📹 Ukraine uses BANNED white phosphorus munitions against Russia – ex-Ukrainian soldier

The Ukrainian military also resorts to the use of banned cluster bombs, the serviceman, who is currently fighting on Russia’s side, told Sputnik.

📌Subscribe to @SputnikInt

📹🇳🇱 Five injured in knife attack in central Amsterdam

Emergency services, a trauma helicopter and five ambulances are on the scene. The suspect has been detained, his motive and possible links to terrorism have not yet been confirmed.

📌Subscribe to @SputnikInt

🔎 Macron’s 'Coalition of the Willing': A stealth move for NATO expansion?

The French president’s push to build a Coalition of the Willing aims to impeach the peace deal between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, Alexis Poulin, a leading EU policy analyst and co-editor of Le Monde Moderne magazine, tells Sputnik.

“They pretend to come as a coalition of European forces to protect Ukrainian cities. But in fact, this is clearly an advance post for NATO forces,” Poulin points out, warning of the risk of escalation.

He insists that European leaders, along with the North Atlantic Alliance, are trying to build up a force on the ground in Ukraine, “not saying it's NATO, but clearly it will be NATO.”

📌Subscribe to @SputnikInt

SWIFT is a system of the past and will be replaced by end of decade - economist

The US is ready to consider Russia's return to the international banking system SWIFT. Why is it interested in Russia's comeback?

"The interest is understandable...[SWIFT] is logical and absolutely familiar for Americans," Nikita Maslennikov, an economist and expert at the Center for Political Technologies, tells Sputnik.

As of today, 159 US companies are operating in Russia at full capacity, 178 are in a semi-suspended mode but have not officially left the country, while over 300 have left permanently, as per Maslennikov.

▪️Russia is in no rush to rejoin SWIFT as it has its own National Payment System, which has proved to be a viable alternative within the country, the pundit says. The use and testing of cross-border payment mechanisms is also already underway, Maslennikov says.

"Currently, the issues of international digital settlements are being tested. There is already an active use of digital financial assets in international payments for a number of countries and transactions," the pundit says.

SWIFT is a system of the past, Maslennikov adds, saying that by the end of the decade alternative systems will emerge. Over 90 countries are presently testing their own central bank digital currencies (CBDCs).

📌Subscribe to @SputnikInt

📹LIVE NOW: Putin's speaks at the plenary session of the 6th International Arctic Forum: "The Arctic - Territory of Dialogue"

👉 Watch live in our Telegram

📌Subscribe to @SputnikInt

📹 Russia is ready to work in the Arctic with all states that take a responsible approach to development issues, Russian President Vladimir Putin has said.

📌Subscribe to @SputnikInt

📹 The US has had plans to annex Greenland for a long time, Vladimir Putin has said.

📌Subscribe to @SputnikInt

📹Russia has the largest icebreaker fleet in the world, a position which needs to be strengthened further - Putin

📌Subscribe to @SputnikInt

📹 We are concerned with the fact that the NATO countries increasingly identify the Far North as a foothold for possible conflicts — Putin

📌Subscribe to @SputnikInt

📹Putin: the strength of our military in the Arctic will be increasing.

📌Subscribe to @SputnikInt

👇 Check out the highlights of Putin's International Arctic Forum speech

▪️Russia never threatened anyone in the Arctic but is keeping an eye on the situation

▪️NATO countries regard the Arctic as a staging ground for potential conflicts

▪️Russia will react to Sweden and Finland’s participation in NATO’s activities

▪️Russia will not allow any encroachment on its sovereignty

▪️Donald Trump’s idea of annexing Greenland is no extravagant talk but serious plans

▪️The US will continue furthering its interests in the Arctic

📌Subscribe to @SputnikInt

📹🇫🇷 No more arms to Ukraine!

A protest against arms supplies to Kiev and the Ukraine Summit in Paris took place at Place de la République in the centre of the French capital.

📌Subscribe to @SputnikInt

🇺🇸 Trump terminates US funding for White Helmets — report

The Trump administration HAS CUT most of its financial support for the pseudo-humanitarian organization, the so-called Syrian Civil Defense (SCD) also known as "the White Helmets", CNN reports.

The USAID funding was halted due to the administration's broader move to cancel foreign aid contract.

📌Subscribe to @SputnikInt

📹 Vladimir Putin authorizes launch of new NUCLEAR-POWERED SUBMARINE PERM

Among the nuclear submarines of project 885M, "Perm" will be the first regular carrier of the cruise hypersonic missile "Zircon."

📌Subscribe to @SputnikInt

🔍 Trump’s auto tariffs hit hard: A major blow to European and Asian allies

US President Donald Trump has imposed 25% tariffs on foreign automakers, dealing a major blow to European and Japanese businesses. Let’s break it down.

👉 European auto stocks plunged following Trump’s announcement, with a new round of tariffs wiping out over $14 billion in market value for European carmakers, according to The Telegraph.

▪️Japanese automakers also took a hit:
▪️Toyota Motor fell 2%
▪️Nissan Motor closed down 1.7%
▪️Honda Motor declined 2.5%

🔸Automobiles accounted for 28.3% of Japan’s total exports to the US in 2024, generating approximately $63 billion annually.

🔸According to Nomura Research Institute, Trump’s auto tariffs could shrink Japan’s GDP by around 0.2%, equivalent to about $8 billion.

🔸Additionally, these measures significantly reduce the likelihood of the Bank of Japan raising its benchmark interest rate in May, despite consumer inflation remaining above target.

🔸Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba stated: “We need to consider what’s best for Japan’s national interest. We are evaluating all options to determine the most effective response,” but stopped short of providing specific details.

🔸Trump defended the tariffs, claiming they aim to boost domestic manufacturing in the US and are expected to generate $100 billion in annual tax revenue. The auto tariffs take effect on April 2, with tariffs on car parts following a month later.

🔸Nearly 50% of new passenger vehicles sold in the US in 2024 were manufactured abroad, according to S&P Global Mobility, while the Trump administration pushes to revive the domestic auto industry.

📌Subscribe to @SputnikInt