Sputnik International
‼️Pentagon postpones test launch of Minuteman III missile to ensure actions are not misunderstood amid heightened tensions in Russia-Ukraine crisis
🗣️"Last weekend, Putin directed special alert of Russian nuclear forces. We saw this as dangerous and irresponsible. Such provocative rhetoric is unacceptable. The US has not taken any similar steps. In an effort to demonstrate that we have no intention to engage in actions that could be misunderstood, our Minutemen III test launch will be postponed from this weekend," Pentagon spokesperson John Kirby said during a Wednesday briefing.
Kirby further noted that the postponement will not affect the US' nuclear posture or deterrence, detailing that the decision was not prompted by a 'specific action or inaction' by the Russian president.
Kirby further noted that the postponement will not affect the US' nuclear posture or deterrence, detailing that the decision was not prompted by a 'specific action or inaction' by the Russian president.
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🔋 Fitbit issued a recall of one million Ionic smartwatches because they pose a burn hazard to consumers, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission said in a notice.
"The lithium-ion battery in the Ionic smartwatch can overheat, posing a burn hazard," the recall notice issued on Wednesday said. "Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled Ionic smartwatches and contact Fitbit to receive pre-paid packaging to return the device."
When customers return the watch, the release added, they will get a $299 refund. In addition, Fitbit said it will also give customers a discount code that takes 40 percent off certain devices, according to the release.
Fitbit, the release added, received at least 115 reports in the United States and 59 internationally of the battery in the watch overheating. It also saw 78 reports of burn injuries in the US and another 40 internationally.
This recall was conducted voluntarily by the company, the agency said.
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"The lithium-ion battery in the Ionic smartwatch can overheat, posing a burn hazard," the recall notice issued on Wednesday said. "Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled Ionic smartwatches and contact Fitbit to receive pre-paid packaging to return the device."
When customers return the watch, the release added, they will get a $299 refund. In addition, Fitbit said it will also give customers a discount code that takes 40 percent off certain devices, according to the release.
Fitbit, the release added, received at least 115 reports in the United States and 59 internationally of the battery in the watch overheating. It also saw 78 reports of burn injuries in the US and another 40 internationally.
This recall was conducted voluntarily by the company, the agency said.
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🏛 The US House passes resolution conveying support for Ukraine, calling for end to conflict
The House passed the "Supporting People of Ukraine" resolution on Wednesday with a 426-3 vote.
The measure backs US support for Ukraine, including calling for an immediate ceasefire and full withdrawal of Russian forces from the country.
Moreover, the measure urges the Biden administration to deliver additional security assistance to Ukraine immediately.
In addition, the resolution pledges to support working with Europe and international partners to bolster Europe’s energy security and reduce its dependence on Russian energy imports. The measure also emphasizes maintaining US energy independence.
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The House passed the "Supporting People of Ukraine" resolution on Wednesday with a 426-3 vote.
The measure backs US support for Ukraine, including calling for an immediate ceasefire and full withdrawal of Russian forces from the country.
Moreover, the measure urges the Biden administration to deliver additional security assistance to Ukraine immediately.
In addition, the resolution pledges to support working with Europe and international partners to bolster Europe’s energy security and reduce its dependence on Russian energy imports. The measure also emphasizes maintaining US energy independence.
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❗World Bank halts all programs in Russia, Belarus with immediate effect
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⚖ Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller joined a nationwide probe of TikTok for allegedly allowing its social media platform to harm the mental health of children and young adults, his office said in a statement.
"Attorney General Tom Miller has joined a nationwide investigation into TikTok for providing and promoting its social media platform to children and young adults while use is associated with physical and mental health harms. Attorneys general nationwide are examining whether the company violated state consumer protection laws that put the public at risk," the release said on Wednesday.
The investigation is also going to focus on, among other things, techniques used by TikTok to boost young user engagement, including increasing the duration of time spent on the platform and frequency of engagement with the platform, the release said.
Leading the investigation is a bipartisan coalition of attorneys general from California, Florida, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Nebraska, New Jersey, Tennessee, and Vermont.
"Attorney General Tom Miller has joined a nationwide investigation into TikTok for providing and promoting its social media platform to children and young adults while use is associated with physical and mental health harms. Attorneys general nationwide are examining whether the company violated state consumer protection laws that put the public at risk," the release said on Wednesday.
The investigation is also going to focus on, among other things, techniques used by TikTok to boost young user engagement, including increasing the duration of time spent on the platform and frequency of engagement with the platform, the release said.
Leading the investigation is a bipartisan coalition of attorneys general from California, Florida, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Nebraska, New Jersey, Tennessee, and Vermont.
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‼️The International Criminal Court (ICC) has started an investigation into the Russian activities in Ukraine, ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan has said.
🗣️"I have notified the ICC Presidency a few moments ago of my decision to immediately proceed with active investigations in the Situation. Our work in the collection of evidence has now commenced," Khan said in a statement.
He added that the ICC would focus on the organization's key objective: ensuring accountability for crimes under the court's jurisdiction.
🗣️"I have notified the ICC Presidency a few moments ago of my decision to immediately proceed with active investigations in the Situation. Our work in the collection of evidence has now commenced," Khan said in a statement.
He added that the ICC would focus on the organization's key objective: ensuring accountability for crimes under the court's jurisdiction.
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🇺🇸 Texas primary sets up Abbott-O’Rourke race as midterms begin
Republican Gov. Greg Abbott will face Democrat Beto O’Rourke after voters in Texas opened what could be a lengthy and bruising primary season poised to reshape political power in state capitals and in Washington DC.
Both easily won their party’s nomination for governor on Tuesday. Abbott is now in a commanding position as he seeks a third term, beginning his run with over $50 million and campaigning on a strongly conservative agenda in America’s most-populated Republican state. That leaves O’Rourke facing an uphill effort to recapture the magic of his 2018 Senate campaign, when he nearly ousted Ted Cruz.
Republicans are betting that the Texas primaries will be a first step toward them retaking Congress in November, pointing to Biden’s low approval ratings, inflation, and what they describe as anger about the chaotic withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan. Russia’s war with Ukraine is also likely to have deep political implications.
Republican Gov. Greg Abbott will face Democrat Beto O’Rourke after voters in Texas opened what could be a lengthy and bruising primary season poised to reshape political power in state capitals and in Washington DC.
Both easily won their party’s nomination for governor on Tuesday. Abbott is now in a commanding position as he seeks a third term, beginning his run with over $50 million and campaigning on a strongly conservative agenda in America’s most-populated Republican state. That leaves O’Rourke facing an uphill effort to recapture the magic of his 2018 Senate campaign, when he nearly ousted Ted Cruz.
Republicans are betting that the Texas primaries will be a first step toward them retaking Congress in November, pointing to Biden’s low approval ratings, inflation, and what they describe as anger about the chaotic withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan. Russia’s war with Ukraine is also likely to have deep political implications.
❗All 30 websites of Sputnik news agency targeted by DDOS attack, publication of articles significantly hindered.
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⚡ Chevron says monitoring Ukraine situation, Caspian pipeline vital for consumers worldwide
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❗ Macron says will maintain communication with Putin to persuade him of 'giving up weapons'
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♻️ UN countries to create treaty to fight plastic pollution
TThe UN Environment Assembly voted unanimously Wednesday at its meeting in Nairobi, Kenya, for a resolution “to end plastic pollution.” It sets the stage for international negotiations designed to produce a treaty by 2024.
After a week of debate, negotiators fashioned proposals for a treaty that would cover the full lifecycle of plastics, including production, design and disposal.
According to a recent study, the global plastic industry is valued at $522.6 billion. A conservative estimate suggests at least 11 million metric tons of plastic end up in the Earth’s oceans every year. The environmental group Greenpeace said the UN panel’s decision is a “big, bold step to end plastic pollution.”
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TThe UN Environment Assembly voted unanimously Wednesday at its meeting in Nairobi, Kenya, for a resolution “to end plastic pollution.” It sets the stage for international negotiations designed to produce a treaty by 2024.
After a week of debate, negotiators fashioned proposals for a treaty that would cover the full lifecycle of plastics, including production, design and disposal.
According to a recent study, the global plastic industry is valued at $522.6 billion. A conservative estimate suggests at least 11 million metric tons of plastic end up in the Earth’s oceans every year. The environmental group Greenpeace said the UN panel’s decision is a “big, bold step to end plastic pollution.”
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‼️Canada has imposed new sanctions against 10 employees of Gazprom, Rosneft over Russia's special military operation in Donbass, foreign ministry announces
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⚡ US Defense chief says no-fly zone over Ukraine would start War with Russia
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Sputnik International
‼️Canada has imposed new sanctions against 10 employees of Gazprom, Rosneft over Russia's special military operation in Donbass, foreign ministry announces
"The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced new sanctions under the Special Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations in response to Russia’s unprovoked and unjustifiable invasion of Ukraine," the ministry said in a statement.
"These new measures impose restrictions on 10 key individuals from 2 important companies in Russia’s energy sector, Rosneft and Gazprom. These measures are intended to put further pressure on Russia’s leadership to cease its violations of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity," the statement added.
"These new measures impose restrictions on 10 key individuals from 2 important companies in Russia’s energy sector, Rosneft and Gazprom. These measures are intended to put further pressure on Russia’s leadership to cease its violations of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity," the statement added.
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⚡🇯🇵Japan to reportedly freeze assets of four Russian banks, including VTB over ongoing special military operation
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More than 38 million people in the United States tuned in to President Joe Biden's first State of the Union Address, well below his predecessor's figures, a Nielsen TV ratings report revealed.
Biden's speech focused on Russia and Ukraine, the US economy, efforts to rebuild US infrastructure, and the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Former President Donald Trump's attracted the most in his first address to a joint session of Congress in February 2017 with almost 48 million viewers, which is about 20 percent more than Biden's Tuesday speech. And then there's former President Barack Obama, who managed to attract some 52 million viewers during his first address.
Biden's speech focused on Russia and Ukraine, the US economy, efforts to rebuild US infrastructure, and the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Former President Donald Trump's attracted the most in his first address to a joint session of Congress in February 2017 with almost 48 million viewers, which is about 20 percent more than Biden's Tuesday speech. And then there's former President Barack Obama, who managed to attract some 52 million viewers during his first address.
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Another One Bites the Dust
A US court has rejected an attempt by the New York Attorney General’s Office to dissolve the National Rifle Association, ruling that doing away with the gun-rights group would infringe on its members’ First Amendment rights.
“While we’re heartened that the judge dismissed the NRA’s attempts to thwart most of the claims in our case, we are disappointed that the judge ruled against the dissolution portion,” NY AG Letitia James said in a statement.
James’ office is weighing the next possible steps in the case.
A US court has rejected an attempt by the New York Attorney General’s Office to dissolve the National Rifle Association, ruling that doing away with the gun-rights group would infringe on its members’ First Amendment rights.
“While we’re heartened that the judge dismissed the NRA’s attempts to thwart most of the claims in our case, we are disappointed that the judge ruled against the dissolution portion,” NY AG Letitia James said in a statement.
James’ office is weighing the next possible steps in the case.
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⚽️ The Russian billionaire who owns Chelsea FC has announced that he will sell the club even as sanctions target the Federation’s oligarchs
Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich announced on Wednesday that his English Premier League team Chelsea FC is for sale. "As I have stated before, I have always taken decisions with the Club's best interest at heart," he said in a statement.
He added: "I have instructed my team to set up a charitable foundation where all net proceeds from the sale will be donated. The foundation will be for the benefit of all victims of the war in Ukraine."
The announcement from one of England's top clubs has rocked the football world. Abramovich has owned the team since 2003, when he bought the club for an estimated $190 million. According to The New York Times, Abramovich is said to be looking to sell the club for some $2.5 billion.
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Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich announced on Wednesday that his English Premier League team Chelsea FC is for sale. "As I have stated before, I have always taken decisions with the Club's best interest at heart," he said in a statement.
He added: "I have instructed my team to set up a charitable foundation where all net proceeds from the sale will be donated. The foundation will be for the benefit of all victims of the war in Ukraine."
The announcement from one of England's top clubs has rocked the football world. Abramovich has owned the team since 2003, when he bought the club for an estimated $190 million. According to The New York Times, Abramovich is said to be looking to sell the club for some $2.5 billion.
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