Hungary Sticks to National Interests Despite EU's Pressure on Migration and Sanctions, PM Orban Says

The European Union is imposing its will on Hungary over such critical issues as migration, sex education and sanctions, but the country continues to assert the interests of its people, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said.

Learn more

📌 Everything You Need to Know About the Bout-Griner Exchange

▪️ Viktor Bout has been freed from a US prison after nearly 15 years behind bars, in exchange for the release of American basketball player Brittney Griner from a Russian jail.

▪️The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia mediated the Bout-Griner exchange, which took place at the airport in the Emirati capital Abu Dhabi on December 8.

💬Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov has told Sputnik that Moscow “highly appreciates” the assistance of Riyadh and Abu Dhabi in the Bout-Griner exchange. “Our friends from the Emirates and Saudi Arabia are helping in such rather difficult humanitarian operations,” Bogdanov stressed.

🤔So, how did the exchange take place?

Read more

🇦🇹 About 300 activists from the movement “honest thinkers” (Fairdendker) have walked through the streets of Vienna demanding that the Austrian authorities abandon sanctions against Russia and maintain the neutrality of the country, according to local media.

▪️The movement, which emerged as a result of protests against measures to combat the coronavirus, still regularly holds demonstrations in several cities even though all restrictions have been lifted.

▪️Activists from the movement now stand for the country's neutrality and oppose sanctions against Russia.

Subscribe to @SputnikInt

'Even Judge Said I Did Noting Illegal': Bout Gives First Big Interview After Release From US Prison

Viktor Bout has given his first major interview to RT, as he returned to Russia after spending almost 15 years in prison.

The Russian businessman, who was accused of smuggling weapons and detained in Thailand at the behest of the US, has consistently denied the charges against him, noting that Washington even claimed he had supplied the Taliban* with weapons and tanks.

Read more

*Under UN sanctions for terrorist activities

⚡️FIFA World Cup 2022: Morocco has won 1-0 against Portugal to reach semi-finals.

▪️Morocco has become the first African team in history to break into the top four at the World Cup.

▪️In their five matches in Qatar, the national team of Morocco has conceded only one goal.

▪️Morocco will compete against the winner of the France - England meeting in the semi-finals.

Subscribe to @SputnikInt

Australian Mountain Mist Frog Officially Extinct

Australia has one of the highest rates of species decline in the developed world.

Experts argue that political action should be taken without delay, including by introducing stronger environmental laws and increasing investment in habitat protection and restoration.

The mountain mist frog has been declared extinct on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red list.

Read more

❗️Serbia will send a request to the commander of the NATO peacekeeping mission to be allowed to deploy a contingent of Serbian security forces to Kosovo, Serbia's President Vucic has said

Subscribe to @SputnikInt

📹 WATCH: Russian Grad MLRS hit Ukrainian targets as part of the special military operation in Ukraine (video courtesy of Russia’s MoD)

Subscribe to @SpuntikInt

Cameroonian Journalist Accuses WH Press Secretary of 'Discrimination' Against African Reporters

Cameroonian journalist Simon Ateba has accused US White House Press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre of practicing “discrimination” against him and other African reporters during her daily briefings at the White House.

Ateba’s claims came following a clash that occurred on Thursday between him and Jean-Pierre, who left the White House briefing room visibly frustrated as the Cameroonian reporter, who runs Today News Africa and serves as the outlet’s chief White House correspondent, was asking her about the US-Africa Leaders Summit set to be held in Washington in January.

Read more

📹 WATCH: Russian units of Msta-S M2 SPG inflict fire damage on Ukrainian targets using the tactis of the roving gun (video courtesy of Russia’s MoD)

Subscribe to @SputnikInt

Notre Dame Ancient Tombs Reveal Their Secrets

In April 2019 fire ravaged through the cathedral, severely damaging it. President Emmanuel Macron promised that Notre Dame will be rebuilt and open for masses within a five-year period.

Amid the reconstruction of the badly-damaged Notre Dame cathedral, several coffins have been discovered.

Learn more

📹 “Constant shellings”: residents of Donetsk spoke about the constant attacks from Ukraine

Subscribe to @SputnikInt

House Republicans Eager to See Elon Musk Testify for Biden Probe

US House Republicans are looking to have Elon Musk testify before the House Oversight Committee over the congressional probe into the affairs of the Biden family.

During an interview with a US newspaper, Republican congressman and ranking member of the Oversight Committee James Comer (who is also expected to become the committee’s next chairman) said he had reached out to Musk via “backchannels” regarding the matter.

Read more

📹 “There was a loud bang and glass fell out”: A pensioner from Donetsk shows how her house has got damaged by Ukrainian shelling

Subscribe to @SputnikInt

Japan Mulling Introduction of ‘Active Cyber Defense’ Measures, Reports Say

The Japanese government wants to create a system that will allow authorities to get involved in the protection of private sector infrastructure by tracking and hacking the systems of intruders even at the stage of suspicious activity.

This initiative will be reflected in the National Security Strategy, which will be revised together with two other security-related documents next week.

Read more

Russia, US Continue to Cooperate on ISS, Remain ‘Professional’: NASA Administrator

Russia-US cooperation at the International Space Station (ISS) remains professional despite the Ukraine conflict, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said in an interview with The Nikkei newspaper published on Sunday.

"That cooperation continues. It is very professional," Nelson said. He admitted that "the war in Ukraine changed everything on the ground. It's certainly solidified Europe against Russia. But it's not going to change the cooperation on the International Space Station."

Read more

Australian Scientists Discover Shark Graveyard in Indian Ocean

Scientists of the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), who work on the research vessel Investigator, have found a mysterious shark graveyard in the depths of the Indian Ocean off the coast of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands.

Among the fossils of ancient marine animals, researches discovered the teeth of the ancient ancestor of a megalodon shark.

Read more

'Crybaby': Cristiano Ronaldo's Tears After Portugal Defeat Mocked Online

For all football fans, the sensational defeat of Portugal against Morocco in the quarterfinals of the 2022 World Cup is, above all, the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo from the tournament. One of the greatest football players in history was once again left without the trophy.

Another sensation was Ronaldo's reaction to the results of the game. After the match was over, the Portuguese captain left the field immediately and burst into tears only to be caught on camera.

Learn more