January 21, 2022

Daily News Brief

*) ‘No minor incursion’: Biden clarifies comments on Russia, Ukraine tensions US President Joe Biden said any Russian troop movements across Ukraine’s border would constitute an invasion, and that Moscow would “pay a heavy price” for such an action. The statement was the latest US effort to clear up confusion over an earlier suggestion by the US president that a "minor incursion" could invite a lesser response. “I’ve been absolutely clear with President Putin, he has no misunderstanding. Any, any assembled Russian units move across the Ukrainian border, that is an invasion,” Biden said. "Let there be no doubt at all, that if Putin makes this choice, Russia will pay a heavy price," the US president added. *) China, Russia block US bid to impose UN sanctions on North Koreans China and Russia blocked a US push to impose United Nations sanctions on five North Koreans in response to recent missile launches by Pyongyang. The six-month block will hold off sanctions levied against North Koreans linked to the country's ballistic missile program. The United States quickly expressed its displeasure at the block, with ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield saying any opposition to sanctions gives Pyongyang “a blank check". *) Internet down in Yemen after Saudi-led air strike on telecom building Yemen has lost its connection to the internet nationwide after Saudi-led air strikes targeted a site in the contested city of Hudaida, plunging the war-torn nation offline. The air strike was reportedly on the TeleYemen site in Hudaida, which has a monopoly on the country's internet, and caused several injuries and deaths. The Saudi-led coalition battling Houthi rebels acknowledged carrying out air strikes around Hudaida's port, but did not immediately acknowledge striking a telecommunication target. *) Ghana explosion kills more than dozen, destroys 500 buildings At least 17 people have been killed and nearly 60 injured in an explosion that devastated part of a town in western Ghana after a truck carrying explosives collided with a motorcycle. Officials said the blast in the southwestern Apiate area between the towns of Bogoso and Bawdie levelled 500 buildings. Francis Abeiku Yankah, the coordinator of the National Disaster Management Organisation for Prestea Huni-Valley district, reported the complete devastation of the Apiate community. And finally … *) Turkiye to help build El Salvador its first satellite El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele has said Turkiye will help the Latin American country build its first satellite while both sides signed six deals during his first visit to Turkiye. Bukele is meeting various Turkish defence and technology companies and is keen to send his country's first satellite into space with Turkish technology. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the six agreements covered defence, trade, tech, economy, education and diplomacy, while President Bukele said the agreements are "only for starters". Turkiye will also help El Salvador build a dry canal, ports and a power plant.