World News

A VITAL undersea internet cable connecting Finland to Germany has been mysteriously cut, sparking fears of Russian sabotage. The unexplained fault in the C-Lion1 cable has disrupted communication services between both countries, and comes just days after one of Vladimir Putin‘s ships was caught off Britain’s coast. ShutterstockA crucial undersea cable linking Finland to Germany has been cut, disrupting communication services between the two countries (stock image)[/caption] APThe mystery fault has sparked fears of Russian sabotage as experts believe Putin and his men could have ‘enough motives’ for a planned disruption[/caption] And just weeks ago, the US warned that it had detected increased Russian military activity around key undersea cables. The comms cable that links Helsinki to Rostock in Germany was built and is operated by Cinia, a state-controlled Finnish company. Laid between October 2015 and January 2016, the C-Lion1 covers a distance of nearly 1,200 kilometers (730 miles) under the Baltic Sea. It is the only direct connection of its kind between Finland and central Europe and runs alongside other key pieces of infrastructure, including gas pipelines and power cables. To prevent relying too much on a single link, the most vital data flows are typically carried over many cables. On Monday, Cinia announced the mystery malfunction, saying that the cause of the fault is still unclear and that the issue is being investigated. Cinia told Finland‘s state television, YLE, that a repair vessel is ready to go to the fault site. The firm said it didn’t know how long repairs would take, although submarine cables generally take five to 15 days. Cinia CEO Ari-Jussi Knaapila said that “some other external force has contributed to the breaking of the cable,” adding that the damage was not caused by underwater seismic activity such as a landslide. Tapio Frantti, a cybersecurity professor at the University of Jyväskylä, says the cable rupture was most likely purposeful rather than accidental – and that Russia could have enough motives for a planned disruption. He told YLE: “If you look at this from the point of view of probability, then yes, this is on the side of intentionality. “When a cable breaks, it raises questions as to why it happened [and] who might have a motive to do something like this. “They [Russia] really seem to think that they have a special right to do such things. The motive for sabotage is usually that it’s done because it can be done.” Frantti added that, while the implications of a single cable break are minor, it would be concerning if the act was found to be intentional. He continued: “It comes to mind that this could be a practice for a larger-scale act if there is a need for that.” C-Lion1’s unknown fault comes just days after a Russian spy ship was caught lurking off the UK coast near pipelines and internet cables. LURKING AROUND Royal Navy warships and RAF Poseidon spy planes shadowed the Russian spy ship Yantar which had steamed into the Irish Sea last Thursday. The research ship was spotted lurking over cables midway between Dublin and Liverpool. And it came days after a warship armed with hypersonic missiles passed through the Channel. Yantar was sailing with the Golkovo – described as Putin’s “most dangerous” ship – before breaking off and sailing into the Irish Sea. It is understood she was then monitored by recon planes and minehunter HMS Cattistock, reported Navy Lookout. Yantar is believed to be armed with state-of-the-art stealth subs designed to interfere with key communication infrastructure. SWNSYantar is believed to be a key spy ship for Putin[/caption] It has previously been warned that vital undersea cables could be used to cripple Britain. Yantar – a 5,700-ton vessel – briefly activated its Automatic Identification System (AIS) on Thursday to reveal its location. The Project 22010-class intelligence ship has previously been monitored as she has often lingered around the coast of the UK. Meanwhile, the United States previously warned of an increasing risk of Russian “sabotage” of key undersea cables by a secretive military unit. AMERICA’S WARNING Two officials told CNN they think there is a greater chance that the Kremlin will launch sabotage operations to take down a vital component of the global communications infrastructure. Russia has bolstered a specialised unit, the “General Staff Main Directorate for Deep Sea Research” (GUGI), which deploys surface ships, submarines, and naval drones. “We are concerned about heightened Russian naval activity worldwide and that Russia’s decision calculus for damaging US and allied undersea critical infrastructure may be changing,” a US official said, noting GUGI’s focus on undersea sabotage. US surveillance frequently tracks Russian ships near critical maritime infrastructure far from Russian territory. Undersea cables, which carry most global internet and communications traffic, are vital to government, military, and economic operations. Their disruption could significantly impact industries such as finance and energy as the cables also transmit electricity between European countries. The US and allies monitor Russian naval activity around these cables. NATO commanders in 2023 reported increased Russian activity in the Baltic Sea, mirroring findings from Nordic public broadcasters, which identified a fleet of suspected Russian spy ships mapping undersea sites for sabotage. Similar activity by China’s Navy around Taiwan has also been reported, described as potential preparation for isolating the island. Despite the war in Ukraine, Russia continues to prioritise GUGI’s operations. “Any activities damaging seabed infrastructure, including undersea cables, during heightened tensions risk misunderstandings and unintended escalation,” a US official warned, calling such sabotage a significant escalation in Russian aggression. AFPAmerican officials previously warned of an increase in potential Russian sabotage[/caption]

UKRAINE will aim to blitz dozens of key potential targets inside the Russian territory using Western long-range missiles to turn the war around. These include strategic military bases, airfields and some morale-boosting targets like Putin’s beloved bridges inside Russia-occupied Crimea and the Kursk region. AlamyUkrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky will aim to strike strategic targets deep inside Russia[/caption] Ukraine has been given permission to use American missiles to strike Russia, insiders have said With an impressive range of 190 miles, the US-supplied ATACMS missiles could strike deep into Russian territory. It means Kyiv could not only potentially hit frontline targets between Belgorod in the east to Odesa in the south, but also strike areas far inside Russia. This includes regions as far as Rostov, Voronezh and Rostov. With the long-due missile ban now finally lifted, Volodymyr Zelenksy would be looking to target key drone airfields, military air bases and even Putin’s beloved bridges that could hamper the Russian military movement. However, it is understood that for now Ukraine is only allowed to use these missiles inside the Kursk region – one of the key battlegrounds in the war where North Korean troops have been deployed to support Moscow. And the first long-range attacks could be launched within the coming days, insiders say. Colonel Hamish de Bretton-Gordon told The Sun how Zeklenksy would allocate all his resources into making the most use out of the US-made ATACAMS. The former British army chief told The Sun: “He would spend all his time and effort into making sure that these critical weapons are targeted at the right place. “[And] I’m sure, it will begin with [trying to] hold back Kursk. “Kursk is an absolute dagger to the heart of Putin. What is happening there [with North Korean troops] at the moment is critically important to the Russians.” Zelensky is now expected to blast the Kursk region with the US-made long-range guided missiles, which experts say can hit targets accurately. Alan Mendoza, executive director of the Henry Jackson Society, said Ukraine would try to obliterate the Russian military transportation systems and forces that are far away from the frontlines inside the Kursk region. He told The Sun: “Russians are now targets everywhere and that’s going to make a big difference to how the next stage of this war is going to be fought in the Kursk region. “We’re talking about knocking out transport infrastructure and targeting forces far away from the front line. “We’re looking at bases being hit and air power being nullified by the ability to strike the kind of places where the planes are taking off from. So there’s a whole set of things that directly impact Russia’s ability to supply the front line. “These are not simply in terms of men, but it might also be in terms of material and supplies, and all the other things. You need to keep an army going as well as trying to make a dent in Russia’s fighting capabilities.” While it is not clear how deep Ukraine will be allowed to attack using the ATATCMS missiles, Zelensky could now aim to hit many strategic targets that are now under the radar. This includes Crimea – one of the most strategic and relatively safe locations that the Russians have been using to obliterate Ukraine. Putin poured in billions of dollars when he occupied the Black Sea peninsula in 2014 – turning the chunk of land into a designated military logistics base. The region is also home to Russia’s Black Sea fleet and has key military infrastructure including six air bases, command-and-control centres, and arms depot. Experts have dubbed Crimea – which is equipped with air-defence radars and anti-missile systems to protect the facilities – “an unsinkable aircraft carrier”. Ukraine has in the past attacked Crimea with drones – and has tried to destroy Putin’s beloved Kerch Bridge. The £3billion bridge links Crimea to the Russian mainland. Another region that Zelensky could try and target using these long-range missiles is Donbas – where the Russians have been making slow but steady territorial gains. Colonel Hamsih told The Sun: “Ukraine will try and take out the command and control nodes in regions where they are struggling like Donbas. “The airfields in Crimea are also fully in range now that has been are supporting Russian attack son Ukraine, “We may even see the Ukrainians try and drop the Kerch Bridge – although militarily that is not a significant target politically it would be. “The key thing is to get on the front foot, and I’m sure that is exactly what Zelensky and his team would be planning “They’ve shown to be very canny and very able people at fighting, and [ATACMS] is a key part of the armoury they’ve been asking for. “Now see them use it to great effect.” AFPBlack smoke billows from a fire on the Kerch bridge that links Crimea to Russia[/caption] Putin today said the use of Nato missiles will be a ‘declaration of war’ Joe Biden’s bombshell decision to lift the missile ban could be a significant turning point in the conflict. It marks a major escalation in the war and is “significant in terms of the end game”, according to a former senior Nato official. But the Kremlin warned today that the use of such missiles would be deemed a declaration of war. Until now, Biden had been against any escalation that he believed would draw the US and other Nato members into direct confrontation with Russia. But he could have been prompted to give his blessings to use the rockets after Kim Jong-un sent thousands of troops from Pyongyang to fight in Kursk. And it could now pave the way for the UK to follow suit and give the green light for its feared Storm Shadow missiles to be used to blast inside Russia DECLARATION OF WAR But Putin’s quivering puppets have warned the West that the use of long-range Nato missiles by Ukraine would be seen by the Kremlin as a declaration of war.  Putin’s spokesman made clear Moscow was watching closely after reports in the US that Biden has given Kyiv permission for ATACMS strikes on Russian territory.  Mouthpiece Dmitry Peskov referred to Putin’s earlier statements in St Petersburg when he indicated such a move could trigger a third world war.  He said: “We have, of course, paid attention to the relevant publications, which [are] without reference to any official sources. “And here the position of our President, the position of the Russian side, was very clearly and unambiguously formulated by our Head of State in his statement that he made in St Petersburg….   “It says everything very clearly. I simply recommend that you read these words of the President once again.” ‘NEW ROUND OF TENSION’ Peskov was asked: “Is there any expectation in the Kremlin that with Donald Trump already in office, this decision [to fire US long-range missiles at Russian soil] could be reconsidered?” The spokesman said: “If such a decision has indeed been formulated and communicated to the Kyiv regime, then, of course, this is a qualitatively new round of tension. “And a qualitatively new situation in terms of US involvement in this conflict. “I guess that’s what we’re primarily proceeding from. “And most importantly, I repeat once again, our position here should be absolutely clear to everyone, and it is clear to everyone. “These signals were read by the collective West for everyone, and they were voiced by the president in St. Petersburg.” Putin’s other mouthpieces also issued apocalyptic warnings. BACKING FROM PYONGYANG It comes as Kim Jong-un could be readying 100,000 troops to help pal Putin’s stalling war in Ukraine. The North Korean despot has already sent 10,000 of his soldiers to be flung into the battleground as Putin looks to claw back Kursk Despite warnings his troops could be used as “human shields”, Kim could be prepared to deploy as many as 100,000 more to help flailing Putin‘s army, sources say. Putin and Kim have been cosying up on the world stage – and insiders believe if their ties deepen, Pyongyang could be prepared to aid Vlad more. Sources familiar with assessments made by some Group of 20 nations say North Korea may dispatch as many as 100,000 troops, Bloomberg reports. Batches of troops could be rotated over time rather than been hurled into the meatgrinder in a single deployment, it is understood.

NORDIC citizens have been provided with terrifying war survival guides as nations on Putin’s doorstep brace for World War Three. On Monday, millions of pamphlets landed in Swedish homes eerily titled: “If Crisis or War Comes,” while other nations issue their own chilling advice to fearful citizens. AFPThe Swedish booklet is titled: If Crisis or War Comes[/caption] AFPSweden’s Minister for Civil Defence Carl-Oskar Bohlin presents the new version of the preparedness booklet that will be distributed to all households[/caption] Stockholm has warned of what they call the worsening security situation – otherwise known as Russia’s bloody invasion of Ukraine – and urged Swedes to prepare for conflict. Meanwhile neighbouring Finland have published its own chilling advice online to prepare “for incidents and crises”. In a scarily detailed section on military conflict, the digital brochure describes how the government and president would respond in the event of an armed attack. The Finnish brochure stressed that its authorities are “well prepared for self defence”. Norwegians also received a pamphlet urging residents to know how to manage on their own for a week in the event of extreme weather – or war. In summer, Denmark‘s emergency management agency put out a warning to Danish adults detailing the water, food and medicine necessary to get through three days of crisis. Sweden and Finland recently gave up neutrality to join Nato after witnessing the atrocities Putin has unleashed in Ukraine since 2022. Norway was a founding member of the Western defensive alliance on the other hand. While Sweden and Norway have not shied away from warning residents of war via pamphlet, Finland’s Helsinki government decided not to print a copy for each home. This is not because the fear isn’t prevalent, but because printing so many “would cost millions” while a digital version could be updated easier. The Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB)A chilling message to Swedish residents as they are urged to prepare for war[/caption] The Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB)People were also instructed to be ready in the event of terror attacks[/caption] The Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB)The eerie survival guides also teach citizens how to be safe during air attacks[/caption] Tore Kamfjord at the Norwegian Directorate for Civil Protection said: “We have sent out 2.2 million paper copies, one for each household in Norway”. The long list of items to be kept a home include tins of beans, energy bars and pasta. In the case of a nuclear attack, iodine tablets have even been terrifyingly added to the list of medicines. Norway’s Oslo sent out an earlier version back in 2018, which Kamfjord alluded was brought on by extreme weather events like floods and landslides – not war. Swedes have long received civil emergency booklets, with the first edition named “If War Comes” produced during World War Two before getting an update during the Cold War. But one terrifying message has been moved from the middle of the booklet further to the front. It reads: “If Sweden is attacked by another country, we will never give up. All information to the effect that resistance is to cease is false.” And another piece of advice from the guide explains how to respond to an attack with nuclear, chemical or biological weapons. APRussian President Vladimir Putin’s actions against Ukraine have instilled fear in Nordic countries[/caption] GettyRescuer and policemen stand amid rubble near collapsed wall of residential building after missile attack in Ukraine[/caption] EPAUkrainian flags wave in front of damaged residential buildings in Orikhiv, near the frontline in the Zaporizhzhia region, Ukraine[/caption] It warns: “Take cover in the same way as with an airstrike. “Shelters provide the best protection. After a couple days, the radiation has decreased sharply.” Sweden has slowly brought down its defence since the Second World War, but has made sharp increased since Russia’s invasion on Ukraine. Finland meanwhile has kept its guard up for decades due to its long border with Russia and its horrific history with the Soviet Union in World War Two that scarred the republic. Finnish residents have been forced to reflect on how they would cope without power for numerous days on end in deadly winter temperatures of -20C. Like Norway, Finnish residents’ checklist also includes iodine tablets in the case of nuclear disaster. The Nordic countries all urge people to stockpile drinking water, canned food, medicine, heating, toilet paper, money and flashlights and candles – and, if possible, keep the car fully refuelled. The Baltics have also been preparing for a future Russian invasion. Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania signed an agreement in January this year to create a joint defence line to protect each other against any future attacks from Russia. And in June, Europe looked to build a giant 1,500 mile defensive line to protect itself from a chilling Vladimir Putin invasion. ReutersAn anti-tank defence line dubbed ‘Dragon’s Teeth’ in Ukraine[/caption] APPoland unveils detailed plans for the new ‘Tusk Line’ defence in May[/caption] Poland and the Baltics planned to create the £2.2billion blockade to keep Russia from advancing through the continent as the threat of WW3 looms. It comes as Volodymyr Zelensky issued a stark warning to his foe Vladimir Putin as he told the tyrant: “Missiles will speak for themselves”. Joe Biden has long snubbed Ukrainian leader Zelensky‘s pleas for Western-supplied weapons to be used on Russian turf – fearing an escalation in the war. But it is understood the US president has given the green light just two months before he exits the White House. American-supplied ATACMS missiles could first be used against Russian and North Korean troops in Kursk before being used against other targets. Zelensky today said: “There’s a lot of talk in the media about us receiving permission for respective actions. “But strikes are not carried out with words. Such things are not announced. Missiles will speak for themselves.” Unnamed US officials said Kyiv plans to unleash its first long-range strikes in the coming days. But with Donald Trump due to take over as president in two months, it is unclear whether he will uphold his predecessor’s policy. AFPSoldiers from the 13th counter intelligence battalion, 2nd reconnaissance platoon of the Swedish Armed Forces, participate in military exercise near Stockholm[/caption] GettyA US military convoy wait for aerial support alongside a road in Bro area[/caption]

A BANANA duct-taped to a wall is being sold for $1million at an art auction – and you don’t even get to keep the banana. Instead, the price grants you permission to recreate the “profound” piece. APIf you want to recreate this, just pop down to Tesco with a 20p coin and take home 4p in change[/caption] APThe “Comedian” will set art-lovers back a pretty penny, and they won’t even get to take the banana home[/caption] The bizarre artwork by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan is titled “Comedian”. Now, the minimalist object has an estimated value of £1.2million at Sotheby’s auction in New York. Despite the obscene cost, the “Comedian” is being labelled as game-changing for the contemporary art world. Sotheby’s head of contemporary art, David Galperin, said: “What Cattelan is really doing is turning a mirror to the contemporary art world and asking questions, provoking thought about how we ascribe value to artworks, what we define as an artwork. “What you buy when you buy Cattelan’s ‘Comedian’ is not the banana itself, but a certificate of authenticity that grants the owner the permission and authority to reproduce this banana and duct tape on their wall as an original artwork by Maurizio Cattelan. “No important, profound, meaningful artwork of the past 100 years or 200 years, or our history for that matter, did not provoke some kind of discomfort when it was first unveiled.” It seems, however, that the “Comedian” might be intended as a joke. Cattelan is often thought of as a “trickster artist” according to Chloé Cooper Jones, an assistant professor at the Columbia University School of the Arts. She said: “But his work is often at the intersection of the sort of humor and the deeply macabre. “He’s quite often looking at ways of provoking us, not just for the sake of provocation, but to ask us to look into some of the sort of darkest parts of history and of ourselves.” Chloé went onto speculate that the bemusing banana is actually a commentary on imperialism and labour exploitation. She continued: “It would be hard to come up with a better, simple symbol of global trade and all of its exploitations than the banana. “[It’s] at least a more useful tool or it’s at least an additional sort of place to go in terms of the questions that this work could be asking. “It’s not that interesting of an idea.” A banana only costs 16p at your local Tesco. The auction takes place on November 20. The “Comedian” was first debuted in 2019, and quickly became a sensation. The artwork has inspired Halloween costumes, tattoos and movie spoofs. On the banana’s official Instagram page, people can be seen dressing up as the artwork and creating a Lego replica. The “Comedian” can also been seen in pictures spoofing the unknown grey block in 2001: A Space Odyssey, and someone has even gotten a tattoo of it on their arm. One comment under the account’s first post back in 2019 reads: “This art could have been funny if it had not been art”. AFPThe piece has drawn a mixture of reaction, with some unsure what to make of it[/caption] AFPThe minimalist design is striking alone on a white wall[/caption]

A PLUMBER struck gold when he discovered treasure worth millions in a buried chest that other workers ignored. The lucky tradesman stumbled across a huge stash of pure gold coins worth £2 million in a metal box beneath a cellar in Vienna, Austria. NF/newsXA plumber found £2 million of gold during a basement renovation in Vienna[/caption] NF/newsXOther workers missed out on the find after ignoring a piece of rope meaning they did not get a share of the find[/caption] The first clue was a mysterious rope sticking out of the basement floor of the villa he was renovating in the Penzing area of the capital. When the plumber, who has not been named, could not pull the rope out, he grabbed a shovel. After chipping away the concrete he found a rusty metal box and prised it open. Inside he discovered 30kg of gold coins stamped with pictures of Mozart, the famous Austrian composer. The previous day another builder had been working in the cellar and noticed the rope but ignored it – agonisingly missing out on a share of the plunder. Other oblivious builders working in the basement also went home empty-handed. The curious plumber, however, will be rewarded with a generous chunk of the coins’ value. In Austria, finds like this are equally divided between the finder and the property owner – meaning the workman could get a £1million payout. The plumber was gobsmacked by his luck. Armin, an old friend of the builder who missed out on the treasure, told the incredible story on a German talk show. He told Heute presenters: “Something like this is really unbelievable. “From time to time you might find a few coins, but such a discovery is fantastic.” It is thought the coins were buried during the Second World War when wealthy Europeans hid their valuables. X MARKS THE SPOT The plumber might be the luckiest man in Austria, but others around the world have made similar jackpot finds recently. A scuba diver in the Mediterranean swam into a vast stash of 30,000 ancient coins from almost 2,000 years ago. The submerged treasure was worth around £2.5million, but the honest diver turned them over to the Italian authorities. In another staggering discovery, a collector of military vehicles in Northamptonshire found £2 million worth of gold bars in an Iraqi tank he bought on eBay. He filmed himself prising open the diesel tank in case he found munitions and needed to show bomb disposal crews. Instead, he pulled out a load of 5kg gold bars. He too handed the goods over to the authorities but admitted earlier this year he wishes he had not. He told MailOnline: “I regret handing it in. I should have at least got a finders’ fee for it but I got absolutely nothing.”