War

Three hundred U.S. Marines arrived in Norway on Monday for a six-month deployment angering their Arctic neighbour Russia. This is the first time since World War Two that foreign troops have been allowed to be stationed there. Before Norway joined NATO in 1949, it allayed Russian fears by pledging not to open its territory to foreign combat troops “as long as it is not under attack or threat of attack.” The deployment comes just one week after thousands of US troops arrived in Poland to “support NATO’s Anti-Russian buildup” across Eastern Europe.

The man suspected of carrying out the New Year’s Eve terrorist attack at Istanbul’s Reina nightclub has been arrested at his home in the Turkish capital. The attack killed 39 people and wounded 69 others, for which ISIS claimed responsibility. Abdulkadir Masharipov was arrested at his home following a special operation in Esenyurt. RT.com reports: The Uzbek attacker, Abdulgadir Masharipov, was captured by Turkish security forces late Monday at his friend’s house in the Esenyurt district of Istanbul, Daily Sabah reports.

Turkey’s Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmus has described the mass shooting at an Istanbul nightclub as a false flag event carried about by members of an intelligence organization.  “It appears the Reina attack is not just a terrorist organisation’s act, but there was also an intelligence organisation involved. It was an extremely planned and organised act,” Kurtulmus said during an interview with A Haber. Middleeasteye.net reports: Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the attack in which 39 people were killed, saying it was revenge for Turkish military involvement in Syria.

The leader of the UK’s Labour Party, Jeremy Corbyn, has been accused of being a Russian spy after he called for a de-escalation of tensions between NATO and Russia.  Corbyn told the BBC on Thursday that he wishes to see a de-militarisation of the border between Russia and surrounding countries. Theintercept.com reports: Along with the U.S., the UK has been rapidly building up its military presence in the Baltic region, including states which border Russia, and is now about to send another 800 troops to Estonia, 500 of which will be permanently based.

A record number of firearms was discovered in carry-on bags in the U.S. in 2016, according to the Transportation Security Administration. In total, 3,391 firearms were found in carry-on bags at TSA checkpoints across the country -- averaging more than nine per day - an amazing 28% rise from 2015 and a shocking 250% increase since President Obama first took office.

Guns were discovered in 238 airports across America with Atlanta the highest...