Catch our Fault Lines show, where we provide updates and analysis on all the most vital stories! Here's our line-up for today:

🔺To kick things off, will be covering DeSantis’ campaign launch
🔺Next, we’ll speak about Trump’s feud with the DOJ and the BLM national organization going broke
🔺Finally, we’ll focus on the situation in Pakistan, where the political climate is heating up

More trending stories coming your way! Watch the live broadcast on Rumble or tune in to Radio Sputnik at 7am EST|4am PST|1pm CET via the website or app

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

Finland's ballooning state debt has prompted a reaction from the European Commission, which in its recent report called on the Nordic country to address it quickly and decisively

According to former Finnish Finance Minister Petteri Orpo of the liberal-conservative National Coalition Party, who is leading efforts to form a new Finnish government, the EU study made it clear that Finland's situation, with a debt-to-GDP ratio of 73 percent, is much more dire than that of its Nordic peers.

He said that he didn't want to compare Finland to southern European countries, which, he argued, "have traditionally had a different attitude" toward debt, insisting that Finland should be in line with the other Nordic countries and Germany.

Last year, public debt exceeded the limit allowed by the EU in 13 member states. Furthermore, three of these countries – Finland, France and Italy – failed to comply with the debt reduction target agreed upon within the EU. Finland notably became the only country in the entire bloc where the debt ratio of public finances increased last year.

Helsinki's debt-to-GDP ratio has been rising steadily since the 00s. In 2022, Finland become the only country in the EU where it increased further. With the country entering recession, the debt problem poses an extra question for the future government that is yet in the works.

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#OurAfricaOurFuture

🇷🇺🌍 Russian Embassies in Africa celebrate Africa Day

In honor of Africa Day, Russian ambassadors and diplomats across the continent recorded video greetings to African friends in Lingale, Zulu, Bambara, Hausa, Baule, Fon, Ronga, Luganda, Oshiwambo, Swahili, Malagasy, Comorian, Creole, Somali, Amharic, Arabic, Portuguese, French and English

The Russian Foreign Ministry stressed that it values friendly ties with Africa, which have their roots in the period of joint struggle against colonialism, when Moscow supported African national liberation movements and young African states

The Ministry also noted the symbolism that the 60th anniversary of the OAU coincides with the year of the second Russian-African summit, aimed at long-term fostering relations with African nations

Video courtesy of Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs

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Documents defining the procedure for maintaining Russia's non-strategic nuclear weapons at a special storage facility on the territory of Belarus have been signed in Minsk

Shoigu arrived in the Belarusian capital city earlier in the day to partake in a meeting of the Collective Security Treaty Organization at the level of defense ministers.

"During a meeting, [the sides] signed documents defining the procedure for maintaining Russian non-strategic nuclear weapons in a special storage facility on the territory of Belarus," the ministry wrote on Telegram.

The deployment of non-strategic nuclear weapons is a response to the aggressive policy of unfriendly countries, the ministry added.

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📹 The Russian Armed Forces’ MLRS hit Ukrainian positions

After receiving the coordinates of the targets, the artillerymen moved to the assigned area. Having taken up firing positions, they accurately hit the targets at ranges of over 15 km, thus neutralising light-armored vehicles as well as Ukrainian military personnel in the rear of the defensive lines.

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📹 DPR’s People's Militia has published footage depicting ruins of the liberated city Artemovsk (Bakhmut)

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⚡ The Russian MoD’s latest statements on the Ukraine crisis:

▪️ Russia’s aviation and artillery inflicted fire damage on the units of the enemy in Kharkov region and the LPR. In addition, the actions of four sabotage and reconnaissance groups of the Armed Forces of Ukraine were thwarted in Kharkov region, DPR and LPR. Up to 190 Ukrainian servicemen, three motor vehicles, and one D-30 howitzer have been neutralized in these areas during the day.

▪️ The operational-tactical and army aviation, artillery, and heavy flamethrower systems of the Russian Armed Forces engaged Ukrainian units in the LPR and DPR. Up to 65 Ukrainian personnel, three pick-up trucks, one Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system, as well as D-20 and D-30 howitzers have been eliminated.

▪️ Near Donetsk, the units, aviation, and artillery of the Russian Armed Forces have eliminated up to 270 Ukrainian troops, three armored fighting vehicles, two motor vehicles, and one D-30 howitzer during the day. Moreover, two ammunition depots of the 80th Air Assault and 110th Mechanized brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine have been annihilated close to Stupochka and Avdeevka.

▪️ In South Donetsk and near Zaporozhye, the aviation, artillery, and heavy flamethrower systems of the Russian Armed Forces have hit the enemy units. One sabotage and reconnaissance group of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has been disabled in the DPR. Up to 110 Ukrainian servicemen, four motor vehicles, and two D-30 howitzers have been neutralized in these areas during the day.

▪️ Up to 25 Ukrainian troops, two motor vehicles, and one Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system have been destroyed over the past 24 hours in Kherson region.

▪️ Operational-Tactical and Army aviation, and artillery of the Russian Group of Forces have engaged 95 Ukrainian artillery units, manpower and hardware in 102 areas during the day.

▪️ Russian air defence forces have intercepted eight HIMARS MLRS shells during the day.

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📹 Russian pranksters Vovan and Lexus have pranked the Mayor of Athens, Kostas Bakoyannis

▪️ The Russian pranksters pretended to be the mayor of Warsaw and asked the Greek politician about the fears of the Greeks before the coming winter and public dissatisfaction with the actions of the Greek government, which supplies Ukraine with weapons.

▪️ What does the Greek population think about this? How does Athens cope with social tensions? And why does Kostas have a feeling that the Greeks are "losing enthusiasm" to help Ukraine? Watch the prank with the Mayor of Athens!

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🇮🇳 Social media users suggest that India is more important than most of the G7

Sputnik takes a look at some of India's advantages over its Western partners:

🔹India’s economy is larger than 4 member countries of G-7;

🔹 India is the fastest growing economy in the world (not only in Asia!);

🔹 India is an integral part of fast-growing non-Western groupings, such as BRICS & SCO

🔹 India does not politicize its economy: it continues trade with Russia & China for its own national interests

Can you name more? Suggest you points in the comment section!

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Ex-Pentagon analyst: Biden faces shrinking options on Ukraine

Retired Lt. Col. Karen Kwiatkowski has stated that President Joe Biden is running out of time to achieve a "victory" in Ukraine. Despite Ukraine's diplomatic efforts and the influx of Western weaponry, the Ukrainian Armed Forces are unlikely to succeed due to their military shortcomings and lack of compatibility with NATO aid. The former Pentagon analyst questions the governability of Ukraine and suggests that US policymakers are preparing to "NATO-ize" the remaining territory.

Sending American troops to Ukraine is deemed unlikely by Kwiatkowski due to the difficulty of justifying such an escalation and the absence of financial benefits for the US. The prolonged conflict in Ukraine is viewed as politically toxic for the Biden administration, and may impact its popularity ahead of the 2024 presidential election.

Kwiatkowski highlights the appeal of peace-oriented politicians like Donald Trump and RFK Jr., who advocate for ending US involvement in the Ukraine situation.

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📊 Yesterday morning, the Ukrainian Armed Forces unsuccessfully tried to attack the Ivan Khurs of the Russian Black Sea Fleet with three unmanned boats, the Russian Defense Ministry reports.

All enemy boats were destroyed by fire from the Russian ship’s standard armament 140 kilometers northeast of the Bosphorus.

Check out Sputnik's infographic on the incident

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🇬🇧 Car crashes into gates of UK prime minister’s residence in London

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Hungary to assume EU presidency in 2024 despite attempts at hindrance

The European Parliament's decision to consider a resolution to prevent Budapest's EU presidency in 2024 is a political action by left-wing lawmakers, but Hungary will still take over the presidency, the Hungarian government told Sputnik on Thursday.

On Wednesday, Hungarian Justice Minister Judit Varga said that the European Parliament intended to vote on a resolution to prevent Budapest's EU presidency, scheduled for the second half of 2024.

"This is just another political action by the European left. Hungary is a full member of the European Union. It has already held the presidency of the European Council, so the same will happen in 2024," the government said.

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📹 Artemovsk (Bakhmut) after 224 days of battle

Sputnik shows footage from Artemovsk (Bakhmut) after 224 days of fighting for the city. The entire city is now under Russian control.

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Scott Ritter: sending F-16 to Ukraine will backfire

After extensive discussions, the United States, NATO, and the European Union have reached a partial agreement on providing F-16 fighter aircraft to Ukraine. Pilot training has begun in some NATO countries, but no commitment has been made to deliver actual F-16 aircraft to Ukraine. This means that the debate surrounding this issue currently holds little significance in terms of combat capability.

It will take several months to train Ukrainian aircrews, making it unlikely for Ukrainian-piloted F-16s to be operational before early 2024. Even if the F-16 eventually sees combat in Ukraine, the idea that this aircraft, with its dated design from the 1970s, will grant Ukraine a transformative advantage is deemed unrealistic, former United States Marine Corps intelligence officer and Sputnik columnist Scott Ritter says.

Read his full analysis

US senator vows to use all tools to impede any debt ceiling deal without spending reform

US Senator Mike Lee promised on Thursday to use all available tools to impede any potential deal to raise the debt ceiling if the legislation lacks significant spending reforms.

“I will use every procedural tool at my disposal to impede a debt-ceiling deal that doesn’t contain substantial spending and budgetary reforms,” Lee, a Republican from Utah, said.

He expressed concern that the current negotiations between the White House and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy are moving in that direction.

“If they do, that proposal will not face smooth sailing in the Senate,” he warned.

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