Ukrainian Offensive Into Russian Territory is First Direct Attack into Russia Since 1941
The Ukrainian offensive deep into Russian territory marks the first direct attack on the country since 1941, according to the French newspaper Le Figaro.
The operation, which began in the Kursk region, is not merely a diversion but signifies a new direction in the conflict, the newspaper suggested.
On Aug. 7, Ukrainian forces seized at least three localities in the Kursk region, as confirmed by local media reports on the same day. Mykhailo Podolak, an advisor to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, also confirmed the offensive on Aug. 8.
In recent months, particularly last spring, Ukrainian forces faced additional challenges due to a Russian attack on the Kharkiv region. Although the aggressors failed to penetrate deeper into Ukraine, it added further strain to the already stretched Ukrainian military.
The operation in the Kursk area might be an attempt to force Russians to redeploy their troops to this region, thereby relieving defenses on other fronts, and possibly even to recapture territories occupied by Russia.
There is also a possibility that the operation is intended to be demonstrative, to convey that, after months of difficult situations, Ukrainians are again in control of the battlefield dynamics.
“The idea (behind this attack) is to show that Ukrainians are still brave, formidable, and not merely retreating,” said an anonymous representative of the French military. The Kursk region is poorly defended compared to areas around Donetsk, where the heaviest fighting is ongoing.
Capturing part of the Kursk region could also serve as a bargaining chip for Ukraine, especially since a possible victory of Donald Trump in the U.S. elections might lead to peace talks, which President Zelensky has also mentioned.
Experts remind, however, that like any offensive, it could be very costly for the Ukrainian army. Putin will mobilize all his forces, and Russian fighter jets will also be very dangerous for Ukrainian armored vehicles. Photos analyzed by journalists already show losses suffered by Ukrainians in the initial days of the offensive.
An anonymous representative of the French army quoted by Le Figaro summarized the recent events: At first glance, “one might think that this step by the Ukrainians is madness. It could all end in failure unless they have a specific objective that we do not see.”
Walz’s 2020 Covid Snitch Hotline Sparks Debate Amid VP Bid
In 2020, as the reaction to the Covid pandemic tightened its global grip, the administration of Minnesota’s Democratic Governor, Tim Walz, controversially initiated a hotline encouraging citizens to report non-compliant neighbors, opening a Pandora’s box of surveillance reminiscent of dystopian literature.
This move has once again sparked discussion about Walz, following his newly-minted status as the running mate for Vice President Kamala Harris in the imminent 2024 presidential election.
Serving a dual purpose, the hotline — referred to by critics as the Covid snitch line — enabled thousands of Minnesotans to both voice their concerns about perceived health risks and expose those allegedly flouting the restrictive coronavirus-sensitive rules revolving around gatherings and social activities.
Referred to by some as “the Office of Public Safety Stay At Home Hotline,” the service became a platform for callers to report everything from religious congregation activities to outdoor sports events.
The line even reportedly recorded concerns about a local church’s activities potentially violating the mandated rules.
Complaints received via the hotline were varied in nature. Anything from unmasked shopping for nonessential items to unsanctioned social gatherings was fair game, echoing mistrust amongst friends and neighbors in the wake of the controversial crackdown.
Zimbabwe Adopts De-Dollarization Roadmap
Zimbabwe’s government has approved a roadmap to transition from using US dollars to the gold-backed ZiG currency, which was introduced several months ago in an effort to stabilize the southern African country’s economy.
Information Minister Jenfan Muswere announced the move during a media briefing on Tuesday, following a cabinet meeting in the capital, Harare.
“On modalities to operationalize ZiG as legal tender for use in the economy, a de-dollarization roadmap is now in place with a time frame, as presented by the minister of finance, economic development, and investment promotion,” the minister told reporters.
Zimbabwe has relied heavily on the US dollar amid a currency crisis that has persisted for more than a decade. The greenback currently accounts for around 70% of all economic transactions, Bloomberg reported, citing data from the country’s central bank.
READ MORE: African country to criminalize use of dollar
Prior to the unveiling of ZiG (Zimb Gold) in April, the Zimbabwean dollar had depreciated against the US currency on every trading day this year. The ZiG launch, reportedly the government’s sixth attempt to stabilize the local currency in 15 years, is backed by 2.5 tons of gold and $100 million in foreign currency reserves.
In a late June press release, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) reported that the ZiG official exchange rate has so far remained stable, ending a bout of macroeconomic instability that Harare experienced in the first three months of the year.
READ MORE: Zimbabwe launches ‘gold’ currency to replace dollar
Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa said last month that the new currency could become the country’s sole legal tender by 2026, ahead of the projected 2030 deadline.
On Tuesday, Information Minister Muswere announced the government’s plan to increase penalties for “perpetrators of unjust price hikes, manipulation of ZiG currency, smuggling, and all forms of unfair trade practices.”
He said the authorities will review fines for various offenses, ranging from a minimum of $200 to a maximum of $5000, or the ZiG equivalent.
FBI Raid Home Of Former UN Weapons Inspector Scott Ritter
Federal agents and state police have searched the home of former US Marine and UN weapons inspector Scott Ritter in New York state earlier this week. Ritter told reporters that a search warrant was executed […]
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Hunter Biden was Paid in US ‘Influence’ Plot – Prosecutors
Federal prosecutors in the criminal tax case against Hunter Biden have accused him of accepting payments from a Romanian businessman who allegedly sought to “influence US government agencies.”
According to a filing made by the Justice Department on Wednesday in a Los Angeles federal court, a Romanian national hired Biden for legal work in 2015. His father Joe Biden was vice-president under then-President Barack Obama at the time.
The filing reportedly did not name the Romanian businessman but only identified him by his initials as “G.P.”
US media outlets have identified him as Gabriel Popoviciu, who was facing corruption charges in Romania at the time. The businessman was sentenced to seven years in prison in 2017 after being convicted of real-estate fraud. He denied any wrongdoing.
In the Wednesday filing, prosecutors said they had evidence that Hunter Biden and an associate had “received compensation from a foreign principal who was attempting to influence US policy and public opinion” and to end the local investigation against him in Romania.
According to prosecutors, Biden and his associate “were concerned that lobbying work might cause political ramifications for the defendant’s father” Joe Biden and acted to cover up the “true nature” of the work.
Hunter Biden and two associates split over $3 million in payments from Popoviciu, prosecutors say.
According to the Associated Press, Biden’s lawyers said in court papers that the president’s son is “the target of politically motivated attacks and conspiracy theories” about his foreign business dealings, and pointed to the fact that he has not been charged with any crime related to the allegations and the Special Counsel “should thus be precluded from even raising such issues at trial.”
READ MORE: Hunter Biden charged with $1.4 million tax evasion
The latest accusations form part of a broader case against the younger Biden, who was charged last year with evading $1.4 million in taxes between 2016 and 2019 and using the money to live an “extravagant lifestyle.” Biden has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The trial in the case is scheduled for September in California. Biden was earlier found guilty on three charges in a federal gun trial in Delaware. Prosecutors in that case argued that Joe Biden’s son lied on a mandatory gun-purchase form in 2018 by claiming he was not addicted to or illegally using drugs.
Hunter Biden could face up to 25 years behind bars. However, experts have predicted that as a first-time offender he is unlikely to receive such a harsh sentence and may avoid prison entirely.
The 54-year-old is the first son or daughter of a serving US head of state to have criminal charges brought against him.
Japan Issues First Ever ‘Megaquake’ Warning Following 7.1 Quake Off Coast Of Kyushu
For the first time ever, Japan has warned about an increased risk of a “major earthquake” striking in the near future. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida was forced to cancel plans for a trip to Central […]
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