US nearly out of money and out of time on Ukraine funding, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said during the end of year presser.
Blinken underscored the urgency of the Biden administration’s supplemental funding request to US Congress, which includes money for Ukraine and Israel.
There is no “magic pot” from which the US can pull funds to support Ukraine, Blinken added.
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Blinken underscored the urgency of the Biden administration’s supplemental funding request to US Congress, which includes money for Ukraine and Israel.
There is no “magic pot” from which the US can pull funds to support Ukraine, Blinken added.
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The Houthis general mobilization is underway in northern Yemen to send fighters to the Gaza Strip. Sputnik asked Middle Eastern experts, how this may change the situation in Palestine.
🔸Mehmet Rakipoglu, a researcher on international affairs at London-based think tank Dimensions for Strategic Studies:
"I think Houthis are the actors that have been fighting against Israel most concretely. Their steps are easy to see because they have been controlling the Red Sea and they are sending a clear message to Israel: if Israel continues to commit genocide in Gaza against Palestinians, they will not stop - it's a clear message. But I'm not sure whether they can send these soldiers directly to Gaza."
🔸Dr. Lorenzo Trombetta, a Beirut-based scholar and analyst specializing on the Middle East:
"The US share their quota of responsibility of course. But they are not the sole responsible player for this state of things. US and UK, together with Israel, intend to revert the Red Sea status quo to prior Oct 7. In this they are well supported by almost all Western powers."
🔸Dr. Hasan Selim Ozertem, an Ankara-based security and political analyst:
"So rather than sending troops, I may suppose that there may be some maneuvers to undermine security, as we witnessed in the last couple of weeks, like attacks on two vessels carrying oil from the region. So over here, we may see also a further engagement of the coalition forces with the Yemeni Houthis to take control of such conflicts and also sustain security of the traffic flow from Red Sea through the Suez Channel."
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🔸Mehmet Rakipoglu, a researcher on international affairs at London-based think tank Dimensions for Strategic Studies:
"I think Houthis are the actors that have been fighting against Israel most concretely. Their steps are easy to see because they have been controlling the Red Sea and they are sending a clear message to Israel: if Israel continues to commit genocide in Gaza against Palestinians, they will not stop - it's a clear message. But I'm not sure whether they can send these soldiers directly to Gaza."
🔸Dr. Lorenzo Trombetta, a Beirut-based scholar and analyst specializing on the Middle East:
"The US share their quota of responsibility of course. But they are not the sole responsible player for this state of things. US and UK, together with Israel, intend to revert the Red Sea status quo to prior Oct 7. In this they are well supported by almost all Western powers."
🔸Dr. Hasan Selim Ozertem, an Ankara-based security and political analyst:
"So rather than sending troops, I may suppose that there may be some maneuvers to undermine security, as we witnessed in the last couple of weeks, like attacks on two vessels carrying oil from the region. So over here, we may see also a further engagement of the coalition forces with the Yemeni Houthis to take control of such conflicts and also sustain security of the traffic flow from Red Sea through the Suez Channel."
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Russia about to get a new recon-strike drone system soon
‘Granat’ is a new UAV surveillance system designed by a Russian firm. It is made to track down targets hidden in rough terrain and in urban areas, as well as guide strike drones to the uncovered targets.
A relay drone that transmits signals to and from the surveillance Granat UAV, as well as to the attack drone component of the system, affords the system a greater operational range.
While a surveillance drone handles the target detection and acquisition aspect, the destruction of the targets found by ‘Granat’ is achieved thanks to an array of loitering munitions that can carry fragmentation, high-explosive or anti-tank payloads.
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‘Granat’ is a new UAV surveillance system designed by a Russian firm. It is made to track down targets hidden in rough terrain and in urban areas, as well as guide strike drones to the uncovered targets.
A relay drone that transmits signals to and from the surveillance Granat UAV, as well as to the attack drone component of the system, affords the system a greater operational range.
While a surveillance drone handles the target detection and acquisition aspect, the destruction of the targets found by ‘Granat’ is achieved thanks to an array of loitering munitions that can carry fragmentation, high-explosive or anti-tank payloads.
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Russia has an excellent position on Palestine, Lebanon's foreign minister told Sputnik
Lebanon constantly coordinates its actions with the Russian Federation on many issues, said Abdallah Bou Habib.
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Lebanon constantly coordinates its actions with the Russian Federation on many issues, said Abdallah Bou Habib.
"We hope for further development of Arab-Russian relations. It is important to continue rapprochement and cooperation. Russia maintains stability in Arab countries and helps resolve conflicts," the Lebanese FM told Sputnik.
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🇮🇱🇵🇸 Latest updates on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict:
▪️Since the beginning of the conflict, Israeli bombing has claimed 20,000 victims in the Gaza Strip, of which 8,000 are children and more than 52,000 have been injured, the press service of the Gaza Strip government reported;
▪️Palestine has appealed to the International Criminal Court in connection with Israeli actions in Gaza, the Palestinian ambassador in Vienna told Sputnik;
▪️Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said there will be no ceasefire in Gaza until the "elimination" of Hamas, which is at war with Israeli forces in the Palestinian territory;
▪️The Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations delivered 18 tons of humanitarian aid to residents of Gaza.
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▪️Since the beginning of the conflict, Israeli bombing has claimed 20,000 victims in the Gaza Strip, of which 8,000 are children and more than 52,000 have been injured, the press service of the Gaza Strip government reported;
▪️Palestine has appealed to the International Criminal Court in connection with Israeli actions in Gaza, the Palestinian ambassador in Vienna told Sputnik;
▪️Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said there will be no ceasefire in Gaza until the "elimination" of Hamas, which is at war with Israeli forces in the Palestinian territory;
▪️The Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations delivered 18 tons of humanitarian aid to residents of Gaza.
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The Red Sea Coalition and War of Economic Corridors
The Pentagon chief's announcement of forming a 10-nation coalition to thwart Houthi attacks on vessels transiting the Red Sea could dramatically escalate tensions in the region, he writes.
Per Escobar, Washington's militarization of sea lanes fits into the framework of the War of Economic Corridors, as the weakened hegemon is desperately trying to maintain control in Eurasia.
👉 Check out Sputnik's article to find out more
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"The Red Sea turning red will (…) send the global energy crisis into a tailspin. After all at least four million barrels of oil and 12% of total global seaborne trade to the West transits the Bab al-Mandeb every single day," Sputnik's contributor Pepe Escobar warns in his latest op-ed.
The Pentagon chief's announcement of forming a 10-nation coalition to thwart Houthi attacks on vessels transiting the Red Sea could dramatically escalate tensions in the region, he writes.
"This is Washington all but declaring war on Yemen’s Ansarullah. An extra US destroyer has already been dispatched to the Red Sea," notes Escobar, adding that Houthi militants wouldn't give up without a fight.
Per Escobar, Washington's militarization of sea lanes fits into the framework of the War of Economic Corridors, as the weakened hegemon is desperately trying to maintain control in Eurasia.
👉 Check out Sputnik's article to find out more
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❗️ Security measures have been tightened in Argentina's capital, where the first large-scale protest took place against President Milei as his policies went into effect.
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Sputnik International
❗️ The US has delayed for the second time in one day voting on a UN Security Council draft resolution on welcoming a humanitarian ceasefire and establishing a monitoring mechanism in the Gaza Strip, a UN source told Sputnik. The United States at first requested…
🇺🇳 The UN Security Council has postponed a vote on a resolution that calls for boosting humanitarian aid for Gaza until Thursday morning "to allow additional time for diplomacy," UNSC President Jose De La Gasca stated on Wednesday.
The UN Security Council was originally set to vote on the Arab-sponsored resolution on Monday. The vote has since been pushed back several times in an effort to avoid another veto by the US.
The UAE envoy expressed confidence that the resolution would be adopted.
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The UN Security Council was originally set to vote on the Arab-sponsored resolution on Monday. The vote has since been pushed back several times in an effort to avoid another veto by the US.
"We believe today giving a little bit space for additional diplomacy could yield positive results, and we are going to be optimistic trying to do that," UAE ambassador to the UN Lana Nusseibeh told reporters.
The UAE envoy expressed confidence that the resolution would be adopted.
"I am optimistic, but if this fails, then we will continue to keep trying because we have to keep trying. There is too much suffering on the ground," she said.
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🇸🇰🛢 Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico confirmed on Wednesday that his country would continue refining Russian crude and exporting fuels to the Czech Republic, after the European Union extended its exemption as part of the bloc's 12th package of Russia sanctions.
The regulation allowing Bratislava to sell Russian-origin oil products to its neighbor expired on December 5. On Tuesday, Slovak Economy Minister Denisa Sakova said the exemption was extended for one year.
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The regulation allowing Bratislava to sell Russian-origin oil products to its neighbor expired on December 5. On Tuesday, Slovak Economy Minister Denisa Sakova said the exemption was extended for one year.
"We have been granted an exemption [from EU's ban] for processing Russian oil. As you know, Russian oil is currently under sanctions, but we are allowed to sell products made from it in Slovakia, and we have also been granted an exemption under which we can export products made from this Russian oil to the Czech Republic," Fico told the InfoVojna broadcaster.
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California Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis on Wednesday wrote to Secretary of State Shirley Weber demanding that she explore "every legal option" to remove former President Donald Trump from the state's 2024 ballot.
Kounalakis said she was prompted by the ruling to conclude that Trump is ineligible to appear on the state ballot as a presidential candidate due to his alleged involvement in the so-called insurrection on January 6, 2021. Kounalakis also said Colorado’s decision could serve as the basis for a similar decision in California.
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"Based on the Colorado Supreme Court’s ruling in Anderson v. Griswold (2023 CO 63), I urge you [Weber] to explore every legal option to remove former President Donald Trump from California’s 2024 presidential ballot," Kounalakis wrote in her letter.
Kounalakis said she was prompted by the ruling to conclude that Trump is ineligible to appear on the state ballot as a presidential candidate due to his alleged involvement in the so-called insurrection on January 6, 2021. Kounalakis also said Colorado’s decision could serve as the basis for a similar decision in California.
"California must stand on the right side of history," the letter said. "The constitution is clear: you must be 40 years old and not be an insurrectionist."
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🇷🇺 The de-escalation efforts of Western countries in the Middle East are aimed at preventing the Gaza Strip from uniting with other Palestinian territories into a single political entity, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Wednesday.
Earlier in the day, the minister took part in a RACF session in Morocco. Russia and the Arab countries that participated in the forum agree that what is taking place in the Middle East now is "an invitation to another crisis, another conflict," Lavrov added.
👉 Check out Sputnik's article to find out more
Earlier in the day, the minister took part in a RACF session in Morocco. Russia and the Arab countries that participated in the forum agree that what is taking place in the Middle East now is "an invitation to another crisis, another conflict," Lavrov added.
"Unfortunately, we are hearing many rumors these days, reports from anonymous sources, that our Western colleagues, led by the United States, are once again hatching some secret projects aimed at somehow calming the situation and preventing the unification of Gaza and the West Bank. Thereby, in fact, preventing the creation of a Palestinian state and postponing all this for later," the top Russian diplomat stressed.
👉 Check out Sputnik's article to find out more
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Colorado Supreme Court takes upon itself to ‘define insurrection’ in anti-Trump ruling
Earlier, Colorado Supreme Court effectively barred Donald Trump from the 2024 primary ballot in the state, using a clause that bars those “engaged in insurrection” from holding a public office, even though Trump is yet to be convicted of such a crime.
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“There are several issues involved in this case but at a minimum it seems highly political for the Colorado Supreme Court to take it upon itself to define what constitutes an insurrection and to remove someone from the ballot as a result,” notes Timothy Hagle, a political science professor at the University of Iowa.
Earlier, Colorado Supreme Court effectively barred Donald Trump from the 2024 primary ballot in the state, using a clause that bars those “engaged in insurrection” from holding a public office, even though Trump is yet to be convicted of such a crime.
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Trump calls on US Supreme Court to not fast-track the election immunity case
Former US President Donald Trump is urging the US Supreme Court to reject a request by Special Counsel Jack Smith to decide quickly on his claim to presidential immunity in the 2020 election subversion case, according to a court filing by his attorneys.
Last week, Special Counsel Jack Smith asked the Supreme Court to rule on whether Trump is immune from criminal prosecution on charges of plotting to overthrow the 2020 election. Smith said it was of imperative public importance that Trump's claims of immunity be resolved by the Supreme Court so that his trial can proceed as quickly as possible.
The filing challenged the special counsel's plea for "extraordinary haste," saying that such matters should be decided with caution and deliberation, not at "breakneck speed."
👉 Follow the link for more details
Former US President Donald Trump is urging the US Supreme Court to reject a request by Special Counsel Jack Smith to decide quickly on his claim to presidential immunity in the 2020 election subversion case, according to a court filing by his attorneys.
Last week, Special Counsel Jack Smith asked the Supreme Court to rule on whether Trump is immune from criminal prosecution on charges of plotting to overthrow the 2020 election. Smith said it was of imperative public importance that Trump's claims of immunity be resolved by the Supreme Court so that his trial can proceed as quickly as possible.
"The petition for writ of certiorari before judgment should be denied," Trump's legal team said in a court filing in response on Wednesday.
The filing challenged the special counsel's plea for "extraordinary haste," saying that such matters should be decided with caution and deliberation, not at "breakneck speed."
👉 Follow the link for more details
Sputnik International
Trump Calls on US Supreme Court to Not Fast-Track Election Immunity Case
Former US President Donald Trump is urging the US Supreme Court to reject a request by Special Counsel Jack Smith to decide quickly on his claim to presidential immunity in the 2020 election subversion case, according to a court filing by his attorneys.
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🇦🇷 More than 1,000 protesters on Wednesday gathered at a square in front of the Casa Rosada, Argentina's presidential palace, in a protest against the country's new authorities and their economic policies, a Sputnik correspondent reported.
🔸 Protesters took to the streets of Argentina's capital, Buenos Aires, ten days after the inauguration of President Javier Milei to oppose his policy of cutting spending in all areas, which the government itself called "shocking."
🔸 Police later allowed protesters to occupy another street on their way to the presidential palace. Hundreds of people shouted anti-government slogans and moved toward the central square to the presidential palace, escorted by police from all sides.
🔸 Milei and Security Minister Patricia Bullrich were watching the start of protests in Buenos Aires from the police department's building, Argentine broadcaster TN reported.
🔸 According to the media, two people have been detained during the protests.
👉 Follow the link for more details
🔸 Protesters took to the streets of Argentina's capital, Buenos Aires, ten days after the inauguration of President Javier Milei to oppose his policy of cutting spending in all areas, which the government itself called "shocking."
🔸 Police later allowed protesters to occupy another street on their way to the presidential palace. Hundreds of people shouted anti-government slogans and moved toward the central square to the presidential palace, escorted by police from all sides.
🔸 Milei and Security Minister Patricia Bullrich were watching the start of protests in Buenos Aires from the police department's building, Argentine broadcaster TN reported.
🔸 According to the media, two people have been detained during the protests.
👉 Follow the link for more details
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Tune in to the latest #AfroVerdict рodcast to catch up with an analytical takeaway on Рutin’s year-end meeting on Russia’s military achievements and the global military landscape.
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🪖 As 2023 comes to an end, Russia’s Рresident Vladimir Рutin held a meeting with the Russian Ministry of Defense to discuss the military achievements of the year. #AfroVerdict host joins an exрert in security studies to have an analytical look over the statements…
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