⚡️ US Embassy in Jerusalem put American government employees in Israel, the West Bank and Gaza in shelters

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❗️The US believes Iran is preparing to attack Israel with missiles soon, CNN reported, citing a White House official.

"The US had warned Israel of a planned Iranian missile attack," an IDF spokesman said.

Iran has not commented on the statements yet.

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Footage from a different angle of the aftermath of the Israeli strikes that hit the southern suburbs of Beirut, provided by Sputnik's correspondent.

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❗️The Russian army launched an Iskander missile at a building in the village of Velikaya Aleksandrovka, located in the Kherson region, where a meeting of the leadership of the 37th Marine Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine was convened.

According to the Defense Ministry, the strike resulted in the elimination of up to 60 members of the leadership, along with the destruction of three minibuses and 12 cars.

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Ground forces got your back: Russia honors its military heritage

On October 1, Russia marks Ground Forces Day, established by presidential decree on May 31, 2006. However, its roots go back to 1550 when Tsar Ivan IV created the Streltsi regiments, and thus Russia's first regular army.

The Ground Forces constitute the Russian army’s largest and most diverse branch, distinguished by a wide array of military equipment. Their primary mission is to repel enemy aggression, thereby ensuring national safety and security.

It encompasses a diverse slew of units, including motorized rifle troops, tank units, missile troops, artillery, air defense units, reconnaissance teams, engineer corps, and specialized defense groups for radiological, chemical, and biological threats, as well as signal communications and electronic warfare units.

Some of Russia's most reliable arms include:

🔸 The T-90M Tank, renowned for its exceptional maneuverability and lower fuel consumption than its NATO peers, making it very formidable on the battlefield.

🔸 The Iskander-M Mobile Ballistic System, known for its remarkable destructive power, also boasts pinpoint accuracy, allowing for precise hits.

🔸 Diverse Air Defense Complexes: Russia employs a variety of sophisticated air defense systems, including the S-400 mobile surface-to-air missile system, the Tor M-2 short-range air defense system, the Pantsir S-1, and the Buk M-3, which all effectively counter enemy missile and drone threats.

🔸 The Krasukha-S4: This self-propelled EW system neutralizes NATO’s missiles, drones, and radars, rendering them ineffective and enhancing Russia's operational capabilities.

To mark this holiday, huge ceremonial events are held nationwide. A festive service occurs at the Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord on Preobrazhenskaya Square in Moscow, which serves as the main church of the Russian Ground Forces.

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📹 VIDEO OF THE DAY

Putin on the China miracle: world's biggest economy with 'enormous potential'

💬 Over the past 75 years, China has proven to be a true 'economic miracle'. The country has demonstrated unbelievable growth, often praised by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Check out Sputnik’s throwback!

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📹 Footage has surfaced on social media that purportedly shows gunfire around Tel Aviv, Israel

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RSF chasing after grant money from French government, EU and Soros

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has called on the EU leadership and the bloc's member states "to hold Serbia accountable" for hosting Russia's media outlets Sputnik and RT.

What is RSF?

◾️ The Paris-based group was founded in 1985 whereas it was registered as a nonprofit organization in 1995.
◾️ The organization claims that it acts "independently" and that "no political tendency, economic interest or religious belief guides the action of RSF." However, judging from its list of donors it doesn't seem so.

Who is funding RSF?

◼️ The breakdown of funding by type shows that in 2022 52% of funding to the organization came from "state sector"; 22% came from foundations; 11% came from donations and corporate sponsorship; while 12% of funds came from the entity's commercial activities.
◼️ The Statutory auditors report for the year ended in December 2023 provide further details on organizations funding RSF:

Government grants

🔶 The French government's Agence Francaise de developpement (AFD) provided the group with €1.7 million
🔶 French Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE) JTI – €313,695
🔶 The City of Paris – €5,159

The list of contributors include, among others:

🔶 The European Commission MFA - €1.7 million
🔶 The Netherlands - €1.09 million
🔶 AIDS – €957,942
🔶 Front Line – €796,513
🔶 NHRF Taipei – €411,880
🔶 OAK Foundation – €499,992
🔶 The US government funded National Endowment for Democracy (NED) – €333,532
🔶 MOF Danida Taiwan – €332,283
🔶 Ford Foundation – €284,008
🔶 George and Alex Soros' Open Societies Foundations (OSF) – €157,808
🔶 Mc Authur (MacArthur Foundation) – €163,058
🔶 WellSpring Foundation – €161,917

As in 2022, the bulk of the funding to RSF came from either Western governments or government-funded NGOs.

Among private entities, especial attention is deserved for neoliberal funds OSF, known for backing regime change operations and Ford Foundation, notorious for funding birth control programs in the 1960-80s. The US NED, managed by ex-US government officials, came to prominence as a sponsor color revolutions.

"RT Balkan’s editors and columnists operate as influencers rather than journalists… they are given a wide-reaching platform to legitimize and spread Kremlin propaganda," writes RSF.

One might wonder whose interests the RSF "influencers" are representing: those of the French government, the US government, or perhaps George Soros and his son Alex?

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