* Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby told CNN on Tuesday that President Joe Biden is not ruling out putting more U.S. forces on heightened alert
* 'We're certainly not going to rule out other options. Our job is to provide options to the president – to the commander in chief – and we're going to continue to do that,' Kirby said
* Added: 'I certainly would not rule out the possibility that we could be putting additional forces on heightened alert in the coming days and weeks. And maybe even moving troops around Europe that are already there'
* During a Defense Department briefing on Monday, Kirby announced that 8,500 U.S. troops have been put on standby for deployment as the world watches to see if Russia will invade Ukraine
* A report claims Biden is considering deploying up to 50,000 U.S. troops should should Russia invade Ukraine
* European allies are worried that Putin would cut off their supply chain in retaliation for any economic sanctions the U.S. has vowed
* U.S. is working with energy producers in Middle East, Asia and North Africa to ensure Europe has enough supplies in case Russia cuts off availability and is promising harsh sanctions if Russian invades Ukraine
* The administration will hold two classified congressional briefings on Tuesday
* Meetings will update congressional leadership aides and committee staff on the deteriorating situation in Ukraine, according to a new report
* With Congress out of session this week, members of the House and Senate will have to wait until next week to work on getting their own briefings
Joe Biden could put even more U.S. forces on heightened alert after the Pentagon announced Monday that 8,500 troops were put on standby for possible deployment to Eastern Europe as Russia comes closer to invading Ukraine.
'We're certainly not going to rule out other options,' Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby told CNN Tuesday.
'Our job is to provide options to the president – to the commander in chief – and we're going to continue to do that.' 'And so, I certainly would not rule out the possibility that we could be putting additional forces on heightened alert in the coming days and weeks,' he continued.
'And maybe even moving troops around Europe that are already there to bolster and to reassure some of our allies on the ground on the continent.'
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MIDDLE EAST
Yemen rebels lose key battleground area after missile attack on UAE.
Attacks on the UAE: 'A new chapter has begun in the Yemen conflict'.
Iraq's top court upholds re-election of parliament speaker.
Iran's cost-of-living squeeze belies Raisi's push for economic self-reliance.
World Bank: Lebanon's meltdown threatens social peace.
Netanyahu says he rejected plea deal that would ban him from politics.
Israeli expert panel advises 4th vaccine dose for adults.
Three of Biden's team negotiating with Iran on nuclear deal RESIGN because the US is not being tough enough - as diplomats warn talks are entering a critical phase.
Iran jails French man for eight years on spying charges.
ASIA
North Korea fires 2 cruise missiles into the sea in 5th launch of 2022, Seoul says.
Unprecedented blackout cuts off millions across Central Asia.
Myanmar junta threatens pot-banging protesters with treason.
Afghan talks focus on aid, women’s rights as hunger grows.
Afghan protesters in Oslo slam Western talks with the Taliban.
Lockdowns hit Pacific islands as Covid-19 defences falter.
S. Korea sets high of 8,000 new virus cases ahead of holiday.
S. Korea sets high of 8,000 new virus cases ahead of holiday.
China lifts COVID lockdown in northern city of Xi'an weeks before Beijing Winter Olympics.
Taiwan rules out sending officials to Beijing Winter Olympics.
Moscow sends 500-member delegation to Beijing 2022: Russian envoy.
AFRICA
32 dead in South Sudan interethnic violence: UN.
Children among the dozens killed in South Sudan violence.
France, UN join West African states in denouncing Burkina Faso army takeover.
Pro-coup supporters rally in Burkina Faso as UN condemns takeover.
Ethiopian army planning to 'eliminate' Tigrayan forces -military official.
Evidence from civilian bombing in Ethiopia points to Turkish drone.
Border standstill: Sanctions against Mali strand Ivorian truckers.
Egypt officially enters state of water poverty.
The last throes of Uganda's Lord's Resistance Army.
South Africa’s response to pandemic hit by corrupt contracts.
African Cup of Nations fans killed in Cameroon stadium crush.
EUROPE
Ukraine dismisses suggestions of imminent Russian invasion.
US and NATO allies intensify diplomacy in push to deter Russian ‘lightning raid’ on Ukraine.
Secretary general: NATO willing to listen to Russia, won't 'compromise on core principles'.
Germany: Scholz, Macron discuss Ukraine in Berlin.
Macron says Europe is preparing 'common response' in case of Russian aggression.
US says it will refuse all security concessions proposed by Russia.
Navalny, allies added to Russian list of terrorists.
Metropolitan Police confirms it is investigating events held at Downing Street during lockdown.
Poland begins work on $400m Belarus border wall against refugees.
AMERICAS
US Senators huddle on Russia sanctions as tensions escalate.
Covid continues to retreat across the US as cases slump 5% in a fortnight and ZERO states experience fortnightly doubling of infections.
Biden’s approval rating hits a dire 39% as a majority of Americans say he’s not a strong leader and don’t think he cares about them, new polls suggest.
Poll: 30 percent of Americans say they approve of the job Congress is doing.
US firms have only few days supply of semiconductors: govt.
Putin shores up Cuba, Venezuela ties as tensions with U.S. worsen over Ukraine.
Honduras seeks way out of political crisis under watchful eye of US.
Ladies in White opposition leader arrested in Cuba.
TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR
Kurds locked in tense five-day prison standoff with jihadists in Syria.
Iraq's battle against IS cells grinds on in the desert.
Hassan Diab: Canadian academic to stand trial in French terrorism case.
ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS
Stocks fall sharply as a bout of market volatility continues.
Inflation and Omicron will dent world growth in 2022, says IMF.
Biden admin working to avert energy shortage in Europe if Russia invades Ukraine.
COVID digest: BioNTech-Pfizer start trial of omicron-specific vaccine.