News From Sputnik, Page 962

NASA Astronauts Conduct Spacewalk Outside ISS

The ISS Rollout Solar Array is an attachment that enables the International Space Station to generate more power. The instrument stretches out like wings, each measuring 63 feet long and 20 feet wide. Once fully deployed, the ISS Rollout Solar Array provides up to 120 kilowatts of electricity.

Globalization, Ukraine Aid Has Drained US Military’s Ability to Fight Great Power War

US media reported this week that the loss of America’s sole operational black powder plant to a massive explosion has left the defense sector lacking a critical component for bullets, bombs, mortar and artillery shells and missiles. But this problem is just the tip of the iceberg, says former US Army HQ Staff Officer David […]

Thousands of Afghans Entitled to UK Asylum Left Behind After Pullout

The chaotic international withdrawal of Kabul in August 2021, prompted by the US decision to hurriedly evacuate its huge embassy there, left almost 200 Afghan civilians and 13 US service members dead.

Moscow: US, South Korea Joint Nuclear Agreement Destabilizes Situation in Region, World

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – The joint declaration of the United States and South Korea that provides for the regular bilateral consultations on the use of nuclear weapons destabilizes the situation on the Korean Peninsula and in the world, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Friday.

US/South Korea Nuclear Deterrence ‘Codifies’ Decades of ‘DPRK Threat Rhetoric’

The outcome of South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol’s visit to the US proves yet again that the Republic of Korea remains under Washington’s “24-hour watch” and is never allowed to carry out its own independent foreign affairs, Dr Kiyul Chung tells Sputnik.

Trump Lawyers Urge DOJ Be Ordered to ‘Stand Down’ in ‘Politically Infected’ Classified Docs Probe

Donald Trump has maintained his innocence in the DOJ’s Mar-a-Lago document investigation, which relates to over a dozen boxes of classified materials the ex-president was said to have removed from the White House after leaving office in January 2021.

‘Huge’ Uncertainty Over AUKUS Sub Project as Costs Shown to Include ‘50% Contingency Fund’

The trilateral AUKUS security pact between the US, Australia, and the UK presupposes a deal worth more than US$245 billion over the next three decades for Canberra to purchase nuclear-powered Virginia-class submarines from a consortium of American and British weapons manufacturers.

BBC Chair Sharp Resigns Amid Scandal Over Boris Johnson’s Role in His Appointment

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Chairman of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) Richard Sharp has resigned amid a scandal over ex-UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s alleged involvement in his appointment the BBC chairman, the broadcaster said on Friday.

Chinese Air Forces Observe US Military Aircraft Flying Over Taiwan Strait

BEIJING (Sputnik) – The air forces of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) observed a flight of US Boeing P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft over the Taiwan Strait on Friday, Shi Yi, a spokesman for the PLA’s Eastern Theater Command, said.

History-Altering Find? Radar Uncovers 8th-Century Viking Ship in Norway

The find made near a much-sailed trading route may open a new chapter in the history of early Viking rulers.

Tehran Believes Still Possible to Resolve Latest Issues on Nuclear Deal – Envoy to Vienna

VIENNA (Sputnik) – The current status of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), also known as the Iranian nuclear deal, is the result of US policies and miscalculations, but there is a chance to resolve latest issues, Permanent Representative of Iran to International Organizations in Vienna Mohsen Naziri Asl said..

‘I am Fine’: Vucic Refutes Media Reports of His Hospitalization

Earlier in the day, media reported that Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic was urgently hospitalized.

Turkiye Confirms Intention to Mediate Bank Payments for Russian Grain, Fertilizers

ANKARA (Sputnik) – The issue of the mediation of a Turkish bank in payments to Russia for the sale of grain and fertilizers is on the agenda, the goal is to keep the Black Sea Initiative, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Friday.

Shoigu: US, Allies Implementing Plan to Provoke Other Countries to Confrontation With Russia, China

Quran Burnings Amplify Islamist Threat, Danish Security Service Warns

Denmark has already had several run-ins with Islamist terror. Among others, following the Muhammad cartoons controversy in 2005, several terrorist attacks against the headquarters of Jyllands-Posten, the newspaper that published them, have been averted.

At Least Seven People Injured in Massive Blaze in Turkiye’s Izmir

MERSIN, Turkiye (Sputnik) – A massive blaze has engulfed an elite apartment complex in the Turkish city of Izmir, the office of Izmir Province Governor Yavuz Selim Kosger said on Friday.

Microsoft Trying to Maintain Its Presence in Russian Market – Reports

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Microsoft is trying to maintain its presence in the Russian market and is trying to continue cooperation with companies that are not subject to the US sanctions, Russian media reported on Friday, citing sources in the IT industry.

Trump Says He’s Giving ‘Crooked’ Nickname to Biden Ahead of 2024 US Election

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) – Former US President Donald Trump said he will be transferring the “crooked” nickname from Hillary Clinton to Joe Biden ahead of the 2024 presidential election.

First Deputy PM: Russia Planning to Produce 32,000 Drones Per Year by 2030

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Russia is planning to produce 18,000 drones annually by the end of 2026 and 32,000 unmanned aerial vehicles a year by 2030, Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Andrey Belousov said on Thursday.

Paris Backs Framatome’s Participation in Hungary’s Paks-2 NPP With Rosatom – Reports

PARIS (Sputnik) – The French Ministry of Energy Transition greenlighted the participation of French companies in the construction of 2 new power units for the Paks-2 NPP in Hungary together with Russian state nuclear corporation Rosatom, reported French newspaper, citing people close to French Minister for Energy Transition Agnes Pannier-Runacher.

Three French Protesters Facing Prison for Flipping Macron the Finger

France has been immersed in protests for months but saw tensions kicked up in January when the government proposed a bill to reform the country’s pension plan. The bill, which was signed into law on April 14, raises the retirement age in France from 62 to 64 years old.

Putin: Drone Industry Very Promising, $12Bln to Be Invested in Future

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – The drone industry is very promising, and one trillion rubles ($12 billion) will be invested in it in the future, President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday.

Anti-Government Activists Attack Israel’s Economy Minister in Tel Aviv – Office

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Israeli Economy Minister Nir Barkat and his entourage were attacked by a group of anti-government activists on their way from a restaurant to their car in central Tel Aviv, the minister’s office said Thursday.

Int’l Boxing Association Bars USA Boxing From Participation in Its Tournaments

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – The International Boxing Association (IBA) said on Thursday that it has banned the National Federation of the United States, USA Boxing, from participation in its competitions, following USA Boxing’s formal withdrawal from the IBA.

Alarms Are Sounding Off as Mideast Nations Begin to Put Distance From US Influence

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) – US partners in the Middle East are beginning to distance themselves from American influence amid efforts to stabilize the region, which may be a concern to Washington, former US Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Chas Freeman told Sputnik.