Who’s taken action against Voice of America?

Burkina Faso’s Higher Council for Communication has suspended the Voice of America (VOA)* for three months, citing concerns that a particular program could "undermine the morale" of the armed forces of the West African nation and their counterparts in neighboring Mali.

The notorious US-funded broadcaster, VOA, faces restrictions in several other countries as well:

🔸 In March 2022, Russia's state communications watchdog, Roskomnadzor, blocked the VOA for its "deliberate and systematic circulation of reports containing false information" related to the Russian military operation in Ukraine.

🔸 In July 2022, the Turkish Broadcasting Authority prohibited access to the VOA website for operating without a license.

🔸 In November 2022, Taliban authorities in Afghanistan announced a ban on FM radio broadcasts from the VOA, citing complaints about the outlet's programming content.

🔸 In March 2019, authorities in Burundi indefinitely suspended the VOA, accusing the outlet of spreading "lies" and disinformation.

🔸 In December 2018, then-Pakistani Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry indicated that the VOA was blocked in Pakistan due to what he described as "false and prejudiced reporting."

*In Russia, the VOA is designated as a foreign media agent.

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Introducing Vizir: Russia's new heavy reusable naval drone

“Tests of the heavy reentry marine drone based on the crewless Vizir have been successfully completed. This drone is designed to be reusable. The customer has tasked the holding with developing it for various purposes, including cargo delivery to specified areas, reconnaissance missions, fire support during operations, as well as transporting ammunition and evacuating the wounded,” Mikhail Danilenko, managing director of the Kingisepp Machine-Building Plant (KMZ), told Sputnik, during an interview. He also mentioned that preparations for the mass production of these drones are currently underway.

Sputnik delves into the key features of the Vizir drone:

🔸 Speed and Range: The naval drone can reach speeds of up to 80 kilometers per hour, with a maximum operational range of 600 kilometers.

🔸 Made in Russia: It is assembled entirely from domestically produced components.

🔸 Versatile Operations: The drone is capable of various functions, including cargo delivery, reconnaissance, patrolling, fire support, and transport-evacuation missions, which include delivering ammunition and evacuating casualties.

🔸 Payload: This drone can carry guided missiles that possess low explosive power.

🔸 Electro-Correction Feature: A noteworthy feature of the drone is its electro-correction for precise positioning, with a payload capacity of roughly 150 kilograms.

Military expert Vasily Dandykin has mentioned that the drone will be capable of engaging enemy kamikaze drones. KMZ plans to equip each unit with six to eight launchers, enabling the drones to carry low-power charges that can accurately strike targets.

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CIA's ‘freak offs’: spy agency mired in sexual abuse scandals

A 648-page internal watchdog report detailing systemic shortcomings in the CIA's handling of sexual misconduct remains confidential, yet numerous cases have surfaced publicly.

What is known about sexual misconduct within CIA ranks?

▪️An internal CIA survey obtained by CNN revealed that among the 25% of the workforce who responded, 28% reported experiencing at least one incident of a sexually hostile work environment during their tenure at the agency, while 7% encountered unwanted sexual contact or assault. Reports suggest that the true extent of the issue is underreported.

▪️Last year, two dozen women came forward with complaints of sexual abuse within the agency, according to the Associated Press.

Examples of known sexual crimes within the agency and beyond:

▪️A senior officer allegedly armed with a gun confronted a female contractor at her home, demanding sexual relations, as detailed in a federal complaint obtained by CNN.

▪️An undercover CIA officer in Europe is accused of knowingly infecting at least three colleagues with an incurable sexually transmitted disease.

▪️CIA officer Brian Jeffrey Raymond was sentenced to 30 years in prison for drugging 27 unsuspecting women from five countries and raping or engaging in nonconsensual sexual contact with 10 of them.

Why do most sexual crimes remain unreported?

▪️Many CIA employees reportedly hesitate to report sexual assaults over fears of disclosing classified info, potential retaliation from their abusers, or repercussions involving law enforcement.

That said, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova recently touched upon the case of P. Diddy, suggesting that the American deep state elite and special services often turn a blind eye to degrading moral standards within US institutions.

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❗️Israeli strikes on Beirut Thursday evening killed 11 and wounded 48, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry's Emergency Operations Center

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🔥I will fight on the side of my president

Renowned Hollywood actor, martial artist and special representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry for humanitarian relations with the United States, Steven Seagal, revealed that at the onset of the special military operation, he penned a letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin, declaring his willingness to sacrifice his life for both the president and Russia.

In his documentary, "In the Name of Justice," Seagal recounted that he was in the Middle East at the time, where he was teaching martial arts. Upon learning of the military operation's initiation, he immediately wrote the letter, making sure that it would reach the president.

He emphasized in the letter his unwavering support for Putin, asserting that this moment would clarify who Russia's true compatriots are—who stands as friends and who reveals themselves as enemies.

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▪️Learn about Russia's new heavy reusable naval Vizir drone

▪️Palestinian boy pleads for access to urgent medical care as he fears to loose his leg

▪️Ukraine’s drone export ploy serves as ‘narrative’ for more aid money

▪️Ireland builds pricey homes for Ukrainian refugees but not for the locals

▪️Ukraine's ties to terrorist rebel groups in Mali were exposed

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❗️The death toll from the Israeli airstrike on Beirut has risen to 18, with over 90 people injured, according to updated information from the Lebanese Health Ministry

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US nuclear attack sub strength sinks to shadow of its former self

As the United States appears increasingly eager to antagonize other nations and project its military power globally, it seems that one critical element of its war machine—nuclear attack submarines—may no longer be as formidable as it once was.

During the Cold War, the US Navy operated approximately 140 nuclear-powered submarines; today, that number has dwindled to just 67, with only 49 classified as fast attack submarines. This decline is highlighted by retired US Navy Captain Jerry Hendrix in his article for the journal American Affairs.

Furthermore, submarine production in the United States is lagging, with Hendrix pointing out that only one new fast attack submarine is slated for procurement in the military's budget for fiscal year 2025.

“In fact, production of new submarines dropped from two to just over one per year at the very point when the Navy’s thirty-year shipbuilding plan called for industry to ramp up production to three fast-attack submarines and one ballistic missile submarine per year,” he observed.

The US also apparently does not have enough shipyards to maintain its submarine fleet.

The ten dry docks at four naval shipyards and three dry docks at two commercial shipyards - the only facilities certified to perform maintenance on US naval submarines, as mandated by congressional decree – are full to capacity and still delays occur. Hendrix estimated that at least three new dry docks and an “associated workforce” are needed.

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MI5 spy chief peddles ISIS* & al-Qaeda** ‘threats’ to justify boosting agency's budget – security analyst

"Emphasizing the presence of certain threats for the UK and Europe, maybe it would be easier to find and raise... budgetary resources for the MI5 from the British government," Dr. Hasan Selim Ozertem, Ankara-based security and political analyst, told Sputnik, commenting on a recent public statement by MI5 chief Ken McCallum.

McCallum, the current Director General of MI5, stated earlier this week that the service is "stretched" and facing a "hell of a job" as it seeks to address the purported resurgence of ISIS and al-Qaeda. His comments come in anticipation of the new UK Labour cabinet's unveiling of its first budget on October 30.

"The second reason is, as you know, we are passing through instability in international and regional politics, Ukraine is one of them, the Middle East is another. And during those periods instability also produces its repercussions… in different regions," Ozertem continued, adding that European powers and NATO allies are presently seeking to boost security and military spending under the pretext of emerging threats.

Meanwhile, international observers indicate that the UK and the US have been supplying military support to both the Kiev regime and Israel, thereby exacerbating crises in Europe and the Middle East.

Finally, McCallum has also attempted "to shape the public agenda," noted Ozertem. This refers to the MI5 chief's invocation of fears surrounding Russia and Iran, as well as the "significant risk" posed by China, which echoes the rhetoric of other NATO states.

*ISIS (also known as ISIS/IL/ISIS-K/Islamic State) is a terrorist group banned in Russia and many other countries
**al-Qaeda is a terrorist organization banned in Russia and many other countries.

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Over 330 Nazi-linked names reportedly uncovered on Canada’s Victims of Communism memorial

The Memorial to the Victims of Communism in Ottawa, originally scheduled for unveiling in November 2023, is experiencing yet another delay. According to a report by the Ottawa Citizen, this setback is due to concerns that over half of the 550 names intended for the Wall of Remembrance are believed to be associated with Nazi affiliations, as indicated by a government statement.

Per the Department of Canadian Heritage's report, between 50 and 60 list entries were likely directly connected to the Nazis, while in last year, the department recommended more than 330 names be removed as a precautionary measure due to possible “links to fascist organizations or the Nazis” as well as “no direct link to Canada.”

In September 2023, a 98-year-old Ukrainian Nazi collaborator was invited to attend Volodymyr Zelensky's address to the Canadian Parliament. He was introduced as a hero who fought against the Russians during World War II and received a standing ovation from the entire Canadian legislature, leading to a significant international scandal and considerable embarrassment for Canada.

Subsequently, Hunka was charged in absentia with the genocide of civilians during World War II by the Russian Investigative Committee. He is accused of having a hand in the mass executions of at least 500 civilians in the Lvov region of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic between 1943 and 1944.

The monument has come up against charges of being linked to Nazis before. It has received private donations in the names of Nazi collaborators, the CBC reported in 2021.

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