Key Storylines
- AFRICA: Zambian president Hakainde Hichilema has come under attack from the opposition because of his frequent trips abroad.
- AMERICAS: Xiomara Castro is scheduled to be sworn in as Honduras’ first female president amid uncertainty about whether an unfolding legislative crisis will allow her the support she needs.
- ASIA: Chinese Foreign minister Wang Yi told his American counterpart Antony Blinken that Russia’s “reasonable security concerns should be taken seriously and resolved.”
- EUROPE: The European Union has opened a case against China at the World Trade Organization for hindering trade with Lithuania in retaliation for deepening ties with Taiwan.
- MIDDLE EAST: The Jordanian military said its troops killed 27 suspected smugglers attempting to enter the country from Syria.
- TECH & COMMUNICATIONS: FAA Administrator Steve Dickson will testify on February 3 before a US House of Representatives hearing on 5G deployment and its impact on aviation safety.
Top Story
- Global: Russia sees room for dialogue after US security response.
- The Kremlin said the United States has not shown a willingness to address Moscow’s main security concerns over the standoff in Ukraine, but that both sides had an interest in continuing dialogue.
- Washington delivered a reply in coordination with NATO allies, rejecting any ban on Ukraine, but offered what it called a new “diplomatic path” out of the crisis.
- French President Emmanuel Macron is pushing for dialogue with Russia as he prepares to talk to Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday.
- Moscow said talks with Ukrainian, German, and French officials were not simple, but both sides agreed to back a 2014 cease-fire in eastern Ukraine even as troops ready for conflict on both sides of the border.
- In a series of security demands that were rolled out last month, the Kremlin called for NATO to deny membership to Ukraine and roll back military deployments in Eastern and Central Europe.
- Reuters, AFP, AP, DW, DPA
Africa
- Region: The death toll from Tropical Storm Ana that struck Madagascar, Malawi, and Mozambique rose to 70 as emergency teams battled to repair damaged infrastructure and help tens of thousands of victims. (AFP)
- Ethiopia: A report by the region’s health bureau said that nearly 1,500 people died of malnutrition in just part of the blockaded Tigray region over a four-month period last year. (AP)
- Uganda: An author accused of insulting the president and his family has been released after being rearrested moments after a court freed him on bail. (BBC)
- Zambia: President Hakainde Hichilema has come under attack from the opposition because of his frequent trips abroad. (BBC)
- Zimbabwe: Opposition leader Nelson Chamisa is upbeat about victory in next year’s elections, despite a crackdown that he compares to being in “the jaws of a crocodile.” (AFP)
Americas
- Region: Singapore signed a free trade agreement with the Pacific Alliance, made up of Colombia, Mexico, Peru, and Chile. (Reuters)
- Canada: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that the country’s military training mission to Ukraine would be enlarged and extended by three years. (AP)
- Colombia: Six former members of the FARC rebel group have taken responsibility for a 2002 massacre in the country where 120 people were killed. (DPA)
- Honduras: Xiomara Castro is scheduled to be sworn in as the country’s first female president amid uncertainty about whether an unfolding legislative crisis will allow her the support she needs. (AP)
- Mexico: A journalist was attacked by gunmen in Oaxaca, one day after press groups held demonstrations protesting the killing of three journalists in the country since the start of the year. (AP)
Asia
- China: Foreign minister Wang Yi told his American counterpart Antony Blinken that Russia’s “reasonable security concerns should be taken seriously and resolved.” (AFP)
- India: Steelmakers urged the government to provide federal funding and other economic assistance to help them meet targets for cutting carbon emissions. (Reuters)
- North Korea: The South Korean military reported the launch of two short-range ballistic missiles into the East Sea, the sixth such test this month. (NYT)
- Philippines: Former boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao, who has vowed to root out graft in the government if elected president, said he would disclose full details of his wealth and challenged all officials to do the same. (Reuters)
- South Korea: The country’s top infectious disease expert is defending the move to expand the use of rapid testing despite accuracy concerns as infections increase from the Omicron variant. (AP)
Europe
- Region: The European Union has opened a case against China at the World Trade Organization for hindering trade with Lithuania in retaliation for deepening ties with Taiwan. (WSJ)
- Germany: Prosecutors said a Russian scientist working at a Bavarian university who was arrested last year for spying for Russia shared information about Europe’s Ariane space rocket programme. (AFP)
- Poland: The country started building a wall on its eastern border intended to block migrants pushed by Belarus in what the European Union calls a “hybrid attack” from crossing illegally into EU territory. (AP)
- Turkey: President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said his Israeli counterpart Isaac Herzog will visit the country next month as the countries move to mend ties. (AP)
- United Kingdom: England lifted most pandemic restrictions, including mandatory face masks and COVID passes to enter large venues. (AP)
Middle East
- Israel: The Health Ministry broadened eligibility for a fourth dose of COVID-19 vaccine to include all adults with underlying medical conditions or high risk of exposure. (Reuters)
- Jordan: The military said its troops killed 27 suspected smugglers attempting to enter the country from Syria. (AP)
- Qatar: Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani is expected to travel to Tehran to discuss regional issues with top Iranian officials. (AlJazeera)
- Syria: After six days of fighting, the Syrian Democratic Forces have retaken a prison in the northeastern city of Hasaka from ISIS. (NYT)
- United Arab Emirates: The country will lift an entry and transit ban on travelers who had recently visited South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, Ethiopia and eight other African countries on Saturday. (Reuters)
Tech & Communications
- Communications: FAA Administrator Steve Dickson will testify on February 3 before a US House of Representatives hearing on 5G deployment and its impact on aviation safety. (Reuters)
World
- Cyclones: Nothing to Report.
- Hurricanes: Nothing to Report.
- Earthquakes:
- Pangai, Tonga
- Magnitude: 6.2
- Depth: 4.2 km
- Map
- Volcanoes: Nothing to Report.
- Global Disease Outbreaks:
- COVID-19 Coronavirus Disease: Global (as of 27JAN22)
- Confirmed cases: 362,861,458
- Deaths: 5,628,146
- Countries with confirmed cases: 192
- Sourcing: John Hopkins University
- COVID-19 Coronavirus Disease: Global (as of 27JAN22)
- Pangai, Tonga
Tomorrow’s Outlook (28JAN22)
- Armenia: Army Day.
- Europe: French President Emmanuel Macron to speak by phone with Russian president Vladimir Putin.
- Pakistan: IMF board to conduct sixth review of Pakistani bailout program.
END
