From Washington, DC!
This website is about Eastern Prussia. Western Prussia is in Germany and Eastern Prussia is in Poland near the Gulf of Danzig. Gdansk, Poland is near Lubeck, Germany. Here is my website about my daily routine here in #DC, Archive, Archive 2, Archive 3, Archive 4, Archive 5, Russian literature page, Archive 6, Archive 7, Archive 8, Archive 9, The British page, Archive 10, Southeast Asia page, Archive 11, Archive 12, Ukraine page, Archive 13,
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This is me talking about Travis Kelce. 11-6-24

This is me talking about Tashkent. 11-6-24

These reports are about the energy sector. How there is corruption in clean energy. This seems questionable that Nancy Pelosi can work within the California energy sector.

China to invest $50 mln in wind turbine blade plant in Uzbekistan

Cases of illegal energy resource use have been identified in three regions of Uzbekistan. These violations were uncovered during control activities conducted in cooperation with the Department of “Uzenergoinspeksia” and the General Prosecutor's Office.

NEW YORK, November 6. /TASS/. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, 84, won reelection to the lower chamber of the US Congress in California’s 11th Congressional District, the Associated Press said. Pelosi has been a congresswoman from California in the House of Representatives since 1987.

Reports from England and Europe.

The United Kingdom has reported two additional cases of mpox clade Ib, marking the first confirmed instances of local transmission in the WHO European Region. Both cases occurred in household contacts of a person who had recently returned from several African countries and tested positive for mpox. This development makes these the first local transmissions of mpox clade Ib outside of Africa since the Public Health Emergency of International Concern was reinstated in August 2024. Despite the low overall risk to the public, WHO/Europe has urged countries across the Region to be prepared for swift action in managing mpox transmission.

Gold is experiencing a historic surge, reaching a record high of 2,792 dollars per troy ounce in real terms, and showing strong gains in Bulgaria as well. Tavex Bulgaria reported that gold sales in October 2024 rose by 78% compared to October 2023. Additionally, sales volume saw a substantial increase of 64% from September to October of this year. Notably, these figures reflect quantity rather than the significant rise in gold prices, highlighting an even larger financial impact.

The Bulgarian Foreign Ministry on Tuesday summoned Choe Yun Chon, Charge d’Affaires at the Embassy of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), over reports about North Korean troops on the territory of Russia and their deployment in the war against Ukraine, the Ministry said on its website. Director General for Political Affairs Gergana Karadzhova stated Bulgaria's position that by its actions the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea became an accomplice of Russia in its unprovoked and unjustified aggression against independent and sovereign Ukraine in flagrant violation of international law and the founding principles of the UN Charter.

This is me talking more about Jason Kelce. 11-5-24

This is me talking about Jason Kelce. 11-5-24

Maybe this is corruption because then Tashkent exports energy.

Russian gas deliveries to Uzbekistan, which began in October 2023, have now exceeded 5 billion cubic meters. It was reported by the Russian Foreign Ministry’s press service.

The Russians have reviewed last night's polling data.

Trump admits he may lose election The US general election is being held on November 5, 2024 NEW YORK, November 5. /TASS/. US Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump admits the possibility of his defeat in the election, ABC reported. "But I think I have a pretty substantial lead, but, you could say, yeah, you could lose. Bad things could happen," Trump said when asked about the possibility of an election defeat. "But it's going to be interesting," the candidate added.

AI predicts Harris’ victory over Trump The forecast predicts Trump has a 73.3% chance of winning Arizona, a 62.1% chance in North Carolina, and a 61.8% chance in Georgia NEW YORK, November 5. /TASS/. A study conducted using artificial intelligence (AI) by US entrepreneurs has found that Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris is more likely to win the 2024 election than her Republican opponent, Donald Trump, according to the Semafor website.

Trump says he’s fighting 'evil democrat system,' not Harris The United States presidential election is set to be held on November 5 NEW YORK, November 5. /TASS/. Republican US presidential candidate Donald Trump has asserted that he is not fighting his opponent Kamala Harris but an "evil democrat system."

These are reports about the Balkans and the Middle East.

Israeli Forces Target Hezbollah’s Intelligence Hub and Capture Syrian Operative On Monday, Israel targeted Hezbollah’s intelligence headquarters in Syria, conducting airstrikes against what the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) described as key terror infrastructure. In a post on X, the IDF stated that the strikes on Hezbollah's assets in Syria would further undermine the group’s intelligence-gathering abilities. According to the post, recent IDF operations have also degraded Hezbollah’s military intelligence capabilities in Lebanon, targeting and destroying related assets. Just days prior, the IDF disclosed that its forces had entered Syrian territory to capture a Syrian national, Ali Suleiman al-Aadi, suspected of working with Iranian agents. Al-Aadi, reportedly active in the southern town of Saida, had been gathering intelligence on Israeli forces stationed near the border, allegedly to assist in planning future attacks. Surveillance by Israeli forces led to his arrest, and al-Aadi is now in Israeli custody for interrogation. The IDF released footage showing al-Aadi recounting how he was recruited by an Iranian operative disguised as a Syrian military intelligence officer. During interrogation, al-Aadi described how the agent assessed the region’s strategic potential for hostile operations, initially introducing himself as a member of Syrian intelligence, though he was reportedly working for Iran. "He said he was from military intelligence, but I understood he was connected to Iran," al-Aadi revealed. Iranian officials have intensified their rhetoric in response to recent Israeli airstrikes, which targeted Iranian-linked military bases and air defense systems on October 26. As regional tensions continue to rise, the IDF has emphasized its intent to protect Israel’s borders, vowing to prevent any establishment of Iranian influence or hostile activity in southern Syria.

Post-Novi Sad Tragedy: Serbs are Angry Over Railway Station Canopy Collapse Linked to Chinese Renovation Growing calls for accountability are emerging in Serbia following the tragic deaths of 14 individuals when an outdoor canopy collapsed at the Novi Sad railway station. The incident occurred just months after a three-year renovation project carried out by a Chinese consortium was completed, reports Balkan Insight. The accident, which also left three people aged between 18 and 24 critically injured, has sparked outrage across the country.

This is me talking about Novi Sad. 11-5-24

TEL AVIV, November 4. /TASS/. Israel has attacked Hezbollah’s intelligence headquarters near Damascus, the Israel Defense Forces said. "A short while ago, the IAF (Israeli Air Force - TASS) conducted an aerial operation and struck Hezbollah terror targets belonging to Hezbollah’s intelligence headquarters in Syria," it said. "This is Hezbollah’s central intelligence body, responsible for intelligence assessments, the direction of intelligence activities, and the intelligence gathering and detection capabilities." According to the IDF, Hezbollah's intelligence headquarters has a branch in Syria, "which includes an independent intelligence gathering, coordination, and assessment network."

This is me talking about Damascus. 11-4-24

This is me talking about Kursk region. 11-4-24

1) These are reports about Kursk region and eastern Ukraine. Those regions in Russia might be fundamentalist and that's why it's hard to get reports from there. 2) By contrast, notice this detailed report about the police in North Macedonia.
3) A strange report about the Black Sea and Georgian beaches.

First Engagement: North Korean Troops Clash with Ukrainian Forces in Kursk Region North Korean forces have engaged in their first battle with the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the Kursk region. This information was shared by Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Center for Countering Disinformation at the National Security and Defense Council, via Telegram. He noted that North Korean military personnel have already come under fire but did not provide additional specifics. The US State Department has verified that approximately 10,000 North Korean troops have been sent to Russia. It was also indicated that these forces may soon participate in military actions against Ukraine. Reports from Kyiv's General Staff indicated that the North Korean military was transported to Russia using at least 28 military transport aircraft from the Russian Air Force. The Wall Street Journal has highlighted that North Korea's deployment of troops presents a dilemma for China, as it tests Beijing's influence over its neighboring country. In other developments, the Ukrainian Armed Forces reported the elimination of 1,300 additional Russian soldiers just yesterday. This brings the total number of Russian casualties to over 700,000. The losses for Russian equipment are significant, including 9,193 tanks, 18,538 armored fighting vehicles, 20,121 artillery systems, and 1,245 multi-purpose rocket launchers.

Ukrainian Defenders Hold Strong Against Russian Advances on Multiple Fronts Ukrainian Armed Forces faced nearly 170 Russian attacks in a single day, with the most significant pressure reported on the Pokrovsk and Kurakhove fronts. According to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, a total of 169 combat clashes occurred, highlighting the ongoing intensity of the conflict. In the Kharkiv area, Russian forces executed four offensive and assault operations near Vovchansk. The Kupiansk front saw 16 clashes, where Ukrainian defenders successfully repelled assaults near Holubivka, Synkivka, Stepova Novoselivka, Kolisnykivka, Berestove, Zahryzove, Kruhliakivka, Vyshneve, and Pershotravneve. The Lyman front also experienced nine Russian attacks, primarily focused around Hrekivka, Terny, and Dibrova. On the Toretsk front, Russian aircraft targeted areas including Toretsk, Druzhba, Petrivka, and Dyliivka, with four attempts to advance near Toretsk. Ukrainian defenders fended off 27 assaults on the Pokrovsk front, while similar resistance was observed on the Kurakhove front, where the Russians attempted to breach defenses 27 times near Illinka, Ostrivske, Dalnie, Antonivka, and Katerynivka. In the Vremivka region, Ukrainian forces halted 12 Russian attacks close to Trudove. The Orikhiv front witnessed a single attempt to advance toward Novodanylivka, and three unsuccessful assaults occurred on the Prydniprovske front. The operational situation on the Volyn and Polissia fronts remained relatively unchanged, with no new evidence of Russian offensive group formations. Russian forces continue their military presence along the borders of Chernihiv and Sumy oblasts, conducting reconnaissance and shelling operations. In a separate update, the DeepState analytical project reported that Ukrainian forces have regained positions in the village of Druzhba, located approximately six kilometers from Toretsk. Russian advancements were noted near Maksymivka, Yasna Poliana, Bohoiavlenka, and Kreminna Balka in Donetsk Oblast. Since the onset of the full-scale invasion, Russia has reportedly lost over 700,000 military personnel, as detailed by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. As of November 4, 2024, Russian losses include approximately 700,390 troops, along with substantial losses in tanks, armored vehicles, artillery systems, and air defense systems, among other equipment. Additionally, Russian forces targeted a supermarket in Kharkiv, resulting in 14 injuries from the airstrike. The Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov confirmed that the attack occurred late on November 3, with reports of damage to residential areas, power lines, and nearby buildings. The situation escalated throughout the evening, with the number of casualties rising from three to 14, including injuries to four police officers. Earlier in the evening, Russian strikes had occurred in Kharkiv and its outskirts without reported casualties.

Bulgarian Citizen Assaulted by Police in North Macedonia Over National Identity A Bulgarian citizen in Skopje, Borche Natsevski, was assaulted by two police officers reportedly due to his Bulgarian identity and his vocal expression of self-determination, reports OFFNews. This incident was revealed by Viktor Stoyanov, the chairman of the Macedonia Foundation, through a post on Facebook. The altercation occurred on Friday evening in the Kapishtets district. According to Stoyanov, an argument broke out between Natsevski and a neighbor concerning his Bulgarian nationality. Following the dispute, Natsevski called the police, which is evidenced by a photo of his phone. When the police arrived, they had a confrontation with him, subsequently taking him into custody for alleged sobriety issues. However, since he was not intoxicated, he was transported to the Beko police station, where he encountered two officers, identified as Philip and H. Khalili. Natsevski was then detained in a cell at the police station and released a few hours later, having sustained injuries and without any charges filed against him. The Bulgarian embassy in Skopje has been informed of the incident, and Natsevski met with consul Dimitar Grozdanov to discuss the situation. Legal assistance is anticipated for Natsevski, enabling him to file a complaint with the city's Main Public Prosecution. Reports suggest that he was advised by police to conceal his injuries and temporarily leave for Bulgaria to avoid further complications. Natsevski intends to sue both the police and the state of North Macedonia, with the Macedonia Foundation pledging to support him. This incident is cited as another example of violence against Bulgarians in North Macedonia, allegedly perpetrated by state officials. The Bulgarian embassy in Skopje received information from a dual citizen who alleged that police officers had exceeded their authority during the arrest following a domestic dispute. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed ongoing communication with Natsevski and is actively monitoring the case, having taken steps to clarify the details surrounding the incident.

MOSCOW, November 2. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law ratifying the agreement between the governments of Russia and Abkhazia on elimination of double taxation and prevention of the tax evasion in respect of income taxes. The agreement was developed and signed on May 7, 2024 in accordance with the program of forming common social and economic space of the two countries.

This is me talking about the Washington Capitals. 11-3-24

This is me talking about Kursk region. 11-3-24

Russia loses more personnel than ever before in the bloodiest month of the invasion The Ukrainian Ministry of Defence claims that more Russian troops have been killed or wounded in October than in any month since the conflict began in 2022. The Defense of Ukraine X account posted that 41,980 Russian personnel were lost last month, and stated it was the highest monthly casualty rate Moscow had experienced.

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged its allies to stop “watching” and take steps before North Korean troops deployed in Russia reach the battlefield, and the country’s army chief warned that his troops are facing “one of the most powerful offensives” by Moscow since the all-out war started more than two years ago.

Zelenskyy called once again for Western countries to lift the ban on long-range missile strikes into Russian territory, in this case for preemptive attacks against camps housing the foreign soldiers.

This is me talking about Georgia. 11-3-24

This seems to be an anti-navy weapon. Notice this mention of the Georgian coastline on the Black Sea.

Syniehubov also said a Russian guided bomb had struck a five-storey apartment building in the city of Kupiansk, further east, injuring two people. Further west, in the city of Sumy, prosecutors said a drone attack on a multi-storey apartment building injured five. Kharkiv remained in Ukrainian hands throughout the initial unsuccessful advance by Russian forces on the capital, Kyiv, after their February 2022 invasion. The city has since remained a frequent target of Russian air strikes.

The Su-34 is rumoured to have made its combat debut during the 2008 Russo-Georgian War.

The Lockheed Martin Corporation is an American defense and aerospace manufacturer with worldwide interests.

The RAND Corporation is an American nonprofit global policy think tank, research institute, and public sector consulting firm.

This is me talking about the BBC. 11-2-24

This is me talking about Tom Wilson. 11-2-24

This is me talking about Washington, DC. 11-2-24

If they don't have a license, maybe the marijuana has amphetamines.
Even if they do, then it might.

Cannabis laced with amphetamines found at illegal DC shops amid crackdown As DC police crack down on stores accused of illegally selling cannabis, they say some of the stores shut down were found to have other illegal drugs.

WASHINGTON (DC News Now) — The Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration’s Enforcement Division (ABCA), with the help of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers, served a closure order to another unlicensed cannabis business in Northwest D.C. Friday. The Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis (ABC) Board issued the closure to the owner of Green Cloud Shop, located at 706 Kennedy St., because they had been continuing to sell cannabis products without a license. A search warrant for the shop was obtained and executed and MPD seized many THC products, a bowl that had a “green weed-like substance,” numerous marijuana plants and a bag that had powdery residue which field tested positive for opium.

This is me talking more about Booz Allen. 11-2-24

How bad immigration policy affects the defense sector.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan praised the Iraqi government for its counterterrorism efforts against the PKK terrorist group, as he met with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani in Istanbul on Friday. Erdoğan expressed Ankara's satisfaction with these "positive steps" during a meeting with al-Sudani in Istanbul, the Presidential Communications Directorate said.

A suspected member of the PKK terrorist organization is facing charges in Germany. Germany's Federal Public Prosecutor's Office brought charges against Selahattin K. on Thursday for membership of a foreign terrorist organization, the authorities said.

Five people wounded in drug trafficking shootout in western France Europe A teenager and four others have been seriously wounded in a shootout in the city of Poitiers in western France, which erupted into a fight involving "several hundred people", Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau said Friday. The violence is thought to be linked to drug trafficking. A gangland shootout set off a clash involving hundreds in the city of Poitiers overnight, leaving five people injured, French officials said on Friday, highlighting the challenges faced by the new government in tackling violent crime. Many French cities are plagued by drug gangs who often operate in the low-income, high-rise housing estates on the outskirts of the historic city centres. "It started off with a shooting at a restaurant. It ended up with a clash between rival gangs which involved several hundred people," French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau told BFM TV, who added it was linked to rival drug gangs. Extra police forces will be sent to the area later on Friday, added the local authority for the region. Retailleau has vowed tougher action against drug gangs and illegal immigration, as the new government led by centre-right Prime Minister Michel Barnier aims to shore up its support in France. Concerns over violent crime have been cited as one of the reasons behind voters choosing Marine Le Pen's National Rally (RN) party, which says it will do more than other parties to tackle crime and illegal immigration. President Emmanuel Macron's decision to hold snap parliamentary elections in June and July resulted in a hung parliament, in which no party won an outright majority although Le Pen's party has one of the biggest blocs in parliament.

The WHO's director told reporters Friday that more than 50,000 people have been vaccinated so far against mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda. More than 1,100 have died of mpox in Africa, and the African Union's health watchdog has warned of a potentially "more severe" pandemic than Covid-19.

This is me talking about Booz Allen. 11-1-24

This is me talking more about Keir Starmer. 11-1-24

Keir offends me as an American because I think he's anti-Hollywood. That exists here locally in Virginia. They decide they just don't watch movies.

I'll stare directly at the sun but never in the mirror

CHISINAU, November 1. /TASS/. Moldovan presidential candidate Alexandr Stoianoglo said he was ready to meet with Russian government officials and build pragmatic relations if he wins the upcoming runoff.

This is me talking about Keir Starmer. 11-1-24

Reports from Europe and Moscow.

Annual inflation in the Eurozone has risen to 2 percent in October 2024 compared to the same month in 2023, marking an increase from 1.7 percent in September. This information comes from a preliminary assessment released today by Eurostat, the European statistical service.

A total of 27,631 bottles of the fraudulent "olive oil" were halted from sale. Bulgarian authorities have prepared a notification to the relevant Italian authority. The Bulgarian operator, who had the bottles, informed the BFSA that the Italian manufacturer, "BASSO FEDELE E FIGLI SRL," will initiate a recall of the product in Italy. The nearly 28,000 bottles are being sent back to their country of origin.

MOSCOW, October 31. /TASS/. The police look into an assault on a reporter from the Moscow Region, who attempted to interview British diplomats arriving in Moscow, the Russian Interior Ministry press office told TASS. According to the ministry, a 23-year-old female freelance reporter working for a news website contacted the police asking to take measures against an unidentified person, who caused her physical and moral harm at the Vnukovo Airport. She stated that she was making photos and taking videos as a part of her editorial task and attempted to interview British diplomats, who arrived in Moscow. It was then that an unknown man, who was meeting the delegation - presumably, an embassy employee - shoved her, causing her to lose balance. The Ministry noted that if the claim is deemed valid, a procedural decision will be made despite the potential status and immunity of the perpetrator. The ministry intends to act in accordance with the Russian law, seeking to restore justice and to achieve inevitable punishment regardless of the perpetrators’ citizenship.

This is me talking about development banks. 10-31-24

These are economic reports. Also, the ballistic missile programs in Russia.

Bulgaria faces significant challenges on its path to euro adoption, with political instability emerging as a critical hurdle rather than inflation. While inflation rates have shown signs of cooling—decreasing by 1% from August to September and 1.2% year-on-year—Bulgaria still has not met all the Maastricht criteria necessary for eurozone entry.

Japan's Defence Ministry reported that North Korea launched a suspected intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) on Thursday morning.

Some ten guided missiles and two ballistic missiles were fired at Odesa, Chornomorsk, and Zatoka, Ukraine, between 7:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Wednesday, local Telegram channels reported. Targets were hit in Zatoka in the Odesa region’s Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi district, according to reports on Telegram.

Three Bulgarian companies have been sanctioned by the US for enabling the Russian military industry. According to the US Department of State and the Department of the Treasury, they shipped aviation components and other items used by Russia to continue its war against Ukraine. Three Bulgaria-based companies are on the sanctions list. One of the companies is AIR LEO M AND E LTD EOOD in Varna, which shipped microelectronic and aviation components to Russia-based companies.

This is me talking about the Dodgers. 10-31-24

This is me talking about Luxembourg. 10-30-24

I think Belgrade should turn down this offer. Because the diplomat maybe doesn't have much education. Also, the euro is in trouble. It's just twenty five years old. Maybe next year there won't be a euro.

The euro was launched on January 1, 1999, replacing the precursor ecu at a 1:1 value. Until the circulation of currency notes and coins in 2002, the euro was used only by financial markets and certain businesses. Many experts predicted that the euro could eventually rival the U.S. dollar as an international currency.

This is the largest Luxembourg investment in Serbia; Mali: We hope for new projects Finance Minister Siniša Mali met today with the Ambassador of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg in Serbia Marc Hübsch. They discussed the largest Luxembourg investment in Serbia, a factory for the production of graphene nanotubes used in the production of electric cars, ahead of its opening. "This is a new page in the history of relations between our countries, the first major investment from Luxembourg, after Serbia firmly positioned itself on the investment map of Europe, breaking the record of 4.5 billion euros inflow of foreign direct investments. We welcome Luxembourg's decision to invest with us and we hope for new projects", Mali said at a meeting at the Ministry of Finance. Mali told the ambassador that Serbia has followed its European path, which is also the path of the country's development in all sectors, including energy, education, green projects, and the development of infrastructure necessary for investors. "All the efforts so far have yielded results, but we are moving on." At the moment, nine highways and expressways are under construction, we have signed free trade agreements with important countries such as China, CEFTA, Turkey and so on, which also benefit investors, we are recording excellent macroeconomic results to which investors respond with further investments", Mali said.

The couple has five children: Guillaume, Hereditary Grand Duke of Luxembourg, Prince Félix of Luxembourg, Prince Louis of Luxembourg, Princess Alexandra of Luxembourg, and Prince Sébastien of Luxembourg, They were born at Maternity Hospital in Luxembourg City.

This is me talking about Shohei Ohtani. 10-30-24

These are reports about the Balkans
1) The Romanians are seeing Russian drones in their airspace.
2) The euro and inflation
3) Supposedly at an American airport the police detained Russian journalists

Romania Considers Downing Russian Drones Amid Rising Airspace Violations Romania is considering the potential to shoot down unauthorized aircraft infringing upon its airspace, as indicated by a draft law published by the Romanian Defense Ministry on October 28. This proposal comes in response to a number of incidents involving Russian drones crashing or violating Romanian airspace near the border with Ukraine, particularly following large-scale attacks on Ukraine. Under the proposed legislation, the Romanian military would be authorized to intercept and, if necessary, destroy both piloted and unmanned aircraft that breach its airspace, depending on the perceived threat level. The document outlines that the military could disable or assume control of "unauthorized" drones using "non-kinetic" methods or opt to shoot them down. In the case of a piloted aircraft, the interception process would involve several steps, such as attempting to establish radio contact, giving instructions to the pilot, and possibly firing a warning shot. The use of "destructive force" would be deemed a last resort for both aircraft and ground-based air defenses. Before resorting to shooting down any aircraft, the Romanian military would carefully assess the situation, taking into account international law and the safety of civilians and property. The draft law also states that allied forces stationed in Romania would be allowed to participate in such operations. Romania has called on its NATO partners to provide a "robust and coordinated" response to incidents involving Russian missiles and drones violating allied airspace. Latvia and Poland have also reported similar breaches. Ukraine has urged NATO to intercept Russian drones and missiles in its airspace to protect both Ukraine and neighboring countries, but no nation has yet committed to taking such action.

This is the largest Luxembourg investment in Serbia; Mali: We hope for new projects Finance Minister Siniša Mali met today with the Ambassador of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg in Serbia Marc Hübsch.

US fails to notify embassy about detention of Russian reporters at airport — diplomat

MOSCOW, October 30. /TASS/. Ukraine's public debt reached a record $155.56 bln, Ukrainian News reported citing data from the Finance Ministry. It was noted that the total public debt in September increased by 0.56% in comparison with the previous month. At the end of September, the debt amounted to 6.404 trillion hryvnia ($155.56 bln).

This is me talking about Toronto. 10-29-24

This is me talking about Austria. 10-29-24

He was born in Japan. And then he moved to California. Since, he's had two major surgeries. He isn't medically allowed to pitch until next year.

Shohei Ohtani has had two major elbow surgeries: 2018: Tommy John surgery after his first season with the Angels September 2023: Surgery on his right (throwing) elbow to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL)

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STOCKHOLM, October 29. /TASS/. Sweden will allocate 20 million euros for the procurement of defense equipment for Ukraine, the government website said.

HELSINKI, October 28. /TASS/. The Russian Embassy has not received formal notices from Finnish authorities regarding the seizure of the Russian property and diplomats are working to clarify the situation, the Russian diplomatic mission in Helsinki told TASS.

Law enforcement agencies from 18 countries have seized over EUR 14 million in counterfeit currency in a joint customs and police operation aimed to disrupt the distribution of fake banknotes and coins via postal services across Europe, Europol said on Monday. The vast majority of almost 150,000 seized items were altered-design banknotes, often referred to as "movie money". These reproductions have a similar shape and colour to real banknotes, but include a small disclaimer indicating they are fakes. However, these disclaimers are often overlooked, allowing criminals to pass them off as genuine currency, said Europol. The most frequently seized denominations were the EUR 50 banknote, followed by the EUR 20 one. The counterfeit items also included British pounds and US dollars. The Europol-coordinated action led by Spain, Portugal, and Austria involved searches in Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Spain, Turkiye, the UK and the US. During the operational phase, 174 parcels containing counterfeit currency were seized, triggering 144 new police investigations into the criminal networks responsible.

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Admiral Eftimov highlighted that the preparation of the multinational battlegroup with Italy as the framework nation has been advancing swiftly, referencing the Alliance's plans for battlegroups to potentially expand to brigade size, as demonstrated here. He also pointed out the synergy between Bulgarian Army training and NATO battlegroup rotations, with the Bulgarian Army providing diverse capabilities to enhance interoperability and tactical effectiveness.

MOSCOW, October 28. /TASS/. A US-led coalition’s Boeing P-8 Poseidon anti-submarine plane dangerously approached a Russian fighter jet over the eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea, Oleg Ignasyuk, deputy chief of the Russian Center for Reconciliation of the Opposing Parties in Syria (a division of the Russian defense ministry), said on Friday.

This is me talking about the Dodgers. 10-28-24

This is me talking about Tel Aviv. 10-28-24

The British are saying that Friday's airstrikes are an intelligence win.

Mr Albright was given access to files about the programme by Mossad, Israel’s intelligence agency, in 2018. He said that Iran still kept important test equipment in Taleghan 2.

Russian foreign policy in the Caucasus region.

MOSCOW, October 28. /TASS/. Russian Security Council Secretary Sergey Shoigu has set off on a visit to the United Arab Emirates, the council said in a statement.

VORONEZH, October 28. /TASS/. The Ukrainian military has carried out drone attacks on two enterprises in Russia’s Voronezh Region, leaving two people injured, Governor Alexander Gusev said.

MOSCOW, October 28. /TASS/. The process and the outcome of the October 26 parliamentary elections in Georgia put the perspective of its accession to the EU and NATO further away, the Polish Foreign Ministry said.

TBILISI, October 27. /TASS/. Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili has called on people to gather for a protest against the outcome of the parliamentary elections at the parliamentary building in Tbilisi on Monday.

This is me talking about Shohei Ohtani. 10-27-24

Maybe he's now more socially conservative as he's gotten older.

This is me talking more about the Dodgers. 10-27-24

This is me talking about the Dodgers. 10-27-24

1) In Japan, did his coaches tell him that pitchers steal bases?
2) Is he wanting to get injured?
3) Maybe he is wanting to sabotage the team.

Ohtani was born to Kayoko and Toru Ohtani in Mizusawa, Iwate, Japan, on July 5, 1994.

Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani sent a hush over Dodger Stadium on Saturday evening after attempting to steal a base.

This is me talking about Tel Aviv. 10-26-24

Dozens of Israeli fighter jets, supported by refuellers and spy planes, then returned with two more waves targeting the bases and factories of drones and missiles which could be used in a repeat of Iran’s last attack against Israel.

This is me talking about the locals. 10-26-24

This is me talking about Moscow. 10-26-24

This is me talking about Israel. 10-26-24

The Saudis own Newcastle FC and the Qataris own PSG.

Paris Saint-Germain will refuse to comply with an order by the league to pay Kylian Mbappé 55 million euros ($59.5 million) in back pay, a source close to the case told AFP on Friday. A French league committee has attempted to mediate in the increasingly bitter row between Real Madrid forward Mbappe and the club he left this year. Mbappe has demanded the figure which he says is made up of the final three months of his salary plus several bonuses. But Qatar-owned PSG argue that the 25-year-old had agreed to waive the sum in August 2023. AFP has contacted Mbappe's spokespeople for comment.

Hopefully the Israeli missile defense system is working.

Israel says it has 'wider freedom' in air over Iran after strikes The Israeli military said its strikes targeting Iran's air defences on Saturday had given it more freedom to operate in skies over Iran. "Now, the state of Israel has wider freedom of action in the air over Iran as well," military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said in a televised briefing.

How the attack unfolded - and what it means Israel said its warplanes had targeted missile-manufacturing facilities, surface-to-air missile arrays and other military sites. The attacks appear to have come in two waves. First Israeli fighter jets targetted Iranian air defence units to clear the way for a second strike on missile and drone bases and productions sites. Experts said this is likely to have been designed to avoid triggering a major escalation but also to please Western allies concerned about Iran’s growing capabilities and alliance with Russia.

Maybe the Russians are allies with the IRGC in Syria.

US officials described the retaliatory attacks as “targeted military strikes against military targets in Iran”. Observers said the strikes had likely hit between two or three targets linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in Tehran, suggesting the retaliation had been less extensive than previously touted.

Operations against the U.S.-backed PKK/YPG in Syria and Iraq will continue until the end as Türkiye remains uncompromising on its anti-terrorism policy, the Turkish president says on his way back from a BRICS Summit in Russia after a PKK attack that killed five people in Ankara earlier this week

Iran threatens citizens with 10 years in prison for sharing videos of Israeli strikes Sending footage to Western media ‘affiliated with Zionist regime’ will be punished, police warn

This is me talking about Catholic values. 10-25-24

This is me talking about Tashkent. 10-25-24

Economic reports from the Balkans.

Over 1.6 Million Bulgarians Earn Below Living Wage

Approximately one-third of residents from third countries in the European Union (EU) are living in overcrowded conditions, a situation mirrored by a significant number of Bulgarians in their own country, according to Eurostat data. In 2023, 34.2% of third-country nationals in the EU were classified as living in overcrowded homes, where the number of rooms was inadequate for the household size. This figure represents an increase from 32.9% in 2022.

Housing Loans in Bulgaria Surge by 25.9%, Reaching BGN 23.6 Billion

Conceptually, how the Uzbek government is making Communist statements.

KAZAN, October 24. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that it was not Russia's actions but the 2014 government coup that led to the escalation in Ukraine.

TEL AVIV, October 25. /TASS/. The Israel Defense Forces said it attacked more than 3,200 Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon over the past month.

UNITED NATIONS, October 25. /TASS/. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Russian President Vladimir Putin met on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia to discuss the international financial system.

KAZAN, October 24. /TASS/. Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev believes that issues of countering international terrorism should be prior in BRICS partnership. "Issues of countering threats and challenges of international terrorism obviously remain a prior direction of BRICS partnership," he said at the BRICS Plus/Outreach meeting within the BRICS summit in Kazan.

KAZAN, October 24. /TASS/. Uzbekistan shares the BRICS countries’ drive to cooperate for overcoming global inequality, social and environmental challenges, the republic’s president Shavkat Mirziyoyev said.

This is me talking about the Emiratis. 10-24-24

DUBAI, October 24. /TASS/. Media reports that the Il-76 plane downed in Sudan, which could have potentially carried Russian citizens, was registered in the United Arab Emirates are untrue, an Emirati government spokesperson told TASS. "As for these baseless media reports, we believe it’s important to make it clear that the plane in question was not registered in the United Arab Emirates and has no links to the country," he said, commenting on reports that the aircraft belonged to an Emirati company.

The Russian embassy in Sudan says it is investigating reports that a cargo plane with Russian crew was shot down in Darfur, a key battle ground in the civil war between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The aircraft, identified as a Russian-made lyushin Il-76, was on a mission to deliver equipment and medicine to the army-held city of el-Fasher, military sources told Sudanese media.

This is me talking about Sophia. 10-24-24

1) The Turkish army in Syria and the coastline on the Med.
2) Small businesses in the Balkans.

UNITED NATIONS, October 24. /TASS/. Russia wants to know details of an early recovery plan for Syria, which is being developed by the United Nations, Russian Permanent Representative to the United Nations Vasily Nebenzya said.

ANKARA, October 23. /TASS/. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan plans to return to Turkey on Thursday morning, cutting short his visit to a BRICS Summit in Russia, A Haber television reported.

Bulgarian Authorities Bust Cybercrime and Money Laundering Group in Plovdiv An organized crime group that specialized in computer crimes and money laundering has been dismantled following an operation by police in Plovdiv, Stara Zagora, and Pleven. Eight individuals have been arrested for manipulating gaming machines and roulette using specialized technical equipment. Among those detained are croupiers from a gaming hall in Pleven. The group operated in a highly secretive and mobile manner across five regions: Stara Zagora, Pleven, Plovdiv, Smolyan, and Sofia Province. They skillfully manipulated gambling machines and even the roulette game. By employing various electronic devices and microchips, they were able to influence the machines to generate jackpot payouts, which they then shared among themselves. The managers of the casinos were aware of the scheme, but the owners were not.

Registered Construction Companies in Bulgaria Surge to Nearly 7,500, Led by Small Firms The registered construction companies in Bulgaria have reached nearly 7,500 for the first time. The largest share consists of small firms with up to 49 employees, totaling 6,527. For the first time, the number of registered construction companies in the Central Professional Register maintained by the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce (BCC) is approaching 7,500. As of September 9, 2024, there are 7,462 firms listed, of which 7,417 are Bulgarian and 45 are foreign.

Political instability is a major challenge for German investors in Bulgaria A number of German companies do business in Bulgaria in specific economic spheres, despite the military conflicts nearby and the political crisis inside the country The German economy has been shrinking and the government expects a decline of 0.2% of GDP. Some of the main reasons for this include unresolved structural problems related to lack of energy security, excessive bureaucracy and shortage of skilled workers, as well as geopolitical uncertainty.

This is me talking about Ankara. 10-23-24

За Србију је успостављање трилатералне сарадње у области илегалних миграција са пријатељским земљама, Словачком и Мађарском, од велике важности. Наставићемо да радимо заједно по том питању. Никада не бих пристао да Србија буде хотспот за илегалне мигранте, нити ми је то било ко тражио.
Serbia is participating in a trilateral meeting with Slovakia and Hungary. These countries are our allies, neighbors, and trade partners. Serbia, in particular, doesn't want to be a hotspot or hub for strange migration and trade routes.

Frightening reports from Tashkent.

In January-September, gas imports to Uzbekistan reached $1.28 billion, which is 3.6 times more than last year’s figures, the statistics agency reports. Meanwhile, exports of “blue fuel” rose to 479.5 million dollars. Between January and September, Uzbekistan imported gas worth a record $1.28 billion, 3.6 times more than in the same period last year.

Fees and payments for Uzbek national carriers in Afghanistan have decreased, the Ministry of Transport of Uzbekistan reports. The decision was made following negotiations between representatives of the two countries.

The Brazilian president fell at his own house.

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva revealed that a head injury he sustained over the weekend and led him to cancel his presence at the BRICS summit was serious, and doctors will need several days to assess its full impact. Lula, 78, suffered a fall at his residence on Saturday, which caused a head wound requiring stitches and a small brain hemorrhage. Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira is representing Brazil at the summit.

BUENOS AIRES, October 23. /TASS/. Doctors prescribed Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva to undergo another examination in three days after a head injury he suffered in a fall, but allowed him to work, according to the hospital in charge of his treatment.

Army reports about Lebanon.

Let us recall that the Israeli army announced that Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah was killed on September 27 in an airstrike on Beirut.

TEL AVIV, October 23. /TASS/. Israel has officially confirmed the death of head of Hezbollah Executive Council Hisham Safieddine who was believed to succeed Nasrallah as the Hezbollah leader. Israel delivered a pinpoint airstrike on Hezbollah intelligence headquarters on October 3. According to the Ynet news portal, as many as 73 tons of munitions were dropped on the targets. Contact with Safieddine was lost after this raid. However there has been no evidence of his death until now.

This is me talking about Bratislava. 10-23-24

The Iranians are wanting to expand toward the Mediterranean Sea.

Israelis arrested on suspicion of spying for Iran Suspects are all Jewish residents accused of taking pictures of Iron Dome and IDF military bases

Thousands of Palestinian civilians have been filmed fleeing northern Gaza amid fierce fighting and a resurgence of Hamas activity.

This is me talking about Gaza. 10-22-24

Lynch was jailed for two years and eight months on Aug 22 after pleading guilty to violent disorder in a hearing at Sheffield Crown Court. Lynch shouted “racist and provocative remarks” towards officers and called asylum seekers in the hotel “child killers”, the Recorder of Sheffield, Judge Jeremy Richardson KC, told the court during his sentencing.

This is me talking about 10 Downing Street. 10-22-24

I have translated this from the Serbian president's IG account.

Verujem u odličan sastanak sa Ficom i Orbanom. Iskreni prijatelji Srbije. Na putu za Slovačku je i Dačić, kojem je teško bilo da ustane, a, pošto ga znam, pokušaće da odspava u avionu, ali nema šanse da mu to dozvolimo.
I'm on my way to meet with Fico and Orban. Of course, I will represent Serbia. The different items that concern our three countries.

BELGRADE, October 22. /TASS/. The BRICS’ popularity rating in Serbia has reached 42%, it will become one of the key topics in the republic within the next two years and may require a referendum, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic told RTS.

Vučić on his way to Slovakia: "I believe in an excellent meeting with Fico and Orban" VIDEO President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, released a video from the plane on his way to Slovakia, where he will participate in the trilateral summit of the leaders of Serbia, Slovakia and Hungary, which is being held in Komarno.

Over 2,000 illegal construction sites found nationwide In 2024, over 2,000 unregistered construction sites were found across the country. Of these, over 1,000 were properly registered with the inspection authorities. The regional control inspectorate for construction and housing conducted a new raid in the capital, with media participation, to uncover cases of illegal construction.

Gold prices hit record in Uzbekistan The prices of gold bars and coins reached a new high on Monday, the Central Bank reports. One gram of gold now costs over 1,150,000 soums, which is 0.1% higher than the previous maximum set on Friday. A five-gram bar is priced at 5.75 million soums.

This is me talking about Sudan. 10-22-24

Reports about Moldova and Sudan.

Moldova Narrowly Approves EU Accession Talks Amid Interference Concerns Moldova narrowly voted in favor of advancing EU membership talks, according to early results on Monday, in a significant development for President Maia Sandu. Sandu had sought overwhelming support for closer EU integration, but the vote passed with only a slim majority of 50.24%, based on returns from 98.74% of polling stations. Out of 1.5 million ballots cast, the margin of victory was just 7,200 votes. Polls prior to the vote had suggested that a majority of Moldovans favored EU accession. The referendum proposed a constitutional amendment to solidify Moldova's commitment to joining the EU, following the country’s 2022 application for membership. Sandu framed the vote as a decisive moment for Moldova, presenting it as a choice between aligning with the West or moving back toward Russian influence. Simultaneously, Sandu participated in a presidential election, hoping to become the first Moldovan leader to win a second term through popular vote. However, she fell short of a definitive win, leading to a runoff scheduled for November 3 against Alexandr Stoianoglo, who has received backing from the pro-Russian Socialist Party. As preliminary results came in on Sunday evening, Sandu condemned what she described as a coordinated attack on democracy by external forces. In recent weeks, Moldovan authorities had warned of significant Russian interference, alleging the presence of a network of Kremlin proxies and the use of illicit funds to manipulate the vote. Sandu claimed her government had gathered evidence that “criminal groups” intended to purchase up to 300,000 votes to influence the outcomes of both the referendum and the presidential race. She accused these groups, in collaboration with foreign entities, of flooding the country with tens of millions of euros, as well as misinformation and propaganda, to undermine Moldova's sovereignty. “We will not relent in our defense of democracy and freedom,” Sandu stated. She added that her administration awaited the final results and promised decisive actions in response.

RSF fighters: We shot him down with a surface-to-air missile Paramilitary forces claim to have shot down a "foreign warplane" that was assisting the Sudanese army. Without offering any evidence, they claim that the downed plane was dropping bombs on civilians. "In the operation, all foreign mercenaries on the plane were eliminated," according to the press release. In the footage, RSF fighters stand next to the burning wreckage and say they shot down the plane with a surface-to-air missile. They show identification documents, including a Russian passport and an ID card linked to a company based in the United Arab Emirates, whose phone number has been disconnected.

This is me talking about Elon Musk. 10-21-24

This is me talking about Newcastle FC. 10-21-24

Reports about the Balkans.

MOSCOW, October 21. /TASS/. A Russian Ka-52M helicopter thwarted the rotation of Ukrainian troops in the borderline Kursk area, Russia’s Defense Ministry reported on Monday.

CHISINAU, October 21. /TASS/. Moldova’s President Maia Sandu said she had evidence that criminal groups and foreign forces sought to interfere in yesterday's presidential election in the former Soviet republic.

BRATISLAVA, October 20. /TASS/. Slovakia’s ruling party Direction - Social Democracy (SMER) will not support Ukraine’s admission to NATO and thinks that Kiev’s so-called ‘victory pan’ is unimplementable, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said.

CHISINAU, October 20. /TASS/. Moldova’s Party of Socialists, which voiced its support for Alexandru Stoianoglo, calls for balanced relations with both Russia and Western partners, the party’s leader and former Moldovan President Igor Dodon said.

Moldovan President Maia Sandu has accused foreign interference of attempting to manipulate the country’s presidential election and referendum on European integration, describing it as an "unprecedented" attack. In her statement, Sandu claimed that criminal groups, collaborating with foreign entities hostile to Moldova, attempted to buy 300,000 votes. She labeled it as "fraud on an unprecedented scale," aimed at undermining the democratic process and instilling fear and panic among the public. Sandu affirmed that her government is awaiting the final results and will respond decisively.

Greek authorities have arrested a Bulgarian national involved in an illegal child adoption ring operating between Bulgaria and Greece. The 30-year-old man was detained during a routine identity check in central Athens. Police report that the individual is connected to at least six cases of illicit adoption involving Bulgarian children. As part of a criminal network, the man targeted vulnerable pregnant women in Bulgaria, offering them money in exchange for their newborns, which were then transferred to Greece for adoption.

We are about to pass the last stage of certification of the Regional Special Operations Component Command Headquarters with Romania, Maj. Gen. Yavor Mateev, Commander of Bulgaria's Joint Special Operations Command told reporters. For the first time, Bulgaria and Romania become a regional special operations command - part of the command structure of the special operations forces of NATO. Bulgaria will participate with two tactical groups. "I am sure that everything will go smoothly and the command, together with the six tactical groups - land, aviation and maritime, will assume duty as part of the NATO forces with the highest readiness in the Black Sea region," Maj. Gen. Yavor Mateev added.

Reports about the Kremlin.

Newcastle Utd takeover was controlled by Mohammed bin Salman, leaked WhatsApps suggest Messages from businesswoman Amanda Staveley claim Saudi Crown Prince pulled strings behind the scenes of controversial deal

NOVO-OGARYOVO, October 20. /TASS/. President of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has said that he sees good prospects for cooperation between Moscow and Abu Dhabi.

DUBAI, October 20. /TASS/. President of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has arrived in Moscow where he will hold talks with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, the WAM news agency said.

This is me talking about the Georgia Bulldogs. 10-20-24

This is me talking about Liam Fox. 10-20-24

Talking about illegal Russian stuff in Romania.

The Colectiv nightclub fire was a fire in Bucharest, Romania, on 30 October 2015, which killed 64 people (26 on site, 38 in hospitals) and injured 146. The nightclub fire was caused by a fireworks accident, both being the deadliest in Romanian history.

In exchange, Adams did favors on behalf of his benefactors, including, as de facto mayor-elect in September 2021, pressuring the FDNY to rush to open a new 36-story Turkish consular building despite fire safety concerns, the indictment alleges.

This is me talking about Liam Payne. 10-19-24

These are army reports. Maybe the Chinese and North Korean armies are active in the areas near Tel Aviv.

South Korea’s intelligence service on Friday released satellite images it said showed the first deployment of 1,500 elite North Korean special forces soldiers to the port city of Vladivostok in Russia's Far East. Ukraine responded by asking its allies for an "immediate and strong reaction” to what it described as Pyongyang's aid for "Russian aggression".

Could Hezbollah’s drones change the course of the Middle East conflict? A drone launched by Hezbollah killed four Israeli soldiers at a military base south of Haifa on October 13, the largest single death toll inflicted by the militant group on Israeli soil since the country's military incursion into Lebanon at the start of the month. While the Israeli military far exceeds Hezbollah’s capabilities and resources, could drone warfare be a chink in Israel’s armour? How can a militia take on the advanced military of a regional power? Hezbollah has been significantly weakened by Israeli attacks in Lebanon in recent weeks, including one that killed the group’s long-time leader, Hassan Nasrallah. But on October 13, the group claimed responsibility for a shock attack in Israel that killed four soldiers and wounded 60 people when a drone hit a military base in Binyamina, around 40km south of the city of Haifa in northern Israel. It was the deadliest Hezbollah strike on Israeli soil since the conflict between the two escalated with an Israeli ground incursion in early October. Israeli military chief Herzi Halevi described the attack as “difficult and painful”. The drone entered Israeli territory flying over the sea from Lebanon and was monitored for some time by the Israeli military before disappearing from radar, according to Nicholas Blanford, a senior fellow with the Atlantic Council's Middle East Programs, in an interview with Lebanon’s L’Orient-Le Jour newspaper. The Israeli military later confirmed that the drone used was a Sayyad 107, an Iranian model that is now manufactured in Lebanon. It has a range of 100km and can be programmed to change direction and altitude frequently, making it very hard to track, the paper reported. The fact that Hezbollah is equipped with this kind of device means it “still capable of surprising Israel from time to time”, said Pierre Razoux, academic director of the Mediterranean Foundation for Strategic Studies, in comments to FRANCE 24 sister station Radio France Internationale. Drones can be deployed once a diversion has been created, Razoux said. Hezbollah can launch rockets – most of which are blocked by Israel’s Iron Dome system – followed by drones flying in on complex routes at low altitudes. Hezbollah said in a statement on the attack that it had fired dozens of missiles at targets in the Israeli cities of Nahariya and Acre while simultaneously sending drones into different zones “with the intention of distracting Israeli defence systems”. Israel’s Iron Dome has intercepted thousands of rockets since it was put in place in 2011. And yet, with this latest attack, “Israel has realised that it is not completely invulnerable and that even the presence of extremely sophisticated anti-missile systems does not stop drones getting through,” Razoux said. Drone attacks ‘likely to continue’

These are reports about the UN building.

Erdoğan calls for UN arms embargo against Israel President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said a U.N.-led arms embargo against Israel would be an effective measure to stop its violations of international law, as he met with the foreign ministers of the 3+3 Caucasus peace mechanism on Friday.

NYC's $4B shelter system infested with nepotism, mismanagement

This is me talking about the defense budget. 10-18-24

This is me talking about Keir Starmer. 10-18-24

This is me talking about Viktor Orban. 10-18-24

These are banking reports about the Balkans.

The price of 1 gram of gold in Uzbekistan has risen to over 1.1 million soums. On October 16, the Central Bank updated the prices of gold bars and commemorative gold coins, with 1 gram now costing 1,125,000 soums. Currently, a 5-gram gold bar costs 5,625,000 soums, and a 10-gram commemorative coin is priced at 11,249,000 soums, a 3% increase. For reference, the Central Bank of Uzbekistan issued gold and silver commemorative coins in 2018. Since November 2020, citizens have also been able to save in gold bars, which come in 5, 10, 20, and 50 grams, available through commercial banks.

BUDAPEST, October 18. /TASS/. Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky's so-called victory plan will lead to his defeat, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban told Kossuth radio. He pointed out that the Ukrainian leader had presented his military plan at the EU summit in Brussels. Most of the summit participants are still determined to continue the military conflict in Ukraine, he added. According to the prime minister, Hungary believes that the EU is already defeated together with Ukraine. "The defeated now want to move on to a victory plan. We have said that we are not involved in this. You can't win with this victory plan," Orban emphasized.

Vučić: By the end of the year - confirmation of the investment rating from two more agencies Serbia - Japan Business Forum: the meeting with the Japanese External Trade Organization JETRO, in which Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić is participating, began at the Palace of Serbia.

How Viktor Orban is repeating Russian army reports. Not all of those reports are right.

Russian Forces Advance in Eastern Ukraine, Seizing New Territory in Donetsk Region On Thursday, Russia claimed that its forces had seized control of another settlement in eastern Ukraine's Donetsk region, an area where Moscow has reported gains over recent months, including the capture of the key city of Vuhledar. The Russian Defense Ministry announced that its troops had taken Maksymilianivka, a village located roughly 8 kilometers (about 5 miles) east of Kurakhove, a location known for its thermal power station. This village is positioned approximately 34 kilometers (21 miles) south of Pokrovsk, a significant hub in Ukraine’s defensive lines in Donetsk.

Biden Arrives in Germany for Talks on Ukraine and Middle East Ahead of US Elections On Friday, US President Joe Biden arrived in Germany, marking the first official state visit by an American president since the country’s reunification. Biden’s visit comes just three weeks before the US presidential elections.

Sofia Police Dismantle Criminal Group Engaged in Extortion and Threats The Sofia Police Department (SDVR) has dismantled a criminal group involved in making threats, extortion, and racketeering, reports BNT. Initial reports indicate that the group was engaged in collecting unpaid debts through illegal means. The investigation was launched following complaints submitted by victims. As part of the specialized police operation, authorities have detained four individuals so far. Unofficial sources reveal that the group employed violent tactics and recorded acts of humiliation.

Special Police Operation against Vote-buying Carried Out in Razgrad A special police operation against vote-buying is conducted on Friday on the territory of the Razgrad Regional Directorate of the Interior Ministry (RRDIM). Properties, motor vehicles, premises where there is suspected activity in violation of electoral legislation are being checked. Police forces from different structures and gendarmerie officers are involved, RRDIM said. Also subject to checks are commercial establishments, pawnshops, junkyards and other places where there are indications that criminal activity or activity related to administrative offences may be taking place. In parallel, checkpoints have been set up at which full control of passing vehicles is carried out. There are three checkpoints on the territory of Razgrad, three on the territory of the nearby towns of Isperih, five in Kubrat and two in Loznitsa. The operation is aimed at counteracting crime, preserving public order and ensuring police presence in vulnerable areas and neighborhoods on the territory served by the Razgrad police.

This is me talking about Liam Payne. 10-16-24

This is me talking about the Black Sea. 10-16-24

These are reports about the sanctions teams.

Gazprom, Russia’s state-owned energy giant, has announced plans to sell several of its holiday resorts following its first annual loss in nearly 50 years, according to reports from Reuters. The company has listed 14 hotels and resorts for sale, including the Tsaghkadzor Marriott Hotel in Armenia’s Valley of Flowers. In May, the company had also put other properties on the market, such as the Imperial Park Hotel & Spa located in the Moscow region, after its decision to relocate its headquarters from Moscow to St. Petersburg in 2021. The Russian newspaper Vedomosti estimated the value of this hotel at up to 69.5 million dollars.

MOSCOW, October 15. /TASS/. Russian maintains contacts with Israel at various levels to share its concerns over Israel’s potential response to Iran, Russian presidential envoy for the Middle East and African countries and Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov said.

These are reports about the navy.

TBILISI, October 16. /TASS/. Some Georgian citizens are planning to release fake audio and video recordings with government officials to destabilize the situation in the country ahead of the parliamentary election, the Georgian State Security Service reported.

DOHA, October 16. /TASS/. Qatar will not allow foreign troops on its soil to use the country’s territory for attacks on other nations, Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said.

Montenegrins, now we know how many of you there are! According to the results of the census held in December last year, the most citizens of Montenegro declared themselves as Montenegrins - 41.12 percent (256,436). They are followed by Serbs at 32.93 percent (205,370), while 9.45 percent (58,956) as Bosniaks.

This is me talking about Keir Starmer. 10-15-24

This is me talking about the Royal Navy. 10-15-24

Hungary and Russia's energy giant Gazprom have signed an agreement allowing Budapest to fully utilize the TurkStream gas pipeline, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjártó confirmed to RIA Novosti, as reported by Reuters. This arrangement enables Hungary to increase gas volumes purchased under its existing trade contracts, providing greater flexibility in its energy supply. On Monday, an additional deal was concluded to secure more gas deliveries for the final quarter of the current year. Szijjártó noted that these additional supplies would be provided at a competitive price, highlighting the focus on affordability and stability in Hungary’s energy procurement strategy.

Acting Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev stated that Bulgaria strongly supports the enlargement of the European Union (EU) but insists that this must be contingent upon adherence to established conditions and procedures. His remarks were made during the Summit held in Berlin as part of the "Berlin Process."

The Vidin Regional Prosecution Office convicted a Turkish citizen for illegally carrying a very large sum across the border. He was sentenced to six months in prison with a three-year probation period and a fine of BGN 71,616.24, the Appellate Prosecution Office in Sofia said on Monday. On September 15, the Turkish citizen entered Bulgaria from Romania at the Danube Bridge 2 border checkpoint between Vidin and Calafat. The driver did not declare any particularly large sum of money as required. He was carrying GBP 154,660, equivalent to BGN 358,081 hidden in the door of the vehicle. In the course of the pre-trial proceedings, a plea bargain agreement was reached, whereby the accused agreed to the punishment provided for by law. The court has approved the agreement, the Prosecution Office said.

This is me talking about the EU. 10-15-24

These are reports about fake documents.

Vem Miller, 49, was taken into custody Saturday after allegedly attempting to enter the rally with fake press credentials. He was charged with illegally possessing a handgun, a loaded shotgun, and a high-capacity magazine, according to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.

Two 18-year-old men were charged with murder Monday in the shooting death of 37-year-old actor Johnny Wactor, who was killed in May when he encountered a group of catalytic converter thieves in downtown Los Angeles.

Law enforcement officials in California are asking for the public’s help to find whoever allegedly robbed a U.S. Secret Service agent at gunpoint over the weekend. The Tustin Police Department says officers responded to an armed robbery call just after 9:30 p.m. on Saturday in a residential community in the city. Tustin is located outside Los Angeles, where President Biden was attending a fundraiser for his presidential campaign. U.S. Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi said in a statement that the agent was returning from a work assignment when the robbery occurred. The agent fired his service weapon during the encounter, but it’s unknown if the “assailants” were struck, Guglielmi added.

STOCKHOLM, October 14. /TASS/. The Russian Embassy in Norway announced it is cutting its diplomatic staff to comply with the demand of the country’s government. "Due to the demand of the Norwegian side to reduce the embassy’s diplomatic staff by October 17, 2024, the consular department will be staffed by just two diplomats," the embassy said in a statement on Facebook (banned in Russia as it’s owned by Meta Corporation, which is designated as an extremist organization in Russia). According to the embassy, it is taking measures to maintain all consular services without canceling the applications of people who planned to visit the consular office in the near future. "We recommend that you carefully monitor the expiration date of your existing passports and apply for their exchange in advance. Please note that some documents (for example, a power of attorney) can also be created by a Norwegian notary, requiring no visits to our consular department. Such documents will be accepted on the territory of Russia, provided that their originals bear the stamp ‘apostille’ from the governor's office. Translation of these documents into Russian and their notarization can be carried out in Russia," the embassy stated.

This is me talking about Lebanon. 10-14-24

These are police reports about the Balkans.

A Bulgarian national and four Albanians were convicted in an English court for drug trafficking worth 200 million British pounds. The gang, comprising one Bulgarian man and four Albanians, was found guilty of smuggling cocaine from Latin America into the UK, according to reports from the BBC. The group was apprehended in February 2021, following a lengthy investigation. After more than three years, the trial concluded on Friday, with sentencing set for November 11. Petko Zhutev, the Bulgarian, along with Albanians Gergii Diko and Bruno Kutsi, pleaded guilty to their roles in the drug smuggling operation, while Eric Mutsi and Olsi Ebeja were convicted of involvement. Law enforcement officials indicated that the case exemplified how criminals with ulterior motives can exploit an existing, legitimate business to evade suspicion. The operation was carried out through Agro Food Ltd, which underwent ownership changes in December 2020, with Zhutev being appointed as its director. A shipment consisting of 41 pallets of bananas arrived at Portsmouth port on a cargo vessel from Colombia and was subsequently taken to the company's warehouse in North London. However, authorities were already aware of the shipment's true nature, which contained 2,330 blocks of one kilogram of cocaine. Zhutev personally signed for the delivery from undercover police acting as truck drivers, leading to the gang's arrests. During a search of the warehouse, police discovered various goods, mobile phones, empty suitcases, and a loaded Turkish revolver identified as an Ozkursan. The court noted that Zhutev was intent on smuggling cocaine into the UK, emphasizing that he traveled to the island with this objective in mind.

Major Vote-Buying Operation in Sofia Region by Bulgarian Police The Ministry of Internal Affairs has launched a significant police operation targeting vote-buying in the Sofia region, as announced by the ministry's press center this morning. Later today, Commissioner Petar Sokolov, the head of the "Security Police" department at ODMVR-Sofia, will provide information regarding the police actions and interim findings. This operation is part of broader efforts across the country to combat the buying of votes ahead of the parliamentary elections. Similar actions have been conducted in Sofia, Shumen, Varna, Kardzhali, and other areas.

A large-scale police operation against vote-buying is underway in Sofia region, the Interior Ministry said here on Monday. More information will be given by Commissioner Petar Sokolov, head of the Security Police Department with the Sofia police, said the Interior Ministry. On Friday, caretaker Interior Minister Atanas Ilkov announced that nearly 50 pre-trial proceedings had been opened for crimes against the political rights of citizens. Nearly 140 alerts have been received, more than 100 checks have been carried out, and almost a quarter of them have been terminated. In 14 of the signals there was evidence of a crime, he said. So far, 23 people have been detained and a total of 471 warnings have been issued. So far there have been over 100 operations of the Ministry of Interior, it became clear from the words of Atanas Ilkov.

These are army reports.

VILNIUS, October 13. /TASS/. Lithuania’s opposition parties are winning parliamentary elections in Lithuania, with the ruling Homeland Union-Lithuanian Christian Democrats (TS-LKD) party finishing only third, according to the result of counting nearly half of ballots.

Earlier on Sunday, a barrage of anti-tank missiles targeted IDF troops in southern Lebanon. The IDF stated that two soldiers were seriously injured during the attack, while several others sustained light to moderate injuries. Families of the affected soldiers have been informed, according to the IDF’s statement on "X". The military noted that an IDF tank, attempting to evacuate the injured under fire, briefly moved into a UNIFIL post. Once the enemy fire ceased, the tank retreated after completing the evacuation, using a smoke screen for cover. The IDF emphasized that throughout the event, there was coordination with UNIFIL, and no threat was posed to the UN forces.

On the Russian side, more than 30,400 civilians, including nearly 8,000 children, have been evacuated from areas bordering Ukraine due to shelling and attacks, according to Russian ombudsman Tatyana Moskalkova, as cited by Reuters. Moskalkova stated that these evacuees have been accommodated in nearly 1,000 temporary shelters across Russia. She also mentioned reports of over 1,000 Russian citizens from Kursk who are unaccounted for, alleging they may have been abducted by Ukrainian forces. Ukrainian authorities have not yet commented on the claims, and both sides have denied targeting or holding civilians, though the ongoing conflict has led to thousands of casualties, predominantly Ukrainians.

BELGOROD, October 14. /TASS/. Ukraine’s military fired about 55 shells and carried out several UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) attacks against communities in Russia’s borderline Belgorod Region over the past 24 hours, killing a civilian and wounding two self-defense fighters, Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said on Monday.

MOSCOW, October 13. /TASS/. More than 7,000 people entered the Syrian territory from Lebanon in the past 24 hours, Oleg Ignasyuk, deputy chief of the Russian Center for Reconciliation of the Opposing Parties in Syria (a division of the Russian defense ministry), said.

This is me talking about Italy. 10-13-24

This is me talking about 10 Downing Street. 10-13-24

This is me talking about Washington. 10-12-24

If the UN has communists. Maybe there are NATO and anti-NATO peacekeepers.

Two grey shapes, visible from satellites for most of this year at Cambodia’s Ream naval base, seem to confirm growing fears in Washington: that China is expanding its military footprint, beyond the three disputed islands in the South China Sea which it has already seized and fortified. The shapes are type 056A corvettes of the Chinese navy - 1,500-tonne warships - and they have been berthed alongside a new, Chinese-built pier that is big enough to accommodate much larger vessels. Onshore there are other facilities, also built by China, which are presumed to be for the use of the Chinese navy.

A stock market rally in China has fizzled out as a highly-anticipated announcement on plans to boost the country's ailing economy disappointed investors. Shares had jumped by over 10% as trading restarted after the Golden Week holiday but fell back after a news conference by the country's economic planners.

The Chinese embassy in Pakistan said the explosion on Sunday night was a "terrorist attack" targeting a convoy of Chinese engineers working on a power project in Sindh province. The separatist Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), which has in recent years carried out attacks on Chinese nationals involved in development projects in Pakistan, has said it carried out the attack.

Western leaders urge Israel to stop harming UN peacekeepers in Lebanon France's president Emmanuel Macron was among world leaders who condemned Israel after UN troops in Lebanon were wounded by Israeli attacks for the second day in a row. Lacron said the "deliberate" attacks were "absolutely unacceptable".

French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday condemned the "deliberate" targeting of UN peacekeepers by Israel after two UN peacekeepers in Lebanon were wounded by Israeli fire.

Palestinians file complaint against Israel for ICC probe obstruction

This is me talking about MLS. 10-11-24

This is me talking about the Kremlin. 10-11-24

In the photo, Vladimir Putin looks like Olaf Scholz. Also, maybe the Serbians are alright with security stuff in Kabul. Reports about the UN building.

A majority of Germans want Chancellor Olaf Scholz to renew dialogue with Russian President Vladimir Putin after nearly two years of silence, according to a survey released today by DPA. The YouGov poll, conducted for DPA, reveals that 59% of respondents are in favor of the two leaders having a phone conversation, while 26% oppose the idea, and 15% did not express an opinion.

World media exposed Croats: They burn, beat, they are brutal Croatia has once again come under attack from foreign media and humanitarian organizations due to inappropriate and brutal treatment of migrants, asylum seekers whose phones and personal documents are burned, as reported by the London Guardian.

Vučić welcomed Erdogan: "Welcome to Serbia, dear friend" PHOTO President of the Republic of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, welcomed the President of the Republic of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, at Nikola Tesla Airport.

Putin starts his working program in Ashgabat The agenda includes addressing the plenary session of the international forum, which will be opened by Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov

Russian UN envoy blasts Israel for shameless treatment of civilian casualties in Lebanon According to Vasily Nebenzya, "the unprecedented of escalation of violence goes far beyond the limits of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict area

US strikes on Yemen violate international law, Russian diplomat tells UN envoy Sergey Vershinin and Hans Grundberg discussed ways to boost the political process in Yemen, "despite the growing instability in the Middle East"

Tajikistan-Russia security cooperation focuses on Afghan issue — senior diplomat Sodik Imom noted that the trend of expanding activities of terrorist extremist groups and increasing drug smuggling is alarming

This is me talking about Belgrade. 10-10-24

These are reports about the Chinese air force.

Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vulin expressed in a recent interview that Serbia views BRICS as a viable alternative to the European Union. He stated, "I am convinced that there is no place for Serbia in the European Union, at least as far as the EU has not made significant efforts to accept us as a full member." The remarks were made during an interview with the Russian magazine National Defence, as reported by the state agency TASS.

VIENTIANE /Laos/, October 10. /TASS/. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has arrived in the Laotian capital city of Vientiane to take part in the 19th East Asia Summit (EAS), a TASS correspondent reported. The top Russian diplomat is expected to speak at the summit on Friday, October 11.

HONG KONG, October 10. /TASS/. The Taiwanese military registered the approach of 27 aircraft of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and nine warships of the PLA Navy near the island in the past day, Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense said in a statement.

These are reports about Syria.

BEIRUT, October 10. /TASS/. At least four civilians were wounded after Israel’s airstrike on the city of Hassia in Syria’s Homs governorate, the Al Jazeera television channel reported. According to the SANA news agency, which cited a military source, the attack was targeted a car assembly facility in the local industrial zone. Apart from that, the source said that a military facility in the central part of the Hama governorate was also attacked. According to Al Jazeera, the attack was followed by fire.

TEL AVIV, October 10. /TASS/. The Israeli aviation carried out an airstrike at Syrian territory in order to eliminate a Hezbollah militia member, the IDF press office said. According to the press office, earlier on Wednesday, the Israeli Air Force attacked and eliminated Azam Jahout near the Syrian city of Quneitra. According to the IDF, he acted within a local "terrorist network" in the Golan Heights, which, according to Israeli information, acts as a "Hezbollah terrorist cell in Syria."

These are reports about the economy in Europe.

BRUSSELS, October 9. /TASS/. EU ambassadors have agreed on a mechanism for a 35 billion euro loan to Kiev against the proceeds of frozen Russian assets and launched a written procedure to approve it in the EU Council, the Hungarian Presidency said on its X page. "The ambassadors agreed to use the written procedure for the adoption of the following legal acts on the use of extraordinary revenues stemming from Russia’s immobilised assets to service and repay loans: a regulation establishing the Ukraine Loan Cooperation Mechanism and providing exceptional macro-financial assistance to Ukraine. The written procedure will start once the European Parliament has adopted its position on the draft regulation," the document said. The 35 billion euro loan from the EU should be part of the G7 credit line, which is expected to total 50 billion dollars or 45 billion euros.

BRUSSELS, October 9. /TASS/. EU ambassadors have agreed on another package of sanctions against the Moldovan opposition, including the head of Moldova’s autonomous Gagauzia region, Yevgenia Gutsul, a diplomatic source told reporters.

This is me talking about Canberra. 10-10-24

The Bristol University graduate had also worked in Baghdad, Iraq, to procure the release of hostages after joining the Diplomatic Missions Unit of the Foreign Office.

This is me talking about the Royal Navy. 10-9-24

This is me talking about the Russian embassy in London. 10-9-24

These are reports about Russian foreign policy.

Can foreign citizens adopt Uzbek child? Institution of adoption is the primary means of ensuring social and legal protection for children without parental care. Allowing courts to decide on adoption ensures legality in these cases. When necessary, the court may involve the child’s parents, relatives, and other interested parties, as well as the child, in the process.

Russian embassy slams US vice president’s remarks about Putin as outrageous According to the statement, "such a boorish language has become a habit among the current so-called American statesmen"

LONDON, October 8. /TASS/. Director of MI-5 Ken McCallum’s remarks about alleged Russian sabotage acts in Europe are baseless, the Russian embassy in London said in a statement.

These are regional reports about the Balkans.

BUDAPEST, October 9. /TASS/. Hungary believes that Ukraine’s membership in the NATO is impossible, and the majority of the alliance’s members share this opinion in private conversations, the Index portal quoted Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto as saying. "Hungary’s stance is clear: NATO membership for Ukraine is impossible," the minister said.

The traffic at the Bulgarian border crossing points (BCPs) at 06:00 this morning is intensive for trucks on the way out into Romania and at Greece, the Border Police reported here on Monday.

Vučić told the Montenegrins: You will get the answer you deserve, on the spot President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, said in Hamburg that Montenegro will get the answer it deserves from him.

The process of upgrading the Bulgarian Army's air defense systems has officially commenced. On October 7, an additional agreement was signed between the Ministry of Defense of the Federal Republic of Germany and Diehl Defense, the manufacturer of the IRIS-T SLM systems, regarding the provision of an air defense complex for the Bulgarian Air Force. This document follows the Program Agreement established between the German Federal Ministry of Defense and Bulgaria's Ministry of Defense for the joint procurement of the IRIS-T SLM systems. This agreement is part of the broader initiative known as the "European Sky Shield Initiative," aimed at enhancing ground-based air defense capabilities.

MOSCOW, October 8. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has said he will be glad to see all leaders of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) at the BRICS Plus/Outreach meeting to be held in Kazan in October.

These are reports about Syria.

TEL AVIV, October 9. /TASS/. The Israeli military have registered about 180 munitions fired from Lebanon between midnight and 11 p.m., the IDF press office said.

BEIRUT, October 8. /TASS/. A US military base near the Conoco gas field in the Deir ez-Zor governorate in eastern Syria came under a missile attack, the Al Mayadeen television channel reported, citing sources.

BEIRUT, October 9. /TASS/. The Foreign Ministry of Syria condemned Israel’s strike targeting a residential building in Damascus as a "barbaric crime" and called for measures to deter Israel.

This is me talking about the Kremlin. 10-8-24

Economic reports about the Balkans.

The economic analyst at Nova S clearly stated: The investment rating is a big step forward for Serbia VIDEO Mihailo Djurdjević, an economic analyst, being hosted on Nova S, pointed out that the investment rating is a big step forward for Serbia.

Vučić pointed out that he hopes that the German government will invite journalists to see the German lithium mine, and adds that the Czech Republic will also start building a large lithium mine.

The Ministry of Transport announced that a meeting between representatives of Bulgaria and North Macedonia is to be held on October 16 in Brussels, reported BGNES. Deputy ministers and representatives of the European Commission will attend the meeting. All current and future activities related to the implementation of Corridor No. 8 on both sides of the border will be discussed at the meeting.

Army reports about Russia and Lebanon.

Late on October 7th, Russian forces entered the eastern outskirts of the Ukrainian frontline town of Toretsk, less than a week after seizing control of Vuhledar, according to reports by Reuters and The Kyiv Independent, citing Ukraine’s military. Moscow’s forces have steadily advanced, demonstrating their superiority in manpower and resources, while Ukraine continues to call for increased weapon supplies from its Western allies.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced that the Israeli Air Force (IAF) carried out a precise operation on Monday, eliminating Suhail Hussein Husseini, a key Hezbollah commander in the Beirut region. Husseini was a senior figure within Hezbollah’s Jihad Council, involved in coordinating weapon transfers from Iran and distributing advanced armaments among Hezbollah units.

This is me talking about 10 Downing Street. 10-7-24

I guess if Keir wanted a simple type to manage the office.

Mens rea is a Latin phrase that translates to "guilty mind" and refers to the mental state of a defendant accused of a crime. It's an element of a crime that must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt, along with actus reus.

Boris Johnson has said Sue Gray clung on to her job for so long because she “knows where the bodies are buried”. But the ex-prime minister said Sir Keir Starmer’s former chief of staff was “always a goner” after a member of her family took donations from Lord Alli. He told LBC that he always knew Ms Gray would have to resign eventually, because her son had taken money from the peer to help run his campaign for Parliament. Liam Conlan, Ms Gray’s son, is now Labour MP for Beckenham and Penge after receiving a £10,000 donation from Lord Alli towards his campaign.

Lord Alli worked with Sue Gray on the timetable of announcements for Labour’s first 100 days in power, a book has revealed. The controversial donor also helped design the job descriptions of Sir Keir Starmer’s special advisers in No 10, according to the book Landslide.

The Tories must hold Labour to account for its Chagos Islands betrayal Plus: Sue Gray’s new role; the case for the ECHR; Australia’s example on assisted dying; and how the home of the Turin Shroud was saved

This is me talking about the Crimea. 10-7-24

These are reports about the Balkans. Lingering maybe Soviet or Russian influence.

The Federation of Transport Trade Unions (FTTU) with the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria (CITUB) will take protest actions if their demands in the capital city transport are not heard, said press centre of the union on Monday.

Ten people were detained in a raid against vote-buying in Sofia’s Hristo Botev district Tuesday. Seven pre-trial proceedings were opened, Sofia Police Chief Lyubomir Nikolov said.

A party that submitted documents with false content to participate in the October 27 vote is being investigated. It has no parliamentary representation. The cost of a vote is between BGN 100 and 150, according to Nikolov. Four addresses are being searched. The same schemes are being used to buy votes - through quick loans and remittances in shops. Notebooks with names were also found during police action. “We have been detecting new faces in this neighbourhood. Some of them have police records. Three weeks before the elections, the number of reports is the same as in the previous elections,” Nikolov added. Another twelve people were arrested for drug distribution.

BRATISLAVA, October 6. /TASS/. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has called for commemorating Soviet Marshal Ivan Konev for personal contribution to liberating his country from Nazism. Fico explained his idea in an interview with the national public broadcaster STVR, timed to coincide with the 80th anniversary of the Carpathian-Dukla offensive operation of the Red Army during World War II.

The profile of a typical debtor in Bulgaria is a man aged between 30 and 40 living in Sofia, who has taken on one or more consumer loans without adequately assessing his financial options. According to the company's findings, 15% of debtors reside in Sofia, with men making up a larger portion of defaulters at 58.2% compared to 41.8% for women.

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has accused the West of intentionally escalating the conflict in Ukraine, claiming its primary aim is to undermine Russia. In an interview with Slovak broadcaster STVR on Sunday, Fico expressed his apprehension regarding the EU's growing involvement in the ongoing conflict between Moscow and Kyiv, asserting that the situation cannot be resolved through military means.

In Sofia's "Hristo Botev" district, ten individuals have been detained for engaging in vote-buying activities, as announced by Chief Commissioner Lyubomir Nikolov. He noted that these individuals are new to the practice, differing from those involved in previous elections. Authorities have initiated seven pre-trial proceedings concerning the political rights of citizens. Additionally, four residences are being searched based on ongoing reports related to the case. Nikolov reported that, in total, ten people were apprehended for violating political rights, while another twelve were detained for possessing narcotic substances. Investigations are also underway regarding the registration of a specific party, which is not represented in the 50th National Assembly, for allegedly submitting false documents for registration The chief commissioner explained that the methods employed to secure votes mirror those used in past elections, involving quick loans and transfers at retail stores, along with the promise of debt forgiveness. Current data indicates that the price of a single electoral vote ranges from 100 leva (50 euros) to 120-150 leva.

Today, October 7, a large-scale operation led by the Traffic Police is underway in Bulgaria. Authorities are intensifying checks on drivers to ensure compliance with regulations, particularly focusing on the use of seat belts and the mandatory use of specially designed car seats for transporting children. This operation coincides with similar initiatives across 31 European countries, as part of the ROADPOL calendar. Chief Inspector Lachezar Bliznakov of the Road Police stated on BNT that their focus would be on verifying the use of safety systems, including seat belts and helmets, by both drivers and passengers. He highlighted that driver distraction is becoming a leading cause of traffic accidents across Europe, with the use of mobile phones being a major concern. According to the law, drivers are prohibited from using phones unless they are hands-free. In addition, the police will inspect whether riders of electric scooters, classified as individual electric vehicles, are adhering to safety regulations. Helmets are mandatory for riders under the age of 18. The Road Police further remind drivers that the penalty for not wearing a seat belt is a fine of 50 leva (25 euros), accompanied by the deduction of 10 checkpoint points. Transporting a child without the proper car seat results in a loss of 12 points.

This is me talking about the UN Building. 10-6-24

The UN Secretary is complaining about NATO.

MOSCOW, October 6. /TASS/. Iran's missile strike on Israel has demonstrated the ability of Iranian hypersonic weapons to penetrate multi-tier air defenses to hit the designated military targets, an Iranian political scientist, Professor Ruhollah Modabber has told TASS.

DUBAI, October 6. /TASS/. The death toll from the Israeli strike on a mosque in the city of Deir al-Balah in the central part of the Gaza Strip has risen to 21, Al Jazeera reported.

TEL AVIV, October 6. /TASS/. The Israeli Air Force struck the command centers of the Palestinian movement Hamas in the area of the city of Deir al-Balah in the central part of the Gaza Strip, the army press service reported.

UN, October 6. /TASS/. The world community must not lose hope and work to end the suffering that has engulfed the Middle East, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in an address timed to coincide with the anniversary of the attack by Palestinian Hamas militants on Israel on October 7, 2023.

This is me talking more about Dominic Nicholls. 10-6-24

This is me talking about Dominic Nicholls. 10-6-24

Reports about the Chagos Islands dispute.

Top court says FIFA transfer rules breach EU law in landmark ruling Some of the transfer rules of world football's governing body FIFA go against European Union laws on free movement, the EU's top court said on Friday in a ruling on a high-profile case linked to former France player Lassana Diarra.

Trojan cars: Why the US fears Chinese cyberattacks on electric vehicles The White House announced a plan this week to ban the sale or import of connected vehicles containing “specific pieces of hardware and software” that could be made in China or Russia, citing national security fears. While the threat of cyberattacks on connected vehicles is very real, the timing of the US announcement is unusual.

US dock workers reach deal with port operators to end crippling strike US dockworkers and port operators reached an agreement Thursday that would implement a 62% wage increase over six years, ending one of the biggest American work stoppages in decades. Dockworkers will resume unloading of container ships immediately and both parties agreed to revisit the deal in January 2025, with some key Issues, such as the threat of automation to job security, left unresolved.

The European Union will move forward with imposing substantial tariffs on electric vehicles manufactured in China, the EU executive announced on Friday, even though Germany rejected them. The opposition from the bloc's largest economy exposes a division over the EU's most significant trade dispute with Beijing in a decade.

These are descriptions of the Chinese economy.

As communist China turns 75, can Xi fix its economy?

Chinese woman held in Germany for spying on arms firm

China probes Calvin Klein over Xinjiang cotton

This is me talking about the British economy. 10-5-24

Maybe Keir doesn't know the geography of that region very well.

He announced on Thursday his decision to authorise the handover of the strategically important Chagos Islands to Mauritius.

Sir Keir Starmer has refused to rule out ending British control of Gibraltar and the Falklands, amid an ongoing backlash over his Chagos Islands deal.

This is me talking about 10 Downing Street. 10-4-24

These are reports about Syria and Uzbekistan.

TEL-AVIV, October 4. /TASS/. Israeli warplanes intercepted a hostile aircraft that violated the country’s airspace from the east, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF)’s press service said. "Following the sirens that sounded a short while ago regarding a hostile aircraft infiltration in the area of the Beit She'an Valley, the IAF successfully intercepted a hostile aircraft that crossed into Israeli territory from the east," the IDF said.

Israeli forces executed strikes near the Syrian coast yesterday, with explosions reported in the vicinity of the Russian-operated Khmeimim Air Base, located close to Latakia. It remains unclear if the airfield was intentionally hit, marking a potential first if confirmed. Regardless, these attacks indicate an escalation in Israel's approach to targeting locations in close proximity to this significant Russian military site in Syria, which holds considerable strategic importance for Moscow.

The “Energonazorat” platform has been developed and is currently in a test version. New software is being created for remote analysis of electrical devices' performance. To address issues identified in the work of “Uzenergoinspection”, the "e-administrative work" information system was launched on October 1, 2023. Inspections were conducted on 10,768 electrical devices and 30,052.8 kilometers of networks removed from repair by system organizations. As a result, 10,225 devices and 27,651 kilometers of electric networks were accepted by the commission. However, 543 devices and 2,401.8 kilometers of power lines were not accepted due to deficiencies and failures.

These are reports about the Russian embassies.

ASTANA, October 4. /TASS/. Washington and London still do not allow Kiev to conclude peace that could have been achieved already in the spring of 2022, Director of Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) Alexander Bortnikov said at a meeting of the Council of Heads of CIS Security and Intelligence Agencies on Friday.

MOSCOW, October 4. /TASS/. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will hold bilateral talks meetings and a trilateral meeting with the foreign ministers of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, Sergey Shamba and Ahsar Dzhioyev.

WASHINGTON, October 4. /TASS/. Russian diplomats in the United States and Ambassador Anatoly Antonov in person are receiving threats of physical violence, the Russian diplomat has told reporters. "I have a feeling that as the important day in America - namely, the November 5 presidential election - is approaching, it is getting harder and harder to work here. Aggressive demonstrations with provocative slogans and verbal assaults on our country’s government, as well as threats of physical violence against diplomats and the ambassador in person are an evidence of that," Antonov said. The ambassador noted "tougher measures in the [US] media space," including "more and more restrictions" regarding the work of Russian journalists in the country.

WASHINGTON, October 4. /TASS/. The US administration is unwilling to discuss the Kiev government’s incursion into Russia’s borderline region of Kursk, Russian Ambassador to the US Anatoly Antonov told reporters. "Washington officials prefer not to discuss with us the pointless Ukrainian provocative act in the Kursk Region, where villages were destroyed and ordinary civilians were killed. At the same time, not a single word of condemnation came from Washington. The [US] administration was also reluctant to discuss this subject during personal meetings," Antonov said. "There was no compassion, not a single word of sympathy."

UNITED NATIONS, October 4. /TASS/. The Security Council of the United Nations declared its full support to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres after Israel declared him persona non grata. "The members of the Security Council affirmed their full support for the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, his important role and that of the wider UN," the UN Security Council said in a statement, circulated among journalists. "They underscored the need for all Member States to have a productive and effective relationship with the Secretary General and to refrain from any actions that undermine his work and that of his office." The statement also says that "any decision not to engage with the UN Secretary General or the United Nations is counterproductive, especially in the context of escalating tensions in the Middle East." Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz on October 2 barred UN Secretary-General Antony Guterres from entering the Jewish state and declared him persona non grata for his lack of condemnation of Iran's attack on Israel.

This is me talking about the UN Building. 10-4-24

These are about the ports on the Med near Beirut. Also, the Russian navy base in Latakia.

Israel strike suspected near Russian air base in Syria Some 30 missiles triggered huge explosions near Khmeimim air base, believed to house weapons for Iran

MOSCOW, October 3. /TASS/. The Russian Aerospace Forces have carried out airstrikes on four militant bases in the desert areas of Syria's Homs and Deir Ezzor governorates over the past 24 hours, a senior officer of the Russian Center for Reconciliation of Enemy Parties in the Syrian Arab Republic said.

IDF assassinates right-hand man of Hamas leader Sinwar Rawhi Mushtaha, the head of Gaza’s government, has been killed alongside two other senior figures, Sameh al-Siraj and Sami Oudeh

WASHINGTON, October 4. /TASS/. The United States is not yet ready to say when it will begin a training course for additional 18 Ukrainian pilots to fly US-made F-16 fighter jets, Department of Defense deputy press secretary Sabrina Singh has told reporters.

BEIRUT, October 4. /TASS/. Hashem Safieddine, the head of Hezbollah’s Executive Council and a likely candidate to replace the movement’s deceased leader Hasan Nasrallah, could be the target of Israel’s latest Israeli air raid on southern outskirts of Beirut on Thursday night, the Al Hadath television said, citing Israeli sources.

TEL AVIV, October 4. /TASS/. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced that it had eliminated a leader of Hezbollah’s precision-guided missile (PGM) manufacturing project.

BEIRUT, October 3. /TASS/. At least three people were killed and up to ten more sustained wounds as a result of the Israeli Air Force strikes on the city of Baalbek in the east of Lebanon over the past day, Al Jazeera television channel reported on Thursday.

This is me talking about the Russian base in Syria. 10-3-24

These are questionable telecoms.

Israel carries out strikes on coastal cities in western Syria — TV The attack targeted a weapons depot in the Jableh rural area on the coast DUBAI, October 3. /TASS/. Israel has carried out strikes on coastal cities in western Syria, the Saudi TV channel Al Hadath reports. The attack targeted a weapons depot in the Jableh rural area on the coast, the broadcaster notes, citing Syria’s government-run media outlets. In addition, sounds of explosions were reported in the western Syrian cities of Latakia and Tartus following the activation of air defenses.

Sudan suspends Al Arabiya, Al Hadath and Sky News Arabia channels

Sky Group Limited is a British media and telecommunications conglomerate, which is a subsidiary of the American conglomerate Comcast, and headquartered in Isleworth. It has operations in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Italy.

This is me talking more about Syria. 10-3-24

A report about the Romanian economy.

The adoption of the euro remains an unattainable goal for Romania due to its persistent fiscal deficit, according to Mugur Isărescu, Governor of the National Bank of Romania (NBR), as cited by local media. Romania's deficit stood at 5.68% last year, one of the highest in the European Union, a figure that far exceeds the requirements for adopting the single currency. Even before the pandemic, Romania struggled to meet these criteria. Isărescu explained that reducing the deficit to below 3%, as required by the European Union, would be difficult. He mentioned that the challenge lies in balancing interest rate measures and spending cuts, stating that the numbers simply don’t add up. He highlighted that finding a European path to fiscal consolidation is critical but noted that Romania's budget revenue is below 30% of GDP, making it hard to meet inflation targets.

A Georgian national was detained on the Trakia highway for transporting foreigners without identity documents, as reported by the Regional Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in Sofia. The incident occurred yesterday before noon when police stopped a van for inspection and discovered 44 men inside, all of whom identified themselves as Afghans. The driver was arrested, and pre-trial proceedings have been initiated. According to the Regional Directorate, after presenting the gathered evidence to the prosecutor's office, the 37-year-old driver was charged with illegally assisting foreigners to reside or pass through the country. The crime carries a penalty of one to six years in prison and a fine ranging from 3,000 to 10,000 leva.

Bulgarian authorities have detained Ceyhan Ibryamov, a deputy candidate from the "Alliance for Rights and Freedoms" coalition (DPS-Dogan faction), according to his lawyer, who spoke to BTA. Ceyhan Ibryamov's lawyer confirmed that the deputy was apprehended last night and taken to the investigative detention center on charges of vote-buying. Earlier on Wednesday evening, his fellow party member Ilhan Kyuchuk wrote on Facebook: "We have had no contact with Ceyhan Ibryamo for the last 3 hours. What is happening? Has he been kidnapped?" During the operation, police searched the candidate's apartment as part of their investigation. Yordan Kirov, the lawyer, stated that the next steps will involve either imposing a detention measure of up to 72 hours followed by an indictment or releasing the detained candidate for parliament, depending on the circumstances.

Two individuals have been detained in Varna's "Asparuhovo" district as part of a police operation targeting vote-buying and domestic crime, according to a report by BNT. Pawnshops, payday loan businesses, and other locations suspected of involvement in vote trading are under investigation. The operation, which began at midnight on October 3, is part of a broader effort to prevent vote-related offenses. Chief Inspector Dragostin Todorov of the Varna police stated that the operation will continue in the Varna region until the end of election day on October 27. A similar operation is also underway in Tvarditsa, where police and gendarmerie teams have blocked entry points and are conducting checks at private residences, shops, and loan offices. Senior Inspector Dimitar Minkov explained that the focus is on crimes related to citizens' political rights. Additional checks are being conducted at entertainment venues, and drivers are being tested for alcohol and drugs at checkpoints.

This is me talking about Syria. 10-2-24

These are reports about Russian army stuff in Syria.

UNITED NATIONS, October 2. /TASS/. Moscow strongly condemns Israel’s attack on Lebanon and demands that the Israeli authorities immediately withdraw troops from the country, Russian Permanent Representative to the United Nations Vasily Nebenzya said.

BEIRUT, October 2. /TASS/. The Syrian Defense Ministry has confirmed that the Israeli forces have hit a residential building in the Mezzeh quarter in the Syrian capital. "Today at about 5:25 p.m. local time the Israeli enemy committed an act of air aggression from the occupied Golan Heights, attacking one of the residential buildings in the Mezzeh neighborhood in Damascus," the ministry said in a statement uploaded to its Facebook page (banned in Russia, owned by Meta Corporation, recognized as extremist in Russia). According to the ministry, the shelling "killed three civilians and wounded three others."

This is me talking about Croatia. 10-2-24

Reports about Russian influence in the Balkans.

We are talking about the ship "Katrin", which sails under the Portuguese flag, and according to the data of the specialized site for maritime navigation www.marinetrafic.com, the ship is scheduled to enter the Port of Bar on Thursday, October 3. Local media reported, citing reliable sources, that the ship with explosives will not sail into the port of Bar, but will allegedly dock at the port of Ploče in Croatia, which has not been officially confirmed.

Romania is set to establish a new naval base aimed at training Ukrainian soldiers, according to DPA reports. The plan, proposed by President Klaus Iohannis, received overwhelming approval from the parliament in Bucharest today. In a letter to lawmakers, Iohannis emphasized that recent developments in Russia's war against Ukraine highlight the urgent need to enhance and diversify the training provided to the Ukrainian military. The training program for Ukrainian sailors is anticipated to last for two years. Additionally, the Romanian parliament has approved an increased contribution to the new NATO mission, known as the Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine (NSATU). This newly approved unit, which was established this summer, is designed to supply and train Ukrainian forces.

These are descriptions of yesterday's events.

Elena Poptodorova, Bulgaria's former ambassador to the United States, emphasized the historical risks the country has faced, in light of recent events in Israel, recalling that Bulgaria was a target of an attack organized by Hezbollah in 2012. During an appearance on NOVA NEWS TV, she stated, "No other nation has experienced targeted annihilation attacks like Israel. We Bulgarians must remember our own past, as the attack at Burgas airport is a painful reminder. The danger is not diminishing; it is, in fact, increasing." The Burgas bus bombing occurred on July 18, 2012, at Sarafovo Airport in Burgas, Bulgaria. This tragic event was a suicide attack targeting Israeli tourists and resulted in significant casualties, causing international repercussions. The bombing specifically targeted a bus carrying Israeli tourists who had just arrived from Tel Aviv. A suicide bomber detonated an explosive device while the bus was parked near the airport terminal. The attack killed five Israeli tourists and the Bulgarian bus driver, while more than 30 others were injured, many of whom sustained serious injuries. Bulgarian authorities quickly identified the perpetrator as Moutaz Hijazi, a Lebanese national linked to the militant group Hezbollah. Evidence indicated that the bombing was a premeditated act of terrorism, part of Hezbollah's broader operations against Israel. This connection raised alarms about the potential reach and influence of Hezbollah beyond the Middle East.

Iran has launched over 180 ballistic missiles targeting Israel, leading to escalating tensions in the region. Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei shared an illustration of a large underground weapons cache on his social media, describing the attack as a "Victory from God and a near conquest." Khamenei expressed confidence in the strikes against what he described as the “worn-out” Zionist regime, hinting at further actions. Israeli authorities have reacted strongly, with Israel's Ambassador to India, Reuven Azar, declaring that Israel is under attack from Iran. He warned that Iran had made a "fatal mistake," emphasizing Israel's resilience. There were no reports of injuries in Israel, but one person was killed in the occupied West Bank, authorities there said. Iran described the campaign as defensive and aimed solely at Israeli military installations. Iran's state news agency reported that three Israeli military bases had been attacked. Tehran said its attack was a response to Israeli killings of extremist leaders and aggression in Lebanon against Hezbollah and in Gaza. Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, spokesperson for the Israel Defence Forces, confirmed the large-scale attack from Iran, which he described as a severe escalation. He stated that a small number of missiles struck central and southern Israel, while most were intercepted by Israel’s defenses, supported by a coalition led by the United States. Hagari assured that Israel's defensive and offensive capabilities were at their highest readiness, and a response would come at a time and place of their choosing. Israel continues to face attacks on multiple fronts from Iran and its proxies since early October, as the country defends its citizens and its territory. Iranian media reported that the missile strikes targeted key military installations in Israel, including the Nevatim air base, which houses F-35 fighter jets, and the headquarters of Mossad, Israel’s intelligence agency. According to Iranian state television, the operation, called ‘True Promise II,’ was a response to the deaths of key figures from Hamas and Hezbollah, who were reportedly killed in previous Israeli operations. Mohammad Bagheri, Chief of the General Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, emphasized that the strikes intentionally avoided civilian targets, framing the attack as part of Iran’s defense of its regional interests. The United States has increased its military presence in the region, deploying additional fighter squadrons in response to the attack. According to US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, American forces are prepared to support Israel’s defense against any further aggression. The Pentagon confirmed that US forces, including two Navy destroyers in the Eastern Mediterranean, assisted in intercepting the missiles, although the impact of the interceptors remains unclear. US officials have condemned the attack as an act of aggression, reaffirming their commitment to Israel’s security.

This is me talking about the Kremlin. 10-1-24

These are Russian reports.

TEL AVIV, October 1. /TASS/. Iran has launched a missile attack on Israel, firing nearly 500 missiles, The Jerusalem Post reported. Previously, the newspaper said that at least 400 missiles had been fired at Israel. Earlier, the Israeli army said that Iran had launched a missile attack on the country. An air-raid warning has been sounded throughout the country. Israeli civilians have been ordered to urgently take refuge in shelters.

TEL AVIV, October 1. /TASS/. The Israeli army has warned the residents of the country that a massive Iranian missile attack continues. "The Aerial Defense Array is currently identifying and intercepting launches," the army press service said in a statement. The people are therefore instructed "to remain in a protected space until further notice." "The explosions you are hearing are from interceptions or fallen projectiles," the army said.

LONDON, October 1. /TASS/. The UK government has imposed sanctions against 16 members of the Evil Corp cyber-crime gang, which London links to the Russian Federation, according to a statement by the UK Foreign Office. "Those sanctioned today will now be subject to a series of asset freezes and travel bans," the UK Foreign Office says. Restrictive measures, in particular, were imposed on Evil Corp leader Maxim Yakubets. Other individuals that came under restrictions are Artem Yakubets, Viktor Yakubets, Igor Turashev, Alexandr Ryzhenkov, Sergey Ryzhenkov, Eduard Benderskiy, Dmitry Smirnov, Dmitry Slobodskoy, Kirill Slobodskoy, Denis Gusev, Ivan Tuchkov, Andrey Plotnitskiy, Aleksey Shchetinin, Beyat Ramazanov, and Vadim Pogodin. According to the statement by the UK Foreign Office, the Evil Corp group allegedly "waged a campaign of destructive cyber-attacks worldwide for over a decade," including "malware and ransomware attacks against UK health, government and public sector institutions, as well as private commercial technology companies." As the The British authorities stated, the hackers’ attacks "have earned hundreds of millions of dollars in illicit profits worldwide." The UK Foreign Office noted that the restrictions were introduced "in coordinated action alongside the US and Australia."

These are reports from the Telegraph.

US and Israel vow retaliation for Iranian missile attack Israel has vowed to retaliate after Iran fired a salvo of at least 180 missiles at Israeli cities in the centre and south of the country.

How the Iron Dome is saving lives across Israel There are 11 Iron Dome batteries, which intercept nine in every 10 munitions fired into Israel

At least six people have been killed and nine wounded in a mass shooting at a Tel Aviv railway station, Israeli police said. Police had earlier said four people were killed and seven wounded in a suspected terror attack in Israel’s central city of Tel Aviv, adding that two assailants had been “neutralised”.

This is me talking about Russia. 10-1-24

We want Russian businesses and the IRGC out of London.

It started; The raid was carried out by commandos, elite marines, paratroopers; Another country attacked The Israeli army (IDF) has begun limited ground operations in southern Lebanon against the Hezbollah militant group and infrastructure located along Israel's northern border, The Times of Israel reported this morning.

A ground offensive is being prepared: Tanks are piling up on the border; Explosions ring out PHOTO The Israeli army (IDF) announced that airstrikes carried out last night destroyed dozens of sites in the Bekaa Valley held by the Lebanese, pro-Iranian militant group Hezbollah.

DOHA, October 1. /TASS/. The Houthis from Yemen’s rebel Ansar Allah movement have struck military facilities in Tel Aviv and Eilat using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), the movement’s military spokesman Yahya Saree said.

CAIRO, October 1. /TASS/. The Lebanese Army has refuted claims that its units have allegedly been withdrawn from the southern borders of the country, where Israeli forces are currently carrying out bombing strikes, the Lebanese Armed Forces said in a special statement.

According to Al Hadath, an Israeli drone conducted a raid in a Damascus suburb on Monday where a facility belonging to the 4th Armored Division led by the Syrian president’s brother Maher Assad came under attack. Israel earlier accused Maher Assad of facilitating the deliveries of Iranian weapons for the Hezbollah movement.

BEIRUT, October 1. /TASS/. Hezbollah fired 35 projectiles at Israeli settlements in Western Galilee, the Al Mayadeen TV channel reported. This was a pre-emptive attack aimed at preventing Israel’s invasion in southern Lebanon. Hezbollah fighters said in a statement that they had also targeted Israel’s Meron Air Base.

BEIRUT, October 1. /TASS/. Israeli fighter jets have started carrying out strikes on the southern outskirts of the Lebanese capital.

These are reports about Russian influence in the Balkans.

The black box from the crashed L-39 "Albatros" has been successfully read, with the data sent to the aircraft’s manufacturer in the Czech Republic for analysis. Initial findings suggest that the likely cause of the crash was a flight at an extremely low altitude prior to a vertical ascent, as reported by BNT. The crash involved two Bulgarian pilots, Major Petko Dimitrov and Senior Lieutenant Ventsislav Dunkin, who were performing a complex aerial maneuver. The incident took place on September 13 at the "Graf Ignatievo" airbase in Bulgaria during preparations for an air show marking 20 years of the country’s NATO membership.

A specialized police operation targeting crimes related to the political rights of citizens and general criminal activity is currently underway in Burgas. The Ministry of the Interior has announced that private residences, commercial establishments, and other locations suspected of criminal activities are being thoroughly inspected. This morning, the Roma neighborhood of the Burgas complex "Meden Rudnik" was placed under police blockade, according to reports from BNR. During the operation, three addresses were searched, resulting in the detention of three individuals. Commissioner Marin Dimitrov, head of the Security Police, stated, "At one of the addresses, we discovered lists of names linked to potential vote trading. These three individuals are known criminals and have been previously detained for similar offenses." Vote trading is often facilitated in commercial settings, such as pawn shops, where citizens may be approached with offers to sell their votes during transactions. Commissioner Dimitrov noted that there is currently no definitive information on the price for a single vote. Two pre-trial proceedings have already been initiated, and the specialized police operation is ongoing. In addition to addressing vote trading, efforts to combat illegal migration are also being intensified. Police teams are conducting vehicle inspections at checkpoints surrounding Burgas, involving units from the "Security Police," "Traffic Police," "Economic and Criminal," and the Burgas Gendarmerie.

Bulgaria has information on the holdings of companies with Russian involvement, but the scale and type of their investments are not entirely clear, caretaker Minister of Justice Maria Pavlova said in response to questions asked by MP Martin Dimitrov during a parliamentary control. The information about what types of land and agricultural properties Russian companies own in Bulgaria is important for the implementation of the 12th EU sanctions package against Russia. Minister Pavlova’s response states that 4,492 companies with Russian involvement own land, but it is unclear how much of this consists of farmland, pastures, forests, etc. A total of 1,428 companies are owners of one real estate property, while another 3,108 companies own at least two properties. According to caretaker Minister of Justice Maria Palvova, 4,386 companies have acquired buildings or parts of buildings. In August, Moody's reported that there were 9,581 companies in Bulgaria that meet the 40% Russian-owned nexus. This places Bulgaria second in the EU in this regard, after the Czech Republic, Sega daily said.

This is me talking about Lebanon. 10-1-24

Vic got pregnant for the second time at the age of 37.

Victoria, Lady Starmer (née Alexander; born 1973 or 1974) is the spouse of the current prime minister of the United Kingdom Keir Starmer.

The Labour leader, who has a 13-year-old daughter and a 16-year-old son, said he and his wife Victoria “will fiercely protect their privacy” if…

This is me talking about Tashkent. 9-30-24

Reports about the Balkans.

British and Bulgarian Authorities Unite Against Human Trafficking Across the English Channel The Daily Mail reports on a joint operation conducted by British and Bulgarian authorities aimed at combating human trafficking across the English Channel. This collaboration resulted in the seizure of 125 inflatable boats, 128 engines, over 700 pumps, and 300 rubber rings, totaling 33 seizures of goods. Over the past year, the National Crime Agency (NCA) has partnered with the Bulgarian National Customs Agency and the Bulgarian Border Police to prevent this equipment from falling into the hands of traffickers. Georgi Gospodinov, head of customs in Kapitan Andreevo, highlighted the significance of joint exercises with British law enforcement agencies, stating that such collaborations are vital for Bulgarian efforts. He added, "Sharing good practices is a guarantee of good results in effectively addressing smuggling channels and illegal human trafficking."

With all ballots now counted, Austria’s far-right Freedom Party has secured nearly 29 percent of the vote, marking its first victory in parliamentary elections. Despite the win, it remains unclear if the party will lead the next government, as it is viewed as an undesirable partner by most other parliamentary parties. The ruling People's Party, led by current Chancellor Karl Nehammer, finished second with 26 percent, setting the stage for lengthy coalition negotiations in Vienna.

VIENNA, September 30. /TASS/. Freedom Party of Austria, which opposes anti-Russian sanctions, has taken first place in the parliamentary elections with 28.8% of the vote, according to the ORF TV channel.

The Romanian factory for terracotta tiles and tiled stoves in the town of Medias in Transylvania is one of the oldest in the country and the last of its kind. Founded in 1906 by the Saxon Gref Iulius, it has changed several owners, including the Romanian State, and managed to survive two world wars. It did not lose the battle with modern heating systems, although its workforce currently numbers just 15 people. The COVID-19 pandemic even revived the business, as Romanians started buying old houses in the countryside and restoring them en masse during this period. Traditional tiled stoves are often present in such decor.

Reports about Uzbekistan and Scandinavia.

Uzbekistan explores continued healthy mother and child programs with China During an official visit, the Chairperson of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis met with Ms. Shen Yisin, Chairperson of the All-China Women's Federation. They discussed the historically friendly relations between Uzbekistan and China, highlighting the growing cooperation and the implementation of key agreements between their leaders. The conversation emphasized the importance of women's active participation in state and societal life across various economic sectors. Both parties exchanged views on sharing experiences and developing collaborative programs. Notably, they addressed the continuation of healthy mother and child initiatives and the organization of training sessions to enhance the knowledge and skills of active women in partnership with China.

A country that "abolished" borders is now bringing them back and building a big, barbed wire fence? Norway considers the possibility of installing a fence along part or all of the border it shares with Russia, following a similar project from Finland.

It started; Putin has targeted three European countries without you even knowing it "The Russian intelligence service is everywhere," Estonian President Alar Karis told the "Kyiv Independent" and added that Vladimir Putin's new mission is that Russia interferes in the internal affairs of the Baltic states.

UNITED NATIONS, September 28. /TASS/. When he was speaking about his wish to see Russia's expulsion from the UN Security Council, Finnish President Alexander Stubb was apparently trying to be more Ukrainian than the Ukrainians themselves, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told a news conference following his participation in the high-level week of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly.

Reports about Lebanon.

DUBAI, September 30. /TASS/. The Foreign Ministry of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has said that a Sudanese air force aircraft struck the residence of the head of the Emirati diplomatic mission in Khartoum. "The United Arab Emirates strongly condemns the brutal attack on the residence of the head of the Emirati mission in Khartoum, which was targeted by a Sudanese army aircraft, causing serious damage to the building. The Sudanese army must bear full responsibility for this cowardly act," the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

CAIRO, September 30. /TASS/. The head of the headquarters of the Palestinian Hamas movement in Lebanon, Fathi al-Sharif, was killed in an Israeli airstrike in the south of the country, the movement said in a statement on its Telegram channel.

DUBAI, September 29. /TASS/. The Shura Council, Hezbollah’s central decision-making authority, has appointed Hashem Safieddine as the Lebanon-based Shiite party’s new secretary general, Al Arabiya said, citing sources. Safieddine served as the head of the movement’s executive committee. He is a cousin of former Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah killed on September 27 in an Israeli strike on south Beirut.

This is me talking about the economy. 9-29-24

In 2005, like Wall Street the California state economy crashed. An observation about British financiers who don't mind that kind of economic landscape.

The United States economy was affected by the bursting of the housing bubble in 2005–2012, which led to the Great Recession. California was particularly affected by the crisis, taking a bigger hit than most other parts of the country.

This is me talking about the Telegraph. 9-29-24

Dominic is talking about the Russian army. It's not clear about Russian army strategy because maybe they don't have good civilian strategists.

This is me talking about France. 9-28-24

The French are reporting on Beirut.

Live: Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah was killed in Beirut strike, Israel's military says Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah was killed in Israeli strikes on Beirut on Friday, Israel's military said Saturday. Israeli fighter jets bombarded the southern suburbs of Lebanon's capital overnight into Saturday, levelling several apartment buildings and sending panicked families fleeing massive strikes reportedly targeting the Hezbollah leader. Follow our live blog for the latest updates on the war in the Middle East.

Last night, the Russians reported about Beirut. It's a bad report.

BEIRUT, September 27. /TASS/. Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah, secretary general of the Hezbollah Shia movement, was not hurt in Israel’s attack on the group’s underground headquarters in Beirut, Al Hadath TV reports, citing sources.

More French reports about Beirut.

Israel targets Hezbollah command near Beirut as Lebanon death toll tops 700 The Israeli military struck Hezbollah's central command in the southern Beirut suburbs on Friday, with Israeli TV reporting that Hamas chief Hassan Nasrallah was the focus of the strikes. The latest bombardment came as the death toll from Israeli strikes inside Lebanon surpassed 700 since Monday, according to the health minister.

The strike in the Beirut suburb of Dahiyeh came shortly after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the U.N., vowing that Israel's campaign against Hezbollah would continue. Not long before the explosion, thousands were massed in the suburb for the funeral of three Hezbollah members, including a senior commander, killed in earlier strikes.

I think this is mismanagement at the UN Building.

A Japanese warship has sailed through the Taiwan Strait between Taiwan and China for the first time, prompting Beijing to lodge complaints with Tokyo. The JS Sazanami, a naval destroyer, travelled south through the strait on Wednesday, accompanied by ships from Australia and New Zealand.

Türkiye's delegation and the delegations of many other countries walked out in protest as Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who's accused of carrying out genocide in Gaza, addressed the U.N. General Assembly on Friday. Netanyahu entered the hall and approached the podium to address the 79th session of the assembly. He held a map showing the West Bank, internationally recognized as Palestinian territory, as "Israeli" land.

This is me talking about Kazakhstan. 9-27-24

This is me talking about Kosovo. 9-27-24

Reports about the Balkans.

Nearly 900,000 Romanian Tourists Visit Bulgaria in First Half of 2024

Forget tokens: Here's how to enter the new BUS station Marketing Director of the Belgrade Bus Station Željko Pavićević stated that the platforms of the station, which is being moved to New Belgrade, will no longer be entered with tokens, but by reading the barcode.

UNITED NATIONS, September 27. /TASS/. Hungary believes that the European Union's sanctions policy against Russia is nothing but a failure, the country’s Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said.

How the BRICS trade affects the Italian peninsula.

"Major-General Ozkan Ulutash will leave his post on October 11, 2024. He will be succeeded by Major-General Enrico Barduani from Italy," they stated in the announcement. Barduani's name has been mentioned since July, when Serbian Defense Minister Bratislav Gašić met with the Chief of General Staff of the Italian Armed Forces, Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone. "He expressed the expectation that Major General Enrico Barduani, upon assuming the duties of KFOR commander, will have excellent cooperation and communication with the Chief of the General Staff of the Serbian Armed Forces, General Milan Mojsilović," the media in Belgrade announced at the time, referring to the Ministry of Defense of Serbia.

UNITED NATIONS, Seotember 27. /TASS/. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Mali Abdoulaye Diop signed a joint statement on no first placement of weapons in outer space during their meeting on the sidelines of the 79th UN General Assembly in New York.

Turkey's BRICS and ASEAN Interests Do Not Threaten NATO, Says Erdogan President Tayyip Erdogan emphasized that Turkey's potential involvement with BRICS and ASEAN should not be viewed as an alternative to its NATO membership, according to reports from broadcaster NTV and others on Thursday. Erdogan explained that Turkey sees these groupings as valuable opportunities for enhancing economic cooperation rather than signaling any shift away from its commitments to NATO.

This is me talking about Bulgaria. 9-26-24

How overcrowding leads to ethnic violence and vote buying.

Reports about ethnic violence and vote buying in the Balkans.

Delyan Peevski, the (co)chairman of the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (DPS) who has been sanctioned for corruption, has effectively instructed the prosecutor's office to arrest Ahmed Dogan, the honorary chairman of the Movement. This directive stems from Dogan's past associations with the State Security and relates to the controversial Revival Process.

Ahmed Dogan and his associates are no longer part of the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (DPS), according to Delyan Peevski, chairman of the party's parliamentary group. Peevski made this statement in response to a request submitted to the Sofia City Court for his removal as party chairman, following a decision by the Central Operational Bureau on August 27.

The national police operation targeting vote-buying began on September 27 and will continue throughout the election process. All Ministry of Internal Affairs employees with police authority are participating in the operation, according to Acting Minister of Internal Affairs, Atanas Ilkov, who addressed the National Assembly.

Reports about Russian foreign policy.

Drama: A letter with a bullet was sent to Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico! A letter with a bullet addressed to Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico arrived today in the Slovak government, Fico's Press Office announced today.

Polish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Radosław Sikorski, accused Russia at the UN of doing the same to Ukrainian children as the Nazis, who dragged children from Poland and the Soviet Union to Germany.

Lavrov and Blanar discussed practical aspects of energy cooperation, statement said.

This is me talking more about Tel Aviv. 9-25-24

Machiavellianism comes from Greece and Italy. "Ivan was the Prince of Moscow." How Moscow sometimes seems apart from Italian culture.

BEIRUT, September 25. /TASS/. Hezbollah units have claimed responsibility for a missile attack on Tel Aviv suburbs, the Shia paramilitary group said on its Telegram channel. "Resistance fighters used a Qader-1 ballistic missile to hit the headquarters of the Mossad intelligence service which is responsible for the pager and wireless communication device explosions in Lebanon on September 17 and 18," Hezbollah said.

TEL AVIV, September 25. /TASS/. The Israeli Air Force struck the launcher from which a missile was fired toward central Israel earlier this morning, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said. According to the Israeli army, the launcher was deployed near Nafakhiyeh in southern Lebanon.

BEIRUT, September 25. /TASS/. The armed wing of the Lebanon-based Shiite party Hezbollah has confirmed the death of its military leader Ibrahim Kobeissi during an Israeli air strike on Beirut’s southern suburbs.

BEIRUT, September 24. /TASS/. The Syrian air defenses repel an Israeli Air Force attack on ground targets near the port city of Tartus, about 250 km away from Damascus, the Sham FM radio reported.

This week there are two strange reports coming from the Persian Gulf. First, the Pavel Durov report and Abu Dhabi. Also, this Al Jazeera report. Because they're not willing to describe stuff. They only argue and report complaints.

The Al Jazeera report is below.

Hezbollah: Central Israel missile attack targeted Mossad HQ in response to pager blasts, terror commander killings

Israel attacks Lebanon live: Hezbollah, Israel trade new attacks

This is me talking about Tel Aviv. 9-25-24

Descriptions of northern Israel.

BEIRUT, September 24. /TASS/. Hezbollah said it delivered a strike on the headquarters of the Israeli Navy’s Shayetet 13 unit at the Atlit naval base on the Mediterranean coast. The attack was carried out with drones, which were able to hit the designated target, the group said on Telegram.

BEIRUT, September 24. /TASS/. Hezbollah said its forces fired a barrage of 50 rockets at the Dado military base in northern Israel. The base houses the headquarters of the Israel Defense Forces Northern Command, according to the group.

BEIRUT, September 24. /TASS/. Hezbollah said its forces fired a Fadi-3 surface-to-surface missile for the first time on Tuesday as they attacked military sites in northern Israel.

American weapons and soldiers are being sent.

The Pentagon said it was sending a “small number” of added troops to the region after thousands were deployed earlier alongside warships, fighter jets and air defence systems. Joe Biden, whose country is Israel’s main ally and weapons supplier, said Washington was “working to de-escalate in a way that allows people to return home safely”.

These are reports about the suburbs south of Beirut.

A second Israeli air strike on the Shia suburbs of southern Beirut in just four days was aimed at killing Ali Karaki, the movement’s military chief in southern Lebanon and one of Hezbollah’s last remaining battlefield commanders on Monday.

On September 23, 2024, it was reported that Karaki was killed in a targeted elimination by the Israeli Air Force while he was in an apartment in the Bir al-Abed area of the Dahieh district in Beirut. It is not clear If he was indeed killed.

Atlit naval base is a classified Israeli Navy base on the northern Mediterranean coast of Israel. The base is home to Shayetet 13, Israel's naval commando unit.

This is me talking about Haifa. 9-24-24

These are reports about the Balkans. And then reports about trade with the Far East.

Agriculture Minister: Support For Ukraine Should Not Lead to Losses and Bankruptcies for Bulgarian Farmers

EU Considers Measures to Protect Bulgarian Poultry Industry from Ukrainian Egg Imports

The largest net positive flows of direct investments in the country for January - July 2024 are from the Netherlands (269.5 million euros), Austria (225 million euros) and Greece (160.5 million euros), BNB data show. According to them, the largest net negative flows from Bulgaria for the same period were to Russia (184.4 million euros) and Poland (84.8 million euros). The net flow of foreign investment in real estate was negative at EUR 1.6 million, with a negative net flow of EUR 9.9 million for January-July 2023.

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Telegram to Share User Data with Authorities in Cases of Criminal Activity Telegram will provide authorities with users' personal data, such as IP addresses and phone numbers, if they are involved in illegal activities and upon receiving a "valid legal request." This was confirmed by Pavel Durov, co-founder and CEO of Telegram, in a post on his channel. He explained that the platform’s privacy and search policies have been updated to prevent criminals from misusing Telegram's search function. The search tool, Durov emphasized, is meant to help users find friends and news, not to facilitate illegal trade or activities. To further improve safety, a team of moderators supported by artificial intelligence has been actively monitoring and removing problematic content from Telegram Search. Durov assured users that any harmful material identified has already been removed. He encouraged users to report any additional issues they might encounter using the platform's reporting channel, @SearchReport.

MOSCOW, September 23. /TASS/. Russia’s National Guard (Rosgvardiya) servicemen in the Kursk Region have seized a Ukrainian decoy drone meant for hacking Russian air defenses. "Specialists of an engineering division of the Rosgvardia, while performing service and combat tasks in the Kursk Region, obtained evidence a suspicious drone had crashed near a populated area. Upon arriving at the site the operatives found a fixed-wing decoy drone. Ukrainian forces use such UAVs for attempts to hack the Russian air defense system," the National Guard’s press service has said. "Such drones are designed to expose the weaknesses of our air defense system. They are made of cheap components and carry no quality cameras or other additional radio transmitting devices. Also, the Ukrainian militants wrap such UAVs in foil to make them better seen on our radars," a Rosgvardia specialist is quoted by the press service as saying.

UNITED NATIONS, September 24. /TASS/. A return to the idea of cooperation "from Lisbon to Vladivostok" would benefit the whole world, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said.

Vučić with the director of the IMF in New York: "Serbia's results exceed even the boldest forecasts" PHOTO President of the Republic of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, met in New York with the director of the International Monetary Fund, Kristalina Georgieva.

This is me talking about President Vucic. 9-24-24

These are economic reports about the Balkans.

Bulgaria Ranks Second in EU for Russian-Linked Companies Research by the international rating agency Moody's reveals that the Czech Republic, which accounts for just 2.4% of the EU's population, hosts over a quarter of the approximately 46,000 companies linked to Russia operating across the 27 EU member states. Bulgaria ranks second, with 9,500 Russian-connected companies, while Germany follows in third place with 4,200 such firms.

Housing Loan Contracts via Credit Intermediaries Reach 8,533 in Bulgaria In the first half of 2024, a total of 8,533 consumers secured housing or mortgage loans through credit intermediaries. Among these, 8,413 contracts were signed with banks, while 120 were arranged with financial institutions registered under Article 3a of the Law on Credit Institutions, as reported by the Bulgarian National Bank (BNB). The total value of credit agreements made between banks and customers through these intermediaries exceeded 1.725 billion leva. Additionally, loans facilitated by financial institutions amounted to more than 3.245 million leva. As of mid-2024, there are 116 registered credit intermediaries operating under the Consumer Real Estate Loans Act, according to BNB data.

These are reports about the Russian navy in the Indian Ocean.

Russian Baltic Fleet's patrol ship ends visit to Dar es Salaam The ship's crew replenished water, fuel and food supplies and conducted technical examination of the ship MOSCOW, September 21. /TASS/. The Baltic Fleet's patrol ship Neustrashimy has ended a business visit to the port of Dar es Salaam, the fleet's press service has said. "The Baltic Fleet's patrol ship Neustrastrashimy has completed a scheduled business visit to the port of Dar es Salaam of the United Republic of Tanzania. This visit was an important stage within the framework of maintaining maritime security and strengthening international cooperation," the news release reads. The ship's crew replenished water, fuel and food supplies and conducted technical examination of the ship. There were protocol meetings of the ship's command with the Dar es Salaam authorities and officers of the Tanzanian Navy. The Neustrayshimy continues to perform its tasks in the Indian Ocean.

MOSCOW, September 20. /TASS/. A report on options for creating alternative payment platforms for settlements between BRICS member countries will be prepared for the summit of the association in Kazan, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in an interview with Sky News Arabia.

The Germans are commenting on the UN building in New York City.

BERLIN, September 22. /TASS/. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has called for reforming the United Nations Security Council as its composition no longer in keeping with the spirit of the times. "It has been formed under the standards of the old times, with many continents and countries, which should be in this Security Council either permanently or repeatedly, are not represented," he said on the sidelines of the UN Summit of the Future. At the same time, he said that he doesn’t understand Russia’s position on the Pact for the Future, which was adopted ahead of general discussion of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly.

This is me talking about Tanzania. 9-23-24