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Giant Putin Banner Appears Briefly on New York Bridge

by VOA News

   A large banner bearing the image of Russian President Vladimir Putin
   and the word "peacemaker" was hung from the Manhattan Bridge in New
   York City on Thursday.

   The 6-by-9-meter banner showed the Russian leader in front of his
   country's flag when it was unfurled on the landmark East River bridge
   that connects Manhattan to Brooklyn.

   Photos of the banner quickly began trending on social media.

   Police officers removed it within an hour of when it was first
   reported. There have been no arrests, but police are looking at
   surveillance video on the bridge and in nearby areas to identify a
   suspect.

   Tensions between Washington and Moscow have remained high in recent
   months.