POL

U.S. readies $2 billion-plus Ukraine aid package with longer-range weapons -sources

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WASHINGTON, Jan 31 (Reuters) – The United States is readying more than $2 billion worth of military aid for Ukraine that is expected to include longer-range rockets for the first time as well as other munitions and weapons, two US officers briefed on the matter told Reuters on Tuesday. The aid is expected to be … Read more

Australian nuclear body joins search for missing radioactive capsule

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MELBOURNE, Jan 31 (Reuters) – Australia’s nuclear safety agency said on Tuesday it had joined the hunt for a tiny radioactive capsule missing somewhere in the outback, sending a team with specialized car-mounted and portable detection equipment. Authorities have now been on a week-long search for the capsule which is believed to have fallen from … Read more

Western allies differ over jets for Ukraine as Russia claims gains

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Biden says ‘no’ when asked about F-16s for Ukraine Zelenskiy says Moscow seeks ‘big revenge’ Russian administrator claims foothold in Vuhledar Kyiv could recapture ground when Western weapons arrive – group KYIV, Jan 31 (Reuters) – Ukraine’s defense minister is expected in Paris on Tuesday to meet President Emmanuel Macron amid a debate among Kyiv’s … Read more

Biden says no F-16s for Ukraine as Russia claims gains

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Russian administrator claims foothold in Vuhledar Kyiv says Russian gains come at huge cost Think-tank says delay in Western arms halted Ukraine’s advance KYIV, Ukraine/WASHINGTON Jan 30 (Reuters) – The United States will not provide the F-16 fighter jets that Ukraine has sought in its fight against Russia, President Joe Biden said on Monday, as … Read more

Suicide bomber breaches high security in Pakistan mosque, kills 59

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Up to 400 worshipers in prayer at time of blast Most of the dead were police officers No immediate claim of responsibility for attack PESHAWAR, Pakistan, Jan 30 (Reuters) – A suicide bomber blew himself up inside a crowded mosque in a highly fortified security compound in Pakistan on Monday, killing 59 people, the latest … Read more

Exclusive: Pro-Kremlin activists in Germany gave money for Russian army gear

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Jan 30 (Reuters) – A group of pro-Russian activists in Germany donated funds to a Russian army division fighting in Ukraine, and the money was used to purchase walkie-talkie radios, headphones and telephones, according to an officer in the division and messages from the group’s organizers seen by Reuters. The couple at the center of … Read more

Britain’s Boris Johnson says Putin threatened him with missile strike

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LONDON, Jan 30 (Reuters) – Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said Russian President Vladimir Putin threatened him with a missile strike during a phone call in the run up to the invasion of Ukraine, a charge denied by Moscow. Johnson, speaking to the BBC for a documentary, said the Russian leader had asked … Read more

Odds ‘very high’ of U.S. military conflict with China, top Republican says

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WASHINGTON, Jan 29 (Reuters) – A top Republican in the US Congress on Sunday said the odds of conflict with China over Taiwan “are very high,” after a US general caused consternation with a memo that warned that the United States would fight China in the next two years. In a memo dated Feb. 1 … Read more

Memphis disbands police unit after fatal beating as protesters take to streets

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MEMPHIS, Tenn., Jan 28 (Reuters) – The specialized police unit that included the five Memphis officers charged with the fatal beating of Tire Nichols was disbanded on Saturday as more protests took place in US cities a day after harrowing video of the attack was released. The police department said in a statement it was … Read more

Iran thwarts drone attack on military site, state media report

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DUBAI, Jan 29 (Reuters) – A loud explosion at a military plant in Iran’s central city of Isfahan was caused by an “unsuccessful” drone attack, Iranian state media reported on Sunday, citing the defense ministry. “One of (the drones) was hit by the … air defense and the other two were caught in defense traps … Read more