🇵🇸🇮🇱 Latest updates on the Palestine-Israel conflict:

▪️The ceasefire under the agreement between Israel and Hamas is expected to begin on Thursday at 6:30 local time, Israeli media stated.

▪️Most of the hostages that will be released on November 23 are citizens of foreign countries, Hamas Political Bureau member Mousa Abu Marzouq said.

▪️We need to help the Gazans who are suffering from the current events, this is our sacred duty, Putin stated.

▪️Russia welcomes the agreement between Hamas and Israel, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, adding that this is the first good news from Gaza in recent times.

▪️The United Nations seeks to use the four-day truce between Israel and the Palestinian movement Hamas to expand its humanitarian aid operations and deliver much needed goods and fuel into the Gaza Strip, UN spokesperson Farhan Haq said.

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💬 "If the American people choose me as their president, I will resume the process (that my uncle broached sixty years ago) of unwinding the American military empire. I will return the military to its proper function of defending the homeland," 2024 presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said.

I will end the reckless, belligerent policies of provocation of China and Russia. I will, in a timely, judicious process, close most of our foreign military bases. I will shrink the size of our military, and in its place — drawing again from JFK’s inspiration — I will create a domestic version of the Peace Corps to give young people a new way to serve their country.

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The bridge over Niagara Falls at the US-Canada border has been closed after a car incident at a checkpoint, ABC News reports. According to the channel, there was an explosion.

The explosion killed two people in the car and a border guard was injured, Fox News reports.

The FBI is investigating the explosion as an attempted terrorist attack.

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Key statements on the explosion at the US-Canada Niagara Rainbow Bridge border checkpoint.

"The FBI Buffalo Field Office is investigating a vehicle explosion at the Rainbow Bridge... The FBI is coordinating with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners in this investigation," the FBI said in a statement, noticing that situation is "fluid".

"I’ve been briefed on the incident on the Rainbow Bridge in Niagara Falls and we are closely monitoring the situation. State agencies are on site and ready to assist," Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a post on X.

"The Buffalo and Niagara Falls Airports are fully operational. We advise travelers to give themselves time for these extra precautions in addition to holiday travel," the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority said in a post on X, indicating that security systemwide would be increased with additional screening and security checks at the Buffalo Niagara International Airport.

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A suitcase has been found on the Rainbow Bridge and may contain an explosive device, ABC reported.

Law enforcement officials are searching for a second vehicle that may be linked to the incident, Fox News reported.

All western New York bridge crossings into the US were shut down, the Erie County executive said, with the Erie County Sheriff’s Office adding that the allegedly exploded vehicle was headed into the US from Canada.

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🇨🇦 Canada's respond to the Rainbow Bridge incident.

"We are taking this extraordinarily seriously. We are following up to try and get as many answers as rapidly as possible," Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said, noting that "additional measures are being contemplated and activated at all border crossings across the country."

"Our provincial law enforcement is actively engaged in assessing the situation. They are working with local law enforcement and are providing support," stated Ontario Premier Doug Ford.

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🇺🇸 Newly requested US-made Sentinel short-range radars may provide additional layer to some of Ukraine's air defenses, but won't anyhow challenge the balance of power on the battlefield, per Dmitry Stefanovich of the Moscow-based Institute of World Economy and International Relations at the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS).

"We must use anti-radar missiles, we must identify them in advance, with the help of electronic warfare and electronic reconnaissance," Stefanovich told Sputnik.

Ukraine faces a difficult task of integrating various pieces of equipment of different origin into one air defense shield, he said, adding that while the complex works, its capabilities are routinely diminished by Russian attacks.

👉 Follow the link to learn more

The vehicle stopped at an initial security checkpoint. When it was directed to a secondary security checkpoint, the vehicle sped up, jumped a curb and crashed into the secondary screening location, states ABC quoting sources briefed on the investigation.

The reason for the initial security stop still isn’t clear.

The cause of the explosion still isn’t determined.

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US media reports contradictory information about the cause of the explosion

• The discovery of a possible explosive device at the scene was reported by ABC News and Fox News.
• But NBC News writes that no traces of explosives have been found in the vehicle at this time.

At the same time, Buffalo Niagara International Airport has suspended flight arrivals and departures following an explosion on the Rainbow Bridge, stated the US Federal Aviation Administration.

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🇷🇺 Putin's attack on Western hypocrisy on Ukraine, Gaza crises lays bare bankruptcy of US-led world order

“People of the Global South can surely witness the contrast of Western discourse on human rights, humanitarian laws when they contrast Western silence when Israel violates such laws as opposed to their sharp and often exaggerated and unverified discourse during the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Further, many countries of the Global South have themselves seen the West’s weaponization of human rights when they use it to intervene in the internal matters of various states,” Dr. Anuradha Chenoy, Retired Professor of the Centre for Russian and Central Asian Studies at Jawaharlal Nehru University, has told Sputnik.

👉 You can find more of Dr. Chenoy’s analysis here

⚡️New York Gov. Kathy Hochul confirmed during a late Wednesday briefing that "there is no indication of a terrorist attack" following the earlier explosion at the US-Canada border

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CBP shared a video from the US-Canada Rainbow Bridge incident scene.

The car taking a sudden acceleration and crashing into a checkpoint.

The authority added that the Peace Bridge, the Lewiston-Queenston Bridge and the Whirlpool Bridge are reopened now.

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🇺🇸👮‍♂️ Were some policemen disguised as 'Antifa' during January 6 Capitol breach?

Footage allegedly showing a DC Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officer dressed in plainclothes and saying "We go undercover as Antifa in a crowd" on the day of January 6 Capitol breach has been obtained and verified by Just the News, a US independent media.

The footage raises new questions about the role of the police during the Capitol breach and adds to the suspicions of Republicans who believe that American federal agencies set a trap for Trump supporters on January 6, 2021.

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🇺🇸⚔️🇨🇳 US-China сhip rivalry finds new flashpoint

The Biden administration is bent on addressing China's rapid advancements in high-tech sectors, by restricting Beijing's access to advanced semiconductor technology, specifically ultra-modern chips, while they push to ramp up domestic production of these components.

An additional and more recent focus of the US strategy targets the semiconductor packaging industry. This sector, essential for enhancing chip performance, has gained prominence in the technological rivalry with China.

The evolution of the semiconductor sector has highlighted advanced packaging techniques as a vital area of potential, not just in the US but globally. Despite sanctions, China has been adept at utilizing this sector to expand its influence in the global market, particularly in areas less affected by restrictions on high-end chip fabrication.

👉 Follow the link to learn more

🇨🇦 Lesser of two evils: Canada shifts budget from Ukraine to boost military presence in Europe

In 2023-2026, Canada plans to provide CAD $1.331 billion (about USD $971.5 million) in military assistance to Ukraine, according to the country's budget proposal.

According to figures outlined in the document, CAD $816 million (USD $595.6 million) is earmarked for military aid to Kiev for the fiscal year 2023-2024. In the following financial year, 2024-2025, the allocation drops to CAD $318 million (about USD $232.1 million), and in 2025-2026 it further decreases to CAD $197 million (about USD $143.8 million).

However, no funds will be appropriated for military assistance to Ukraine beginning in fiscal year 2026-2027.

👉 Follow the link for more details

🇵🇰 Pakistan Again Throws Hat in Ring for BRICS Membership: Source to Sputnik India

ℹ️ Sputnik India has contacted a Pakistani source close to the country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs to confirm the Islamabad's application for BRICS membership.

"Islamabad intends to become a member of the group during Russia's presidency in 2024. Pakistan has been actively pursuing membership in the BRICS organization, which aims to foster regional collaboration and economic development, for the past twelve months", the source clarified.

✈️ He further said, "a delegation from Pakistan's foreign office <...> has made several trips to China and Russia to discuss this issue. Similarly, they met with key players from the grouping to confirm Pakistan's participation in BRICS at this time".

Is Pakistan to Join BRICS?

🇮🇳 Pakistani analyst Adnan Aamir expressed uncertainty, saying that it has been a long effort for Pakistan to join BRICS, but due to India blocking its application, Pakistan is not yet a member of BRICS.

"The question that now has to be raised is whether India will accept Pakistan's entry into the BRICS club at this time, where China and Russia are collaborating to promote peace and stability in the region by engaging both countries Pakistan and India for collective cause", Aamir said.

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FBI Buffalo said since no explosives had been found and no terrorism nexus had been identified it concluded its investigation into a vehicle explosion at the US-Canada Rainbow Bridge border crossing and turned over the case to local police.

🗣 "FBI Buffalo has concluded our investigation at the scene of the Rainbow Bridge incident. A search of the scene revealed no explosive materials, and no terrorism nexus was identified. The matter has been turned over to the Niagara Falls Police Department as a traffic investigation," FBI Buffalo said in a statement on X.

Earlier in the day, New York Governor Kathy Hochul said the incident at the border involving a car was not an act of terrorism.

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