Stars and Stripes Daily Headlines

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January 9, 2022 | View in browser

 

Russia, US hold working dinner to open Geneva talks A top Russian diplomat predicted "difficult" talks with the United States this week after attending a working dinner with U.S. officials in Geneva on Sunday. Read more >

US, Japan agree to keep troops on base to curb COVID spread The restrictions starting Monday will last 14 days, confining U.S. military personnel to base facilities except for "essential activities," a statement from the U.S. Forces in Japan said. The Japanese Foreign Ministry released the same statement. Read more >

Pelosi opens door to virus aid in spending plan as omicron rages House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said there’s an “opportunity” to add federal coronavirus relief aid to a package of legislation funding the government as a February deadline looms. Read more >   19 dead, including 9 children, in NYC apartment fire New York City's deadliest fire in more than three decades, killing 19 people including nine children Sunday at a Bronx apartment building, was caused by a faulty space heater, officials said. Read more >   Biden shied away from news conferences, interviews in Year 1 As President Joe Biden wraps up his first year in the White House, he has held fewer news conferences than any of his five immediate predecessors at the same point in their presidencies, and has participated in fewer media interviews than any of his recent predecessors. Read more >

Some escapees pay bribes, cross rivers, risk lives to return to Kim Jong Un’s North Korea Nearly 1 in 5 North Korean refugees in South Korea said they have thought about going back, according to a 2021 survey by the nonprofit Database Center for North Korean Human Rights. The reason most often given is missing one’s hometown or family. Some said they experienced discrimination in South Korea or found the capitalist society too competitive, according to the survey. Read more >   Iraq’s new parliament holds 1st session marked by disarray Iraq's new parliament reelected its speaker for a second term Sunday, the first step toward forming a new government after a general election whose results have been contested by powerful Iran-backed factions. Read more >   Kazakhstan says 164 killed in week of protests The demonstrations, which began in the western part of Kazakhstan, began Jan. 2 over a sharp rise in fuel prices and spread throughout the country, apparently reflecting wider discontent with the authoritarian government. Read more >   Stay home or work sick? Omicron poses a conundrum As the raging omicron variant of COVID-19 infects workers across the nation, millions of those whose jobs don't provide paid sick days are having to choose between their health and their paycheck. Read more >   Military conscripts in Norway will be given used underwear amid COVID-induced supply chain crisis Norway’s military is facing a supply shortage that is particularly personal: New recruits are being asked to wear previously used undergarments — including socks, bras and underwear — returned by conscripts after they complete their service. Read more >   Veterans in Holyoke Soldiers’ Home dorm for the homeless face uncertain futures as closure of program looms The domiciliary program is set to close March 31 to make way for the adult day health program, expected to serve about 150 veterans, a spokeswoman for the soldier’s home said. Read more >

 

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