eastern europe

US considering responses to possible Russian escalation in Ukraine, including its potential use of tactical nuclear weapons

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CNN — With growing concerns over Vladimir Putin’s escalating Russian war in Ukraine, the United States is considering how to respond to a range of potential scenarios, including fears that the Russians may use nuclear weapons tactics, according to three sources briefed on the latest information. Since the beginning of the conflict, the United States … Read more

Government shutdown averted as Biden signs funding bill

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CNN — The House of Representatives voted on Friday to approve an interim bill to fund the government until December 16, avoiding a shutdown hours before the midnight deadline when the funding was due to expire. President Joe Biden signed the bill Friday afternoon. The Senate passed the measure on a bipartisan basis Thursday. Lawmakers … Read more

US imposing ‘swift and severe costs’ on Russia following Putin’s Ukraine annexation

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CNN — The United States is imposing what it describes as ‘swift and severe costs’ on Russia, including sanctions on a figure the Biden administration says is key to Russia’s economy, after the president Vladimir Putin has announced the annexation of parts of Ukraine following what the West calls “sham referendums. Putin on Friday signed … Read more

US Army doctor and anesthesiologist charged with conspiring to provide US military medical records to Russian government

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CNN — A Maryland wife and husband have been charged with conspiring to provide the Russian government with personal US government and military medical records, according to a recently unsealed federal indictment. Anna Gabrielian, an anesthesiologist practicing in Baltimore, with her husband, Jamie Lee Henry, a major and US Army physician, allegedly provided ‘individually identifiable … Read more

US and Europe condemn ‘sabotage’ as suspicion mounts that Russia was behind pipeline leaks

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CNN — The US and Europe are closing ranks, signaling to Moscow that their unity on the war in Ukraine will not be broken by what they say is the ‘sabotage’ of the twin submarine gas pipelines which could represent a new front possible in the energy war. Transatlantic allies have yet to directly blame … Read more

US warned European allies this summer that Nord Stream pipelines could be attacked

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CNN — The United States warned several European allies over the summer, including Germany, that the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines could face threats and even be attacked, according to two people familiar with the intelligence and warnings . The warnings were based on assessments by US intelligence, but they were vague, the people … Read more

Vladimir Putin grants former NSA contractor Edward Snowden Russian citizenship

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CNN — Russian President Vladimir Putin has granted former NSA contractor Edward Snowden Russian citizenship, according to an official decree published on the Russian government portal on Monday. Snowden is charged with espionage and theft of government property in the United States for leaking to the media reams of information about US intelligence and mass … Read more

US officials closely watching sham referendums in Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine and preparing to act

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CNN — White House officials are watching closely and preparing for their potential response on Monday as four Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine continue to vote in referendums that are effectively conducted at gunpoint and have been dismissed by the West as a deception. With the results of the Russian-organized vote expected to be announced as … Read more

US warnings against Putin’s nuclear threats mark a sobering moment for the world

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CNN — The fact that the United States is forced to warn Russia publicly, and in more strident terms privately, not to use nuclear weapons shows how dangerous the battle for Ukraine has become – and how it could become more risky. The war is in a new critical phase. Kyiv forces have won victories … Read more

Pink Floyd founder cancels Poland concerts after war remarks

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WARSAW, Poland — Pink Floyd co-founder Roger Waters has canceled concerts planned in Poland amid outrage over his stance on Russia’s war against Ukraine, Polish media reported Saturday. An official with the Tauron Arena in Krakow, where Waters was scheduled to perform two concerts in April, said they would no longer take place. “Roger Waters’ … Read more