Thai regime launches airstrikes along disputed border with Cambodia as tensions flare

Source: The Guardian [UK]

“Thailand has launched airstrikes along its disputed border with Cambodia after both countries accused each other of breaching a ceasefire deal brokered by Donald Trump. Four Cambodian civilians and at least one Thai soldier have been killed in the renewed clashes, which have forced tens of thousands of people to flee their homes. Thailand’s military said airstrikes were launched after one of its soldiers was killed and four others wounded in fighting along the countries’ tense border on Monday morning. The Thai air force said it was striking military targets in several areas and accused Cambodia of mobilising heavy weaponry and repositioning combat units. Cambodia’s defence ministry blamed Thailand for the escalation.” (12/08/25)

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/dec/08/thailand-airstrikes-disputed-border-cambodia

ETH, ADA, XRP Lead Gains as Bitcoin Edges Higher on Fed Rate Cut Expectations

Source: CoinDesk

“Bitcoin traded just above $91,300 on Monday as Asian equities opened the week slightly higher ahead of a heavy run of central bank decisions, including a Federal Reserve meeting where markets have largely priced in a 25-basis-point rate cut. … Crypto markets followed the broader tone. Bitcoin rose 2% over the past 24 hours and is up more than 6% over the past week, extending last week’s rebound but meeting early resistance near the $94,000 area. … Ether gained 3% to trade near $3,135, outperforming most majors on the day and logging a 10.6% advance over the past week. BNB added 1%, Solana rose about 1.6%, Lido’s stETH climbed almost 3%, and XRP traded around $2.08 after a 1.2% uptick. Cardano led declines in the top tier, slipping about 1.4% on the day.” (12/08/25)

https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2025/12/08/eth-ada-xrp-lead-gains-as-bitcoin-edges-higher-on-fed-rate-cut-expectations

Ukrainian city hit by “massive” strike as peace talks in US conclude

Source: BBC News [UK state media]

“Russia continued its air strikes on Ukraine overnight, hours after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he had a ‘very constructive’ phone call with Donald Trump’s negotiating team following three days of talks in Florida. Early on Sunday the mayor of Kremenchuk, a major industrial hub in central Ukraine, said the city had been repeatedly struck in a ‘massive’ attack. No deaths have been confirmed so far. Meanwhile, Russia said it had shot down 77 Ukrainian drones in several locations.” (12/07/25)

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cz680jx511no

Benin: Regime says armed forces foil coup attempt

Source: Reuters

“Benin’s government said on Sunday its armed forces had foiled a coup attempt after a group of soldiers in the West African nation claimed on national television to have seized power. … At least eight soldiers, several wearing helmets, went on state television on Sunday morning to announce that a military committee led by Colonel Tigri Pascal had taken over and was dissolving national institutions, suspending the constitution and closing air, land and maritime borders. … Gunfire could be heard earlier on Sunday in several neighbourhoods of Cotonou, the country’s largest city and economic hub, as residents were trying to make their way to church early on Sunday morning.” (12/07/25)

https://archive.is/6x2oZ

Palestine: Bethlehem’s Christmas tree lights up for first time since Gaza genocide began

Source: Al Jazeera [Qatari state media]

“For the first time in two years, the Christmas tree in Bethlehem lit up the night sky, restoring a glimmer of joy to the birthplace of Jesus after seasons overshadowed by Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza. Palestinians watching the lighting said the celebration carried a dual meaning: Hope in the Nativity and a yearning for freedom from the Israeli siege gripping Bethlehem and cities across the occupied territory. … This year’s celebrations were limited to religious rituals, attended by church leaders and local officials who stood on a stage in Manger Square for a modest tree-lighting ceremony. Thousands gathered in the square, singing hymns and listening to choirs carolling – the only form of festivity permitted at a time many described as a mix of joy and mourning.” (12/07/25)

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/12/7/bethlehems-christmas-tree-lights-up-after-two-years-of-darkness

MA: Acting ICE gang shot-caller, Boston Archdiocese whine about “ICE was here” Nativity sign

Source: Fox News

“ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons, as well as the Archdiocese of Boston, are calling for the removal of an ‘ICE was here’ sign that was placed at a Nativity scene at a Massachusetts church. ‘The actions of the activist reverend, Stephen Josoma, are absolutely abhorrent and add to a dangerous narrative responsible for a more than 1,150% increase in assaults on ICE officers,’ Lyons told Fox News Digital in a statement. A Nativity scene at St. Susanna Parish in Dedham, a suburb of Boston, shows an empty manger with a sign reading ‘ICE was here,’ along with contact information for a group that monitors immigration enforcement in Massachusetts. Rev. Stephen Josoma, the pastor at St. Susanna, said the church’s peace and justice group organizes a display annually.” (12/06/25)

https://www.foxnews.com/media/ice-director-boston-archdiocese-demand-ice-here-nativity-removed-from-mass-church

Doom, Despair, and Agony on Us (Year-End Fundraiser Update)

After a “zero-dollar day,” our year-end fundraiser total remains at $1,433.84.

We’re more than 75% of the way through our only annual fundraiser period, but only 52% of the way to our goal. I don’t know if we’ve ever been this far behind, this late in the game, before.

In order to reach our goal of $5,501, we must raise another $1,316.66. That will get us to the halfway point, after which reader GL has pledged to “match funds” for the other half.

But unless we raise the first half, we don’t get the second.

PLEASE SUPPORT THE FREEDOM MOVEMENT’S DAILY NEWSPAPER AT:

https://news.rationalreview.com/support-rrnd

Yours in liberty,
Tom Knapp
Publisher
Rational Review News Digest / Freedom News Daily

UN nuclear watchdog: Chernobyl protective shield can no longer confine radiation after drone strik

Source: CNN

“The protective shield built around the Chernobyl nuclear disaster site in Ukraine can no longer do its job to confine radioactive waste as a result of a drone strike earlier this year, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The New Safe Confinement (NSC) at Chernobyl, which was ‘severely damaged’ by the drone strike in February, has ‘lost its primary safety functions, including the confinement capability,’ the IAEA said in a Friday statement. Ukraine accused Russia of carrying out the February 14 strike at Chernobyl, which the Kremlin denied.” (12/06/25)

https://www.cnn.com/2025/12/06/europe/chernobyl-drone-strike-radiation-latam-intl

ID: Bar owner faces death threats after viral promo offering free beer for helping ICE gang

Source: Fox News

“Idaho bar owner Mark Fitzpatrick said his saloon has been flooded with both praise and outrage after a promotion offering ‘free beer’ to anyone who helps Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) identify and deport an illegal [sic] immigrant went viral. The Old State Saloon’s promotion, which was posted Nov. 29 on X, was viewed nearly 8 million times. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) also reposted it, generating both excitement and online attacks, including threats to burn down the business and kill its outspoken owner.” (12/06/25)

https://www.foxnews.com/us/idaho-bar-owner-faces-death-threats-after-viral-promo-offering-free-beer-assisting-ice

Judge will release Jeffrey Epstein grand jury documents

Source: Axios

“A federal judge on Friday ordered the grand jury transcripts in convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein’s trial be unsealed. The move comes after Congress passed the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which President Trump signed in November despite his initial opposition.” (12/05/25)

https://archive.is/NLCTH