New Government Won't Let US Use Nepal to Contain China: Experts

❓🇳🇵On Thursday, the Biden administration announced $58.5 million to boost democratic institutions and NGOs in Nepal. To learn the genuine intentions of the US administration, Sputnik spoke with Moscow and Shanghai-based experts, who believe Washington is concerned about the rise of leftist political parties in Nepal and under the guise of aid, Washington is imposing Western values on Nepal.

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⚡️ The OHCHR believes that the video published on social networks in which Ukrainian soldiers execute Russian prisoners of war is genuine, and nothing justifies this act, United Nations Human Rights Office's spokeswoman Marta Hurtado told Sputnik.

A resident of the Turkish city of Antakya spoke about how he spent 18 hours under the rubble.

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The US Department of Defense is preparing a proposal for Congress to resume funding covert programs that allow US Special Operation troops to employ Ukrainian intelligence operatives to observe Russian military movements and fight disinformation, media reported on Friday, citing current and former officials.

If approved, the programs, which were suspended ahead of Russia's military operation last year, could resume as soon as next year. With Republicans divided over the amount of US assistance to Ukraine, it is hard to say whether they would be approved, according to the newspaper. The programs cost about $15 million annually worldwide.

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🇸🇾 Syria suffered one of the most devastating earthquakes in its history: 1,300 Syrians died in the country. Due to western sanctions, the country lacks international assistance, while President Bashar al-Assad called the situation "catastrophic". How is Russia helping Syria and how is the country experiencing the consequences of the earthquake? See the Sputnik video.

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🇷🇺🛢 Russia will voluntarily reduce oil output by half a million barrels per day in March in order to contribute to the "restoration of market relations," Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said on Friday.

🗣 "Russia will voluntarily cut production by 500,000 barrels per day in March. This will contribute to the restoration of market relations. When making further decisions, we will make decisions based on the current market situation," Novak told a briefing.

The official underscored that Russia is selling all of its oil, but will not sell it to those who directly or indirectly support the price cap.

📈 Oil prices soared on Novak`s statement.

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📹 In an exclusive interview with Sputnik, former Austrian Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl commented on the recent investigation by Seymour Hersh, who named Norway and the United States as the bombers of the Nord Stream. Kneissl argued that the United States had been determined to make sure that the gas pipeline would never become operational since 2018, and now they can be sure that it does not work.

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The European Union wants to get access to Central Asian countries' resources and create a corridor bypassing Russia, though it will be expensive, Director of the Third Department of the Commonwealth of Independent States of the Russian Foreign Ministry Alexander Sternik told Sputnik.

💭 "We clearly see EU efforts to turn the region into a transit corridor from the East to the West bypassing Russia and getting access to resources in Central Asia to replace supplies from our country. Brussels says it is introducing its standards of management, communications and logistics. And this is a costly affair," the diplomat said.

Sternik added that Central Asian states would have to disburse large sums to reach these "high European standards."

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⚡️ Biden is preparing to ask Congress for the biggest defense department budget in history amid calls for cuts in ceiling talks, reports suggest.

🎬 The round-the-clock training of assault units in the special military operation zone (video by Russian MoD)

🪖 At one of the training grounds of the Western Military District, they are practicing an assault on enemy fortifications as part of units supported by mortars, flamethrowers and armored vehicles

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Some of the highlights of my interview with former Austrian FM Karin Kneissl are here.

📹 It was a long conversation, we spoke for more than half an hour. Full text and video outtakes coming up, stay tuned.

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Florida State Legislature Passes Bill Allowing Governor to Relocate Migrants Across US

Florida’s House of Representatives passed the Unauthorized Alien Transport Program in a vote of 77-34 on Friday morning. The State Senate passed the bill earlier this week.

The bill creates an Unauthorized Alien Transport Program though the state’s Emergency Management Division to facilitate the transport of "inspected unauthorized aliens within the United States," according to an official summary of the measure.

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Damage From US Sanctions Already Done Before Earthquake, Syrian Journos Say

While the US has offered limited exceptions to its sanctions on Syria for resisting CIA-armed sectarian foreign terrorist groups, the Russian military has sent troops and aid to help in the relief efforts in both Syria and Turkiye.

Leading Syrian voices in the West have condemned US-led sanctions on their country for adding to the suffering in the wake of Monday's devastating earthquake.

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What’s Known So Far About the US’ Downing of ‘Unknown Object’ Over Alaska?

🔹 Object first detected Thursday night, shoot down order given Friday morning
🔹 US pilots assessed object was unmanned
🔹 Officials unsure what entity owns the device
🔹 Object landed on frozen water along northern side of Alaska near Canadian border
🔹 Device ‘much, much smaller’ than downed Chinese balloon
🔹 Pentagon used an F-22 out of Elmendorf AFB to shoot down object with AIM-9X missile

💬"The object was flying at an altitude of 40,000 feet, and posed a reasonable threat to the safety of civilian flight,” White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby detailed at a briefing.

Get the latest details here!