🐻 Shower and swing time: orphaned Asian black bear Cub Tono enjoys playful day!

📹 Watch our video for details!

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📹 Russian Tor-M1 anti-aircraft missile system destroys Ukrainian UAV near Krasny Liman

With the help of an all-round radar station, the anti-aircraft missile system crew detected the movement of Ukrainian drones.

After identifying the targets, missiles were launched and the enemy drones were destroyed.

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🔬 Elon Musk's Neuralink has received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration to conduct its first human trials. But is it as safe as described?

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Why is Russia deploying tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus?

Announcing this week’s signing of a deal on maintaining Russian tactical nuclear weapons on Belarusian soil, Russia and Minsk reiterated that this is a response to the aggressive policies pursued by unfriendly countries.

What prompted Moscow to deploy its non-strategic nukes in Belarus?

Reinclusion of Russian banks would facilitate implementation Of Grain Deal - UN spokesperson

Reinclusion of Russian banks would facilitate full implementation of the Black Sea grain deal, but the decision is not up to the United Nations, UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said on Friday.

“It is clear that the reinclusion of Russian banks involved in the trade in fertilizer and food, which are not under sanctions, would facilitate the implementation, but as you well know, that is not a decision that is with the UN’s own wheelhouse,” Dujarric told reporters.

The UN is trying to push things forward on different tracks, he added.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said on Thursday that if Rosselkhozbank would not be connected to SWIFT, and without progress on other systematic problems of blocking of Russian exports, it would be necessary to find alternatives for the grain deal.

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The final countdown: Goldman Sachs economists expect US default by June 9

Two economists from Goldman Sachs have issued a warning that the US government has approximately two weeks before it faces a debt default. By June 2, they estimate that the US will have only $30 billion left to fulfill its debt obligations, and the account will enter negative territory by June 9. The deadline given by the US Treasury to Congress for raising the debt ceiling is June 1, leaving minimal room for negotiation.

The debt ceiling issue has been ongoing for months, with Republicans refusing to extend it as a means to pressure Democrats into accepting significant budget cuts. While the Treasury has utilized temporary measures to continue making payments, these options are limited, as emphasized by Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and other experts. Talks between President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy have been underway, with the hope of reaching a deal before a default occurs.

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📊 This year, May 25-31 marks the International Week of Solidarity with the Peoples of Non-Self-Governing Territories (NSGTs), established by the UN in 1999 to highlight the continuing struggle of those living in such lands and promote self-determination rights.

The United Nations Charter defines a Non-Self-Governing Territory as one "whose people have not yet attained a full measure of self-government," with the countries in control known as the administering Powers.

In 1946, a number of UN Member States jointly listed territories under their administration that were not self-governing. While since then, most of the mentioned territories have acquired self-governance, the list still includes 17 items, with the UK, the US, France and New Zealand being the administering powers of such territories

See Sputnik's infographic to learn more!

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NATO to upgrade Ukraine’s partner atatus without offering membership

NATO diplomats told media that the alliance will have to find the right balance between maintaining the open-door policy and supporting Kiev's aspirations without directly admitting the country to the bloc.

The proposed Ukraine-NATO Council should serve this purpose. Kiev will become a "full-fledged" party to the body and will have greater opportunities to communicate with the alliance, the sources said. Ukraine will be able to engage in closer intelligence sharing, joint exercises, as well as receive more options for financial support and development of its own armed forces in accordance with NATO standards, according to the report.

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Just like us? Octopuses have nightmares too, new study suggests

A recent study conducted by scientists from Rockefeller University in New York City suggests that octopuses may experience both positive and negative dreams, similar to humans. The study, which is awaiting peer review, observed a captive male Brazilian reef octopus named Costello exhibiting behavior during sleep that resembled nightmares. The octopus changed colors and patterns while sleeping, potentially reflecting the contents of its dreams, and sometimes abruptly awoke, flailing its arms and releasing ink as if trying to escape from a predator.

The researchers compared this sleep behavior to parasomnia and defensive behavior observed in humans, and suggested that octopuses may experience similar disturbances during sleep, potentially including nightmares.

However, as the study focused on only one octopus, it remains uncertain if such behavior is widespread among all octopuses. The scientists hope that their findings will encourage further observation of octopus behavior to validate their conclusions.

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Arms industry rips off US taxpayers to tune of trillions for 'Sub-Par' systems

According to Daniel McAdams, a peace campaigner interviewed by Sputnik, the high cost and failure of many US weapons systems can be attributed to corruption and the close relationship between the Pentagon and the arms industry. Despite the US spending a staggering $1 trillion annually on defense, the recent retreat from Afghanistan and attempts to arm Ukraine have exposed the inefficiency of the bloated military-industrial complex. The campaigner highlighted the flawed philosophy of US military hegemony and the influence of defense contractors and think tanks in promoting exaggerated threats to justify increased spending.

The peace campaigner also pointed out issues with specific weapons systems, such as the Lockheed-Martin F-35 stealth strike fighter, which continues to face significant technical problems despite being sold widely. The revolving door between the Pentagon and the arms industry, exemplified by General Lloyd Austin's transition from the military to a director position at Raytheon Technologies, was criticized as perpetuating corruption. The campaigner argued that the entire system is corrupt and prioritizes profit over the defense and well-being of the American people.

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🇿🇦 🇺🇸 South African Communist Party Chief slams US foreign policy as ‘disrespectful to all of humanity’

The US doesn't respect other countries and never treats anyone as an equal, said SACP General Secretary Solly Afrika Mapaila in an exclusive interview with Sputnik Africa.

🗣 "It’s quite condescending and disrespectful to all of humanity that the US continues to act in this way...Equality is a paper they sign on, but upon the signing of the paper, they think that they are the superpower of the world, anyone must kowtow to them...or else they punish you," Mapaila argued.

Mapaila noted that such US behavior can be changed if countries work together to create a multipolar system.

🗣 "But that is why, for instance, we have always understood even the special military operation of Russia in Ukraine as a continuation of assertion of independence by Russia and a commitment towards multipolarity," said Mapaila.

👉 Full interview

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Would be beneficial for Germany to pay reparations to Poland for damage during Second World War: Polish PM

According to Mateusz Morawiecki, if this happens, "the attitude of Poland towards Germany, the attitude of the Poles towards the Germans would undoubtedly improve."

“I know it may be shocking, but for our Polish-German relations... repairing these eternal losses, those tears and seas of blood, at least to a minimal extent, through the recognition of reparations, would be something very positive.”

Earlier, Warsaw estimated the damage suffered during the war at $1.3 trillion and asked the UN to help get reparations from Berlin.

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Former Russian President Medvedev’s comments on possible US default:

▪️ It’s not a fact that it is in our interests;

▪️ In 2008 the bubble burst in the US, but it impacted everyone;

▪️ It might not be so good for the yuan either;

▪️ Most likely there will be no default, they will once again increase the national debt;

▪️ However, the printing press can no longer be stopped, no one knows how the world economy will react to this;

▪️ It can withstand $30 trillion in debt, but would not withstand $50 trillion, and then there will be a global collapse;

▪️ In any case, the confidence of different countries in the dollar has been seriously undermined.

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The Kiev authorities have disrupted the rotation of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) staff at the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant

The IAEA mission has been present at the ZNPP since September 2022. A total of seven IAEA staff rotations have taken place since then, the last one having been completed at the end of April.

"Initially, the rotation was supposed to take place on May 25, then, at the request of Kiev, it was postponed to the 26 and, as a result, was disrupted by the Ukrainian side," Vladimir Rogov, a senior official of the Zaporozhye regional administration, said.

The senior official specified that three IAEA inspectors were supposed to arrive at the ZNPP: from Argentina, Ireland and Morocco.

"On the eve of the [IAEA] mission’s arrival, the regime of [Ukrainian President Volodymyr] Zelensky gave the order to subject the city of Vasylivka, through which the usual route of the monitoring mission runs, to massive shelling from heavy weapons," Rogov told Sputnik.

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⚡️ The unmanned boats that attacked the Black Sea Fleet's "Ivan Khurs" were launched from the naval operations center, which was opened with the participation of the United States in Ochakov; the drones are controlled using Starlink, an informed source told Sputnik.

At the same time, according to the source, a batch of new Western-made drones, probably built by Britain, was transferred to Kiev for naval attacks and provocations in the Black Sea.

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❗️ Ukrainian troops use British missiles to shell the rear areas of the Zaporozhye region, a senior regional official said

📹 Russian howitzers fire in action (video by Russian MoD)

The 152-caliber MSTA-B howitzers, serving as fire support for the Russian troops, fired at enemy self-propelled artillery and forces.

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Elizabeth II could have been assassinated 40 years ago during her first visit to California by a man whose daughter was killed during the Northern Ireland conflict

In February 1983, Elizabeth II and her husband Prince Philip made their first official visit to the US that started in California. 

About a month before Elizabeth and Prince Philip visited California, a San Francisco policeman told the FBI that he knew of a man who wanted revenge for his daughter, who "had been killed in Northern Ireland by a rubber bullet." The policeman met than man at an Irish pub.

"He was going to attempt to harm Queen Elizabeth and would do this either by dropping some object off the Golden Gate Bridge onto the Royal Yacht Britannia when it sails underneath, or would attempt to kill Queen Elizabeth when she visited Yosemite National Park," the document revealed by the FBI reads.

It is unclear exactly what measures were taken at the time to ensure the safety of Elizabeth II, but what is known is the requirement to "close the walkways on the Golden Gate Bridge as the yacht nears"

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The Taiwanese Defense Ministry said that it had detected 33 Chinese aircraft and 10 vessels around the island over the past 24 hours

"[A total of] 33 PLA aircraft and 10 PLAN [People's Liberation Army Navy] vessels around Taiwan were detected by 6 a.m. (UTC+8) [22:00 GMT] today. R.O.C. Armed Forces have monitored the situation and tasked CAP aircraft, Navy vessels, and land-based missile systems to respond these activities," the ministry tweeted.

It added that 12 of the detected aircraft, including SU-30, J-10 and J-16 jets, Y-8 transport aircraft, a WZ-7 drone and a Z-9 helicopter, had entered the island's southwest and southeast air defense identification zone.

The situation around Taiwan recently escalated again after Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen met with US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in April, with Beijing launching massive three-day military drills near the island in what it called a "warning" to Taiwanese separatists and foreign powers.

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Russia and Belarus have the right to ensure their security, including in the military-nuclear sphere

"We have noted increasingly frequent comments in recent days coming from White House and State Department concerning the Russia-Belarus military-nuclear cooperation. They once again accused us of ‘irresponsible and provocative’ behavior," the Russian Embassy in the United States said in a statement, adding that "it is the sovereign right of Russia and Belarus to ensure their security by means we deem necessary amidst of a large-scale hybrid war unleashed by Washington against us."

The embassy emphasized that the recent measures with regard to nuclear weapons are fully consistent with Russia’s international legal obligations.

"Before blaming others, Washington could use some introspection. The United States has been for decades maintaining a large arsenal of its nuclear weapons in Europe. Together with its NATO allies it participates in nuclear sharing arrangements and trains for scenarios of nuclear weapons use against our country," the Russian embassy said.

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Russia will continue to support Serbia in its efforts to protect its legitimate rights, sovereignty and territorial integrity

"We will continue to support Belgrade in its efforts to protect legitimate rights, sovereignty and territorial integrity. We have no reason to question the stability of the Serbian government when it comes to the protection of state interests," Yuri Pilipson, Director of the Fourth European Department of the Russian Foreign Ministry, told Sputnik.

Any decision on Kosovo should be acceptable for Serbians and approved by the UN Security Council, Pilipson also stated, adding that the West is trying to promote other ways to solve the issue with no regard for interests of the Serbian people.

On Friday, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic brought the Serbian military to a state of maximum alert due to the situation in Kosovo and Metohija over unilateral steps taken by Pristina. He also demanded that NATO "urgently stop violence against Serbs" in Kosovo and Metohija.

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