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NATO planning rapid-deployment force of 10,000 troops to counter Russia – report 30 Aug 2014 NATO is reportedly working towards the creation of an expeditionary force composed of 10,000 troops from seven different member states as a result of escalating tensions with Russia over the conflict in Ukraine. According to the Financial Times, the force’s creation will be spearheaded by Britain and involve contributions from Denmark, Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, Norway, and the Netherlands. Canada is also interested in joining the group, but it’s not known what its final decision will be…Air and naval units will be integrated into the group, as well as ground troops led by British commanders.
Vladimir Putin: Don’t mess with nuclear-armed Russia 29 Aug 2014 Vladimir Putin raised the spectre of nuclear war with the West on Friday as he defied international condemnation over his decision to send thousands of Russian troops and heavy armour into Ukraine. Accused by Europe and Nato of launching a full-scale invasion of eastern Ukraine, the Russian leader boasted to a group of Russian youngsters that "It’s best not to mess with us." In language not seen since the height of the Cold War, he told his audience: "Thank God, I think no one is thinking of unleashing a large-scale conflict with Russia. I want to remind you that Russia is one of the leading nuclear powers."
Moscow warns of reprisal over Poland’s ‘outrageous’ airspace closure for Russian Defense Minister’s jet 29 Aug 2014 Polish closure of its airspace for the plane of the Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoygu will not go without an "appropriate response" as it caused a "real threat to flight safety," Russia’s Foreign Ministry has stated. The diplomatic standoff on Friday took hours to resolve after Poland refused to grant free passage to Shoygu’s plane as he was returning from celebrations of the 70th anniversary of the Slovakian national uprising that took place in the town of Banská Bystrica. An hour after the TU-154 left Slovakia, the flyover in Polish airspace was suddenly refused due to the plane’s changed status. On the way to the celebrations, Poland designated the minister’s flight as civilian, while on the way back, it was changed from civil to military – for "unknown reasons", according to Poland’s state air navigation services agency.
US operations in Iraq costing $7.5m a day –Since 16 June, panoply of US operations in Iraq have expanded to include around 60 surveillance flights over Isis territory 29 Aug 2014 America’s newest war in Iraq has cost over half a billion dollars so far, according to Pentagon estimates, all before President Barack Obama decides upon a strategy against Islamic State (Isis) militants. Rear Adm John Kirby, the Pentagon press secretary, told reporters on Friday that daily military operations in Iraq since 16 June, when the White House informed Congress it had ordered up to 275 US troops to bolster embassy security in Baghdad, have cost on average 7.5m. Those operations stretched into their 75th day on Friday, suggesting a cost of around 562.5m.
Isil terrorists ‘highly likely’ to attack UK, warns David Cameron, as threat level is raised to severe 29 Aug 2014 Islamist terrorists are "highly likely" to attack the UK as David Cameron announced the threat assessment has been raised to its second highest level. It is the first time the threat level has been at "severe" since 2011 when it was reduced to "substantial" and reflects growing concern from the risk of British jihadists fighting in Syria and Iraq. It is feared more than 500 have gone and around half of those are now back in the UK, with some possibly planning attacks here.
Britain facing ‘greatest terrorist threat’ in history 29 Aug 2014 Britain faces the "greatest and deepest" terror threat in the country’s history, David Cameron warned as he pledged emergency measures to tackle extremists. The UK threat level was raised to "severe" — its second highest — meaning that a terrorist attack is "highly likely" in light of the growing danger from British jihadists returning from Iraq and Syria…The Prime Minister disclosed that Isil (the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant) made "specific" threats against the UK and did not rule out military action to tackle the growing problem.
UK terror threat raised from substantial to severe 29 Aug 2014 The level of threat from international terrorism to Britain has been raised from substantial to severe, Theresa May, the home secretary, has announced. This means that an attack is "highly likely", though May said there is no evidence to suggest an attack is imminent. She said the decision to raise the official threat level is "related to developments in Syria and Iraq, where terrorist groups are planning attacks against the west".
Government plans new laws to confiscate passports of potential terrorists –Twenty-three passports already seized 29 Aug 2014 New moves to stop terror suspects travelling in and out of the country are planned amid fears that extremists are returning from Iraq and Syria intent on carrying out atrocities in Britain. David Cameron announced plans for new legislation to make it easier to confiscate the passports of young men sympathetic to the Islamic State’s hardline ideology. Twenty-three passports have been seized under legislation introduced last year, but the Government has been warned by the security services that the powers do not go far enough.
Secret Service are searching for car linked to threat against President Obama –Secret Service and Connecticut State Police are looking for car driven by a man that might be armed with assault rifle 29 Aug 2014 The U.S. Secret Service and Connecticut State Police are searching for a car in connection to a possible threat made against President Barack Obama. Federal and state officials are on the hunt for a silver 2014 Volkswagen Jetta with Connecticut license plates, The Hartford Courant reported. According to police, the vehicle is believed to be driven by a man who may have threatened the life of the president.