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🇷🇺 The West doesn't seek peace in Ukraine, as the conflict originally broke out because of NATO expansion, expert says
He added that the West's maneuvers indicate that it is "not doing things in the interest of peace." According to Prof. Breakfast, Western countries are more likely to "threaten anyone" who appears to be a "danger" to them.
The professor's comments came in the wake of earlier remarks made by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in an interview with Sputnik, in which he said that Moscow has information that French military instructors are working in Ukraine.
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"If they wanted peace, they would never have tried to expand next to Russia, because the war that has broken out between Russia and Ukraine was caused by the expansion of NATO, which poses a threat to the security architecture of Russia," Prof. Ntsikelelo Breakfast, senior lecturer at South Africa's Nelson Mandela University, told Sputnik Africa.
He added that the West's maneuvers indicate that it is "not doing things in the interest of peace." According to Prof. Breakfast, Western countries are more likely to "threaten anyone" who appears to be a "danger" to them.
The professor's comments came in the wake of earlier remarks made by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in an interview with Sputnik, in which he said that Moscow has information that French military instructors are working in Ukraine.
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Israel can't afford escalation with Iran and Gaza
The Gaza war and tensions with Iran have taken their toll on Israel's economy, with major rating agencies having downgraded the Jewish state's rating by one notch, warning that cuts may deepen if ongoing hostilities escalate.
Israel could hardly afford a further escalation in tensions with Iran or in the Gaza Strip, admit Sputnik's interlocutors.
A continuation of the war in Gaza could axe the prospects of an economic rebound for Israel, echoed Weiss. The problem is that "the conflict will not be over until there is a resolution of the Palestinian issue," warned Rodney Shakespeare, visiting professor of binary economics at Trisakti University in Jakarta, Indonesia.
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The Gaza war and tensions with Iran have taken their toll on Israel's economy, with major rating agencies having downgraded the Jewish state's rating by one notch, warning that cuts may deepen if ongoing hostilities escalate.
"The Israeli economy has shown remarkable resilience," argued Prof. Avi Weiss, president of the Taub Center for Social Policy Research in Israel and professor of economics at Bar-Ilan University, when speaking to Sputnik. "It is expected to grow at 1.5-2% in 2024, and over 5% in 2025. Significantly lower than 'normal,' 3.5%, in 2024, but right on target over the two-year period."
"The Israeli economy ground to a half when the Gaza War began because virtually the entire country was mobilized for the war effort," retorted Dr. Steven Terner, the manager of Terner Consultancy.
"Hundreds of thousands of Israelis were displaced in October, and many remain so to this day. The tourism industry, a major source of revenue, was destroyed by the Gaza War as well. (…) Foreign investment had already suffered greatly throughout the spring, summer, and fall of 2023."
Israel could hardly afford a further escalation in tensions with Iran or in the Gaza Strip, admit Sputnik's interlocutors.
"If you think about every couple of months or every month or every week or whatever - a rocket attack from Iran, which requires overnight expenditure of something like $1 billion in defense in one night, that is, of course, not sustainable," Benjamin Bental, professor emeritus of economics at the University of Haifa, told Sputnik.
A continuation of the war in Gaza could axe the prospects of an economic rebound for Israel, echoed Weiss. The problem is that "the conflict will not be over until there is a resolution of the Palestinian issue," warned Rodney Shakespeare, visiting professor of binary economics at Trisakti University in Jakarta, Indonesia.
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❗️ A man set himself on fire outside the courthouse in New York City where the Trump trial is being held
The man first entered a park across the street from the courthouse and threw flyers in the air, media reports said. Then he pulled something out of his backpack and set himself on fire.
At least one person used a fire extinguisher to try to put out the flames, and paramedics immediately went to the man to help him, said a CNN reporter who witnessed the incident.
It is not yet known what condition the man is in or what exactly was written on his flyers.
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The man first entered a park across the street from the courthouse and threw flyers in the air, media reports said. Then he pulled something out of his backpack and set himself on fire.
At least one person used a fire extinguisher to try to put out the flames, and paramedics immediately went to the man to help him, said a CNN reporter who witnessed the incident.
It is not yet known what condition the man is in or what exactly was written on his flyers.
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Sputnik International
❗️ A man set himself on fire outside the courthouse in New York City where the Trump trial is being held The man first entered a park across the street from the courthouse and threw flyers in the air, media reports said. Then he pulled something out of his…
Laura Kavanagh, the Fire Commissioner of the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) later reported that the man, who committed self immolation survived but is in critical condition.
The man was reportedly identified by police as Maxwell Azzarello.
The man was reportedly identified by police as Maxwell Azzarello.
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Semyon Yeremin, a military correspondent of the Russian media outlet Izvestiya, has died in the special operation zone in Ukraine
He was killed in an attack by a Ukrainian FPV drone, Izvestia reported.
Yeremin, who had been a special correspondent for the outlet since 2017, worked extensively in various areas of the special operation zone, particularly in Mariupol, Azovstal, and Maryinka, Izvestia reports.
He was near Volnovakha and entered the liberated city together with a rotation of storm troopers and came under mortar fire near Ugledar in August 2022, according to the publication.
It was then that a video was found on Ukrainian social networks that actually proved that the Ukrainian army was deliberately killing Russian journalists.
The UN is opposed to the killing of any journalist, UN Spokesperson Farhan Haq told Sputnik.
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He was killed in an attack by a Ukrainian FPV drone, Izvestia reported.
Yeremin, who had been a special correspondent for the outlet since 2017, worked extensively in various areas of the special operation zone, particularly in Mariupol, Azovstal, and Maryinka, Izvestia reports.
He was near Volnovakha and entered the liberated city together with a rotation of storm troopers and came under mortar fire near Ugledar in August 2022, according to the publication.
It was then that a video was found on Ukrainian social networks that actually proved that the Ukrainian army was deliberately killing Russian journalists.
The UN is opposed to the killing of any journalist, UN Spokesperson Farhan Haq told Sputnik.
“We are opposed to the killings of any journalists and believe that they must be fully investigated,” Haq told Sputnik when asked about the killing of Russian journalist Semyon Yeremin from Izvestia newspaper.
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North Korea has conducted a test of a "super-large warhead" for a strategic cruise missile, North Korea's KCNA reported.
The report said a "certain goal" was achieved through the test launch.
The warhead was designed for the "Hwasal-1 Ra-3" strategic cruise missile, and the new anti-aircraft missile was the "Pyoljji-1-2," it said.
Both tests were reportedly part of the regular activities of the North Korean missile administration and "had nothing to do with the surrounding situation".
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The report said a "certain goal" was achieved through the test launch.
The warhead was designed for the "Hwasal-1 Ra-3" strategic cruise missile, and the new anti-aircraft missile was the "Pyoljji-1-2," it said.
Both tests were reportedly part of the regular activities of the North Korean missile administration and "had nothing to do with the surrounding situation".
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Two civilians were killed as a result of two explosive devices being dropped from Ukrainian drones in the village of Poroz, the governor of Russia's Belgorod Region, Vyacheslav Gladkov, said.
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"The village of Poroz, Grayvoronsky urban district, was attacked by the Ukrainian armed forces with drones. As a result of two explosive devices being dropped, a private house caught fire... Two civilians were killed - a woman... and a man... According to preliminary data, as a result of several drops of explosive devices, a private house and a barn were completely burned down, another house was severely damaged," Gladkov wrote on Telegram.
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US progress on Ukraine aid will only prolong Ukraine’s ‘agony’
“And here’s the US trying to bankrupt itself even more, sending even more money and weapons that… there aren’t enough people to operate them,” Malic explained.
On Friday, The House, led by House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) and supported by Democratic leaders, voted to bring the long-delayed legislation to the floor. The move was an about-face by Johnson, who promised during his campaign to become speaker to push only single-issue bills and was a long-time opponent of further aid to Ukraine.
However, the $95.3 billion bill, which includes $60.8 billion for Ukraine, by far its largest expense, will do nothing to change the reality for the Kiev regime, which lacks the manpower to stand against Russia.
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“Everything the West has done since [March 2022, has prolonged] Ukraine’s agony, causing more death on both sides and, essentially, disarm itself because the Western military-industrial complex is manifestly incapable of replacing the weapons they’ve sent to Ukraine,” Serbian-American journalist for RT Nebojsa Malic told Sputnik’s The Final Countdown. “No matter how much we send, it’s never going to be enough.”
“And here’s the US trying to bankrupt itself even more, sending even more money and weapons that… there aren’t enough people to operate them,” Malic explained.
On Friday, The House, led by House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) and supported by Democratic leaders, voted to bring the long-delayed legislation to the floor. The move was an about-face by Johnson, who promised during his campaign to become speaker to push only single-issue bills and was a long-time opponent of further aid to Ukraine.
However, the $95.3 billion bill, which includes $60.8 billion for Ukraine, by far its largest expense, will do nothing to change the reality for the Kiev regime, which lacks the manpower to stand against Russia.
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An explosion occurred at the Kalsu military base south of Baghdad in the Iraqi province of Babil, an Iraqi security service source told Sputnik.
The related footage has spread on social media.
According to Al Arabiya broadcaster, one person was killed and two others injured in the blast.
The US-led Coalition said in a statement that it did not participate in a strike on locations in Jurf Al Sakhar, Iraq, but is continuing to monitor reports of the attack.
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“An explosion, the nature and causes of which are still unclear, occurred at the Kalsu military base in the north of Babil province,” the source said.
The related footage has spread on social media.
According to Al Arabiya broadcaster, one person was killed and two others injured in the blast.
The US-led Coalition said in a statement that it did not participate in a strike on locations in Jurf Al Sakhar, Iraq, but is continuing to monitor reports of the attack.
"Coalition Forces did not participate or strike locations in Iraq. We are monitoring reports of an incident in Jurf Al Sakhar and remain prepared to support our Iraqi partners," the Coalition said in a statement.
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Medvedev: alleged Zelensky assassination attempt may be 'evidence' that the West wants him gone
Deputy Head of the Russian Security Council and former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said on social media that the alleged assassination attempt against Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reportedly thwarted in Poland may be a warning from the West against Zelensky.
The US has a long history of removing allies that become an impediment to its strategic goals, Caleb Maupin an independent journalist and reporter for RT told Sputnik’s The Critical Hour.
“We know during the Vietnam War, for example, that the government of South Vietnam was basically purged by the CIA,” he explained.
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Deputy Head of the Russian Security Council and former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said on social media that the alleged assassination attempt against Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reportedly thwarted in Poland may be a warning from the West against Zelensky.
“An attempt on the life of the chief Banderite [Zelensky] in Poland? That is truly serious,” he wrote. “It may be the first piece of evidence that people in the West have made a decision to liquidate him. Be afraid, clown!”
The US has a long history of removing allies that become an impediment to its strategic goals, Caleb Maupin an independent journalist and reporter for RT told Sputnik’s The Critical Hour.
“We know during the Vietnam War, for example, that the government of South Vietnam was basically purged by the CIA,” he explained.
“As Ukraine is kind of hopeless, there may be a feeling on the part of the US that before this wraps up, the guy who has been the face of all this, the guy who knows where all the bodies are buried, he needs to be removed from the picture,” Maupin speculated.
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The US will withdraw 1,000 US military personnel from Niger in the coming months, the New York Times reported.
The report said that the US government had notified the transitional government in Niger about its plan.
According to the Washington Post, State Department Deputy Secretary Kurt Campbell met with Niger's prime minister earlier in the day and accepted the government's demand.
The report noted that this move will transform the US' posture in West Africa.
Last month, a spokesperson for the Nigerien military said that the country’s transitional government, which took power last July, ended the military agreement with immediate effect, citing the interests of the Nigerien people.
Niger’s Interior Ministry recently said the US had promised to submit a plan for the "disengagement" of troops from the West African country after Niamey ended its military pact with Washington. The statement was published on social media after Nigerien Interior Minister Mohamed Toumba hosted US Ambassador Kathleen FitzGibbon for talks earlier in the day.
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The report said that the US government had notified the transitional government in Niger about its plan.
According to the Washington Post, State Department Deputy Secretary Kurt Campbell met with Niger's prime minister earlier in the day and accepted the government's demand.
The report noted that this move will transform the US' posture in West Africa.
Last month, a spokesperson for the Nigerien military said that the country’s transitional government, which took power last July, ended the military agreement with immediate effect, citing the interests of the Nigerien people.
Niger’s Interior Ministry recently said the US had promised to submit a plan for the "disengagement" of troops from the West African country after Niamey ended its military pact with Washington. The statement was published on social media after Nigerien Interior Minister Mohamed Toumba hosted US Ambassador Kathleen FitzGibbon for talks earlier in the day.
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US 'begged' Israel not to strike Iran but request was embarrassingly ignored
The United States allegedly begged Israel not to carry out a counterattack against Iran in the early hours of Friday, but the Israeli decision to ignore Washington is part of an "embarrassing" trend, Politico reported, citing a US official.
The US' silence on this Israeli strike on Iran is part of an effort to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East between Israel and Iran, according to the report.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre declined to comment on the matter during an earlier briefing, and the Pentagon and US Central Command also declined to comment to Sputnik on this matter.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's only comment on this matter was to rule out any US involvement in the Israeli attack.
Earlier on Friday, Israel carried out an airstrike against Iran in response to Tehran's missile and drone attack over the weekend, media reported.
Explosions were reported near the city of Isfahan. Air defense systems responded to the approach of drones in a number of the country's provinces.
Israeli drones shot down over the city of Isfahan by Iranian air defenses caused no damage, but pro-Israel media are trying to exaggerate the impact of the airstrike, according to Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian.
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The United States allegedly begged Israel not to carry out a counterattack against Iran in the early hours of Friday, but the Israeli decision to ignore Washington is part of an "embarrassing" trend, Politico reported, citing a US official.
"The US begged [Israel] not to do it, and literally no one from the Pentagon to the Joint Chiefs to the CIA to the intel community thinks this is a good thing," the official was quoted by Politico as saying on Friday. "At this point, it’s truly embarrassing how much Israel does not listen to us, but yet this doesn’t keep President Biden from blind fealty."
The US' silence on this Israeli strike on Iran is part of an effort to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East between Israel and Iran, according to the report.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre declined to comment on the matter during an earlier briefing, and the Pentagon and US Central Command also declined to comment to Sputnik on this matter.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's only comment on this matter was to rule out any US involvement in the Israeli attack.
Earlier on Friday, Israel carried out an airstrike against Iran in response to Tehran's missile and drone attack over the weekend, media reported.
Explosions were reported near the city of Isfahan. Air defense systems responded to the approach of drones in a number of the country's provinces.
Israeli drones shot down over the city of Isfahan by Iranian air defenses caused no damage, but pro-Israel media are trying to exaggerate the impact of the airstrike, according to Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian.
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Fifty Ukrainian UAVs were destroyed and intercepted by by Russian air defense forces, including twenty-six over the territory of the Belgorod region, ten over the territory of the Bryansk region, eight over the territory of the Kursk region, two over the Tula region and one each over the territories of the Smolensk, Ryazan, Kaluga and Moscow regions, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement.
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Israel fired three air-launched ballistic missiles into Iran overnight, targeting an Iranian airbase, NBC News reported, citing officials familiar with the operation.
The officials rejected reports that Israel also struck a target near Baghdad as part of Friday's response, although the missile parts found on the ground in Iraq were related to Israel’s strikes on Iran, they reportedly added.
US media reported that Israel on Friday carried out a “limited” retaliatory strike on sites in Iran. Explosions were reported near the city of Isfahan.
Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said the drones shot down over Isfahan did not cause any damage and accused "pro-Israel" media of trying to exaggerate the impact of the Israeli attack.
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The officials rejected reports that Israel also struck a target near Baghdad as part of Friday's response, although the missile parts found on the ground in Iraq were related to Israel’s strikes on Iran, they reportedly added.
US media reported that Israel on Friday carried out a “limited” retaliatory strike on sites in Iran. Explosions were reported near the city of Isfahan.
Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said the drones shot down over Isfahan did not cause any damage and accused "pro-Israel" media of trying to exaggerate the impact of the Israeli attack.
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Israel’s ‘limited’ strikes on Iran: What’s known so far
◻️ Israel has conducted missile strikes on Iran, with explosions heard in the cities of Tehran, Isfahan, and Shiraz, as well as near the 8th base of the Iranian Air Force, US media reported.
◻️…
◻️ Israel has conducted missile strikes on Iran, with explosions heard in the cities of Tehran, Isfahan, and Shiraz, as well as near the 8th base of the Iranian Air Force, US media reported.
◻️…
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Sputnik International
❗️ A man set himself on fire outside the courthouse in New York City where the Trump trial is being held The man first entered a park across the street from the courthouse and threw flyers in the air, media reports said. Then he pulled something out of his…
A man who set himself on fire outside a New York City courthouse where an anti-Trump case was being heard has died, the New York Post reports.
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US has developed ‘microwave’ weapons able to obliterate electronics of Iran's nuclear facilities - report
The US Air Force has operational missiles that could take out the electronics of Iran's nuclear facilities using high-power microwaves, the Daily Mail reported.
The microwave weapons equipped with an electromagnetic pulse cannon are fitted into cruise missiles and can be delivered from B-52 bombers.
Boasting a range of 1,126 km, the weapons can infiltrate enemy airspace at low altitude and target electronic devices with pulses of high power microwave energy. The microwave weapon generates a concentrated beam of energy aimed at generating a voltage surge in electronic equipment, thus disabling it. These missiles are allegedly designed to leave civilians unharmed.
The report comes amid the latest dramatic escalation of tensions in the Middle East, with Israel carrying out an airstrike against Iran on Friday in response to Tehran's missile and drone attack over the weekend.
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The US Air Force has operational missiles that could take out the electronics of Iran's nuclear facilities using high-power microwaves, the Daily Mail reported.
The microwave weapons equipped with an electromagnetic pulse cannon are fitted into cruise missiles and can be delivered from B-52 bombers.
Boasting a range of 1,126 km, the weapons can infiltrate enemy airspace at low altitude and target electronic devices with pulses of high power microwave energy. The microwave weapon generates a concentrated beam of energy aimed at generating a voltage surge in electronic equipment, thus disabling it. These missiles are allegedly designed to leave civilians unharmed.
The report comes amid the latest dramatic escalation of tensions in the Middle East, with Israel carrying out an airstrike against Iran on Friday in response to Tehran's missile and drone attack over the weekend.
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Catch up with the latest news:
US 'begged' Israel not to strike Iran, request was ‘embarrassingly’ ignored - report
Why Israel can't afford escalation with Iran and Gaza? Expert reveals to Sputnik
The US is about to make a move that will transform its posture in West Africa
North Korea conducts a test of a "super-large warhead" for a strategic cruise missile
Does the West want him gone? A possible reason behind the alleged Zelensky assassination attempt
Subscribe to @SputnikInt
US 'begged' Israel not to strike Iran, request was ‘embarrassingly’ ignored - report
Why Israel can't afford escalation with Iran and Gaza? Expert reveals to Sputnik
The US is about to make a move that will transform its posture in West Africa
North Korea conducts a test of a "super-large warhead" for a strategic cruise missile
Does the West want him gone? A possible reason behind the alleged Zelensky assassination attempt
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Sputnik International
US 'begged' Israel not to strike Iran but request was embarrassingly ignored
The United States allegedly begged Israel not to carry out a counterattack against Iran in the early hours of Friday, but the Israeli decision to ignore Washington is part of an…
The United States allegedly begged Israel not to carry out a counterattack against Iran in the early hours of Friday, but the Israeli decision to ignore Washington is part of an…
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Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu was presented with advanced drones and small arms at the Moscow Military District training range.
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Hamas leaders are considering moving their current headquarters out of Qatar as the Gulf state is under increasing pressure to push the group into indirect hostage negotiations with Israel in exchange for a ceasefire, The Wall Street Journal reported.
“The talks have already stalled again with barely any signs or prospects for them to resume any time soon, and distrust is rising between Hamas and the negotiators,” the newspaper quoted an Arab mediator as saying.
Hamas has recently contacted two countries in the region about hosting its leaders, one of which is Oman, the reports noted.
Negotiations between Israel and Hamas to secure a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the release of hostages have recently stalled as the parties have been unable to agree on the terms of a ceasefire.
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“The talks have already stalled again with barely any signs or prospects for them to resume any time soon, and distrust is rising between Hamas and the negotiators,” the newspaper quoted an Arab mediator as saying.
Hamas has recently contacted two countries in the region about hosting its leaders, one of which is Oman, the reports noted.
Negotiations between Israel and Hamas to secure a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the release of hostages have recently stalled as the parties have been unable to agree on the terms of a ceasefire.
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