News

Authorities arrest Russian protesters and send them to war

Published

3 years ago

September 25, 2022

Hundreds of people have been arrested by authorities as protests against Russia’s new “partial mobilisation” continue across the country.

The Kremlin has ordered the partial mobilisation of reservists in response to what it says is a deteriorating security situation in Ukraine.

But the move has been met with widespread opposition, with many seeing it as a pretext for fresh military action. On Monday, police detained more than 200 people in Moscow during a protest against the mobilisation.

Another 150 were arrested in the city of St Petersburg. The arrests came as several thousand people took to the streets of both cities to voice their anger at the Kremlin’s decision. Demonstrators chanted slogans such as “No to war!” and “Putin is a liar!”

The independent monitoring group OVD-Info said more than 500 people had been detained in total across Russia.

Heavy handed

In Moscow, police used batons and pepper spray to disperse the crowd and make arrests. Several protesters were seen being dragged away by officers.

The demonstrations came a day after Russia’s top general warned that the country was prepared to use nuclear weapons if its security was threatened.

Gen Valery Gerasimov was quoted by Russian news agencies as saying that Moscow would now respond to any threat with “a weapon of comparable or ‘greater’ power”.

The comments were seen as a stark warning to the West amid fears of a new arms race.

Worsening relations

Relations between Russia and the West have deteriorated sharply in recent years, with Western countries imposing sanctions on Russia over its actions in Ukraine. Tensions have also risen over Moscow’s involvement in Syria and its alleged meddling in Western elections.

The partial mobilisation announced last week is likely to increase tensions further. Under the plan, reservists will be called up for training later this month and could be deployed to crisis zones if necessary.

President Vladimir Putin has insisted that the move is not linked to any specific event or threat but is needed to ensure Russia’s security. However, many believe it is a response to NATO’s increased activity near Russia’s borders.

Putin has sought to downplay fears of a new Cold War, saying that there is no intention of confrontation.

But with relations already at a low ebb, there are concerns that the partial mobilisation could lead to further escalation.

News

Oil prices surge as U.S.-Iran tensions escalate

Published

4 hours ago

February 5, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Crude oil prices jumped over 3% on Wednesday as U.S.-Iran nuclear talks showed signs of faltering, pushing WTI futures above $65 per barrel. Axios reported disagreements over the venue and scope of Friday’s talks, while President Trump warned Iran’s supreme leader to “be very worried,” stoking fears of military escalation.

Tensions in the Persian Gulf added to the volatility. A U.S. F-35C shot down an Iranian drone near the USS Abraham Lincoln, and Iranian vessels threatened a U.S.-flagged tanker in the Strait of Hormuz. The USS McFaul escorted the tanker to safety, highlighting the region’s fragile oil supply routes.

Despite the clashes, nuclear talks will go ahead on Friday in Oman, but uncertainty continues to drive oil market volatility, with traders closely watching both diplomatic and military developments.

#OilPrices #IranUS #NuclearTalks #PersianGulf #WTI #EnergyMarket #Geopolitics #OilSupply

News

Washington Post layoffs: Hundreds of journalists cut as Bezos faces criticism

Published

5 hours ago

February 5, 2026

Harvey Vargas

The Washington Post has laid off hundreds of employees, marking what former executive editor Martin Baron calls “one of the darkest days” in the paper’s history. Approximately one-third of the newsroom staff were affected, as the company undertakes a so-called “strategic reset” to compete in a crowded media landscape.

The cuts hit key areas, including the sports desk, local coverage, international reporting, the books desk, and the flagship daily news podcast. Editor-in-Chief Matt Murray said the changes aim to prioritise national security, politics, science, health, technology, climate, and business coverage while positioning the Post for the future.

Critics have called out owner Jeff Bezos for his silence during the layoffs and alleged efforts to influence the paper’s political stance. Former editor Baron warned that the newspaper’s ambitions would be sharply diminished and its credibility could suffer.

Subscribe to never miss an episode of Ticker – https://www.youtube.com/@weareticker

News

Amazon launches AI tools to change film and television production

Amazon MGM Studios tests AI to streamline production, reduce costs, enhancing but not replacing human creativity, says AI Studio team.

Published

10 hours ago

February 5, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Amazon MGM Studios tests AI to streamline production, reduce costs, enhancing but not replacing human creativity, says AI Studio team.

Amazon MGM Studios is stepping into the future of entertainment by developing artificial intelligence tools designed to reduce production costs and streamline filmmaking processes. This closed beta, launching in March, will let industry partners test how AI can enhance creativity and efficiency on set.

Amy Cheng, leading the AI Studio team, emphasises that while AI can accelerate workflows, it will never replace the unique contributions of human creativity. The initiative represents Amazon’s push to innovate in content creation while maintaining the art of storytelling.

The use of AI in Hollywood is expanding rapidly, sparking discussions about its impact on jobs and the future of the industry. As studios explore automation, the balance between efficiency and human artistry remains a central concern.

Subscribe to never miss an episode of Ticker – https://www.youtube.com/@weareticker