President Joe Biden has announced that the United States would be delivering 31 Abrams Tanks to Ukraine as the country heads into a new phase of its war against Russia.
“With spring approaching, the Ukrainian forces are working to defend the territory they hold and preparing for additional counter-offensive,” President Biden said. “To liberate their land, they need to be able to counter Russia’s evolving tactics and strategy on the battlefield in the very near term.”
Biden explained that the tanks are some of the “most capable in the world,” they would improve Ukraine’s ability to fight in open terrain, and give them “an enduring capability to deter and defend against Russian aggression.”
The announcement was accompanied by Germany’s decision to send 14 Leopard 2 A6 tanks to the nation as well.
“Germany supports Ukraine in defending against Russia’s aggression,” German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said Wednesday. “We are supplying Leopard 2 tanks in close cooperation with our international partners.”
Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to the Biden administration following Wednesday’s announcement.
“It’s an important step on the path to victory,” Zelenskyy said on Twitter. “Today the free world is united as never before for a common goal — liberation of Ukraine.”
However, it will likely be months before any tanks are delivered to the front and Ukrainian troops get fully trained to use the complex weapons.
The head of security for Huawei, the embattled Chinese tech giant that has been accused of working as a front for Chinese intelligence services, told Cheddar's Hope King on Monday that "no government has ever asked us to spy" and that those accusations were part of a "drumbeat of anti-Huawei criticism."
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For the vast majority of Americans, the partial shutdown of the federal government is felt in small ways. For Native Americans, a prolonged shutdown could mean life or death. Aaron Payment, chairman of the Sault Ste. Marie tribe, told Cheddar that he's focused on one date: Jan. 15. That's when the tribe's next drawdown of federal funds is scheduled.
Markets soared on Friday ー the Dow Jones Industrial Average leading gaining more than 670 points ーfollowing comments by Fed Chair Jerome Powell on monetary policy and reports that the jobs market is not slowing.
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Alan Dershowitz has written the book on reasons not to impeach President Trump ー and he thinks re-elected House Speaker Nancy Pelosi just might follow his counsel. "I think she is the adult in the room and she'll take my advice," Dershowitz told Cheddar on Thursday.
These are the headlines you Need 2 Know for Thursday, Jan. 3, 2019.
