Russians should not assassinate Vladimir Putin, says Boris Johnson
Brexit on back burner due to Ukraine Anger over knighthood for Gavin Williamson NHS axes free flu jabs for over-50s and secondary students Fraser Nelson: Putin will regret a war that has united Europe Labour holds seat in by-election with reduced majority US says Nato is 'ready for conflict' seizure of nuclear plant
news.yahoo.comRussia Used Beatings and Tricks to Forcibly Send Rookie Troops to Ukraine, Rights Group Says
GettyRussian soldiers from all across the country were deceived into heading to the Ukrainian border, and some were beaten if they resisted, according to the Committee of Soldiers’ Mothers, a Russian non-governmental organization that works to expose human rights violations within the military.The group is reportedly preparing a complaint for the Chief Military Prosecutor’s Office alleging that their sons only recently joined the military as conscripts and were told they were going to the border
news.yahoo.comThe Latest: US strikes at IS in retaliation for bombing
The United States military has struck back at the Islamic State, bombing an IS member in Afghanistan less than 48 hours after a devastating suicide bombing claimed by the group killed as many as 169 Afghans and 13 American service members at the Kabul airport.
Afghan withdrawal extension would cross a 'red line', warns Taliban
Any extension to the deadline for withdrawal from Afghanistan would cross a red line that will lead to "consequences", the Taliban has said, as the British defence minister warned that the UK was "down to hours now, not weeks" in its evacuation plan.
news.yahoo.comJapan, UK to expand defense ties at sea, military technology
The British aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth and its strike group will visit Japanese ports in September for joint exercises, defense ministers from Japan and Britain said Tuesday as the two countries step up military ties amid increased Chinese assertiveness in regional seas. British defense secretary Ben Wallace said the visit by the Royal Navy’s largest warship is part of his country’s “Indo-Pacific tilt” that shares goals with Japan. “Both our countries seek to protect and uphold the rules-based international order,” Wallace said at a joint news conference after meeting with his Japanese counterpart, Nobuo Kishi.
news.yahoo.comNavy sea graves to be protected from looters by underwater drones, says First Sea Lord
Royal Navy sea graves are to be protected from looters by underwater drones, the First Sea Lord has said, as US forensics teams work to identify British remains of past conflicts. Wrecks from Second World War battles in the Pacific have been raided in recent years by unethical scrap metal bounty hunters. Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, the head of the Royal Navy, said there were “no easy answers” over the “very sensitive issue” of grave robbers disturbing Britain’s maritime war dead. Speaking to the T
news.yahoo.comSpace base tracking ‘reckless’ threats to satellites by Russia and China to be built in Britain
A new space base will be built in Britain to monitor the “irresponsible and reckless” threats to satellites by Russia and China, the head of the Royal Air Force has said. The Deep-Space Advanced Radar Capability (Darc) will be located either in southern England or Scotland. The site will work with identical facilities in Texas and Australia to cover the entire world up to 36,000km (22,000 miles) above the Earth, watching for incoming nuclear missiles or space debris on collision courses with sat
news.yahoo.comDominic Raab could be second high-profile casualty in boundary shake-up
Dominic Raab could be the second Cabinet casualty of a major shake-up of constituency boundaries, new modelling has suggested. According to Britain Elects, the UK’s largest poll aggregator, proposed changes to the Foreign Secretary’s constituency of Esher and Walton suggest it now compromises more Liberal Democrat voters than Conservatives. The modelling, which is based on how voters living within the redrawn constituency voted in 2019, suggests the seat is now split 48.1 per cent Liberal Democr
news.yahoo.comUK unveils plan for smaller, more high-tech armed forces
Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson walks, during a visit to BAE Systems at Warton Aerodrome in Lancashire, England, Monday, March 22, 2021 to mark the publication of the Integrated Review and the Defence White Paper. (Christopher Furlong/Pool Photo via AP)LONDON – Britain plans to cut the size of its army and boost spending on drones, robots and a new “cyber force” under defense plans announced by the government on Monday. Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said the British Army would shrink from 76,500 soldiers to 72,500 by 2025. He said the army hadn't been at its “established strength” of 82,500 for several years. In November the government announced a 16.5 billion-pound ($23 billion) increase in defense spending over the next four years, focusing on the future battlefields of space and cyber rather than traditional resources such as army troops.
The Latest: Mexico sees near-record daily coronavirus deaths
(AP Photo/Marco Ugarte)MEXICO CITY — Mexico reported a near-record 1,707 confirmed coronavirus deaths Wednesday, as the country runs out of vaccines. Ad___THE VIRUS OUTBREAK:Spain surpasses 60,000 confirmed virus deaths. British officials say Oxford study backs up their decision to delay second vaccine shot for up to 12 weeks. Ad___OKLAHOMA CITY -- About 11,500 doses of the coronavirus vaccine will be shipped to pharmacies across Oklahoma next week, state health officials said. ___MANAGUA, Nicaragua — Nicaragua’s government says it has approved Russia’s Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine for emergency use.
UK to bolster defense spending by 'most since Cold War'
LONDON – British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has given his backing to what is being touted as the biggest investment program in the country's armed forces since the end of the Cold War three decades ago. Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said the deal is “enough” for the armed forces to be modernized but refused to be drawn on whether some of the new money will come from the country's overseas aid budget. “When I go abroad, what many countries want from us is our knowledge, our equipment and our understanding of how to provide security and how to provide defense," he said. Concerns have grown in recent months that the government is looking at ways to trim its commitments to overseas aid, partly because public finances have been strained by the costs associated with the coronavirus pandemic. As part of the new defense spending, a new agency dedicated to artificial intelligence will be created.
UK announces biggest military investment in 30 years
LONDON — The U.K. has announced the biggest program of investment in British defense since the end of the Cold War. The current budget of the U.K.'s Ministry of Defence is almost £41.5 billion. The money will see further investment in military research and development, as well as new areas of defense. The extra defense spending could create 10,000 extra jobs annually, according to the government. The extra investment would also secure U.K. jobs and livelihoods, he added.
cnbc.com7 held for suspected tanker hijack after UK commando raid
The Nave Andromeda oil tanker is docked next to the Queen Elizabeth II Cruise Terminal in Southampton, England, Monday, Oct. 26, 2020. The U.K. military seized control of the oil tanker that dropped anchor in the English Channel after reporting it had seven stowaways on board who had become violent. (Andrew Matthews/PA Wire via AP)LONDON – Seven stowaways seized when British naval special forces stormed an oil tanker in the English Channel have been arrested on suspicion of hijacking, police said Monday. Police said the 22 crew members of the Nave Andromeda were “safe and well” after the raid, which unfolded after darkness fell on Sunday. Suspecting a hijacking, Defense Secretary Ben Wallace and Home Secretary Priti Patel authorized military action, the U.K. government said.
China has questions to answer over the coronavirus outbreak, UK minister says
The U.K. has added to international pressure on China to answer questions over information it gave the world about the coronavirus outbreak but said the priority now is to beat the pandemic. Asked on Monday if China needed to explain how quickly it made the world aware of the extent of the virus, the U.K.'s defense minister said: "I think it does." "Only by being open and transparent will we learn about it, and China needs to be open and transparent about what it learned, and its shortcomings, but also its successes," Wallace said. His comments come after a barrage of U.S. criticism against China regarding its handling of the coronavirus outbreak and accusations that it was not transparent when it came to making the world aware. Speaking during a Fox News virtual town hall, Trump said, "I think they made a horrible mistake and didn't want to admit it."
cnbc.comU.S. defense secretary says China still withholding information on coronavirus
FILE PHOTO: U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper speaks during a joint news conference with Britain's Secretary of State of Defence Ben Wallace after their meeting at Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, U.S., March 5, 2020. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas/File PhotoWASHINGTON (Reuters) - China is still withholding information related to the coronavirus needed to inform the global response, U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper said in a television interview on Wednesday, as he called on Beijing to share its data. Clearly, the Chinese could have been more transparent earlier and shared much more of the data. We would have (had) a better understanding of this virus and then how to deal with it, Esper said in an interview with Fox News. Even today we see them withholding information and so I think we need to do more and continue to press them to share.
feeds.reuters.comU.S. defense chief backs Navy ouster amid report captain has coronavirus
The Navy did not immediately respond to a request for comment but does not usually discuss individual cases due to privacy laws. It has also become a political lightning-rod as the Trump administration faces intense criticism for its handling of the nations coronavirus outbreak. I have full faith and confidence in him and the Navy leadership, and I support their decision, Esper told ABC News This Week program. On Saturday, President Donald Trump described the letter as not appropriate and said Crozier had done a terrible thing. The Navy on Saturday said 155 Theodore Roosevelt sailors have now tested positive for the coronavirus but none have been hospitalized, with 44% of the ships nearly 5,000 crew having been tested so far.
feeds.reuters.comPentagon says coronavirus outbreak on carrier doesn't warrant evacuation
FILE PHOTO: U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper speaks during a joint news conference with Britain's Secretary of State of Defence Ben Wallace after their meeting at Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, U.S., March 5, 2020. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas/File PhotoWASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper said on Tuesday it was not time to evacuate a U.S. aircraft carrier reeling from an outbreak of coronavirus, adding that he had not read in detail a letter from the commander of the ship pleading for help. In his interview with CBS News, Esper did not comment directly on Croziers proposal, at least in the portions that aired. Asked if it was time to evacuate the carrier, Esper said: I dont think were at that point.Were moving a lot of supplies and assistance, medical assistance, out to the carrier in Guam. Were providing additional medical personnel as they need it, Esper said, adding the goal was still to contain the virus and that none of the crew were seriously ill.
feeds.reuters.comExclusive: Pentagon orders halt overseas movement for U.S. military over coronavirus
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Defense Secretary Mark Esper has issued a stop movement order to the U.S. military halting travel and movement abroad for up to 60 days in an effort to limit the spread of the coronavirus through the ranks, the Pentagon chief told Reuters on Wednesday. FILE PHOTO: U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper walks out to welcome Britain's Secretary of State of Defence Ben Wallace before their meeting at Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, U.S., March 5, 2020. The purpose is to make sure that were not bringing the virus back home, infecting others, that were not spreading it around the military, Esper said. That (stop movement order) should not impact that, Esper said of the withdrawal. FILE PHOTO: U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper speaks during a joint news conference meeting at Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, U.S., March 5, 2020.
feeds.reuters.comExclusive: Pentagon orders halt overseas movement for U.S. military over coronavirus
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Defense Secretary Mark Esper has issued a stop movement order to the U.S. military halting travel and movement abroad for up to 60 days in an effort to limit the spread of the coronavirus through the ranks, the Pentagon chief told Reuters on Wednesday. FILE PHOTO: U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper walks out to welcome Britain's Secretary of State of Defence Ben Wallace before their meeting at Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, U.S., March 5, 2020. The purpose is to make sure that were not bringing the virus back home, infecting others, that were not spreading it around the military, Esper said. That (stop movement order) should not impact that, Esper said of the withdrawal. FILE PHOTO: U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper speaks during a joint news conference meeting at Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, U.S., March 5, 2020.
feeds.reuters.comExclusive: Pentagon orders halt to all overseas movement for U.S. forces for up to 60 days over coronavirus
FILE PHOTO: U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper walks out to welcome Britain's Secretary of State of Defence Ben Wallace before their meeting at Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, U.S., March 5, 2020. REUTERS/Yuri GripasWASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper has issued a stop movement order halting all travel and movement abroad for up to 60 days in an effort to limit the spread of the coronavirus through the ranks of the military, Esper told Reuters on Wednesday. Esper said in an interview that the order applied to all U.S. forces, civilian personnel and families, but noted that there would be some exceptions. One exception would be the drawdown under way in Afghanistan, which Esper said would continue.
feeds.reuters.comPentagon leaders indicate coronavirus outbreak could last for months
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Senior Pentagon leaders said on Tuesday that the fast-spreading coronavirus outbreak that has hit the United States could continue for months and that the military would continue to support efforts to counter it for as long as needed. The coronavirus pandemic has killed more than 660 people in the United States and infected more than 50,000. On Monday, Esper announced more security restrictions on those entering the Pentagon. The carrier, which was in the Pacific, was last in port in Vietnam about 15 days ago, naval officials said. The Pentagon also said that elective surgeries at military treatment facilities, with some exceptions, would be postponed starting March 31.
feeds.reuters.comPentagon leaders suggest coronavirus outbreak could continue for months
FILE PHOTO: U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper speaks during a joint news conference with Britain's Secretary of State of Defence Ben Wallace after their meeting at Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, U.S., March 5, 2020. REUTERS/Yuri GripasWASHINGTON (Reuters) - Senior Pentagon leaders said on Tuesday that the coronavirus pandemic which has hit the United States could continue for months. I think we need to plan for this to be a few months long at least and were taking all precautionary measures to do that, U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper said when asked how long the outbreak may last and how long the military would continue the support efforts to counter it. I am fully confident that at the end of the day, in a period of months, we will get through this, Esper said during a virtual town hall. At the same event, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley said that while it was unclear how long the outbreak would last, taking models from the experience of other countries, which may or may not apply to the United States, the outbreak could last into July.
feeds.reuters.comPentagon to keep operating in event of coronavirus outbreak-Esper
U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper gestures as he speaks during a joint news conference with Britain's Secretary of State of Defence Ben Wallace after their meeting at Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, U.S., March 5, 2020. REUTERS/Yuri GripasWASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper said on Thursday he expected the Pentagon to be able to keep carrying out its core functions in the event of a coronavirus outbreak at the massive military headquarters, where 22,000 people work every day. We have a lot of capabilities in this building. Our National Military Command Center has the capability to go for weeks at a time if they have to be locked down inside the building if we have some type of outbreak, Esper told a news conference. So, were fully confident that we can continue to perform the functions that the Pentagon needs to perform if we have some type of outbreak in the building.
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