❗️The Russian Armed Forces struck at night the facilities of the Ukrainian military-industrial complex, which produces shells and drones with the Kinzhal hypersonic missile system.

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German government's selective austerity measures may destroy agriculture - the Alternative for Germany party (AfD)

Eugene Schmidt from AfD party argued that the government encouraged migrants to come to Germany by guaranteeing generous social benefits and refusing to do enough to secure borders. The Federal Office for Migration estimated that 351,915 migrants applied for asylum in Germany in 2023, up 51.1% from the year before.

"Our farmers are already suffering greatly from the monstrous energy prices. The government's plans to end subsidies will become a mortal blow to the industry," Schmidt said.

Thousands of farmers rallied nationwide this week in protest against the planned cuts to agricultural subsidies and tax breaks, prompting the government to walk back on some of the changes. Rail workers joined the strike to demand higher pay, bringing the European Union's biggest economy to a near-standstill. More rallies by farmers are expected this weekend and will continue into the next week.

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❗️A precision weapons strike targeted enterprises involved in the production of shells, gunpowder, and drones. The objective of the strike on Ukrainian military-industrial complex facilities has been successfully accomplished, with all targets hit.

🇷🇺🪖 Other statements from the Russian MoD briefing on the progress of the special military operation in Ukraine:

▪️ In the Donetsk region, Ukrainian losses amounted to 430 soldiers and four tanks;

▪️ The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation repelled two attacks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the direction of Krasnolimansk in one day, the enemy lost up to 280 fighters;

▪️ In Kharkov the Russian forces destroyed an ammunition depot of the 27th missile brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces;

▪️ The Russian air defense systems shot down 21 Ukrainian drones and eight HIMARS shells during the day.

▪️ The Russian forces hit 107 artillery units of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and enemy manpower in 131 areas.

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📹 Buk-M1 air defense systems repelled Ukrainian missile attacks in South Donetsk

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More than 96% of votes have been counted - Lai Ching-te remains in the lead. Candidates from the Taiwan People's Party Ko Wen-je and the Kuomintang Party have already spoken to their supporters.

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Hou Yu-ih, the candidate of Taiwan's main opposition Kuomintang party, conceded defeat in the island's general election on Saturday and asked voters for forgiveness.

"I have disappointed everyone. I am here to express my deepest regret. Please forgive me," Hou said in his address to voters.

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❗️The pro-independence candidate of Taiwan's ruling party, Lai Ching-te, claims victory in the election for the island's head of administration.

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Some of Epstein’s victims ‘fearing for their safety’ after documents’ release, judge says

Lawyers failed to properly redact some of the hundreds of documents tied to the Jeffrey Epstein case, which had a negative impact on the late convicted pedophile’s victims, District Judge Loretta Preska has admitted.

“Counsel is thus reminded of the human cost of inadvertently disclosing the names and identifying information of Does [Epstein’s victims], who should have remained under seal,” Preska pointed out.

The victims and others “have reported fearing for their safety and the safety of loved ones,” the judge said, adding that their reputations and personal relationships have been affected.

Earlier this month, the US District Court for the Southern District of New York unsealed hundreds of documents connected to Epstein, identifying multiple individuals, some of which include prominent politicians and notable public figures.

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📹 Motorized rifle units of the Vostok Group of the Armed Forces are improving their skills with rocket-propelled anti-personnel flame throwers in the Donetsk region.

Under the supervision of experienced instructors, the servicemen carried out live firing with Mukha RPG-18 anti-tank grenade launchers and Shmel RPO-A rocket-propelled anti-personnel flame throwers. These types of weapons during the special military operation show high effectiveness against enemy armored vehicles, including those of Western production.

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Gonzalo Lira: A Requiem from the Donbass

Sputnik correspondent Russell Bentley (@TXDPR) reflects on Gonzalo Lira’s death in a Ukrainian prison following months of abuse and medical neglect by the Zelensky regime.

“All those who speak truth to power in Ukraine, as Gonzalo may well have done, do so at their peril. They are ‘heroes’ exactly because they risk their lives to do so. It is a dangerous business. Those who risk their lives sometimes lose them. Gonzalo was not the first, and he will not be the last. A war zone under Nazi occupation is a dangerous place, and mistakes can be extremely painful or even deadly.

Gonzalo did not deserve what happened to him in any way, but he made a fatal mistake and underestimated the evil of his enemies. He could have left when he had the chance, and he should have. God rest his soul.”

Read full obituary here

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Zelensky wouldn't have a chance if we shot it [US financing of Ukraine] down, Donald Trump Jr. said

We're literally creating an oligarch class of billionaires in Ukraine with whatever's being siphoned off, whether it's Zelensky [or anyone else], Trump Jr. said.

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US-led attacks on Yemen sow division among Washington's allies

Italy, France and Spain have refrained from either providing support to the US-UK bombing or signing a joint statement approving of the strikes.

According to Reuters, all three countries essentially lean towards a more peaceful approach to the current crisis in the Middle East instead of going in guns blazing as the United States tends to do.

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Taiwanese elections will not change the main direction or development of relations on the two sides of the Taiwan Strait, Chinese authorities have claimed

Beijing will promote a peaceful development of relations with Taipei and the "reunification of the motherland". China will work with political parties and all sectors of Taiwan's society to promote exchanges and cooperation, according to authorities.

China will firmly oppose any actions aimed at achieving Taiwan's independence, including by interference by external forces. Taiwanese elections show that the Democratic Progressive Party does not represent mainstream public opinion on island, Beijing added.

Earlier, pro-American candidate Lai Ching-te from Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party officially won the election to the island's leader, securing 40.05% of the vote, the Central Election Commission said after counting ballots from all polling stations.

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The United States and UK are carrying out strikes on a naval base in the city of Al Hudaydah in western Yemen, a source told Sputnik.

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Russia discovers largest gold field since 1991

The discovery of more than 100 tons of gold has been confirmed at the Sovinoye gold mine in the easternmost Russian federal entity of Chukotka. It is the largest field found since the collapse of the USSR in 1991.

The information was revealed by a mining division of the Russian state corporation Rosatom, which said in a statement that drilling was carried out year-round in conditions of continuous permafrost.

“Over the past three years, 123 wells with a total length of more than 32 km have been drilled. All prospecting, topographic-geodetic, geological-geochemical and geophysical work has been completed,” according to the company.

The Sovinoye mine’s annual output is expected to stand at three tons of gold starting from 2029, the company said.

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