TheOldGuy @TheOldGuy@qoto.org

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has uncovered a network of brothels in Kyiv that was being covered up by the deputy head of the Migration Police Department, the head of the department of the specialized unit of the Kyiv police, and twelve other members of the group. The investigation revealed that girls aged 18 to 30 with a vulnerable psycho-emotional state were recruited to these institutions, and a network of specialized groups in messengers was created to provide intimate services for money, including escorts. The monthly profits of the organizers of the illegal business amounted to more than UAH 50 million. As part of the criminal proceedings, SBU officers conducted more than 30 searches at the suspects' residences, including the administrative buildings of the National Police of Ukraine.

Vasya, a Cane Corso dog, served in Marine reconnaissance for several years. During a mission near enemy positions, he got caught in a wire trap and had to bite off his paw in order to escape. He was then taken to the medics and sent to Poland for treatment, where he was fitted with a prosthetic limb. Sergiy Koshman

There is a fire in a 1400-square-meter warehouse in Nakhabino, Moscow Region. It is reported that the warehouse contains recycled plastic materials.

Those careless smokers?

In Starobilsk, located in the Luhansk region of Ukraine, the Russian occupation authorities are coercing parents to send their children as young as six years old to a Cossack cadet corps for what they claim is a proper patriotic education. Those who refuse to comply are threatened with the loss of their parental rights.

The European Union is proposing to double the number of Ukrainian military personnel receiving training as part of the EU mission, from 15,000 to 30,000. This training would include combat training for companies and tactical training for brigade headquarters and subordinate battalion headquarters.

Starting February 1, citizens who receive housing subsidies in Ukraine will no longer be able to pay for their utility bills with cash. The funds will be credited to the subsidy recipient's bank account, or if they do not have one, to Oschadbank. The recipient will then need to withdraw the money and open a personal bank account in order to transfer the money to the utility companies. Starting February 2023, Oschadbank will no longer transfer money to utility providers, meaning that citizens will have to withdraw the funds and pay for housing and communal services directly to the utility companies and organizations. Pensioners will still receive their subsidies through Ukrposhta offices on the day of pension payment.

The Russians fired a rocket at the cemetery in Kramatorsk, destroying the graves, according to Kramatorsk Mayor Oleksandr Honcharenko. He posted a photo of the site of the shelling.

The Ministry of Reintegration has provided an additional 3 million Ukrainian hryvnias to those who have been released from captivity. Each of the 30 released individuals received 100 thousand hryvnias. The Commission of the Ministry of Reintegration also decided to give 100 thousand hryvnias each to 474 people who were released from Russian captivity and 173 people who were illegally detained by the Russian Federation.

The Turkish airport ground handling operator Havas has sent a warning letter to Russian airlines, informing them that due to US sanctions and restrictions, they may be denied service for their aircraft that are more than 25% made of parts of foreign (US) origin. This affects around 170 Boeing aircraft owned by airlines from Russia, Belarus, Iran, and the sanctioned Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich, and could result in some or all flights to Turkey being banned.

President Zelensky stated that the Georgian authorities are currently subjecting Mikheil Saakashvili, a citizen of Ukraine, to public torture and that their goal appears to be to kill him. He clarified that he was not discussing the reasons for Saakashvili's arrest or the implications for politics and democracy in Georgia, as this is an internal issue.

Putin has ordered his subordinates to stop shelling the border regions of the Russian Federation. Do we suggest that the people of the republics should take action to end the century-long conflict? They are shelling each other and making their own decisions... What do we advise them to do?

Weather forecast fell short today. It was supposed to reach 33⁰ but only made it to 29⁰. An entire week of highs below freezing.

Kevin McCarthy caves - Palmer Report https://www.palmerreport.com/analysis/kevin-mccarthy-caves/48782/

What it's like for persecuted minorities to live under Taliban rule in Afghanistan - ABC News https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-01-19/persecuted-minorities-living-under-the-taliban-in-afghanistan/101800300

"In Afghanistan, the women protesters have been awe-inspiring for us in the West. Despite risks of detention, abuse, torture or even death, these women have been coming out time and time again to protest for their basic human rights."

"We must not leave them alone in this global fight for women's rights."

Shabnam Nasimi.

#LetAfghanGirlsLearn
#LetAfghanWomanWork
#LetAfghanWomenLive

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-01-19/persecuted-minorities-living-under-the-taliban-in-afghanistan/101800300?s=09 https://mastodonapp.uk/@ProjectFearlessness/109789098397479516

It's Black History Month—or as the GOP call it—“Charge Teachers & Librarians with Felonies for Teaching Accurate American History Month.”

That said, I hope everyone (esp my white friends) uses this month as an opportunity to further educate yourself on Black history. To quote Dr. King: "Shallow understanding from people of goodwill is more frustrating than absolute misunderstanding from people of ill will. Lukewarm acceptance is much more bewildering than outright rejection."
#BlackHistoryMonth https://mastodon.social/@QasimRashid/109790573094788868

@ProjectFearlessness
" .. the steady pair of hands we were all hoping for"??
Teachers, university staff and other workers who *aren't* on strike are deliberately not working in order to facilitate their colleagues who are. They're standing on picket lines. Their students are standing on picket lines. Central London is at a standstill because there's thousands marching with them.
The "government" is CHOOSING to do nothing.
#GeneralStrike #FuckTheTories #Solidarity #FairPay https://toot.wales/@fkamiah17/109789822990222954

Today, in Arak, #iran, students are seen throwing rocks at loudspeakers spewing out #IRGCTerrorists propaganda.

Students in Arak throw stones at a loudspeaker in Arak that is playing out Islamic Republic propaganda. https://persia.social/@kambiz/109789940120605046

Does Rishi Sunak have Something to Hide in his Tax Returns? – Byline Times https://bylinetimes.com/2023/02/01/does-rishi-sunak-have-something-to-hide-in-his-tax-returns/