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Russian nuclear test chief says Moscow ready to resume testing ‘at any moment’

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Russia has not done such tests in over 30 years, but Putin could do so to send a message to the West over long-range missiles for Ukraine

The head of Russia’s nuclear testing site said on Tuesday his secretive facility was ready to resume nuclear tests “at any moment” if Moscow gave the order, in rare comments likely to fuel concerns that the risk of such a step is rising.

Moscow has not conducted a nuclear weapons test since 1990, the year before the fall of the Soviet Union, but some Western and Russian analysts say President Vladimir Putin could order one to try to send a message of deterrence to the West if it lets Ukraine use its long-range missiles to strike Russia, something that is under discussion.

A nuclear test by Russia could encourage others such as China or the United States to follow suit, starting a new nuclear arms race between the big powers, which stopped nuclear testing in the years after the Soviet collapse.

Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team.

Russia’s testing site, located on the remote Novaya Zemlya archipelago in the Arctic Ocean, was where the Soviet Union conducted more than 200 nuclear tests, including the detonation of the world’s most powerful nuclear bomb ever in 1961.

It is closely watched by Western spy satellites for activity amid signs of construction work last summer shown in open-source satellite images.

Rear Admiral Andrei Sinitsyn, the head of the facility, gave a rare interview to Rossiyskaya Gazeta, the Russian government’s official newspaper, which was published on Tuesday, days after Putin warned the West it would be directly fighting with Russia if it allowed Ukraine to strike Russian territory with Western-made long-range missiles and spoke of retaliation.

“The test site is ready for resumption of full-scale testing activities. It is ready in its entirety. Laboratory and testing facilities are ready. The personnel are ready. If the order comes, we can start testing at any moment,” Sinitsyn said.

Pictured in his naval uniform alongside a cabinet holding a book about Putin and a giant white porcelain polar bear, Sinitsyn painted a picture of a facility kept in a high state of readiness that was protected by elite troops.

“The most important thing for us is not to disrupt the implementation of state tasks. If the task of resuming tests is set, it will be accomplished within the time frame stipulated,” he said.

Putin, in charge of the world’s largest nuclear power, signed a law last November withdrawing Russia’s ratification of the global treaty banning nuclear weapons tests, a move he said was designed to bring Russia into line with the United States, which signed but never ratified the treaty.

Russian diplomats said at the time that Moscow would not resume nuclear testing unless Washington does. Putin said in June Russia could test a nuclear weapon “if necessary”, but saw no need to do so at the present time.

The United States last tested in 1992. Only North Korea has conducted a test involving a nuclear explosion this century.

A senior member of a Russian think-tank whose ideas sometimes become government policy suggested in May that Moscow consider a “demonstrative” nuclear explosion to cow the West.

In an article for Profil, a business magazine, Dmitry Suslov said Russia needed to act to dissuade the West from crossing a red line.

“The political and psychological effect of a nuclear mushroom cloud, which will be shown live on all television channels around the world, will hopefully remind Western politicians of the one thing that has prevented wars between the great powers since 1945 and that they have now largely lost – fear of nuclear war,” Suslov wrote.

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“We no lose o” — VeryDarkMan sings and dances after court hearing against Femi Falana and Falz held today.

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November 14, 2024

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"We no lose o" — VeryDarkMan sings and dances after court hearing against Femi Falana and Falz held today.
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VeryDarkMan’s court hearing against Femi Falana and Falz took place today, and he seems to be celebrating. However, the court actually ruled in favor of Femi Falana, ordering VeryDarkMan to delete defamatory videos about him.

It appears VeryDarkMan had made some allegations against Falana and his son, Falz, which the court deemed defamatory. The court also granted Falana’s request to serve VeryDarkMan with court processes through his lawyer, Deji Adeyanju Esq.

Despite the court’s ruling, VeryDarkMan seems to be in high spirits, singing and dancing after the hearing. It’s unclear what the outcome of the case will be, but for now, VeryDarkMan appears to be taking it in stride.

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GUNMEN ATTACK MILITARY CHECKPOINT AT ABIA AND IMO BOARDER, ALLEGEDLY KILL TWO SOLDIERS…

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November 14, 2024

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GUNMEN ATTACK MILITARY CHECKPOINT AT ABIA AND IMO BOARDER, ALLEGEDLY KILL TWO SOLDIERS
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Ekwutosblog gathered that Gunmen attacked an army checkpoint earlier today, Wednesday 13th November, 2024 at Ekenobizi, a border community between Abia and Imo states in Umuopara, Umuahia South Local Government Area, killing two soldiers.

A military source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the attack occurred around 6:18 am. The gunmen arrived in a white Lexus (350/400) model, although the exact number of attackers could not be confirmed.

Confirming the incident in a press release on Wednesday, Lieutenant Colonel Jonah Unuakhalu of the Joint Task Force South East Operation UDO KA said: “In the early hours of today, 13 November 2024, troops of the Joint Task Force South East Operation UDO KA, deployed at a checkpoint along the Umuahia – Owerri Road in Umuahia South Local Government Area of Abia State, came under attack by faceless group.

“During the attack, the gallant troops were able to repel the assault, forcing the attackers to retreat in disarray with gunshot wounds, abandoning one Sienna and one Lexus Jeep used in the attack. However, in the ensuing firefight, two soldiers paid the supreme price.”

The Joint Task Force appealed to residents of the South East, particularly those in Abia State, for credible information to help track down the fleeing attackers and combat criminal elements in the region.

The force reiterated its commitment to protecting lives and property in line with global best practices and the rules of engagement.

Kindly follow ekwutosblog on Instagram and Facebook for verified News and Current Affairs in addition to insightful contents that inform, inspire, educate and entertain you always.

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TV chef found dead in hotel aged 52 after criticising Vladimir Putin

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November 14, 2024

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Alexei Zimin has died
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A TV chef who fled to London after his opposition of Vladimir Putoin has been found dead while on a promotional tour

A Russian TV chef who criticised Vladimir Putin has been found dead in a Belgrade hotel

Alexei Zimin, 52, died suddenly on a promotional tour to the Serbian capital. Authorities have said his cause of death is currently “unclear”.

Zimin fled Russia to London after his oppositions of Putin. Zimin was once a popular figure on Russian cooking shows. He also owned Zima restaurant in Soho, which he founded after he had left Russia following Putin’s invasion of Crimea.

In a statement released by Zima magazine today, a spokesperson said: “Alexei Zimin, the project’s editor-in-chief and the chef of the Zima restaurant, has passed away. Alexei was not only a colleague, he was our friend, a close person with whom we were lucky to go through a lot – both good, kind and sad.”

London-based exiled Russian TV chef, editor and restaurateur Alexei Zimin, dies at 52.

It concluded: “Thank you to everyone for the words we received today about Alexei. We are hurting together with you.”

Zimin had also been editor-in-chief of the Russian edition of GQ magazine.

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