Russian officials said yesterday the potential decision by the US to send advanced technology to repel missile attacks to Ukraine may lead to "unpredictable consequences," while accusing the US of escalating the conflict. The transfer, which has been reported on but not formally announced, would provide Ukrainian forces with a Patriot missile defense system widely used by the US Army.
Russia has battered Ukrainian infrastructure with missile attacks, frequently targeting its power grid ahead of the harsh winter season. Unlike previous systems provided by the West, experts say the system can knock down aircraft and Russian-fired ballistic and cruise missiles with a range of up to 100 miles.
Russia has also increased its use of Iranian-made explosive drones in attacks, which are too small to be effectively destroyed by Patriot missiles. See updates on the war here.
Separately, US Air Force veteran Suedi Murekezi was reportedly released from Russian custody as part of a larger prisoner swap between Russia and Ukraine. Murekezi had traveled independently to Ukraine to aid in the war. |
\'Avatar\' Sequel Premieres |
The highly anticipated sequel to the 2009 science fiction film "Avatar" hits theaters today, after its world premiere in London Dec. 6 and the US premiere in Los Angeles earlier this week.
The three-hour film, "Avatar: The Way of Water," is directed again by filmmaker James Cameron and returns stars Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, and more. The movie is set over a decade after the first film and follows the Sully family, who are driven from their home when humans return to recolonize parts of Pandora.
The sequel is one of the most expensive films in Hollywood history, with a budget between $350M and $400M, and is projected to bring in between $150M and $170M domestically this weekend. The original "Avatar," praised for its groundbreaking use of 3D technology, holds the record for the highest-grossing film, earning nearly $2.9B. The sequel will also be released in China today, which is expected to increase ticket sales—the first film grossed over $260M in the country alone.
Read what critics are saying here. |
Sentences in Whitmer Plot |
Three men convicted of supporting a plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) were sentenced to multiple years in prison yesterday, the latest in a winding, high-profile legal case with origins stretching back to the early stages of the pandemic.
The trio—Joe Morrison, Pete Musico, and Paul Bellar—received sentences ranging from seven to 12 years in prison, but were not directly implicated in attempting to carry out the plot. Rather, they were convicted of providing material support to a terrorist act—primarily helping train and run drills for their militia group, known as the Wolverine Watchmen. The broader legal case against the group has faced a number of issues, including accusations that undercover agents unduly influenced the group into acting on their plans.
Adam Fox, the accused ringleader, faces a maximum punishment of life in prison and will be sentenced Dec. 27. See a timeline of the scheme here. |
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