152mm Giatsint-B towed guns in action (video courtesy of Russian MoD)

The firing positions are about 20km away. Firing is adjusted with the help of an unmanned aerial vehicle.

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Russia could eventually raise the issue of compensation for damage due to the explosions at the Nord Stream gas pipelines, Dmitry Birichevsky, the head of the Russian Foreign Ministry's economic cooperation department, told Sputnik.

He pointed out that, against the backdrop of US journalist Seymour Hersh's investigation, Russia has proposed a UN Security Council draft resolution asking for an independent international investigation into the Nord Stream sabotage.

💬 "But here, too, Western countries are actively sabotaging the work on the draft resolution, referring to a lack of ‘added value’ to the international investigation. Despite this, we intend to continue to insist on a comprehensive and open international investigation with the mandatory participation of Russian representatives," Birichevsky said.

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🇮🇱 Israel’s Consul General in New York Asaf Zamir announced his resignation after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over the calls to halt the controversial judicial reform.

💬 "With a heavy heart, I write to you today to inform you of my resignation as Consul General of Israel in New York," Zamir said in a letter posted on his Twitter, adding that "the political situation in Israel has reached a critical point, and I feel a deep sense of responsibility and moral obligation to stand up for what is right."

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❗️Israel’s president calls on government to immediately stop adoption of controversial judicial reform

Thousands have been protesting against the reform for almost 11 weeks now. The draft law presented by Justice Minister Yariv Levin in January, if adopted, will significantly curtail the powers of the Israeli Supreme Court and give the government control over the procedure of the appointment of judges.

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Private Trip Steeped in Political Overtones: Ex-Taiwan Leader to Make Landmark Mainland China Visit

The private foray of former Taiwanese leader Ma Ying-jeou to mainland China from 27 March to 7 April has been already described as everything ranging from a "landmark" visit capable of mending febrile cross-strait relations, to a “political ploy” orchestrated by Beijing.

Flanked by a delegation of about 30 students and several former aides, Ma Ying-jeou, a member of the opposition Nationalist Party (Kuomintang or KMT), is scheduled to begin his 12-day visit to mainland China in Nanjing, capital of Jiangsu province, on Monday. The Taiwanese politician's trip to the People's Republic of China will then involve stopovers in Wuhan, Changsha, Chongqing and Shanghai, according to the Ma Ying-jeou Foundation.

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❗️Key statements by Dmitry Birichevsky, the head of the Russian Foreign Ministry's economic cooperation department, from an interview with Sputnik:

▪️Moscow is not going to leave the World Trade Organization, despite attempts by a number of countries to push Russia out of the organization;

▪️Russia remains in the WTO as a full-fledged member in order to maintain stable ties with developing states that are ready to continue cooperation on an equal basis and with mutual consideration of interests;

▪️Refusal of membership in the organization would be perceived by the West as proof of the effectiveness of their anti-Russian line and would contribute to further tightening their anti-Russian course;

▪️Attempts to hinder Russian diamond exports could disrupt value chains and harm the industry.

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❗️First Citizens Bank to buy SVB loans, deposits

Budapest Urges Sweden to Stop 'Insulting All of Hungary' if They Want Their NATO Bid Accepted

💬 "Some Hungarian MPs don't feel comfortable because they have witnessed in recent years certain members of the Swedish government making a habit of continually questioning the state of democracy in Hungary. They keep insulting Hungarian voters and MPs, and, through them, the whole of Hungary," Orban told Hungarian media.

He stressed that Budapest doesn't voice its opinion of Swedish domestic political affairs and expects the same courtesy from Sweden concerning Hungary.

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❗️Key statements by Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev:

▪️The US will proclaim that the world should live by their rules at the Summit for Democracy;

▪️The summit will be a slap in the face to those whose sovereignty has been infringed upon;

▪️The Ukrainian crisis will be one of the main topics of the Summit for Democracy;

▪️NATO transformed Ukraine into a huge military camp in a bid to defeat and divide up Russia;

▪️The US is a “champion” by the number of wars it unleashed across the world;

▪️American foreign policy is shaped by corporations, who foment strife worldwide for profit;

▪️Washington elites seek to dupe the US public amid the backdrop of a systemic crisis countrywide.

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🌍🇺🇸 The United States will increase investment in Africa and help spur economic growth in an attempt to counter the influence of Russia and China, the US vice-president Kamala Harris said as she began a week-long tour of the continent

▪️During the trip, Harris will also discuss Washington's worries over China's involvement in technological and economic issues in Africa, as well as China's role in debt restructuring, senior US officials said last week.

▪️This week Harris will meet with Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo and visit a former slave castle from which slaves were transported to America during the era of the slave trade

▪️ Meanwhile, as the US media reported, Harris is likely to face widespread concerns that the US administration is building relationships with African countries due to the desire only to counter Russia and China, and not for the continent in itself.

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❗️All departures from Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv halted due to protests.

Israel doctors' union announces suspension of country's healthcare system from Tuesday before announcement of halt to judicial reform, media report.

🥊🙎‍♀️The Women's Boxing World Championship, at which the Russian national team won three awards, has finished in India

🥇 The winner of the overall standings was the Indian team (4-0-0)🇮🇳, the second place was taken by the Chinese team (3-1-3)🇨🇳. The Russians won one gold, one silver and one bronze🇷🇺. Anastasia Demurchyan, who competes in the weight category up to 70kg, took gold and was crowned world champion, Natalia Sychugova (up to 63kg) took silver, and Diana Pyatak (up to 81kg) won bronze.

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❗️Israeli PM Netanyahu says he will suspend the controversial judicial reform, Israeli media report

🥴 Meanwhile, some serious journalism and analysis from CNN

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⚡️⚡️🇦🇫 Blast occurs near the Afghan foreign affairs ministry in Kabul: TV

No immediate reports about possible casualties

❗️LIVE NOW: Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov attends gathering of major public diplomacy foundation
Join the live stream here or follow this link to Sputnik’s website

❗️Ukrainian troops have shelled the Kalininsky district of Donetsk, there are casualties

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📹 Footage allegedly showing the scene of today's blast in Kabul has been circulating on social media

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❗️Latest statements by Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov:

▪️Moscow considers it justified for Russia to present claims for compensation for sabotage of Nord Stream after identification of perpetrators;

▪️No preparations are underway for a visit by Putin to Turkiye;

▪️West's reaction will not affect Russia's plans to deploy tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus;

▪️Large-scale sabotage against Russia like attack on Nord Stream could not have been committed without national intelligence services.

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