US prepares ‘major sanctions’ against Russia over Navalny’s death

The Biden administration is preparing "major sanctions" against Moscow in response to the death of Russian opposition leader Aleksei Navalny, with President Biden blaming Vladimir Putin's government for Navalny's death.
According to National Security Council spokesman John F. Kirby, the sanctions will be announced on Friday, and are intended to hold Russia accountable for Navalny's death and other actions during the ongoing conflict.
Russian officials claim Navalny died after losing consciousness during a walk in prison, but the US remains skeptical, asserting Putin's responsibility regardless of the investigation's outcome.
Navalny's death occurred as Russia's invasion of Ukraine entered its second year, with billions in US aid stalled in Congress. Navalny was a vocal critic of Putin and condemned the invasion.
Despite previous sanctions aimed at crippling Russia economically and militarily, they have not significantly impacted its ability to endure the conflict, with Russia's economy even growing faster than expected, according to the International Monetary Fund.

NATO allies Turkey, Romania, Bulgaria sign deal to clear Black Sea mines

Turkey, Romania and Bulgaria have signed an agreement to clear mines drifting in the Black Sea that have posed a threat to shipping since the start of Russia’s war on Ukraine.
On Thursday, Turkish Defence Minister Yasar Guler said the deal establishes a Mine Countermeasures Task Group among the three NATO allies to deal with the mines as he met in Istanbul with his Romanian counterpart, Angel Tilvar, and Bulgarian Deputy Defence Minister Atanas Zapryanov.
Zapryanov said mines pose a “danger to ports, communication networks and key water infrastructure” while Tilvar added that Russia’s “disdain for the norms of international law and its aggression in the Black Sea is not only a regional problem but also a problem with global consequences”.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is at the Presidential Palace in Warsaw for the first time since a political sea change in Poland ended eight years of national conservative rule.
Trudeau, who spent Saturday in Kyiv reaffirming Canada’s support for Ukraine, is meeting with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and President Andrzej Duda.
The talks are likely to focus on the Russian threat to Ukraine and the NATO alliance, the primary bulwark that stands between Russia and the rest of Europe.
Canada is under renewed pressure to spend two per cent of its gross domestic product on defense — a NATO-mandated target most other allies are expected to hit by the end of the year.

American intelligence agencies have told their closest European allies that if Russia is going to launch a nuclear weapon into orbit, it will probably do so this year — but that it might instead launch a harmless “dummy” warhead into orbit to leave the West guessing about its capabilities.
The assessment came as American intelligence officials conducted a series of rushed, classified briefings for their NATO and Asian allies, as details of the American assessment of Russia’s intentions began to leak out.
The American intelligence agencies are sharply divided in their opinion about what President Vladimir V. Putin is planning, and on Tuesday Mr. Putin rejected the accusation that he intended to place a nuclear weapon in orbit and his defense minister said the intelligence warning was manufactured in an effort to get Congress to authorize more aid for Ukraine.

Russian authorities claim Navalny's death was natural but withhold his remains until his family agrees to a "secret funeral," sparking outrage.
Navalny's mother, Lyudmila Navalnaya, accuses authorities of blackmail and restricting burial arrangements.
President Biden meets with Navalny's family, praises Navalny's legacy, and vows sanctions against Putin, holding him responsible for Navalny's death.
Putin remains silent on Navalny's death, instead engaging in a publicity stunt, flying on a supersonic bomber.
Tensions escalate over Navalny's funeral arrangements, with authorities allegedly trying to limit choices and even blackmailing his mother.

Ukrainians honor protesters from the 2014 Maidan uprising as the first soldiers in the ongoing conflict with Russia, displaying their portraits at St. Michael’s Golden-Domed Monastery.
Russia's unacknowledged military intervention in 2014 led to a simmering conflict in eastern Ukraine, culminating in the full-scale invasion in 2022, marking the second anniversary this week.
Ukrainian soldiers, including Captain Oleh Voitsekhovsky, see their fight as part of a historical struggle against Moscow, with experiences ranging from Maidan protests to current trench warfare.
The Maidan uprising influenced Russia's tactics, including deploying soldiers in Crimea without insignia, triggering Western debates and delaying a decisive response from.

Indian citizens reportedly drafted into private armies for Russia, prompting caution from the Indian government.
Hyderabad resident Mohammad Sufiyan trapped; family seeks government intervention.
AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi calls for engagement to rescue trapped individuals.
Urgent plea for government assistance and diplomatic resolution to safeguard trapped Indian nationals.

Hemil Ashwinbhai Mangukiya, killed on the Ukraine front, was not informed of his death until two days later, when his family received a call from a friend working with him.
Initially skeptical, the family verified the news and organized a prayer session for Hemil in their Varachha neighborhood, where he grew up.
Hemil, who had only completed Class 12, relocated with his family to Velanja village in Surat. Despite limited education, he sought job opportunities abroad after learning about the Russian army’s recruitment efforts on social media.
Following guidance from recruitment agents, Hemil traveled to Russia for a job that offered promising compensation.

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Jiah Malik (B.A. I.R. 1st Year)

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