China patrolling disputed islands northeast of Taiwan
The China Coast Guard said that their 2502 fleet patrolled the territorial waters of the Diaoyu Islands on June 21 as a form of rights protection.
In May, Japanese media reported that two Chinese government vessels traveled close to the disputed islands. In June, the Japanese government sent two separate protest notes to China.
Both Japan and China have extended territorial claims over the islands. Japan insists on its sovereignty over the Senkaku islands effective since 1895, while China points to Japanese maps from 1783 and 1785 designating the islands as Chinese territory. After World War II, the islands went under the control of the United States and were passed on to Japan in 1972.
The territorial dispute escalated in 2012, when the Japanese government purchased three of the five islands from a private owner, thereby confirming Japan's affiliation with the islands.
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The China Coast Guard said that their 2502 fleet patrolled the territorial waters of the Diaoyu Islands on June 21 as a form of rights protection.
In May, Japanese media reported that two Chinese government vessels traveled close to the disputed islands. In June, the Japanese government sent two separate protest notes to China.
Both Japan and China have extended territorial claims over the islands. Japan insists on its sovereignty over the Senkaku islands effective since 1895, while China points to Japanese maps from 1783 and 1785 designating the islands as Chinese territory. After World War II, the islands went under the control of the United States and were passed on to Japan in 1972.
The territorial dispute escalated in 2012, when the Japanese government purchased three of the five islands from a private owner, thereby confirming Japan's affiliation with the islands.
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🔺US grave concern: China and Cuba allegedly negotiating establishing a new joint military training facility on the island nation
🔺’We are seeing some sort of calmness. This is due to the fact that the enemy is suffering serious losses’ - President Putin
🔺North Korea: ‘Danger of nuclear war no longer imaginary’ due to ‘reckless US military provocations’
The Critical Hour will cover these and more stories! Tune in to Radio Sputnik at 6pm EST|3pm PST|12am CET via the website or app
📻 Also in the United States at 105.5FM, 104.7FM, 102.9FM, 1390AM, 1140AM
🔺’We are seeing some sort of calmness. This is due to the fact that the enemy is suffering serious losses’ - President Putin
🔺North Korea: ‘Danger of nuclear war no longer imaginary’ due to ‘reckless US military provocations’
The Critical Hour will cover these and more stories! Tune in to Radio Sputnik at 6pm EST|3pm PST|12am CET via the website or app
📻 Also in the United States at 105.5FM, 104.7FM, 102.9FM, 1390AM, 1140AM
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Black holes in lonely galaxies found to be hungrier than those jostling for space
New research has revealed that solitary supermassive black holes, found at the centers of galaxies located in isolation, are more aggressive “eaters” of stellar material than their counterparts found in crowded zones of cosmic space.
Anish Aradhey, a student at Harrisonburg High School in Virginia, and Anca Constantin, a professor of astrophysics at James Madison University, utilized data from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey and NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer to reveal over 20,000 black holes actively "feeding" on surrounding gas and dust.
Previously undetected, these black holes were found to display more activity in small or medium-size galaxies than large ones, challenging our current understanding of how galaxies evolve.
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New research has revealed that solitary supermassive black holes, found at the centers of galaxies located in isolation, are more aggressive “eaters” of stellar material than their counterparts found in crowded zones of cosmic space.
Anish Aradhey, a student at Harrisonburg High School in Virginia, and Anca Constantin, a professor of astrophysics at James Madison University, utilized data from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey and NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer to reveal over 20,000 black holes actively "feeding" on surrounding gas and dust.
Previously undetected, these black holes were found to display more activity in small or medium-size galaxies than large ones, challenging our current understanding of how galaxies evolve.
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US ready to bring forces to Middle East as needed to 'deter any aggression' - US General
"We are here to stay, and we will bring forces into the region as needed to deter aggression," Combined Forces Air Component Commander for US Central Command Lt. Gen. Alexus Grynkewich told reporters during a digital press briefing.
Grynkewich did not clarify what type of 'aggression' the United States seeks to deter. However, he said that the US jets would contribute to regional stability and efforts to reset the US relationship with their Russian counterparts in Syria.
The US Central Command said last week that it had deployed F-22 fighter jets to the Middle East in response to Russia's alleged "unprofessional" behavior in the region.
In May, the Russian Center for the Reconciliation of Opposing Sides in Syria accused US Air Force pilots of "gross violations" of deconfliction protocols in Syria.
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"We are here to stay, and we will bring forces into the region as needed to deter aggression," Combined Forces Air Component Commander for US Central Command Lt. Gen. Alexus Grynkewich told reporters during a digital press briefing.
Grynkewich did not clarify what type of 'aggression' the United States seeks to deter. However, he said that the US jets would contribute to regional stability and efforts to reset the US relationship with their Russian counterparts in Syria.
The US Central Command said last week that it had deployed F-22 fighter jets to the Middle East in response to Russia's alleged "unprofessional" behavior in the region.
In May, the Russian Center for the Reconciliation of Opposing Sides in Syria accused US Air Force pilots of "gross violations" of deconfliction protocols in Syria.
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🗣️”It's quite astonishing how much Europe is willing to sacrifice its own economic independence, the living standards of its own citizens in order to facilitate what is a mad feeling and floundering geopolitical strategy from the US”: Phil Kelly, Belfast-based political commentator and socialist activist, on what a centralized EU means for members of the bloc and for geopolitics
🎧Listen to more of Kelly’s analysis in our podcast Political Misfits
🎧Listen to more of Kelly’s analysis in our podcast Political Misfits
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US congressman threatens Blinken with subpoena to produce Afghanistan withdrawal documents
McCaul previously wrote to Blinken on June 8 to warn him that the committee is prepared to pursue a compulsory process if certain materials were not produced by June 15. The State Department produced one priority document by the deadline, but failed to address the other two, McCaul said in the letter, dated June 20.
“If the [State] Department does not produce these outstanding items by June 26, 2023, I plan to proceed with a subpoena to compel their production,” the letter said.
The State Department’s most recent reply failed to address requests related to the Afghanistan After-Action Review (AAR) files and the official order initiating a noncombatant evacuation operation, the letter said.
The United States withdrew from Afghanistan in August 2021, following a rapid takeover of the country by the Taliban (under UN sanctions).
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McCaul previously wrote to Blinken on June 8 to warn him that the committee is prepared to pursue a compulsory process if certain materials were not produced by June 15. The State Department produced one priority document by the deadline, but failed to address the other two, McCaul said in the letter, dated June 20.
“If the [State] Department does not produce these outstanding items by June 26, 2023, I plan to proceed with a subpoena to compel their production,” the letter said.
The State Department’s most recent reply failed to address requests related to the Afghanistan After-Action Review (AAR) files and the official order initiating a noncombatant evacuation operation, the letter said.
The United States withdrew from Afghanistan in August 2021, following a rapid takeover of the country by the Taliban (under UN sanctions).
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Three vessels join search for Titanic tourist submersible - US Coast Guard
The US Coast Guard has announced that three additional vessels are aiding in the search and rescue efforts for the Titan submersible that went missing during a dive to the wreck of the Titanic. The vessels include the John Cabot, Skandi Vinland, and Atlantic Merlin, which are all conducting search patterns, with one ship possessing side-scanning sonar capabilities.
On Sunday, the submersible was on an expedition to the Titanic wreckage when it disappeared. The submarine has a capacity to carry five people and has oxygen supply for 96 hours.
Hamish Harding, a billionaire and adventure traveler, Shahzada Dawood, vice chairman of the Pakistani corporation Engro, and his son Suleman, have been confirmed to be on board the submersible. Media reported that French maritime expert Paul-Henri Nargeolet and OceanGate Expeditions President Stockton Rush are also in the submersible.
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The US Coast Guard has announced that three additional vessels are aiding in the search and rescue efforts for the Titan submersible that went missing during a dive to the wreck of the Titanic. The vessels include the John Cabot, Skandi Vinland, and Atlantic Merlin, which are all conducting search patterns, with one ship possessing side-scanning sonar capabilities.
On Sunday, the submersible was on an expedition to the Titanic wreckage when it disappeared. The submarine has a capacity to carry five people and has oxygen supply for 96 hours.
Hamish Harding, a billionaire and adventure traveler, Shahzada Dawood, vice chairman of the Pakistani corporation Engro, and his son Suleman, have been confirmed to be on board the submersible. Media reported that French maritime expert Paul-Henri Nargeolet and OceanGate Expeditions President Stockton Rush are also in the submersible.
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Yuan's share in SWIFT transactions reaches highest point since January 2022
In January 2022, the share of the yuan in SWIFT transactions was 3.2%. In May 2023, it increased by 0.25 percentage month-on-month.
The US dollar remained the main trading currency in May, at 42.6%, although its share decreased by 0.11 percentage points compared with April.
The euro's share saw no significant change in May, slightly decreasing by 0.04 percentage points to 31.7%.
SWIFT is an international banking system for financial transactions and payments involving over 11,000 major financial organizations worldwide.
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In January 2022, the share of the yuan in SWIFT transactions was 3.2%. In May 2023, it increased by 0.25 percentage month-on-month.
The US dollar remained the main trading currency in May, at 42.6%, although its share decreased by 0.11 percentage points compared with April.
The euro's share saw no significant change in May, slightly decreasing by 0.04 percentage points to 31.7%.
SWIFT is an international banking system for financial transactions and payments involving over 11,000 major financial organizations worldwide.
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🇮🇩 US deploys B-52H Stratofortress bombers to Indonesia for first time
The B-52s will participate through the remainder of Cope West which concludes on 23 June, the Pacific Air Forces Public Affairs said in a statement.
According to media reports, a total of two strategic bombers landed at the Kualanamu International Airport located on the Indonesian island of Sumatra.
The landing of the B-52 bombers in Indonesia comes after a series of bomber-deployment missions around the world, including a deterrent flight over the Gulf of Finland and the deployment to South Korea in March.
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The B-52s will participate through the remainder of Cope West which concludes on 23 June, the Pacific Air Forces Public Affairs said in a statement.
According to media reports, a total of two strategic bombers landed at the Kualanamu International Airport located on the Indonesian island of Sumatra.
The landing of the B-52 bombers in Indonesia comes after a series of bomber-deployment missions around the world, including a deterrent flight over the Gulf of Finland and the deployment to South Korea in March.
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🇺🇸 US should pay for Ukraine's recovery since it's prolonging hostilities, says Russian ambassador Antonov
The Ukrainian crisis is a consequence of years-long and purposeful efforts of the United States to create a hotbed of tension near Russia's borders, to turn Ukraine into an 'anti-Russia,' Russian Ambassador to Washington Anatoly Antonov said.
He further stressed the US is now fomenting confrontation, "pumping the republic with powerful weapons and nipping any peace initiatives in the bud."
💬 "While they can pay for the homes destroyed by American weapons, how will Washington value the lives of innocent people? How is the US going to repay the Ukrainians whom they are driving into reckless head-on assaults in today's so-called counteroffensive?" Antonov said.
The poorest states in Africa, Latin America and Asia have been left without attention against the background of the unprecedented funds sent to purchase weapons for Kiev, the ambassador noted.
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The Ukrainian crisis is a consequence of years-long and purposeful efforts of the United States to create a hotbed of tension near Russia's borders, to turn Ukraine into an 'anti-Russia,' Russian Ambassador to Washington Anatoly Antonov said.
He further stressed the US is now fomenting confrontation, "pumping the republic with powerful weapons and nipping any peace initiatives in the bud."
💬 "While they can pay for the homes destroyed by American weapons, how will Washington value the lives of innocent people? How is the US going to repay the Ukrainians whom they are driving into reckless head-on assaults in today's so-called counteroffensive?" Antonov said.
The poorest states in Africa, Latin America and Asia have been left without attention against the background of the unprecedented funds sent to purchase weapons for Kiev, the ambassador noted.
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Ukrainian forces hit bridges on administrative border between Kherson Region and Crimea, near village of Chongar, local authorities say
No one was injured in the attack, but road surfaces on the bridges have been damaged. According to a preliminary assessment, Storm Shadow missiles were used in the attack.
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No one was injured in the attack, but road surfaces on the bridges have been damaged. According to a preliminary assessment, Storm Shadow missiles were used in the attack.
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🇺🇸🇨🇳 US senior officials taken aback by Biden labeling Xi a 'dictator'
Biden at a fundraising event in California on Tuesday referred to Xi as a "dictator" while claiming the Chinese president was caught by surprise by the US shooting down a Chinese surveillance balloon earlier this year.
Privately, US officials clarified Biden's statements, smoothing things over with the Chinese by saying that Biden's denoscription of Xi does not reflect the opinion of the Biden administration as a whole, US media reported. Officials do not currently see the comment as representing a setback to the progress made by Secretary of State Antony Blinken's recent visit to China, the report added.
The officials also said Blinken is used to Biden making off-color remarks and does not feel like the incident will amount to anything.
Some US officials played the comment down by suggesting that the president was speaking generally about dictators and not singling Xi out, according to the report, while others believed Biden's comments were intentionally directed.
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Biden at a fundraising event in California on Tuesday referred to Xi as a "dictator" while claiming the Chinese president was caught by surprise by the US shooting down a Chinese surveillance balloon earlier this year.
Privately, US officials clarified Biden's statements, smoothing things over with the Chinese by saying that Biden's denoscription of Xi does not reflect the opinion of the Biden administration as a whole, US media reported. Officials do not currently see the comment as representing a setback to the progress made by Secretary of State Antony Blinken's recent visit to China, the report added.
The officials also said Blinken is used to Biden making off-color remarks and does not feel like the incident will amount to anything.
Some US officials played the comment down by suggesting that the president was speaking generally about dictators and not singling Xi out, according to the report, while others believed Biden's comments were intentionally directed.
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📹 Ukrainian forces are hit with Grad rockets
Artillerymen of the Central Military District struck a group of Ukrainian troops and a convoy of ammunition delivery trucks to Krasny Liman from Grad Rocket Launchers; control of the strike was carried out by Zala and Superkam UAVs, according to the Russian Defense Ministry.
The MLRS Grad stands for multiple-launch rocket system, and is designed and produced by Russia's military industry. It is a highly effective artillery system capable of launching up to 40 rockets in a single salvo. The rockets can be armed with different types of warheads, including high explosive, incendiary, and fragmentation.
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Artillerymen of the Central Military District struck a group of Ukrainian troops and a convoy of ammunition delivery trucks to Krasny Liman from Grad Rocket Launchers; control of the strike was carried out by Zala and Superkam UAVs, according to the Russian Defense Ministry.
The MLRS Grad stands for multiple-launch rocket system, and is designed and produced by Russia's military industry. It is a highly effective artillery system capable of launching up to 40 rockets in a single salvo. The rockets can be armed with different types of warheads, including high explosive, incendiary, and fragmentation.
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Sputnik International
Ukrainian forces hit bridges on administrative border between Kherson Region and Crimea, near village of Chongar, local authorities say No one was injured in the attack, but road surfaces on the bridges have been damaged. According to a preliminary assessment…
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📹 Ukrainian forces fired Storm Shadow missiles at a bridge located on the administrative border between the Kherson Region and Crimea, a Sputnik correspondent reports.
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❗️Russia stands for strengthening mechanisms to prevent development of biological and toxin weapons, Putin says
Principles approved by concept on prohibition of biological and toxin weapons systematically violated recently, Vladimir Putin said. He added that some countries seek to use international problems to ensure their own biological security at expense of others.
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Principles approved by concept on prohibition of biological and toxin weapons systematically violated recently, Vladimir Putin said. He added that some countries seek to use international problems to ensure their own biological security at expense of others.
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📹 Russia's Solntsepyok flamethrower fire at Ukrainian positions in Donetsk direction
The Solntsepyok heavy flamethrower is a Russian-made weapon designed to clear out enemy trenches and bunkers, as well as to destroy enemy manpower located in open terrain and fortifications.
The TOS-1A Solntsepyok is capable of launching thermobaric rockets, which create a highly destructive blast and fireball upon impact.
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The Solntsepyok heavy flamethrower is a Russian-made weapon designed to clear out enemy trenches and bunkers, as well as to destroy enemy manpower located in open terrain and fortifications.
The TOS-1A Solntsepyok is capable of launching thermobaric rockets, which create a highly destructive blast and fireball upon impact.
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🇺🇸 US House committee advances $886Bln defense policy bill for 2024
The US House Armed Services Committee advanced the bill late Wednesday night with a 58-1 vote, sending it to the full House for consideration in the coming weeks.
According to a press release, the bill includes provisions that counter China’s activities, boosts oversight of the Department of Defense, and makes critical investments in innovative technologies and the US defense industrial base.
Lawmakers also adopted a provision directing the Secretary of Defense to provide a report to Congress on Russia and China’s presence in Central and South America.
The committee rejected an amendment for the bill that would have increased the Pentagon's funding to arm Ukraine from $300 million to $800 million.
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The US House Armed Services Committee advanced the bill late Wednesday night with a 58-1 vote, sending it to the full House for consideration in the coming weeks.
According to a press release, the bill includes provisions that counter China’s activities, boosts oversight of the Department of Defense, and makes critical investments in innovative technologies and the US defense industrial base.
Lawmakers also adopted a provision directing the Secretary of Defense to provide a report to Congress on Russia and China’s presence in Central and South America.
The committee rejected an amendment for the bill that would have increased the Pentagon's funding to arm Ukraine from $300 million to $800 million.
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