The North Korea-Russia border is seeing a sharp increase in rail traffic in likely signs of Kim Jong-un helping Russian president Vladimir Putin by supplying munitions, a US think-tank claimed, citing recent satellite photos. Satellite images from 5 October showed a “dramatic and unprecedented level of freight railcar traffic” at the Tumangang Rail Facility, according to Beyond Parallel, a website run by the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies. Approximately 73 railcars were visible in the images from last week, whereas previous satellite pictures over the past five years showed about 20 railcars at this facility at the most. It was not immediately clear what the contents of the railway shipments were as the shipping crates were covered under tarpaulin. This was likely a follow-up action after the North Korean leader met with his Russian counterpart in Russia’s far east last month, according to Beyond Parallel. “Given that Kim and Putin discussed some military exchanges and cooperation at their recent summit, the dramatic increase in rail traffic likely indicates North Korea’s supply of arms and munitions to Russia,” it said on Friday. “However, the extensive use of tarps to cover the shipping crates/containers and equipment makes it impossible to conclusively identify what is seen at the Tumangang Rail Facility" on the border, it said. This comes at a time leaders and experts have warned against North Korea’s plan to assist Russia’s depleting munition reserves in its continuing invasion of Ukraine. As Mr Kim met Mr Putin in Russia and visited key military sites and discussed strategic cooperation on defence, leaders speculated that North Korea could aid Moscow. The North Korean leader could have sought sophisticated Russian weapons technologies to boost his nuclear programme in barter for the munition, foreign leaders said. Officials in the US and South Korea warned North and Russia of consequences if they went ahead with the speculated weapons transfer deal in violation of the UN Security Council resolutions that ban all weapons trade involving Pyongyang which is under heavy sanctions for its nuclear weapons programme. The White House has said Russia wants to buy "literally millions" of artillery shells and rockets from North Korea. The reports of North Korea aiding Russia in invading Ukraine emerged last year when the US said the hermit kingdom was sending ammunition, artillery shells and rockets to Russia, with many of them copies of Soviet-era munitions. Officials in South Korea said the weapons provided by the North have already been used in Ukraine. “While access to such stocks of North may help Russia prolong the conflict, it is unlikely going to change the outcome,” according to Joseph Dempsey, a defence researcher at the International Institute for Strategic Studies. “The size of these stores and its degradation over time is less clear, as is the scale of ongoing production, but these stockpiles could help replenish those severely depleted in Ukraine,” he said. Read More North Korea vows strong response to Pentagon report that calls it a 'persistent' threat North Korea's Kim sets forth steps to boost Russia ties as US and Seoul warn about weapons deals North Korea says Kim Jong Un is back home from Russia, where he deepened 'comradely' ties with Putin North Korean state media says Kim Jong Un discussed arms cooperation with Russian defense minister North Korean arms for Russia probably wouldn't make a big difference in the Ukraine war, Milley says

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The charity Women’s Aid has welcomed the news Manchester United forward Mason Greenwood will no longer play for the club. United announced on Monday that an agreement had been reached for the 21-year-old England international to continue his career away from Old Trafford. Greenwood has been suspended by the Premier League club since January 2022 over allegations relating to a young woman after images and videos were posted online. He was facing charges including attempted rape and assault until the Crown Prosecution Service announced in February this year the case had been discontinued, which led to United conducting their own investigation. A spokeswoman for Women’s Aid, which works to end domestic abuse against women and children, said: “We know that today’s news from Manchester United that Greenwood will be moving on from the club will be a relief for many survivors of domestic and sexual abuse. “Football is loved by so many people worldwide, and players are often idolised by fans, so the way that alleged domestic abuse cases are treated in clubs has a huge impact on public understanding about what is accepted and tolerated in society. “We have heard first-hand the impact this case and the related materials shared on social media have had on survivors of abuse, and while next steps are established following the outcome of Manchester United’s internal investigation, this will happen away from centre stage of Old Trafford. “With many survivors never contacting the police to report abuse in the first place, and the majority of domestic and sexual abuse cases not resulting in a criminal conviction, it is vital that clubs – like all employers – have an approach that is wider than the criminal justice system, and which deals with the reality of the scale of the issue. “This needs to involve addressing the attitudes that underpin domestic and sexual abuse, and working with players from a young age to make it clear that clubs stand against sexism and misogyny. This is an issue that reaches far wider than football, with misogynistic content widely available on social media, so it is important to recognise how widespread harmful attitudes are and address this.” The Manchester United Supporters Trust criticised the club’s handling of the case but said the right decision had been made. A MUST statement read: “Since the deeply distressing initial allegations surfaced, this episode has been allowed to drag out for far too long as the club has carried out an investigative process. “Moreover, the complete lack of consultation with fans even with respect to process added fuel to the fire. Whilst the speculation and discussion in the last couple of weeks has been profoundly unhelpful and reflected very poorly on the club, it is clear that they have in the end reached the right decision. “We are relieved that this matter can now be put behind us and will be working with the club to ensure lessons have been learned from this very troubling episode.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Statistics show Spain were worthy World Cup winners Spain captain Olga Carmona dedicates World Cup triumph to late father Who will win the frantic battle for the final two Super League play-off slots?

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Volodymyr Zelensky made a passionate plea to American lawmakers at Capitol Hill as his second trip to Washington – since the Ukraine invasion – came to an end. The Ukrainian president got a $325m aid package from the Biden administration as he wrapped up his second visit, said to be more muted compared to the hype that surrounded his earlier one. However, senate majority leader Chuck Schumer on Thursday summed up an impassioned plea made by the wartime president to American lawmakers even as Republicans debate flow of financial aid to Ukraine for more than 20 months now. “There was a single sentence that summed it all up, and I’m quoting him verbatim. Mr Zelensky said: ‘If we don’t get the aid we will lose the war’,” Mr Schumer told reporters. The president also held private talks with both Republican and Democratic leaders to relay Kyiv’s message for further aid and help push Russia from its territory as the war appears to enter another looming winter. President Joe Biden said he is “counting on the good judgment of the United States Congress” in the absence of an alternative to aid Ukraine against the biggest military warfare ever since the Second World War. US lawmakers quoted Mr Zelensky as saying that the Ukrainians have a solid war plan and “they are winning”. Independent senators, however, noted Mr Zelensky “conceded that it’s tough, very tough to overcome entrenched defences”. “They believe they will make slow but steady progress, but it’s not going to be quick,” said independent senator Angus King. After wrapping up his second day in the US, Mr Zelensky called it an important trip to Washington DC. “There is a new defence package: air defence, artillery, shells, engineering equipment. There is also a long-term agreement – we will work together for Ukraine to produce the necessary weapons together with the United States,” he said. “My day began on Capitol Hill with candid and extensive discussions. Both chambers and parties. I sensed trust, which fosters unity. “Members of Congress asked direct questions and received candid responses. Transparency is our top priority in our relations with the US. I also had important defence talks at the Pentagon,” he said. The Ukrainian president received a red-carpet welcome on the White House South lawn and attended more ceremonies than offered to other world leaders on visits to the administration. In a setback, the Biden administration’s request to Congress for an additional $24bn for Ukraine’s military and humanitarian needs is hanging in the balance. Resistance to the latest request could lead to delays or reductions. The latest package, secretary of state Antony Blinken said, would include additional air defence, artillery ammunition, cluster munitions and other arms. House speaker Kevin McCarthy said he declined Mr Zelensky’s request for a joint session of Congress, as had happened during the Ukrainian president’s visit to Washington last winter, saying there wasn’t time for it on short notice. But the Republican leader praised answers the Ukrainian delegation offered to lawmakers. “It was direct, I thought it was honest, they were answering the questions,” Mr McCarthy said. “I heard a lot of positive things.” Lawmakers who attended the private meeting described questioning Mr Zelensky on the way forward for Ukraine’s counteroffensive, as the fight to roll back invading Russian forces moves closer to the two-year mark without major breakthroughs. With Mr Zelensky’s visit, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said the Biden administration is looking to underline the message that the US and the world “send the unmistakable message that in the 21st century, a dictator cannot be allowed to conquer or carve up his neighbour’s territory”. “If we allow that here. it will happen elsewhere in ways that will undermine fundamental security, not to mention the values that the American people hold so dear,” Mr Sullivan said. Mr Zelensky departed for Canada after wrapping up his meetings in Washington on Thursday and was greeted by Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau on arrival. He is expected to address the Canadian parliament on Friday. Read More Why has Poland stopped supplying weapons to Ukraine? Ukraine-Russia war - live: Biden’s $325m package for Zelensky as Pentagon says Abram tanks ‘on schedule’ Zelenskyy to speak before Canadian Parliament in his campaign to shore up support for Ukraine Watch as Zelensky meets with Biden for talks at White House President Zelensky and Ukraine’s First Lady arrive at White House

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Bruce Hough, the father of two professional dancers who have been mainstays on ABC's "Dancing with the Stars," has qualified for the Republican primary ballot in the special election for Utah's 2nd Congressional District, the lieutenant governor's office said Wednesday.