International
Biden authorizes Ukraine to use US weapons in Russia but only to defend Kharkov
Joe Biden’s government has given Ukraine permission to attack inside Russia using weapons provided by the United States, but only near the Kharkov area, a US official confirmed to EFE.
“The president recently ordered his team to guarantee that Ukraine can use weapons supplied by the United States for counterattack purposes in the Kharkov region, so that Ukraine can counterattack the Russian forces that are attacking them or preparing to attack them,” he said.
However, the source added, the policy regarding the prohibition of the use of ATACMS ballistic missiles or long-range attacks within Russia “has not changed.”
With this decision, the Biden Administration has given in to the request of Ukraine, which has been asking Washington for weeks to make this change of policy, especially since the Russian offensive against Kharkov began this month.
Therefore, Ukraine can now use weapons provided by the United States, such as rockets and rocket launchers, to shoot down Russian missiles launched into this area against troops that are concentrated just across the Russian border. Or against Russian bombers that throw bombs into Ukrainian territory.
However, Ukraine cannot use those weapons to attack civilian infrastructure or launch long-range missiles, such as the Army Tactical Missile System, to achieve military targets in central Russia.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken became the first U.S. official to publicly insinuate that Biden could change course and allow such attacks. In turn, he told journalists that US policy towards Ukraine would evolve as necessary.
The spokesman of the White House National Security Council, John Kirby, did not subsequently rule out a possible change.
Those messages came after the main allies of the United States, such as the United Kingdom and France, said that Ukraine should have the right to attack within Russia using Western weapons.
Russia accused NATO of opening a new phase of tension in its stormy relations by encouraging Ukrainian attacks against targets in Russian territory with Western weaponry, a position in which there is no unanimity in the Allied bloc.
“In recent days and weeks, NATO members, especially the United States and other European countries, have entered a new phase of escalating tensions. And they do it consciously,” Dmitri Peskov, spokesman for the Kremlin, said at his daily press conference.
In recent days, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg urged the green light to be given to Kiev, an appeal that was supported this week by France.
The president of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenski, considers it “unfair” that Kiev cannot use Western weapons to respond to Russia, but the Belgian Prime Minister, Alexander De Croo, already told him this week that the F-16 fighter planes he will deliver to Kiev will not be able to be used in the neighboring country.
International
Portuguese Authorities Seize 2.6 Tons of Cocaine Worth More Than $550 Million in Drug Bust
Italian financial police reported Monday that Portuguese authorities intercepted a speedboat carrying more than 2.6 tons of cocaine, with an estimated street value exceeding $550 million.
Four people — two Spanish nationals, one Albanian citizen, and a man from Gibraltar — were arrested in connection with the operation, according to Italian authorities.
The vessel was intercepted off the coast of Lisbon by Portugal’s maritime police following an investigation led by Italian authorities.
Italian financial police estimated that the seized shipment had a street value of approximately 500 million euros ($570 million), making it one of the largest drug seizures reported in the region in recent years.
Portuguese authorities said the interception took place on Thursday, about 90 kilometers (50 nautical miles) southwest of Cape Espichel, during an operation targeting international drug trafficking routes.
International
U.S. and Iran Maintain Ceasefire as Trump Expresses Optimism Over New Talks
U.S. President Donald Trump said Monday that there are “good chances” of reaching an agreement with Iran, as both sides maintained a ceasefire for the third consecutive day following weeks of escalating hostilities.
Trump expressed optimism about the possibility of resuming diplomatic negotiations aimed at ending the conflict, which began in late February and has raised international concerns over its impact on global markets and energy supplies.
The fighting has remained suspended since Saturday, after the United States resumed airstrikes against Iran amid a dispute over control of the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil shipments. The renewed military action had previously caused the collapse of an earlier ceasefire agreement.
Asked about the prospects for negotiations aboard Air Force One, Trump said: “I have a lot of patience… We’ll see what happens. I think there are good chances that something could happen.”
The U.S. president also highlighted Washington’s military capabilities, saying: “We have a lot of ammunition,” while adding that he would like to have more resources due to U.S. support for Ukraine.
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz said Trump was allowing diplomatic efforts more time, explaining that the president was “giving some space to the talks” while maintaining that Washington remains prepared to take action if necessary.
Meanwhile, tensions continue in other areas of the Middle East. Saudi Arabia reported that it intercepted drones launched from Iraq by groups allied with Tehran and urged the Iraqi government to take measures to prevent further attacks.
International
Police Investigate After Remains of Five Newborns Found in French Apartment
French authorities have opened a murder investigation after the discovery of human remains believed to belong to five newborn babies inside an apartment in the historic center of a city, the local prosecutor’s office reported Monday night.
According to prosecutors, a 32-year-old woman had given birth at home on Sunday to a healthy baby before being taken to a hospital for medical care.
The discovery was made after the woman’s 32-year-old partner began searching the residence after reportedly learning, once again and at a late stage, that she had been pregnant.
During the search, the man found what appeared to be human remains and informed the hospital, which then alerted prosecutors.
A forensic doctor determined that the remains likely belonged to five newborn infants. Authorities have not yet established the circumstances or motive behind the case.
Investigators have not been able to interview the mother, who remains hospitalized following the delivery.
Prosecutors also confirmed that the couple has two other children, aged eight and nine years old. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to clarify the events surrounding the discovery.
Portuguese Authorities Seize 2.6 Tons of Cocaine Worth More Than $550 Million in Drug Bust
U.S. and Iran Maintain Ceasefire as Trump Expresses Optimism Over New Talks
Police Investigate After Remains of Five Newborns Found in French Apartment
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