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Russia Times
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[l] at 11/22/24 6:02pm
Other countries are still benefiting from energy trade with Moscow, the ex-chancellor said Warsaw and Kiev were both content with Berlin’s imports of Russian natural gas as long as they continued to profit from it, former Chancellor Angela Merkel stated, defending her decision not to deprive the German economy of cheap energy. In an interview with Der Spiegel magazine published on Friday, Merkel was asked why she neither armed Ukraine nor strengthened Germany’s defense capabilities, nor weaned her country off Russian gas during her tenure. “Many important aspects are being forgotten today: for example, Ukraine and Poland were not fundamentally opposed to our import of Russian gas as long as it passed through their territory and they received transit fees for it,” she pointed out. Read more Germany records spike in corporate bankruptcies Merkel defended her decision not to halt imports via the Nord Stream pipelines, arguing that it would have made little difference if Berlin had stopped buying gas from Moscow back in 2014. “It would have been the same back then if we had broken off all economic ties,” she said, pointing to “other countries” that continue to buy Russian gas to this day. “I saw it as one of my tasks to secure cheap gas for the German economy. We can now see the consequences of high energy prices for our country,” she added. Read more Sharp rise in Russia’s share of EU LNG market – report The German economy has been in recession since 2023, contracting by 0.3% this year and projected to shrink further by 0.1% in 2024, according to the European Commission’s economic forecast released last week. Rising costs and weak economic performance have led to soaring rates of corporate bankruptcy in the country, Der Spiegel reported earlier this week. Merkel served as Federal Chancellor from 2005 to 2021 during the early stages of the Ukraine conflict, when Crimea voted overwhelmingly to rejoin Russia following the 2014 Western-backed Maidan coup in Kiev. She was one of the guarantors of the failed 2014-15 Minsk agreements, which she later described as merely “an attempt to give Ukraine time” and strengthen Kiev. Read more Nord Stream saboteurs linked to CIA – Spiegel The first two underwater Nord Stream pipelines were launched in 2012 and supplied about 16% of the EU’s natural gas needs by 2018, meeting half of Germany’s annual demand by 2021. Two additional pipelines were built but never became operational, as Berlin halted certification of Nord Stream 2 amid pressure from the US shortly before Russia's military operation in Ukraine. Three of the four pipelines were sabotaged in September 2022 in a series of mysterious explosions. The EU still receives approximately 5% of its gas imports from Russia via Ukraine’s gas transit network, according to Brussels-based economic think tank Bruegel. The transit agreement between Moscow and Kiev is set to expire on December 31.

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[l] at 11/22/24 3:19pm
London has said it would comply with the ICC war crimes warrant for the Israeli leader Britain would most likely honor the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he came to visit, a spokesman for 10 Downing Street has said. The Hague-based ICC announced on Thursday it was seeking Netanyahu on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity in connection with the Gaza conflict. Israel and the US have denounced the move. “The UK will always comply with its legal obligations as set out by domestic law, and indeed international law,” a spokesman for Prime Minister Keir Starmer told British media on Friday. However, he added that domestic procedures linked to ICC arrest warrants have never been used by the UK, because no one wanted by the court has ever visited the country. Read more European states vow to arrest Israeli PM Earlier in the day, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said it “wouldn’t be appropriate” for her to comment on the warrant, as the ICC is an independent institution. “We’ve always respected the importance of international law, but in the majority of the cases that they pursue, they don’t become part of the British legal process,” she told Sky News. “What I can say is that obviously, the UK government’s position remains that we believe the focus should be on getting a ceasefire in Gaza.” Emily Thornberry, the Labour MP who chairs the Foreign Affairs Committee, was more direct when she spoke to the outlet, however. “If Netanyahu comes to Britain, our obligation under the Rome Convention would be to arrest him under the warrant from the ICC,” said Thornberry. “Not really a question of should, we are required to because we are members of the ICC.” Read more EU state’s leader to invite Netanyahu despite ICC warrant Israel “rejects with disgust the absurd and false actions leveled against it by ICC,” Netanyahu’s office has said. The US “fundamentally rejects” the decision and is “deeply concerned” by the “troubling process errors” that led to it, a spokesperson for the National Security Council said on Thursday. So far, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Ireland, Italy, Sweden, Belgium, and Norway have announced they would comply with the ICC warrant, while France has said the warrant is legitimate but actually arresting the Israeli leader would be “legally complex.” Meanwhile, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has invited Netanyahu to visit Budapest and said the ICC warrant “will have no effect” in the EU and NATO member state.

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[l] at 11/22/24 2:52pm
RT breaks down everything known about the new medium-range hypersonic weapon Russia’s newly unveiled Oreshnik missile has quickly become the focus of major international attention. Announced by President Vladimir Putin on Thursday, this medium-range hypersonic weapon is seen as a significant advancement in the country’s missile capabilities. One that could have far-reaching consequences for both the Ukraine conflict and broader international security.  With its apparently unmatched speed and precision, and the prospect of mass production on the immediate horizon, this missile could be a game-changer for Moscow’s military operation.  Here’s what we know so far about the Oreshnik and its potential impact. A new weapon, not an upgrade Contrary to some claims, the Oreshnik is not an upgrade of Soviet-era missile systems, according to Putin. Instead, it is a completely new development built on modern Russian technology. The president emphasized that the missile represents the culmination of efforts within “New Russia,” referring to developments after the Soviet Union’s collapse in 1991. “It was created on the basis of modern, latest developments,” he stated. Hypersonic capabilities and precision The Oreshnik missile is described as a high-precision, medium-range weapon, with hypersonic speed. Putin clarified that while it is not considered a “strategic” weapon, its capabilities are still formidable. “Due to its striking power, especially with massive, collective use, and even in combination with other high-precision long-range systems, the use of Oreshnik will be comparable in power to strategic weapons,” he said. This missile is designed to fly at speeds of up to Mach 10 (around 7,600 miles/12,200km per hour), which is roughly ten times the speed of sound. The high velocity makes it extremely difficult to intercept using current missile defense systems. “There are no means of counteracting Oreshnik-type complexes in the world,” Putin asserted, explaining that Western missile defense systems, including those deployed in Western Europe, cannot intercept such fast-moving projectiles. First combat use and response to Ukraine The Oreshnik missile was first used in combat on November 21, 2024, when it struck a Ukrainian defense facility in the city of Dnepropetrovsk. The target was the Yuzhmash industrial complex, a key Ukrainian defense site inherited from the USSR that produces missile equipment. Putin justified the strike as a response to Kiev’s use of long-range missiles, like the American ATACMS and British Storm Shadow systems, against Russian territory. “The regional conflict in Ukraine has acquired elements of a global character,” Putin said, highlighting the broader implications of Western involvement. Mass production and deployment Following the successful test and first use of the new weapon, Russia has committed to mass-producing the system. “Serial production of Oreshnik is practically organized,” Putin confirmed, with the missiles slated for inclusion in Russia’s Strategic Missile Forces (RSVS). This suggests that they will become a key part of Russia’s long-term military strategy, with the potential for widespread deployment in the coming months. Putin noted that the missile’s development process was swift and efficient, with domestic technologies ensuring that Moscow has “resolved import substitution issues.” This suggests that Russia has managed to develop the Oreshnik entirely with its own resources, minimizing reliance on foreign components. Global impact and strategic significance The Oreshnik missile has the potential to change the dynamics of the Ukraine conflict. According to General Sergei Karakayev, the head of Russia’s Strategic Missile Forces, the Oreshnik “can hit targets throughout Europe.” This makes the missile not only a powerful weapon in the context of Ukraine but also one that could have wider geopolitical implications if tensions escalate further. While Russia has not explicitly described the missile as a weapon of mass destruction, its precision and destructive power mean that it could be used to target critical infrastructure in enemy states. In Putin’s view, it provides Russia with a technological advantage that currently cannot be matched by any other country. International reactions and future developments The Oreshnik missile has raised alarms in the West. The use of this new weapon, combined with the conflict in Ukraine, has spurred calls to strengthen air defenses. Ukrainian officials have already approached the US to discuss receiving advanced systems, which could include modernized Patriots or even Aegis missile defense platforms. However, there is no evidence to suggest they would be effective against the Oreshnik.

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[l] at 11/22/24 2:19pm
RT is publishing Scott Bennett’s testimony posthumously American political commentator Scott Bennett died before he had a chance to present his report on Ukraine’s misuse of Western military aid to commit crimes against humanity. RT is publishing the document in its entirety. Bennett was a former US Army psychological warfare officer and RT contributor, who visited Donbass in 2023 and filmed a documentary about his experience entitled ‘Frontline Diary of an American Officer’. He passed away on Friday at age 53, from pancreatic cancer, before he had a chance to present this report on Ukrainian atrocities in Russia’s Belgorod Region to the US Congress. “In case anything happens to me, I am not suicidal in any way, shape or form. If anything happens to me it will be in order to try and bury this report,” Bennett wrote on the cover of the document. “And I have fought the good fight, I did my duty.” Report on war crimes and crimes against humanity Date: March 2, 2024 Revised: June 28, 2024 TO:  United States, Congress  THROUGH:  United States Ambassador to Russia FR:  Scott Bennett, former U.S. Army Officer and State Department Coordinator for Counterterrorism Intelligence Analyst RE:  Report Disclosing War Crimes, Crimes Against Humanity, and Violations of the United States Constitution, and United Nations Treaties and Agreements and International Law. BE ADVISED, all materials, including videos, photographs, and written communications contained herein and to be included in the future as supplemental exhibits, are recognized as whistleblower disclosures, and as such have inviolable protected status under United States and international whistleblower laws, agreements, treaties, executive orders, decrees, and public policies.  They are not classified and in the public interest and cannot be sealed or classified by any government authority.  They are the property of the author of this report, and made public by him. BE ADVISED, all information contained in this report and exhibits is true, to the best of my knowledge, and is presented in good faith consistent with United States Whistleblower laws and other laws, treaties and agreements made by the United States.  This report demands an immediate Congressional Oversight investigation.   BE ADVISED, failure to respond, investigate and act on this report will be construed as treason, misprision of treason, misprision of felony, seditious conspiracy, and other violations of United States laws. BE ADVISED, you are hereby served legal notice of the following sworn affidavit by Scott Bennett regarding crimes, war crimes, crimes against humanity, terrorist network support, violations of U.S. and international law relating to terrorism: BE ADVISED, pursuant to the Constitution for the United States of America, international law, and the treaties and agreements made by the United States, you are hereby served legal notice of the following violations: 8 USC section 4 (misprision of a felony); USC1382 (misprision of treason), (crimes against humanity), (war crimes), 18 USC 241, 242 (deprivation of rights under color of law; and conspiracy to commit deprivation of rights); (chemical weapons violations); and other violations of civilian and military law, both domestic and international. BE ADVISED, Scott Bennett is a former federal employee under the George H.W. Bush Administration from 2003 to 2008, and a United States Army Officer who held a top secret/sensitive compartmentalized security clearance, and worked in Psychological Operations for United States Civil Affairs-Psychological Operations Command, U.S. Central Command Terrorist Financing, former general of Joint Special Operations Command and State Department Coordinator for Counterterrorism Ambassador Del Dailey; and Booz Allen Hamilton. BE ADVISED, Petitioner, Scott Bennett, has just returned from investigating and documenting war crimes in the land areas and regions of Donbass areas of Ukraine-Russia, including the cities and areas of Donetsk, Mariupol, Soledar, Gorlovka, Belgorod, St. Petersburg, and other areas.  A film has been created recording this investigation, and the link to review this material is available at: www.RT.com BE ADVISED, you are hereby served legal notice, that Scott Bennett has firsthand knowledge of these facts, and has  personally witnessed and documented the illegal, unconstitutional, and immoral appropriation and application of weapons, finances, and personnel provided by the United States Government, the United Kingdom, France, Poland, and Germany in the above mentioned cities and regions and other areas of Ukraine-Russia. BE ADVISED, weapons, financing, and personnel provided by the United States government to the government of Ukraine, and specifically its Zelensky regime (which is no longer the lawful government authority of Ukraine as of June 2024), are being used in violation of the Constitution and laws of the United States of America. Consequentially the Biden Administration and the United States Congress and the U.S. military are therefore unlawfully  and making the United States government and its people a legally culpable party to international war crimes, crimes against humanity, and other violations of domestic and international law as a result of this criminal activity.  This government imposed unlawful culpability places American citizens in a vulnerable legal position where they may be arrested, prosecuted, imprisoned, and executed as supporters of terrorism. BE ADVISED, this sworn affidavit/ jurat by Scott Bennett—which is an exhibit for all legal actions in this complaint, investigation, and case—establishes and declares to all parties within the United States Government and military, and the citizens of the United States and the several states, that the following has occurred and is currently occurring as a result of the criminal misuse of American resources: Non-military targets and civilian personnel (mainly mothers, children, and the elderly) are being intentionally and systematically targeted, fired upon, and destroyed by NATO, U.S., Polish, French, and Ukrainian personnel and weapon systems operating as allies and/or agents of the United States, operating under the auspices of “supporting Ukraine’s Zelensky regime and agenda”. BE ADVISED, this sworn affidavit/ jurat by Scott Bennett, establishes and declares to all parties within the United States Government and military, and the citizens of the United States and the several states, that the following has occurred and is currently occurring as a result of the criminal misuse of American resources: Non-military targets are being attacked, irreparably damaged or destroyed, and civilians are being intentionally murdered as a result.  Several female victims and eyewitnesses of these criminal acts have been interviewed by Scott Bennett on camera about this, and these interviews and testimony and evidence demands an immediate Congressional hearing and investigation about this matter in order to immediately and without delay issue corrective declarations and actions by the United States Government and military, and compel its allies to immediately acknowledge and take corrective action within their own respective governments and military. The following civilian infrastructure are being intentionally targeted and destroyed by U.S. supplied weapons and personnel:  Schools, kindergartens, libraries, businesses, senior citizen pension offices, civilian apartments and housing complexes, vehicles are being targeted, damaged or destroyed as a result of this heinous corruption. Personnel in the Biden Presidential Administration have intentionally engaged in the above mentioned activities.  These persons include, but are not limited to:  President (sic) Joe Biden; Victoria Nulland; Anthony Blinken; Jake Sullivan, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer; Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell; Senator Lindsey Graham; House Speaker Mike Johnson; and other names that are forthcoming. BE ADVISED, in addition to the above mentioned crimes and actions, pets and animals of the human beings being victimized, have also been targeted for destruction, in violation of rules relating to the “safety and ethical treatment of animals”, and other the international rules relating to the husbandry of Animals. BE ADVISED, chemical weapons are being deployed through drones and other delivery systems, and used against civilian personnel.  These drones are being deployed and directed by Ukrainian personnel and their allies, using “STARLINK” internet services provided by Elon Musk (CEO of “X”, formerly known as Twitter).  Testimony and evidence relating to this available on the film at: www.rt.com (Documentary films) IN CONCLUSION: BE ADVISED, Scott Bennett has undertaken this investigation at great danger to his own life and property and rights, and has received death threats and threats of violence against him by Ukrainian personnel, government and media, as well as from those operating as American, NATO, and other elements and agents claiming to advance and support and defend the interests and/or agenda of the United States, the European Union, and NATO (North Atlantic Treaty organization) including British, German, French, and other circles. BE ADVISED, you are hereby served legal notice that any attempts to initiate any hostile communications or acts, threats, coercion, intimidation, violation of rights, arrest, confinement, interrogation, questioning, confiscation of property, or other actions against Scott Bennett, either by the U.S. government or other, will be construed as both a violation of Scott Bennett’s inherent rights, protected by the United States of America, the California Constitution, and international law; and Scott Bennett reserves the right to take any legal action against any party, person, organization, or government involved in such action against him, including all members of the United States Government, military, and its allies. BE ADVISED, Scott Bennett files this report as a whistleblower, and demands to testify about this matter to Congressional authorities and international bodies immediately. BE ADVISED, any attempt to conceal or distort this matter, and any failure by any United States Government agency or agent to provide all protections to Scott Bennett and acknowledge or investigate this matter will be interpreted as a malicious and intentional act off seditious conspiracy and treason against the United States of America, and other international crimes. BE ADVISED, you have ten (10) days to provide written receipt and acknowledgement of this whistleblower report, and provide the following response: 1) The date and time of a Congressional hearing on this matter, which Scott Bennett demands to be made a “public hearing” and open to all U.S. and international citizens and media; 2) The immediate corrective actions and official government communications to cease and desist the current violations of law being committed by the United States government, its military, and its intelligence services; 3) The individual agencies and members of the United States’ Congress, military, and intelligence agencies which will be notified of this whistleblower report and official investigations that will result from this whistleblower report; 4) Guarantee (legally binding) of non-prosecution for any materials communications disclosed, also known as “non-prosecution agreements” by all US and international law-enforcement agencies. All correspondence may be sent to: Scott Bennett, 23 Railroad Ave., #23, Danville, CA 94526 Respectfully submitted, Scott Bennett (signature) Scott Bennett Without Prejudice all rights preserved none waved Originally composed : March 2, 2024 Revised: July 2, 2024

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[l] at 11/22/24 2:13pm
The White House will send anti-personnel landmines to Ukraine, multiple news outlets reported this week The German Foreign Ministry has expressed disapproval of Ukraine’s decision to use anti-personnel landmines in its conflict with Russia. The mines are banned under the 1997 Ottawa Convention and were offered to Kiev by Washington this week, according to multiple media reports. Speaking to journalists on Friday, a deputy spokesman for the foreign ministry, Christian Wagner, initially sought to dodge a question on Kiev’s use of landmines, accusing the Russian military of using the weapons on a “massive scale.” However, when further pressed and told that Russia is not a party to the Ottawa Convention while Ukraine is, Wagner said Berlin regretted Ukraine’s decision. “It is also regrettable that Ukraine feels compelled to take such a step,” he said. Germany is also a party to the treaty and remains committed to it, Wagner said. He did not say whether Berlin plans to convey its position to Kiev. Read more Western human rights groups blast Biden over Ukraine land mines More than 160 countries have signed the 1997 Ottawa Treaty banning the production and transfer of anti-personnel mines. As a signatory to the convention, accepting the US weapons and using them on the battlefield would be a breach of Ukraine’s international obligations. Washington’s decision to supply the Ukrainian military with anti-personnel landmines was also slammed by some Western human rights organizations. The devices pose a grave danger to civilians for years after a war ends, Hichem Khadhraoui, executive director of the Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC), told Politico this week. Ben Linden, a senior official at Amnesty International USA, called Washington’s decision “devastating” and “shocking.” The move comes amid Moscow’s steady battlefield gains in Donbass, Kursk Region and parts of Ukraine. It is not the first time the Biden administration has supplied Kiev with weapons banned by international agreements. In 2023, Washington provided Ukraine with cluster munitions. More than 110 nations banned the controversial shells under the 2008 UN Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM) due to the extreme danger posed to civilians. Washington faced criticism from the UK, Canada, and Germany, as well as several other NATO and non-NATO nations over that decision.

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[l] at 11/22/24 1:40pm
A jury in Ireland has found the UFC star liable for assaulting a woman in a Dublin hotel room in 2018 An Irish woman who accused mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor of assaulting her in a hotel room six years ago has won her case against the boxer in Dublin’s High Court.  Nikita Hand, also known as Nikita Ni Laimhin, was awarded nearly €250,000 ($260,000) on Friday by an Irish jury, which deliberated for six hours and 10 minutes, according to media reports. Hand filed civil charges against McGregor and his friend James Lawrence, alleging they sexually assaulted her after a Christmas party in December 2018. She told the court during three days of testimony that she thought she would die and never see her child again when the UFC star was “choking” her.  McGregor had denied that he “brutally raped and battered” the woman, saying the two had sex that was athletic and vigorous, but not rough. She never said ‘no’ or stopped him, according to McGregor, who testified that everything she said was a lie. The court heard that McGregor and Hand knew each other and had occasionally been in contact on social media. Read more Conor McGregor sexual assault trial begins According to Hand, before the assault she contacted the MMA fighter, and he then drove her and her friend to a party in a penthouse room at the Beacon Hotel, south Dublin, where they partied into the morning. Hand said they drank heavily and took cocaine. McGregor took her to a bedroom and sexually assaulted her, she claimed. He put her in a chokehold several times and later told her, “Now you know how I felt in the octagon where I tapped out three times,” she said. A paramedic who reportedly examined the woman the next day said she was very heavily bruised. Hand was also diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder. According to the Associated Press, the defense showed surveillance video in court that they said appeared to show the woman kiss McGregor’s arm and hug him after they left the hotel room. She looked very happy, McGregor’s lawyer stated. McGregor reportedly shook his head as the jury of eight women and four men found him liable for assault. He later released a statement saying he was “disappointed” the jury did not hear all the evidence and would appeal the decision. The UFC star added, “I am with my family, focused on my future.” Hand lost her lawsuit against McGregor’s friend James Lawrence, whom she had also accused of taking part.

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[l] at 11/22/24 12:22pm
The former US army psychological warfare officer and political analyst had pancreatic cancer American political commentator Scott Bennett has died of pancreatic cancer at age 53, his friends and family said on Friday. A former US army psychological warfare officer, Bennett provided political commentary to RT and other media outlets. He also travelled to Donbass in 2023 to witness the situation on the ground firsthand. RTD aired a documentary detailing his journey to Donetsk and other frontline cities titled “Frontline Diary of an American Officer.” In 2014, the analyst authored the book ‘Shell Game: a Military Whistleblowing Report to Congress’, which focused on former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and then Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner granting permission for an arms sale to Qatar. Weapons sold as part of that deal ended up in the hands of Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS), according to Bennett. In June 2024, Bennett visited the Russian border region of Belgorod, where he witnessed the Ukrainian shelling of the village of Saltykovo. At that time, he condemned what he called an attack on civilians. Read more Frontline Diary of an American Officer The following month, he prepared a report to the US Congress, accusing Ukrainian forces and foreign fighters of “systematically” and “intentionally” targeting civilians in Belgorod Region and Donbass. “Non-military targets are being attacked, irreparably damaged or destroyed, and civilians are being intentionally murdered as a result,” Bennett said in his report, accusing the Biden administration of making the US a “legally culpable party to international war crimes” through its support of Kiev’s actions. In his report, Bennett also stated that he faced “death threats and threats of violence” from the Ukrainian government, military personnel, and media over the course of his investigation. He also allegedly received similar threats from American and NATO “elements and agents” backing Kiev’s cause. The analyst published his report on Telegram as well, and accompanied it with a message saying that he was not “suicidal in any way.” “If anything happens to me it will be in order to try and bury this report,” he wrote.

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[l] at 11/22/24 11:59am
Bosch plans to reduce its global workforce by 5,500 positions due to weak EV demand German auto parts supplier Robert Bosch has announced plans to trim its global workforce by 5,500 jobs in the next several years, citing stagnating global auto sales, Deutsche Welle has reported. According to the company’s spokeswoman, cited by the outlet, some 3,800 of the job cuts will be made in Germany. The exact number of layoffs will be negotiated in talks with workers’ representatives, she said on Friday. The group would cut 3,500 employees in its car software division by 2027, with about half the job losses coming in Germany. Bosch said it also planned to slash up to 1,300 positions between 2027 and 2030 at its steering division based in Schwaebisch Gmuend, southwestern Germany. The company said in a statement, cited by the outlet, that weak demand for electric vehicles had a “direct impact” on the number of orders placed by manufacturers with Bosch. Read more Thousands of EU automotive jobs at risk – Bloomberg “The automotive industry is suffering from significant overcapacity,” Bosch stated, adding that competition and price pressure have continued to intensify. Bosch manager Stephan Hoelzl claimed the company had to adapt to the changing market environment and reduce costs sustainably “to strengthen our competitiveness.” In October, chairman Stefan Hartung warned of declining revenue in the coming year in an interview with Der Tagesspiegel, saying he could not rule out further job cuts in Germany. Bosch had already announced plans in December 2023 to cut 1,500 jobs at its auto supply business. Frank Sell, the head of the workers’ council for Bosch’s automotive division in Germany, described the planned layoffs a “slap in the face,” vowing to fight them. Read more Volkswagen planning mass layoffs – workers’ council chief Germany’s struggling automotive sector has sparked concern about the health of the EU’s largest manufacturing economy. This week, Ford announced plans to slash 4,000 jobs in Europe as EV demand has slowed. Employees at another German auto giant, Volkswagen, are threatening work stoppages after the company said it was mulling plant closures and significant jobs cuts. The German Association of the Automotive Industry warned last year that the country was “dramatically losing its international competitiveness” due to soaring energy costs. A recent survey by the VDA auto industry association suggested that the reshuffling of the German car industry could lead to 186,000 job losses by 2035, roughly a quarter of which have already occurred.

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[l] at 11/22/24 11:49am
Sentencing in the US President-elect’s “hush money” case has been delayed indefinitely A New York judge has delayed indefinitely the sentencing of US President-elect Donald Trump, following his conviction in June on 34 counts of “falsifying business records” related to the 2016 presidential election. Trump's lawyers are expected to file a motion to dismiss the so-called “hush money” case altogether. While prosecutor Alvin Bragg alleged that Trump’s payments to his lawyer amounted to the crime of defrauding American voters, on Friday, Judge Juan Merchan announced that the November 26 sentencing hearing “is adjourned” indefinitely. Merchan has also allowed Trump’s defense to file a motion to dismiss the case, due by December 2. Bragg’s office has until December 9 to file their counter-motion, and no reply briefs will be accepted after that, according to court documents posted online. Trump’s attorneys initially asked for a deadline of December 20 to file and sought a decision on presidential immunity, citing the US Supreme Court ruling from July. Merchan has said he would make that ruling after reviewing both motions. Bragg’s case revolved around $130,000 that Trump paid to his then-lawyer Michael Cohen, which purportedly went to pay off adult film actress Stormy Daniels so she would keep quiet about an alleged affair with Trump. This, according to the prosecutors, “influenced” the 2016 presidential election, in which Trump defeated Democrat Hillary Clinton. Read more Trump announces new pick to run Justice Department Trump was charged for each of the 11 invoices, 12 vouchers and 11 checks made out to Cohen. It was the first time in US history a former president has been criminally charged and convicted. “This was a rigged, disgraceful trial,” Trump told reporters in June, after the verdict was announced. “The real verdict will be on November 5, by the people. And we will keep fighting, and we’ll fight till the end and we’ll win.” Trump went on to win 312 electoral college votes, all seven “swing states” and the popular vote, to defeat sitting Vice President Kamala Harris, who ran for the White House on behalf of the Democrats. Prosecutors have refused to drop the case but asked Merchan to delay any further proceedings until the end of Trump’s second term, in January 2029. Trump’s lawyers have agreed that continuing the case during his presidency would create “unconstitutional impediments” to governance and asked for it to be dismissed. “This is now the longest performance of Hamlet in history, as Judge Merchan continues to debate whether to be or not to be a sentencing judge in the Trump case,” constitutional law scholar Jonathan Turley wrote on X earlier this week, commenting on Merchan’s behavior.

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[l] at 11/22/24 11:45am
Russia’s new Oreshnik missile is a “qualitative advancement” showing that Moscow is ready to “mirror” any Western escalation, the former UN weapons inspector has said Russia’s strike on a Ukrainian defense industrial facility using a new hypersonic ballistic missile system has shown the West that a policy of further escalation will lead to devastating consequences, former UN weapons inspector Scott Ritter has said. America’s recklessness in dealing with Russia, as well as underestimating Moscow’s readiness to respond, has already brought the world dangerously close to an all-out nuclear war, the former US marine officer claimed on the ‘Judging Freedom’ YouTube show on Thursday. Earlier in the day, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the country’s military successfully hit a Ukrainian target with a new intermediate-range ballistic missile called the Oreshnik. The strike was a response to Kiev using US-made ATACMS and HIMARS systems, as well as British-made Storm Shadow missiles in strikes on internationally-recognized Russian territory earlier this week, he added. The missile launch is a clear signal to the West that Moscow was not bluffing when it said the US and its allies would not get away with aiding Kiev in striking Russia with Western-made weapons, Ritter argued. Read more US military prepared for nuclear strikes – spokesman  “The missile that they used is a nuclear-capable system. It had a conventional warhead but could be used for nuclear purposes. Putin basically said that this missile can cover all of Europe and that in the future, he will mirror every action by Ukraine and the West; that any escalation will immediately be responded to,” Ritter told the host of Judging Freedom, Andrew Napolitano. The former UN weapons inspector also called the development a “qualitative advancement” that brought a completely new type of weapon to the conflict between Moscow and Kiev. Everyone who believed that Russia was bluffing “has now been put on notice” that it is not, he added. A continuation of the current Western policy towards the Ukraine conflict and Russia would be dangerous and irresponsible under such circumstances, Ritter believes. “We are very, very close to reaching the point of no return when it comes to a nuclear war,” he warned. He particularly slammed remarks by US Strategic Command (STRATCOM) spokesman Rear Admiral Thomas Buchanan, who said on Thursday that Washington was ready to launch nuclear strikes but would only do so “on terms that are most acceptable to the US.” Read more ‘Don’t play with fire’ – senior Russian MP to the West Such statements sound as if the US is ready for a “pre-emptive strike” against Russia, Ritter said, adding that taking out Russia’s nuclear capabilities first was “the only way an exchange works that you can walk away from.” Such rhetoric is bound to put Moscow on edge, according to the former UN weapons inspector. The “lame duck” administration of President Joe Biden might have made a U-turn on allowing Kiev to use Western long-range weapons for strikes on undisputed Russian territory to make life difficult for their successors, opined Ritter, a former RT contributor. “They are ‘Trump proofing’ NATO, Ukraine and the deep state” in order to make the Ukraine conflict problem “so hard” that President-elect Donald Trump will not be able to resolve it as he intends, he said. Trump has vowed to swiftly end the Ukraine conflict upon assuming office. One possibility would be to force Ukraine to drop its NATO ambitions and agree to freeze the conflict, according to reports. Moscow has ruled out the latter, insisting that all the goals of its military operation – including Ukraine’s demilitarization and denazification – must be fulfilled.

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[l] at 11/22/24 11:01am
The Russian president’s announcement follows a first combat use of the new hypersonic weapon in Ukraine Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed on Friday the decision to begin serial production of the new Oreshnik ballistic missile system. The announcement came after the system was used in combat for the first time earlier this week in Ukraine. Speaking during a meeting at the Kremlin with the leadership of the Defense Ministry and defense industry representatives, Putin outlined that the Oreshnik missile system, one of Russia’s latest military advancements, is not a modernization of an old Soviet weapon.  Instead, it is a new development based on cutting-edge hypersonic technology and modern materials. “It is the result of work done in the conditions of New Russia,” Putin said, highlighting that the system was created to meet contemporary defense needs. Putin confirmed that several Oreshnik systems are currently undergoing testing in Russia, and that the decision to embark on mass production had already been articulated. “You can assume that the decision on production has been made. In fact, it is organized,” he added. More of the missile systems are expected to be delivered to Russia’s Strategic Missile Forces in the coming months. The first combat use of the Oreshnik missile took place on Thursday, when it was used to strike a Ukrainian defense facility in Dnepropetrovsk. The target was Yuzhmash, one of Ukraine’s largest defense-industrial facilities inherited from the USSR that produces missile equipment and other weapons. Putin said the use of the missile was in response to Kiev’s attacks inside Russia with Western-supplied long-range weapons such as American ATACMS and British Storm Shadow missiles. The Oreshnik is described as a medium-range, hypersonic weapon designed for high precision strikes. According to the Defense Ministry, “all warheads” of the missile “reached the target” during this week's deployment.  The president praised the missile’s successful test and combat deployment, expressing admiration for the speed at which the system had been developed. Putin also emphasized the importance of continuing testing and increasing production rates. “I congratulate the military on the successful tests and support the adoption of the system,” he said.

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[l] at 11/22/24 10:46am
Visitors can dive into a world of holiday magic with unique decorations and festive treats The holiday season is officially underway at the National Center ‘Russia’ in Moscow, where guests are invited to immerse themselves in the festive atmosphere. The highlight of the celebration is the opening of the New Year Fair, where exquisite decorations and culinary delights sourced from across the country will be on display. As part of the festivities, the fair features a wide array of unique New Year decorations, including cotton and wooden figurines, lace and amber snowflakes, ceramics and toys made from jewelry resin embedded with precious minerals. Additionally, traditional Russian lacquered miniatures and Yaroslavl maiolica are also available. Read more Eight months, more than 18 million people, 15,000 events: How the Russia EXPO unfolded Visitors can find beautifully crafted table textiles adorned with New Year motifs. Lace tablecloths, embroidered napkins, and decorative items aimed at creating a festive dining experience will be on display. Moreover, the “Flavors of Russia” section offers a selection of handcrafted chocolates, gingerbread, candies, and assorted teas from various regions of the nation. The New Year festivities commenced on Thursday with the ceremonial opening of the “Russian Christmas Trees.” The grounds of the National Center will feature traditional holiday trees representing each of Russia’s federal districts. These towering evergreens will be adorned with elements inspired by folk art, traditional crafts, and the rich heritage of Russia’s diverse peoples. Various Ded Moroz (Father Frost) figures participated in the opening event, representing eight different federal districts.  As the holiday season approaches, the Movement of the Firsts activist organization with the support of Rosmolodyozh.Dobro volunteers group is launching a nationwide initiative called Christmas Tree of Wishes. Through this initiative, compassionate citizens can connect with those in need and fulfill their New Year’s wishes.

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[l] at 11/22/24 10:10am
A group of minors have been brought home from a refugee camp, Children’s Rights Commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova has said A group of 26 Russian children has been returned home from Syria to be reunited with their families, the Russian presidential commissioner for children’s rights, Maria Lvova-Belova, announced on Friday.  The group, consisting of 14 boys and 12 girls aged 5 to 12, was discovered in a refugee camp in northeastern Syria. The children were brought home aboard a Russian military plane and are now set to undergo medical examination in one of Moscow’s federal clinics and rehabilitation centers before being reunited with their families. “My team visited one of the refugee camps, took blood samples from the children to conduct DNA tests to confirm kinship,” the commissioner said, noting that they had also been accompanied to Russia by medical experts from the Pirogov Children’s Clinical Hospital and the Forensic Medical Examination Center of the Russian Ministry of Health. © Russian Ministry of Defense Lvova-Belova added that the families involved will be assisted in obtaining all necessary documents, while regional ombudsmen will help in matters of education, medical care, and obtaining social support. ©  Russian Ministry of Defense The commissioner thanked the staff at Russia’s Embassy in Damascus, Senator Konstantin Basyuk, servicemen of the Russian Armed Forces group in Syria, the National Defense Control Center, and the Russian Air Force in helping return the children. © Russian Ministry of Defense Basyuk noted that Friday’s mission is the third of its kind conducted this year in Syria with the help of Lvova-Belova. He stated that in March, 32 children were returned through a similar operation and another 20 were brought home in July. “The situation in the Middle East is heating up, work is becoming more difficult and dangerous. And it is even more important to bring all our kids home from this troubled region,” the senator said. © Russian Ministry of Defense Lvova-Belova stated that since the humanitarian mission to repatriate Russian children from the Middle East was launched in 2018 at the request of President Vladimir Putin, a total of 592 have been returned home, including from Syria, Iraq, Pakistan, and Türkiye.

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[l] at 11/22/24 9:48am
The new missile’s demonstration was a success, the Russian president has told a Kremlin meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin has confirmed that Russia has a stockpile of the new Oreshnik medium-range missiles, following its successful combat test on Thusday. Speaking at a meeting on Friday with the leadership of the Ministry of Defense and defense industry representatives at the Kremlin, Putin congratulated the military for the successful first use of the Oreshnik (Hazel, in English) missile, calling it a significant achievement. “The Oreshnik test was a success, I congratulate you,” he stated. Putin explained that the missile system will continue to undergo testing, including in combat conditions, based on security needs. ”The tests will continue, especially since we have enough of these weapons for the duration of this phase,”  he added, confirming that the Oreshnik is set to enter serial production. The president emphasized that the Oreshnik is not a modernization of Soviet-era weapons, but a new development created in post-Soviet Russia. “As you know, no one in the world has such a weapon yet,” Putin said. “Other countries are working on similar developments, but they will not have this system for at least another year or two. And we already have it today. This is an important advantage.” Putin also highlighted the missile’s advanced capabilities, claiming that it currently has no counterparts in terms of countermeasures or interception. “There are no means to counteract or intercept such a missile in the world today,” he stated. While the Oreshnik missile is not classified as a “strategic” weapon or a means of mass destruction, Putin acknowledged that its precision and destructive power make it a valuable asset. As such, the missile will be included in Russia's Strategic Missile Forces. The first combat use was when it struck Ukrainian defense facility in Dnepropetrovsk, on Thursday. The strike was part of Russia's response to Ukraine’s use of long-range Western missiles against Russian regions, inside the pre-2014 borders. Putin concluded that Russia will continue to refine and develop the missile system, as it plays a key role in Russia’s defense strategy. “The Oreshnik is a unique weapon, and we will continue to test and deploy it as needed to secure our country,” he said.

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[l] at 11/22/24 9:43am
Nearly four out of five Russians trust the president to do the right thing, according to the country’s main state pollster More than 75% of Russians approve of President Vladimir Putin’s policies, according to the latest weekly survey by the country’s state pollster. The Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VTSIOM) has long polled a representative sample of adult citizens from across the country, making 1,600 calls a day and aggregating the averages on a weekly basis. The percentage of Russians who said they trust Putin reached 78.8% in the week of November 11-17, while 75.5% entirely approve of his actions, according to the surveys published on Friday. Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin’s approval rating was at 52%, while the cabinet stood slightly lower at 49.8%. Mishustin’s trustworthiness stood at 61.4%. The opposition politician securing the highest trust rating was the Communist Party’s Gennady Zyuganov at 33.5%. Some 36.2% of respondents expressed approval of the governing United Russia party, while the Communists garnered 9.7% and the Liberal Democrats 10.4%.

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[l] at 11/22/24 9:14am
The nations of the continent are rejecting Western dominance and finding their place in the multipolar world order Africa is emerging as a key player in the shifting global order, rejecting Western dominance and forging new alliances with powers such as Russia and China that prioritize sovereignty and mutual respect. Amid a cultural and economic renaissance, the continent is reclaiming its resources, reshaping its identity, and asserting its role in a multipolar world. The Berlin Conference of 1884-1885 exemplified the culmination of unipolar European hegemony, as imperial powers divided Africa into artificial territories without regard for its peoples, cultures, or histories. Europe, at the height of its power, sought to exploit Africa’s vast resources, channeling its human and material wealth to fuel Western industrial economies. Portugal, Britain, France, and Belgium, among others, imposed systems of trade and governance that prioritized extraction and subjugation. This colonial map has left scars still visible today in the form of fractured societies, arbitrarily drawn borders, and systemic underdevelopment. However, in the 21st century, a profound shift is occurring. The unipolar dominance of the West is disintegrating, and Africa is emerging as a theater where multipolar forces converge. Nations such as Russia and China are stepping into the vacuum left by retreating Western powers, offering African states new avenues of partnership. This signifies not only the erosion of Western hegemony but also the potential rebirth of Africa as a vital participant in the multipolar reordering of the world. As the grip of unipolarity weakens, Africa is increasingly rejecting the dominance of its former colonial masters. The expulsion of French forces from Mali, Burkina Faso, and the Central African Republic (CAR) is a clear repudiation of neo-colonial practices that have persisted under the guise of “development aid” and “security cooperation.” These expulsions are more than political gestures – they represent a tectonic shift towards self-determination and sovereignty. Russia, stepping into this vacuum, has cultivated military and economic ties with numerous African states. For Russia, Africa is not a pawn in geopolitical chess; it is a partner in a shared vision of a world where civilizational diversity replaces the homogenizing forces of the liberal order. Read more Why Russia needs an independent Africa The retreat of French influence from its former colonies marks a pivotal moment in Africa’s decolonization journey. Once the self-proclaimed guardian of Francophone Africa, France finds itself increasingly unwelcome, as African leaders denounce its unscrupulous economic practices and paternalistic policies. The CFA franc, a vestige of colonial monetary control, has come under intense scrutiny, with nations seeking alternatives to this neo-colonial relic. This rebellion against French dominance follows broader global trends, as African states turn eastward to seek partnerships with powers that respect their sovereignty. Russia’s engagement with these nations has been characterized by arms deals, infrastructure projects, and support for local governance, signaling a departure from the exploitative frameworks of the past. This realignment is a true manifestation of multipolarity, where Africa asserts itself as a sovereign player rather than a passive recipient of Western dictates. China’s Belt and Road Initiative has already altered Africa’s infrastructure landscape, connecting remote regions through railways, ports, and energy projects. Yet, where China offers economic investments, Russia complements this by addressing Africa’s security concerns. The Wagner Group’s involvement in stabilizing governments, such as in the CAR, has garnered mixed reactions globally but undeniable support locally. African leaders increasingly view Russia as a reliable counterbalance to the coercive diplomacy of the West. The CAR, for instance, has witnessed significant security improvements under Russian guidance, allowing it to reclaim territories from insurgent groups. Global powers collaborate to dismantle the remnants of unipolar dominance, empowering regional actors to reclaim their agency. For Africa, the convergence of Chinese economic might and Russian security expertise offers an alternative pathway to development, rooted in respect for sovereignty and mutual benefit.  Read more Evil masterminds: Here’s how Europeans sealed Africa’s fate Beyond military and economic transformations, Africa is undergoing a cultural renaissance. Decolonization today is not simply a political or economic process. It is an epistemological one. The intellectual elite across Africa is rejecting Western frameworks of governance, education, and economics, seeking instead to revive indigenous knowledge systems and philosophies. This mirrors the multipolar critique of Western universalism, which seeks to impose a singular vision of progress and modernity. African nations are turning to their own traditions to craft systems of governance that align with their cultural values. Russia’s ideological fusion with this movement, as seen in its emphasis on civilizational diversity, offers a natural partnership. In the multipolar world, Africa’s decolonization is not about the end of Western dominance. It is about the restoration of Africa’s place as a civilizational pole.  Western narratives about Russian involvement in Africa often frame it as “destabilizing” or “opportunistic.” However, African leaders increasingly see through these claims, recognizing that Western powers seek to maintain their monopolies over African resources and influence. The military agreements between Russia and African states are emblematic of a broader rejection of the West’s hypocritical stance on democracy and human rights. By contrast, Russia’s approach – characterized by pragmatism and non-interference – resonates deeply with African aspirations for sovereignty. From the provision of arms to training local forces, Russian engagement empowers African nations to reclaim their security apparatus from Western dependency. This reflects a multipolar ethos, where regional actors take responsibility for their destinies without succumbing to external coercion.  Read more Terrorists of the world, unite! Why Ukraine’s attempts to hurt Russia will fail Africa’s resource wealth has long been a source of its exploitation, yet recent developments signal a turning tide. African leaders are renegotiating contracts with foreign corporations, ensuring that their nations retain a greater share of profits from mining, oil, and agriculture. Russia has positioned itself as a partner in this struggle, offering expertise in resource extraction without imposing the punitive conditions characteristic of Western financial institutions. In Niger, for instance, the shift away from French-dominated uranium mining has opened the door for new collaborations. These efforts to reclaim economic sovereignty emphasize local control and the rejection of neo-colonial frameworks. They highlight Africa’s central role in the multipolar world as both a repository of resources and a hub of rising economic power. The West’s decline in Africa is emblematic of the broader failure of liberalism as a global ideology. For decades, the promise of Western-style democracy and free markets failed to deliver meaningful development for Africa. Instead, these systems entrenched inequality and perpetuated dependency, creating a cycle of poverty masked by the rhetoric of “aid” and “modernization.” The unraveling of Western liberal dominance in Africa marks a broader disillusionment with its unfulfilled promises. This shift is not just economic or political. Rather, it is deeply philosophical, as African nations reject the underlying principles of the Western worldview: individualism, materialism, and the commodification of human and natural resources. In its place, the continent is embracing a vision rooted in community, spiritual heritage, and a respect for the land. This transition is in tune with the multipolar ethos, where civilizations reclaim their unique trajectories of evolution.

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[l] at 11/22/24 8:47am
Washington has sanctioned the country’s primary bank for energy-related transactions The latest round of US sanctions against Russian financial institutions, which specifically target Gazprombank, is an attempt to block Russia’s gas supplies to the EU, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated on Friday. The lender is Russia’s primary bank for energy-related transactions. Peskov warned that Moscow would respond to restrictions with countermeasures, though he did not specify what they would entail. The Kremlin spokesman’s remarks follow an announcement by the US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) on Thursday, which said Gazprombank and six of its international subsidiaries had been added to its sanctions blacklist. Gazprombank had already been sanctioned by the UK and Canada shortly after the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in 2022. However, the US had previously avoided placing restrictions on the lender as it was used by EU states to pay for Russian gas. When asked whether the Kremlin viewed sanctions on Gazprombank as an attempt to jeopardize supplies of Russian gas to Europe, and whether Moscow planned any response, Peskov replied: “The answer is ‘Yes’ to both questions.” Read more US sanctions last major SWIFT-linked Russian bank He noted that Russian authorities were already working on ways to alleviate the problems that the new restrictions could cause Russia and its foreign gas buyers. “Of course, we’ll find options. It is impossible to introduce completely blocking measures against a country like Russia. It may take some time, but a solution will still be found,” Peskov said. The new measures mean Gazprombank can no longer carry out transactions that involve the dollar-based financial system. Gazprombank earlier said that sanctions would not affect its operations within Russia, but warned that its UnionPay cards may stop working outside the country. Apart from Gazprombank, the new US restrictions also targeted more than 50 small-to-medium Russian lenders, some 40 securities registrars, and 15 financial officials. After the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in 2022, the EU declared the elimination of its reliance on Russian energy to be its top priority. Many member states, including Poland, Bulgaria, Finland, the Netherlands, and Denmark, voluntarily halted their imports. However, several EU nations, including Austria, Hungary, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Italy continue to rely on Russian gas to meet their energy needs, and have not stopped buying the commodity despite pressure from peers within the bloc. READ MORE: Russia responds to Ukraine’s refusal to extend gas transit deal Moscow has slammed Western sanctions as illegal, and noted that they keep backfiring on the countries that impose them. Russia has also been gradually moving away from the dollar in trade, switching to transactions using national currencies with most of its international partners.

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[l] at 11/22/24 8:33am
Jussie Smollett was found guilty in 2021 of staging a racist and homophobic attack, against himself The supreme court in the US state of Illinois has overturned the conviction of actor Jussie Smollett, who was found to have staged a hate crime against himself five years ago. The star of the television show ‘Empire’, who is black and gay, was found guilty in 2021 of faking a racist and homophobic attack and lying to the police. Smollett claimed in 2019 he was assaulted in Chicago by two white men who yelled racial and anti-gay slurs and threw a noose over his head. The report prompted a massive search for the suspects before investigators announced that they believed the incident was a hoax. The suspects testified at the trial that the actor paid them $3,500 to stage the attack. The state’s attorney however agreed to drop the charges if Smollett paid $10,000 and did community service. The ruling attracted significant public criticism and was described as unjust. Read more California to remove ‘offensive’ place names A special prosecutor later charged Smollett again, leading to his trial and conviction on five counts of disorderly conduct for setting up the attack. The actor was sentenced to 150 days in jail, 30 months of probation and ordered to pay more than $130,000 in restitution. He served six days of the sentence before being released pending appeal. On Thursday, the Illinois Supreme Court cited Smollett’s second prosecution as the main reason for overturning the conviction. Alluding to the fact that Smollett’s original charges had been dropped, the court stated that while “many people” had been dissatisfied, the state’s responsibility was “to honor the agreements it makes with defendants.” “We hold that a second prosecution under these circumstances is a due process violation, and we therefore reverse defendant’s conviction,” the court wrote. READ MORE: Hate crime actor released from jail The prosecution said it disagreed with the decision, claiming that the ruling “has nothing to do with Mr. Smollett’s innocence,” and insisting that “overwhelming evidence” showed that Smollett “orchestrated a fake hate crime.” The actor has maintained the attack was “no hoax” and that he was in fact the victim of a hate crime in Chicago.

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[l] at 11/22/24 8:28am
The legislation includes financial penalties for platforms that don’t comply The Australian government has introduced a bill that aims to ban children under 16 from accessing social media and proposes fines for platforms that break the new age verification rules. Communications Minister Michelle Rowland introduced an amendment to the Online Safety Act in Parliament on Thursday, saying the law would force social media platforms, and not parents or young people, to take reasonable steps to ensure that age-verification protections are in place. A minimum age of 16 for access to age-restricted social media platforms “aims to meet the expectations of Australians to minimize exposure to the harms experienced by young people on social media.”  Almost two-thirds of 14- to 17-year-old Australians have viewed extremely harmful content online, including drug abuse, suicide, and self-harm, Rowland said. The legislation includes financial penalties of up to AU$50 million (US$32.5 million) for companies found not to have taken “reasonable steps to prevent age-restricted users having accounts.” According to media reports, the legislation is expected to apply to social media platforms such as TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, X, and Reddit. The bill, however, does not mention any specific platform. The bill has the support of the governing Labor Party and the opposition Liberals. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said in September while announcing the age limit plans that he wants children “off their phones and on the footy field.” The prime minister cited parents’ concerns that social media is negatively affecting their children’s physical and mental health. Read more Scandinavian state to raise social media age limit If passed, the legislation would grant no exemptions for parental consent or pre-existing accounts. Social media platforms would have one year to work out how to implement the age restrictions. “This is a landmark reform,” Albanese said in a statement on Thursday. “We know some kids will find workarounds, but we’re sending a message to social media companies to clean up their act.”  Critics of the proposed law have argued that the measures impinge on young people’s right to free expression and pose risks to privacy. X owner Elon Musk posted on his social media platform: “Seems like a backdoor way to control access to the Internet by all Australians.” A number of countries, such as China, France, Spain, as well as several US states, have also passed laws aimed at restricting social media use by minors.

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[l] at 11/22/24 8:10am
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has assured his Israeli counterpart that he would not be arrested if he visits Budapest Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has invited his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu to visit Hungary despite the International Criminal Court (ICC) issuing a warrant for his arrest earlier this week. In an interview with state radio on Friday, Orban, whose country holds the rotating EU presidency, condemned the ICC’s decision to demand the arrest of the Israeli leader and stated that his country would not execute the warrant. “Today I will invite Israel’s prime minister, Mr Netanyahu, for a visit to Hungary and in that invitation, I will guarantee him that if he comes, the ICC ruling will have no effect in Hungary, and we will not follow its contents,” Orban said. The Hague-based court has accused Netanyahu and former Israeli defense minister Yoav Gallant of war crimes and crimes against humanity amid the Jewish state’s ongoing operation against Hamas in Gaza. The warrant was issued by the ICC’s chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, who has also pressed similar charges against Hamas military leader Mohammed Deif. The ICC’s move has been strongly condemned by Israel and the US.  A spokesman for the US National Security Council has claimed that the ICC “does not have jurisdiction over this matter,” and that Washington “fundamentally rejects the court’s decision.” He expressed concern at the prosecutor’s “rush to seek arrest warrants and the troubling process errors that led to this decision.” Senior Israeli officials have accused the ICC of anti-Semitism over the arrest warrant. The country’s president Isaac Herzog has called the decision “outrageous” and claimed that it “makes a mockery of the sacrifice of all those who fight for justice – from the Allied victory over the Nazis till today.” While Israel is not a signatory of the Rome Statute, which gives the ICC its power, the court has jurisdiction over the West Bank and Gaza, which are considered occupied Palestinian territories under international law. Read more Trump ally calls for US to sanction ICC The court’s jurisdiction is currently recognized by 123 countries, and Netanyahu and Gallant could face arrest if they travel to any of those nations. The EU has said it would honor the ICC’s decision regarding the Israeli officials, with the bloc’s foreign policy chief Josep Borrell describing the court’s warrants as non-political, and calling on member states to respect and implement them. Several EU states, including the Netherlands, France, Italy, Sweden and Norway, have also made statements supporting the ICC. Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp has vowed to fully comply with the court’s decision and act on the arrest warrants. The French Foreign Ministry has also said the warrants were “in line with ICC statues” but acknowledged that arresting Netanyahu would be “legally complex.”

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[l] at 11/22/24 7:59am
The country is under attack despite being part of European culture, Patriarch Kirill has said The US and its allies have ganged up against Russia because it has taken its own path and refuses to renounce its Christian traditions, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill, has said. Speaking about the ongoing standoff between Moscow and the West over Ukraine during a sermon on Wednesday, the Patriarch suggested that Russia and its people have entered “a very special period” in their history. “Many have turned on us, and I keep asking myself: why have they done so? We are the same as many others. In general, we represent the same European cultural tradition. We are Christians,” he said. According to Kirill, he eventually came to the conclusion that it happened because “Russia has dared – and it has dared because it is an independent and great power – to follow a different civilizational path,” compared to that of the West. Read more ‘With Faith in Victory’: WATCH MOD video on military’s spiritual ties to Orthodoxy “Today, even in Christian countries, they are rejecting Christ, God and the Church. The churches are being turned into entertainment venues or used for some other purposes, but in our country the Church is building thousands of churches,” he explained. Now is the time of “God’s special mercy” to Russia and its people, the Patriarch insisted. This understanding “strengthens the hope that the Lord will be with us as long as we do not refuse His guidance,” he said. The head of the Russian Orthodox Church, who celebrated his 78th birthday on Wednesday, said that all his efforts are aimed at “ensuring that our Orthodox people never change the direction of their spiritual life.”

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