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White House was 'not aware Beirut strike was planned

  Earlier, White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said he was not aware of any communication from Israel ahead of the strike in Beirut on Friday. "And that, of course, as you know, is not atypical. All I can assert to you is that there was no US involvement," he told reporters. Kirby said the White House is "involved in intense diplomacy to prevent escalation of conflict along Israel-Lebanon border". The US government has told its citizens not to travel to Lebanon, and to leave if they are already there, amid spiralling tensions.

Hamas says Beirut strike is a 'brutal escalation

  Hamas has condemned the "brutal" Israeli strike on Beirut, which the Israeli military says killed the head of the Hezbollah's elite Radwan unit, Ibrahim Aqil. Hezbollah increased its attacks on Israel after its military attacked Gaza in response to Hamas's unprecedented 7 October attacks, in which around 1,200 people in southern Israel were killed and more than 250 taken hostage. Both Hamas and Hezbollah have been designated terrorist organisations by Western states, Israel and some Arab countries. In its latest statement, Hamas said it "condemns the brutal and terrorist aggression", describing it as "an escalation".

Israel says it killed senior Hezbollah figures in strike on Beirut

 Twelve people have been killed and dozens injured after Israel's military said it carried out a "targeted strike" on the Lebanese capital Beirut Israel says it killed Hezbollah's operations commander Ibrahim Aqil in the attack, alongside other senior members of the group's elite Radwan unit Cross-border exchanges have escalated this week after dozens were killed in a series of exploding device attacks on Hezbollah members, which were widely blamed on Israel

Why does the U.S. act like it's better than other countries?

  The idea that the U.S. acts like it's better than other countries is a matter of perspective and subjective interpretation. Some possible reasons for this perception include: 1. Historical and cultural factors, such as the concept of American exceptionalism, which suggests the U.S. has a unique role to play in the world. 2. Economic and military dominance, contributing to a sense of global influence and responsibility. 3. Media portrayals and national pride. However, many Americans don't share this view, and the U.S. collaborates with other nations through diplomacy, international organizations, and cooperation on global issues.

Which WWII bomber aircraft was more effective, the British Lancaster or the US Flying Fortress

 Both the British Avro Lancaster and the American Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress were highly effective WWII bomber aircraft, with distinct strengths and weaknesses. Here's a comparison: *Avro Lancaster:* Strengths: 1. Payload capacity: 6,000-12,000 lbs (2,722-5,443 kg) 2. Range: 3,460-4,000 miles (5,570-6,437 km) 3. Accuracy: Exceptional bombing accuracy due to advanced bombsight 4. Speed: 245-280 mph (394-451 km/h) Weaknesses: 1. Defensive armament: Limited defensive firepower 2. Vulnerability: Susceptible to night fighter attacks *Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress:* Strengths: 1. Defensive armament: Heavy defensive firepower (12 x .50-cal machine guns) 2. Durability: Exceptional resilience to damage 3. Formation flying: Effective in tight formations for mutual defense 4. Daylight bombing: Excelled in daylight precision bombing Weaknesses: 1. Payload capacity: 4,000-8,000 lbs (1,814-3,629 kg) 2. Range: 1,500-3,000 miles (2,414-4,828 km) *Effectiveness Comparison:*  *Nighttime area bom...

When did the U.S. establish diplomatic relations with the Soviet Union?

  The United States established diplomatic relations with the Soviet Union on November 16, 1933, after almost 16 years of non-recognition following the Bolshevik Party's seizure of power in 1917 ¹. This significant move was made by President Franklin Roosevelt, who saw the potential benefits of establishing formal diplomatic ties with the Soviet Union, including limiting Japanese expansionism in Asia and expanding American commercial interests ¹. Prior to this, the U.S. government had broken off diplomatic relations with Russia in December 1917, due to concerns over the new Bolshevik government's refusal to honor prior debts, ignore pre-existing treaty agreements, and seize American property ¹. However, with the Great Depression underway, Roosevelt sought to explore new avenues for cooperation and recognized the Soviet Union as a major world power ¹. The establishment of diplomatic relations was facilitated by a series of negotiations between Roosevelt and Soviet Commissar for ...

Can Russia's war in Ukraine end without the use of nuclear weapons?

 Russia's war in Ukraine can indeed end without the use of nuclear weapons. Despite repeated nuclear threats from Russia, there are significant disincentives for them to use such weapons. For instance, other nuclear powers like China and India have been putting pressure on Russia to refrain from using nuclear weapons ¹. China has even publicly humiliated Russia by forcing Putin to agree that "nuclear war cannot be won and must not be fought" ¹. Additionally, the United States has made it clear that if Russia were to use a nuclear weapon against Ukraine, the response would be conventional and overwhelming ¹. This deterrent, combined with the fear of sparking a major chain-reaction of nuclear proliferation, makes it unlikely for Russia to use nuclear weapons. It's also worth noting that the consequences of a nuclear war would be catastrophic, with estimates suggesting 91.5 million casualties in the first few hours alone ². The long-term effects would be equally devastat...