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🎬 'Cleopatra was white, get over It': netizens slam continued attempts to defend new Netflix drama
▪️Adele James, who stars as Cleopatra in the Netflix drama, recently commented on the debate over the series, saying that "blackwashing isn’t a thing" and thus sparking another wave of criticism and outrage online.
▪️Netizens have once again highlighted that if the series is presented as a documentary, it should be produced in a way that isn't out of step with history.
▪️The general public's outrage corresponds with the low ratings of the series. The drama received a shockingly low rating of 1.1 out of 10 on IMDb. And it’s doing no better on Rotten Tomatoes, with only 13% on the Tomato meter and 1% audience score from over 1,000 ratings.
🗣"Good, go woke go broke. Especially for documentaries. At least be accurate," one user tweeted.
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▪️Adele James, who stars as Cleopatra in the Netflix drama, recently commented on the debate over the series, saying that "blackwashing isn’t a thing" and thus sparking another wave of criticism and outrage online.
▪️Netizens have once again highlighted that if the series is presented as a documentary, it should be produced in a way that isn't out of step with history.
▪️The general public's outrage corresponds with the low ratings of the series. The drama received a shockingly low rating of 1.1 out of 10 on IMDb. And it’s doing no better on Rotten Tomatoes, with only 13% on the Tomato meter and 1% audience score from over 1,000 ratings.
🗣"Good, go woke go broke. Especially for documentaries. At least be accurate," one user tweeted.
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Moldovan president discusses financial assistance to country with USAID
"President Maia Sandu discussed with Erin McKee, Assistant Administrator of USAID's Bureau for Europe and Eurasia, the assistance that USAID has provided to us over the years … There was also a discussion on new funding opportunities to help the government accelerate the consolidation of democracy and economic growth through infrastructure, transport and resilience projects," Sandu’s office said.
The Moldovan president also thanked the US government that helps Kishinev to develop information technology, agriculture, wine-making and light industry through USAID grants.
Currently, Moldova is carrying out several projects with the support of USAID, which launched partnership with Kishinev in 2016.
From May 12-13, Sandu went to the US with an official visit. She met with several US official and lawmakers and delivered a speech at the Moldovan-American Convention in Chicago.
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"President Maia Sandu discussed with Erin McKee, Assistant Administrator of USAID's Bureau for Europe and Eurasia, the assistance that USAID has provided to us over the years … There was also a discussion on new funding opportunities to help the government accelerate the consolidation of democracy and economic growth through infrastructure, transport and resilience projects," Sandu’s office said.
The Moldovan president also thanked the US government that helps Kishinev to develop information technology, agriculture, wine-making and light industry through USAID grants.
Currently, Moldova is carrying out several projects with the support of USAID, which launched partnership with Kishinev in 2016.
From May 12-13, Sandu went to the US with an official visit. She met with several US official and lawmakers and delivered a speech at the Moldovan-American Convention in Chicago.
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Eerie booms & low-pitch rumblings in Earth's stratosphere perplex scientists
In 2016, a team of US researchers released around 50 simple plastic balloons equipped with microbarometers to record sounds from volcanic eruptions and monitor earthquakes.
However, during their routine data collection in the stratosphere, they discovered mysterious infrasound signals of unknown origin. These signals occur regularly but their source remains completely unknown.
The researchers use low-cost balloons made from plastic bags, charcoal dust, and shipping tape, which are lifted by the sun's heat to an altitude of over 20 km. They will continue their investigations in different regions and seasons to gather more information and hopefully uncover the source of these puzzling stratospheric sounds.
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In 2016, a team of US researchers released around 50 simple plastic balloons equipped with microbarometers to record sounds from volcanic eruptions and monitor earthquakes.
However, during their routine data collection in the stratosphere, they discovered mysterious infrasound signals of unknown origin. These signals occur regularly but their source remains completely unknown.
The researchers use low-cost balloons made from plastic bags, charcoal dust, and shipping tape, which are lifted by the sun's heat to an altitude of over 20 km. They will continue their investigations in different regions and seasons to gather more information and hopefully uncover the source of these puzzling stratospheric sounds.
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US Deputy Finance Chief says debt ceiling talks running constructively as default looms
"The conversations are constructive between all the parties and now the president looks forward to getting together with the leaders to talk about how we continue to make progress," Wally Adeyemo told an American broadcaster.
The White House and Republicans in Congress have been locked in a dispute on a deal that would avert an unprecedented national default as early as June. Adeyemo described the prospect as "catastrophic."
President Joe Biden told his press pool on Saturday that the talks were moving along but that they were "not there yet." He has also suggested invoking the 14th Amendment to unilaterally raise the debt limit.
Asked whether Biden was really considering the move despite Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen calling it legally questionable, Adeyemo said that Biden "did not think the 14th Amendment would solve our problems now."
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"The conversations are constructive between all the parties and now the president looks forward to getting together with the leaders to talk about how we continue to make progress," Wally Adeyemo told an American broadcaster.
The White House and Republicans in Congress have been locked in a dispute on a deal that would avert an unprecedented national default as early as June. Adeyemo described the prospect as "catastrophic."
President Joe Biden told his press pool on Saturday that the talks were moving along but that they were "not there yet." He has also suggested invoking the 14th Amendment to unilaterally raise the debt limit.
Asked whether Biden was really considering the move despite Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen calling it legally questionable, Adeyemo said that Biden "did not think the 14th Amendment would solve our problems now."
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🇫🇷 France vows to send further arms shipment to Kiev regime
The government of Macron, whose approval rating has plunged to the mid-twenties amid widespread outrage over his efforts to circumvent Parliament to force an increase to the retirement age, is “focusing its effort in supporting Ukraine’s air defense capacities,” Paris and Kiev insisted in a joint statement.
💬 “In the coming weeks, France will train and equip several battalions with tens of armored vehicles and light tanks, including AMX-10RCs,” the statement indicated.
Both countries are also demanding that yet another round of sanctions be imposed on Moscow, they announced.
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The government of Macron, whose approval rating has plunged to the mid-twenties amid widespread outrage over his efforts to circumvent Parliament to force an increase to the retirement age, is “focusing its effort in supporting Ukraine’s air defense capacities,” Paris and Kiev insisted in a joint statement.
💬 “In the coming weeks, France will train and equip several battalions with tens of armored vehicles and light tanks, including AMX-10RCs,” the statement indicated.
Both countries are also demanding that yet another round of sanctions be imposed on Moscow, they announced.
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🇮🇩🇺🇸 US pushes Indonesia to ramp up military cooperation, Jakarta pledges neutrality
A US Army’s top general was deployed to Indonesia in an effort to solidify the country’s position in the American orbit this week amid Washington’s ongoing efforts to encircle China militarily and constrain its growth.
The Army’s Chief of Staff, James McConville, described his meeting with Indonesian Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto as a relatively benign effort to bring peace to the Indo-Pacific region.
For his part, Subianto described peace and stability in the region as a “common concern,” but insisted Indonesia would maintain its neutrality, pledging to continue pursuing relationships with all world’s nations – “especially all the major powers.”
But it’s unclear that Jakarta’s leaders are as willing to sign up for a battle with Beijing as their counterparts in Manila. Last November, Subianto promised to restore joint military exercises with China following a meeting with the nation’s defense minister.
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A US Army’s top general was deployed to Indonesia in an effort to solidify the country’s position in the American orbit this week amid Washington’s ongoing efforts to encircle China militarily and constrain its growth.
The Army’s Chief of Staff, James McConville, described his meeting with Indonesian Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto as a relatively benign effort to bring peace to the Indo-Pacific region.
For his part, Subianto described peace and stability in the region as a “common concern,” but insisted Indonesia would maintain its neutrality, pledging to continue pursuing relationships with all world’s nations – “especially all the major powers.”
But it’s unclear that Jakarta’s leaders are as willing to sign up for a battle with Beijing as their counterparts in Manila. Last November, Subianto promised to restore joint military exercises with China following a meeting with the nation’s defense minister.
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Erdogan's address expected in Ankara Subscribe to @SputnikInt
🇹🇷 Erdogan has 49.24%, Kilicdaroglu – 45% after 100% of the ballots counted, state media says
More than 26 million people have voted for Erdogan, over 23.8 million — for Kilicdaroglu, and more than 2.7 million — for Sinan Ogan of the ATA Alliance.
The Supreme Election Council also invalidated more than 1 million out of 53.9 million ballots. The turnout has exceeded 88.8%.
Ballots cast abroad are still being processed.
More than 26 million people have voted for Erdogan, over 23.8 million — for Kilicdaroglu, and more than 2.7 million — for Sinan Ogan of the ATA Alliance.
The Supreme Election Council also invalidated more than 1 million out of 53.9 million ballots. The turnout has exceeded 88.8%.
Ballots cast abroad are still being processed.
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🇮🇷 Iranian flotilla approaches home waters after round-the-world trip through ‘America’s backyard’
The Iranian’s Navy’s 86th Flotilla – consisting of the Dena frigate and the Makran forward base ship, arrived in the southwestern Omani port of Salalah on Sunday on the final leg of its world-spanning tour, which included a much-publicized stopover in the Western hemisphere, to Washington’s annoyance.
The flotilla, which has traveled over 63,000 km, broke the record set by the Makran and the Sahand in 2021.
The Makran and the Dena began their journey on September 20, 2022, steaming east through the Indian Ocean, into the South China Sea, then into the Pacific and on to the Atlantic, including a stopover in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil before heading out toward Cape Town, South Africa, where another stopover was made.
The US military closely monitored the flotilla along its route, with the State Department expressing its “deep disappointment” over Brazil’s decision to allow the Iranian warships to dock in Rio. Assistant Secretary of State Brian Nichols told a Congressional committee that the Islamic Republic’s vessels “have no place in our hemisphere,” parroting the rhetoric of the 19th century’s Monroe Doctrine, which holds that the entire Western Hemisphere is the exclusive security domain of the US.
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The Iranian’s Navy’s 86th Flotilla – consisting of the Dena frigate and the Makran forward base ship, arrived in the southwestern Omani port of Salalah on Sunday on the final leg of its world-spanning tour, which included a much-publicized stopover in the Western hemisphere, to Washington’s annoyance.
The flotilla, which has traveled over 63,000 km, broke the record set by the Makran and the Sahand in 2021.
The Makran and the Dena began their journey on September 20, 2022, steaming east through the Indian Ocean, into the South China Sea, then into the Pacific and on to the Atlantic, including a stopover in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil before heading out toward Cape Town, South Africa, where another stopover was made.
The US military closely monitored the flotilla along its route, with the State Department expressing its “deep disappointment” over Brazil’s decision to allow the Iranian warships to dock in Rio. Assistant Secretary of State Brian Nichols told a Congressional committee that the Islamic Republic’s vessels “have no place in our hemisphere,” parroting the rhetoric of the 19th century’s Monroe Doctrine, which holds that the entire Western Hemisphere is the exclusive security domain of the US.
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❗️Ukrainian forces hit Lugansk, emergency services are on the scene, Sputnik's correspondent reports
A Storm Shadow cruise missile has hit a section of the former Aviation School of Navigators in Lugansk, former LPR officer Marochko told Sputnik
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A Storm Shadow cruise missile has hit a section of the former Aviation School of Navigators in Lugansk, former LPR officer Marochko told Sputnik
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Sputnik International
🇹🇷 Erdogan has 49.24%, Kilicdaroglu – 45% after 100% of the ballots counted, state media says More than 26 million people have voted for Erdogan, over 23.8 million — for Kilicdaroglu, and more than 2.7 million — for Sinan Ogan of the ATA Alliance. The Supreme…
❗️Alliance led by Erdogan's party wins majority in parliament, securing more than 320 seats as 100% of ballots in Turkiye processed, state media says
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🇫🇮 'Somewhat surprising': Finnish petrol prices soar to all-European highs
A litre of 95-octane petrol now costs 1.94 euros ($2.11), putting Finland in first place ahead of Denmark and France. Finland also finished a close second in diesel prices, being edged out by Sweden by a matter of 3 cents at 1.83 euros ($1.99)
The differences in fuel prices among the EU countries have generally been attributed to salary levels and purchasing power. In Finland, however, taxation was singled out as the main reason for the high prices.
Furthermore, Finland's energy crisis, largely in line with that of the entire EU, has been fueled by Helsinki's backfiring "retribution" against Russia and its energy over Moscow's special operation in Ukraine.
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A litre of 95-octane petrol now costs 1.94 euros ($2.11), putting Finland in first place ahead of Denmark and France. Finland also finished a close second in diesel prices, being edged out by Sweden by a matter of 3 cents at 1.83 euros ($1.99)
The differences in fuel prices among the EU countries have generally been attributed to salary levels and purchasing power. In Finland, however, taxation was singled out as the main reason for the high prices.
Furthermore, Finland's energy crisis, largely in line with that of the entire EU, has been fueled by Helsinki's backfiring "retribution" against Russia and its energy over Moscow's special operation in Ukraine.
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Sputnik International
❗️Ukrainian forces hit Lugansk, emergency services are on the scene, Sputnik's correspondent reports A Storm Shadow cruise missile has hit a section of the former Aviation School of Navigators in Lugansk, former LPR officer Marochko told Sputnik Subscribe…
Ukraine fired three Storm Shadow, 15 HIMARS missiles at LPR in past week
The reports comes from the LPR representative office in the Joint Center for Control and Coordination of issues related to Ukraine's war crimes. As a result of the attacks, one person was killed and 16 others, including six children, were injured, the office added.
Storm Shadows, which UK Defense Secretary Ben Wallace confirmed last week are either "going into" or are already "in the country itself," are cruise missiles with a range of up to 250 km for the export version and up to 560 km for the domestic variant. If fired over northeastern Ukraine, the export variant Anglo-French weapons would have sufficient range to target major Russian cities like Kursk, Belgorod, Voronezh or Sevastopol, as well much of Belarus – including its capital, Minsk.
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The reports comes from the LPR representative office in the Joint Center for Control and Coordination of issues related to Ukraine's war crimes. As a result of the attacks, one person was killed and 16 others, including six children, were injured, the office added.
Storm Shadows, which UK Defense Secretary Ben Wallace confirmed last week are either "going into" or are already "in the country itself," are cruise missiles with a range of up to 250 km for the export version and up to 560 km for the domestic variant. If fired over northeastern Ukraine, the export variant Anglo-French weapons would have sufficient range to target major Russian cities like Kursk, Belgorod, Voronezh or Sevastopol, as well much of Belarus – including its capital, Minsk.
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Sputnik International
🇹🇷 Erdogan has 49.24%, Kilicdaroglu – 45% after 100% of the ballots counted, state media says More than 26 million people have voted for Erdogan, over 23.8 million — for Kilicdaroglu, and more than 2.7 million — for Sinan Ogan of the ATA Alliance. The Supreme…
🇹🇷🗳 Erdogan secures 49.40%, Kilicdaroglu gets 44.96% in Turkish general elections, voting watchdog says
The Turkish election commission has announced that 99% of the ballot boxes inside the country have been counted. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has secured 49.40% of the vote, while opposition leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu clinched 44.96%; Sinan Ogan gained 5.2%; and Muharrem Ince received 0.44%. Meanwhile, the vote counting continues.
In total, 1,529 ballot boxes for overseas voting have not been counted. Inside Turkey, 27 remain uncounted.
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The Turkish election commission has announced that 99% of the ballot boxes inside the country have been counted. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has secured 49.40% of the vote, while opposition leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu clinched 44.96%; Sinan Ogan gained 5.2%; and Muharrem Ince received 0.44%. Meanwhile, the vote counting continues.
In total, 1,529 ballot boxes for overseas voting have not been counted. Inside Turkey, 27 remain uncounted.
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Sputnik International
❗️Ukrainian forces hit Lugansk, emergency services are on the scene, Sputnik's correspondent reports A Storm Shadow cruise missile has hit a section of the former Aviation School of Navigators in Lugansk, former LPR officer Marochko told Sputnik Subscribe…
❗️Fragments of a French-made projectile were found at the impact site in Lugansk
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📹 Russian Ka-52 helicopters in action as part of the special military op
Helicopter crews launched an attack at Ukrainian forces, resulting in the destruction of a Ukrainian control center and a cluster of armored vehicles.
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Helicopter crews launched an attack at Ukrainian forces, resulting in the destruction of a Ukrainian control center and a cluster of armored vehicles.
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🇮🇷 IRGC Navy gets ultra-long-range cruise missile superior to Tomahawk
In an interview with local media published Saturday, IRGC Navy Commander Alireza Tangsiri revealed that multiple ships of the IRGC Navy have received new Qadr-474 cruise missiles with a 2,000 km range.
If the missile’s range characteristics can be independently verified, it would make the Iranian missile superior in range to most variants of the Tomahawk – a US subsonic anti-ship and land attack cruise missile that has long been the mainstay of the US Navy.
Tomahawks have a range between 460 km (anti-ship) and 1,700 km (land attack), with only the nuclear and ground-launched variants capable of flying distances beyond that – up to 2,500 km.
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In an interview with local media published Saturday, IRGC Navy Commander Alireza Tangsiri revealed that multiple ships of the IRGC Navy have received new Qadr-474 cruise missiles with a 2,000 km range.
If the missile’s range characteristics can be independently verified, it would make the Iranian missile superior in range to most variants of the Tomahawk – a US subsonic anti-ship and land attack cruise missile that has long been the mainstay of the US Navy.
Tomahawks have a range between 460 km (anti-ship) and 1,700 km (land attack), with only the nuclear and ground-launched variants capable of flying distances beyond that – up to 2,500 km.
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❗️Latest statements by Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov:
▪️London's military assistance to Kiev will only create more difficulties for Ukraine;
▪️Britain's plans to provide additional weaponry to Ukraine will not affect the course of the conflict;
▪️Kremlin strongly disagrees with the words of French President Emmanuel Macron regarding Russia's dependence on China. The relationship between Russia and China is based on strategic partnership rather than dependence on anyone;
▪️The Kremlin is closely monitoring the elections in Turkiye and will respect the choice of the Turkish people.
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▪️London's military assistance to Kiev will only create more difficulties for Ukraine;
▪️Britain's plans to provide additional weaponry to Ukraine will not affect the course of the conflict;
▪️Kremlin strongly disagrees with the words of French President Emmanuel Macron regarding Russia's dependence on China. The relationship between Russia and China is based on strategic partnership rather than dependence on anyone;
▪️The Kremlin is closely monitoring the elections in Turkiye and will respect the choice of the Turkish people.
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Scott Ritter: Ukraine’s ‘counteroffensive’ - myth or reality?
The former US intel officer explains how the standard for measuring Ukraine success on the battlefield is “unrealistically high,” and describes how the US and NATO war with Russia is a “two-way street” in terms of human and economical toll.
💬 “The United States, Germany, and France have all promised to increase the amount of military assistance to Ukraine. The question that remains is when will Ukraine believe it has sufficient forces for the conduct of a successful offensive operation? The answer is more than likely “never,” says Ritter.
Read the rest of his analysis on Sputnik’s website
The former US intel officer explains how the standard for measuring Ukraine success on the battlefield is “unrealistically high,” and describes how the US and NATO war with Russia is a “two-way street” in terms of human and economical toll.
💬 “The United States, Germany, and France have all promised to increase the amount of military assistance to Ukraine. The question that remains is when will Ukraine believe it has sufficient forces for the conduct of a successful offensive operation? The answer is more than likely “never,” says Ritter.
Read the rest of his analysis on Sputnik’s website
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