Stars and Stripes Daily Headlines

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February 21, 2022 | View in browser

 

Putin orders forces to 'maintain peace' in eastern Ukraine A Kremlin decree, spelled out in an order signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin, left unclear when, or even whether, troops would enter Ukraine. Read more >

German army soldier-tinkerer creates rolling ‘machine gun’ robot The 20-inch-tall machine may vaguely resemble a robot vacuum cleaner on off-road tires, but its battlefield simulation equipment makes it a capable stand-in for enemy forces stalking the students at the German army’s officer school. Read more >

Tampa judge grants injunction for 2 military members claiming religious exemptions to vaccines A federal judge has ruled that a Navy commander and a Marine lieutenant colonel who have refused the COVID-19 vaccination on religious grounds can continue serving for now, saying the military has failed to show a compelling government interest in denying the exemptions. Read more >   US airman dies in noncombat incident in Niger Staff Sgt. Dennis F. Melton, 27, of Waverly, Tenn., who was deployed with the 768th Expeditionary Air Base Squadron, died Feb. 18 in a noncombat-related incident at the Nigerien Air Base 101 in Niamey, Niger. Read more >   US Navy plans launch of Mideast drone force alongside allies Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, who leads the 5th Fleet, said 100 unmanned drones, both sailing and submersible, would dramatically multiply the surveillance capacities of the U.S. Navy. Read more >

EXPLAINER: Russia-backed rebels a thorn in Ukraine's side Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday recognized the independence of Moscow-backed rebel regions in eastern Ukraine, a move that will further fuel tensions with the West amid fears of Russian invasion. Read more >   EU vows to help prevent the possible breakup of Bosnia The United States last month announced new sanctions against Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik, who has for years been advocating that the Serb-run part of Bosnia should leave the rest of the country and unite with neighboring Serbia. Read more >   Bosnia is still finding bodies from a genocide some leaders claim never happened A country stitched together after genocide is unraveling amid a debate about the reality of those crimes. Read more >   Israel successfully tests naval air defense system The "C-Dome" system is a naval version of the Iron Dome, which has been used to shoot down rockets fired from the Gaza Strip for the past decade. Read more >   Wright-Patterson to hold active-shooter exercise Wednesday Wright-Patterson Air Force Base will test personnel response in a base-wide active-shooter training exercise Wednesday, the first of two such exercises planned for this year. Read more >   Pompeo to visit Taiwan in rare trip by former top US diplomat Former Secretary of State Michael Pompeo is scheduled to travel to Taiwan next month, one of the most senior U.S. dignitaries to visit the democratically ruled island in recent years. Read more >

 

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