Anchor Don Lemon sacked by CNN after 17 years on network

CNN has terminated its contract with anchor Don Lemon, the anchor said in a Twitter post on Monday, adding that he is "stunned" by the network's decision.

"I was informed this morning by my agent that I have been terminated by CNN. I am stunned. After 17 years at CNN I would have thought that someone in management would have the decency to tell me directly," he said.

Lemon issued his statement aimed at his former employer three hours after appearing on air.

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EU, Japan oppose US plan for almost total ban on G7 exports to Russia

Representatives of the European Union and Japan have opposed a US proposal to almost completely ban G7 exports to Russia, noting that such a move is impossible to implement, a British news outlet reported, citing informed sources.

“From our perspective, it is simply not do-able," one of the unnamed officials told the news outlet at a meeting held last week.

According to some officials, replacing the current sanctions regime with the near-total export ban could lead to renewed disputes between countries over exemptions and potentially weaken existing measures, the report read.

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Australia’s defense review shows readiness to side with US in possible conflict with China

According to Professor Joe Siracusa, the implementation of the tasks outlined in Australia's new defense review will be a significant challenge that will require a great deal of time and effort. The review includes six priority areas, such as the development of nuclear-powered submarines, longer-range strike capacity, and the integration of new technologies into the military.

Professor Joseph Camilleri believes that the primary goal of the new defense review is to demonstrate Australia's close alliance with the US and to equip Australian military forces to support the US in any potential military confrontation with China.

Scott Burchill, an honorary fellow in international relations, supports Camilleri's view, suggesting that the new defense review reflects Australia's concern over China's growing military power and its desire to align more closely with the US to counterbalance that power.

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❗️ Biden will veto US Speaker McCarthy's Debt Limit Bill if passed by Congress - White House

Iran launches exports to Saudi Arabia after renewal of diplomatic ties

Iran has started exporting the first batch of goods to Saudi Arabia, as the two countries agreed to reestablish diplomatic relations and reopen embassies in March following years of tensions, Iranian Minister of Industry, Mine and Trade Seyyed Reza Fatemi Amin said on Tuesday.

"Given this event [the resumption of diplomatic ties between Tehran and Riyadh], the agenda includes the export of Iranian goods to Saudi Arabia ... With the start of trade between Iran and Saudi Arabia, employees of the ministry of industry, mine and trade have initiated the exports of goods," the minister said as quoted by Iranian news agency.

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Elijah Magnier, veteran war correspondent joined us to discuss the US pulling out of Sudan

🗣 ”The role of the US has always been detrimental anywhere they have intervened and to the point that they don't know how to make peace, they know how to create coup d'etat and supply weapons for one side against another, which they will end up soon doing in Sudan,” Elijah says

🎧Listen to more of Elijah Magnier’s analysis in our podcast The Final Countdown

🇷🇺 🇦🇪 Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met with the minister of state of the United Arab Emirates

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❗️ NATO wanted to destroy Russia, but eventually rallied it - Russian FM Sergey Lavrov

❗️ Russia will do everything so that people of Russian culture in Ukraine are not exterminated, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said

🇷🇺 The former president of Russia commented on Biden's decision to run for president in 2024

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❗️ Latest statements by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov from his press conference after the Security Council meeting:

▪️ The situation around the grain deal is at an impasse, the West's approach to its implementation is not serious.

▪️ The content of the message of Guterres on the grain deal has yet to be reported to Putin.

▪️ Russia hopes that the West will show responsibility, and will not declare the possibility of starting a third world war with the victory of Russia in Ukraine.

▪️ The United States has a strong desire to destroy the Russian economy, it does not depend on administrations.

▪️ Russia has every opportunity not to depend on the West imposing sanctions against it.

▪️ Western statements about the possible start of negotiations between Russia and Ukraine only after the counteroffensive of Kiev is schizophrenia.

▪️The European Union is militarizing at a record pace and turning into an aggressive structure to contain Russia.

▪️ Preparations are underway for the next round of the war for the preservation of world domination by the West.

▪️ Lavrov on depleted uranium missiles already sent to Ukraine: we must remember shared responsibility.

▪️ The de-dollarization process has begun.

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🇷🇺🇵🇸 Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met with his Palestinian colleague

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📹 Russian special forces identified and destroyed the enemy in special military operation zone

The fighters of the special forces unit during the course of reconnaissance revealed the position of the enemy of the coking plant, where the personnel were located. The identified target was hit with 120-mm mortars, as a result of which the enemy was destroyed.

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Roughly 19 countries seek to join BRICS: report

🌐 These nations’ requests will be discussed at June’s scheduled meeting of BRICS top diplomats, which will be held in Cape Town, South Africa, according to foreign media reports.

Earlier, the Kremlin confirmed 🇷🇺Russian President Vladimir Putin had received an invitation to the BRICS summit in August.

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🔺 To kick things off, we talk about Russian FM's Latin American four-day four-country tour
🔺 Next, we continue our coverage of the ongoing crisis in Sudan - Thomas Mountain joins us to share his views
🔺 Also, Dr. Tony Montero stops by to discuss the anti-war movement in the United States

And this is just the beginning! Tune in to Radio Sputnik at 6pm EST|3pm PST|12am CET via the website or app to learn about these and other stories

📻 Also in the United States at 105.5FM, 104.7FM, 102.9FM, 1390AM, 1140AM

For heaven's sake: 700-year-old "angels" appear in Norway's oldest cathedral during renovation

Medieval paintings hidden for centuries have been revealed as specialists were working on the restoration of Norway's oldest Stavanger Cathedral.

The two-meter-tall paintings were found by accident, hidden several meters above ground and covered by a layer of lime plaster. They are believed to be 700 years old and suffered damage over time.

One theory suggests they were hidden during the Reformation due to their association with Catholicism or because of flaws.

Following restoration, the paintings are now on display for visitors at the cathedral.

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Lavrov and Guterres touch on Ukraine, Mideast & grain deal at UNSC meeting

Russian FM Lavrov discussed Ukraine, Syria, Yemen, and Afghanistan with UN SG Guterres, as well as the Black Sea grain deal and Russia's cooperation with the UN. They also talked about visa issues and the US failure to fulfill its obligations.

Both sides emphasized the importance of strengthening the UN's central coordinating role in global politics and promoting multilateralism.

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Switzerland imported over ten tonnes of Russian gold in March

Switzerland imported more than ten tonnes of Russian gold via the United Kingdom in March, for a total sum of 565 million Swiss francs ($638 million), in compliance with all the trade restrictions, the Swiss Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (FOCBS) said on Tuesday.

"The imports from Russia reached 569 million francs in March, of which 565 million francs fall on gold, produced in Russia (10,117 kilograms [22,304 pounds]), that was imported to Switzerland via the UK," the FOCBS said in a statement.

The gold imports comply with the current rules of trade, the FOCBS added.

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Equipped with a powerful cannon and fitted with a wide assortment of active and passive defensive measures, the T-14 Armata may well be one of the deadliest tools at Russia's disposal.

So what is the T-14 Armata, Russia's newest main battle tank?