RUSSIA –  Vladimir Putin says Russia would consider an attack from a non-nuclear state that was backed by a nuclear-armed one to be a “joint attack”, in what could be construed as a threat to use nuclear weapons in the war in Ukraine.

In key remarks on Wednesday night, the Russian president said his government was considering changing the rules and preconditions around which Russia would use its nuclear arsenal.

Ukraine is a non-nuclear state that receives military support from the US and other nuclear-armed countries.

His comments come as Kyiv seeks approval to use long-range Western missiles against military sites in Russia.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has travelled to the US this week and is due to meet US President Joe Biden in Washington on Thursday, where Kyiv’s request is expected to be top of the agenda.

Ukraine has pushed into Russian territory this year and wants to target bases inside Russia which it says are sending missiles into Ukraine.

Responding to Putin’s remarks, Zelensky’s chief of staff Andriy Yermak said Russia “no longer has anything other than nuclear blackmail to intimidate the world”.

Putin has threatened the use of nuclear weapons before. Ukraine has criticised it as “nuclear sabre-rattling” to deter its allies from providing further support.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken described the comments as “totally irresponsible” in an MSNBC television interview.

Russian ally China has also called for calm, with reports President Xi Jinping has warned Putin against using nuclear arms.

But on Wednesday, after a meeting with his Security Council, Putin announced the proposed radical expansion.

A new nuclear doctrine would “clearly set the conditions for Russia to transition to using nuclear weapons,” he warned – and said such scenarios included conventional missile strikes against Moscow.

He said that Russia would consider such a “possibility” of using nuclear weapons if it detected the start of a massive launch of missiles, aircraft and drones into its territory, which presented a “critical threat” to the country’s sovereignty.

He added: “It is proposed that aggression against Russia by any non-nuclear state, but with the participation or support of a nuclear state, be considered as their joint attack on the Russian Federation.”

The country’s nuclear arms were “the most important guarantee of security of our state and its citizens”, the Kremlin leader said.

Since the end of World War Two, nuclear-armed states have engaged in a policy of deterrence, which is based on the idea that if warring states were to launch major nuclear strikes it would lead to mutually assured destruction. (BBC)…[+]

PARAMARIBO – Two weeks ago a hole was detected in the bridge that runs across the Para Creek and which is part of the Martin Luther Kingweg. Despite the many complaints and the threat that this hole poses to traffic, the hole still has not been fixed by the Public Works Ministry.

The people who cross this bridge frequently are puzzled by the fact that it is taking so long to fix a small problem. The people who live near the bridge also can’t believe that the ministry still has not taken any action. “All they have to do is close the hole in the bridge. Why is it difficult to fill the hole in the bridge?” Last week a concrete block was placed in front of the hole to divert traffic. But after a few days a car rammed the concrete block. After the collision more concrete blocks were placed on the bridge.

Local residents, moped riders and drivers complained about the heavy trucks that still cross the bridge even though the authorities have issued a ban on trucks that weigh more than 5 tonnes. “The situation is only getting worse. It is like they want more cars to slam into the blocks and for the heavy trucks to do more damage to this fragile bridge before they will finally start the repairs,” said a local resident…[+]

PARAMARIBO – There is currently no shortage of gas cylinders. The Ministry of Economic Affairs, Entrepreneurship and Technological Innovation (EZ), recently urged retailers to refrain from stockpiling gas cylinders as this behaviour would unnecessarily result in a shortage and because it would also bring the delivery of gas cylinders to a stop.

It also made it clear that piling up and hiding huge quantities of gas cylinders without permission is against the law. “These measures were implemented to protect our citizens and to make sure that everybody can obtain gas nationwide.”

The ministry will keep making sure that the rules are not broken and will also take firm action against perpetrators. Companies and individuals that break the law by stockpiling gas cylinders risk getting hefty fines and other sanctions. The ministry urges people who want to complain about irregularities to dial 1940 or via WhatsApp at +5978530915…[+]

LOS ANGELES – The time has come for Reese Witherspoon and the team behind the new “Legally Blonde” prequel series to find their young Elle Woods. On Wednesday, Witherspoon announced in a video posted to Instagram that the search is on to cast the coveted role of a high school-aged Woods for the upcoming Prime Video series “Elle,” the famed pink-clad character that Witherspoon originated in the 2001 classic.

“We are starting the casting process and we are making it open,” Witherspoon said in the video. “This is going to be really fun!” In the caption, Witherspoon directed her followers to submit their auditions at the link in her bio, writing she’s “SO excited to see all of your fabulous takes on everyone’s favorite Gemini vegetarian.” Witherspoon announced the prequel series when she appeared at Prime Video’s upfront presentation in May, saying that before Woods became a Harvard Law grad, she was just a “regular ‘90s high school girl.”

The series will follow a teenage Woods “as we learn about the life experiences that shaped her into the iconic young woman we came to know and love in the first ‘Legally Blonde’ film,” according to an official synopsis. Viewers will see how Woods “navigated her world as a teenager with her distinct personality and ingenuity, in ways that only our beloved Elle could do,” Withersoon, who will serve as an executive producer on the series, said in a news release at the time of the show’s announcement. “Legally Blonde” premiered in 2001 and has become a cult classic. Selma Blair, Matthew Davis, Luke Wilson, Jennifer Coolidge, Victor Garber, Ali Larter and Holland Taylor rounded out the all-star cast. A sequel was released in 2003 and a third installment is reportedly being co-written by Mindy Kaling.

The movie follows the optimistic and stylish sorority queen Woods (Witherspoon), who attends Harvard Law to win back her college boyfriend Warner (Davis). Woods winds up proving her many critics wrong when she excels in her field, finds love elsewhere and realizes her true value. (CNN)…[+]