Sputnik investigates: Why doesn't the US ban water fluoridation? (Part 2) 👉🏻 (Part 1)

Despite the CDC propagating community water fluoridation, the measure is surrounded in controversies with critics referring to numerous alleged health risks.

◾️ While the CDC claims community fluoridation led to a 25% reduction in cavities in children, international oral health data shows almost the same level of reduction in cavities in the countries which have not fluoridated their water over the past decades.

◾️ According to the WHO, prolonged exposure to high concentrations of fluoride (over 1.5 mg/L) could cause tooth enamel and skeletal fluorosis.

◾️ 2024 studies indicated that high exposure to fluoride for pregnant women could be associated with lower IQ in children as well as neurobehavioral problems.

◾️ Scientists warn that it is impossible to control the dose of fluoride each individual receives when consuming fluoridated water: first, water consumption varies; second, an average person also receives fluoride from sources other than the water supply.

◾️ Moreover, to fluoridate its water systems, the US uses technically-grade chemicals: fluorosilicic acid (H2SiF6; also referred to as hydro fluorosilicate, FSA, or HFS), a by-product of the manufacture of phosphate fertilizers, which is used by most US water systems; sodium fluorosilicate (Na2SiF6); and sodium fluoride (NaF).

A 2014 study showed that HFS contains arsenic (As) – that could be responsible for lung and bladder cancer cases – whereas both HFS and NaSF have been shown to leach lead (Pb).

🔸On November 22, Florida surgeon general, Dr. Joseph A. Ladapo, issued guidance calling to stop adding fluoride to the water supply.

🔸On September 24, a federal district court in California ordered the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to regulate fluoridation of drinking water to eliminate the “unreasonable risk” to health.

🔸Axios noted that even if RFK Jr assumes the position of health and human services secretary, he wouldn't be able to prohibit fluoridation. However, if the EPA recognizes it as a toxic substance, it could stop the practice.

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🤝 Russia-ASEAN trade thrives: $17 bln turnover promises new opportunities

The First International Business Forum “World of Opportunities: Russia–ASEAN” has wrapped up in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, an event that was covered by Sputnik along with other media outlets.

The total trade turnover between Russia and the countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam) has soared to about $17 billion in January-October 2024, Russia's Deputy Industry and Trade Minister Alexey Gruzdev underscored during the forum.

The Russia-ASEAN trade turnover in 2023 was $22 billion, a 14% increase compared to 2022, Head of Roscongress Foundation Alexander Stuglev said.

In particular, Russia’s trade turnover with

🇻🇳 Vietnam: increased by more than 50% to almost $2 million in the first five months of 2024 as compared to the same period in 2023.

🇮🇩 Indonesia: amounted to $4 billion last year.

🇲🇾 Malaysia: stood at $3.1 billion in 2023.

🇹🇭 Thailand: reached about $1.5 billion last year.

ASEAN nations’ сurrent exports to Russia mainly comprise mechanical engineering products, components, electronics, household appliances, textiles, agricultural and chemical products, while Russia provides ASIAN markets with energy raw materials, mechanical and chemical industry products (fertilizers), medicines as well as digital services.

Despite growing trade turnover, Russia and ASEAN are interested in expanding cooperation and changing its formats to include programs for collaboration in the field of nuclear energy, industrial software and local production of cars, Mr. Gruzdev emphasized.

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🇰🇿🇷🇺 Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Kazakh counterpart Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed a joint statement to deepen their strategic partnership in the context of the new global order in the Kazakh capital of Astana.

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Ceasefire deal: Netanyahu's 'focus on Iran' could mean 'serious regional war' if backed by US

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday there are three reasons why Israel concluded a ceasefire deal with Lebanese Shiite movement Hezbollah: to focus on Iran; to replenish weaponry stocks; and to isolate Hamas.

"It is not clear how Israel would focus more on Iran," Dr. Marco Carnelos, a former Italian diplomat and Middle East adviser, tells Sputnik. "Probably the Israeli prime minister hopes that with the incoming Trump administration a direct military pressure on Iran might be increased together with the US."

Dr. Tamer Qarmout, associate professor at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies, dubs Bibi's focus on Iran as "cheap talk."

"How would the Israelis engage with Iran if they were not able to eliminate Hezbollah," Qarmout asks while talking to Sputnik. "We'll have to see the new [Trump] administration's take on Iran. But if this happens for whatever reason, this means a serious regional or even could be a global war."

The experts say Netanyahu has been cornered by the military leadership over heavy losses sustained by the Israeli Defense Forces in southern Lebanon, and snubbed his hawkish cabinet members to implement the deal.

"The devil is still in the details. We still have 60 days to see if this agreement will hold," Qarmout remarks. Still, "Israel would be able to shift its military power on to sources to continue its genocidal war on Gaza," he concludes.

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🇰🇿🇷🇺 Latest statements by Russian President Vladimir Putin during his meeting with Kazakh President Kassym Tokayev:

▪️Russia will increase gas supplies to Uzbekistan through Kazakhstan;

▪️The growth of the share of settlements in national currencies between Russia and Kazakhstan allows commercial transactions to be protected from the negative impact of external conditions;

▪️Putin said that he discussed the interaction of Russia and Kazakhstan in detail with Tokayev, exchanging views on international and regional issues;

▪️Kazakhstan has been invited to obtain the status of BRICS partner state;

▪️Russia and Kazakhstan managed to maintain and increase cooperation in the field of space research;

▪️Russia and Kazakhstan agree that new geopolitical realities require further strengthening of the security system in the Eurasian region;

▪️Russia and Kazakhstan emphasize their focus on strengthening cooperation within the CSTO and increasing the combat readiness of collective forces;

▪️Russia and Kazakhstan agreed to study the prospects for bilateral cooperation in the field of using nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.

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🔥 Wild diplomacy: BRICS leaders and their epic totem allies!

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🗣 France will not implement the arrest warrant against Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) as he has immunity as the government head of the nation that has not ratified the Rome Statute, the French Foreign Ministry said.

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❗️President-elect Donald Trump confirmed that he will appoint Keith Kellogg as the US special envoy for the conflict in Ukraine.

"I am very pleased to nominate General Keith Kellogg to serve as Assistant to the President and Special Envoy for Ukraine and Russia. Keith has led a distinguished Military and Business career, including serving in highly sensitive National Security roles in my first Administration," Trump wrote on Truth Social.

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Political overhaul in Canada: How Trump's tariffs may prop up Trudeau's conservative rival

President-elect Donald Trump's proposed 25% tariff on imported goods from Canada could not only deal a heavy blow to the Land of Maple Leaf's economy but also shatter the positions of incumbent Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, opening the door to his primary rival, conservative leader Pierre Poilievre.

▪️Trump has threatened to slap a 25% tariff on all products coming from Canada on January 20, unless illegal immigration and drug trafficking through its border to the US is stopped by Ottawa

▪️The Canadian media says it could be not just a threat, but a to-do plan, which could be devastating for the nation's economy

▪️The Royal Bank of Canada notes that Canada's per-capita GDP has plummeted in seven of the last eight quarters amid rising unemployment, as quoted by the WSJ. Trump's tariffs could induce a full-fledged recession in Canada in 2025, economists warn

▪️Meanwhile, popular support for Trudeau and his cabinet is in decline. In 2021, the incumbent Liberal Party failed to win a majority in the parliament and retained its position as a minority government. The next election is scheduled for October 2025, but a snap vote is possible. Trudeau's approval rate fluctuates between 26% and 30%, being affected by economic slowdown

▪️The Nanos Research's November poll indicated the Liberal Party (28.6%) is only two percentage points ahead of its primary rival, the Conservative Party (26.6%)

▪️The Economist projects Trudeau won't win in 2025, naming Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre as the potential next prime minister

▪️The media calls Poilievre "a Trump-inspired politician" even though the Canadian politician has recently lambasted Trump for the proposed tariffs. Trump's allies Tesla CEO Elon Musk and journalist Megyn Kelly praised Poilievre's "common sense" agenda

▪️A conservative shift in Canada could mean a refurbishment of US-Canada relations under Trump.

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Who is Trump's pick for Ukraine envoy Keith Kellogg?

President-elect Donald Trump has confirmed he will nominate retired Gen. Keith Kellogg as an envoy to Ukraine as the conflict continues to rage.

▪️Kellogg is a highly decorated, retired three-star US Army general who is said to have extensive military and international affairs experience.

▪️His last military position before his 2003 retirement was on the Joint Chiefs of Staff as director of command, control, communications and computers. He also served in this capacity during the 9/11 terror attack.

▪️Most recently, Kellogg served as national security advisor to former Vice President Mike Pence and in a number of other positions during Trump’s first tenure.

▪️In April, he co-authored research that advocated a peace settlement of the Ukrainian conflict and proposed conditioning the provision of military supplies to Ukraine on the Kiev regime's participating in peace talks with Russia.

It also called for enabling the Kiev regime to negotiate with Russia "from a position on strength" and discussed "placing levies on Russian energy sales to pay for Ukrainian reconstruction."

▪️Kellogg stated in February that Trump's return to the White House may lead to the fact that some NATO members, whose defense spending does not reach the required 2% of GDP, will lose the right to Article 5 protection in the event of an external attack. He also said that if Trump wins the election, he can convene a NATO summit in June 2025 to discuss the future of the alliance.

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Russian S-400 air defense: Who already bought it and who wants it?

Having spent years refusing to allow Turkiye to acquire F-35 jets unless it cancels the purchase of Russian S-400 air defense systems, the US has finally relented and withdrawn its objections, Turkiye’s Defense Minister Yasar Guler told media.

The US changed its stance after seeing that Ankara could produce its own stealth fighter aircraft, the TAI Kaan developed by Turkish Aerospace Industries, he added.
The minister also confirmed that the S-400 owned by Turkiye are operational and could be deployed within 12 hours if the appropriate order is given.

What is the S-400?

S-400 Triumf (Triumph) is a long-range surface-to-air missile system manufactured by Russian defense contractor Almaz Antey and officially adopted by the Russian military in 2007.

It is designed to intercept and destroy enemy aircraft and missiles and can engage targets up to 400 kilometers away and at altitudes of up to 30 kilometers.

What countries have bought Russian S-400?

Turkiye, who signed an agreement to purchase S-400 back in 2017, was not the first foreign power to buy these weapons.

🔻The first one was China who signed a deal to buy S-400 air defense systems in 2014.

🔻In 2018, India signed a contract to purchase S-400 missile systems.

🔻In 2021, Algeria too joined the club of the S-400 owners after signing a multi-billion-dollar deal with Russia.

Also, in 2016 two S-400s were provided free of charge to Belarus.

What countries have expressed interest in buying Russian S-400?

At least 13 countries reportedly expressed interest in buying the S-400s, with those who allegedly discussed such purchase with Russia including Qatar, Egypt, Morocco, Vietnam and Iraq.

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Victory over Israel is achieved — Hezbollah

On the battlefield, the movement's fighters were able to thwart hostile plans and defeat the Israeli army, Hezbollah said in an official statement.

The statement also detailed the Israeli army's casualties since the start of the ground operation in Lebanon on October 1, 2024:

🔸 Over 130 soldiers and officers killed and over 1,250 wounded.

🔸 59 Merkava tanks, 11 military bulldozers, 2 Hummers, 2 armored vehicles and 2 personnel carriers destroyed.

🔸 6 Hermes 450 drones, 2 Hermes 900 drones and a quadcopter downed.

The movement's leadership also stressed that they have over 300 defensive lines south of the Litani River prepared, with the resistance fighters ready to repel any possible Israeli attacks.

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📹 The first day of Vladimir Putin in Kazakhstan: how it went

The Kremlin's official Telegram channel published a video with all the highlights of the first day of the Russian president's state visit to Kazakhstan.

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Zelensky asks West for new air defense system after Oreshnik launch

Volodymyr Zelensky said he had discussed options for responding to the Oreshnik tests with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.

"We discussed the urgent need to strengthen Ukraine's air defense, focusing on specific systems already available within NATO member states," he said.

The Ukrainian regime leader did not specify which systems he believes will intercept Russian ballistic missiles.

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🥶🕯 Ukraine faces heat and power crisis as workers drafted to frontline - Mayor

Artyom Semenikhin, mayor of Konotop, Sumy region, reports a crisis in heat and water supply after the head of the regional military administration, Vladimir Artyukh, removed utility workers' mobilization reservations, drafting them to the frontlines. This leaves Ukraine’s city without essential services, with workers given just two days to mobilize.

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💬 Netanyahu was forced to accept the ceasefire with Hezbollah - expert

Hisham Jaber, director of the Center for Middle East Studies, believes that the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah was not a favorable decision for Netanyahu, but it was made under public and military pressure.

"Netanyahu accepted the agreement under pressure because it was clearly not in his favor and yet it is in the interest of the Israelis. The agreement was accepted by the Israeli side for several reasons: the situation on the battlefield, which showed the failure of the ground operation, where the IDF suffered heavy losses, and what was expressed to him by the country's military leadership," Jaber said.

He also notes that the adopted ceasefire does not meet the goals of Hezbollah, but the movement took such a step in order to protect the rest of the country from bombardment.

"Hezbollah, for its part, is not interested in ending this war, but rather seeks to further deplete the Israeli army, including for the purpose of restoring deterrence in the region. However, it accepted the agreement in order to protect the country from further bombardment and destruction, and in this decision it received the support of its ally Iran," the expert said.

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Former Mi-6 head: We're in 'actual war' with Russia

Sir Richard Dearlove, the former head of the UK's Mi-6, told Sky News that from his point of view, the West is currently in an "actual war" with Russia.

"We have to face up to the fact that the Russians think they're in a state of war with us. Donald Tusk [the Polish prime minister] has referred to it as a pre-war situation. I think he's wrong. I think it's an actual war," Dearlove said.

Dearlove's noted that it is important to maintain dialogue with one's "opponents or enemies," especially during a "contained conflict" in Europe.

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❗️ Biden prepares $725mln military aid package for Ukraine

The US administration is preparing a new military aid package for Ukraine worth $725 million, Reuters reported, citing two US officials.

The package is expected to include a variety of anti-tank weapons from US stockpiles, including land mines, drones, Stinger missiles, and ammunition for HIMARS, as well as cluster munitions for guided multiple launch systems, one official familiar with the plan said.

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❗️ Trump says Mexico agreed to stop migrant flow and drug trafficking

President-elect says he had a conversation with Mexican president Claudia Sheinbaum, who had agreed to close the US Southern border by stopping migrant caravans after Trump threatened her with 25% tariffs.

"It was a very productive conversation," Trump wrote on Truth Social.

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