Category: World

More than 40 properties and shares belonging to the Russian state were seized in Finland. The seized property includes a science and culture center in Helsinki, a beachfront plot and apartments in various cities.

Russian property worth tens of millions of euros – real estate and shares owned by the Russian state – has been seized in Finland. This was reported by Yle, according to UNN.

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The Bailiffs' Service provided Yle with a list of real estate and shares owned by the Russian state and seized in Finland. The seizure order means that the property cannot be sold or transferred.

There are about forty seized objects, and their total value exceeds 35 million euros.

Among them are the Russian Center for Science and Culture in Helsinki, a seaside beach area for diplomats, apartments in different cities of Finland, and more. For example, in Turku, four apartments in the city center were seized. The head of the city's international department, Mika Akkanen, said that the city did not know how these apartments were used.

To prevent them from entering Russia: Finland introduces special licenses for export of ammunition componentsOctober 25 2024, 08:24 AM • 16219 views

The day before, Helsingin Sanomat reported that real estate owned by the Russian state had begun to be seized across Finland. The decision to seize means that the property cannot be sold or transferred.

The actions of the Bailiffs' Service are related to the decision of the International Arbitration Court in The Hague, issued in April 2023. At the same time, the court ordered Russia to pay more than five billion euros to the Ukrainian energy company Naftogaz as compensation for the damage caused by the occupation of Crimea.

Finland finally closes two checkpoints on the border with RussiaOctober 24 2024, 07:56 AM • 14322 views

According to the latest Reuters/Ipsos poll, Kamala Harris has the support of 44% of voters, compared to 43% for Donald Trump. The Democrat's lead has shrunk from three to one percentage point in two weeks.

Recent polls among Americans show that even a week before the election, Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris is still ahead of her opponent Donald Trump. This was reported by Reuters, UNN.

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According to the poll, Harris's national approval rating is 44%, while Trump's is 43%. However, only two weeks ago, the Democrat's lead was three percentage points.

It is noted that Harris has been ahead of Trump in every Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted among registered voters since July, and since the end of September her advantage has been steadily declining.

Biden votes early in the US presidential electionOctober 28 2024, 06:16 PM • 17497 views

As in the past, voters favored the former US president when it came to the economy (47% vs. 37%) and immigration (48% vs. 33%).

Instead, Harris is seen as more competent in dealing with political extremism (40% vs. 38%), but her advantage here has dropped to two points from seven last week.

Recall

The Washington Post has lost more than 200 thousand digital subscribers after refusing to support candidates in the US presidential election. The decision of the owner Jeff Bezos caused a massive outflow of readers, which is 8% of the paid audience.

russian offshore oil exports rose by 120,000 barrels per day for the second week in a row. Total exports reached 24.79 million barrels, with a four-week average of 3.41 million barrels per day.

russian offshore crude oil exports rose for the second week in a row and reached the highest level in a month. This is UNN reported by Bloombergwith reference to Bloomberg.

"Flows increased by 120 ,000 barrels per day after a similar increase in the previous week, with major ports on the Baltic Sea and Pacific coasts operating near peak levels," the report said.

Four-week average cargo volumes reportedly fell 50,000 barrels per day to 3.41 million in the week to October 27, the first decline in five weeks. The drop reflected a surge in exports seen in the week to Sept. 29, dropped out of the calculation. But shipments on that basis remained above the 3.4 million mark, a level exceeded just four times since mid-May.

Russia has increased the capacity of its shadow oil fleet by about 70% in a year despite Western sanctions – FTOctober 14 2024, 08:59 AM • 15876 views

Refining in russia remains on track to decline to its lowest level since May 2022, leaving more crude available for export. Scheduled seasonal maintenance has reduced volumes, which may also be affected by lower margins making refining at some facilities in southern russia less attractive.

The rise in flows was driven by a slight increase in russian crude oil prices, which helped lift the gross value of Musk's exports by about $50 million to $1.6 billion in the week to Oct. 27.

A total of 32 tankers loaded 24.79 million barrels of russian crude oil in the week to October 27, according to vessel tracking data and port agent reports. The volume was up from a revised 23.93 million barrels on 32 vessels the previous week.

Britain imposes the “largest” sanctions against Russia's shadow fleetOctober 17 2024, 11:07 AM • 10108 views

Despite the increase in weekly deliveries, the four-week average fell to 3.41 million barrels per day, down 50,000 from the previous week.

russia reportedly canceled its export targets in late May, opting instead to cap production, in line with its partners in the OPEC+ oil producer group. The country's production target is set at 8.978 million barrels per day through the end of November after a planned easing of some production cuts was postponed for two months.

moscow also pledged deeper production cuts in October and November this year, and then from March through September 2025, to offset pumping above the OPEC+ quota earlier this year.

Recall

A week earlier, crude supplies from russia reached the highest level since late June, amid how seasonal maintenance is set to reduce refinery throughput to the lowest level in more than two years.

G7 is preparing new measures against Russia's shadow fleet and compliance with the oil price ceiling: what is known about the circumvention of sanctionsOctober 27 2024, 03:48 PM • 38204 views

Shiite cleric Naim Qassem became the new leader of Hezbollah after the death of Hassan Nasrallah. The former leader was killed in an Israeli air strike in Beirut on September 27.

Shiite cleric Qassem will lead Hezbollah instead of the murdered Nasrallah.

UNN writes with reference to Euronews.

The Lebanese movement Hezbollah has announced that it has elected Shiite cleric Naim Qassem as its leader. According to foreign agencies, he will replace former Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed in an Israeli air strike in Beirut on September 27.

For reference

Naim Qassem was appointed deputy leader of the Lebanese militant group in 1991 by then-leader Abbas al-Musawi. He retained this role when Nasrallah became the head of the group after al-Musawi's death.

Although many believe he lacks the charisma and oratory of the former leader, Qassem was often the public face of the group and continued to appear at rallies and ceremonies after Nasrallah went into hiding from Israel.

IDF destroys Hezbollah infrastructure in southern LebanonOctober 29 2024, 01:23 AM • 18302 views

Over the years, Qassem has also given interviews to foreign journalists. In 2005, he wrote a book on the history of Hezbollah, offering an inside look at the organization.

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Hassan Nasrallah was killed in an air strike in Beirut. According to a Reuters security source, this was the largest strike by the Israeli Air Force on the Beirut suburb of Dahiya, which is considered a Hezbollah stronghold.

Nasrallah took office in 1992 after Israel ousted the co-founder and previous leader, Abbas al-Musawi. Under Nasrallah's leadership, the group was transformed into a political entity and gained representation in the Lebanese parliament.

Many died during Israel's attack on LebanonOctober 28 2024, 01:30 AM • 15991 view

The 54-year-old hip-hop mogul P. Diddy is accused of sexually abusing a 10-year-old boy in 2005. The incident occurred in a New York hotel during an audition, where the child was drugged.

Sean John Combs, known as Puff Daddy and P. Diddy, is accused in a new trial of sexually abusing a 10-year-old boy with drugs.

Writes UNN with reference to The Guardian.

The 54-year-old hip-hop mogul is accused of drugging and sexually assaulting a 10-year-old boy in a New York City hotel room in 2005.

The 10-year-old boy, who was not named in the lawsuit, was an aspiring actor and rapper who had traveled with his parents from California to meet with music industry representatives. During what was supposed to be an audition for Combs, he was given a drug in his soda by a Combs employee and “sexually assaulted by the founder of Bad Boy Records,” according to the lawsuit.

The boy eventually lost consciousness. When he regained consciousness, Combs threatened to severely injure the child's parents if he told anyone about what had happened, the statement said.

For reference

In recent months, Diddy, a well-known music entrepreneur and producer, has been the subject of serious accusations by more than a hundred people who have accused him of crimes of an extremely serious nature.

In another lawsuit, a 17-year-old unidentified male claimed that Combs forced him to perform sexual acts with Combs and a security guard during a three-day audition for the television show Making the Band, which Combs produced.

According to the statement, when a novice participant expressed doubts, he was excluded from the competition and could not return to the music industry for seven years.

The case of sexual abuse of Diddy, reported by the young singer, has already provoked a strong reaction from both the music community and law enforcement agencies. After a complaint was filed with the New York State Supreme Court, the situation escalated, and various organizations and associations spoke out.

Combs is being held in a New York prison after pleading not guilty to federal sex trafficking charges contained in an indictment unsealed the day after his arrest on September 16. The charges include allegations that he coerced and abused women and forced victims to remain silent through blackmail and violence.

Rapper Diddy faces a wave of 120 new sexual assault chargesOctober 3 2024, 10:47 AM • 13249 views

Germany, under Scholz's leadership, will play a decisive role in Ukraine's accession to NATO and ending the war.

Western leaders are looking for ways to peace while Russia intensifies its aggression against Ukraine and Europe. Germany will play a key role in ending the war in Ukraine , according to an article by the Financial Times, UNN reports.

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According to the Financial Times, Western leaders are openly seeking to mediate a ceasefire with the Kremlin, with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz speaking of a “faster path to peace.”

But Russian dictator Vladimir Putin , unwilling to compromise, is stepping up his aggression against Ukraine and its Western supporters.

Russia's hostile activities have intensified across Europe, ranging from propaganda, sabotage and arson to assassination plots, with particular attention being paid to Germany. A German intelligence chief recently warned parliamentarians: “Putin will continue to test the strength of the West's “red lines” and further escalate the confrontation.

“Delivering Taurus is not going to war” – German Chancellor candidate MerzOctober 28 2024, 09:37 AM • 15346 views

Most of the states on the eastern flank of the alliance (as well as the new NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte) are in favor of formally inviting Kyiv to join NATO. Germany is seen as belonging to the second camp (with others hiding behind it), while Hungary and Slovakia, both of which have pro-Kremlin leaders, are openly opposed.

Now, a German newspaper reports that Paris and London are leaning toward an invitation, and even the Biden administration is cautiously ready to consider the topic.

Germany's role is key. Unlike Boris Johnson, who, as prime minister of the United Kingdom, is always wrapped in the mantle of Winston Churchill, Scholz is a deeply reserved man who does not accept political theatrics and shrill calls to destiny. He has other concerns, of course, such as the recession and the fact that his unpopular three-party coalition seems to be on the verge of collapse. But in a dark time for Ukraine and Europe, he has a lot on his plate

– says the Financial Times article.

Zelensky answers whether it is possible to hold the second Peace Summit without fulfilling the points of the Victory PlanOctober 17 2024, 11:36 AM • 11344 views

China's Ministry of State Security has announced the discovery of spy devices on the surface and bottom of the ocean. The devices are capable of transmitting data and directing foreign submarines in China's territorial waters.

China's Ministry of State Security said it had discovered spy devices both on the ocean surface and in the deep sea. This was reported by Reuters, according to UNN.

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It is noted that the devices, which were hidden on the ocean floor, sent back information that could “create a battlefield in advance.” Among them are underwater “beacons” that can guide foreign submarines.

Some act as “secret agents,” drifting and floating with the waves, monitoring the situation in our territorial waters in real time. Some function as underwater “lighthouses,” pointing the way for foreign submarines that have violated our waters,

– the ministry said.

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According to analysts, the submarine arms race is intensifying between China, the United States, and their allies. As Beijing intends to get a new generation of nuclear submarines, which will be commissioned by the end of the decade.

Faced with a serious and complex covert security struggle in the deep sea and a real threat from foreign espionage and intelligence agencies… (the ministry) will firmly protect China's sovereignty, security and development interests and promote the construction of a strong maritime nation,

– they added in a statement.

China is outraged by US sanctions against its companies that supplied UAVs to russiaOctober 24 2024, 01:32 PM • 17440 views

The concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere has reached the highest level in human history. The potential for heat retention in the atmosphere is 51.5% higher than in 1990.

Pollution of the Earth's atmosphere, which causes the warming of the planet, reached the highest level in human history last year, which is an alarming indicator of the world's inability to curb climate change. This is indicated by the data of the report of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), The Washington Post reports, according to UNN.

The concentration of carbon dioxide, the most important factor leading to global warming, is growing faster than at any time since the evolution of our species

– the statement said.

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It is noted that rising CO2 levels correlate with consistently high rates of fossil fuel consumption. In addition, ecosystems are potentially less able to absorb excess carbon.

At the same time, emissions of greenhouse gases methane and nitrogen oxide reached historic highs in 2023. Thus, the total potential for retaining heat in the atmosphere is now 51.5% higher than in 1990, when scientists first warned that the world was on the path to catastrophic climate change.

Recall

The Global Commission on the Economics of Water reports on the unprecedented stress on the water cycle caused by human activities. This threatens food security, economies, and the lives of billions of people.

The Israeli army conducted a series of special operations near the village of Kfarkela in southern Lebanon. Hundreds of military facilities, thousands of weapons and Hezbollah's underground infrastructure were destroyed.

Israeli troops eliminated Hezbollah's terrorist infrastructure near the village of Kfarkela in southern Lebanon. Most of the special operations were carried out in the area of Kfarkela. This was reported by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in Telegram, according to UNN.

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It is noted that over the past year, the Israeli army has conducted several special operations in the Kfarkela area.

The military conducted targeted raids to investigate and expose clandestine terrorist infrastructure, weapons depots and observation posts, which are one of the main strongholds of the Hezbollah terrorist organization.

In recent weeks, during limited and localized raids, troops of the 769th Brigade under the command of the 91st Division have expanded their activities to the Kfarkela area.

The target was the terrorist infrastructure in the center of the village, the destruction of which should eliminate the possibility of a ground invasion of the area by terrorists into northern Israel as part of their plan to “Conquer the Galilee.

To date, IDF troops have discovered and destroyed clandestine terrorist infrastructure, hundreds of Hezbollah military installations, thousands of weapons, enemy intelligence documents, launchers and tactical equipment belonging to the group's “Radwan forces.

– the statement said.

Israeli troops are dismantling the terrorist infrastructure that Hezbollah has been building over the years in the Kfarkela area, including homes and civilian infrastructure.

IDF confirms elimination of Hezbollah representative who was to succeed NasrallahOctober 22 2024, 09:56 PM • 18583 views

Israel has passed a law banning the activities of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees UNRWA on its territory. The reason was the suspicion of the agency's employees' involvement in the October 7 attack and cooperation with Hamas.

Israel has passed a law banning the activities of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees UNRWA in the country. This was reported by Reuters, according to UNN.

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It is noted that the reason for this decision is the Israeli authorities' belief that members of the department were involved in the attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, as well as their participation in other anti-Israeli actions by the Hamas terrorist organization.

The agency's director, Filippe Lazzarini, called the vote “a dangerous precedent and a violation of the UN Charter, along with Israel's international obligations.

The United Nations and some of Israel's Western allies have expressed concern that the ban will have a negative impact on resolving the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Recall

In early October, the Israeli Foreign Ministry banned UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres from entering the country because he failed to condemn Iran's attack. Israel accused Guterres of supporting terrorists and failing to respond to Hamas' actions.