Senin, 10 Januari 2022

Russia downplays threat to Ukraine in talks with US - BBC News

Ukrainian army soldier standing next to a machine gun at the defence line in Verkhnotoretske village that is situated on the very frontline between Ukraine and DPR armies positions
AFP

Russia has told the US that it has no intention of invading Ukraine, after officials from both countries met for high-stakes talks in Geneva.

After a meeting that lasted for seven hours on Monday, both sides agreed to continue efforts to reduce tensions.

But there was no sign of a major breakthrough following the talks.

Around 100,000 Russian troops are believed to be near the border with Ukraine, prompting fears of an incursion and warnings from the West.

The US has said there would be sanctions if Russia were to attack Ukraine.

Russia, meanwhile, has warned the US not to "underestimate the risks" involved in Moscow's confrontation with the West.

"We explained to our colleagues that we have no plans, no intentions to attack Ukraine," Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told reporters following the meeting.

He said the Russians had told their US counterparts "that all measures for the combat training of troops and forces are carried out within our territory" and that there was "no reason to fear any escalation scenario in this regard".

US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman described the talks as "frank and forthright" discussions designed to encourage a better understanding of each side's security concerns.

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Key disagreements remain

Analysis box by James Landale, Diplomatic correspondent

This was the first chance Russian and American diplomats had to discuss face to face the standoff over Ukraine, and Russia's demands for Nato to step back from eastern Europe.

And while little agreement appears to have been reached, both sides aired their concerns and set out their demands with at least the possibility of talks continuing in the future.

Yet the gap between both sides remains large. The US urged Russia to de-escalate the situation and remove its troops from Ukraine's border but it received no assurance that would happen.

Russia demanded that Nato should give a cast-iron guarantee it would never offer membership to Ukraine. The US rejected this outright. The US offered some ideas for both countries to limit military exercises and missile deployments but there was no sense this would be enough for Russia.

Optimists will point to the fact the talks were business-like, they did not break up in acrimony and Russia insisted it had no intention of invading Ukraine. Pessimists will note that even after such assurances, US officials said they were still not sure if Russia was serious about finding a diplomatic solution to this crisis.

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Ms Sherman said the US had pushed back on Russian proposals that were "non-starters" for the US government, including Russia's demand that Nato commit to never include Ukraine in the alliance.

"We will not allow anyone to slam closed Nato's open-door policy, which has always been central to the Nato alliance," she said.

According to Ms Sherman, the US delegation told the Russians that any invasion would be met with "significant cost and consequences well beyond what they faced in 2014" when Russia annexed the peninsula of Crimea from Ukraine.

These measures could include sanctions against key financial institutions, export controls, "enhancements of Nato force posture on allied territory" and increased security assistance to Ukraine, she added.

Mr Ryabkov said the talks had been "business-like and professional" but warned the US not to "underestimate the risks" of the tensions.

The Geneva talks are the first of several meetings between US, allied and Russian officials this week, which will also include a meeting at Nato headquarters in Brussels and at the permanent council of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, which includes Russia.

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Monday's meeting, however, took place without the participation of US European allies, including Ukraine, prompting reassurances from Ms Sherman and other US officials that Ukraine, Europe and Nato would be included in any decisions.

Earlier on Monday, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell Fontelles said he believed a Russian invasion was still possible. "There are 100,000 Russian troops on the other side of the border," he said. "I suppose they haven't gone there to drink coffee!"

Mr Borrell added that he'd been told nothing would be agreed without the EU's "strong co-operation, co-ordination and participation".

Russia has repeatedly denied it has any plans to launch a military operation in Ukraine. Last month, the Russian government published a series of demands including a commitment that Ukraine will never join Nato.

A graphic showing Nato's expansion since 1997
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2022-01-10 22:24:05Z
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ATP Statement On Novak Djokovic Entry Into Australia - ATP Tour

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  1. ATP Statement On Novak Djokovic Entry Into Australia  ATP Tour
  2. Covid: Djokovic returns to tennis court and Ikea cuts sick pay for unvaccinated staff  BBC News
  3. Andy Murray trolls Nigel Farage over Djokovic visa row  The Guardian
  4. The Novak Djokovic quandary reveals Australia's Zero Covid failure  Telegraph.co.uk
  5. Who on earth does Djokovic think he is? Time to send him packing - CHRISTOPHER SMITHERS  Express
  6. View Full coverage on Google News

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2022-01-10 21:30:04Z
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Novak Djokovic news LIVE: Australia Open fans buy tickets to boo Djokovic as visa at risk - Express

Novak Djokovic has broken his silence since winning his appeal to remain in Australia. The world No 1, who has trained since being released from his detention hotel, outlined his goal to defend his Australian Open crown and said he would reveal more at a later date.

It came as Djokovic's family gave an emotional press conference, where they expressed joy at the 'greatest victory of Novak's career' and claimed he was subjected to 'torture' over the past few days.

Earlier today, Djokovic won his case to remain in Australia and compete the Australian Open but the threat of deportation is still hanging over him with the Immigration Minister Alex Hawke still considering cancelling his visa.

The 20-time Grand Slam winner travelled to Australia under the premise that he had a medical exemption to enter the country without being vaccinated against coronavirus.

A judge overturned the decision to take away Djokovic's visa after determining that it was made before the tennis star was told he would be allowed to provide more information.

Despite the verdict, Djokovic may well be sent packing later this week, with the saga expected to rumble on over the next few days. Scenes have already turned to chaos in Melbourne with police clashing with fans and using pepper spray in a bid to disperse a large group that had gathered outside the offices of Djokovic's lawyers in a bid to get a glimpse of the world No 1.

Djokovic was due to speak at a press conference this afternoon but instead released a statement on Twitter, saying: "I’m pleased and grateful that the Judge overturned my visa cancellation. Despite all that has happened,I want to stay and try to compete @AustralianOpen I remain focused on that. I flew here to play at one of the most important events we have in front of the amazing fans.

"For now I cannot say more but THANK YOU all for standing with me through all this and encouraging me to stay strong." Stay tuned below for all the very latest in this extraordinary case Down Under. 

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2022-01-10 19:56:00Z
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Aung San Suu Kyi: Ousted Myanmar leader jailed for another four years - BBC News

Aung San Suu Kyi in 2018
Getty Images

A court in Myanmar has sentenced ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi to four more years in prison, in the latest of a series of trials.

She was convicted for the illegal possession and import of walkie-talkies and breaking Covid-19 rules.

Ms Suu Kyi was first convicted in December, and given a reduced jail sentence of two years.

She has been detained since a military coup last February and faces about a dozen charges, all of which she denies.

They have been widely condemned as unjust.

It is believed that Monday's charges stem from when soldiers searched her house on the day of the coup by forces led by General Min Aung Hlaing, when they said they discovered the devices.

Monday's trial in the capital, Nay Pyi Taw, was closed to the media and Ms Suu Kyi's lawyers have been barred from communicating with the media and public.

The latest sentence will bring her total prison term to six years.

Last month the Nobel laureate was found guilty of incitement of dissent and breaking Covid-19 rules, in what was condemned as a "sham trial" by UN Human Rights chief Michelle Bachelet.

Human Rights Watch called the legal proceedings a "courtroom circus of secret proceedings on bogus charges... so that (Aung San Suu Kyi) will remain in prison indefinitely".

The statement by the group's deputy Asia director Phil Robertson also accused the military of securing convictions "in a kangaroo court on the flimsiest, politically motivated charges", and claimed it was "running roughshod over the human rights of everyone, ranging from Suu Kyi... to the Civil Disobedience Movements activists on the street."

The military's seizure of power in Myanmar (also called Burma) last February came months after Ms Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) won November 2020 general elections by a landslide.

The military alleged voter fraud in the victory, however independent election observers have said the elections were largely free and fair.

The coup triggered widespread demonstrations and Myanmar's military has cracked down on pro-democracy protesters, activists and journalists.

Ms Suu Kyi is one of more than 10,600 people to have been arrested by the junta since February, and at least 1,303 others killed in the demonstrations, according to the monitoring group Assistance Association for Political Prisoners.

It is believed that if found guilty of all the charges she faces, Ms Suu Kyi could eventually be jailed for life.

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2022-01-10 07:56:09Z
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Minggu, 09 Januari 2022

Kazakhstan unrest: At least 164 killed in crackdown on protests, reports say - BBC News

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At least 164 people have died in Kazakhstan during violent anti-government protests, according to media reports citing health officials.

If confirmed it would mark a sharp rise from the previous figure of 44 deaths.

Almost 6,000 people have been arrested, including "a substantial number of foreign nationals", Kazakhstan's presidential office said on Sunday.

The demonstrations, triggered by a rise in fuel prices, turned into huge riots as they spread across the country.

They started on 2 January and grew to reflect discontent at the government and former President Nursultan Nazarbayev, who led Kazakhstan for three decades and is still thought to retain significant influence.

Last week, troops from countries including Russia were sent to Kazakhstan to help restore order.

The presidential statement added that the situation had stabilised, with troops continuing "cleanup" operations and guarding "strategic facilities".

A state of emergency and a nationwide curfew remain in place.

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Kazakhstan: The basics

Where is it? Kazakhstan shares borders with Russia to the north and China to the east. It is a huge country the size of Western Europe.

Why does it matter? A former Soviet republic which is mainly Muslim with a large Russian minority, it has vast mineral resources, with 3% of global oil reserves and important coal and gas sectors.

Why is it making the news? Fuel riots, which have escalated to become broader protests against the government, have resulted in resignations at the top and a bloody crackdown on protesters.

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In the capital, Nursultan, there are obvious signs that security has been tightened, says the BBC's Steve Rosenberg, with the entrance to the city's Presidential Palace blocked.

There is a growing suggestion, our correspondent adds, that the recent violence is linked to a power struggle within Kazakhstan's ruling elite.

Some 103 fatalities in the violence were reportedly in the main city, Almaty.

The security forces said they killed rioters in Almaty while trying to restore order and that protesters had tried to take control of police stations in the city.

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said "20,000 bandits" had attacked Almaty and that he had told security forces to "fire without warning".

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Sunday criticised the president's directive. "The shoot-to-kill order, to the extent it exists, is wrong and should be rescinded," he told ABC News' This Week.

He said the US was also seeking clarification from the Kazakh president on why he had requested the presence of Russian troops.

In another development, neighbouring Kyrgyzstan lodged a protest with the Kazakh ambassador over the detention in Kazakhstan of a Kyrgyz jazz musician, after footage emerged apparently showing him in custody, badly beaten.

Kazakh authorities accuse Vikram Ruzakhunov of participating in the protests, and have paraded him on state television.

On Saturday, Kazakh authorities said the country's former intelligence chief Karim Massimov had been arrested on suspicion of treason. They gave no further details.

Two former deputies to Mr Massimov have also been removed from their posts, the president's office said on Sunday.

Marat Osipov and Daulet Ergozhin had been serving as deputy heads of the country's powerful National Security Committee prior to their removal. Mr Tokayev's office has yet to publicly provide a reason for the sackings.

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2022-01-10 00:54:19Z
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New mutated Covid variant 'Deltacron' discovered in Cyprus - Accrington Observer

A new strain of Covid, known as the 'Deltacron' variant has reportedly been found in Cyprus.

It is thought to be a combination of the Delta and Omicron variants that have plagued the UK for many months.

A total of 25 cases of the strain have been found, The Express reports.

READ MORE:Minister denies reports of free lateral flow tests being scrapped

Leondios Kostrikis, professor of biological sciences at the University of Cyprus has reported his findings to GISAID, the international database that tracks viruses which tracks viruses.

Professor Kostrikis said: "We will see in the future if this strain is more pathological or more contagious or if it will prevail."

Of the 25 reported cases, 11 of those were found in people who had been admitted to hospital.

The new mutatued variant's discovery comes as Boris Johnson recognised the “terrible toll” of coronavirus on the UK.

Official figures released yesterday confirmed more than 150,000 people have now died within 28 days of testing positive for Covid-19.

A scientist advising the Government said the total passed on Saturday, when an additional 313 deaths were announced, was an “absolute tragedy” made worse because “many of them were avoidable if we had acted earlier in the first and second wave”.

The UK became the seventh country to pass the 150,000 death milestone, following the US, Brazil, India, Russia, Mexico and Peru.

Separate figures from the Office for National Statistics show there have now been 174,000 deaths registered in the UK where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate.

Professor Andrew Hayward, who sits on the Government’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage), told BBC Radio 4’s PM programme: “It is absolutely tragic and to think that’s been repeated so many times is awful.

“I think we could have done better. I think some of the deaths are even more tragic for the fact that many of them were avoidable if we had acted earlier in the first and second wave.”

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2022-01-09 15:36:16Z
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At least seven dead after Brazil cliff collapses on boats - BBC News

A state fire department handout shows search and rescue operation
EPA

At least seven people have been killed after part of a cliff collapsed onto leisure boats on a Brazilian lake.

Another three are missing and 32 injured following the accident in the south-east of the country.

Video circulating online shows the moment the rock detaches from the cliff face as onlookers try to yell warnings to the boats beneath.

At least one of the boats appears to have sunk, while others managed to escape.

The collapse at 11:00 local time (14:00 GMT) followed days of rain in Minas Gerais state, which had made the cliffs more susceptible to collapse, local fire officials told reporters.

"That piece will fall out," a woman can be heard saying in a video of the accident. "Get out of there," warns another, before the cliff collapses onto the boats.

Three vessels were hit by falling rock, Lieutenant Pedro Aihara told reporters. Out of the 32 injured, nine people were in hospital.

Divers and helicopters are searching the water for any more survivors.

Twenty people were initially reported missing, but Lt Aihara said most were accounted for after checking hospital lists.

Alessandra Barbosa told news outlet EPTV that she is seeking news of her uncles, who were spending the weekend at the site and decided to take a boat tour of the cliff.

"I called local hospitals. So far I haven't had any information about them. We are distressed, very concerned," she said.

"We get nervous because we have no information and it's family, right? Family is everything to us."

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2022-01-09 13:29:09Z
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