
Biden Administration to Appeal Ban on Social Media Contacts
The US Justice Department said it’s appealing a court ruling that would block federal agencies and officials from
2023-07-06 06:57

Who is Vivek Ramaswamy, Republican presidential hopeful?
By Tim Reid (Reuters) -Vivek Ramaswamy, a multimillionaire former biotech executive, has a chance to build on the attention he
2023-08-24 17:51

Opening statements begin in Pittsburgh synagogue mass shooting trial
Opening statements began Tuesday in the federal hate crimes trial of the man accused of fatally shooting 11 worshippers at a Pittsburgh synagogue in October 2018, the deadliest ever attack on a Jewish community in the US.
2023-05-30 22:28

A new study says about half of Nicaragua's population wants to emigrate
A new study says that about half of Nicaragua's population of 6.2 million want to leave their homeland because of a mix of economic decline and repression from President Daniel Ortega's government
2023-12-01 05:46

Christie allies launch super PAC ahead of expected 2024 campaign for the GOP presidential nomination
Allies of former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie have launched a new super PAC to support his expected candidacy for the Republican presidential nomination
2023-05-31 00:20

What are Abrams tanks and why is the US sending them to Ukraine?
The US has pledged to send 31 of its M1 Abram battle tanks, worth an estimated $400m, to Ukraine to help the resistance fight back against the Russian onslaught as the one-year anniversary of Vladimir Putin’s invasion approaches. Anatoly Antonov, Russia’s ambassador to the US, said the decision by Joe Biden’s administration amounted to “another blatant provocation” against Moscow, pledged that the tanks would be destroyed and warned the West it would come to regret the “delusion” that Ukraine could ever win the day. Russian state TV has since made a point of mocking the Abrams as “battered” and prone to getting stuck in a segment downplaying the threat the new additions to Kyiv’s arsenal pose. Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky has said he believes tanks are crucial to replenish his nation’s military hardware ahead of what he says will be increased Russian offences in the spring, with intense fighting already seen in eastern Ukraine for weeks. Kyiv also wants them to boost its bid to recapture territory taken by Moscow’s forces earlier in the conflict. Germany has dithered on the question of whether to answer Mr Zelensky’s appeal for tanks but has since agreed to send Leopard 2 models, with Poland, Canada, Norway and Spain now looking set to follow suit. When it comes to the M1s, experts have warned of the complex logistics involved in getting these high-tech vehicles to the battlefield. The extensive and tricky maintenance required for their use mean that it could be some time before they appear on the frontlines in Eastern Europe. The first M1 tank was manufactured by American armoured vehicle manufacturer General Dynamics Land Systems in 1978 and was first delivered to the US Army in 1980. Each model costs around $10m to make, according to Reuters. It has to be crewed by a team of four (driver, commander, loader and gunner), has a maximum speed of 42 miles per hour, has a maximum range of 624 miles and runs on a 1,500 horsepower gas turbine engine. The M1 is armed with an M256 120mm smoothbore cannon, as well as two machine guns: a 12.7mm and a 7.62mm M240. Defence industry expert Sydney Freedberg described them as “big vehicles, heavily armoured” to Al Jazeera, adding that they are “much better protected than anything the Soviets built, or anything the Russians currently have.” He also cautioned that they have been used far less often in Europe than the Leopard and could end up posing the Ukrainians problems, given that they require additional training and will need spare parts, warehousing and a high degree of care. “It guzzles fuel and the engine is difficult to repair and maintain,” Jack Watling, a senior research fellow for land warfare at the Royal United Services Institute, has also warned. More positive about their potential impact – while still favouring the Leopards over all – was retired US army general Mark Hertling, who commanded the 1st Armored Division in Iraq during the troop surge of 2007 to 2008, and who said in a Twitter thread: “The M1-series, in my view, is the best in the world.” He too stressed that training was “critical”, adding: “Having fired T-72s, Chieftains, Challengers, Leo IIs & Abrams, the M1 requires the most turret training.” Read More Ukraine-Russia news – live: Putin ‘shifting war to focus on Nato and West’ Russian shells kill 10 in Ukraine as Putin’s forces seek gains before Western tanks arrive Who is sending tanks to Ukraine?
2023-09-22 14:49

NYC mayor to residents of Puebla, Mexico: 'Mi casa es su casa,' but 'there's no more room'
The mayor of New York City is in Puebla, Mexico, thanking migrants for their contributions to his city, but telling them it is already full
2023-10-06 08:26

Drug Safety Fears Spur Pentagon Plan to Test Widely Used Medicines
US military officials are so concerned about the quality of generic drugs that the Department of Defense is
2023-06-07 20:55

Cruise self-driving cars investigated after two accidents
The US safety regulator is looking into GM's Cruise self-driving cars after reports of pedestrian injuries.
2023-10-17 19:23

US military responded to Chinese and Russian vessels near Alaska
A Russian and Chinese naval patrol consisting of several vessels operated off the coast of Alaska last week, defense officials and lawmakers said over the weekend -- a show of force that prompted a US military response but did not pose a threat to the US or Canada, a US Northern Command spokesperson told CNN.
2023-08-07 08:20

UN envoy urges donor support for battered Syria facing an economic crisis
The United Nations special envoy for Syria Sunday has urged donors not to reduce their funding as the war-torn country’s economic crisis spirals
2023-09-10 20:25

'And it's a drummer': Fans adore Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker's rocking gender reveal announcement
Internet flooded with good wishes as Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker made a rocking gender reveal
2023-06-25 12:56
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