Blinken's Now-Cancelled Visit to China Was Never Officially Announced, Beijing Says
https://sputniknews.com/20230204/blinkens-now-cancelled-visit-to-china-was-never-officially-announced-beijing-says-1106971383.html
February 4, 2023, 11:30 AM
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken cancelled his visit to China after the US military complained about a Chinese high-altitude balloon penetrating the US airspace, with Beijing insisting that it was just a wayward “civilian airship” used for research.
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Turkish Airlines Cancels Nearly 240 Flights Over Snowfall Forecast in Istanbul
https://sputniknews.com/20230204/turkish-airlines-cancels-nearly-240-flights-over-snowfall-forecast-in-istanbul-1106972223.html
February 4, 2023, 11:10 AM
ISTANBUL (Sputnik) - Turkey's flag carrier Turkish Airlines said on Saturday that it had canceled 238 flights scheduled for Sunday and Monday due to the snowfall expected in Istanbul.
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Brazil Sinks Its Only Decommissioned Aircraft Carrier in Atlantic
https://sputniknews.com/20230204/brazil-sinks-its-only-decommissioned-aircraft-carrier-in-atlantic--1106971506.html
February 4, 2023, 10:47 AM
MEXICO CITY (Sputnik) - Brazil has sunk the country's only decommissioned aircraft carrier Sao Paulo in the Atlantic Ocean after the vessel was denied docking due to the risk of running around, the Brazilian navy said.
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British Sailors on HMS Portland Poisoned by 'Contaminated Water,' Reports Say
https://sputniknews.com/20230204/british-sailors-on-hms-portland-were-poisoned-by-water-due-to-engineers-error-1106968384.html
February 4, 2023, 10:18 AM
Several weeks ago, the royal navy ship was tracking the Russian frigate Admiral Gorshkov and accompanying the tanker Kama as they sailed in international waters near Great Britain.
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Russia Has Potential in Gas, Oil Fields to Develop Ties With Africa, Foreign Ministry Says
https://sputniknews.com/20230204/russia-has-potential-in-gas-oil-fields-to-develop-ties-with-africa-foreign-ministry-says-1106969036.html
February 4, 2023, 9:19 AM
CAIRO (Sputnik) - Russia has much potential in the oil and gas spheres to develop relations with African states, Oleg Ozerov, Russian ambassador-at-large and the head of the Russia-Africa partnership forum, told Sputnik.
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Top Largest & Fastest-Growing Economies in Sub-Saharan Africa in 2023
https://sputniknews.com/20230204/top-largest--fastest-growing-economies-in-sub-saharan-africa-in-2023-1106951646.html
February 4, 2023, 8:54 AM
Despite the expected slowdown in global economic activity due to the ongoing energy and food crisis, Africa, with its young population and rich natural resources, is one of the world's fastest-emerging regions. Most nations of the continent are projected to grow in 2023, but what economies in sub-Saharan Africa are worth paying attention to?
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Russia Calls on European Lawmakers to Condemn Perpetrators of Quran-Burning
https://sputniknews.com/20230204/russia-calls-on-european-lawmakers-to-condemn-perpetrators-of-quran-burning-1106967935.html
February 4, 2023, 8:12 AM
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Moscow is deeply concerned by the recent series of Quran-burning protests in northern Europe and is calling on European lawmakers to publicly condemn and punish those responsible for desecration of religious relics, Russian upper house chairwoman Valentina Matviyenko said on Saturday.
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Iranian National Security Council Secretary to Visit Russia Next Week
https://sputniknews.com/20230204/iranian-national-security-council-secretary-to-visit-russia-next-week-1106967579.html
February 4, 2023, 6:41 AM
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Iranian Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Shamkhani will visit Russia next week for consultations on Afghanistan, Russian special presidential envoy for Afghanistan Zamir Kabulov told Sputnik on Saturday.
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Some UK Officials Reluctant to Give NLAWs to Kiev, Ex-PM Johnson Says
https://sputniknews.com/20230204/some-uk-officials-reluctant-to-give-nlaws-to-kiev-ex-pm-johnson-says-1106966908.html
February 4, 2023, 5:42 AM
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson says that a number British officials were against the supply of NLAW anti-tank grenade launchers to Ukraine.
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Derailed Train Causes Massive Fire in East Palestine, Ohio - Photos, Videos
https://sputniknews.com/20230204/derailed-train-causes-massive-fire-in-east-palestine-ohio---photos-videos-1106966523.html
February 4, 2023, 5:24 AM
Police have started evacuating people from the area, while firefighters have been trying to put out the flame.
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Jupiter Eclipses Saturn in ‘Most Moons’ Category After 12 Lunar Satellites Discovered
https://sputniknews.com/20230204/jupiter-eclipses-saturn-in-most-moons-category-after-12-lunar-satellites-discovered-1106966256.html
February 4, 2023, 4:13 AM
Just in time for the new year, a recent spell of lunar luck put Jupiter back on top of Saturn in the race for the most moons.
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Montana Officials Confirm No Explosion Occurred Within State After Unsubstantiated Video Emerges
https://sputniknews.com/20230204/montana-officials-confirm-no-explosion-occurred-within-state-after-unsubstantiated-video-emerges-1106965410.html
February 4, 2023, 3:45 AM
The Chinese Foreign Ministry stated the balloon was part of a civilian meteorological research effort; however, the department has since commented that "some politicians and media in the United States used the incident as a pretext to attack and smear China."
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US Deliberately Escalating Ukraine Conflict, Russian Ambassador Says
https://sputniknews.com/20230204/us-deliberately-escalating-ukraine-conflict-russian-ambassador-says-1106966055.html
February 4, 2023, 3:31 AM
WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - Providing Kiev with more powerful weaponry is a deliberate escalation of the Ukraine conflict by the United States, Russian Ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov said commenting on Washington’s new aid announcement.
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Over 8,000 Residents of New Territories Apply for Russian Passport Daily, Says Ministry
https://sputniknews.com/20230204/over-8000-residents-of-new-territories-apply-for-russian-passport-daily-says-ministry-1106965793.html
February 4, 2023, 3:22 AM
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Every day, more than 8,000 residents of new Russian regions apply for a Russian passport, following the accession of these territories to Russia, the Ministry of Internal Affairs told Sputnik.
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Ex-Pentagon Analyst Doubts China Would Risk Sending Surveillance Balloon Over US
https://sputniknews.com/20230204/ex-pentagon-analyst-doubts-china-would-risk-sending-surveillance-balloon-over-us-1106965652.html
February 4, 2023, 3:12 AM
WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - A former US defense official told Sputnik it is hard to imagine why China would risk sending an uncontrollable balloon with high-end surveillance equipment over the United States.
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Photo: Probe Launched After Two Planes Clip Each Other at Newark Airport
https://sputniknews.com/20230204/photo-probe-launched-after-two-planes-clip-each-other-at-newark-airport-1106965252.html
February 4, 2023, 3:08 AM
Officials said that one of the planes was full of passengers when the accident occurred at the New Jersey airport.
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Ex-Brazilian President Bolsonaro Says in First US Speech He Will Not ‘Give Up on Brazil'
https://sputniknews.com/20230204/ex-brazilian-president-bolsonaro-says-in-first-us-speech-he-will-not-give-up-on-brazil-1106965455.html
February 4, 2023, 2:54 AM
WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro said during his first speech given in the United States since leaving office that he will not give up on Brazil, despite losing the latest election.
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Baltimore Woman Sentenced to 4 Years for Shooting Accused Pedophile Husband
https://sputniknews.com/20230204/baltimore-woman-sentenced-to-4-years-for-shooting-accused-pedophile-husband-1106964913.html
February 4, 2023, 1:43 AM
After a public pressure campaign, a Russian man who meted out justice to an accused pedophile had his sentence reduced by two-thirds last year. But in the ‘land of the free,’ a former daycare owner who shot her ex-cop husband in similar circumstances just had hers doubled.
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Pentagon Claims Second Chinese Surveillance Balloon Detected Over Latin America
https://sputniknews.com/20230204/pentagon-claims-second-chinese-surveillance-balloon-detected-over-latin-america-1106964773.html
February 4, 2023, 1:26 AM
Reports of the high-altitude balloon have prompted a multitude of Chinese spying accusations despite confirmation from the Chinese government that the balloon was a civilian device used for meteorological research.
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Musk Says He's ‘Deeply Appreciative’ of Jury Verdict Finding Him Innocent in Investor Lawsuit
https://sputniknews.com/20230204/musk-says-hes-deeply-appreciative-of-jury-verdict-finding-him-innocent-in-investor-lawsuit-1106964548.html
February 4, 2023, 1:07 AM
WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - Billionaire entrepreneur and Tesla chief Elon Musk said late Friday he is deeply appreciative of a US jury that found him not liable for losses experienced by investors following a 2018 "funding secured" tweet.
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US Credit Card Debt Reaches 18.5%, Hits Record $930.6 Billion
https://sputniknews.com/20230204/us-credit-card-debt-reaches-185-hits-record-9306-billion--1106963792.html
February 4, 2023, 12:44 AM
Inflation in combination with rising interest rates are leading more Americans to spend borrowed money on necessities like food and rent. This week, the Federal Reserve increased interest by a quarter of a point; however, the recent hike is more modest than previous raises, and marks the eighth hike since March of 2022.
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UK ‘Has No More Heavy Guns’ After Giving Them to Ukraine - Report
https://sputniknews.com/20230204/uk-has-no-more-heavy-guns-after-giving-them-to-ukraine---report-1106964062.html
February 4, 2023, 12:28 AM
A report claiming two Royal Artillery regiments were left completely disarmed due to Downing Street’s decision to send the guns to Ukraine comes as British hawks step up their public relations campaign to convince taxpayers to submit to a surge in military spending.
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France to Study Extension of Nuclear Reactors’ Lifespan - Government
https://sputniknews.com/20230204/france-to-study-extension-of-nuclear-reactors-lifespan---government-1106963933.html
February 4, 2023, 12:14 AM
PARIS (Sputnik) - France is planning to extend the lifespan of its nuclear power plants to at least 60 years, the Elysee Palace informs.
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London Reportedly Considering Labeling Wagner Group Terrorist Organization
https://sputniknews.com/20230203/london-reportedly-considering-labeling-wagner-group-terrorist-organization-1106963340.html
February 3, 2023, 10:40 PM
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The UK Home Office is discussing potential plans to designate the Wagner Group private military company a terrorist organization, The Telegraph reports.
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Biden Gets Unexpected Win as Jobs Report Shows Official US Unemployment Rate Hit 53-Year Low
https://sputniknews.com/20230203/biden-gets-unexpected-win-as-jobs-report-shows-official-us-unemployment-rate-hit-53-year-low-1106963096.html
February 3, 2023, 10:16 PM
The latest report from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) shows the US hit its lowest official unemployment rate in more than 50 years. However, the government’s reporting methods conceal a larger long-term unemployment issue.
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Russian Envoy Tells Sputnik Moscow Will Respond to 'Ridiculous' New Canadian Sanctions
https://sputniknews.com/20230203/russian-envoy-tells-sputnik-moscow-will-respond-to-ridiculous-new-canadian-sanctions-1106962316.html
February 3, 2023, 9:59 PM
WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - The latest round of sanctions imposed by Canada against Russia is "ridiculous" and Moscow will respond accordingly, Russian Ambassador in Ottawa Oleg Stepanov told Sputnik on Friday.
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What Police Reform Should Look Like
https://sputniknews.com/20230203/what-police-reform-should-look-like-1106961199.html
February 3, 2023, 9:39 PM
Each high-profile killing by police of an unarmed Black citizen prompts calls to reform the police, with the latest calls coming after the beating death of Tyre Nichols, 29, of Memphis. But how should police reform be undertaken?
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US Woman Mistakenly Declared Dead, Found Gasping Inside Body Bag at Funeral Home
https://sputniknews.com/20230203/us-woman-mistakenly-declared-dead-found-gasping-inside-body-bag-at-funeral-home-1106962118.html
February 3, 2023, 9:13 PM
The hospice care facility is being fined thousands after the state’s inspector reportedly found that the hospice facility did not treat their resident with dignity and did not provide her appropriate care.
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Canada Imposes Sanctions on 38 Russian Individuals,16 Entities Including Rossiya Segodyna
https://sputniknews.com/20230203/canada-imposes-sanctions-on-38-russian-individuals16-entities-including-rossiya-segodyna-1106961915.html
February 3, 2023, 8:39 PM
WASHINGTON (Sputnik) – The Canadian Government has imposed Russia-related sanctions on 38 individuals and 16 entities, including MIA Rossiya Segodyna, Global Affairs Canada said on Friday.
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‘Let Good People of Montana Do Their Thing’: Trump Jr. Says Locals Should Shoot Down Chinese Balloon
https://sputniknews.com/20230203/let-good-people-of-montana-do-their-thing-trump-jr-says-locals-should-shoot-down-chinese-balloon-1106961075.html
February 3, 2023, 8:09 PM
With Americans fretting over the detection of a high-altitude Chinese balloon in US skies, the son of former President Donald Trump has taken a page out of his father’s book and called for US citizens to shoot the balloon down. There’s just one problem: it’s over 11 miles up.
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More Than Hot Air: How Bizarre Incident Popped Washington's China Plans
https://sputniknews.com/20230203/more-than-hot-air-how-bizarre-incident-popped-washingtons-china-plans-1106959865.html
February 3, 2023, 6:41 PM
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has postponed a visit to China which was scheduled for February 5-6 over an alleged Chinese "spy balloon" which has been recently detected in US airspace. Beijing explained that it is a weather device that had deviated from its planned route.
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Unsanitary Japanese Sushi Prank Sends Ripples Across Stock Market
https://sputniknews.com/20230203/unsanitary-japanese-sushi-prank-sends-ripples-across-stock-market-1106959358.html
February 3, 2023, 6:35 PM
The affected company has already filed a complaint with the police, and the restaurant where the teenage prankster was filmed has reportedly taken steps to deal with the issue.
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Biden Says Will Not Take Blame for US Inflation
https://sputniknews.com/20230203/biden-says-will-not-take-blame-for-us-inflation-1106960378.html
February 3, 2023, 6:31 PM
WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - President Joe Biden on Friday refused to take the blame for the runaway inflation in the United States, saying he inherited, not created, the problem.
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Arrested Sputnik Lithuania Editor Kasem Needs Medical Assistance in Prison, Lawyer Says
https://sputniknews.com/20230203/arrested-sputnik-lithuania-editor-kasem-needs-medical-assistance-in-prison-lawyer-says-1106960186.html
February 3, 2023, 6:27 PM
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Sputnik Lithuania editor Marat Kasem, who was arrested in Latvia, is in critical condition and needs medical assistance, his lawyer told Sputnik on Friday.
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US Satellite Photos Show Damage Iranian Workshop Suffered in 'Israeli Drone Attack'
https://sputniknews.com/20230203/us-satellite-photos-show-damage-iranian-workshop-suffered-in-israeli-drone-attack-1106958685.html
February 3, 2023, 6:04 PM
Israel has waged a multi-year espionage campaign against Iran’s nuclear program, including document theft, drone attacks, and assassinations of top nuclear scientists. Tel Aviv claims Iran is secretly building a nuclear weapon, despite claims otherwise by both Tehran and the UN’s nuclear watchdog.
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'Male, Female and Rapist'? Scottish Nationalists Lampooned for Inventing New Gender
https://sputniknews.com/20230203/male-female-and-rapist-scottish-nationalists-lampooned-for-inventing-new-gender-1106957560.html
February 3, 2023, 5:34 PM
The case of double rapist Isla Bryant, who claimed to be transgender after his first court appearance, has caused huge embarrassment for the Scottish National Party just a month after it passed legislation allowing men to 'self-identify' as women.
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Study Reveals How Australian Marsupials' Desire for Sex May Cause Death
https://sputniknews.com/20230203/study-reveals-how-australian-marsupials-desire-for-sex-may-cause-death-1106957370.html
February 3, 2023, 4:45 PM
The researchers noticed that male northern quolles seem to sleep less than females during the mating season.
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S'No Leopard! How Old Tanks Earmarked for Kiev Differ From Germany's Big Beast
https://sputniknews.com/20230203/sno-leopard-how-old-tanks-earmarked-for-kiev-differ-from-germanys-big-beast-1106949430.html
February 3, 2023, 4:26 PM
German arms-maker Rheinmetall has offered to refurbish 88 Leopard 1 tanks to replenish the Ukrainian army's dwindling stocks of armour. But the Cold War-era vehicle is only a distant relative of the vaunted Leopard 2 and is out of date on the 21st-century battlefield.
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Google's Jigsaw Reportedly Lays Off At Least One Third of Workforce
https://sputniknews.com/20230203/googles-jigsaw-lays-off-at-least-one-third-of-workforce-media-reports-1106957245.html
February 3, 2023, 3:54 PM
WASHINGTON (Sputnik) – Google’s Jigsaw, a company which creates tools to counter online hate speech, disinformation, and surveillance, has laid off at least a third of its workforce, American media reported on Friday, citing three employees affected.
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EU-Ukraine Summit: 'Vassal' Europe is on Dangerous Track of Military Escalation, Analysts Warn
https://sputniknews.com/20230203/eu-ukraine-summit-vassal-europe-is-on-dangerous-track-of-military-escalation-analysts-warn-1106955592.html
February 3, 2023, 3:50 PM
The 24th EU-Ukraine summit kicked off on February 3. A path to Ukraine's accession to the EU, the bloc's response to the Russian special military operation to demilitarize and de-Nazify the country, and the global food crisis are on the summit's agenda.
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Chinese Ambassador to Canada Reportedly Summoned Over Balloon Incident
https://sputniknews.com/20230203/chinese-ambassador-to-canada-summoned-over--balloon-incident-media-reports-1106956423.html
February 3, 2023, 3:37 PM
WASHINGTON (Sputnik) – Global Affairs Canada summoned the Chinese Ambassador to Ottawa over the incident involving a balloon flying over the country, a Canadian news agency reported on Friday.
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BRICS Can Resolve Global Issues, South African FM Says
https://sputniknews.com/20230203/brics-can-resolve-global-issues-south-african-fm-says-1106954108.html
February 3, 2023, 3:01 PM
Ealier this year, South Africa took over the BRICS presidency from China and began to execute duties as the BRICS chair. The African state became a part of the international bloc in 2010 and has chaired it twice – in 2013 and 2018.
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Blinken Postpones Beijing Trip Over Chinese Balloon in Sky Over US Until 'Conditions Are Right'
https://sputniknews.com/20230203/blinken-will-reportedly-postpone-upcoming-beijing-trip-over-chinese-balloon-on-sky-over-us-1106954989.html
February 3, 2023, 3:00 PM
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has reportedly suspended his trip to China this weekend, citing the detection of a Chinese high-altitude balloon over the continental United States.
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Biden Gets $250,000 Loan Against Delaware Home Amid Hunter, Documents Probes, Media Reports
https://sputniknews.com/20230203/biden-gets-250000-loan-against-delaware-home-amid-hunter-documents-probes-media-reports-1106951915.html
February 3, 2023, 2:44 PM
WASHINGTON (Sputnik) – US President Joe Biden has secured a $250,000 line of credit against his house in Rehoboth, Delaware, as his son Hunter faces a a long-running federal tax investigation and amid his own classified documents scandal, US media reported on Friday, citing Sussex County records.
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Only 41% of Americans Believe Police Treat Black, White People Equally, Poll Shows
https://sputniknews.com/20230203/only-41-of-americans-believe-police-treat-black-white-people-equally-poll-shows-1106953714.html
February 3, 2023, 2:37 PM
WASHINGTON (Sputnik) – Only 41% of Americans think that police treat black and white people equally, and just 39% believe officers have adequate training to avoid the use of excessive force, a poll showed on Friday.
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Turkish Interior Minister Urges US Ambassador to 'Take Dirty Hands' Off Turkey
https://sputniknews.com/20230203/turkish-interior-minister-urges-us-ambassador-to-take-dirty-hands-off-turkey-1106953052.html
February 3, 2023, 2:12 PM
ANKARA (Sputnik) - Turkish Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu on Friday called on the US ambassador to Ankara to "take his dirty hands" off the country, accusing him of trying to "provoke" Turkey.
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Fashion Designer Paco Rabanne Dies Aged 88
https://sputniknews.com/20230203/french-fashion-designer-paco-rabanne-dies-aged-88-1106952792.html
February 3, 2023, 2:03 PM
PARIS (Sputnik) - Spanish-born French fashion designer Paco Rabanne has died in northwestern France at the age of 88, the House of Paco Rabanne said on Friday.
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Turkey Summons German Ambassador Over Closure of Consulate in Istanbul
https://sputniknews.com/20230203/turkey-summons-german-ambassador-over-closure-of-consulate-in-istanbul-1106952444.html
February 3, 2023, 2:02 PM
BERLIN (Sputnik) - The German ambassador along with several foreign senior diplomats were summoned to the Turkish Foreign Ministry on February 2 over the closure of the German consulate in Istanbul, the spokesperson for the German Foreign Ministry, Andrea Sasse, said on Friday.
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China Says Balloon Seen Over US is Civilian Airship That Blew Off Course
https://sputniknews.com/20230203/china-says-balloon-seen-over-us-is-civilian-airship-that-blew-off-course-1106952255.html
February 3, 2023, 2:01 PM
China's Foreign Ministry has explained that the balloon is used for "research purposes" and that it deviated from its planned course due to winds.
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Woman Challenges Man in Court Who Sued Her for 'Friendzoning' Him
https://sputniknews.com/20230203/woman-challenges-man-in-court-who-sued-her-for-friendzoning-him-1106950388.html
February 3, 2023, 1:51 PM
The damages the woman seeks for the actions of the man who unsuccessfully pursued her pale in comparison to the money he is suing her for.
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Zimbabwe Cuts Policy Rate as Inflation Falls
https://sputniknews.com/20230203/zimbabwe-cuts-policy-rate-as-inflation-falls-1106950279.html
February 3, 2023, 1:04 PM
Zimbabwe has been under Western sanctions for more than 20 years, with the population experiencing the devastating effects of an economic crisis in the country, which has been attributed by Zimbabwean authorities in particular to the West's "illegal" restrictions.
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French Police Arrest Suspect Over Bomb Threat on High-Speed Train, Media Reports
https://sputniknews.com/20230203/french-police-arrest-suspect-over-bomb-threat-on-high-speed-train-media-reports-1106950521.html
February 3, 2023, 12:55 PM
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - French police arrested a suspect after receiving threats of a terrorist attack with explosives on a high-speed train going from Colmar to Paris, French media reported on Friday.
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South Korea, US Stage Another Joint Air Drills to Improve Military Cohesion
https://sputniknews.com/20230203/south-korea-us-stage-another-joint-air-drills-to-improve-military-cohesion-1106950137.html
February 3, 2023, 12:40 PM
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - South Korea and the United States staged joint air drills for the second time this week, involving American F-22 and F-35B stealth fighters, to improve operational capabilities, the South Korean air force said on Friday.
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To Shoot or Not to Shoot? What is the 'Spy Balloon' Over the US?
https://sputniknews.com/20230203/to-shoot-or-not-to-shoot-what-is-the-spy-balloon-over-the-us-1106947966.html
February 3, 2023, 12:13 PM
The US Department of Defense said on Thursday that it had communicated with Beijing "through multiple channels" over the balloon incident. On Friday, Beijing confirmed it was a Chinese aerostat, stressing, however, that it was a civilian balloon meant for scientific research.
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Blinken Failed to Offer Steps to End Violence in Middle East, Palestinian Foreign Minister Says
https://sputniknews.com/20230203/blinken-failed-to-offer-steps-to-end-violence-in-middle-east-palestinian-foreign-minister-says-1106947717.html
February 3, 2023, 11:16 AM
RAMALLAH (Sputnik) - As part of his official trip to the the Middle East, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has urged both Israel and Palestine to ensure de-escalation of tensions, but eventually left the region without offering any concrete measures able to amend the situation, Palestinian Foreign Minister Riad al-Maliki told Sputnik.
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Russia to Keep Supporting Africa in Decolonization Efforts, Foreign Minister Says
https://sputniknews.com/20230203/russia-to-keep-supporting-africa-in-decolonization-efforts-foreign-minister-says-1106946724.html
February 3, 2023, 10:57 AM
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Moscow will keep providing help to its African partners in their efforts to complete the process of decolonization in accordance with the decisions of the UN General Assembly, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Friday.
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EU Leaders Set to Pour Cold Water on Zelensky's Dream of Joining Brussels Bloc
https://sputniknews.com/20230203/eu-leaders-set-to-pour-cold-water-on-zelenskys-dream-of-joining-brussels-bloc-1106945885.html
February 3, 2023, 10:52 AM
Former Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych's turn away from closer ties with the European Union (EU) precipitated the 2014 Euromaidan coup — backed by Washington and Brussels — which in turn sparked the civil war that led ultimately to the current conflict.
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Burkina Faso's PM Suggests Forming Federation With Mali
https://sputniknews.com/20230203/burkina-fasos-pm-suggests-forming-federation-with-mali-1106944458.html
February 3, 2023, 10:30 AM
Both the two neighboring West African nations have been facing the same challenges over the past few years, starting from the ongoing fight against terrorist groups linked to Daesh* and al-Qaeda*, along with political, social and economic crises which resulted in two military coups taking place in both Burkina Faso and Mali since 2020.
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Turkish Foreign Minister Says Country Making Efforts to Extend Grain Deal
https://sputniknews.com/20230203/turkish-foreign-minister-says-country-making-efforts-to-extend-grain-deal-1106945488.html
February 3, 2023, 9:35 AM
ISTANBUL (Sputnik) - Turkey is making efforts to extend the grain deal expiring on March 18, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Friday.
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NHS Faces Risks of 'Being Overwhelmed' With Skyrocketing Cancer Cases, UK Charity Warns
https://sputniknews.com/20230203/nhs-faces-risks-of-being-overwhelmed-with-skyrocketing-cancer-cases-uk-charity-warns-1106943602.html
February 3, 2023, 9:32 AM
Cancer Research UK chief executive Michelle Mitchell warned of challenges the NHS will face in "years to come," also urging Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to do more "to ensure cancer survival dramatically improves in England."
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Beijing Says Speculation Related to 'Spy Balloon' Over US Inappropriate
https://sputniknews.com/20230203/beijing-says-speculation-related-to-chinese-spy-balloon-over-us-inappropriate-1106943939.html
February 3, 2023, 8:56 AM
BEIJING (Sputnik) - Speculation on the topic of a "spy balloon" allegedly detected over the United States will not contribute to the resolution of the issue until all the details are established, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said on Friday.
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Russia, Equatorial Guinea Discuss Gas Transmission in Central Africa
https://sputniknews.com/20230203/russia-equatorial-guinea-discuss-gas-transmission-in-central-africa-1106941401.html
February 3, 2023, 8:05 AM
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russia's Energy Ministry is in talks with Equatorial Guinea on how Russian companies can help build a gas pipeline network in Central Africa, the Russian deputy energy minister said Thursday.
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Norway Preparing for Its Largest Military Drill of the Year
https://sputniknews.com/20230203/norway-preparing-for-its-largest-military-drill-of-the-year-1106939720.html
February 3, 2023, 7:56 AM
The biennal international exercise Joint Viking includes land, navy, and air forces, as well as allied contributions. This year's edition is expected to host a total of 10,000 Norwegian and allied soldiers.
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US House Panel Opens Probe Into John Kerry’s Climate Talks With China
https://sputniknews.com/20230203/us-house-panel-opens-probe-into-john-kerrys-climate-talks-with-china-1106940653.html
February 3, 2023, 7:32 AM
Comer underscored that Kerry has a February 16 deadline to provide the US House of Representatives oversight and accountability committee with information that should shed more light on the SPEC office’s “activities, spending, and staffing.”
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CAR's Army Defeated Most Armed Groups With Support From Russian Instructors, Ambassador Says
https://sputniknews.com/20230203/cars-army-defeated-most-of-armed-groups-with-support-of-russias-instructors-ambassador-says-1106939929.html
February 3, 2023, 6:36 AM
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The military of the Central African Republic (CAR), with the support of Russian military instructors, has defeated most of the illegal armed groups in the country, Russian Ambassador to CAR Alexander Bikantov has told Sputnik.
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Colombian Judge Says Used AI-Powered Chatbot to Rule on Case
https://sputniknews.com/20230203/colombian-judge-says-used-ai-powered-chatbot-to-rule-on-case-1106939372.html
February 3, 2023, 5:24 AM
MEXICO CITY (Sputnik) - Juan Manuel Padilla, a Colombian judge in the city of Cartagena, said on Thursday that he used AI-powered chatbot ChatGPT to make a decision on a case.
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Prosecutors Scrap Attempted Rape Charges Against Manchester Utd Player Greenwood
https://sputniknews.com/20230203/prosecutors-scrap-attempted-rape-charges-against-manchester-utd-player-greenwood-1106938811.html
February 3, 2023, 5:20 AM
After Greenwood was arrested in January 2022, he was charged with attempted rape, also facing one count of controlling and coercive behavior, plus another count of assault causing bodily harm.
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Finns Ready for NATO Without Sweden While PM Promises 'Hand in Hand' Accession
https://sputniknews.com/20230203/finns-ready-for-nato-without-sweden-while-pm-promises-hand-in-hand-accession-1106939026.html
February 3, 2023, 5:20 AM
While the two Nordic countries jointly abandoned their decades-long policy of non-alignment and applied for NATO membership, Sweden’s bid ran into trouble, with Ankara following a series of provocations ranging from Turkish President Recep Erdogan being hung in effigy to Quran-burnings in front of the Turkish embassy.
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CAR Taking All Available Measures to Investigate Deaths of Russian Reporters - Ambassador
https://sputniknews.com/20230203/car-taking-all-available-measures-to-investigate-deaths-of-russian-reporters---ambassador-1106938345.html
February 3, 2023, 4:05 AM
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The authorities of the Central African Republic (CAR) are taking all available measures to investigate the killing of three Russian journalists in the republic in 2018 despite the tense situation in the region, Russian Ambassador to CAR Alexander Bikantov has told Sputnik.
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State Dept: Biden White House Backs Sale of F-16s to Turkey But Congress Must Be Onboard
https://sputniknews.com/20230203/state-dept-biden-white-house-backs-sale-of-f-16s-to-turkey-but-congress-must-be-onboard-1106938222.html
February 3, 2023, 3:54 AM
WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - The US State Department supports the sale of F-16 fighter jets to Turkey, but Congress has to also be on board since it is not solely up to the department to decide on the issue, spokesperson Ned Price said.
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Survey: 40% of Millennials Have at Least One of Their Monthly Bills Paid for by Their Parents
https://sputniknews.com/20230203/survey-40-of-millennials-have-at-least-one-of-their-monthly-bills-paid-for-by-their-parents-1106937962.html
February 3, 2023, 3:50 AM
At least 2/5 of millennials say their parents are paying for one or more of their monthly bills. The most common of which is housing. At least 24% of millennials receive help from their parents for rent while 17% get help with their mortgage.
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Russian Forces Take Ugledar City in DPR in Semicircle, DPR Head's Adviser Says
https://sputniknews.com/20230203/russian-forces-take-vuhledar-city-in-dpr-in-semicircle---dpr-heads-adviser-1106937811.html
February 3, 2023, 3:24 AM
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The Russian military has taken the city of Ugledar in the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) in a semicircle and is liberating the city as they did in the city of Artemovsk, Igor Kimakovsky, adviser to acting DPR head Denis Pushilin, has told Sputnik.
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Pentagon: Suspected Chinese Surveillance Balloon Being Tracked Over Northern US
https://sputniknews.com/20230203/pentagon-suspected-chinese-surveillance-balloon-being-tracked-over-northern-us-1106937518.html
February 3, 2023, 2:32 AM
While there is no official confirmation the balloon belongs to China, US intelligence said they have "very high confidence" it is operated by the Chinese government. US defense officials also indicated that while the incident is not unprecedented, the device is staying over the US longer than usual.
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The Memo-Monger
https://sputniknews.com/20230203/the-memo-monger--1106936833.html
February 3, 2023, 1:11 AM
The bizarre, warmongering memo raised the eyebrows of airmen after US Gen. Mike Minihan sounded the alarm on a fictional war with China within the next two years. “I hope I am wrong,” wrote Minihan. “My gut tells me we will fight in 2025.” Those under his command were shocked by what they read, many thought the email was a mistake.
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Lawmaker Claims He Was Asked to Join Bolsonaro Camp's Effort to Overturn Brazilian Election
https://sputniknews.com/20230203/lawmaker-claims-he-was-asked-to-join-bolsonaro-camps-effort-to-overturn-brazilian-election-1106937336.html
February 3, 2023, 1:03 AM
The legislator who reportedly set up the meeting was taken into police custody on Thursday.
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Scholz: Berlin Carefully Weighs All Arms Deliveries to Kiev in Bid to Prevent Russia-NATO Escalation
https://sputniknews.com/20230203/scholz-berlin-carefully-weighs-all-arms-deliveries-to-kiev-in-bid-to-prevent-russia-nato-escalation-1106936666.html
February 3, 2023, 12:19 AM
BERLIN (Sputnik) - German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Thursday that Berlin, when deciding on military aid for Ukraine, carefully considers all the decisions not to go too far and prevent an escalation between Russia and NATO.
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UN Experts Demand That Spain Investigates Alleged Spying Targeting Catalan Leaders - OHCHR
https://sputniknews.com/20230202/un-experts-demand-that-spain-investigates-alleged-spying-targeting-catalan-leaders---ohchr-1106936495.html
February 2, 2023, 11:51 PM
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - UN experts on Thursday demanded that Spanish authorities "thoroughly investigate" alleged spying targeting Catalan public figures and activists following the independence bid in 2017 with the use of Pegasus and Candiru spyware.
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More Than 400,000 Texans Are Without Power After Dangerous Winter Storm Consumes Region
https://sputniknews.com/20230202/more-than-400000-texans-are-without-power-after-dangerous-winter-storm-consumes-region-1106935512.html
February 2, 2023, 10:46 PM
The storm caused massive power outages and disruptions across highways and roads with central Texas stuck in thick ice since earlier this week. While the freezing temperatures and sleet should be gone by this weekend, they’ll move into the US Northeast with dangerous wind chills as low as 50 degrees Fahrenheit below zero.
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Blinken to Abbas: Use Special Forces to Take Control of Jenin, Nablus or Risk Third Intifada
https://sputniknews.com/20230202/blinken-to-abbas-use-special-forces-to-take-control-of-jenin-nablus-or-risk-third-intifada-1106935045.html
February 2, 2023, 10:22 PM
As violence in Israel and the Palestinian territories continues to flare, partner nations are urging both sides to de-escalate or risk a massive new Palestinian uprising. Two previous uprisings, dubbed “intifadas,” or “shrugging off,” occurred from 1987 to 1993 and 2000 to 2005, both resulting in major Israeli concessions.
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US Judge Allows Wrongful Death Lawsuit Against Kyle Rittenhouse to Proceed
https://sputniknews.com/20230202/us-judge-allows-wrongful-death-lawsuit-against-kyle-rittenhouse-to-proceed-1106935202.html
February 2, 2023, 9:59 PM
WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - A federal judge in the United States ruled that a wrongful death lawsuit against Kyle Rittenhouse, a young man who shot and killed three people during an August 2020 incident, can proceed despite a jury acquitting Rittenhouse in 2021, The Washington Post reported.
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Israel, Sudan Agree to Formalize Ties, Israeli Foreign Ministry Says
https://sputniknews.com/20230202/israel-sudan-agree-to-formalize-ties---israeli-foreign-ministry-1106934927.html
February 2, 2023, 9:28 PM
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Israel and Sudan agreed Thursday to move forward with the normalization process and formalize their relationship once the North African nation transitions to civilian rule.
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Blinken to Meet Xi During China Trip, Marking First Such Encounter in Six Years - Reports
https://sputniknews.com/20230202/blinken-to-meet-xi-during-china-trip-marking-first-such-encounter-in-six-years---reports-1106934167.html
February 2, 2023, 8:37 PM
Reports in Western media on Thursday indicated US Secretary of State Antony Blinken would be meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing later this week. It would be the first time a US foreign minister has met with the Chinese leader since 2017.
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McCarthy: Hunter Biden Request for Probe Into Laptop Leak ‘Attorney Tactic’ to Stall
https://sputniknews.com/20230202/mccarthy-hunter-biden-request-for-probe-into-laptop-leak-attorney-tactic-to-stall-1106933673.html
February 2, 2023, 7:49 PM
WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - A request by Hunter Biden, son of US President Joe Biden, to investigate the dissemination of the contents of a laptop he had abandoned is a legal tactic intended to stall the House of Representatives’ own probe into potential influence peddling, Speaker Kevin McCarthy said on Thursday.
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Attempts by France & Germany to Negotiate With Russia Should Be Prevented, Bolton Tells Pranksters
https://sputniknews.com/20230202/attempts-by-france-germany-to-negotiate-with-russia-should-be-prevented-bolton-tells-pranksters-1106933377.html
February 2, 2023, 7:12 PM
John Bolton shared his thoughts on topics such as the anti-Russian sanctions imposed by the West and the prospects of Ukraine's NATO membership with Vovan and Lexus.
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Peaceful Research or Biowarfare? US Gov't Knows Ukraine Pathogens are Weapons, Observers Say
https://sputniknews.com/20230202/peaceful-research-or-biowarfare-us-govt-knows-ukraine-pathogens-are-weapons-observers-say-1106932301.html
February 2, 2023, 6:56 PM
An independent investigation into the US government's overseas biolabs is long overdue, investigative journalists told Sputnik, stressing that dangerous pathogens are bioweapons, no matter what euphemisms one is using.
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Swedish Prime Minister Says Quran-Burning Hurt Country's Image Abroad
https://sputniknews.com/20230202/swedish-prime-minister-says-quran-burning-hurt-countrys-image-abroad-1106933191.html
February 2, 2023, 6:44 PM
ZURICH (Sputnik) - Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson admitted on Thursday that the Quran-burning protest in Stockholm had tarnished the nation’s image abroad and hurt its dialogue with Turkey.
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Debt Ceiling Should Be Lifted Without Conditions: White House After Biden, McCarthy Meeting
https://sputniknews.com/20230202/debt-ceiling-should-be-lifted-without-conditions-white-house-after-biden-mccarthy-meeting-1106932849.html
February 2, 2023, 6:32 PM
WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - The White House, following the meeting between US President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy on the previous day, believes that the debt ceiling should be raised without any conditions as has been the case to date, spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre said on Thursday.
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Full Video: Sergey Lavrov's Interview With Sputnik
https://sputniknews.com/20230202/full-video-sergey-lavrovs-interview-with-sputnik-1106930587.html
February 2, 2023, 6:23 PM
The Russian foreign minister sat down with Dmitry Kiselev, general director of Rossiya Segodnya International News Agency (Sputnik’s parent organization), on February 2 to answer questions regarding a variety of poignant issues related to Russia and its actions on the international stage.
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Golden Pendant With Henry VIII Emblem and Initials Found in England
https://sputniknews.com/20230202/golden-pendant-with-henry-viii-emblem-and-initials-found-in-england-1106930313.html
February 2, 2023, 6:22 PM
The pendant is made of 300 grams of 24-carat gold and features the emblems of the House of Tudor and Henry’s first wife Katherine of Aragon.
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US Transfers Guantanamo Prisoner Majid Khan to Belize: Pentagon
https://sputniknews.com/20230202/us-transfers-guantanamo-prisoner-majid-khan-to-belize-pentagon-1106931509.html
February 2, 2023, 6:14 PM
WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - The United States has transferred a prisoner at the Guantanamo detention facility to Belize, the US Department of Defense announced in a release on Thursday.
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Russian Athletes Should Take Individual Doping Tests to Be Allowed to Compete, IOC Says
https://sputniknews.com/20230202/russian-athletes-should-take-individual-doping-tests-to-be-allowed-to-compete-ioc-says-1106931370.html
February 2, 2023, 6:10 PM
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russian and Belarusian athletes will have to take individual doping tests to be allowed to participate in sports competitions, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) said on Thursday.
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FBI to Search Former VP Mike Pence’s Home in Search for Classified Documents: Report
https://sputniknews.com/20230202/fbi-to-search-former-vp-mike-pences-home-in-search-for-classified-documents-report-1106931112.html
February 2, 2023, 6:06 PM
WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - FBI agents will search the house of former Vice President Mike Pence in the state of Indiana amid similar searches conducted at President Joe Biden’s home that resulted in multiple classified papers discovered there, an American newspaper reported on Thursday.
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US House Removes Congresswoman Omar From Foreign Affairs Panel Over Controversial Remarks
https://sputniknews.com/20230202/us-house-removes-congresswoman-omar-from-foreign-affairs-panel-over-controversial-remarks-1106930914.html
February 2, 2023, 6:02 PM
WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - The US House of Representatives on Thursday passed a resolution removing Congresswoman Ilhan Omar from the Foreign Affairs Committee over her controversial remarks on issues including the relationship between Israel and the United States.
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Watch: Footage Shows China’s Tailless Sixth-Generation Fighters
https://sputniknews.com/20230202/watch-leaked-footage-shows-chinas-tailless-sixth-generation-fighter-design-1106929681.html
February 2, 2023, 5:07 PM
A Chinese defense firm has offered the public a look at a prospective sixth-generation fighter jet likely to be in the works. Even with just a handful of countries able to field advanced fifth-generation stealth fighters, designers are pushing ahead on still-more-advanced aircrafts, incorporating AI and other new technology.
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Lavrov Meets Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister, Vows Restoring Contacts, Tourism
https://sputniknews.com/20230202/lavrov-meets-chinese-deputy-foreign-minister-vows-restoring-contacts-tourism-1106929974.html
February 2, 2023, 4:46 PM
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, at a meeting with Chinese First Deputy Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu, spoke in favor of restoring face-to-face contacts, mutual tourism and exchanges, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Thursday.
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'Not Your Usual Prisoner': Swan Taken In by Police in Britain's Ocean City
https://sputniknews.com/20230202/not-your-usual-prisoner-swan-taken-in-by-police-in-britains-ocean-city-1106927608.html
February 2, 2023, 4:13 PM
One local who phoned the police to report the wild bird loose in the middle of Plymouth said they had just walked past someone "stroking a swan" on a busy street, home to many of the port city's most popular pubs and bars.
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US Investors Plowed Over $40 Billion into Chinese AI Industry Despite Sanctions, Report Says
https://sputniknews.com/20230202/us-investors-plowed-over-40-billion-into-chinese-ai-industry-despite-sanctions-report-says-1106923681.html
February 2, 2023, 4:06 PM
US investors were mostly interested in facial recognition, medicine and robotics, a recently unveiled report by a tech policy group at Georgetown University has revealed, as quoted by a British news agency.
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What Now for Rishi Sunak's Government as He Outlasts Liz Truss as PM?
https://sputniknews.com/20230202/what-now-for-rishi-sunaks-government-as-he-outlasts-liz-truss-as-pm-1106923329.html
February 2, 2023, 4:02 PM
Rishi Sunak has lasted twice as long as his predecessor Liz Truss, who was out of Downing Street just six weeks after taking over from Boris Johnson. But economic woes, poor poll ratings and his lack of a mandate from voters may limit what he can achieve.
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Putin Meets Members of Youth and Patriotic Organizations on 80th Anniversary of Stalingrad Battle
https://sputniknews.com/20230202/putin-meets-members-of-youth-and-patriotic-organizations-on-80th-anniversary-of-stalingrad-battle-1106907936.html
February 2, 2023, 4:01 PM
The meeting is dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Stalingrad – one of the largest battles of World War II.
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US House Panel to Discuss Twitter Censorship of Biden Family Business Schemes
https://sputniknews.com/20230202/us-house-panel-to-discuss-twitter-censorship-of-biden-family-business-schemes-1106928690.html
February 2, 2023, 3:53 PM
WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - The US House Oversight Committee said on Thursday that it will hold a hearing on Twitter’s role in censoring reports about President Joe Biden family’s questionable business activities.
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