What’s behind Ukrainian bill to legalize foreign officers in the military?
The Ukrainian MPs’ decision to approve a bill allowing foreign mercenaries to serve as active service officers reflects their desire "to legalize the real state of affairs in the Armed Forces of Ukraine", military analyst and retired Russian Army colonel, Viktor Litovkin, told Sputnik.
Actually, “they are legalizing the presence of foreigners in the Ukrainian army. All those mercenaries are now becoming army officers, something that helps the Kiev regime disguise its mercenary activities,” Litovkin pointed out.
Secondly, “It’s mercenaries and Western instructors who are in charge of all Ukrainian high-tech Western-supplied weapons, such as the Patriot systems, HIMARS, the F-16 fighter jets and so on," he added.
Litovkin stressed that all documentation related to these weapons is written in military-technical English, which he said is Greek to most Ukrainians, and that is why Ukrainian soldiers perform the role of "gofers" in the crews of the aforementioned military hardware, while foreign mercenaries and instructors call the shots.
He also suggested that mercenaries would be interested in being enlisted in the Ukrainian army as officers because it means they would receive “more money for their very risky and dangerous work.”
The Russian Investigative Committee reported in April that over 3,100 mercenaries, primarily from the US, Canada, the UK, and Georgia, are fighting for the Kiev regime, while the Ministry of Defense stated that around 13,400 have arrived since the start of the conflict, with nearly 6,000 killed.
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The Ukrainian MPs’ decision to approve a bill allowing foreign mercenaries to serve as active service officers reflects their desire "to legalize the real state of affairs in the Armed Forces of Ukraine", military analyst and retired Russian Army colonel, Viktor Litovkin, told Sputnik.
Actually, “they are legalizing the presence of foreigners in the Ukrainian army. All those mercenaries are now becoming army officers, something that helps the Kiev regime disguise its mercenary activities,” Litovkin pointed out.
Secondly, “It’s mercenaries and Western instructors who are in charge of all Ukrainian high-tech Western-supplied weapons, such as the Patriot systems, HIMARS, the F-16 fighter jets and so on," he added.
Litovkin stressed that all documentation related to these weapons is written in military-technical English, which he said is Greek to most Ukrainians, and that is why Ukrainian soldiers perform the role of "gofers" in the crews of the aforementioned military hardware, while foreign mercenaries and instructors call the shots.
He also suggested that mercenaries would be interested in being enlisted in the Ukrainian army as officers because it means they would receive “more money for their very risky and dangerous work.”
The Russian Investigative Committee reported in April that over 3,100 mercenaries, primarily from the US, Canada, the UK, and Georgia, are fighting for the Kiev regime, while the Ministry of Defense stated that around 13,400 have arrived since the start of the conflict, with nearly 6,000 killed.
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An industrial dumpster ended up on the roof of a house in Palm Beach Gardens in Florida after a tornado swept through the area.
According to reports, 40 tornadoes were recorded in Florida when Hurricane Milton was approaching the state.
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According to reports, 40 tornadoes were recorded in Florida when Hurricane Milton was approaching the state.
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‘Children are being killed here in the most horrific ways’: Junior journalist reveals atrocities committed by Israel in Gaza
Israeli efforts to eradicate Hamas in the Gaza Strip have so far led only to unimaginable suffering for innocent civilians, guilty only of being born and living in the Palestinian enclave.
One of them, a boy named Ibrahim Abu Shabeikah who styles himself as a journalist, has taken it upon himself to shed light on the horrors that children living in Gaza are forced to endure because of Israel’s apparent contempt for Palestinian lives.
Here is a report he recorded for Sputnik, a story of what really goes on in the Palestinian enclave ravaged by Israeli troops.
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Israeli efforts to eradicate Hamas in the Gaza Strip have so far led only to unimaginable suffering for innocent civilians, guilty only of being born and living in the Palestinian enclave.
One of them, a boy named Ibrahim Abu Shabeikah who styles himself as a journalist, has taken it upon himself to shed light on the horrors that children living in Gaza are forced to endure because of Israel’s apparent contempt for Palestinian lives.
Here is a report he recorded for Sputnik, a story of what really goes on in the Palestinian enclave ravaged by Israeli troops.
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Sputnik International
How many military bases does the US have in the Middle East? As tensions in the Middle East continue to rise amid fears of an escalation between Israel and Iran, the world’s self-proclaimed peacekeeper - the US - announced the deployment of more of troops…
Where are the major US bases in the Persian Gulf?
Tehran reportedly threatened oil-rich Gulf countries and other US Middle Eastern allies with attacks if their territories or airspace are used for strikes on Iran, according to the Wall Street Journal.
The report came after Israel signaled it would respond to Iran's October 1 retaliatory missile strike.Gulf countries appear especially concerned at the escalation which could harm their economies, and reportedly vowed last week not to allow their territories or airspace to be used in any future attacks on Iran.
Which Persian Gulf countries hosting US military bases could be used as forward staging posts?
🇰🇼 Kuwait is major non-NATO ally (MNNA) with the largest American military presence in the region. It hosts around 13,500 US forces primarily at Camp Arifjan, Ali al-Salem Air Base and Ahmed Al Jaber Air Base.
🇶🇦 Qatar, another MNNA, is home to 10,000 military personnel, mostly deployed at Al-Udeid Air Base. The base also serves as the US Central Command's Forward Headquarters and the Combined Air Operations Center.
🇧🇭 Bahrain according to some estimates hosts between 7,000 and 9,000 US military personnel at Naval Support Activity Bahrain, a US Navy base, home to the US Naval Forces Central Command and the US Fifth Fleet headquarters.
🇦🇪 The UAE hosts between 3,500 and 5,000 US military personnel, according to different estimates, deployed mostly at Al Dhafra Air Base. The Gulf Air Warfare Center operating at the base provides air and missile defense training for US and UAE forces. The US Navy’s Fifth Fleet uses Dubai’s Jebel Ali port to support maritime security operations in the Persian Gulf.
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia is home to around 2,700 US military personnel mainly stationed at Prince Sultan Air Base.
🇴🇲 Oman reportedly hosts a few hundred US air force personnel at Masirah and Thumrait air bases. The USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group has been deployed off Oman coast since August.
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Tehran reportedly threatened oil-rich Gulf countries and other US Middle Eastern allies with attacks if their territories or airspace are used for strikes on Iran, according to the Wall Street Journal.
The report came after Israel signaled it would respond to Iran's October 1 retaliatory missile strike.Gulf countries appear especially concerned at the escalation which could harm their economies, and reportedly vowed last week not to allow their territories or airspace to be used in any future attacks on Iran.
Which Persian Gulf countries hosting US military bases could be used as forward staging posts?
🇰🇼 Kuwait is major non-NATO ally (MNNA) with the largest American military presence in the region. It hosts around 13,500 US forces primarily at Camp Arifjan, Ali al-Salem Air Base and Ahmed Al Jaber Air Base.
🇶🇦 Qatar, another MNNA, is home to 10,000 military personnel, mostly deployed at Al-Udeid Air Base. The base also serves as the US Central Command's Forward Headquarters and the Combined Air Operations Center.
🇧🇭 Bahrain according to some estimates hosts between 7,000 and 9,000 US military personnel at Naval Support Activity Bahrain, a US Navy base, home to the US Naval Forces Central Command and the US Fifth Fleet headquarters.
🇦🇪 The UAE hosts between 3,500 and 5,000 US military personnel, according to different estimates, deployed mostly at Al Dhafra Air Base. The Gulf Air Warfare Center operating at the base provides air and missile defense training for US and UAE forces. The US Navy’s Fifth Fleet uses Dubai’s Jebel Ali port to support maritime security operations in the Persian Gulf.
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia is home to around 2,700 US military personnel mainly stationed at Prince Sultan Air Base.
🇴🇲 Oman reportedly hosts a few hundred US air force personnel at Masirah and Thumrait air bases. The USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group has been deployed off Oman coast since August.
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Regardless of who wins the US presidential election in November, Russia won’t stay silent on US-sponsored atrocities in Gaza and Lebanon.
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Donald Trump’s presidential campaign has requested military aircraft, restrictions on flights over his residences and rallies and military vehicles to transport the Republican candidate in response to an alleged threat from Iran, the Washington Post reports.
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📹 What were the risks from Hurricane Milton and why was everyone so afraid?
Looking back to 2022, many remember how Hurricane Ian created a surge wave that rose 4.5 meters in two hours and flooded Fort Myers Beach in Florida.
The timelapse video shows the level of the wave and its destructive power.
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Looking back to 2022, many remember how Hurricane Ian created a surge wave that rose 4.5 meters in two hours and flooded Fort Myers Beach in Florida.
The timelapse video shows the level of the wave and its destructive power.
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What to do? Israel still cannot decide on response to Iranian retaliatory missile strike
While usually quick to attack its neighbors, with or without provocation, Israel seems unable to decide how to respond to Iran’s retaliatory missile strike against Israeli military bases last week, Israeli Channel 12 News reports.
The Israeli cabinet did not give Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant authority to decide on the response, though Channel 12 suggested “it is possible that the authorization will be done by telephone if necessary.”
Gallant may also further postpone his plans to travel to the US to meet with his counterpart Lloyd Austin, as Netanyahu apparently insists that he stays to help make “final decisions in the cabinet on the nature and timing of the response.”
Gallant was originally expected to meet Austin earlier this week, but had to scrap those plans due to Netanyahu’s insistence that he attend a Thursday night cabinet meeting.
According to Tel Aviv-based international relations expert Dr. Simon Tsipis, Netanyahu is afraid Gallant may be plotting against him and used the cabinet meeting as an excuse to keep the defense minister at home – and not plotting against the PM abroad.
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While usually quick to attack its neighbors, with or without provocation, Israel seems unable to decide how to respond to Iran’s retaliatory missile strike against Israeli military bases last week, Israeli Channel 12 News reports.
The Israeli cabinet did not give Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant authority to decide on the response, though Channel 12 suggested “it is possible that the authorization will be done by telephone if necessary.”
Gallant may also further postpone his plans to travel to the US to meet with his counterpart Lloyd Austin, as Netanyahu apparently insists that he stays to help make “final decisions in the cabinet on the nature and timing of the response.”
Gallant was originally expected to meet Austin earlier this week, but had to scrap those plans due to Netanyahu’s insistence that he attend a Thursday night cabinet meeting.
According to Tel Aviv-based international relations expert Dr. Simon Tsipis, Netanyahu is afraid Gallant may be plotting against him and used the cabinet meeting as an excuse to keep the defense minister at home – and not plotting against the PM abroad.
"Netanyahu is paranoid, he has a king syndrome, a god complex,” says Tsipis. “He constantly fears that someone might overthrow or supplant him.”
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🇷🇺 Vladimir Putin outlines ways to achieve sustainable world peace at the "Interrelation of Times and Civilizations – Basis of Peace and Development" international forum in Turkmenistan.
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FEMA fails Americans as Helena and Milton Hurricanes devastate US Southeast
Hurricane Milton has been raging since October 9, killing at least 15 and leaving 3 million people without electricity in Florida. The storm came on the heels of Hurricane Helena that devastated the US Southeast, washed away entire communities and claimed at least 230 lives.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has come under heavy criticism: despite receiving nearly $20.3 billion in the current fiscal year, it has failed Americans in need. The agency is burning through its money quickly: according to CNN, it is now down to $11 billion in its Disaster Relief Fund.
▪️After Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas claimed on October 2 that "FEMA does not have the funds to make it through the [hurricane] season," Republicans accused the agency of funneling $640.9 million in grants to charities aiding immigrants – many of whom entered the US illegally.
▪️While FEMA insists that immigrant aid is paid from a different fund, Republican Congressman Matt Gaetz said a whistle-blower told him of serious misappropriation of funds at the agency.
▪️"There is still no FEMA" and its relief remains "spotty at best", communities in western North Carolina and other regions devastated by Helena complained to the Federalist on October 9.
▪️While FEMA claimed on October 8 it had spent over $286 million on assistance "with an additional $180 million in mission assignments to federal partners" and dispatched 7,000 federal personnel, hurricane survivors mostly had to rely on churches and private local entities, the Federalist report reads.
▪️"FEMA is not merely failing to adequately help people in trouble, but is actively blocking citizens who try to help!" Tesla CEO Musk tweeted on October 4, accusing the agency of blocking the delivery of additional Starlink units to North Carolina.
▪️FEMA is also engulfed by wokeism: a newly-unearthed recording of a webinar indicated agents were taught to prioritize aiding LGBTQIA+* and other minority survivors over helping the most people possible.
▪️On October 6, former Hawaii congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard – who has been on the ground in North Carolina and Georgia – called FEMA's failures a "slap in the face" to "forgotten" Americans in need. FEMA has made excuses and blamed financial constraints for its failures in previous hurricane seasons. In July 2023, agency Administrator Deanne Criswell told US congressmen the agency was facing "intensified natural disasters throughout the year" due to "climate change."
It is unclear whether the agency will learn its lesson and will handle Hurricane Milton differently.
*banned for extremism in Russia
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Hurricane Milton has been raging since October 9, killing at least 15 and leaving 3 million people without electricity in Florida. The storm came on the heels of Hurricane Helena that devastated the US Southeast, washed away entire communities and claimed at least 230 lives.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has come under heavy criticism: despite receiving nearly $20.3 billion in the current fiscal year, it has failed Americans in need. The agency is burning through its money quickly: according to CNN, it is now down to $11 billion in its Disaster Relief Fund.
▪️After Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas claimed on October 2 that "FEMA does not have the funds to make it through the [hurricane] season," Republicans accused the agency of funneling $640.9 million in grants to charities aiding immigrants – many of whom entered the US illegally.
▪️While FEMA insists that immigrant aid is paid from a different fund, Republican Congressman Matt Gaetz said a whistle-blower told him of serious misappropriation of funds at the agency.
▪️"There is still no FEMA" and its relief remains "spotty at best", communities in western North Carolina and other regions devastated by Helena complained to the Federalist on October 9.
▪️While FEMA claimed on October 8 it had spent over $286 million on assistance "with an additional $180 million in mission assignments to federal partners" and dispatched 7,000 federal personnel, hurricane survivors mostly had to rely on churches and private local entities, the Federalist report reads.
▪️"FEMA is not merely failing to adequately help people in trouble, but is actively blocking citizens who try to help!" Tesla CEO Musk tweeted on October 4, accusing the agency of blocking the delivery of additional Starlink units to North Carolina.
▪️FEMA is also engulfed by wokeism: a newly-unearthed recording of a webinar indicated agents were taught to prioritize aiding LGBTQIA+* and other minority survivors over helping the most people possible.
▪️On October 6, former Hawaii congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard – who has been on the ground in North Carolina and Georgia – called FEMA's failures a "slap in the face" to "forgotten" Americans in need. FEMA has made excuses and blamed financial constraints for its failures in previous hurricane seasons. In July 2023, agency Administrator Deanne Criswell told US congressmen the agency was facing "intensified natural disasters throughout the year" due to "climate change."
It is unclear whether the agency will learn its lesson and will handle Hurricane Milton differently.
*banned for extremism in Russia
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▪️Israeli forces ‘try everything on us’ – displaced Lebanese citizen
▪️Where are the major US bases in the Persian Gulf?
▪️What’s behind Ukrainian bill to legalize foreign officers in the military?
▪️Should Zelensky brace for public anger over tax hike?
▪️What are the pillars of Turkmen economy?
▪️FEMA fails Americans as Helena and Milton Hurricanes devastate US Southeast
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▪️Where are the major US bases in the Persian Gulf?
▪️What’s behind Ukrainian bill to legalize foreign officers in the military?
▪️Should Zelensky brace for public anger over tax hike?
▪️What are the pillars of Turkmen economy?
▪️FEMA fails Americans as Helena and Milton Hurricanes devastate US Southeast
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Sputnik International
Donald Trump’s presidential campaign has requested military aircraft, restrictions on flights over his residences and rallies and military vehicles to transport the Republican candidate in response to an alleged threat from Iran, the Washington Post reports.…
Trump's request for military aircraft amid 'Iran threat' may be granted if suitable - Biden
President Joe Biden said that former President Donald Trump's request to use military aircraft for transportation may be approved if deemed appropriate.
Biden jokingly added, "as long as he doesn't ask for F-15s."
Earlier, The Washington Post reported that the Trump campaign requested military aircraft for transportation in the final weeks of the campaign. The Trump team also asked the US government to expand flight restrictions over his residences and rallies and provide military vehicles due to an alleged threat from Iran, the report added.
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President Joe Biden said that former President Donald Trump's request to use military aircraft for transportation may be approved if deemed appropriate.
"I've told the department to give him every single thing he needs as if he were any sitting president. If it fits within that category, that's fine," Biden told reporters.
Biden jokingly added, "as long as he doesn't ask for F-15s."
Earlier, The Washington Post reported that the Trump campaign requested military aircraft for transportation in the final weeks of the campaign. The Trump team also asked the US government to expand flight restrictions over his residences and rallies and provide military vehicles due to an alleged threat from Iran, the report added.
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Two drones from Lebanon launched at central Israel, one intercepted – IDF
According to the IDF, a building in the city of Herzliya, several kilometers north of Tel Aviv, was damaged as a result of the drone strike.
Photos and videos from social media
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“Following the sirens that sounded a short while ago in central Israel, two UAVs were identified crossing from Lebanon into Israeli territory. The UAVs were monitored from the moment they crossed the Lebanese border. The IAF successfully intercepted one UAV,” the report said.
According to the IDF, a building in the city of Herzliya, several kilometers north of Tel Aviv, was damaged as a result of the drone strike.
“At this time, damage was caused to a building in Herzliya. No injuries are currently reported,” the military added.
Photos and videos from social media
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❗️ Boeing plans to cut workforce by roughly 10% (about 17,000 jobs) - reports
Boeing President and CEO Kelly Ortberg notified employees that the company is laying off roughly 10% of its workforce as it struggles to deal with hardships the company has faced in recent years, Reuters reported.
The 10% reduction is equivalent to some 17,000 jobs, according to the media.
Moreover, the company announced that its new 777X aircraft will be delivered in 2026, a year after its initial delivery date. The project has faced challenges in development, as well as from the flight test pause and ongoing work stoppage. Boeing will also end production of its 767 Freighters in 2027, the report said.
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Boeing President and CEO Kelly Ortberg notified employees that the company is laying off roughly 10% of its workforce as it struggles to deal with hardships the company has faced in recent years, Reuters reported.
"We must also reset our workforce levels to align with our financial reality and to a more focused set of priorities," Ortberg was quoted as saying. "Over the coming months, we are planning to reduce the size of our total workforce by roughly 10 percent. These reductions will include executives, managers, and employees."
The 10% reduction is equivalent to some 17,000 jobs, according to the media.
Moreover, the company announced that its new 777X aircraft will be delivered in 2026, a year after its initial delivery date. The project has faced challenges in development, as well as from the flight test pause and ongoing work stoppage. Boeing will also end production of its 767 Freighters in 2027, the report said.
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