Ukraine's accession to NATO discussed, quick decision not expected
Earlier in the day, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg stated all NATO members have agreed that Ukraine will become a NATO member.
"[Ukraine's] accession is discussed by NATO partners, but this decision is not on the agenda," German government spokeswoman Christiane Hoffmann said during a press briefing when asked to comment on Stoltenberg's statement.
Hoffmann referred to German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius' recent statement that Ukraine's accession to NATO would not be discussed during the Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting. According to Pistorius, the relevant decision should be made after the end of the Ukrainian conflict and at the proper time, and not out of solidarity.
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Earlier in the day, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg stated all NATO members have agreed that Ukraine will become a NATO member.
"[Ukraine's] accession is discussed by NATO partners, but this decision is not on the agenda," German government spokeswoman Christiane Hoffmann said during a press briefing when asked to comment on Stoltenberg's statement.
Hoffmann referred to German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius' recent statement that Ukraine's accession to NATO would not be discussed during the Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting. According to Pistorius, the relevant decision should be made after the end of the Ukrainian conflict and at the proper time, and not out of solidarity.
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US Homeland security dept establishes AI task force
"I am directing the creation of our Department’s first Artificial Intelligence Task Force that will drive specific applications of AI to advance our critical homeland security missions," Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said at the Council of Foreign Relations.
The task force will enhance the integrity of US supply chains and trade, he added.
"We will seek to deploy AI to more ably screen cargo, identify the importation of goods produced with forced labor, and manage risks," the secretary said.
The task force will also support the DHS mission of preventing the flow of fentanyl into the United States.
"We will explore using this technology to better detect fentanyl shipments, identify and interdict the flow of precursor chemicals around the world, and target for disruption key nodes in the criminal networks," Mayorkas said.
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"I am directing the creation of our Department’s first Artificial Intelligence Task Force that will drive specific applications of AI to advance our critical homeland security missions," Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said at the Council of Foreign Relations.
The task force will enhance the integrity of US supply chains and trade, he added.
"We will seek to deploy AI to more ably screen cargo, identify the importation of goods produced with forced labor, and manage risks," the secretary said.
The task force will also support the DHS mission of preventing the flow of fentanyl into the United States.
"We will explore using this technology to better detect fentanyl shipments, identify and interdict the flow of precursor chemicals around the world, and target for disruption key nodes in the criminal networks," Mayorkas said.
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American economist: US government holding us hostage
Economist Richard Wolff believes that both Republicans and Democrats serve the interests of corporations and the rich, who control economic policy by lending money to the government and benefiting from the interest.
He argues that corporations and the wealthy have the money that the government needs to borrow because they have not been taxed enough.
The recent proposal by House Speaker Kevin McCarthy to increase the debt ceiling by $1.5 trillion has sparked a debate, with many Republicans traditionally opposing raising the limit on the national debt. However, Wolff argues that this opposition is insincere, since both parties are beholden to corporations who benefit from additional loans.
The US Treasury has warned that the country could default on its debt after the summer, triggering an economic crisis.
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Economist Richard Wolff believes that both Republicans and Democrats serve the interests of corporations and the rich, who control economic policy by lending money to the government and benefiting from the interest.
He argues that corporations and the wealthy have the money that the government needs to borrow because they have not been taxed enough.
The recent proposal by House Speaker Kevin McCarthy to increase the debt ceiling by $1.5 trillion has sparked a debate, with many Republicans traditionally opposing raising the limit on the national debt. However, Wolff argues that this opposition is insincere, since both parties are beholden to corporations who benefit from additional loans.
The US Treasury has warned that the country could default on its debt after the summer, triggering an economic crisis.
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Russian export support centers helped 765 SMEs ink over $200 Mln in contracts in Q1
Russian entrepreneurs who sell goods in retail using overseas stocks will now have the opportunity to apply for zero-rated VAT, according to a law adopted by the State Duma. Previously, only exporters who sent goods to overseas customers with the Russian Post could apply for zero-rated VAT.
The new law will come into effect on January 1, 2025, and will allow entrepreneurs who sell goods on international marketplaces to benefit from export incentives.
To apply for zero-rated VAT, entrepreneurs must provide the tax authorities with an electronic register containing all the necessary data for tax control, including a bill of entry, an invoice document, shipping address, and a stock lease agreement.
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Russian entrepreneurs who sell goods in retail using overseas stocks will now have the opportunity to apply for zero-rated VAT, according to a law adopted by the State Duma. Previously, only exporters who sent goods to overseas customers with the Russian Post could apply for zero-rated VAT.
The new law will come into effect on January 1, 2025, and will allow entrepreneurs who sell goods on international marketplaces to benefit from export incentives.
To apply for zero-rated VAT, entrepreneurs must provide the tax authorities with an electronic register containing all the necessary data for tax control, including a bill of entry, an invoice document, shipping address, and a stock lease agreement.
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Sputnik International
2024 US presidential election: Who has tossed hat into ring? Larry Elder and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. have announced their candidacy for the 2024 US presidential election, joining an already crowded field that includes former President Donald Trump. Elder cited…
Who would you vote for if the US presidential election were to be held today?
Anonymous Poll
3%
Ron DeSantis
52%
Donald J. Trump
1%
Mike Pence
21%
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
1%
Joe Biden
1%
Marianne Williamson
5%
Some other candidate
17%
No one
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🌎 The use of misinformation, propaganda, and fake news as a tool of informational warfare is not a new phenomenon and can be traced back in 1898.
The first fake news war began 125 years ago when the USS Maine sank, and the US blamed the explosion on a Spanish mine, despite it being a lie.
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The first fake news war began 125 years ago when the USS Maine sank, and the US blamed the explosion on a Spanish mine, despite it being a lie.
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NATO promises to provide Ukraine with membership in the alliance in order to motivate it to fulfill the alliance's tasks, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Friday.
Earlier in the day, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that all allies have agreed that Ukraine should become a member of the alliance.
"NATO sets itself the goal of 'defeating' Russia in Ukraine, and in order to motivate Kiev, it promises that after the end of the conflict, the country can be accepted into the alliance. Such statements are short-sighted and simply dangerous. This may lead to the final collapse of the European security system," Zakharova said in a statement.
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Earlier in the day, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that all allies have agreed that Ukraine should become a member of the alliance.
"NATO sets itself the goal of 'defeating' Russia in Ukraine, and in order to motivate Kiev, it promises that after the end of the conflict, the country can be accepted into the alliance. Such statements are short-sighted and simply dangerous. This may lead to the final collapse of the European security system," Zakharova said in a statement.
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Danish, Swedish jets scrambled to escort Russian military aircraft over Baltic Sea
"Thursday afternoon the Danish and Swedish Quick Reaction Alert jets a Russian military aircraft in the airspace over the Baltic Sea. This is the first time that Denmark and Sweden have worked together in this way," the Danish air force said.
The Danish air force added that Russian military planes regularly patrol the Baltic Sea, and their flight patterns often cause Denmark or its neighboring countries to scramble military planes.
"What made the mission special was that the collaboration was planned in advance," the statement read.
The Russian Defense Ministry repeatedly stated that Russia's aircraft carry out flights in strict accordance with the international rules for using airspace above neutral waters without crossing air lines and dangerously approaching foreign aircraft.
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"Thursday afternoon the Danish and Swedish Quick Reaction Alert jets a Russian military aircraft in the airspace over the Baltic Sea. This is the first time that Denmark and Sweden have worked together in this way," the Danish air force said.
The Danish air force added that Russian military planes regularly patrol the Baltic Sea, and their flight patterns often cause Denmark or its neighboring countries to scramble military planes.
"What made the mission special was that the collaboration was planned in advance," the statement read.
The Russian Defense Ministry repeatedly stated that Russia's aircraft carry out flights in strict accordance with the international rules for using airspace above neutral waters without crossing air lines and dangerously approaching foreign aircraft.
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Iran Praises Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for Admitting US is the ‘Godfather of Daesh’
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani waded into the US presidential politics on Friday, offering praise for Democratic hopeful Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for confirming Tehran’s long-stated view that the Daesh/ISIS terror group (banned in Russia) was created by Washington.
“There was no doubt the US is the creator of ISIS, but for those who deliberately closed their eyes to the truth, the statement of Robert F. Kennedy, the nephew of John F. Kennedy saying ‘WE created ISIS’ reaffirms the fact that the American regime is the godfather of Daesh/ISIS,” Kanaani tweeted.
The spokesman followed up the message with a Farsi-language tweet featuring a video excerpt from RFK Jr.’s speech in Boston, Massachusetts on Wednesday in which the politician pointed out how US intelligence agencies have repeatedly lied Americans into pointless foreign wars, destroyed nations and given rise to terrorism, including Daesh.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani waded into the US presidential politics on Friday, offering praise for Democratic hopeful Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for confirming Tehran’s long-stated view that the Daesh/ISIS terror group (banned in Russia) was created by Washington.
“There was no doubt the US is the creator of ISIS, but for those who deliberately closed their eyes to the truth, the statement of Robert F. Kennedy, the nephew of John F. Kennedy saying ‘WE created ISIS’ reaffirms the fact that the American regime is the godfather of Daesh/ISIS,” Kanaani tweeted.
The spokesman followed up the message with a Farsi-language tweet featuring a video excerpt from RFK Jr.’s speech in Boston, Massachusetts on Wednesday in which the politician pointed out how US intelligence agencies have repeatedly lied Americans into pointless foreign wars, destroyed nations and given rise to terrorism, including Daesh.
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$15 Million Worth of Gold and Valuables Stolen in Heist from Toronto’s Pearson Airport
If you’ve ever lost luggage at the airport, you may be thankful it wasn’t worth $15 million in gold.
An air cargo container carrying at least $20 million Canadian dollars ($14.8 US million), was stolen from Toronto’s Pearson Airport. Police are not revealing who owned the stolen goods, nor gave details on what the stolen goods are, exactly.
"What I can say is that the container contained a high value shipment," said Peel Regional Police Inspector Stephen Duivesteyn. "It did contain gold, but was not exclusive to gold, and contained other items of monetary value."
The container was described as five or six square feet in size and had arrived and was unloaded at a holding facility early on Monday evening “as per normal procedure,” before it was removed by “illegal means” from the holding facility.
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If you’ve ever lost luggage at the airport, you may be thankful it wasn’t worth $15 million in gold.
An air cargo container carrying at least $20 million Canadian dollars ($14.8 US million), was stolen from Toronto’s Pearson Airport. Police are not revealing who owned the stolen goods, nor gave details on what the stolen goods are, exactly.
"What I can say is that the container contained a high value shipment," said Peel Regional Police Inspector Stephen Duivesteyn. "It did contain gold, but was not exclusive to gold, and contained other items of monetary value."
The container was described as five or six square feet in size and had arrived and was unloaded at a holding facility early on Monday evening “as per normal procedure,” before it was removed by “illegal means” from the holding facility.
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🇸🇩 Where Are Armed Clashes in Sudan Taking Place?
Over the past week, forces loyal to Sudan's Army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and rival fighters of Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have been clashing across the North African nation with more than 400 people recorded as killed.
👉 Take a look at Sputnik's map of the clashes between the RFS and the regular Army of Sudan
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Over the past week, forces loyal to Sudan's Army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and rival fighters of Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have been clashing across the North African nation with more than 400 people recorded as killed.
👉 Take a look at Sputnik's map of the clashes between the RFS and the regular Army of Sudan
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Emergency Declared in Kamchatka Villages Affected by Ashfall After Shiveluch Eruption
A state of emergency has been declared on the territory of the Ust-Kamchatsky district on the Kamchatka Peninsula in the Russian Far East, where several villages were affected by falling ash during the Shiveluch volcano eruption, the district’s head, Oleg Bondarenko, said.
The Shiveluch volcano erupted in the early hours of April 11, spewing ash 20 kilometers (12 miles) into the air. The ash cloud covered several villages in the eastern part of the Kamchatka peninsula. Residents of the affected areas were advised not to go outside unnecessarily. The Russian Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said that the ashfall in the village of Klyuchi was the heaviest in the last 60 years. In some areas, the layer of ash was 20 centimeters (7.8 inches) thick, local authorities said.
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A state of emergency has been declared on the territory of the Ust-Kamchatsky district on the Kamchatka Peninsula in the Russian Far East, where several villages were affected by falling ash during the Shiveluch volcano eruption, the district’s head, Oleg Bondarenko, said.
The Shiveluch volcano erupted in the early hours of April 11, spewing ash 20 kilometers (12 miles) into the air. The ash cloud covered several villages in the eastern part of the Kamchatka peninsula. Residents of the affected areas were advised not to go outside unnecessarily. The Russian Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said that the ashfall in the village of Klyuchi was the heaviest in the last 60 years. In some areas, the layer of ash was 20 centimeters (7.8 inches) thick, local authorities said.
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Nearly 1,000-Year-Old Native American Canoe is Found in North Carolina Lake
A 930-year-old, 28-foot Native American canoe was retrieved from Lake Waccamaw, two years after it was accidentally discovered by a group of teenagers. A team of archaeologists, locals including the boys who discovered the canoe, and members of the Waccamaw Siouan Tribe all worked together to retrieve the exciting discovery.
The canoe will be taken to a lab where its wood will be treated to help preserve the relic before studying it. The canoe will be on display during an open house at the Queen Anne’s Revenge Conservation Laboratory in Greenville on Saturday.
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A 930-year-old, 28-foot Native American canoe was retrieved from Lake Waccamaw, two years after it was accidentally discovered by a group of teenagers. A team of archaeologists, locals including the boys who discovered the canoe, and members of the Waccamaw Siouan Tribe all worked together to retrieve the exciting discovery.
The canoe will be taken to a lab where its wood will be treated to help preserve the relic before studying it. The canoe will be on display during an open house at the Queen Anne’s Revenge Conservation Laboratory in Greenville on Saturday.
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Japanese Forces to Increase Readiness Over N. Korea's Possible Satellite Launch
Japanese Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada has instructed the country's Self-Defense Forces to be at enhanced readiness over a possible launch of a rocket carrying North Korea's first military reconnaissance satellite over the Japanese territory, a Japanese news agency reported on Saturday, citing government sources.
Japan's forces are expected to deploy the Patriot Advanced Capability-3 system and destroyer warships equipped with Aegis and Standard Missile-3 systems to intercept North Korea's rocket if necessary.
Earlier in the week, the state North Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said that the country's leader Kim Jong-un had ordered the country's first military reconnaissance satellite, which had been already completed, to be launched on a carrier rocket at the planned date. KCNA provided no details regarding the exact date of the launch.
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Japanese Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada has instructed the country's Self-Defense Forces to be at enhanced readiness over a possible launch of a rocket carrying North Korea's first military reconnaissance satellite over the Japanese territory, a Japanese news agency reported on Saturday, citing government sources.
Japan's forces are expected to deploy the Patriot Advanced Capability-3 system and destroyer warships equipped with Aegis and Standard Missile-3 systems to intercept North Korea's rocket if necessary.
Earlier in the week, the state North Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said that the country's leader Kim Jong-un had ordered the country's first military reconnaissance satellite, which had been already completed, to be launched on a carrier rocket at the planned date. KCNA provided no details regarding the exact date of the launch.
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Forwarded from Sputnik News India
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📹🚀 WATCH the launch of PSLV-C55/TeLEOS-2 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), Sriharikota
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🇦🇺 The wreck of the Japanese ship Montevideo Maru, which carried over 1,000 prisoners of war and was torpedoed by the US during World War II, has been found, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Saturday.
💬 "At long last, the resting place of the lost souls of the Montevideo Maru has been found. Among the 1,060 prisoners on board were 850 Australian service members – their lives cut short," Albanese tweeted.
The Australian prime minister added that the effort behind the ship's discovery "speaks for the enduring truth of Australia's solemn national promise to always remember and honor those who served our country."
📍 Media reported that the ship had been found in the South China Sea by a team led by not-for-profit Silentworld Foundation, deep-sea survey specialists from Fugro and supported by the Australian Defense Ministry.
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💬 "At long last, the resting place of the lost souls of the Montevideo Maru has been found. Among the 1,060 prisoners on board were 850 Australian service members – their lives cut short," Albanese tweeted.
The Australian prime minister added that the effort behind the ship's discovery "speaks for the enduring truth of Australia's solemn national promise to always remember and honor those who served our country."
📍 Media reported that the ship had been found in the South China Sea by a team led by not-for-profit Silentworld Foundation, deep-sea survey specialists from Fugro and supported by the Australian Defense Ministry.
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Lack of Arms? Start of Ukraine’s Counteroffensive Reportedly Postponed ‘Indefinitely’
Ukraine planned to launch a counteroffensive against Russia, but the lack of weapons delayed it indefinitely. The US military provided fewer weapons than requested, including F-16 fighter jets that are still being debated.
Leaked Pentagon documents show that US military planners believe Ukraine needs 253 tanks, but only 200 have been committed, and only 60 are from Western manufacturers.
The commencement date for Ukraine's counteroffensive reportedly is April 30, but Russian officials suggest that some leaked documents could be part of a "deception" campaign.
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Ukraine planned to launch a counteroffensive against Russia, but the lack of weapons delayed it indefinitely. The US military provided fewer weapons than requested, including F-16 fighter jets that are still being debated.
Leaked Pentagon documents show that US military planners believe Ukraine needs 253 tanks, but only 200 have been committed, and only 60 are from Western manufacturers.
The commencement date for Ukraine's counteroffensive reportedly is April 30, but Russian officials suggest that some leaked documents could be part of a "deception" campaign.
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📹 Russian paratroopers hit the fortified positions of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the forest (video by Russian MoD)
As can be seen in the footage, at the last moment, Ukrainian servicemen noticed a reconnaissance drone, but it was too late. The coordinates of the enemy fortifications had already been transferred to the artillery paratroopers.
With several accurate volleys of 120-mm self-propelled guns "Nona-S", the enemy strongholds, together with the personnel, were destroyed.
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As can be seen in the footage, at the last moment, Ukrainian servicemen noticed a reconnaissance drone, but it was too late. The coordinates of the enemy fortifications had already been transferred to the artillery paratroopers.
With several accurate volleys of 120-mm self-propelled guns "Nona-S", the enemy strongholds, together with the personnel, were destroyed.
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❗️ Moscow extradites German diplomats in response to massive expulsion of Russian diplomats from Germany - Foreign Ministry
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