Israel's protracted war with Hamas will become a significant long-term economic and political burden for the country, according to international credit rating agency Moody's.
On Friday, Moody's decided to lower Israel's credit rating by one notch, from A1 to A2. The reason was the expected economic consequences of the war with Hamas.
Moody's warned in mid-October that Israel's credit rating was in danger of being downgraded. That was less than two weeks after Hamas attacked the country on October 7.
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called the international rating agency’s decision a "political manifesto" that does not include “serious economic arguments,” but is based on a “pessimistic and unfounded geopolitical worldview.” He added that the Israeli economy is strong by all measures.
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On Friday, Moody's decided to lower Israel's credit rating by one notch, from A1 to A2. The reason was the expected economic consequences of the war with Hamas.
Moody's warned in mid-October that Israel's credit rating was in danger of being downgraded. That was less than two weeks after Hamas attacked the country on October 7.
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called the international rating agency’s decision a "political manifesto" that does not include “serious economic arguments,” but is based on a “pessimistic and unfounded geopolitical worldview.” He added that the Israeli economy is strong by all measures.
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Combat training of Basurmanin BMP crews continues at training ranges of special military operation
During another training session, the gunners-operators of the infantry fighting vehicles fired 2A37 30mm automatic cannon and Kalashnikov tank machine gun at a range of 500 to 3,500 metres, suppressing the firing points of a mock enemy. At the same time, drivers and commanders of combat vehicles improved their skills.
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During another training session, the gunners-operators of the infantry fighting vehicles fired 2A37 30mm automatic cannon and Kalashnikov tank machine gun at a range of 500 to 3,500 metres, suppressing the firing points of a mock enemy. At the same time, drivers and commanders of combat vehicles improved their skills.
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World’s mightiest icebreaker fleets
Washington’s new claims that a slice of seabed the size of California off the coast of Alaska have renewed questions about whether the US has the capabilities to enforce its will in the frigid seas.
Who are the top five icebreaker powers in the world?
5️⃣ 🇺🇸 : The US has five vessels, two of them, the Polar Star and the Healy, operated by the Coast Guard, and three smaller ships by the National Science Foundation. The Polar Star has the impressive ability to crack through ice up to 6.4 meters, but is the only ship of its kind.
4️⃣ 🇸🇪 : Sweden has impressive icebreaking capabilities, including up to seven icebreakers, five of them operated by the Swedish Maritime Administration. The newest ship in the fleet is the Oden research vessel, which can plow through ice up to 5 meters thick.
3️⃣ 🇫🇮 : Finland also packs a strong punch in icebreaker capabilities, operating nine icebreaking vessels ranging from the 1954-vintage Voima to the unique Louhi oil and chemical spill response vessel operated by the Navy.
2️⃣ 🇨🇦 : Canada needs icebreakers for its long Arctic coastline, and has at least 15 icebreakers (about half capable of operating in the frigid north), and two offshore patrol vessels operated by the Navy. The pride and flagship of the fleet is the Louis S. St-Laurent, which can crack ice up to five meters thick.
1️⃣ 🇷🇺 : Russia is top of the heap, with its fleet including 45 large icebreakers (seven of them nuclear-powered, with Russia the only country in the world with that technology). The pride of the nuclear icebreaker fleet is the Project 22220 Arktika class, able to spend months at sea and slice through ice up to four meters thick with ease. The newest diesel-powered icebreaker series is Project 21900, with five ships built and two more on the way.
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Washington’s new claims that a slice of seabed the size of California off the coast of Alaska have renewed questions about whether the US has the capabilities to enforce its will in the frigid seas.
Who are the top five icebreaker powers in the world?
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🔺World’s mightiest icebreaker fleets
🔺The views of Putin-Carlson's interview amount to approximately 1 Bln across all sources
🔺Inside Putin's archives: Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov revealed exclusive insights on data shared with Tucker Carlson
🔺Russia has become the leader in terms of the growth rate of trade turnover among China's partners
🔺Trump issues stark warning to NATO: Pay up or US will encourage Russia “to do whatever the hell they want”
🔺Kremlin reveals how ball got rolling with Tucker Carlson's Putin interview proposal
🔺Iran celebrates the anniversary of the victory of the Islamic Revolution
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🔺The views of Putin-Carlson's interview amount to approximately 1 Bln across all sources
🔺Inside Putin's archives: Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov revealed exclusive insights on data shared with Tucker Carlson
🔺Russia has become the leader in terms of the growth rate of trade turnover among China's partners
🔺Trump issues stark warning to NATO: Pay up or US will encourage Russia “to do whatever the hell they want”
🔺Kremlin reveals how ball got rolling with Tucker Carlson's Putin interview proposal
🔺Iran celebrates the anniversary of the victory of the Islamic Revolution
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Sputnik International
A bill that would require US lawmakers to “serve on the front lines” if they vote for more aid to Ukraine, was put forth by Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna (Rep.-FL). Called the 'Senators Can Help Underpin Military Engagement and Readiness, or SCHUMER,…
Ukraine and Israel aid bill without border control measures has passed a procedural vote in the US Senate.
It is still unclear when final Senate vote may take place. Even if the Senate supports the bill, it will have to pass through the House of Representatives, with House Speaker Mike Johnson previously stating that such bill "will be dead on arrival."
It is still unclear when final Senate vote may take place. Even if the Senate supports the bill, it will have to pass through the House of Representatives, with House Speaker Mike Johnson previously stating that such bill "will be dead on arrival."
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Sputnik International
The second round of the presidential election will be held in Finland on February 11, as none of the candidates received even half of the votes in the first round. A little about those who made it to the second round: ▪️Alexander Stubb, 55, is an active…
Finland's presidential candidate Alexander Stubb won the race for the Nordic country's top job on Sunday, the Finland's ministry of justice said after counting 100% of ballots.
The former PM secured 51.6% of the vote, against Pekka Haavisto's 48.4%, who has already conceded his defeat.
Alexander Stubb supports Finland's NATO membership and cooperation with the US, while also calling for severing all diplomatic relations with Russia.
The former PM secured 51.6% of the vote, against Pekka Haavisto's 48.4%, who has already conceded his defeat.
Alexander Stubb supports Finland's NATO membership and cooperation with the US, while also calling for severing all diplomatic relations with Russia.
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More Americans trust former US President Donald Trump's economic policies than the current POTUS, Joe Biden, according to a poll conducted by the Financial Times and the Stephen Ross School of Business at Michigan State University.
A third of Americans believe that Biden's economic policies have done a lot of damage to the US economy. Almost half of respondents (49%) note that their financial situation has worsened during Biden's presidency.
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"The poll shows that 42% of Americans think Donald Trump would do a better job of managing the US economy, compared with just 31% who chose Biden," the Financial Times writes.
A third of Americans believe that Biden's economic policies have done a lot of damage to the US economy. Almost half of respondents (49%) note that their financial situation has worsened during Biden's presidency.
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Davos globalists see Putin and Trump as threat – Wall Street analyst
Russian President Vladimir Putin, like Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, is "anathema to Davos globalists", Wall Street analyst Charles Ortel told Sputnik.
"The American heartland and the Russian people likely share much in common and might benefit greatly from clear interaction, which sanctions certainly impede," according to Ortel.
Putin outlined the deep causes of the Ukraine conflict whereas the Biden administration and a compliant media have been selling Americans a "riskless and noble cause in supporting" the Ukrainian leadership which certainly is not "democratic," "peaceful," or freedom-loving, the Wall Street analyst noted.
The key facts about the conflict which included the US interference in Ukraine affairs, thriving neo-Nazi sentiment, US politicians corrupt ties and Ukrainian oligarchs have been withheld from the US public.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin, like Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, is "anathema to Davos globalists", Wall Street analyst Charles Ortel told Sputnik.
"I think [Putin] warmed the hearts of silent patriots in many nations who deeply distrust unregulated, global bureaucracies that seem mostly to protect corrupt billionaires, some of whom promote manifestly crazy policies," he said.
"The American heartland and the Russian people likely share much in common and might benefit greatly from clear interaction, which sanctions certainly impede," according to Ortel.
Putin outlined the deep causes of the Ukraine conflict whereas the Biden administration and a compliant media have been selling Americans a "riskless and noble cause in supporting" the Ukrainian leadership which certainly is not "democratic," "peaceful," or freedom-loving, the Wall Street analyst noted.
The key facts about the conflict which included the US interference in Ukraine affairs, thriving neo-Nazi sentiment, US politicians corrupt ties and Ukrainian oligarchs have been withheld from the US public.
"No political interview has garnered nearly as much coverage as Putin’s recent sit down with Tucker so I expect it will, in the end, change the thinking of most open minds," Ortel concluded.
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🇺🇸📉 US economy worsened during Biden's presidency, a poll says
According to a poll by the Financial Times and the Stephen Ross School of Business at Michigan State University, a third of Americans believe that Biden's economic policies caused great damage to the US economy.
Almost half of respondents — 49 percent — say that their money situation has worsened during Biden's presidency, only 17 percent of Americans said that their financial position has improved.
The survey was conducted online from February 2 to 5, among 1,006 registered US voters. The margin of sampling error was +/- 3.1 percentage points.
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According to a poll by the Financial Times and the Stephen Ross School of Business at Michigan State University, a third of Americans believe that Biden's economic policies caused great damage to the US economy.
"The poll shows that 42 percent of Americans think Donald Trump would do a better job of managing the US economy, compared with just 31 percent who chose Biden," writes the Financial Times.
Almost half of respondents — 49 percent — say that their money situation has worsened during Biden's presidency, only 17 percent of Americans said that their financial position has improved.
The survey was conducted online from February 2 to 5, among 1,006 registered US voters. The margin of sampling error was +/- 3.1 percentage points.
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Polish farmers spilled Ukrainian grain on the road near the border village of Dorohusk on Sunday in a protest against unchecked Ukrainian food imports.
Rafal Mekler, one of the protest's organizers and a member of the right-wing Confederation alliance, shared photos on social media that showed grain strewn around on a motorway in southeastern Poland.
Polish farmers have been protesting nationwide since Friday to raise awareness of their shrinking livelihoods as imports from non-EU countries undercut prices. Similar protests have been held in Germany, Italy and France.
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Rafal Mekler, one of the protest's organizers and a member of the right-wing Confederation alliance, shared photos on social media that showed grain strewn around on a motorway in southeastern Poland.
"In Dorohusk, farmers spilled grain from trucks, and the trucks are returning to Ukraine," Mekler wrote.
Polish farmers have been protesting nationwide since Friday to raise awareness of their shrinking livelihoods as imports from non-EU countries undercut prices. Similar protests have been held in Germany, Italy and France.
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Sputnik International
Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin has apologized for withholding information about his hospitalization "I did not handle this right," said Austin. "I should have told the president about my cancer diagnosis." Austin stated he had not considered resigning, adding…
Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin was again hospitalized into Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, this time for examination due to sudden bladder problems, the body said.
The Pentagon specified that Austin continues to perform his duties despite the hospitalization and notified his deputy and the head of the chiefs of staff committees, as well as the White House and Congress.
The Pentagon specified that Austin continues to perform his duties despite the hospitalization and notified his deputy and the head of the chiefs of staff committees, as well as the White House and Congress.
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Forwarded from Sputnik Africa
🇮🇱🇵🇸 Israel blocks food aid for 1.1 million Palestinians in Gaza, UNRWA says
The UN agency said this week that Israel had rejected half of UNRWA aid mission requests to northern Gaza this year after accusing some of its staffers of involvement in the October 7 Hamas attack.
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"A food shipment for 1.1 million people is stuck at Israeli port due to recent restrictions from Israeli authorities. 1,049 containers of rice, flour, chickpeas, sugar & cooking oil are stuck as families in Gaza face hunger and starvation," the UN Palestinian refugee agency UNRWA said on social media.
The UN agency said this week that Israel had rejected half of UNRWA aid mission requests to northern Gaza this year after accusing some of its staffers of involvement in the October 7 Hamas attack.
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❗️ Rheumatological drugs had been tested for several years on patients of the Mariupol hospital's psychiatric ward at the request of major Western pharmaceutical companies and with the assistance of Ukrainian officials, according to documents seen by Sputnik.
The primary purpose of the research was to evaluate the effectiveness of the drug in relation to the proportion of patients who achieved the response according to the criteria of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR).
Such companies like Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Celltrion, Novatris International AG, IQVIA, Sanofi, Galapagos NV, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, AbbottLaboratories, Covance, Merck KGaA, CentocorBiopharmaceutical and a pharmaceutical branch of Samsung were mentioned in the documents.
In addition, boxes containing many ready-made envelopes from logistics companies and containers for biomaterial with recipient addresses of laboratories in Switzerland, the UK and the US were found on the site of the hospital.
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The documents belonged to the psychiatric ward of the hospital and were drafted in 2008-2016. According to the initial inspection of the documents, it can be seen that certain drugs with numbers and without proper noscripts were tested on humans.
The primary purpose of the research was to evaluate the effectiveness of the drug in relation to the proportion of patients who achieved the response according to the criteria of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR).
Such companies like Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Celltrion, Novatris International AG, IQVIA, Sanofi, Galapagos NV, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, AbbottLaboratories, Covance, Merck KGaA, CentocorBiopharmaceutical and a pharmaceutical branch of Samsung were mentioned in the documents.
In addition, boxes containing many ready-made envelopes from logistics companies and containers for biomaterial with recipient addresses of laboratories in Switzerland, the UK and the US were found on the site of the hospital.
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Sputnik International
❗️ Rheumatological drugs had been tested for several years on patients of the Mariupol hospital's psychiatric ward at the request of major Western pharmaceutical companies and with the assistance of Ukrainian officials, according to documents seen by Sputnik.…
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❗️ Infants were used by major Western pharmaceutical companies for testing drugs during experiments that were held on patients of the psychiatric ward of the Mariupol hospital, according to documents seen by Sputnik.
The list of patients who were administered one of the drugs included infants under one year old. The drug was also administered to children aged from one to 11 years.
The documents were discovered by builders in the basement of hospital No. 7 in Mariupol during its restoration.
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The list of patients who were administered one of the drugs included infants under one year old. The drug was also administered to children aged from one to 11 years.
The documents were discovered by builders in the basement of hospital No. 7 in Mariupol during its restoration.
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Sputnik International
Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin was again hospitalized into Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, this time for examination due to sudden bladder problems, the body said. The Pentagon specified that Austin continues to perform his duties despite the hospitalization…
Pentagon head Lloyd Austin handed over his duties to his deputy, Kathleen Hicks, due to hospitalization, the press service of the Pentagon reported.
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The Palestine Red Crescent Society said that Israel was carrying out strikes on the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, Reuters reported, citing the organization.
At the same time, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said that it had carried out strikes on targets in the Shaboura area of the city of Rafah.
Israel has been pounding Rafah for several days in preparation for a ground offensive that aims to root out Hamas. The city is the last refuge for over a million Palestinians who were told to relocate south during the past four months of the Israeli military operation in the enclave.
The US, Canada, Germany and other Western allies of Israel have criticized the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for ordering a ground operation in the packed city, warning of an imminent humanitarian disaster.
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At the same time, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said that it had carried out strikes on targets in the Shaboura area of the city of Rafah.
"The IDF conducted a series of strikes on terror targets in the area of Shaboura in the southern Gaza Strip. The strikes have concluded," the IDF said on Telegram.
Israel has been pounding Rafah for several days in preparation for a ground offensive that aims to root out Hamas. The city is the last refuge for over a million Palestinians who were told to relocate south during the past four months of the Israeli military operation in the enclave.
The US, Canada, Germany and other Western allies of Israel have criticized the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for ordering a ground operation in the packed city, warning of an imminent humanitarian disaster.
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Sputnik International
The Palestine Red Crescent Society said that Israel was carrying out strikes on the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, Reuters reported, citing the organization. At the same time, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said that it had carried out strikes…
The number of people killed as a result of Israeli strikes on the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip has risen to 100, Al Mayadeen broadcaster reported on Monday, citing medical sources.
Earlier in the day, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said that it had carried out strikes on "terror targets" in the Shaboura area of the city of Rafah. Later, Al Jazeera broadcaster reported that strikes claimed the lives of 63 people.
Over 230 people received injuries due to Israeli strikes, the report added.
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Earlier in the day, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said that it had carried out strikes on "terror targets" in the Shaboura area of the city of Rafah. Later, Al Jazeera broadcaster reported that strikes claimed the lives of 63 people.
Over 230 people received injuries due to Israeli strikes, the report added.
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Sputnik International
The Palestine Red Crescent Society said that Israel was carrying out strikes on the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, Reuters reported, citing the organization. At the same time, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said that it had carried out strikes…
President Joe Biden cautioned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against a military operation in the city of Rafah if that operation did not include the evacuation of civilians in the area.
Hamas has warned Israel that an invasion of Rafah would “torpedo” hostage exchange negotiations. Rafah may be one of the last safe zones for Palestinians fleeing the war with well over half of Gaza’s population now living there in refuge.
Egypt has also threatened to suspend its peace treaty with Israel if Israeli troops are sent into Rafah. The country is afraid that Palestinians may be pushed into the Sinai Peninsula which would then force Gaza’s main aid supply route to close.
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“A military operation in Rafah should not proceed without a credible and executable plan for ensuring the safety of and support for the more than one million people sheltering there,” the president reportedly told Netanyahu, signaling a growing impatience the White House feels towards the Israeli leader.
Hamas has warned Israel that an invasion of Rafah would “torpedo” hostage exchange negotiations. Rafah may be one of the last safe zones for Palestinians fleeing the war with well over half of Gaza’s population now living there in refuge.
Egypt has also threatened to suspend its peace treaty with Israel if Israeli troops are sent into Rafah. The country is afraid that Palestinians may be pushed into the Sinai Peninsula which would then force Gaza’s main aid supply route to close.
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A new tourist zone is being built in the DPRK to receive Russian tourists, the government of Primorye (in the Far East of Russia) reported.
The new Wonsan-Kalma tourist zone is located on an area of 2.8 square kilometers, includes 17 hotels, 37 hotels, 29 different shops, a four-kilometer beach. It is expected to become operational "in the coming years".
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The new Wonsan-Kalma tourist zone is located on an area of 2.8 square kilometers, includes 17 hotels, 37 hotels, 29 different shops, a four-kilometer beach. It is expected to become operational "in the coming years".
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🇰🇵 North Korea developed a new guided projectile and control system for MLRS, according to DPRK state media.
The North Korean Academy of Defense Sciences has developed a new guided missile and control system for multiple launch rocket systems, the North Korean state news agency KCNA reported.
The academy has already conducted test-firing of 240mm shells to assess their accuracy, the report said.
The development of the projectiles and their ballistic control system will "qualitatively change" the composition of the country's multiple launch rocket systems, the report added.
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The North Korean Academy of Defense Sciences has developed a new guided missile and control system for multiple launch rocket systems, the North Korean state news agency KCNA reported.
The academy has already conducted test-firing of 240mm shells to assess their accuracy, the report said.
The development of the projectiles and their ballistic control system will "qualitatively change" the composition of the country's multiple launch rocket systems, the report added.
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