World News Briefs -- February 16, 2022 (Evening Edition)

 

Daily Mail: Defiant Ukrainians stage flag-waving 'day of unity' and carry out practise airstrikes as they thumb their noses at Russian invasion threat as the West warns there is NO sign Putin is withdrawing his forces from the border 

* Ukraine staged a 'unity day' celebration today in defiance Russia troops and threats of an invasion 

* Thousands took to the street to wave flag and sing the anthem as live-fire military drills took place 

* Zelensky, who timed the day to coincide with rumoured date of Russian attack, said Ukraine is united by a desire to live in peace and 'can defend our home only if we stay united'

* It came despite West warning that Moscow does not appear to be withdrawing troops as Moscow promised 

Ukrainians defied pressure from Moscow with a national show of flag-waving unity on Wednesday, even as the West warned it has seen no sign of a promised pullback of Russian troops from the country's borders. 

President Volodymyr Zelensky, who declared the 'unity day' to coincide with the rumoured date of Putin's invasion, addressed the nation after the attack failed to materialise - telling his countrymen that 'we can defend our home only if we stay united.'

'We are united by a desire to happily live in peace,' he added, before flying via helicopter to a training range in Ukraine's west where live-fire tank and aircraft drills were underway.  

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MIDDLE EAST 

Iraq faces deadlock after 'West-friendly' candidate suspended. 

Russian strikes on farms in Syria could be war crimes: report. 

Civilians despair as Idlib hospitals shut down due to budget cuts. 

Eight million Yemenis could lose aid next month as war rages. 

Netanyahu prosecutors say witness phone was hacked with 'spyware'. 

Funerals for three suspected Palestinian militants killed in West Bank by Israeli forces attract large crowds. 

2015 nuclear deal has become an "empty shell", Iran's top security official says. 

Tehran under pressure as Iran nuclear deal reaches crunch point. 

US and Iranian officials suggest nuclear talks nearing conclusion. 

Iranian husband beheads teenage wife, authorities say, shocking the country. 

ASIA 

Taliban delegation holds talks with EU, US diplomats in Doha. 

Nepal police fire tear gas as protesters rally against US grant. 

New Zealand weaponizes Barry Manilow, James Blunt and the 'Macarena' against 'Freedom Convoy' protests. 

Hong Kong's spike in COVID infections sees hospitals above capacity as Xi Jinping tells government to 'mobilise all resources'. 

Tonga faces $125 million damage bill, a month after volcano, tsunami devastate Pacific island. 

Security tight in India as schools reopen after headscarf row. 

China's Xi orders Hong Kong to suppress outbreak 'above everything else'. 

Chinese artist Ai Weiwei: Western boycott of Beijing Olympics is 'a joke'. 

Last Fukushima town to reopen welcomes back its first residents. 

AFRICA 

Macron hosts African leaders ahead of France's expected withdrawal from Mali. 

With French troops poised to withdraw, Mali will have free rein to negotiate with jihadists. 

Burkina Faso junta leader installed as president after coup. 

Guinea-Bissau: Government critics under increasing pressure. 

Tigray rebels gang-raped women and girls in Ethiopia conflict, says Amnesty Int'l. 

Nigeria hero 'supercop' arrested in cocaine smuggling case. 

Nigeria cracks down on illegal oil refineries to curb pollution. 

 EUROPE 

Ukraine shows unity as West sees no sign of Russian pullback. 

US, allies say they're ready to retaliate for Russian cyberattacks on Ukraine. 

Duma manoeuvre points to Kremlin impatience in Ukraine standoff. 

Russians scoff at Western fears of Ukraine invasion.  

Russians ridicule western media on ‘day of no invasion’. 

Poland prepares to accept Ukrainian refugees in case of war. 

EU top court dismisses Hungary-Poland rule-of-law challenge.  

Germany plans end of COVID restrictions. 

Coronavirus restrictions ease across Europe despite high case rates. 

'I can't move': Queen Elizabeth complains of stiffness during engagement. 

AMERICAS 

Truckers end US border blockade, siege in Ottawa goes on. 

Ottawa police warn of arrest for 'anyone blocking streets'. 

Police issue ultimatum to protesters to leave Canada capital. 

Biden orders release of Trump White House logs to Congress. 

Oversight Republicans demand documents on Afghanistan withdrawal. 

Inflation tops list of most urgent issues facing US: poll. 

Forced displacement in Colombia more than doubled in 2021: Report. 

Honduran ex-president in court as US seeks extradition. 

Maduro ally informed US about bribing Venezuelan officials, court filing claims. 

Cuban protesters sentenced to up to 20 years in prison, more await verdicts. 

Deadly rains in Brazil leaves 56 dead after landslide hits mountain resort town. 

Mexico’s avocados face fallout from violence, deforestation. 

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR 

Mali’s president admits to holding talks with senior jihadist leaders. 

Two killed in twin Al-Shabaab attacks in Somalia: police. 

Hezbollah claims it’s making drones and missiles in Lebanon; chief offers export opportunity. 

Pakistan: Militant attacks in Balochistan pressure China's big infrastructure plans. 

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS 

Stocks end mixed as traders parse next rate move by the Fed. 

Google to overhaul ad tracking system on Android devices. 

US Fed prepared for faster interest-rate hikes if inflation persists. 

Oil firms’ climate claims are greenwashing, study concludes.