Category: International Conflict

US sends submarine to Cuba after Russian ships arrive

USS Helena, a Los Angeles-class boat, arrived on Thursday for a “routine port visit,” the US Southern Command said in a statement.  “The vessel’s location and transit were previously planned,” SOUTHCOM added, noting that the Helena is “conducting its global maritime security and national defense mission.” AP described the submarine’s arrival as “a show of force” by Washington, in response to the presence of Russian ships so close to US shores. A four-vessel task force of the Russian Navy’s Northern…

Use of F-16s on Russian territory ‘not escalation’ – NATO chief

Donating fighter jets to Kiev will not involve members of the alliance in the conflict, Jens Stoltenberg has insisted Ukrainian strikes anywhere inside Russia using Western-donated F-16 aircraft would not be an escalation of the conflict and would not make NATO member states parties to it, according to the military bloc’s Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. He was asked on Thursday whether restrictions should be imposed on how Kiev can use the US-designed fighter jets. Several European nations intend to provide…

US using Ukraine conflict as pretext to impose sanctions – China

Washington is “extremely hypocritical” for arming Kiev while pushing for peace, Beijing’s foreign ministry has said. The US is using the Ukraine crisis as an opportunity to impose sanctions while continuing to pump Kiev with weapons, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said on Thursday. Lin made the remarks after the US State Department and Treasury Department announced a new round of curbs on Wednesday targeting 300 additional individuals and entities in Russia and other countries, including Türkiye, and the…

At least 30 Palestinians killed, over 100 injured in Gaza in past 24 hours — ministry

The following article is from a Russian news source, Tass, which is controlled by the Russian Government. CAIR, June 13. /TASS/. At least 30 Palestinians were killed and more than 100 injured as a result of Israeli actions in the Gaza Strip over the past 24 hours, the Health Ministry reported. “Over the past 24 hours, 30 people were killed and 105 wounded as a result of the Israeli aggression against the residents of the Gaza Strip,” the ministry said…

US and Poland set up center to fight ‘Russian disinformation’ 

The Warsaw-based facility will detect “deceptive narratives” on the Ukraine conflict, the US State Department has said. The United States and Poland have launched an international group based in Warsaw to counter what they describe as Russian disinformation on the Ukraine conflict, the US State Department has announced. The Ukraine Communications Group (UCG) is designed to detect “deceptive narratives” from Russia targeting Kiev and “amplify Ukrainian voices,” the State Department said in a statement on Monday. James Rubin, the head…

Russia promises ‘decisive response’ to ‘confrontational’ US

The envoy made the statement during an address dedicated to Russia Day, which was celebrated on Wednesday. Earlier the same day, Washington announced more restrictions on Moscow over its military operation against Ukraine. “The US administration congratulated the Russian people with the announcement of yet another sanctions package,” Antonov said. Russia will not insist on being a US partner, but remains “open for honest and equal dialogue once the Americans come to their senses,” the diplomat stressed. “Nevertheless, we will…

Russian Nuclear-Powered Submarine Arrives in Cuba

A Russian nuclear-powered submarine and other naval vessels arrived in Cuba on Wednesday for a five-day visit to the island in a show of force amid spiraling U.S.-Russian tensions. The submarine Kazan, which Cuba says is not carrying nuclear weapons, was accompanied by the frigate Admiral Gorshkov, as well as an oil tanker and a salvage tug. The Kazan and Admiral Gorshkov, which is one of Russia’s most modern warships, could be seen just off Havana, which is about 90…

U.S. Widens Sanctions Against Russia Over Ukraine Invasion

The United States on Wednesday announced a raft of new sanctions aimed at constraining Moscow’s ability to wage war on Ukraine while raising the stakes for foreign banks that still do business with Russia. The Treasury Department and State Department’s sanctions impacted more than 300 targets, including entities in Russia and countries like China, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates. Those designated include the Moscow Exchange and several subsidiaries, a move set to complicate billions of dollars in transactions, as…

Panama prepares to evacuate island in face of rising sea levels

On a tiny island off Panama’s Caribbean coast, about 300 families are packing their belongings in preparation for a dramatic change. Generations of Gunas who have grown up on Gardi Sugdub in a life dedicated to the sea and tourism will trade that next week for the mainland’s solid ground. They go voluntarily — sort of. The Gunas of Gardi Sugdub are the first of 63 communities along Panama’s Caribbean and Pacific coasts that government officials and scientists expect to…

US, Britain strike Houthi targets in Yemen after surge in attacks

The U.S. and Britain struck 13 Houthi targets in several locations in Yemen on Thursday in response to a recent surge in attacks by the Iran-backed militia group on ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, three U.S. officials said. According to the officials, American and British fighter jets and U.S. ships hit a wide range of underground facilities, missile launchers, command and control sites, a Houthi vessel and other facilities. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to provide early…

Biden allows Ukraine to use US weapons to hit targets in Russia

Joe Biden has approved Kyiv’s use of American-made weapons to strike within Russia as long as the targets relate to Moscow’s offensive in Ukraine’s Kharkiv region, a US official said on Thursday.  The decision marks an important shift from Washington’s previous position that Ukraine should not use US weapons to strike targets in Russia — and follows growing pressure on Biden from Kyiv and its allies.  President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s office did not immediately confirm or comment on the US decision. He…

What’s behind a historic, unusual U.S. military cash transfer to Canadian mines

The United States was growing desperate, months before its entry into the Second World War. It was gravely short of aluminum, and scrambling for suppliers. Its solution: turn north to Canada. American public money flooded into Quebec, building the aluminum industry that supplied raw materials for Allied planes and tanks. “I would be willing to buy aluminum from anybody,” said Harry Truman, then still a U.S. senator, in 1941 hearings on the topic. “I don’t care whether it is the…

International Criminal Court prosecutor seeks arrest warrants for Netanyahu, Gallant

Video: Reaction is pouring in from the decision by the ICC chief prosecutor to seek arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his defence minister Yoav Gallant. They’re accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity alongside three senior Hamas leaders.

US offers intelligence on Hamas leaders to Israel

The Biden administration is proposing to share critical intelligence on the whereabouts of Hamas leadership with Israel, contingent on Israel refraining from launching a full-scale military operation in Rafah, according to a report by the Washington Post. The US aims to prevent a large-scale invasion by offering sensitive information that could help Israel target Hamas leaders and uncover hidden tunnels. This strategic offer comes amid concerns from the US regarding the safety of over one million Gazans currently sheltered in…

Gaza: Bodies Recovered at Mass Graves Show Torture, Mutilation, Organ Removal

Video. At least 320 bodies have been discovered buried in a mass grave at the destroyed Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis, just weeks after a similar mass grave containing up to 400 bodies was discovered amid the ruins of Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City. Some of the bodies, which include children, medical staff and patients, appear to have been executed or buried alive.

‘Canada is a rule-of-law country’: Canada arrests 3 Indians in Nijjar murder case

NEW DELHI: Canadian PM Justin Trudeau said on Saturday that Canada is a “rule-of-law country” following the arrest of three Indian nationals in a case linked to killing of pro-Khalistan separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a designated a terrorist by India. “This is important because Canada is a rule-of-law country with a strong and independent justice system, as well as a fundamental commitment to protecting all its citizens,” Trudeau said. “As the RCMP stated, the investigation remains ongoing, as does a…