Ralph Mens @ralphmens.bsky.social
@ralphmens.bsky.social
Chief editor, journalist, writer. Special interest in Latin-America, Spain. 'Terug naar Peru' (www.amazon.nl/-/en/R-M-Mens/dp/9090228667)
Reposted by Ralph Mens @ralphmens.bsky.social
🔎🇺🇸Pushing South: USS Gerald R. Ford Strike Group Moves Deeper into Caribbean Basin
OSINT Confirmed (Dec 12): CSG 12 (CVN-78) has shifted her operating area significantly southward.
OSINT Confirmed (Dec 12): CSG 12 (CVN-78) has shifted her operating area significantly southward.
December 12, 2025 at 6:00 PM
🔎🇺🇸Pushing South: USS Gerald R. Ford Strike Group Moves Deeper into Caribbean Basin
OSINT Confirmed (Dec 12): CSG 12 (CVN-78) has shifted her operating area significantly southward.
OSINT Confirmed (Dec 12): CSG 12 (CVN-78) has shifted her operating area significantly southward.
Reposted by Ralph Mens @ralphmens.bsky.social
I hope Aleksandr Sokurov, one of Russia's most lauded film-makers, stays away from open windows.
The 74 year old launched a scathing attack on Putin & the system he has built, saying it's worse than in the days of the USSR (full video 5 mins, on my X acc)
Putin promised to look again at the ban.
The 74 year old launched a scathing attack on Putin & the system he has built, saying it's worse than in the days of the USSR (full video 5 mins, on my X acc)
Putin promised to look again at the ban.
December 12, 2025 at 1:39 PM
I hope Aleksandr Sokurov, one of Russia's most lauded film-makers, stays away from open windows.
The 74 year old launched a scathing attack on Putin & the system he has built, saying it's worse than in the days of the USSR (full video 5 mins, on my X acc)
Putin promised to look again at the ban.
The 74 year old launched a scathing attack on Putin & the system he has built, saying it's worse than in the days of the USSR (full video 5 mins, on my X acc)
Putin promised to look again at the ban.
Reposted by Ralph Mens @ralphmens.bsky.social
WATCH: U.S. forces seize oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela
December 10, 2025 at 10:11 PM
WATCH: U.S. forces seize oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela
Reposted by Ralph Mens @ralphmens.bsky.social
US forces have intercepted and seized a sanctioned oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela. The move marks a serious escalation of tensions between the two countries. www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
US Seizes Sanctioned Oil Tanker Off the Coast of Venezuela
US forces have intercepted and seized a sanctioned oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela, according to people familiar with the matter, a move that marks a serious escalation of tensions between the t...
www.bloomberg.com
December 10, 2025 at 7:39 PM
US forces have intercepted and seized a sanctioned oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela. The move marks a serious escalation of tensions between the two countries. www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Reposted by Ralph Mens @ralphmens.bsky.social
Waardevolle 🧵⤵️
Bombs on train tracks. Arson attacks on malls. Poisoned water supplies. These are just some of the recently foiled plots in Russia’s growing campaign of aggression across Europe. What was once a mere nuisance has escalated into a serious threat.
An #FTEdit 🧵 on the new era of Russian sabotage 👇
An #FTEdit 🧵 on the new era of Russian sabotage 👇
December 9, 2025 at 1:38 PM
Waardevolle 🧵⤵️
Reposted by Ralph Mens @ralphmens.bsky.social
Nineteen days after Russia's murderous attack on tower blocks in Ternopil', the death toll has risen to 38.
Two more people who were considered missing, have been identified. Three more are still missing.
8 children are among the dead.
Two more people who were considered missing, have been identified. Three more are still missing.
8 children are among the dead.
December 8, 2025 at 9:15 PM
Nineteen days after Russia's murderous attack on tower blocks in Ternopil', the death toll has risen to 38.
Two more people who were considered missing, have been identified. Three more are still missing.
8 children are among the dead.
Two more people who were considered missing, have been identified. Three more are still missing.
8 children are among the dead.
Reposted by Ralph Mens @ralphmens.bsky.social
Unusually powerful M7.6 earthquake struck on Monday evening in the North Pacific Ocean near Hachinohe (Japan). #Earthquake #Japan #地震 #Misawa #Sapporo #Sendai #Hachinohe
Unusually powerful M7.6 Earthquake struck on Monday Evening in the North Pacific Ocean near Hachinohe (Japan).
Read the earthquake report to discover the risk of aftershocks, which places were closest to the epicenter and how common such earthquakes are in the area.
earthquakelist.org
December 8, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Unusually powerful M7.6 earthquake struck on Monday evening in the North Pacific Ocean near Hachinohe (Japan). #Earthquake #Japan #地震 #Misawa #Sapporo #Sendai #Hachinohe
Gaat lekker daar. Was dit een van die zogenaamde peace deals van Trump?
Thailand destroys Cambodian drone control centre, targets rocket bases
www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/gen...
www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/gen...
Thailand destroys Cambodian drone control centre, targets rocket bases
Thailand has destroyed a casino used as Cambodia’s drone control station and is now targeting rocket bases that threaten Thai communities, according to the Royal Thai Army.
www.bangkokpost.com
December 8, 2025 at 3:13 PM
Gaat lekker daar. Was dit een van die zogenaamde peace deals van Trump?
Reposted by Ralph Mens @ralphmens.bsky.social
F-16s of the Royal Thai Air Force have reportedly launched another round of airstrikes against Cambodian Army artillery and command centers in Oddar Meanchey, northern Cambodia.
December 8, 2025 at 4:26 AM
F-16s of the Royal Thai Air Force have reportedly launched another round of airstrikes against Cambodian Army artillery and command centers in Oddar Meanchey, northern Cambodia.
What a bizar match. Bellingham got yellow after he received a kick in the eye (he came back in too soon). Real committed 6 fouls but received 3 red cards and 5 yellow cards, whereas Celta committed 13 fouls and got 1 yellow card. What a scandal this referee... #reacel
December 7, 2025 at 10:10 PM
What a bizar match. Bellingham got yellow after he received a kick in the eye (he came back in too soon). Real committed 6 fouls but received 3 red cards and 5 yellow cards, whereas Celta committed 13 fouls and got 1 yellow card. What a scandal this referee... #reacel
Wind trekt hier flink aan opeens, fluitend rond het huis.
December 7, 2025 at 9:09 PM
Wind trekt hier flink aan opeens, fluitend rond het huis.
Reposted by Ralph Mens @ralphmens.bsky.social
Though I do like this response on US attacks regarding 'freedom of speech' in Europe.
December 7, 2025 at 5:31 PM
Though I do like this response on US attacks regarding 'freedom of speech' in Europe.
Reposted by Ralph Mens @ralphmens.bsky.social
Absurd hoge temperatuur voor december: tot wel 14 graden
www.rtl.nl/nieuws/weer/...
www.rtl.nl/nieuws/weer/...
Absurd hoge temperatuur voor december: tot wel 14 graden
De temperaturen swingen de komende tijd de pan uit en lopen op naar uitzonderlijk hoge waarden. Maar voorjaarsachtig zal het niet aanvoelen in december. Verder is het van tijd tot tijd regenachtig of ...
www.rtl.nl
December 7, 2025 at 10:49 AM
Absurd hoge temperatuur voor december: tot wel 14 graden
www.rtl.nl/nieuws/weer/...
www.rtl.nl/nieuws/weer/...
Reposted by Ralph Mens @ralphmens.bsky.social
⚡ Germany is racing to defend its airports from drones.
After repeated incursions, many suspected to be linked to Russia, Berlin has launched a new counter-drone unit.
After repeated incursions, many suspected to be linked to Russia, Berlin has launched a new counter-drone unit.
Russian Drones Test Europe’s Airspace—Germany Launches Emergency Defense Plan
Germany is enhancing airport anti-drone measures due to rising incidents linked to Russian activities, impacting air travel and security across the nation.
united24media.com
December 7, 2025 at 11:48 AM
⚡ Germany is racing to defend its airports from drones.
After repeated incursions, many suspected to be linked to Russia, Berlin has launched a new counter-drone unit.
After repeated incursions, many suspected to be linked to Russia, Berlin has launched a new counter-drone unit.
Reposted by Ralph Mens @ralphmens.bsky.social
I’m not sure who is still over on -X- but Gov. Newsom is slaying!
December 6, 2025 at 12:59 AM
I’m not sure who is still over on -X- but Gov. Newsom is slaying!
Reposted by Ralph Mens @ralphmens.bsky.social
With reparations loan for Ukraine, the EU defies both Putin and Trump | Euronews www.euronews.com/my-europe/20...
With reparations loan for Ukraine, the EU defies both Putin and Trump
The European Union is defying external pressure from Washington and Moscow to get a seat at the table by leveraging the immobilised Russian assets held in its jurisdiction. The move is bold, but carries many questions.
www.euronews.com
December 6, 2025 at 9:22 PM
With reparations loan for Ukraine, the EU defies both Putin and Trump | Euronews www.euronews.com/my-europe/20...
Reposted by Ralph Mens @ralphmens.bsky.social
🪖 Russia is preparing for nationwide mobilization.
Sanctions, Ukraine’s strikes on the oil sector, and massive spending on contract soldiers have drained the Kremlin’s finances. Continuing the war against Ukraine will soon be possible only through large-scale mobilization.
Sanctions, Ukraine’s strikes on the oil sector, and massive spending on contract soldiers have drained the Kremlin’s finances. Continuing the war against Ukraine will soon be possible only through large-scale mobilization.
December 6, 2025 at 3:20 PM
🪖 Russia is preparing for nationwide mobilization.
Sanctions, Ukraine’s strikes on the oil sector, and massive spending on contract soldiers have drained the Kremlin’s finances. Continuing the war against Ukraine will soon be possible only through large-scale mobilization.
Sanctions, Ukraine’s strikes on the oil sector, and massive spending on contract soldiers have drained the Kremlin’s finances. Continuing the war against Ukraine will soon be possible only through large-scale mobilization.
Reposted by Ralph Mens @ralphmens.bsky.social
Reposted by Ralph Mens @ralphmens.bsky.social
Danku, Mark Van de Voorde van Kerk en Leven.
December 6, 2025 at 8:53 AM
Danku, Mark Van de Voorde van Kerk en Leven.
Reposted by Ralph Mens @ralphmens.bsky.social
Onze fotograaf Robin Utrecht vangt de status van de kabinetsformatie in 1 beeld:
x.com/robinutrecht...
x.com/robinutrecht...
December 5, 2025 at 9:51 AM
Onze fotograaf Robin Utrecht vangt de status van de kabinetsformatie in 1 beeld:
x.com/robinutrecht...
x.com/robinutrecht...
Reposted by Ralph Mens @ralphmens.bsky.social
Drones struck one of Kadyrov‘s prestige objects in Grozny, Chechnya, in Russia. The highrise in Grozny City is burning.
The building is pictured on the 500 Ruble bill note.
The building is pictured on the 500 Ruble bill note.
December 5, 2025 at 6:05 AM
Drones struck one of Kadyrov‘s prestige objects in Grozny, Chechnya, in Russia. The highrise in Grozny City is burning.
The building is pictured on the 500 Ruble bill note.
The building is pictured on the 500 Ruble bill note.
Reposted by Ralph Mens @ralphmens.bsky.social
Here's your first look at tomorrow's front page 📰
'A ceasefire in name only': We publish a timeline of the ongoing violence in Gaza since a 'ceasefire' was agreed – as Benjamin Netanyahu's brutal, apartheid regime's genocide continues to claim lives
'A ceasefire in name only': We publish a timeline of the ongoing violence in Gaza since a 'ceasefire' was agreed – as Benjamin Netanyahu's brutal, apartheid regime's genocide continues to claim lives
December 4, 2025 at 9:33 PM
Here's your first look at tomorrow's front page 📰
'A ceasefire in name only': We publish a timeline of the ongoing violence in Gaza since a 'ceasefire' was agreed – as Benjamin Netanyahu's brutal, apartheid regime's genocide continues to claim lives
'A ceasefire in name only': We publish a timeline of the ongoing violence in Gaza since a 'ceasefire' was agreed – as Benjamin Netanyahu's brutal, apartheid regime's genocide continues to claim lives
Reposted by Ralph Mens @ralphmens.bsky.social
Netherlands and Spain taking a stand after Israel allowed to compete in Eurovision.
Netherlands and Spain boycott Eurovision after Israel allowed to compete
There had been calls for Israel to be excluded over the conduct of the war in Gaza.
www.bbc.com
December 4, 2025 at 5:49 PM
Netherlands and Spain taking a stand after Israel allowed to compete in Eurovision.
Reposted by Ralph Mens @ralphmens.bsky.social
Four unidentified military-style drones breached a no-fly zone and flew towards the flight path of Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy's plane at Dublin Airport late on Monday night, The Journal has learned.
jrnl.ie/6893104t
jrnl.ie/6893104t
Four unidentified military-style drones breached no-fly zone to target Zelenskyy's arrival in Dublin
Gardaí are investigating whether the drones took off from land in Dublin or from an undetected ship.
jrnl.ie
December 4, 2025 at 1:43 PM
Four unidentified military-style drones breached a no-fly zone and flew towards the flight path of Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy's plane at Dublin Airport late on Monday night, The Journal has learned.
jrnl.ie/6893104t
jrnl.ie/6893104t