US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has slammed Russia for justifying its troop build near Ukrainian borders by pushing a “false narrative” that it is being threatened by NATO.

He also said that the NATO alliance is prepared to respond forcefully to any Russian aggression.

Blinken made the comments while addressing reporters at the State Department ahead of the meet between diplomats of US and Russian in Europe next week aimed at bringing down the temperature between Russia and the West.

“It (Moscow) claims that Ukraine is threatening Russia. That Ukraine seeks to provoke a conflict. And that the Russian troop build-up and the tanks and heavy artillery are all purely defensive. That’s like the fox saying it had to attack the henhouse because its occupants somehow pose a threat,” Blinken said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-officials-release-footage-where-man-bursts-into-flames-on-being-tased-by-police-after-using-sanitizer-443052">Also Read |&nbsp;US discussed shipping Stinger missiles to Ukraine: Report</a>

He reminded that Russian had attacked Ukraine in 2014, by blaming Kyiv to be the aggressor and said that Moscow was “simultaneously driving the false narrative that NATO is threatening Russia.”

Blinken alleged that for years, Russia had been working to Ukraine's democratic institutions, interfere in its politics, block energy and commerce and sow mistrust with propaganda and disinformation.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russian-demand-that-we-never-become-nato-member-illegitimate-ukraine-foreign-minister-to-wion-443079">Russian demand that we never become NATO member illegitimate: Ukraine foreign minister to WION</a>

But he sounded optimistic by saying that a diplomatic solution was still possible to achieve a breakthrough in the current scheme of things.

“Next week we’ll reconfirm our readiness to increase transparency, institute new risk-reduction measures and renew efforts to address nuclear and conventional threats to European security,” he said, adding, “But again, it has to be a two-way street.”

US and NATO have repeatedly voiced concerns over Russia’s plan to invade Ukraine—a charge Kremlin vehemently denies.

There have been various reports, citing satellite images, indicating that Russia has amassed thousands of troops near the Ukrainian borders.

Russia has repeatedly maintained that it has been mobilising troops in response to the presence of NATO troops in the neighbouring Ukraine border.

(With inputs from agencies)

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has slammed Russia for justifying its troop build near Ukrainian borders by pushing a “false narrative” that it is being threatened by NATO.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has slammed Russia for justifying its troop build near Ukrainian borders by pushing a “false narrative” that it is being threatened by NATO. He also said that the NATO alliance is prepared to respond forcefully to any Russian aggression. Blinken made the comments while addressing reporters at the State Department ahead of the meet between diplomats of US and Russian in Europe next week aimed at bringing down the temperature between Russia and the West. “It (Moscow) claims that Ukraine is threatening Russia. That Ukraine seeks to provoke a conflict. And that the Russian troop build-up and the tanks and heavy artillery are all purely defensive. That’s like the fox saying it had to attack the henhouse because its occupants somehow pose a threat,” Blinken said. Also Read | US discussed shipping Stinger missiles to Ukraine: Report He reminded that Russian had attacked Ukraine in 2014, by blaming Kyiv to be the aggressor and said that Moscow was “simultaneously driving the false narrative that NATO is threatening Russia.” Blinken alleged that for years, Russia had been working to Ukraine's democratic institutions, interfere in its politics, block energy and commerce and sow mistrust with propaganda and disinformation. Also read | Russian demand that we never become NATO member illegitimate: Ukraine foreign minister to WION But he sounded optimistic by saying that a diplomatic solution was still possible to achieve a breakthrough in the current scheme of things. “Next week we’ll reconfirm our readiness to increase transparency, institute new risk-reduction measures and renew efforts to address nuclear and conventional threats to European security,” he said, adding, “But again, it has to be a two-way street.” US and NATO have repeatedly voiced concerns over Russia’s plan to invade Ukraine—a charge Kremlin vehemently denies. There have been various reports, citing satellite images, indicating that Russia has amassed thousands of troops near the Ukrainian borders. Russia has repeatedly maintained that it has been mobilising troops in response to the presence of NATO troops in the neighbouring Ukraine border. (With inputs from agencies)

Ahead of talks on Ukraine, Blinken says NATO prepared to respond to Russian aggression

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin spoke with his Russian counterpart Sergei Shoigu on Thursday in a rare phone call. The two leaders spoke about upoming talks between the two sides over Ukraine crisis. The talks are to take place in Geneva. 
Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said the two discussed "risk reduction near Ukraine's borders," amid continuing worries in the United States and Western Europe that Russian could invade its pro-Western neighbor.

Russia has amassed tens of thousands of troops along its border with Ukrainer raising fears of an invasion. The Kremlin has made it clear that it dead against Ukraine joining NATO. Ukraine is an ex-Soviet state.

The United States and NATO allies have threatened tough sanctions against Russia if it attacks Ukraine.&nbsp;

Moscow is accused of supporting separatists in eastern Ukraine who have been locked in a deadly war with Ukraine forces since 2014, leaving at least 13,000 dead.

On Wednesday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that talks with Russia on Monday will not succeed so long as there is a "gun to Ukraine's head."&nbsp;

If the talks are "going to show real progress, that will require de-escalation," Blinken said after discussions in Washington with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock.

(With inputs from agencies)

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin spoke with his Russian counterpart Sergei Shoigu on Thursday in a rare phone call. The two leaders spoke about upoming talks between the two sides over Ukraine crisis.

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin spoke with his Russian counterpart Sergei Shoigu on Thursday in a rare phone call. The two leaders spoke about upoming talks between the two sides over Ukraine crisis. The talks are to take place in Geneva. Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said the two discussed "risk reduction near Ukraine's borders," amid continuing worries in the United States and Western Europe that Russian could invade its pro-Western neighbor. Russia has amassed tens of thousands of troops along its border with Ukrainer raising fears of an invasion. The Kremlin has made it clear that it dead against Ukraine joining NATO. Ukraine is an ex-Soviet state. The United States and NATO allies have threatened tough sanctions against Russia if it attacks Ukraine. Moscow is accused of supporting separatists in eastern Ukraine who have been locked in a deadly war with Ukraine forces since 2014, leaving at least 13,000 dead. On Wednesday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that talks with Russia on Monday will not succeed so long as there is a "gun to Ukraine's head." If the talks are "going to show real progress, that will require de-escalation," Blinken said after discussions in Washington with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock. (With inputs from agencies)

Ukraine crisis: US, Russia defence chiefs speak as tensions simmer

US President Joe Biden assured Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy that Washington and its allies would act “decisively” if the easter European country is invaded by Russia.

Biden made the stern warning while talking to Zelenskyy over a phone call on Sunday, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said, as Russia reportedly continues to spruce up its troops on the Ukrainian borders.

In his call with Zelensky, Biden also stressed Washington's commitment “to the principle of 'nothing about you without you”, in an apparent reference to the need to include Ukraine in negotiations about its own future.

Zelensky later tweeted that he appreciated the United States' “unwavering support” and that the call “proves the special nature” of the two countries’ relationship.

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-closes-ports-to-russian-ships-says-russian-media-441661">&nbsp;Ukraine closes ports to Russian ships, says Russian media</a>

The comments from Biden comes a week after he and Russian President Vladimir Putin exchanged warnings over Ukraine.

Discussing the call with Putin on Friday, Biden said, “I'm not going to negotiate here in public, but we made it clear he cannot —I'll emphasize, cannot —invade Ukraine."

The US leader added that he had “made it clear to President Putin that we will have severe sanctions, we will increase our presence in Europe, with NATO allies” if Russia invades Ukraine.

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-closes-ports-to-russian-ships-says-russian-media-441661">&nbsp;</a><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/if-russia-invades-ukraine-us-to-send-more-troops-to-eastern-europe-434750">If Russia invades Ukraine, US to send more troops to Eastern Europe</a>

It is being reported that around 100,000 Russian troops are massed near the border of the country, where Putin already seized the Crimea region in 2014 and is accused of fomenting a pro-Russian separatist war which erupted that same year in the east.

Putin has repeatedly said NATO should not extend its border further east bordering Russia and demanded Ukraine should not join the European military alliance, however, NATO officials haven't given any assurances to Russia so far.

(With inputs from agencies)

US President Joe Biden assured Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy that Washington and its allies would act “decisively” if the easter European country is invaded by Russia.

US President Joe Biden assured Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy that Washington and its allies would act “decisively” if the easter European country is invaded by Russia. Biden made the stern warning while talking to Zelenskyy over a phone call on Sunday, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said, as Russia reportedly continues to spruce up its troops on the Ukrainian borders. In his call with Zelensky, Biden also stressed Washington's commitment “to the principle of 'nothing about you without you”, in an apparent reference to the need to include Ukraine in negotiations about its own future. Zelensky later tweeted that he appreciated the United States' “unwavering support” and that the call “proves the special nature” of the two countries’ relationship. Also read | Ukraine closes ports to Russian ships, says Russian media The comments from Biden comes a week after he and Russian President Vladimir Putin exchanged warnings over Ukraine. Discussing the call with Putin on Friday, Biden said, “I'm not going to negotiate here in public, but we made it clear he cannot —I'll emphasize, cannot —invade Ukraine." The US leader added that he had “made it clear to President Putin that we will have severe sanctions, we will increase our presence in Europe, with NATO allies” if Russia invades Ukraine. Also read | If Russia invades Ukraine, US to send more troops to Eastern Europe It is being reported that around 100,000 Russian troops are massed near the border of the country, where Putin already seized the Crimea region in 2014 and is accused of fomenting a pro-Russian separatist war which erupted that same year in the east. Putin has repeatedly said NATO should not extend its border further east bordering Russia and demanded Ukraine should not join the European military alliance, however, NATO officials haven't given any assurances to Russia so far. (With inputs from agencies)

US will act ‘decisively’ if Russia invades, says Biden in phone call with Ukraine President

Amidst mounting tensions between Russia and the US and its NATO allies over Ukraine, Russia’s President Putin and the US President Biden spoke over phone on Thursday, the 30th December for the second time in one month. ( the earlier virtual talk was held on 7th December) .

The talks between the two world leaders have been necessitated as the US and its European allies are concerned over the Russian military build-up around Ukraine, particularly over the past two months; they are also concerned over a &nbsp;possible invasion of Ukraine by Russia, which in 2014 had annexed the Crimean peninsula of Ukraine through military intervention.

Russia on its part is averse to the idea of Ukraine being admitted as a member of the NATO alliance. The US warnings of severe economic sanctions and threats to exclude Russia from the global financial system (if Russia chooses to attack Ukraine) do not seem to have deterred Russia which appears to have learnt to live with the regime of sanctions by the West.

Putin on its part appears adamant on his rather difficult demand for legally binding assurances that the West will not arm Ukraine, will not admit Ukraine into NATO &nbsp;and will not deploy offensive weapons in Ukraine or other neighbouring countries.

The origins of the current phase of the standoff between the West and Russia can be traced to the period immediately after the disintegration of the USSR in 1991, when the West adopted a policy of ideological conquest of the former Soviet Union and its satellite countries in East Europe through financial and technical assistance. Gradually, the NATO began to increase its footprints in the post-Soviet space.

Beginning from 1999 the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland (1999), Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia (2004), Albania and Croatia (2009), Montenegro (2017) and North Macedonia (2020) have been taken into the fold of NATO.&nbsp;

Russia considers the post-Soviet space as its natural sphere of influence and describes the region as its “Near Abroad”. Russia under Putin has been &nbsp;strongly &nbsp;opposing &nbsp;the eastwards expansion of NATO. From Russia’s perspective, the NATO presence in its backyard will have serious security implications for the country.

It may be recalled that at its Summit in Bucharest the NATO had announced on 3rd April, 2008 that Georgia and Ukraine “will be Members of NATO”, though no specific timeframe was revealed. A couple of months earlier, Kosovo’s unilateral declaration of independence on 17th February, 2008 was promptly recognised by the USA and some European countries.

These were some of the important factors which led to Russia-Georgia war in August 2008 and recognition of independence of Georgia’s strategically located breakaway territories Abkhazia and South Ossetia in Black Sea area by Russia where Russia has since consolidated its position considerably. This was followed by Russia’s annexation in 2014 of another strategically located territory namely the Crimean peninsula of Ukraine along the Black Sea coast.

It appears from the media reports and statements following the second round of virtual talks between the two world leaders that no immediate tangible resolution of the standoff emerged from the talks. The two leaders are holding on to their respective positions. Biden is talking about diplomacy or serious consequences whereas Putin maintains that any fresh sanctions would only be counter-productive and “could lead to a complete breakdown of ties between the two countries”.

Russia denies any intention to invade its neighbour, it, however, &nbsp;demands security guarantees from the West that include a ban on the expansion of the NATO with the eventual objective of encircling the &nbsp;former Soviet states such as Ukraine and Georgia. Russia is also demanding the withdrawal of NATO forces in Europe to positions they held in 1997. Observers feel these demands are non-starter.

The flip and positive side of the story is that the two sides have agreed on three sets of talks in January, 2022: US-Russia bilateral Strategic Stability Dialogue ( Geneva, Jan 9-10) , Russia-NATO Council Session (Brussels , 12th January ) and an expanded meeting within the framework of OSCE (Vienna,13th January) with participation by the European countries.&nbsp;

It would be interesting to watch the outcome of the forthcoming deliberations beginning from 9th January, 2022 and see whether these meetings succeed in de-escalation of tensions, even if &nbsp; they cannot find a &nbsp;permanent solution which in any case is not expected at this juncture.

Needless to add that prolonged strained relations between Russia and the USA+Europe would have an adverse impact on the overall security situation in Europe in particular and all over the world in general; the larger issues of global interest such as arms control, cyber security, climate change etc. can also be adversely impacted. In addition, the US-Russia cold war could lead to further geo-strategic polarisation the signs of which are already visible. Further, neutral countries such as India may feel compelled to do a tight rope walk, while safeguarding their national interests.

(Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.)

Amidst mounting tensions between Russia and the US and its NATO allies over Ukraine, Russia’s President Putin and the US President Biden spoke over phone on Thursday, the 30th December for the second time in one month.

Amidst mounting tensions between Russia and the US and its NATO allies over Ukraine, Russia’s President Putin and the US President Biden spoke over phone on Thursday, the 30th December for the second time in one month. ( the earlier virtual talk was held on 7th December) . The talks between the two world leaders have been necessitated as the US and its European allies are concerned over the Russian military build-up around Ukraine, particularly over the past two months; they are also concerned over a possible invasion of Ukraine by Russia, which in 2014 had annexed the Crimean peninsula of Ukraine through military intervention. Russia on its part is averse to the idea of Ukraine being admitted as a member of the NATO alliance. The US warnings of severe economic sanctions and threats to exclude Russia from the global financial system (if Russia chooses to attack Ukraine) do not seem to have deterred Russia which appears to have learnt to live with the regime of sanctions by the West. Putin on its part appears adamant on his rather difficult demand for legally binding assurances that the West will not arm Ukraine, will not admit Ukraine into NATO and will not deploy offensive weapons in Ukraine or other neighbouring countries. The origins of the current phase of the standoff between the West and Russia can be traced to the period immediately after the disintegration of the USSR in 1991, when the West adopted a policy of ideological conquest of the former Soviet Union and its satellite countries in East Europe through financial and technical assistance. Gradually, the NATO began to increase its footprints in the post-Soviet space. Beginning from 1999 the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland (1999), Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia (2004), Albania and Croatia (2009), Montenegro (2017) and North Macedonia (2020) have been taken into the fold of NATO. Russia considers the post-Soviet space as its natural sphere of influence and describes the region as its “Near Abroad”. Russia under Putin has been strongly opposing the eastwards expansion of NATO. From Russia’s perspective, the NATO presence in its backyard will have serious security implications for the country. It may be recalled that at its Summit in Bucharest the NATO had announced on 3rd April, 2008 that Georgia and Ukraine “will be Members of NATO”, though no specific timeframe was revealed. A couple of months earlier, Kosovo’s unilateral declaration of independence on 17th February, 2008 was promptly recognised by the USA and some European countries. These were some of the important factors which led to Russia-Georgia war in August 2008 and recognition of independence of Georgia’s strategically located breakaway territories Abkhazia and South Ossetia in Black Sea area by Russia where Russia has since consolidated its position considerably. This was followed by Russia’s annexation in 2014 of another strategically located territory namely the Crimean peninsula of Ukraine along the Black Sea coast. It appears from the media reports and statements following the second round of virtual talks between the two world leaders that no immediate tangible resolution of the standoff emerged from the talks. The two leaders are holding on to their respective positions. Biden is talking about diplomacy or serious consequences whereas Putin maintains that any fresh sanctions would only be counter-productive and “could lead to a complete breakdown of ties between the two countries”. Russia denies any intention to invade its neighbour, it, however, demands security guarantees from the West that include a ban on the expansion of the NATO with the eventual objective of encircling the former Soviet states such as Ukraine and Georgia. Russia is also demanding the withdrawal of NATO forces in Europe to positions they held in 1997. Observers feel these demands are non-starter. The flip and positive side of the story is that the two sides have agreed on three sets of talks in January, 2022: US-Russia bilateral Strategic Stability Dialogue ( Geneva, Jan 9-10) , Russia-NATO Council Session (Brussels , 12th January ) and an expanded meeting within the framework of OSCE (Vienna,13th January) with participation by the European countries. It would be interesting to watch the outcome of the forthcoming deliberations beginning from 9th January, 2022 and see whether these meetings succeed in de-escalation of tensions, even if they cannot find a permanent solution which in any case is not expected at this juncture. Needless to add that prolonged strained relations between Russia and the USA+Europe would have an adverse impact on the overall security situation in Europe in particular and all over the world in general; the larger issues of global interest such as arms control, cyber security, climate change etc. can also be adversely impacted. In addition, the US-Russia cold war could lead to further geo-strategic polarisation the signs of which are already visible. Further, neutral countries such as India may feel compelled to do a tight rope walk, while safeguarding their national interests. (Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.)

The larger dimensions of the Russia–US standoff over Ukraine

Pakistan has raised $1 billion through Islamic bond at record interest rates. What is special about Islamic bonds? At 7.95%, why is Pakistan paying a much higher interest rate than the US benchmark? Palki Sharma tells you.

Gravitas: Desperate Pakistan raises $1 billion at record interest

Joe Biden has ruled out sending American troops into Ukraine. The West is banking on sanctions to deter Vladimir Putin from invading Ukraine. Palki Sharma tells you why sanctions have historically failed to achieve their objectives.

Gravitas: Biden rules out sending US troops to Ukraine

Even as talks between Russia and US &amp; its NATO allies over Ukraine have hit a dead-end, Poland’s foreign minister has warned that Europe might dragged into war if the tensions are not defused soon.

Without naming Russia in his address to envoys from the 57 members of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), Zbigniew Rau said that tensions in Ukraine, Georgia, Armenia and Moldova, have active or frozen conflicts where Kremlin is alleged to be a party.

“It seems that the risk of war in the OSCE area is now greater than ever before in the last 30 years,” Poland’s foreign minister Zbigniew Rau, who currently chairs the Vienna-based intergovernmental body, said on Thursday during the latest round of talks on Russia.&nbsp;

Rau reported no breakthrough at the Vienna meeting, which followed Russia-US&nbsp;talks in Geneva on Monday and a Russia-NATO conference in Brussels on Wednesday.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/amid-ukraine-tensions-russia-unveils-white-swan-strategic-bomber-444279">Amid Ukraine tensions, Russia unveils ‘White Swan’ strategic bomber</a>

Meanwhile, the White House claimed that the threat of a Russian invasion of Ukraine remained high with some 100,000 Russian troops deployed.

Michael Carpenter, US Ambassador to the OSCE, said the United States would make public within 24 hours intelligence suggesting that Russia might launch another invasion on Ukraine.

“The drumbeat of war is sounding loud, and the rhetoric has gotten rather shrill,” Carpenter said after talks with Russia in Vienna.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/biden-enlists-meteorologists-to-predict-russias-ukraine-invasion-plan-report-444048">Biden enlists meteorologists to predict Russia's Ukraine invasion plan: Report</a>

Russia, however, junked the reports that it is going to invade Ukraine.

“There is no reason to fear some kind of escalatory scenario,” Russian deputy foreign minister Sergei A Ryabkov told reporters after the meeting.

“The talks were difficult, long, very professional, deep, concrete, without attempts to gloss over some sharp edges,” Ryabkov said.

“We had the feeling that the American side took the Russian proposals very seriously and studied them deeply.”

(With inputs from agencies)

Even as talks between Russia and US & its NATO allies over Ukraine have hit a dead-end, Poland’s foreign minister has warned that Europe might dragged into war if the tensions are not defused soon.

Even as talks between Russia and US & its NATO allies over Ukraine have hit a dead-end, Poland’s foreign minister has warned that Europe might dragged into war if the tensions are not defused soon. Without naming Russia in his address to envoys from the 57 members of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), Zbigniew Rau said that tensions in Ukraine, Georgia, Armenia and Moldova, have active or frozen conflicts where Kremlin is alleged to be a party. “It seems that the risk of war in the OSCE area is now greater than ever before in the last 30 years,” Poland’s foreign minister Zbigniew Rau, who currently chairs the Vienna-based intergovernmental body, said on Thursday during the latest round of talks on Russia. Rau reported no breakthrough at the Vienna meeting, which followed Russia-US talks in Geneva on Monday and a Russia-NATO conference in Brussels on Wednesday. Also read | Amid Ukraine tensions, Russia unveils ‘White Swan’ strategic bomber Meanwhile, the White House claimed that the threat of a Russian invasion of Ukraine remained high with some 100,000 Russian troops deployed. Michael Carpenter, US Ambassador to the OSCE, said the United States would make public within 24 hours intelligence suggesting that Russia might launch another invasion on Ukraine. “The drumbeat of war is sounding loud, and the rhetoric has gotten rather shrill,” Carpenter said after talks with Russia in Vienna. Also read | Biden enlists meteorologists to predict Russia's Ukraine invasion plan: Report Russia, however, junked the reports that it is going to invade Ukraine. “There is no reason to fear some kind of escalatory scenario,” Russian deputy foreign minister Sergei A Ryabkov told reporters after the meeting. “The talks were difficult, long, very professional, deep, concrete, without attempts to gloss over some sharp edges,” Ryabkov said. “We had the feeling that the American side took the Russian proposals very seriously and studied them deeply.” (With inputs from agencies)

With no breakthrough between US and Russia over Ukraine, Poland warns of risk of war

Following tensions between Russia and the West over Ukraine, the US and many allies are contemplating the idea of sending thousands more troops to NATO's eastern flank countries, CNN reported on Wednesday, citing three unidentified US officials.

The deployments would each have about 1,000 people and would be similar to the present forward battle groups stationed in Poland and the Baltic States, according to the officials.

Romania, Bulgaria, and Hungary are among the countries considering accepting the troops, according to officials, although no final decisions have been made. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/explained-normandy-format-talks-and-how-it-can-ease-russia-ukraine-crisis-447836">Explained: Normandy Format talks and how it can ease Russia-Ukraine crisis</a>

According to a European source, not all 30 NATO member states are willing to deploy more forces.

Watch | Gravitas: Why Europe is afraid to take on Putin

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-why-europe-is-afraid-to-take-on-putin-447948/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

As a result, the US is reportedly exploring deploying the troops on a bilateral basis through a "coalition of the willing," as one official put it.&nbsp;

Watch | French President Emmanuel Macron hosts meeting on Ukraine crisis including Germany, Russia

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/french-president-emmanuel-macron-hosts-meeting-on-ukraine-crisis-including-germany-russia-447915/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Meanwhile, when asked about the potential for further Western sanctions over Ukraine, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated on Wednesday that Russia is prepared for any development in the situation.&nbsp;

"We are ready for any development of the situation. We did not attack anyone, they always attacked us, and those who did it always got what they deserved, " Lavrov said.

Czechs to donate 4,000 artillery shells to Ukraine

According to Reuters, the Czech government has approved the transfer of 4,000 artillery ammunition rounds to Ukraine, citing government sources.

Czech Defense Minister Jana Cernochova had previously stated that the Czech Republic's cabinet would debate her proposal to donate 152-millimeter artillery ammunition to Ukraine on Wednesday.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Following tensions between Russia and the West over Ukraine, the US and many allies are contemplating the idea of sending thousands more troops to NATO's eastern flank countries, CNN reported on Wednesday, citing three unidentified US officials.

Following tensions between Russia and the West over Ukraine, the US and many allies are contemplating the idea of sending thousands more troops to NATO's eastern flank countries, CNN reported on Wednesday, citing three unidentified US officials. The deployments would each have about 1,000 people and would be similar to the present forward battle groups stationed in Poland and the Baltic States, according to the officials. Romania, Bulgaria, and Hungary are among the countries considering accepting the troops, according to officials, although no final decisions have been made. Explained: Normandy Format talks and how it can ease Russia-Ukraine crisis According to a European source, not all 30 NATO member states are willing to deploy more forces. Watch | Gravitas: Why Europe is afraid to take on Putin As a result, the US is reportedly exploring deploying the troops on a bilateral basis through a "coalition of the willing," as one official put it. Watch | French President Emmanuel Macron hosts meeting on Ukraine crisis including Germany, Russia Meanwhile, when asked about the potential for further Western sanctions over Ukraine, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated on Wednesday that Russia is prepared for any development in the situation. "We are ready for any development of the situation. We did not attack anyone, they always attacked us, and those who did it always got what they deserved, " Lavrov said. Czechs to donate 4,000 artillery shells to Ukraine According to Reuters, the Czech government has approved the transfer of 4,000 artillery ammunition rounds to Ukraine, citing government sources. Czech Defense Minister Jana Cernochova had previously stated that the Czech Republic's cabinet would debate her proposal to donate 152-millimeter artillery ammunition to Ukraine on Wednesday. (With inputs from agencies)

US, allies discussing sending more forces to eastern Europe amid Ukraine tension: Reports

According to new data, more than 1 million American kids were diagnosed with Covid-19 during the week ending January 20. That’s 17% higher than the previous weeks figures.

Over 1 million US kids diagnosed with Covid in a week

Maus, which is a Pulitzer prize-winning graphic novel about the holocaust, has been banned by a Tennessee school board in the US. This happened after a total of 10 board members unanimously agreed in favour of removing the novel from the curriculum, citing its use of phrases like “God Damn” and the image of a nude woman.

Director of school, Lee Parkison claimed that “There is some rough, objectionable language in this book." 
Parkison further said that after consulting with the attorney, it has been concluded that "the best way to fix or handle the language in this book was to redact it..to get rid of the eight curse words and the picture of the woman that was objected to.”

Board member, Jonathan Pierce said that the book did not meet his "standard."

Not every board member was in support of banning the book. An instructional supervisor and former history teacher Julie Goodin, and the federal programs supervisor Melasawn Knight backed the novel’s inclusion in the curriculum.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/mysterious-radio-waves-from-space-object-are-aliens-calling-448016">Also read |&nbsp;Mysterious radio waves from space object. Are aliens calling?</a>

Knight, in a report by The Guardian, is quoted as saying, "I think any time you are teaching something from history, people did hang from trees, people did commit suicide and people were killed, over six million were murdered. I think the author is portraying that because it is a true story about his father that lived through that."

The move comes at a time when most conservative groups across the US are taking initiatives to ban books that are focussed on works that address race, LGBTQ issues or marginalised communities.

(With inputs from agencies)

Maus, which is a Pulitzer prize-winning graphic novel about the holocaust, has been banned by a Tennessee school board in the US. This happened after a total of 10 board members unanimously agreed in favour of removing the novel from the curriculum, citing its use of phrases like “God Damn” and the image of a nude woman.

Maus, which is a Pulitzer prize-winning graphic novel about the holocaust, has been banned by a Tennessee school board in the US. This happened after a total of 10 board members unanimously agreed in favour of removing the novel from the curriculum, citing its use of phrases like “God Damn” and the image of a nude woman. Director of school, Lee Parkison claimed that “There is some rough, objectionable language in this book." Parkison further said that after consulting with the attorney, it has been concluded that "the best way to fix or handle the language in this book was to redact it..to get rid of the eight curse words and the picture of the woman that was objected to.” Board member, Jonathan Pierce said that the book did not meet his "standard." Not every board member was in support of banning the book. An instructional supervisor and former history teacher Julie Goodin, and the federal programs supervisor Melasawn Knight backed the novel’s inclusion in the curriculum. Also read | Mysterious radio waves from space object. Are aliens calling? Knight, in a report by The Guardian, is quoted as saying, "I think any time you are teaching something from history, people did hang from trees, people did commit suicide and people were killed, over six million were murdered. I think the author is portraying that because it is a true story about his father that lived through that." The move comes at a time when most conservative groups across the US are taking initiatives to ban books that are focussed on works that address race, LGBTQ issues or marginalised communities. (With inputs from agencies)

This is why a US-based school board has banned Pulitzer prize-winning Holocaust novel

Officials from Russia and Ukraine met in Paris to diffuse tension. The United States is now busy issuing fresh warnings over invasion threats.

NATO, US responds to Russia's security demands on Ukraine

The Blue Boy by Thomas Gainsborough is one of the most famous British paintings, and it is back in the UK's national gallery after spending a century in the US.

Thomas Gainsborough's famous painting ‘Blue Boy’ returns to UK after spending a century in the US

Official figures in US showed on Monday that about 180,000 migrants were apprehended while attempting to enter the US from Mexico in December. These detentions brought total number of these detentions to almost 2 million. This is a record.

As the figure emerged, the Republican Party accused Democratic President Joe Biden and VP Kamala Harris of creating a "historic humanitarian crisis."

"On their watch, cartels and smugglers are thriving, border officials are overwhelmed, our communities are less safe," said Republican National Committee chairwoman Ronna McDaniel in a statement.

Migrant arrivals to the United States declined markedly during the initial phase of the Covid-19 pandemic but began to pick up later in 2020, before surging since President Joe Biden took office in January last year.

His arrival in the White House, with a promise of a more humane approach towards migrants, led to an increase in flows of undocumented foreigners fleeing poverty and violence.

Figures over the summer demonstrated a deviation from seasonal trends.

Punishingly hot summer weather usually sees the number of migrants attempting to cross decrease but the US Department of Homeland Security said an "unprecedented" number of migrants -- around 200,000 -- were intercepted illegally crossing the US-Mexico border in July.

The arrivals pose a considerable human, logistical and financial challenge to the Democratic administration, particularly as it has pledged not to turn back unaccompanied minors.

Its efforts to overhaul the migration system have stalled in Congress, and the issue is expected to be a major issue in the midterm elections in November.

(With inputs from agencies)

Official figures in US showed on Monday that about 180,000 migrants were apprehended while attempting to enter the US from Mexico in December. These detentions brought total number of these detentions to almost 2 million.

Official figures in US showed on Monday that about 180,000 migrants were apprehended while attempting to enter the US from Mexico in December. These detentions brought total number of these detentions to almost 2 million. This is a record. As the figure emerged, the Republican Party accused Democratic President Joe Biden and VP Kamala Harris of creating a "historic humanitarian crisis." "On their watch, cartels and smugglers are thriving, border officials are overwhelmed, our communities are less safe," said Republican National Committee chairwoman Ronna McDaniel in a statement. Migrant arrivals to the United States declined markedly during the initial phase of the Covid-19 pandemic but began to pick up later in 2020, before surging since President Joe Biden took office in January last year. His arrival in the White House, with a promise of a more humane approach towards migrants, led to an increase in flows of undocumented foreigners fleeing poverty and violence. Figures over the summer demonstrated a deviation from seasonal trends. Punishingly hot summer weather usually sees the number of migrants attempting to cross decrease but the US Department of Homeland Security said an "unprecedented" number of migrants -- around 200,000 -- were intercepted illegally crossing the US-Mexico border in July. The arrivals pose a considerable human, logistical and financial challenge to the Democratic administration, particularly as it has pledged not to turn back unaccompanied minors. Its efforts to overhaul the migration system have stalled in Congress, and the issue is expected to be a major issue in the midterm elections in November. (With inputs from agencies)

Nearly 2 million migrants apprehended on US-Mexico border in 2021, a record figure

The US' Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level-3 Travel Health Notice for India due to COVID-19, indicating a high level of COVID-19 in the country.

US issues Level-3 travel advisory for its citizens considering travelling to India

US President Joe Biden has said that he would consider imposing sanctions on President Vladimir Putin himself, if Russia invaded Ukraine.

US President Joe Biden warns of sanction if Russia invades Ukraine

8,400 American troops are on standby. NATO wants to send reinforcements. Ukraine is recruiting civilians into its reserve forces. Is a war between Russia and the West now inevitable? Palki Sharma brings you the latest.

Gravitas: 8,400 American troops on standby; Will US go to war with Russia?

Will Joe Biden deploy American soldiers to protect Ukraine's sovereignty? Will his European allies join his campaign against Russia? Palki Sharma tells you why neither side can afford war.

Gravitas: Will America go to war for Ukraine?

US financial contributions to the World Health Organization (WHO) have fallen by 25 per cent during the coronavirus pandemic, provisional data show, with Washington's future support to the United Nations agency under review.

The large drop in funding versus the previous two-year period arose from cuts decided by former US President Donald Trump that reveal for the first time the scale of the Trump administration's retreat from the UN&nbsp;body.

US funds are set to go up again in the&nbsp;WHO's next two-year budget following new pledges in December including $280 million by President Joe Biden's administration. However, the Biden administration has also raised doubts about Washington's future support to the global organisation.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/is-navalny-a-terrorist-russia-adds-kremlin-critic-allies-to-terrorists-list-us-eu-condemn-the-move-447614" hreflang="en">Is Navalny a terrorist? Russia adds Kremlin critic, allies to 'terrorists' list; US, EU condemn the move</a>

The UN&nbsp;agency did with over $200 million less from the United States in 2020 and 2021, according to provisional&nbsp;WHO&nbsp;data contained in a budget document reviewed by Reuters that has not yet been made public, though it managed to raise more funds from other donors which enabled an increase of its total budget.

Washington paid $672 million to the&nbsp;WHO&nbsp;for its latest two-year budget, down from $893 million in 2018-19, the provisional data showed.

As a result, the United States is no longer the&nbsp;WHO's top donor, with Germany having replaced it gradually through transfers of more than a billion dollars over the last two years.

<img alt="WHO funding" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="fa32d3da-da53-4a56-a163-c19ac9f9a689" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/stories%20%2812%29.jpg" />

Graphic:&nbsp;WHO&nbsp;funding (Source:Reuters)

The US State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A&nbsp;WHO&nbsp;spokesperson did not immediately provide an official comment.

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is the third largest donor to the&nbsp;WHO, with $584 million in 2020-21, largely spent on a global programme to eradicate polio. The foundation did not immediately reply for a request for comment.

Over the past two years, US funds went down mostly in 2020 - Trump's last full year in the White House - amid a sharp fall in so-called voluntary contributions.

Funding doubled in 2021 when Biden took over, but the increase was not enough to fully restore the US financing level compared to previous periods.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ahead-of-winter-olympics-over-25-of-us-diplomats-may-leave-china-find-out-why-447604" hreflang="en">Ahead of Winter Olympics, over 25% of US diplomats may leave China. Find out why</a>

Trump cut funding and moved to withdraw the United States from the&nbsp;WHO, accusing it of being too close to China and having mismanaged the first phase of the pandemic - accusations that the&nbsp;WHO&nbsp;has denied.

The Biden administration brought Washington back into the&nbsp;WHO&nbsp;and vowed to restore funding but has also voiced doubts about the&nbsp;WHO's ability to tackle new challenges, including from China.

Inflexible funding

Part of the US financial contributions were delayed by the&nbsp;WHO&nbsp;to next year. But even factoring this in, the fall in US funds was still about 20 per cent,&nbsp;WHO&nbsp;data show.

About one-third of US funds were mandatory membership fees, which remained stable compared to past years at around $230 million per biennium.

This is considered by the&nbsp;WHO&nbsp;the best funding because it allows higher flexibility in spending and permits the agency to channel the money to where it is most needed.

But the majority of funding went to areas selected by the US government.

This is part of a wider trend, with the&nbsp;WHO&nbsp;having received in total just less than 20 per cent of its funding in recent years from these mandatory contributions, without strings attached.

Watch |&nbsp;Tedros Ghebreyesus, WHO's prominent figure remains unopposed in top post race

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/tedros-ghebreyesus-whos-prominent-figure-remains-unopposed-in-top-post-race-447376/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The&nbsp;WHO&nbsp;document showed that one of the areas underfunded as of Dec. 21 was country preparation for health emergencies, such as the current pandemic, which is only 73 per cent funded.

WHO&nbsp;Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus reiterated on Tuesday that the current funding structure was restrictive.

"The problem is still whatever we have done is mainly an earmarked budget, so it's not really flexible enough," he told the&nbsp;WHO's Executive Board during a public debate, saying that the current financing model was unsustainable.

The United States is opposing a plan to raise mandatory fees, or assessed contributions, to 50 per cent of the&nbsp;WHO's budget in coming years.

"The US seeks to better understand the current funding mechanisms, efficiencies and decision-making before considering an increase in assessed contributions," US health official Mara Burr told the&nbsp;WHO&nbsp;board on Tuesday, noting Washington supported efforts to address gaps in financing for preparedness.

By far the largest part of the&nbsp;WHO's funding comes from voluntary contributions from states or private donors&nbsp;who&nbsp;decide the sectors or even the projects where they should be used.

This is one factor that has led the Geneva-based agency to delay the use of some of the funds since they could not all immediately be devoted to fighting the pandemic.

US financial contributions to the World Health Organization (WHO) have fallen by 25 per cent during the coronavirus pandemic, provisional data show, with Washington's future support to the United Nations agency under review.

US financial contributions to the World Health Organization (WHO) have fallen by 25 per cent during the coronavirus pandemic, provisional data show, with Washington's future support to the United Nations agency under review. The large drop in funding versus the previous two-year period arose from cuts decided by former US President Donald Trump that reveal for the first time the scale of the Trump administration's retreat from the UN body. US funds are set to go up again in the WHO's next two-year budget following new pledges in December including $280 million by President Joe Biden's administration. However, the Biden administration has also raised doubts about Washington's future support to the global organisation. Also read | Is Navalny a terrorist? Russia adds Kremlin critic, allies to 'terrorists' list; US, EU condemn the move The UN agency did with over $200 million less from the United States in 2020 and 2021, according to provisional WHO data contained in a budget document reviewed by Reuters that has not yet been made public, though it managed to raise more funds from other donors which enabled an increase of its total budget. Washington paid $672 million to the WHO for its latest two-year budget, down from $893 million in 2018-19, the provisional data showed. As a result, the United States is no longer the WHO's top donor, with Germany having replaced it gradually through transfers of more than a billion dollars over the last two years. Graphic: WHO funding (Source:Reuters) The US State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A WHO spokesperson did not immediately provide an official comment. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is the third largest donor to the WHO, with $584 million in 2020-21, largely spent on a global programme to eradicate polio. The foundation did not immediately reply for a request for comment. Over the past two years, US funds went down mostly in 2020 - Trump's last full year in the White House - amid a sharp fall in so-called voluntary contributions. Funding doubled in 2021 when Biden took over, but the increase was not enough to fully restore the US financing level compared to previous periods. Also read | Ahead of Winter Olympics, over 25% of US diplomats may leave China. Find out why Trump cut funding and moved to withdraw the United States from the WHO, accusing it of being too close to China and having mismanaged the first phase of the pandemic - accusations that the WHO has denied. The Biden administration brought Washington back into the WHO and vowed to restore funding but has also voiced doubts about the WHO's ability to tackle new challenges, including from China. Inflexible funding Part of the US financial contributions were delayed by the WHO to next year. But even factoring this in, the fall in US funds was still about 20 per cent, WHO data show. About one-third of US funds were mandatory membership fees, which remained stable compared to past years at around $230 million per biennium. This is considered by the WHO the best funding because it allows higher flexibility in spending and permits the agency to channel the money to where it is most needed. But the majority of funding went to areas selected by the US government. This is part of a wider trend, with the WHO having received in total just less than 20 per cent of its funding in recent years from these mandatory contributions, without strings attached. Watch | Tedros Ghebreyesus, WHO's prominent figure remains unopposed in top post race The WHO document showed that one of the areas underfunded as of Dec. 21 was country preparation for health emergencies, such as the current pandemic, which is only 73 per cent funded. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus reiterated on Tuesday that the current funding structure was restrictive. "The problem is still whatever we have done is mainly an earmarked budget, so it's not really flexible enough," he told the WHO's Executive Board during a public debate, saying that the current financing model was unsustainable. The United States is opposing a plan to raise mandatory fees, or assessed contributions, to 50 per cent of the WHO's budget in coming years. "The US seeks to better understand the current funding mechanisms, efficiencies and decision-making before considering an increase in assessed contributions," US health official Mara Burr told the WHO board on Tuesday, noting Washington supported efforts to address gaps in financing for preparedness. By far the largest part of the WHO's funding comes from voluntary contributions from states or private donors who decide the sectors or even the projects where they should be used. This is one factor that has led the Geneva-based agency to delay the use of some of the funds since they could not all immediately be devoted to fighting the pandemic.

US funding to WHO fell by 25% during the pandemic: Report

Last year, a record 100,000 people in the US lost their lives to this epidemic. Not Covid, this self-afflicted disease is more sinister. "Painkiller addiction"....

'Painkiller addiction': An epidemic affecting millions in the US

Gun violence in America is something of an epidemic. Every year, thousands fall prey to it and yet no solution seems to be in sight for this persistent social problem. As per data by Gun Violence Archive (GVA), a US-based gun violence watchdog, the year 2021 was one of the deadliest years in American history for gun violence. Is Joe Biden's America more violent than Donald Trump's? Let's find out.

US gun violence worse under Biden than Trump

We knew this was coming.

“George, you have to understand that Ukraine is not even a country. Part of its territory is in Eastern Europe and the greater part was given to us.” These were the ominous words of President Vladimir Putin of Russia to President George W. Bush in Bucharest, Romania, at a NATO summit in April 2008.

Mr. Putin was furious: NATO had just announced that Ukraine and Georgia would eventually join the alliance. This was a compromise formula to allay concerns of our European allies — an explicit promise to join the bloc, but no specific timeline for membership.

At the time, I was the national intelligence officer for Russia and Eurasia, part of a team briefing Mr. Bush. We warned him that Mr. Putin would view steps to bring Ukraine and Georgia closer to NATO as a provocative move that would likely provoke pre-emptive Russian military action. But ultimately, our warnings weren’t heeded.

Within four months, in August 2008, Russia invaded Georgia. Ukraine got Russia’s message loud and clear. It backpedaled on NATO membership for the next several years. But in 2014, Ukraine wanted to sign an association agreement with the European Union, thinking this might be a safer route to the West. Moscow struck again, accusing Ukraine of seeking a back door to NATO, annexing Ukraine’s Crimean peninsula and starting an ongoing proxy war in Ukraine’s southeastern Donbas region. The West’s muted reactions to both the 2008 and 2014 invasions emboldened Mr. Putin.

This time, Mr. Putin’s aim is bigger than closing NATO’s “open door” to Ukraine and taking more territory — he wants to evict the United States from Europe. As he might put it: “Goodbye America. Don’t let the door hit you on the way out.”

As I have seen over two decades of observing Mr. Putin, and analyzing his moves, his actions are purposeful and his choice of this moment to throw down the gauntlet in Ukraine and Europe is very intentional. He has a personal obsession with history and anniversaries. December 2021 marked the 30th anniversary of the dissolution of the Soviet Union, when Russia lost its dominant position in Europe. Mr. Putin wants to give the United States a taste of the same bitter medicine Russia had to swallow in the 1990s. He believes that the United States is currently in the same predicament as Russia was after the Soviet collapse: grievously weakened at home and in retreat abroad. He also thinks NATO is nothing more than an extension of the United States. Russian officials and commentators routinely deny any agency or independent strategic thought to other NATO members. So, when it comes to the alliance, all Moscow’s moves are directed against Washington.

In the 1990s, the United States and NATO forced Russia to withdraw the remnants of the Soviet military from their bases in Eastern Europe, Germany and the Baltic States. Mr. Putin wants the United States to suffer in a similar way. From Russia’s perspective, America’s domestic travails after four years of President Donald Trump’s disastrous presidency, as well as the rifts he created with U.S. allies and then America’s precipitous withdrawal from Afghanistan, signal weakness. If Russia presses hard enough, Mr. Putin hopes he can strike a new security deal with NATO and Europe to avoid an open-ended conflict, and then it will be America’s turn to leave, taking its troops and missiles with it.

Ukraine is both Russia’s target and a source of leverage against the United States. Over the last several months Mr. Putin has bogged the Biden administration down in endless tactical games that put the United States on the defensive. Russia moves forces to Ukraine’s borders, launches war games and ramps up the visceral commentary. In recent official documents, it demanded ironclad guarantees that Ukraine (and other former republics of the U.S.S.R.) will never become members of NATO, that NATO pull back from positions taken after 1997, and also that America withdraw its own forces and weapons, including its nuclear missiles. Russian representatives assert that Moscow doesn’t “need peace at any cost” in Europe. Some Russian politicians even suggest the possibility of a pre-emptive strike against NATO targets to make sure that we know they are serious, and that we should meet Moscow’s demands.

For weeks, American officials have huddled to make sense of the official documents with Russia’s demands and the contradictory commentary, pondered how to deter Mr. Putin in Ukraine and scrambled to talk on his timeline.

All the while, Mr. Putin and his proxies have ratcheted up their statements. Kremlin officials have not just challenged the legitimacy of America’s position in Europe, they have raised questions about America’s bases in Japan and its role in the Asia-Pacific region. They have also intimated that they may ship hypersonic missiles to America’s back door in Cuba and Venezuela to revive what the Russians call the Caribbean Crisis of the 1960s.

Mr. Putin is a master of coercive inducement. He manufactures a crisis in such a way that he can win no matter what anyone else does. Threats and promises are essentially one and the same. Mr. Putin can invade Ukraine yet again, or he can leave things where they are and just consolidate the territory Russia effectively controls in Crimea and Donbas. He can stir up trouble in Japan and send hypersonic missiles to Cuba and Venezuela, or not, if things go his way in Europe.

Mr. Putin plays a longer, strategic game and knows how to prevail in the tactical scrum. He has the United States right where he wants it. His posturing and threats have set the agenda in European security debates, and have drawn our full attention. Unlike President Biden, Mr. Putin doesn’t have to worry about midterm elections or pushback from his own party or the opposition. Mr. Putin has no concerns about bad press or poor poll ratings. He isn’t part of a political party and he has crushed the Russian opposition. The Kremlin has largely silenced the local, independent press. Mr. Putin is up for re-election in 2024, but his only viable opponent, Aleksei Navalny, is locked in a penal colony outside of Moscow.

So Mr. Putin can act as he chooses, when he chooses. Barring ill health, the United States will have to contend with him for years to come. Right now, all signs indicate that Mr. Putin will lock the U.S. into an endless tactical game, take more chunks out of Ukraine and exploit all the frictions and fractures in NATO and the European Union. Getting out of the current crisis requires acting, not reacting. The United States needs to shape the diplomatic response and engage Russia on the West’s terms, not just Moscow’s.

To be sure, Russia does have some legitimate security concerns, and European security arrangements could certainly do with fresh thinking and refurbishment after 30 years. There is plenty for Washington and Moscow to discuss on the conventional and nuclear forces as well as in the cyber domain and on other fronts. But a further Russian invasion of Ukraine and Ukraine’s dismemberment and neutralization cannot be an issue for U.S.-Russian negotiation nor a line item in European security. Ultimately, the United States needs to show Mr. Putin that he will face global resistance and Mr. Putin’s aggression will put Russia’s political and economic relationships at risk far beyond Europe.

Contrary to Mr. Putin’s premise in 2008 that Ukraine is “not a real country,” Ukraine has been a full-fledged member of the United Nations since 1991. Another Russian assault would challenge the entire U.N. system and imperil the arrangements that have guaranteed member states’ sovereignty since World War II — akin to the Iraq invasion of Kuwait in 1990, but on an even bigger scale. The United States and its allies, and Ukraine itself, should take this issue to the United Nations and put it before the General Assembly as well as the Security Council. Even if Russia blocks a resolution, the future of Ukraine merits a global response. The United States should also raise concerns in other regional institutions. Why is Russia trying to take its disputes in Europe to Asia and the Western Hemisphere? What does Ukraine have to do with Japan, or Cuba and Venezuela?

Mr. Biden has promised that Russia “will pay a heavy price” if any Russian troops cross Ukraine’s borders. If Mr. Putin invades Ukraine with no punitive action from the West and the rest of the international community, beyond financial sanctions, then he will have set a precedent for future action by other countries. Mr. Putin has already factored additional U.S. financial sanctions into his calculations. But he assumes that some NATO allies will be reluctant to follow suit on these sanctions and other countries will look the other way. U.N. censure, widespread and vocal international opposition, and countries outside Europe taking action to pull back on their relations with Russia might give him pause. Forging a united front with its European allies and rallying broader support should be America’s longer game. Otherwise this saga could indeed mark the beginning of the end of America’s military presence in Europe.

We knew this was coming. “George, you have to understand that Ukraine is not even a country. Part of its territory is in Eastern Europe and the greater part was given to us.

We knew this was coming. “George, you have to understand that Ukraine is not even a country. Part of its territory is in Eastern Europe and the greater part was given to us.” These were the ominous words of President Vladimir Putin of Russia to President George W. Bush in Bucharest, Romania, at a NATO summit in April 2008. Mr. Putin was furious: NATO had just announced that Ukraine and Georgia would eventually join the alliance. This was a compromise formula to allay concerns of our European allies — an explicit promise to join the bloc, but no specific timeline for membership. At the time, I was the national intelligence officer for Russia and Eurasia, part of a team briefing Mr. Bush. We warned him that Mr. Putin would view steps to bring Ukraine and Georgia closer to NATO as a provocative move that would likely provoke pre-emptive Russian military action. But ultimately, our warnings weren’t heeded. Within four months, in August 2008, Russia invaded Georgia. Ukraine got Russia’s message loud and clear. It backpedaled on NATO membership for the next several years. But in 2014, Ukraine wanted to sign an association agreement with the European Union, thinking this might be a safer route to the West. Moscow struck again, accusing Ukraine of seeking a back door to NATO, annexing Ukraine’s Crimean peninsula and starting an ongoing proxy war in Ukraine’s southeastern Donbas region. The West’s muted reactions to both the 2008 and 2014 invasions emboldened Mr. Putin. This time, Mr. Putin’s aim is bigger than closing NATO’s “open door” to Ukraine and taking more territory — he wants to evict the United States from Europe. As he might put it: “Goodbye America. Don’t let the door hit you on the way out.” As I have seen over two decades of observing Mr. Putin, and analyzing his moves, his actions are purposeful and his choice of this moment to throw down the gauntlet in Ukraine and Europe is very intentional. He has a personal obsession with history and anniversaries. December 2021 marked the 30th anniversary of the dissolution of the Soviet Union, when Russia lost its dominant position in Europe. Mr. Putin wants to give the United States a taste of the same bitter medicine Russia had to swallow in the 1990s. He believes that the United States is currently in the same predicament as Russia was after the Soviet collapse: grievously weakened at home and in retreat abroad. He also thinks NATO is nothing more than an extension of the United States. Russian officials and commentators routinely deny any agency or independent strategic thought to other NATO members. So, when it comes to the alliance, all Moscow’s moves are directed against Washington. In the 1990s, the United States and NATO forced Russia to withdraw the remnants of the Soviet military from their bases in Eastern Europe, Germany and the Baltic States. Mr. Putin wants the United States to suffer in a similar way. From Russia’s perspective, America’s domestic travails after four years of President Donald Trump’s disastrous presidency, as well as the rifts he created with U.S. allies and then America’s precipitous withdrawal from Afghanistan, signal weakness. If Russia presses hard enough, Mr. Putin hopes he can strike a new security deal with NATO and Europe to avoid an open-ended conflict, and then it will be America’s turn to leave, taking its troops and missiles with it. Ukraine is both Russia’s target and a source of leverage against the United States. Over the last several months Mr. Putin has bogged the Biden administration down in endless tactical games that put the United States on the defensive. Russia moves forces to Ukraine’s borders, launches war games and ramps up the visceral commentary. In recent official documents, it demanded ironclad guarantees that Ukraine (and other former republics of the U.S.S.R.) will never become members of NATO, that NATO pull back from positions taken after 1997, and also that America withdraw its own forces and weapons, including its nuclear missiles. Russian representatives assert that Moscow doesn’t “need peace at any cost” in Europe. Some Russian politicians even suggest the possibility of a pre-emptive strike against NATO targets to make sure that we know they are serious, and that we should meet Moscow’s demands. For weeks, American officials have huddled to make sense of the official documents with Russia’s demands and the contradictory commentary, pondered how to deter Mr. Putin in Ukraine and scrambled to talk on his timeline. All the while, Mr. Putin and his proxies have ratcheted up their statements. Kremlin officials have not just challenged the legitimacy of America’s position in Europe, they have raised questions about America’s bases in Japan and its role in the Asia-Pacific region. They have also intimated that they may ship hypersonic missiles to America’s back door in Cuba and Venezuela to revive what the Russians call the Caribbean Crisis of the 1960s. Mr. Putin is a master of coercive inducement. He manufactures a crisis in such a way that he can win no matter what anyone else does. Threats and promises are essentially one and the same. Mr. Putin can invade Ukraine yet again, or he can leave things where they are and just consolidate the territory Russia effectively controls in Crimea and Donbas. He can stir up trouble in Japan and send hypersonic missiles to Cuba and Venezuela, or not, if things go his way in Europe. Mr. Putin plays a longer, strategic game and knows how to prevail in the tactical scrum. He has the United States right where he wants it. His posturing and threats have set the agenda in European security debates, and have drawn our full attention. Unlike President Biden, Mr. Putin doesn’t have to worry about midterm elections or pushback from his own party or the opposition. Mr. Putin has no concerns about bad press or poor poll ratings. He isn’t part of a political party and he has crushed the Russian opposition. The Kremlin has largely silenced the local, independent press. Mr. Putin is up for re-election in 2024, but his only viable opponent, Aleksei Navalny, is locked in a penal colony outside of Moscow. So Mr. Putin can act as he chooses, when he chooses. Barring ill health, the United States will have to contend with him for years to come. Right now, all signs indicate that Mr. Putin will lock the U.S. into an endless tactical game, take more chunks out of Ukraine and exploit all the frictions and fractures in NATO and the European Union. Getting out of the current crisis requires acting, not reacting. The United States needs to shape the diplomatic response and engage Russia on the West’s terms, not just Moscow’s. To be sure, Russia does have some legitimate security concerns, and European security arrangements could certainly do with fresh thinking and refurbishment after 30 years. There is plenty for Washington and Moscow to discuss on the conventional and nuclear forces as well as in the cyber domain and on other fronts. But a further Russian invasion of Ukraine and Ukraine’s dismemberment and neutralization cannot be an issue for U.S.-Russian negotiation nor a line item in European security. Ultimately, the United States needs to show Mr. Putin that he will face global resistance and Mr. Putin’s aggression will put Russia’s political and economic relationships at risk far beyond Europe. Contrary to Mr. Putin’s premise in 2008 that Ukraine is “not a real country,” Ukraine has been a full-fledged member of the United Nations since 1991. Another Russian assault would challenge the entire U.N. system and imperil the arrangements that have guaranteed member states’ sovereignty since World War II — akin to the Iraq invasion of Kuwait in 1990, but on an even bigger scale. The United States and its allies, and Ukraine itself, should take this issue to the United Nations and put it before the General Assembly as well as the Security Council. Even if Russia blocks a resolution, the future of Ukraine merits a global response. The United States should also raise concerns in other regional institutions. Why is Russia trying to take its disputes in Europe to Asia and the Western Hemisphere? What does Ukraine have to do with Japan, or Cuba and Venezuela? Mr. Biden has promised that Russia “will pay a heavy price” if any Russian troops cross Ukraine’s borders. If Mr. Putin invades Ukraine with no punitive action from the West and the rest of the international community, beyond financial sanctions, then he will have set a precedent for future action by other countries. Mr. Putin has already factored additional U.S. financial sanctions into his calculations. But he assumes that some NATO allies will be reluctant to follow suit on these sanctions and other countries will look the other way. U.N. censure, widespread and vocal international opposition, and countries outside Europe taking action to pull back on their relations with Russia might give him pause. Forging a united front with its European allies and rallying broader support should be America’s longer game. Otherwise this saga could indeed mark the beginning of the end of America’s military presence in Europe.

Putin has the US right where he wants it

With the world embroiled in heightened tensions on several fronts like Ukraine, Taiwan, etc, the stock markets in Asia are witnessing a tough time. &nbsp;

The stock exchanges in Asia, such as, Hong Kong, Seoul, Shanghai and Tokyo, were trading with losses in mid-session deals. A weak trend has been witnessed in these markets. &nbsp;

This comes as the geopolitical uncertainty rises over the Russia-Ukraine&nbsp;tussle. &nbsp;

In the US, stock exchanges, however, ended on a positive note in the overnight session. &nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/watch-us-president-joe-biden-calls-reporter-stupid-son-of-a-b-on-hot-mic-find-out-why-447299" hreflang="en">Watch: US President Joe Biden calls reporter 'stupid son of a b****' on hot mic. Find out why</a>

Meanwhile, in India, Sensex slipped over 900 points in early trade and the Nifty fell below 17,000 points on Tuesday.&nbsp;

Losses were witnessed in index majors, such as Wipro, RIL and HDFC Bank. &nbsp;

According to the traders, frantic foreign capital outflows weighed on domestic equities and the concerns over the US Federal Reserve's possible aggressive monetary policy tightening have also deepened. &nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-planning-lightning-war-that-could-take-out-kyiv-uk-pm-boris-johnson-447293" hreflang="en">Russia planning 'lightning war that could take out Kyiv': UK PM Boris Johnson</a>

In early trade, the BSE gauge was trading at 56,586.35, which is 905.16 points or 1.57 per cent lower. The Nifty also fell 253.80 points or 1.48 per cent to reach at 16,895.30. &nbsp;

The top loser in the Sensex pack was Asian Paints, followed by Wipro, L&amp;T, Tech Mahindra, Reliance Industries and HDFC Bank. Bharti Airtel, Axis Bank and PowerGrid were the gainers. &nbsp;&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

With the world embroiled in heightened tensions on several fronts like Ukraine, Taiwan, etc, the stock markets in Asia are witnessing a tough time. The stock exchanges in Asia, such as, Hong Kong, Seoul, Shanghai and Tokyo, were trading with losses in mid-session deals.

With the world embroiled in heightened tensions on several fronts like Ukraine, Taiwan, etc, the stock markets in Asia are witnessing a tough time. The stock exchanges in Asia, such as, Hong Kong, Seoul, Shanghai and Tokyo, were trading with losses in mid-session deals. A weak trend has been witnessed in these markets. This comes as the geopolitical uncertainty rises over the Russia-Ukraine tussle. In the US, stock exchanges, however, ended on a positive note in the overnight session. Also Read | Watch: US President Joe Biden calls reporter 'stupid son of a b****' on hot mic. Find out why Meanwhile, in India, Sensex slipped over 900 points in early trade and the Nifty fell below 17,000 points on Tuesday. Losses were witnessed in index majors, such as Wipro, RIL and HDFC Bank. According to the traders, frantic foreign capital outflows weighed on domestic equities and the concerns over the US Federal Reserve's possible aggressive monetary policy tightening have also deepened. Also Read | Russia planning 'lightning war that could take out Kyiv': UK PM Boris Johnson In early trade, the BSE gauge was trading at 56,586.35, which is 905.16 points or 1.57 per cent lower. The Nifty also fell 253.80 points or 1.48 per cent to reach at 16,895.30. The top loser in the Sensex pack was Asian Paints, followed by Wipro, L&T, Tech Mahindra, Reliance Industries and HDFC Bank. Bharti Airtel, Axis Bank and PowerGrid were the gainers. (With inputs from agencies)

As Asian markets witness downturn, US stock exchanges close on positive note

US President Joe Biden found himself in hot soup after he was caught on hot microphone calling a journalist 'a ‘stupid son of a b****’ when asked about inflation.

US President Joe Biden caught cursing journalist on hot microphone

The Pentagon has announced that nearly 8,500 American troops have been put on “heightened alert” for a possible deployment due to escalating tensions on the Russia-Ukraine border.

US puts 8,500 troops on heightened alert amid growing tensions with Russia over Ukraine

Worries about the possibilities of a quicker rate hike from the US Fed Reserve have dragged the global markets down. Indian markets have witnessed marginal recovery after falling for six-straight days.

Anxiety over US Fed decision drags down markets

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the US military intercepted two ballistic missiles fired by Yemen's Houthi rebels over the skies of Abu Dhabi on Monday.

UAE and US intercept Houthi missile attack targeting Abu Dhabi

US President Joe Biden has declared unity among Western powers after crisis talks with European leaders on deterring Russia from an attack against Ukraine.

US, Europe call for unity against Russia over Ukraine tensions

US, UK, Australia are moving diplomats and dependents out of Ukraine. US says Russian military action can come any time. NATO say it is prepared for collective defence. But Germany is proving to be a weak link. Palki Sharma has the details.

Gravitas: Countries move diplomats out of Ukraine

When Gang Chen returned to his laboratory at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology on Friday, the day after the government had dismissed charges of lying on grant applications, he was surrounded by well-wishers, offering hugs and congratulations.

There were invitations, too. Colleagues were asking him to join funded research studies, resuming the work that has occupied his adult life.

Chen studies heat transfer; he hopes to develop a semiconductor that could convert heat from car exhaust into electricity, or fabric for clothing that could cool the body. During the year since his arrest, that had been the hardest thing — tearing himself away from research.

Chen said thank you, but no. After the experience of the past year — the early-morning arrest, the handcuffs and shackles, being described, in a news conference, as loyal to China — he is uncertain if he will ever feel safe applying for U.S. government funds for research again.

“You work hard; you have good output; you build a reputation,” Chen said in a 3 1/2-hour interview at his MIT office, the first he has given about the case. “The government gets what they want, right? But in the end, you’re treated like a spy. That just breaks your heart. It breaks your confidence.”

Last week, the government dismissed the case against Chen, which alleged that he had concealed seven Chinese affiliations in applications for $2.7 million in grants from the U.S. Energy Department. Prosecutors announced that they had received new information indicating that Chen had not been obliged to disclose those affiliations, undercutting the basis of the case.

“We understand that our charging decisions deeply impact people’s lives,” said Rachael Rollins, who was sworn in this month as the new U.S. attorney in Massachusetts. “As United States attorney, I will always encourage the prosecutors in our office to engage in this type of rigorous and continued review at every stage of a proceeding. Today’s dismissal is a result of that process.”

The dismissal is a setback to the China Initiative, an effort started in 2018 to crack down on economic and scientific espionage by China. Many of the prosecutions, like the case against Chen, do not allege espionage or theft of information, but something narrower: failing to disclose Chinese affiliations in grant applications to U.S. agencies. Critics say it has instilled a pervasive atmosphere of fear among scientists of Chinese descent.

Chen described the experience of the past year as traumatic and deeply disillusioning.

In recent months, prosecutors floated an agreement in which the government would have dropped the criminal charges in exchange for acknowledgment of some links to China, he said. He refused it, he said.

“That’s just my mentality,” he said. “I didn’t do anything wrong.”

The son of two mathematics teachers who were sent to teach on farms during China’s Cultural Revolution, Chen grew up without any hope of becoming a scientist. His parents, the descendants of landowners, had a “bad classification” from the Chinese government and were viewed suspiciously. His father warned him he would probably spend his life as a farmer.

But then Mao Zedong died. Chen was one of the first classes of Chinese students to take standardized tests, and his scores vaulted him into an academic elite. He immigrated to the United States at 25 and became a naturalized citizen in 2000.

During his years at MIT, he added, he had often dissuaded scientists who were being recruited to take their research out of the United States. The prosecutions of scientists in the United States have shaken him so deeply, he said, that he isn’t sure he would do that again.

“I don’t know whether I could give the same advice,” he said. “I don’t know how this is going to develop. I think the country must wake up. We are killing ourselves. We are committing a real suicidal act, right? I really don’t know how to advise people now on this. Maybe give it some time. I don’t know. It’s hard to say.”

An Early-morning Arrest

By 2019, the Department of Justice had begun to announce charges against scientists collaborating with Chinese institutions. Chen followed the cases casually, through friends and colleagues. He decided against taking a sabbatical year in China, for fear it would make him a target.

In January 2020, he was alarmed by the arrest of Charles M. Lieber, head of Harvard’s chemistry department, who was charged with hiding his participation in China’s Thousand Talents recruitment program. But neither Chen nor his colleagues saw parallels with their own activities, he said.

“Most of us, when we looked at the government accusation, we said, ‘Wow, he did that?’ ” he said. “You see, you tend to believe in government.”

But he, too, was under investigation. That same month, Chen was detained for two or three hours at Logan International Airport in Boston as he returned from a trip to China, Egypt and Morocco. He answered questions from a Homeland Security agent, balking only at the end of the interview, when the agents asked for the passwords to his devices.

MIT provided him an outside counsel, Robert Fisher, a former prosecutor who met with him eight times over the course of the next year. Still, Chen said, he had little concern that the investigation would result in anything.

“My thinking is, I didn’t do anything wrong,” he said. “So whatever they look at, they won’t find that I did anything wrong.”

At 6:30 a.m. Jan. 14, 2021, he was making coffee when someone came to the door. He opened it to see between 10 and 20 federal agents. He was told to stand in a corner while agents went to wake his wife and daughter. When his wife saw that he was being handcuffed and led away, she began to speak to the FBI agents, and he considered calling out to her, to tell her to stop, but was afraid to speak.

“I didn’t dare use Chinese — because I spoke with her in Mandarin, right, most of the time — but I didn’t dare to use Chinese,” he said. “I regret so much, once they took me away, because I should have shouted in Chinese to her, ‘Anything you say can be used against you.’ ”

Chen spent the next few hours in custody, pacing in his cell and then doing yoga. He remembers asking the FBI agents whether they had been asked to make sure he did not kill himself and reassuring them that he did not intend to. When he was finally released, around 2 p.m., and was in a car on the way home, he began shaking.

Chen, who has experimented with standup comedy, joked — half-joked — that the experience had so disgusted them that both he and his wife lost weight.

“We were both of us so disgusted,” he said. “We didn’t know what this word really meant. It’s real. Disgust is biological. We used to see this word, but it’s a biological reaction after everything that has happened.”

Chen was put on paid leave, so he was not allowed on campus or to have contact with MIT employees. He had five or six active research projects, and during the months that followed, they slowed and faltered. The 15 postdoctoral students he worked with were transferred to other research groups, taking their knowledge with them.

“We are all losers, right?” Chen said. “My reputation got ruined. My students, my post-docs, they changed their career. They changed to other groups. MIT, the country, the U.S., we lose. I can’t calculate the loss. That loss cannot be calculated.”

In September, he got good news. Prosecutors had floated the idea of a deferred prosecution agreement, which would have allowed him to return to work and apply for government grants in the future. In return, said his lawyer, Fisher, he would have to admit to having some ties to China, none of them a violation of the law.

Such a deal, Fisher said, is “very, very rare” and would have insulated Chen from the risk of going to trial, something Fisher tried to impress on Chen.

“A lot of people would view that as a win,” he said. “I told him, ‘God, this is going to be crushing for me if we get a guilty at trial and I’m sitting with you in the courtroom.’ ”

Chen said he considered the deal seriously. But he feared that there would be lingering questions about his innocence or that he would be asked to speak to prosecutors about his colleagues.

“I would never incriminate anybody,” he said. “And seeing how terribly they can stretch the facts, I have zero confidence in them. Absolute zero.”

When the government’s motion to dismiss charges was made public Thursday, Chen was inundated with congratulations from colleagues. But he was somber.

“It’s hard to tell them directly that there is nothing to congratulate,” he said. “It’s just a sad history, sad for the country.”

He is not certain how he will resume his scientific career. Without a research group or a funding stream, he has been working on individual research papers. On Thursday, the day the charges were dropped, he woke up at 4:30 a.m. to finish a paper on energy transfer in water.

But he said speaking out about the China Initiative felt like an obligation. In an editorial in The Boston Globe this week, Chen has called for Congress and the Department of Justice to review his case and hold people involved in the prosecution accountable.

And for now, at least, he has no interest in research grants from the U.S. government.

“I am angry; I am afraid,” he said. “My love is science. I did not want politics, right? I saw that, and I got away from it. I do my devotion to science. I help people, I support. But I learned that you can’t get away. Politics impacts everybody. So if there are things that are not right, we all need to speak out.”

When Gang Chen returned to his laboratory at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology on Friday, the day after the government had dismissed charges of lying on grant applications, he was surrounded by well-wishers, offering hugs and congratulations.

When Gang Chen returned to his laboratory at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology on Friday, the day after the government had dismissed charges of lying on grant applications, he was surrounded by well-wishers, offering hugs and congratulations. There were invitations, too. Colleagues were asking him to join funded research studies, resuming the work that has occupied his adult life. Chen studies heat transfer; he hopes to develop a semiconductor that could convert heat from car exhaust into electricity, or fabric for clothing that could cool the body. During the year since his arrest, that had been the hardest thing — tearing himself away from research. Chen said thank you, but no. After the experience of the past year — the early-morning arrest, the handcuffs and shackles, being described, in a news conference, as loyal to China — he is uncertain if he will ever feel safe applying for U.S. government funds for research again. “You work hard; you have good output; you build a reputation,” Chen said in a 3 1/2-hour interview at his MIT office, the first he has given about the case. “The government gets what they want, right? But in the end, you’re treated like a spy. That just breaks your heart. It breaks your confidence.” Last week, the government dismissed the case against Chen, which alleged that he had concealed seven Chinese affiliations in applications for $2.7 million in grants from the U.S. Energy Department. Prosecutors announced that they had received new information indicating that Chen had not been obliged to disclose those affiliations, undercutting the basis of the case. “We understand that our charging decisions deeply impact people’s lives,” said Rachael Rollins, who was sworn in this month as the new U.S. attorney in Massachusetts. “As United States attorney, I will always encourage the prosecutors in our office to engage in this type of rigorous and continued review at every stage of a proceeding. Today’s dismissal is a result of that process.” The dismissal is a setback to the China Initiative, an effort started in 2018 to crack down on economic and scientific espionage by China. Many of the prosecutions, like the case against Chen, do not allege espionage or theft of information, but something narrower: failing to disclose Chinese affiliations in grant applications to U.S. agencies. Critics say it has instilled a pervasive atmosphere of fear among scientists of Chinese descent. Chen described the experience of the past year as traumatic and deeply disillusioning. In recent months, prosecutors floated an agreement in which the government would have dropped the criminal charges in exchange for acknowledgment of some links to China, he said. He refused it, he said. “That’s just my mentality,” he said. “I didn’t do anything wrong.” The son of two mathematics teachers who were sent to teach on farms during China’s Cultural Revolution, Chen grew up without any hope of becoming a scientist. His parents, the descendants of landowners, had a “bad classification” from the Chinese government and were viewed suspiciously. His father warned him he would probably spend his life as a farmer. But then Mao Zedong died. Chen was one of the first classes of Chinese students to take standardized tests, and his scores vaulted him into an academic elite. He immigrated to the United States at 25 and became a naturalized citizen in 2000. During his years at MIT, he added, he had often dissuaded scientists who were being recruited to take their research out of the United States. The prosecutions of scientists in the United States have shaken him so deeply, he said, that he isn’t sure he would do that again. “I don’t know whether I could give the same advice,” he said. “I don’t know how this is going to develop. I think the country must wake up. We are killing ourselves. We are committing a real suicidal act, right? I really don’t know how to advise people now on this. Maybe give it some time. I don’t know. It’s hard to say.” An Early-morning Arrest By 2019, the Department of Justice had begun to announce charges against scientists collaborating with Chinese institutions. Chen followed the cases casually, through friends and colleagues. He decided against taking a sabbatical year in China, for fear it would make him a target. In January 2020, he was alarmed by the arrest of Charles M. Lieber, head of Harvard’s chemistry department, who was charged with hiding his participation in China’s Thousand Talents recruitment program. But neither Chen nor his colleagues saw parallels with their own activities, he said. “Most of us, when we looked at the government accusation, we said, ‘Wow, he did that?’ ” he said. “You see, you tend to believe in government.” But he, too, was under investigation. That same month, Chen was detained for two or three hours at Logan International Airport in Boston as he returned from a trip to China, Egypt and Morocco. He answered questions from a Homeland Security agent, balking only at the end of the interview, when the agents asked for the passwords to his devices. MIT provided him an outside counsel, Robert Fisher, a former prosecutor who met with him eight times over the course of the next year. Still, Chen said, he had little concern that the investigation would result in anything. “My thinking is, I didn’t do anything wrong,” he said. “So whatever they look at, they won’t find that I did anything wrong.” At 6:30 a.m. Jan. 14, 2021, he was making coffee when someone came to the door. He opened it to see between 10 and 20 federal agents. He was told to stand in a corner while agents went to wake his wife and daughter. When his wife saw that he was being handcuffed and led away, she began to speak to the FBI agents, and he considered calling out to her, to tell her to stop, but was afraid to speak. “I didn’t dare use Chinese — because I spoke with her in Mandarin, right, most of the time — but I didn’t dare to use Chinese,” he said. “I regret so much, once they took me away, because I should have shouted in Chinese to her, ‘Anything you say can be used against you.’ ” Chen spent the next few hours in custody, pacing in his cell and then doing yoga. He remembers asking the FBI agents whether they had been asked to make sure he did not kill himself and reassuring them that he did not intend to. When he was finally released, around 2 p.m., and was in a car on the way home, he began shaking. Chen, who has experimented with standup comedy, joked — half-joked — that the experience had so disgusted them that both he and his wife lost weight. “We were both of us so disgusted,” he said. “We didn’t know what this word really meant. It’s real. Disgust is biological. We used to see this word, but it’s a biological reaction after everything that has happened.” Chen was put on paid leave, so he was not allowed on campus or to have contact with MIT employees. He had five or six active research projects, and during the months that followed, they slowed and faltered. The 15 postdoctoral students he worked with were transferred to other research groups, taking their knowledge with them. “We are all losers, right?” Chen said. “My reputation got ruined. My students, my post-docs, they changed their career. They changed to other groups. MIT, the country, the U.S., we lose. I can’t calculate the loss. That loss cannot be calculated.” In September, he got good news. Prosecutors had floated the idea of a deferred prosecution agreement, which would have allowed him to return to work and apply for government grants in the future. In return, said his lawyer, Fisher, he would have to admit to having some ties to China, none of them a violation of the law. Such a deal, Fisher said, is “very, very rare” and would have insulated Chen from the risk of going to trial, something Fisher tried to impress on Chen. “A lot of people would view that as a win,” he said. “I told him, ‘God, this is going to be crushing for me if we get a guilty at trial and I’m sitting with you in the courtroom.’ ” Chen said he considered the deal seriously. But he feared that there would be lingering questions about his innocence or that he would be asked to speak to prosecutors about his colleagues. “I would never incriminate anybody,” he said. “And seeing how terribly they can stretch the facts, I have zero confidence in them. Absolute zero.” When the government’s motion to dismiss charges was made public Thursday, Chen was inundated with congratulations from colleagues. But he was somber. “It’s hard to tell them directly that there is nothing to congratulate,” he said. “It’s just a sad history, sad for the country.” He is not certain how he will resume his scientific career. Without a research group or a funding stream, he has been working on individual research papers. On Thursday, the day the charges were dropped, he woke up at 4:30 a.m. to finish a paper on energy transfer in water. But he said speaking out about the China Initiative felt like an obligation. In an editorial in The Boston Globe this week, Chen has called for Congress and the Department of Justice to review his case and hold people involved in the prosecution accountable. And for now, at least, he has no interest in research grants from the U.S. government. “I am angry; I am afraid,” he said. “My love is science. I did not want politics, right? I saw that, and I got away from it. I do my devotion to science. I help people, I support. But I learned that you can’t get away. Politics impacts everybody. So if there are things that are not right, we all need to speak out.”

‘In the end, you’re treated like a spy,’ says MIT scientist

A cruise ship went off course recently. Well, not due to any natural calamity but a US court order where a judge granted the seizure of the vessel. &nbsp;

The court order has come as part of a lawsuit over millions of dollars in unpaid fuel. &nbsp;

On Thursday, a federal judge in Miami had issued an arrest warrant for the ship. It is a maritime practice where a US Marshal goes aboard a vessel and takes its charge once it enters US waters. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/threat-of-war-forces-us-to-order-departure-of-ukrainian-embassy-staffs-kin-447011" hreflang="en">Threat of war forces US to order departure of Ukrainian embassy staff’s kin</a>

The ship, which was supposed to dock in Miami, has instead sailed to the Bahamas. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Crystal Symphony is currently docked in the Bahamian island of Bimini showed Cruise trackers. &nbsp;

On social media, the passengers and entertainers said that they were surprised to find out about the legal case. &nbsp;&nbsp;

A passenger, Stephen Heard Fales, posted on Facebook, "We all feel we were abducted by luxurious pirates!" &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/first-part-of-us-defence-aid-arrives-in-ukraine-germany-will-not-supply-weapons-to-kyiv-for-now-446699" hreflang="en">US defence aid arrives in Ukraine; Germany will not supply weapons for now</a>

On Sunday, some passengers were taken by ferry to Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale. &nbsp;

As per a statement from a Crystal Cruises spokesperson, the ferry ride was apparently "uncomfortable due to inclement weather." &nbsp;

The guests were taken to local airports. It would not like to comment on any "pending legal matters", the company said.

The exact number of passengers on board the ship is unclear. The company’s website says that it can carry up to 848 passengers. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

A cruise ship went off course recently. Well, not due to any natural calamity but a US court order where a judge granted the seizure of the vessel. The court order has come as part of a lawsuit over millions of dollars in unpaid fuel.

A cruise ship went off course recently. Well, not due to any natural calamity but a US court order where a judge granted the seizure of the vessel. The court order has come as part of a lawsuit over millions of dollars in unpaid fuel. On Thursday, a federal judge in Miami had issued an arrest warrant for the ship. It is a maritime practice where a US Marshal goes aboard a vessel and takes its charge once it enters US waters. Also Read: Threat of war forces US to order departure of Ukrainian embassy staff’s kin The ship, which was supposed to dock in Miami, has instead sailed to the Bahamas. Crystal Symphony is currently docked in the Bahamian island of Bimini showed Cruise trackers. On social media, the passengers and entertainers said that they were surprised to find out about the legal case. A passenger, Stephen Heard Fales, posted on Facebook, "We all feel we were abducted by luxurious pirates!" Also Read: US defence aid arrives in Ukraine; Germany will not supply weapons for now On Sunday, some passengers were taken by ferry to Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale. As per a statement from a Crystal Cruises spokesperson, the ferry ride was apparently "uncomfortable due to inclement weather." The guests were taken to local airports. It would not like to comment on any "pending legal matters", the company said. The exact number of passengers on board the ship is unclear. The company’s website says that it can carry up to 848 passengers. (With inputs from agencies)

Cruise ship goes off course, docks in Bahamas. Find out what happened

After claiming the life of a 31-year-old astrophysicist from the UK, stray bullets in the US have found another victim. Well, this time, it is an 8-year-old Chicago girl. &nbsp;&nbsp;

The girl was shot in the head while walking with her mother. She was killed by a gunman, who was targeting someone else on the city's southwest side. &nbsp;

The young victim has been identified by the medical examiner's office of the Cook County as&nbsp;Melissa Ortega&nbsp;on Sunday. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/threat-of-war-forces-us-to-order-departure-of-ukrainian-embassy-staffs-kin-447011" hreflang="en">Threat of war forces US to order departure of Ukrainian embassy staff’s kin</a>

According to the police report, the victim was walking on the street with her mother on Saturday afternoon at the time of the incident. &nbsp;

She was killed when someone fired shots at a 26-year-old alleged gang member, who was leaving a nearby store, said a report of the Chicago Sun-Times. The police believe that he was the intended target. &nbsp;

On Saturday, the girl was pronounced dead at a hospital. &nbsp;&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Residents and community members gather to remember Melissa Ortega. If you have any information contact the <a href="https://twitter.com/Chicago_Police?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Chicago_Police</a> or leave an anonymous tip at <a href="https://t.co/tiYRTLc0eV">https://t.co/tiYRTLc0eV</a>. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CPDMediaCar?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CPDMediaCar</a> 
 
📞 833-408-0069- Anonymous Tips <a href="https://t.co/bw4VVmTwmS">pic.twitter.com/bw4VVmTwmS</a>
— Chicago Police (@Chicago_Police) <a href="https://twitter.com/Chicago_Police/status/1485400924990410752?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 23, 2022</a></blockquote>
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In the incident, the target was also shot in the back and hospitalised in critical condition, the police said. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/cruise-ship-goes-off-course-docks-in-bahamas-find-what-happened-447026">Cruise ship goes off course, docks in Bahamas. Find what happened</a>

Authorities do not have an update on his condition. No arrests have been made in the case till now. &nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
The tragic and senseless murder of 8-year-old Melissa has shaken our city. There are no words of comfort when a child’s life is cut short. There are no words that can describe the grief of a family. CPD will not rest until the perpetrators are brought to justice.
— Chicago Police Superintendent David O. Brown (@ChiefDavidBrown) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChiefDavidBrown/status/1485306043295219713?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 23, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Police Superintendent David Brown said the department "will not rest until the perpetrators" are brought to justice. &nbsp;&nbsp;

"The tragic and senseless murder of 8-year-old Melissa has shaken our city. There are no words of comfort when a child's life is cut short. There are no words that can describe the grief of a family," he tweeted on Sunday. &nbsp;&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

After claiming the life of a 31-year-old astrophysicist from the UK, stray bullets in the US have found another victim. Well, this time, it is an 8-year-old Chicago girl.

After claiming the life of a 31-year-old astrophysicist from the UK, stray bullets in the US have found another victim. Well, this time, it is an 8-year-old Chicago girl. The girl was shot in the head while walking with her mother. She was killed by a gunman, who was targeting someone else on the city's southwest side. The young victim has been identified by the medical examiner's office of the Cook County as Melissa Ortega on Sunday. Also Read: Threat of war forces US to order departure of Ukrainian embassy staff’s kin According to the police report, the victim was walking on the street with her mother on Saturday afternoon at the time of the incident. She was killed when someone fired shots at a 26-year-old alleged gang member, who was leaving a nearby store, said a report of the Chicago Sun-Times. The police believe that he was the intended target. On Saturday, the girl was pronounced dead at a hospital. Residents and community members gather to remember Melissa Ortega. If you have any information contact the @Chicago_Police or leave an anonymous tip at https://t.co/tiYRTLc0eV. #CPDMediaCar 📞 833-408-0069- Anonymous Tips pic.twitter.com/bw4VVmTwmS — Chicago Police (@Chicago_Police) January 23, 2022 × In the incident, the target was also shot in the back and hospitalised in critical condition, the police said. Also Read: Cruise ship goes off course, docks in Bahamas. Find what happened Authorities do not have an update on his condition. No arrests have been made in the case till now. The tragic and senseless murder of 8-year-old Melissa has shaken our city. There are no words of comfort when a child’s life is cut short. There are no words that can describe the grief of a family. CPD will not rest until the perpetrators are brought to justice. — Chicago Police Superintendent David O. Brown (@ChiefDavidBrown) January 23, 2022 × Police Superintendent David Brown said the department "will not rest until the perpetrators" are brought to justice. "The tragic and senseless murder of 8-year-old Melissa has shaken our city. There are no words of comfort when a child's life is cut short. There are no words that can describe the grief of a family," he tweeted on Sunday. (With inputs from agencies)

Now, stray bullet claims life of 8-year-old girl in US. Find out how

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