Новости за 23.10.2017

Written with “on-board” stationery from the ill-fated Titanic cruiseliner, first-class passenger Alexander Holverson’s letter to his mother from before the ship went down was auctioned for a price of $166,000 over the weekend.

After nearly 100 students walked out of New Jersey’s Cliffside Park High School last week in protest of a teacher telling Spanish-speaking students to “speak American” in class, 37 of them are scheduled for detention on Saturday, according to the school district.

On Sunday, Veneto and Lombardy, two Italian richest regions, held non-binding referendums seeking to gain more autonomy from Rome. President of Italy's Veneto region Luca Zaia has shared her opinion toward anti-Russia sanctions.

Former CIA director and US general David Petraeus said that he severely doubted the possibility of a US nuclear war with North Korea, as the White House’s pugnacious rhetoric on the isolated Asian nation was meant to improve the US’ leverage in negotiations with an entirely different country.

Following a bombshell report late Sunday evening that the US is preparing to put its B-52 nuclear bombers on 24-hour alert, a North Korean editorial blasted US President Donald Trump as a “hooligan” and a “lunatic.”

Take a look at what has remained from Raqqa after its liberation from Daesh in Sputnik's gallery.

Photos of former FBI Director James Comey in Iowa wearing running shoes were posted on what is believed to be Comey’s personal Twitter account over the weekend. The state is where the first caucus is held for presidential races, motivating some fun speculation that Comey is hinting at a run for office in 2020.

Amid escalated tensions on the Korean Peninsula, the US Air Force reportedly intends to put its B-52 bombers back on 24-hour alert. Sputnik spoke with professor of political science John Dunn about this issue.

A spear fisherman from the UK described his recent incident off the coast of Australia as one of the most "terrifying" experiences in his life.

The US has suffered a defeat from Tehran in Iraqi Kurdistan, RIA Novosti contributor Gevorg Mirzayan writes, adding that Iran managed to outmaneuver the US and help Baghdad regain control over the oil-rich province of Kirkuk. According to the academic, the Iraqi operation may also affect the US-backed Kurds' independence plans in Syria.

The Judicial Watch watchdog group has disclosed the number of Hillary Clinton's emails that have to be examined.

Sputnik has discussed the prospects of Ankara-Brussels relations with an associate senior research fellow at the Centre for European Policy Studies in Brussels, Erwan Fouere, and a deputy director at the French Institute for International and Strategic Affairs specializing in Turkey's policies, Didier Billion.

A lot of water has passed under the bridge since Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi was overthrown in 2011.

A European lawmaker has commented on the results of the Czech parliamentary election, which the centrist movement ANO has won.

A probe has been launched into the incident.

The Spanish authorities "are trying to bring normality" into the situation in Catalonia, political analyst Alfonso Valero said, adding that the move will pave the way towards snap elections in which Catalan people will have a say.

The family of a man slain in 1994 by mafioso is suing the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), alleging the killers were secretly working for the organization. The bureau often uses members of criminal organizations, and its own reports indicate they are permitted to commit crimes.

The inmates of New York’s Rikers Island prison have a big incentive to behave well and not fight amongst each other: They receive slices of Dominos pizza when they play nice.

Hollywood actor Sean Penn fears assassination at the hands of a Mexican drug cartel because of a Netflix documentary, according to his lawyer. Sputnik discovers the hidden story behind The Day I Met El Chapo.

According to a plan issued by Beijing and Moscow proposing a way to settle the tensions on the Korean Peninsula, Pyongyang must stop nuclear tests, while Washington and Seoul should refrain from conducting joint war games.

Do you know what a canine Halloween party looks like? No? Watch our video to find out

The main reason for the crisis in Turkish-US relations is Turkey’s turn to Eurasia, Turkish commentators have told Sputnik, explaining that Turkey now believes that by siding with Russia, Iran, Iraq and Syria it can better protect its national interests. While Ankara is not going to cut off its ties with the West, their mutual distrust is growing.

Alla Bout, the wife of Russian businessman Viktor Bout, who was sentenced to 25 years in prison in the US, has told Sputnik about the condition of her husband.

Russian cybersecurity company Kaspersky Lab has issued a statement concerning the recent allegations made by the US government, accusing the company of espionage.

Hillary Clinton's recent appearance at the Times/HSBC/Waterstones-sponsored Cheltenham Literary Festival, where she urged the west to "get tough" on Putin, Russia and its media outlets, was proof once again that these UK "festivals" have little to do with promoting great writing, but quite a lot to do with promoting neocon geopolitical narratives.