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The US has tested a medium-range cruise missile weeks after pulling out of a key treaty with Russia that banned such nuclear-capable weapons.

The Pentagon said it successfully launched the missile off the coast of California on Sunday.

Moscow accused the US of « escalating military tensions ».

The US withdrew from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty on 2 August after accusing Russia of violating it – a claim Moscow denies. Analysts fear the collapse of the INF could spark a new arms race.

The Cold War-era treaty banned missiles with ranges of 500-5,500 km (310-3,400 miles). The Pentagon said the missile, launched from the US-Navy controlled San Nicolas Island off the coast of Los Angeles, was « conventionally configured », meaning not nuclear-equipped.

« The test missile exited its ground mobile launcher and accurately impacted its target after more than 500km (310 miles) of flight, » the US defence department said in a statement. « Data collected and lessons learned from this test will inform the Department of Defense’s development of future intermediate-range capabilities. »

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A man has appeared in court charged with murdering a police officer who was killed while investigating a burglary.

Jed Foster, 20, appeared at Reading Magistrates’ Court charged with the murder of 28-year-old PC Andrew Harper, and the theft of a quad bike.

PC Harper, of Thames Valley Police, died on Thursday after being dragged along the road by a vehicle in Sulhamstead, Berkshire. Mr Foster has been remanded to appear at Reading Crown Court on Wednesday.

Robert Jacques, defending, said Mr Foster, of Pingewood in Burghfield near Reading, denied any involvement in PC Harper’s death.

PC Harper’s wife Lissie, whom he married four weeks ago, paid tribute to her husband as the « kindest, loveliest, most selfless person you will ever meet ». In a statement, Mrs Harper said her « heart is broken » after the death of her « darling boy ». She added: « We had so many plans for the future, you wanted to do it all. « My darling boy I do not know how I will be able to survive without you.

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A senior police officer has appealed for political progress in Northern Ireland after a bomb attack in County Fermanagh.

Police blamed dissident republicans for the explosion near Wattlebridge, close to the Irish border, on Monday.

PSNI Deputy Chief Constable Stephen Martin said it was a « reckless and indiscriminate » attempt to kill police officers. Northern Ireland has been without a devolved government since January 2017.

Power sharing collapsed in a row between Sinn Féin and the DUP over a flawed green-energy scheme. Attempts to restore it have so far failed.

DCC Martin said police believe Monday’s bomb attack may have been carried out by either the Continuity IRA or New IRA. He said there have been five attempts to murder police officers so far this year.

The device was uncovered during a security operation which was launched after a warning was received.

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A police officer was killed when he was « dragged along by a vehicle » while attending a reported burglary.

PC Andrew Harper, 28, who got married four weeks ago, died at about 23:30 BST on Thursday in Berkshire.

Thames Valley Police said 10 males, aged between 13 and 30, have been arrested on suspicion of murder and remain in custody at various stations.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the officer’s death was a « mindless and brutal crime ».

Thames Valley Police Chief Constable John Campbell said the death of PC Harper, an Abingdon-based roads policing officer, had left the entire force « shocked and saddened ». He told a press conference that although the cause of PC Harper’s death had not yet been confirmed, he was out of his police car when he was « dragged along by a vehicle ».

A cordon has been put in place at the scene near the A4 Bath Road between Reading and Newbury, at the crossroads near to Sulhamstead.
Mr Johnson said the officer’s death was « an absolute tragedy  » and « the most powerful reminder that police officers up and down the country put themselves at risk every single day to keep us safe ». « My thoughts are with PC Harper’s family, friends and colleagues at this terrible time, » he added.

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A man has been stabbed outside the Home Office building in central London.

The victim’s injuries are not believed to be life-threatening, the Metropolitan Police said.

Officers were called to the building in Marsham Street, near the Houses of Parliament in Westminster, at 13:06 BST. A man was arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm. The wounded man went into the building to seek assistance. The building is now in lockdown.

Eyewitness Gareth Milner said he was outside the Home Office when « a number of armed police officers arrived on scene and entered the building ». « Some time later a gentleman with quite a bloodied face and with dressing pressed into his face was escorted out of the Home Office by paramedics, » said Mr Milner. He said the man was « walking on his own two feet ».

A Home Office spokesperson said: « The Metropolitan Police is investigating a knife attack which took place outside the Home Office this afternoon. The victim is receiving medical care.

« This is a deeply concerning incident and our thoughts are with him and his family. « As this is an ongoing investigation. It would be inappropriate to comment further. »