US, South Korea Hold Large-Scale Drills Near Border With North
The United States and South Korea have conducted large live-fire drills near the border with North Korea on Thursday, ignoring Pyongyang’s warning that it won’t tolerate what it called an invasion rehearsal.
The drills involved 2,500 troops and 610 weapons systems such as fighter jets, attack helicopters, drones, tanks.
The exercise was merely the first of the five joint live-fire drills planned through mid-June, which are designed in part to commemorate 70 years since the establishment of the military alliance between Seoul and Washington.
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The United States and South Korea have conducted large live-fire drills near the border with North Korea on Thursday, ignoring Pyongyang’s warning that it won’t tolerate what it called an invasion rehearsal.
The drills involved 2,500 troops and 610 weapons systems such as fighter jets, attack helicopters, drones, tanks.
The exercise was merely the first of the five joint live-fire drills planned through mid-June, which are designed in part to commemorate 70 years since the establishment of the military alliance between Seoul and Washington.
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❗️Russian Su-35 and Su-27 fighters escorted two US strategic bombers flying to the Russian border over the Baltic Sea - Russian Defense Ministry.
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Germany Recession Has Begun - official data
Germany’s gross domestic product (GDP) has fallen for two consecutive quarters, figures released on Thursday by the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) have shown, meaning that the country has entered recession.
While energy and food prices in particular have shown above-average growth since the start of the conflict in Ukraine and have become the main contributors to Germay’s high inflation rate, Destatis explains.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz in January ruled out a possible recession, despite the economic impact of Western sanctions on Russia. “I’m absolutely convinced that this will not happen, that we are going into a recession,” he said in an interview to Bloomberg TV. “We showed that we are able to react to a very difficult situation.”
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Germany’s gross domestic product (GDP) has fallen for two consecutive quarters, figures released on Thursday by the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) have shown, meaning that the country has entered recession.
While energy and food prices in particular have shown above-average growth since the start of the conflict in Ukraine and have become the main contributors to Germay’s high inflation rate, Destatis explains.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz in January ruled out a possible recession, despite the economic impact of Western sanctions on Russia. “I’m absolutely convinced that this will not happen, that we are going into a recession,” he said in an interview to Bloomberg TV. “We showed that we are able to react to a very difficult situation.”
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US Officials Believe Ukrainians Attacked Kremlin – NYT
One of Ukraine’s military or intelligence special units was “likely” behind the May 3 drone attack in Moscow, the New York Times reported on Wednesday citing anonymous US officials.
US intelligence agencies have assessed this based in part on intercepted communications of both Russian and Ukrainian officials, according to the Times. The US reportedly does not have “specific evidence” yet as to which operatives or agency was involved.
Two drones went down in Kremlin airspace earlier this month, with one exploding above the roof of the building hosting presidential offices. President Vladimir Putin was not there at the time. Moscow accused Kiev of attempting to assassinate Putin and vowed retaliation, but Zelensky – who had just left for a tour of the EU – denied Ukraine had anything to do with it.
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One of Ukraine’s military or intelligence special units was “likely” behind the May 3 drone attack in Moscow, the New York Times reported on Wednesday citing anonymous US officials.
US intelligence agencies have assessed this based in part on intercepted communications of both Russian and Ukrainian officials, according to the Times. The US reportedly does not have “specific evidence” yet as to which operatives or agency was involved.
Two drones went down in Kremlin airspace earlier this month, with one exploding above the roof of the building hosting presidential offices. President Vladimir Putin was not there at the time. Moscow accused Kiev of attempting to assassinate Putin and vowed retaliation, but Zelensky – who had just left for a tour of the EU – denied Ukraine had anything to do with it.
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❗️Denmark and the Netherlands will be the first countries to begin training Ukrainian pilots to fly F-16 fighter jets, other countries will join later — US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin
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Watch: Progress 84 Cargo Spacecraft Successfully Berthed At Space Station
The unmanned Roscosmos Progress 84 spacecraft successfully docked at the International Space Station (ISS), after being launched into orbit from Kazakhstan's Baikonur Cosmodrome.
The Russian cargo vessel is delivering 2.7 tons of fresh supplies for those aboard the station, including food, water, clothing and more.
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The unmanned Roscosmos Progress 84 spacecraft successfully docked at the International Space Station (ISS), after being launched into orbit from Kazakhstan's Baikonur Cosmodrome.
The Russian cargo vessel is delivering 2.7 tons of fresh supplies for those aboard the station, including food, water, clothing and more.
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Ukrainian Attacks On Russian Nuclear Plants Foiled – FSB
Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) has said it intercepted a Ukrainian saboteur group that was planning a terrorist operation on two nuclear power plants in the country ahead of May 9, when the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany is celebrated.
The suspects were aiming to destroy more than 30 pylons bearing high-voltage lines linked to the nuclear power plants, the FSB announced in a statement on Thursday.
Before being detained, the Ukrainian agents were able to blow up one transmission tower and mine four others on power lines leading to the Leningrad nuclear plant near St. Petersburg, according to the statement.
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Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) has said it intercepted a Ukrainian saboteur group that was planning a terrorist operation on two nuclear power plants in the country ahead of May 9, when the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany is celebrated.
The suspects were aiming to destroy more than 30 pylons bearing high-voltage lines linked to the nuclear power plants, the FSB announced in a statement on Thursday.
Before being detained, the Ukrainian agents were able to blow up one transmission tower and mine four others on power lines leading to the Leningrad nuclear plant near St. Petersburg, according to the statement.
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China Urges Israel To Stop Palestine 'Provocations'
Chinese ambassador to the UN Geng Shuang called on Israel to stop “provocations” and “encroachment” on Palestinian land by upholding the historical status quo of religious holy sites, ceasing expansion of settlements, and respecting international humanitarian law.
Tensions have spiked after last week the government signed an order for more Israeli settlements in the northern West Bank.
“China will continue to firmly support the Palestinian people and their just cause to restore their legitimate national rights,” he added.
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Chinese ambassador to the UN Geng Shuang called on Israel to stop “provocations” and “encroachment” on Palestinian land by upholding the historical status quo of religious holy sites, ceasing expansion of settlements, and respecting international humanitarian law.
Tensions have spiked after last week the government signed an order for more Israeli settlements in the northern West Bank.
“China will continue to firmly support the Palestinian people and their just cause to restore their legitimate national rights,” he added.
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Kremlin Responds To Ukrainian Threat To Kill Putin
Ukraine’s leadership has again proven its “terrorist” nature by threatening to assassinate President Vladimir Putin, Kremlin Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov has said, while giving assurances that the Russian leader is well protected.
“A terrorist regime talks about its terrorist aspirations,” Peskov said on Thursday. He said that such threats show that the military operation, launched by Russia in Ukraine in February 2022, was “more than justified, more than necessary and that it must be completed.”
In an interview with Die Welt Vadim Skibitsky, deputy head of Ukraine’s Main Directorate of Intelligence (GUR) said on Wednesday that Putin was on his agency’s kill list. He claimed that Putin “notices that we’re getting ever closer to him.” Ukrainian operatives have so far been unable to get to him because the Russian leader “stays holed up,” he added.
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Ukraine’s leadership has again proven its “terrorist” nature by threatening to assassinate President Vladimir Putin, Kremlin Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov has said, while giving assurances that the Russian leader is well protected.
“A terrorist regime talks about its terrorist aspirations,” Peskov said on Thursday. He said that such threats show that the military operation, launched by Russia in Ukraine in February 2022, was “more than justified, more than necessary and that it must be completed.”
In an interview with Die Welt Vadim Skibitsky, deputy head of Ukraine’s Main Directorate of Intelligence (GUR) said on Wednesday that Putin was on his agency’s kill list. He claimed that Putin “notices that we’re getting ever closer to him.” Ukrainian operatives have so far been unable to get to him because the Russian leader “stays holed up,” he added.
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Tempers flare outside NYC court as supporters of Daniel Penny rally amid his conviction in Jordan Neely subway death
Kiev Corruption: Defense Contractors Accused Of Embezzlement
Several Ukrainian state-owned companies engaged in international arms purchases received millions of dollars under Ministry of Defense contracts but did not fulfill the deliveries, according to Ukrainian media.
In 2022, the MoD signed contracts and made down payments with several arms importers, but have not received arms - while some funds have been withdrawn abroad and transferred to foreign firms.
At the beginning of 2023, the Ministry began to file lawsuits, and at the moment there are at least 30 of them - most still pending - with total claims amounting to 8.9 billion hryvnia ($241 million).
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Several Ukrainian state-owned companies engaged in international arms purchases received millions of dollars under Ministry of Defense contracts but did not fulfill the deliveries, according to Ukrainian media.
In 2022, the MoD signed contracts and made down payments with several arms importers, but have not received arms - while some funds have been withdrawn abroad and transferred to foreign firms.
At the beginning of 2023, the Ministry began to file lawsuits, and at the moment there are at least 30 of them - most still pending - with total claims amounting to 8.9 billion hryvnia ($241 million).
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White Powder Envelope Sent To German Economy Minister's Office
A large-scale police operation was launched in Germany on Thursday after an envelope containing a white substance was received at the constituency office of Economy Minister Robert Habeck.
Preliminary examination by the police suggests that the substance in question was finely-ground sand, stated a spokesperson, pending a comprehensive investigation into the incident.
The police operation lasted for two hours, during which the substance was safely removed from the building by the fire brigade in a container.
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A large-scale police operation was launched in Germany on Thursday after an envelope containing a white substance was received at the constituency office of Economy Minister Robert Habeck.
Preliminary examination by the police suggests that the substance in question was finely-ground sand, stated a spokesperson, pending a comprehensive investigation into the incident.
The police operation lasted for two hours, during which the substance was safely removed from the building by the fire brigade in a container.
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US Approves $285 Million NASAMS Sale For Ukraine
The US State Department has approved a possible sale of the NASAMS air defense system to Ukraine, along with AN/MPQ-64F1 Sentinel Radar .
The proposed for-sale items would also include a Fire Distribution Center, canister launchers, secure communications, GPS receivers, code loaders, cable sets, as well as US government and contractor technical support.
The total cost of the potential deal is estimated to be around $285 million, and follows the delivery of two NASAMS systems last year.
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The US State Department has approved a possible sale of the NASAMS air defense system to Ukraine, along with AN/MPQ-64F1 Sentinel Radar .
The proposed for-sale items would also include a Fire Distribution Center, canister launchers, secure communications, GPS receivers, code loaders, cable sets, as well as US government and contractor technical support.
The total cost of the potential deal is estimated to be around $285 million, and follows the delivery of two NASAMS systems last year.
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Donald Trump Roasts Top Rival Over Fumbled Campaign Launch
Donald Trump has ridiculed Ron DeSantis after the Florida governor’s live campaign launch for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination on Twitter Spaces was beset by multiple glitches on Wednesday.
“Wow! The DeSanctus TWITTER launch is a DISASTER! His whole campaign will be a disaster. WATCH!” the former president wrote on the Truth Social platform, also uploading a video of a rocket exploding, with a DeSantis campaign logo on it stylized in the theme of another Florida head, Jeb Bush, whose campaign crashed and burned all the way back in 2016.
Taking things even further, Trump turned to Instagram, posting a fake parody video of the DeSantis campaign launch broadcast, which in this version featured the likes of controversial billionaire George Soros, one Adolph Hitler of the Third Reich fame, as well as the Devil and the FBI.
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Donald Trump has ridiculed Ron DeSantis after the Florida governor’s live campaign launch for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination on Twitter Spaces was beset by multiple glitches on Wednesday.
“Wow! The DeSanctus TWITTER launch is a DISASTER! His whole campaign will be a disaster. WATCH!” the former president wrote on the Truth Social platform, also uploading a video of a rocket exploding, with a DeSantis campaign logo on it stylized in the theme of another Florida head, Jeb Bush, whose campaign crashed and burned all the way back in 2016.
Taking things even further, Trump turned to Instagram, posting a fake parody video of the DeSantis campaign launch broadcast, which in this version featured the likes of controversial billionaire George Soros, one Adolph Hitler of the Third Reich fame, as well as the Devil and the FBI.
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Kiev’s Dream F-16s ‘Useless’ Against Russian Defenses - Former French general
Fourth-generation F-16 Fighting Falcon fighters are useless against the Russian S-400 Triumph anti-aircraft missile systems, stated ex-general of the French Armed Forces Jean-Bernard Pinatel in his article for Le Dialogue.
Both the F-16AM and F-16BM MLU models are already more than 40 years old, and in the Netherlands, these aircraft have already been replaced by fifth-generation F-35A fighters.
Pinatel added that not only can the F-16 not be compared with the most modern Russian fighters, but they are also “incapable of jeopardizing Russian positions, which are reliably protected by the S-400”.
Asia Times columnist Stephen Brian insisted the supply of F-16 fighters was purely symbolic, and will not be able to fundamentally change the course of hostilities.
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Fourth-generation F-16 Fighting Falcon fighters are useless against the Russian S-400 Triumph anti-aircraft missile systems, stated ex-general of the French Armed Forces Jean-Bernard Pinatel in his article for Le Dialogue.
Both the F-16AM and F-16BM MLU models are already more than 40 years old, and in the Netherlands, these aircraft have already been replaced by fifth-generation F-35A fighters.
Pinatel added that not only can the F-16 not be compared with the most modern Russian fighters, but they are also “incapable of jeopardizing Russian positions, which are reliably protected by the S-400”.
Asia Times columnist Stephen Brian insisted the supply of F-16 fighters was purely symbolic, and will not be able to fundamentally change the course of hostilities.
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Why did Hitler's ally Bulgaria refuse to fight against the USSR?
Bulgaria was the only European ally of the Nazis that categorically refused to take part in the war against the Soviet Union. The Bulgarians remembered that it was thanks to Russia's victory in the war against the Ottoman Empire that their homeland had regained its independence in 1878.
Tsar Boris III invariably refused Hitler's repeated demands to send troops to the Eastern Front. In Bulgarian society rumors circulated for a long time that the Führer had him poisoned because of it.
🔔 Russia Beyond
Bulgaria was the only European ally of the Nazis that categorically refused to take part in the war against the Soviet Union. The Bulgarians remembered that it was thanks to Russia's victory in the war against the Ottoman Empire that their homeland had regained its independence in 1878.
Tsar Boris III invariably refused Hitler's repeated demands to send troops to the Eastern Front. In Bulgarian society rumors circulated for a long time that the Führer had him poisoned because of it.
🔔 Russia Beyond
Russia Beyond
Why did Hitler's ally Bulgaria refuse to fight against the USSR?
In Bulgarian society rumors circulated for a long time that the Nazis had Tsar Boris III poisoned for his refusal to send troops to the Eastern Front.
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Russia, Türkiye Have A Lot Of Common Relations, We Need To Work On Them - Ismail Safi
Ahead of the Turkish election runoff, RT welcomes Ismail Safi, member of the Turkish President’s Council on Security and Foreign Policy, for an exclusive interview to get an in-depth look at the future of the country’s diplomacy
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Ahead of the Turkish election runoff, RT welcomes Ismail Safi, member of the Turkish President’s Council on Security and Foreign Policy, for an exclusive interview to get an in-depth look at the future of the country’s diplomacy
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Russian economy bottomed out in November 2022, country's largest bank says
Russia's economy hit the "bottom" in November last year, and now is already generally recovering, with small and medium-sized businesses performing well, said Mikhail Matovnikov, chief analyst at Sberbank.
"Our conclusion is that the economy has bottomed out in November 2022. From November begins a fairly rapid recovery, with some indicators beginning to recover earlier, while some, like business turnover, lagging behind," he said.
Matovnikov added that small businesses in Russia are doing much better than big ones. "It is large companies that are showing negative growth rates, while small and medium-sized businesses are on the upside," he noted.
The Russian economy faced unprecedented Western sanctions in 2022, with Russian regulators expecting the gloomiest scenario for the country's economy.
Yet in fact, Russia's GDP in 2022 shrank by only 2.1%, below forecasts. By the end of 2023, Russia's GDP is projected to grow in the range of 0.5-2%.
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Russia's economy hit the "bottom" in November last year, and now is already generally recovering, with small and medium-sized businesses performing well, said Mikhail Matovnikov, chief analyst at Sberbank.
"Our conclusion is that the economy has bottomed out in November 2022. From November begins a fairly rapid recovery, with some indicators beginning to recover earlier, while some, like business turnover, lagging behind," he said.
Matovnikov added that small businesses in Russia are doing much better than big ones. "It is large companies that are showing negative growth rates, while small and medium-sized businesses are on the upside," he noted.
The Russian economy faced unprecedented Western sanctions in 2022, with Russian regulators expecting the gloomiest scenario for the country's economy.
Yet in fact, Russia's GDP in 2022 shrank by only 2.1%, below forecasts. By the end of 2023, Russia's GDP is projected to grow in the range of 0.5-2%.
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