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Russian President Vladimir Putin has again warned that Russian
missiles will be pointed at Ukraine, the Czech Republic and Poland if those
countries allow U.S. missile defense facilities to be deployed within their
borders. Speaking at his last annual news conference before stepping down in
May, Mr. Putin also said that Russia did not plan a conflict with the West,
and would not point its missiles at any state unless it was forced to do so.
Russia is strongly opposed to U.S. plans to deploy 10 missile
interceptors in Poland, and guidance radar in the Czech Republic to protect
against missile attacks by rogue states such as Iran. Mr. Putin is
constitutionally barred from running for president again, but his hand picked
successor, Dmitry Medvedev, has a wide lead in the polls ahead of the March
2nd election.
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A powerful earthquake struck southern Greece Thursday, but
there were no immediate reports of casualties or damage.The quake with a
magnitude of six-point-five was felt throughout the capital, Athens. It
sent people rushing out of buildings in cities across southern Greece.
It struck shortly after 12 noon local time and witnesses said the quake
lasted at least 15 seconds.The epicenter was believed to be beneath the
seabed south of the southern city of Kalamata. Another earthquake hit
Athens in late January with a magnitude of five point zero.
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