry will enable more efficient, effective Pu-238 production.
By improving how we understand and work with neptunium, ORNL is helping to ensure a secure, domestic supply chain for this mission-critical material, while fueling deep space exploration and advancing U.S. energy independence.
In the early 1980s, ORNL designed the original thermal decomposition process for uranium analysis.
Today, Lawson and her colleagues across the lab are deploying the method to break down neptunium samples with steadily increasing heat, from 150 to 600 degrees Celsius—302 to 1,112 degrees Fahrenheit—and using multiple measurement techniques to analyze the resulting chemical reactions.
By integrating the results from each categorization and measurement technique—including Raman spectroscopy, which bombards samples with lasers to examine molecular vibrations, and computational modeling, which offers a mathematic comparison point against the team's scaled experiments—the researchers discovered new mechanistic and materials chemistry information.
Including the first detailed Raman fingerprint of a key neptunium oxide, these findings help advance a general understanding of neptunium while improving the lab's specific process for Pu-238 production.
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"My group and I were looking at this from a structural point of view, to help understand the decomposition mechanism.
Essentially, what we do is use Raman spectroscopy to shoot lasers at the sample and excite different vibrations in the structure of the material," said nuclear security scientist Tyler Spano of ORNL's Materials and Chemistry Group, a contributing researcher to the recently published study.
"What comes out is a series of peaks, a spectrum. That tells us something about the current material structure, but what we did was follow the heating pathway that Kathryn [Lawson] uses for the material," said Spano.
"We made these measurements as we were heating the material, so we could see how the chemical bonding environments were changing as we increased the temperature."
The study reunited a familiar cohort of early-career staff spanning three research directorates at ORNL, including National Security Sciences, Fusion and Fission Energy and Science, and Isotope Sciences and Enrichment.
Now colleagues and collaborators at ORNL, Spano and Lawson met more than a decade ago at the University of Notre Dame, when Spano served as Lawson's graduate teaching assistant, and they worked side by side in the same university research lab.
In 2020, they were reunited when Lawson joined Spano at ORNL.
"I had started a couple years before that and was so excited when Kathryn started," said Spano. "Our community is small, and the pool of people who have the expertise that you can work with in this field is so limited.
It's exciting to know that someone else who thinks literally about science and the important questions is going to be here."
Lawson, Spano and their ORNL colleagues and collaborators on neptunium research are contributing to the history of understanding radioactive, metallic elements, or actinides, such as uranium, neptunium and plutonium.
Meanwhile, they're adding to the resurgence of interest in neptunium's possibilities for advancing Pu-238 science.
"We're already working on our next project. It's again very basic-science-focused, and we're looking at the decomposition of some other neptunium compounds," said Lawson.
"Essentially, we've figured out that we have these capabilities, and so we're looking at a number of other poorly understood neptunium compounds that are all going to be potentially of interest for Pu-238 production."
Together, Lawson, Spano and their fellow early-career researchers are helping to reinvigorate the study of neptunium chemistry and contributing to a shared understanding of the natural world, even though naturally occurring neptunium is exceedingly rare.
"It's so fun to get to research with your friends. It's all in the family," said Spano. "There are so few people who do this type of research. We all know each other, and it's just really beneficial to work together and pool our resources and capabilities."
At a place like ORNL, that unique collection of people and capabilities can yield important innovations in energy research and scientific discovery.
"This work is fun because it supports RTGs, and that side of things really captivates people when they talk about space," said Lawson.
"That's what I get to tell my family: I make batteries for space. That's the nutshell. Making the best and the most batteries for space, so that we can continue to explore our solar system."
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https://www.spacecom.mil/Newsroom/News/Article-Display/Article/4397034/alabama-native-maj-gen-terry-grisham-leads-usspacecoms-transition-to-redstone-a/
Feb. 4, 2026
Alabama native Maj. Gen. Terry Grisham leads USSPACECOM’s transition to Redstone Arsenal
U.S. Space Command
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Maj. Gen. Terry L. Grisham, a long-time Alabama native with nearly 40 years of military and civilian service, is spearheading U.S. Space command’s relocation to Redstone Arsenal as the director of the transition team.
His deep ties to the region and extensive logistical expertise make him uniquely suited to lead the historic move.
Earlier this week, Gen. Stephen Whiting, USSPACECOM commander, announced Grisham would lead the relocation, overseeing the Program Management Office at Redstone Arsenal which includes the first members of the headquarters staff already on the ground.
With a director now in-place, the team will expand throughout 2026, ultimately comprising several dozen personnel. Appearing alongside Whiting, Grisham expressed his gratitude, saying he looked forward to the challenge and work ahead.
Grisham’s background includes leadership positions in both the Alabama National Guard and the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command as a civil service employee, which Whiting cited as key to ensuring both an expeditious move and representing the interests of the workforce’s military and civilian personnel.
Throughout his four-decade-long career in the Alabama Army National Guard, Grisham has served in Engineer, Sustainment, and Intelligence organizations – experience that positions him as a proven leader in logistical planning and operations.
His demonstrated ability to execute at speed and scale will be vital as USSPACECOM continues to expand its footprint in Huntsville and establish its permanent headquarters.
Grisham will lead the team alongside Deputy Director Col. Raymond Ruscoe, who recommissioned into the Space Force in 2020 after 18 years of service in the U.S. Air Force.
In his previous role, Ruscoe headed USSPACECOM’s Joint Integrated Service Team (JIST) within European Command. Acting as liaison elements, JISTs are embedded in each of the combatant commands to coordinate and nest space planning efforts.
“Our modern way of life and our modern way of war quite literally depend on space, and by extension, USSPACECOM’s mission,” Ruscoe said.
“It is an honor to be entrusted with the responsibility to not only facilitate a transition that ensures our operations continue unimpacted, but execute the delivery of a professional, state-of-the-art warfighting complex.”
Prior to joining USSPACECOM, Ruscoe served as the Space Domain Implementation Manager at the NATO Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe in Belgium where he led the growth of an organic NATO Space capability across the 32 member nations.
A warfighting platform for the future
In September 2025, the President announced USSPACECOM’s relocation to Redstone Arsenal, a move that underscores the command’s critical role in safeguarding America’s interests in space.
Since then, the command has been diligently laying the groundwork for a purpose-built headquarters.
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The leaders are working closely with local and state officials to ensure the move aligns with mission requirements and infrastructure readiness.
The City of Huntsville has pledged $425 million in investments to support the relocation, including transportation improvements and housing enhancements at Redstone Arsenal.
USSPACECOM’s headquarters at Redstone Arsenal will be more than just a physical location.
Instead, it will be purpose-built to enhance mission readiness and address the growing threats arrayed against us in an increasingly contested space environment.
Doing so requires a bespoke facility designed to meet the full spectrum of daily, contingency, and crisis operational requirements.
“The support from Alabama and Huntsville has been incredible,” Grisham said. “This community understands the importance of our mission and our role in achieving peace through strength.”
Grisham’s leadership philosophy
As a leader, Grisham seeks to foster a collaborative environment where a clear understanding of the mission empowers individuals to take action and solve problems.
Having both commanded and served on staff in organizations comprised of different Army occupations, sister military services, and even other nations, he has decades of experience managing teams through complex and demanding operations.
“I believe a leader is only as good as those who surround him,” Grisham said. “I look around at the strategic partnerships we have throughout our Northern Alabama community and the incredible expertise and can-do spirit of our small but mighty PMO team, and I have no doubts that we’ll be successful.”
Grisham also pointed to Ruscoe’s extensive background in space operations and contingency planning as a linchpin for the transition team.
“Having a deputy who’s not only well-versed in the requirements for what it takes to fight and win a war in space but is also no stranger to USSPACECOM ensures we’re delivering the right stuff,” Grisham said.
His commitment to fostering relationships and leveraging opportunities will be critical as USSPACECOM continues to expand its presence in Huntsville while also maintaining a continuous focus on USSPACECOM’s no-fail mission to protect America’s interests in space.
Looking ahead
As USSPACECOM transitions to Redstone Arsenal, the command remains focused on preserving its warfighting culture and maintain full operational capability.
Grisham’s leadership, combined with the support of the local community and state, will ensure the move strengthens the command’s ability to address emerging threats.
With Grisham at the helm, USSPACECOM is poised to make its mark in Huntsville, building a foundation for success that will serve the nations for decades to come.
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Putin ‘kept his word’ on Ukraine ceasefire – Trump
4 Feb, 2026 07:48
Russian President Vladimir Putin kept his promise on a weeklong pause in strikes on Kiev and other major Ukrainian cities amid a winter power crisis, US President Donald Trump has said.
Last week, amid reports that Moscow and Kiev had reached an ‘energy ceasefire’, Trump announced that he personally asked Putin to agree to a partial pause in strikes “because of the extreme cold.”
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov later confirmed the truce, adding that a weeklong moratorium would last until February 1 and was aimed at “creating favorable conditions for negotiations,” referring to US-brokered Russia-Ukraine talks in Abu Dhabi.
Speaking to reporters at the White House on Tuesday, Trump said the pause had run “Sunday to Sunday.” “And he hit [them] hard last night. No, he kept his word on that,” Trump added. “It’s a lot… We’ll take anything, because it’s really, really cold over there.”
Asked whether he was disappointed Putin did not extend the ceasefire, Trump said he wanted him to “end the war.”
Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky confirmed on Monday that Russia had not launched targeted missile or drone strikes on major energy infrastructure since the pause began, though he claimed that shelling continued in frontline areas.
On February 3, Zelensky accused Russia of violating the truce with overnight strikes, despite Moscow saying the moratorium had already expired.
Ukraine’s power grid system has been under severe strain amid repeated Russian missile and drone strikes, with recurring rolling blackouts and temperatures dropping below -10 C in many regions.
Moscow has said it has been targeting energy infrastructure supporting Ukraine’s defense industry in response to Ukrainian attacks deep inside Russia, including strikes on critical infrastructure and civilian areas. Moscow maintains it never targets civilians.
https://www.rt.com/news/631942-putin-kept-word-ukraine-ceasefire/
Moscow warns West against ‘military intervention’ in Ukraine
4 Feb, 2026 14:26
Moscow would view any troop deployment by European NATO nations to Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire as a military intervention, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has warned.
Speaking at a regular briefing on Wednesday, Zakharova said preparations by the so-called ‘coalition of the willing’ to dispatch a UK- and French-led contingent to Ukraine are “an undisguised plan for ‘foreign military intervention’,” stressing that this is “categorically unacceptable” to Moscow.
Zakharova reiterated that the deployment of Western forces on Ukrainian soil “under any pretext” would pose a threat to Russia’s security, and that “these troops will be regarded by us as a legitimate military target.”
Her remarks came after NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said on Tuesday that “some European allies” had announced they would deploy forces after an agreement was reached.
According to Rutte, the force would include “troops on the ground, jets in the air, ships on the Black Sea,” adding that “the United States will be the backstop.”
Kiev’s backers have long eyed a potential troop deployment in Ukraine.
France and Britain signed a declaration of intent with Kiev in early January on a European-led ‘Multinational Force for Ukraine’, including plans for ‘military hubs’ to support training and rebuilding capabilities after any ceasefire.
At the time, French President Emmanuel Macron said Paris alone could send some 6,000 troops that are expected to be positioned far from the front line.
However, earlier this month, the Financial Times reported that the UK and France are reluctant to deploy troops to Ukraine unless they receive solid US backing.
US President Donald Trump has ruled out sending American ground troops, but suggested that Washington could provide other means of support, though stressing that European NATO members should bear the brunt of responsibility.
https://www.rt.com/russia/631970-moscow-west-intervention-ukraine/
Ukraine strikes Russian homes with US-made missiles – governor
4 Feb, 2026 08:39
Ukrainian forces struck residential buildings and civilian infrastructure in Russia’s Bryansk Region using US-made HIMARS multiple launch rocket systems, Governor Aleksandr Bogomaz reported Wednesday.
A woman was seriously injured in the attacks and hospitalized, Bogomaz said. Ukrainian forces also deployed domestically-produced Neptun missiles and jet-powered kamikaze drones in the strikes, the regional governor added.
The Russian Defense Ministry earlier reported intercepting 11 drones over Bryansk Region overnight. It said a total of 24 Ukrainian fixed-wing UAVs were shot down, with Bryansk the most heavily targeted area.
Cross-border attacks continued ahead of US-backed talks in Abu Dhabi.
Last week, Moscow agreed to temporarily suspend strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure – which the Russian military says disrupts the production of weapons used against Russia.
The unilateral pause, requested by US President Donald Trump, was meant to build goodwill before negotiations scheduled for Sunday, which were later postponed.
Russian President Vladimir Putin “kept his word,” Trump told reporters, confirming that the pause had lasted from Sunday to Sunday.
Conversely, Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky accused Russia of breaking the promise to the American leader by resuming attacks Tuesday.
He insisted the count should have started from the day Trump revealed the arrangement to the public.
https://www.rt.com/russia/631941-bryansk-region-himars-strikes/
Power outages in Russian region after Ukrainian attack – governor
4 Feb, 2026 10:03
Ukrainian strikes have severely damaged energy infrastructure in Russia’s Belgorod Region, causing widespread power outages and disrupting heating and water supplies, Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov reported on Wednesday morning.
Emergency crews worked through the night to repair the damage following what he described as a massive attack.
According to the governor, the city of Belgorod was struck by 12 munitions and three drones, with energy facilities among the damaged targets.
Drone and artillery attacks were reported across nearly a dozen other districts. In the village of Dunayka, a drone attack on a truck wounded a man, requiring hospitalization.
Another civilian was injured by an FPV drone in the village of Glotovo. A volunteer fighter was also wounded in Borisovsky District.
Due to the extensive damage to the power grid, Gladkov ordered schools and vocational colleges in ten districts to switch to remote learning, with kindergartens operating in a limited capacity.
He warned residents that emergency power outages would be unavoidable during the restoration work.
On Wednesday, the governor of neighboring Bryansk Region, Aleksandr Bogomaz, reported that Ukrainian forces had also used US-made HIMARS rockets to strike residential buildings, seriously injuring a woman.
The cross-border attacks come ahead of more US-backed talks between Russia and Ukraine in Abu Dhabi. Last week, at the request of US President Donald Trump, Moscow agreed to unilaterally temporarily suspend strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure as an act of good will before the negotiations, which were scheduled for Sunday but have been postponed.
Trump stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin had “kept his word” and that the pause had indeed lasted for a week from Sunday to Sunday.
Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky, however, claimed Russia had broken its promise by resuming attacks on Tuesday, saying the count should have started from a different day.
https://www.rt.com/russia/631947-belgorod-power-outages-attack/
Blackouts reported in Russia's Belgorod Oblast amid missile, drone attack
February 4, 2026 11:34 am
Blackouts were reported in Russia's Belgorod Oblast overnight on Feb. 3., where officials said an alleged Ukrainian missile and drone attack sparked a fire in the city of Belgorod, damaging critical infrastructure.
Russian independent outlet Astra reported that after the strike power was cut off in Belgorod and the Oblast. It added that, allegedly, two electrical substations were hit, "Frunzenskaya" and "Belgorod."
Belgorod Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov claimed Ukraine's "massive" missile attack damaged energy infrastructure in the Oblast.
Ukrainian Telegram channel Exilenova Plus, citing local residents, said the blackout followed an attack. The Supernova Telegram channel published several videos and photos from local residents showing the sounds of air raid sirens and explosions.
Gladkov said on Feb. 4 that emergency crews from heating, power, and water utilities worked through the night, and "efforts are ongoing." He added that one civilian was injured in the attack.
The Ukrainian military has not yet commented, and the Kyiv Independent could not verify the reports at the time of publication.
Belgorod Oblast borders Ukraine's Sumy, Kharkiv, and Luhansk regions and is regularly used as a staging area for Russian strikes on Ukrainian territory.
The attack came amid Russia's mass assaults on Ukraine's critical infrastructure, leaving thousands without heating and energy supply.
On Jan. 2, Ukraine faced yet another mass Russian aerial attack as a bitter cold snap drives temperatures below -20°C (-4°F).
https://kyivindependent.com/blackouts-reported-in-russias-belgorod-oblast-amid-drone-attack/
other Russia and Ukraine
https://united24media.com/latest-news/ukrainian-1k-drone-destroys-100k-russian-2s1-gvozdika-howitzer-in-urban-strike-15629
https://united24media.com/latest-news/north-korean-troops-are-still-fighting-for-russia-and-learning-drone-warfare-on-ukraines-border-15628
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15526559/The-married-couple-slaughtered-Putin-Wife-blown-fleeing-advancing-troops-drone-pilot-kills-heartbroken-husband-bare-leave-body-behind.html
https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/4087492-ukrainian-border-guards-hit-russian-vehicles-under-antidrone-net-in-northern-slobozhanshchyna.html
>How many celebrities never went to the island but went to the ranch?
Talks hang in the balance as US and Iran clash over scope
February 4, 2026
Summary
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Iran and the United States are set to hold talks in Oman after Tehran sought a venue change to restrict discussions to its nuclear programme, a regional official told Reuters on Wednesday.
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The United States and Iran were still expected to hold talks this week despite military incidents in the Persian Gulf, the Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday.
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Qatar’s foreign ministry spokesperson on Tuesday said negotiations with Tehran should cover all issues and without excluding any country, after reports that Tehran demanded bilateral talks with the US only on its nuclear file.
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Iran is seeking changes to the venue and format of the talks, including moving them from Istanbul to Oman and limiting the participation of regional countries, according to Reuters and Axios.
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Iran wants upcoming talks with the United States to be limited strictly to nuclear issues and does not want discussions on missiles or support for regional allied groups, Axios reported.
42 minutes ago
Iran–US nuclear talks set for Friday canceled- N12 News
Israel’s N12 News reports citing two senior US officials that nuclear talks between Iran and the United States scheduled for Friday have been canceled after Tehran backed away from previously reached understandings.
"The Iranians tried to move the talks from Turkey to Oman and to exclude other countries from them. We said no. We tried to reach a compromise, but the Iranians refused.
There is a good chance that the talks will not take place at all this week," the report quoted one senior US officials as saying.
“We are not naive about the Iranians. If there is a real conversation — we will hold it, but we will not waste our time,” the report quoted another senior US official as saying.
58 minutes ago
Iran internet still restricted after four weeks, Cloudflare Radar says
Internet connectivity in Iran remains restricted four weeks after disruptions began, despite traffic returning to pre-shutdown levels in recent days, network monitoring firm Cloudflare Radar said on Wednesday.
Cloudflare Radar said general internet access in Iran continues to be filtered and limited through allowlists, indicating that broader connectivity has not been fully restored.
https://twitter.com/CloudflareRadar/status/2019096539885605068
2 hours ago
Iran–US talks limited to nuclear issue, missiles 'off table' – Reuters
Talks between Iran and the United States in Oman will focus solely on the nuclear issue, with Iran’s missile program off the table, Reuters reported, citing a senior unnamed Iranian official.
2 hours ago
Rubio says US-Iran talks need to include treatment of its own people
“I think in order for talks to actually lead to something meaningful, they will have to include certain things, and that includes the range of their ballistic missiles.
That includes their sponsorship of terrorist organizations across the region. That includes the nuclear program, and that includes the treatment of their own people,” US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said, referring to items on the US agenda for Friday’s talks with Tehran.
2 hours ago
Trump says Iran discussed in call with China’s Xi
US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that Iran was among the issues discussed during a phone call with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Trump said the call also covered China’s possible purchases of more US agricultural products and oil and gas, as well as Taiwan and the war in Ukraine.
2 hours ago
US-Iran talks must include Tehran’s ballistic missile program, Rubio says
Talks with Iran would need to include discussions on Tehran’s ballistic missile program to lead to any meaningful outcome, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said, adding that the venue for the negotiations is still being worked out.
He added that Washington is ready to meet Iran on Friday if Tehran wants to proceed with talks.
2 hours ago
Iran intelligence chief says West will 'pay the price' over IRGC listing
Iran’s intelligence minister Esmail Khatib on Wednesday said that Western countries would “pay the price” for designating Iran’s Revolutionary Guards as a terrorist organization, following a recent move by the European Union to designate the force.
https://www.iranintl.com/en/liveblog/202602011665
https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/middle-east/iran-eastern-states/artc-us-iran-nuclear-talks-reportedly-canceled-over-location-and-agenda-disagreement
https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2026/02/04/donald-trump-wants-to-end-americas-half-century-conflict-with-iran
M23 rebels claim responsibility for drone attack on DR Congo airport
Update : 04.02.2026
The Congo River Alliance (AFC), a rebel coalition group that includes M23 rebels, claimed responsibility on Wednesday for last week’s attack on Kisangani Bangoka International Airport in northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
“The AFC/M23 informs the public that between Jan. 31 and Feb. 1 it carried out the destruction of a military command center located at Kisangani Airport,” rebel spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka said in a statement.
“The center served as the primary hub for the planning, coordination and execution of deadly operations targeting civilian populations as well as AFC/M23 positions in the liberated areas, notably Masisi, Walikale, Rutshuru, Lubero, Kalehe, Mwenga, Minembwe.”
Kisangani Bangoka International Airport, located 17 km (10 miles) from the city of Kisangani, the capital of Tshopo province, is believed to host the headquarters of the government’s General Staff of the Third Defense Zone.
On Monday, the Congolese army said it had neutralized eight kamikaze drones targeting the airport, preventing potential damage to the facility.
Following the attack, provincial authorities in Tshopo blamed Rwanda and the AFC/M23 rebel coalition, describing it as a “barbaric, unjust, and persistent aggression.”
DR Congo and the AFC/M23 rebel group signed an agreement on Monday on the terms of reference for monitoring their ceasefire after talks in Doha as part of Qatar’s mediation efforts to end the conflict in eastern DR Congo.
The Congolese government, the United Nations, and other international actors accuse neighboring Rwanda of backing the M23, an allegation Kigali denies.
The rebel group, a central actor in the conflict in eastern DR Congo, controls significant territory, including the provincial capitals of Goma and Bukavu, which it seized earlier in 2025.
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/africa/m23-rebels-claim-responsibility-for-drone-attack-on-dr-congo-airport/3819729
Navy disables drone flying over air station north of Seattle
February 4, 2026
SEATTLE — Naval Air Station Whidbey Island reported that it had detected and disabled a drone using defense systems at the home of EA-18G Growler electronic warfare squadrons.
The drone incursion was reported at about 1 p.m. Tuesday at Ault Field, the main operations area of the base 60 miles north of Seattle, according to a statement that evening from air station spokesman Michael Welding.
Unspecified defense systems disabled the drone. Base security and explosive ordnance personnel secured the scene around the downed drone and were “able to determine it did not carry explosives” or constitute any other type of threat, Welding said.
The Navy did not report if the drone had cameras or carried other payload or whether it interrupted flights or operations at the air base.
https://www.stripes.com/theaters/us/2026-02-04/navy-disables-drone-whidbey-island-20620287.html
Epstein Files: Putin says Zelensky is run by Israelis
Updated: Feb 01, 2026, 18:04 IST
A new tranche of Epstein Files released by the Department of Justice on December 30, 2026, shows an exchange of messages between former US Treasury Secretary Larry Summers and Jeffrey Epstein dated May 1, 2019.
Summers enquired about Ukraine, and Epstein responded that Zelensky was seeking help. Epstein further claimed that Zelensky is “run by Israelis”.
"We can discuss UKRAINE. I know a little, having been number of times to Pinchuk conf and having helped push their debt relief during Jaresko's time as FM," wrote Summers.
“Zelinsky looking for help. putin dismissive saying he is run by Israelis,” wrote Epstein.
Zelensky was mentioned 10 times in the Epstein files. Epstein visited him multiple times in Ukraine. In emails between Epstein and A.de Rothschild family member, they discussed Ukraine, and they discussed the upheaval in Ukraine.
In February 2019, Epstein stayed in Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, a month before Zelensky was elected. Petro Poroshenko, the former President, is mentioned in the Epstein Files 26 times.
Ukrainians sought help from Epstein to overthrow Putin
In a conversation between Epstein and Boris Nikolic, they discuss visiting Russia to meet Ilya Ponomarev, who is supposedly a member of the Duma who is allegedly organising an uprising against Putin.
Illya was a Russian-born Ukrainian politician who voted against the annexation of Crimea.
“We should go soon to Russia, and you should meet my friend Ilya Ponomarev. He is a member of the Duma, and he and Alyona (his very smart and cute girlfriend) are the main organisers of the uprising against Putin.
He represents Novasibirska region but lives in Moscow. I am afraid of what will happen to him. The stakes are huge. He might replace Putin and become a president by himself (he will sooner or later) if he does not kill before,” wrote Boris Nikolic, a former advisor of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
https://www.wionews.com/world/epstein-files-ukraine-zelensky-putin-overthrow-claims-1769942846783
Israeli civilians and soldiers charged in massive Gaza smuggling ring
latest revision February 04, 2026 at 06:55 AM
Israeli prosecutors have charged 12 individuals, including civilians and IDF reservists, in what authorities say was an extensive smuggling operation that moved prohibited goods into the Gaza Strip during the war, helping sustain Hamas financially and operationally.
The indictments, filed Tuesday in the Be’er Sheva District Court, allege the suspects ran a coordinated network that exploited security access and military credentials to transfer goods worth millions of shekels into Gaza in exchange for payment.
Prosecutors say the defendants were aware the smuggled items were likely to reach Hamas and contribute directly to the group’s ability to continue fighting Israel.
Among the goods trafficked were large quantities of cigarettes and tobacco, smartphones, batteries, communications equipment, vehicle parts, and other materials — some classified as dual-use items with potential military applications.
Investigators allege that several of the suspects served as active reservists and used their authority to bypass inspections at crossings, disguise shipments as legitimate military or humanitarian activity, and coordinate deliveries with contacts inside the Strip.
In certain cases, reservists allegedly received payments for allowing convoys to pass, prompting bribery charges in addition to terror-related offenses.
All defendants face charges including aiding the enemy during wartime, financing terror activity, fraud, tax offenses, and violations of Israel’s Counter-Terrorism Law.
Some are additionally accused of accepting bribes. Prosecutors are seeking the seizure of assets, including property, vehicles, and funds held in bank accounts.
Security officials say cigarette smuggling played a central role in the scheme, noting that tobacco products are banned from entering Gaza due to their high black-market value.
According to prosecutors, Hamas has earned hundreds of millions of shekels from taxing illegal cigarette sales since the start of the war, revenue that helped maintain its control of the enclave.
The Shin Bet warned that smuggling networks not only strengthen Hamas’s governance and finances but also pose a broader security risk by creating routes that could be used for future attacks against Israel and its forces.
https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/middle-east/palestinian-territories/artc-israeli-civilians-and-soldiers-charged-in-massive-gaza-smuggling-ring
other Israel
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/syxblyzpbe
https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/hamas-civil-defense-says-2-killed-in-idf-strike-one-ided-as-red-crescent-medic/
https://www.foxnews.com/world/hamas-terrorists-use-ambulances-schools-hospitals-violation-us-brokered-ceasefire-idf-official-says
https://www.mid-day.com/news/world-news/article/-israeli-strikes-kill-17-in-gaza-death-toll-rises-over-530-since-october-ceasefire–23615127
https://www.ifcj.org/news/stand-for-israel-blog/idf-reservist-wounded-in-terror-ambush-in-gaza
https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/idf-denies-carrying-out-drone-strike-close-to-unifil-in-lebanon/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/idf-drone-footage-shows-hamas-gunmen-transporting-arms-in-ambulance-in-north-gaza/
https://www.jns.org/idf-highlights-work-of-unit-that-killed-60-hezbollah-terrorists/
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/feb/04/idf-bulldoze-gaza-war-cemetery-allied-graves-satellite-images
https://www.timesofisrael.com/daily-briefing-feb-4-hamas-far-from-disarming-attacks-idf-in-gaza/
Eric Burlison Reveals UFO Too Big To Move—Could South Korea Hold Humanity's Secret?
04 February 2026, 12:01 AM GMT
Missouri Congressman Eric Burlison has sent ripples through both political and UFO research communities by implying that a colossal unidentified object 'too big to move' may be hidden at a classified location, possibly in South Korea.
In comments discussed on Reddit's UFO forum, Burlison is quoted as saying he wants to visit a classified site tied to stories about a massive UFO hidden abroad, 'but he will not mention exact location', implying belief in claims that the object may be in South Korea.
This suggestion raises serious questions about global transparency, national security, and how governments worldwide might be handling unidentified aerial phenomena (UAPs).
Growing Congressional Attention on UAPs
Burlison, a member of the House Oversight Committee, has increasingly pushed for greater transparency on UAP matters.
In August 2025 he introduced the Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) Disclosure Act of 2025 as an amendment to the National Defence Authorisation Act, which would require the preservation and public release of government records on UAPs and provide oversight mechanisms.
The proposal aims to ensure federal agencies cannot destroy or hide records, a move supporters argue would bring clarity to what authorities know about unexplained aerial phenomena.
Critics say such measures risk leaking sensitive defence information. Burlison's interest in UAP disclosure aligns with broader congressional concern about how governments classify sensitive sightings.
Lawmakers have criticised the Pentagon and Department of Defence offices for withholding information on apparent encounters reported by military personnel.
What Did Burlison Actually Say?
The Reddit thread suggests Burlison may have referenced the UFO site in connection with Dr Stephen Greer's claims, a controversial figure in the UFO disclosure world, though the congressman himself has not publicly confirmed this.
One Reddit commenter noted that if such an object were truly 'too big to move', it would be difficult to keep secret, particularly in a highly developed region like South Korea. Another added scepticism about the idea of such an installation near major population centres.
Evidence That Raised Eyebrows
Rep Burlison has repeatedly brought attention to UAP issues during congressional hearings.
In September 2025 he played a previously unseen video, reportedly taken by a US military drone, showing what he described as a Hellfire missile striking an unidentified object off the coast of Yemen, 'and it kept going'.
The Pentagon's All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) said it had no comment on the video's authenticity and noted that many unexplained UAP reports remain under investigation without confirmation of extraterrestrial origin.
Broader Oversight Efforts
Burlison's remarks are part of a broader congressional push to scrutinise how federal agencies handle UAP reports.
In late 2024, he questioned a former Pentagon employee on alleged secret UFO programmes and non-human 'biologics', claims that government critics often cite as evidence of cover-ups.
However, mainstream experts and Defence officials continue to stress the distinction between unexplained aerial phenomena and extraterrestrial visitation, pointing out that many sightings are eventually attributed to misidentified aircraft, drones, atmospheric phenomena, or data errors.
Public Reaction and Scientific Scepticism
Views on Burlison's implied South Korea UFO claim range widely. UFO enthusiasts online argue that such hints deserve serious investigation.
Sceptics counter that Reddit-based interpretation of Burlison's comments cannot be treated as verification of classified knowledge.
Scientific communities emphasise that open inquiry must be grounded in verified data rather than speculation about hidden sites or unverified testimonies.
https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/eric-burlison-reveals-ufo-too-big-movecould-south-korea-hold-humanitys-secret-1776129
https://www.reddit.com/r/UFOs/comments/1qv05wo/eric_burlison_mentions_he_wants_to_visit/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kl1WK4EFO-o (ALN Podcast: What We Know About UAPs)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YyaniuCpxP4 (RPK: Trump and the GIANT UFO DIsclosure)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVY2PPJa7uc (Eric Burlison seems to know EXACTLY where the 'too-big-to-move' UFO might be - Psicoactivo #829)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVMaQRDfgC0 (Burlison CLAIMS Matthew Brown may be helping Congress find unresolved UFO videos - Psicoactivo #830)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LurVpxHDnys (Cristina Gomez: MAJOR DEVELOPMENT IN REVEALING CRASHED UFO)
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-885606
Jupiter Med Bed System 2026 Overview and Quick Look! #medbed
Feb 4, 2026
Discover the Jupiter Med Bed System, a state-of-the-art wellness technology for 2026 that combines advanced energy and frequency-based technology designed to support overall balance, vitality, and recovery.
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This helps expand micro vessels, improve blood circulation, support toxin removal, activate tissue cells, strengthen aging blood vessels, boost immunity, and assist with fat-burning processes.
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Specific light wavelengths reach the dermis and are absorbed by cell mitochondria, triggering beneficial enzymatic reactions.
This supports collagen production, melanin breakdown, improved metabolism, skin brightening, rejuvenation, anti-aging effects, and enhanced white blood cell activity.
🎯 Resonance Frequency Adjustment Technology
Designed to align with the body’s natural biological energy field, this technology uses precise frequencies to help correct imbalances, support normal cellular activity, and regulate overall body function at a microscopic, quantum level.
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The Jupiter Med Bed System represents the next generation of wellness solutions, combining frequency, energy, and light-based technologies into one advanced system.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qx3PwF_pdyA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LD811oM6VKA (Origins of Med Bed Technology | Ancient Healing Tech Reborn in Modern Wellness Beds! 👽✨)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8CsuISdEzhg (The Real Med Beds Questions and Answers from Super Soldier James Rink)
https://healthylifetechnology.com/products/jupiter-med-bed-system
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