World News Briefs -- January 26, 2022 (Evening Edition)

German chancellor's foreign policy adviser Jens Ploetner, Russian president's deputy chief of staff Dmitry Kozak and French president's diplomatic adviser Emmanuel Bonne. © Sputnik / Sergej Bobylev  

France24: Negotiating parties in Paris talks commit to eastern Ukraine ceasefire 

Advisors to the heads of state of Russia, Ukraine, France and Germany on Wednesday reaffirmed their commitment to uphold a ceasefire in eastern Ukraine after holding talks in Paris. 

The negotiations to defuse the crisis came as the US and NATO delivered written responses to Moscow’s raft of security demands for the region. 

In a joint communiqué released after eight hours of talks in Paris, representatives of Russia, Ukraine, France and Germany supported an "unconditional compliance with the ceasefire… regardless of differences on other issues related to the implementation of the Minsk agreements".

Read more .... 

MIDDLE EAST 

Hunger, cold stalks Syrians displaced by IS jail attack. 

UAE discussing defence upgrade after Houthi attacks- envoy to UN. 

People posting videos of UAE attack summoned under vague law. 

COVID: Iran sees ‘red’ again as Omicron cases jump. 

US, Israeli national security advisers discuss ‘advances in Iran’s nuclear program’. 

Iran, Iraq exchange accusations over water flow. 

Lebanon inks deal with Syria, Jordan to address power crisis. 

Leading Turkish women targeted by Islamists and government. 

ASIA 

West demands Taliban respect human rights at aid talks in Norway

China blasts US over reports of withdrawing diplomatic staff

China lifts COVID lockdown in northern city of Xi'an weeks before Beijing Winter Olympics. 

China shrugs off IMF warnings on zero-tolerance Covid approach

Australia is one of 22 new countries deemed 'very high' risk for travel. 

Japan to align with U.S. on space, cyber in security strategy revamp. 

North Korea's websites appear to have mysteriously gone down again. 

India showcases military might in Republic Day parade. 

HMAS Adelaide delivers vital aid to Tonga a day after COVID-19 outbreak was detected on board. 

AFRICA 

Ethiopian ministers propose ending state of emergency now. 

Diaspora group: Ethiopia PM open to talks with Tigray forces. 

Sudanese security forces 'hunt down' injured protesters in hospital. 

Hundreds gather in Burkina Faso's capital to support military coup. 

West Africa bloc to discuss Burkina Faso crisis Friday

Burkina Faso crisis: EU threatens consequences after coup. 

Mali tells Danish troops to leave European special force. 

9 Senegal soldiers missing in Gambia after clash with rebels. 

Morocco tourism workers protest against border closure. 

Mozambique, Malawi, Madagascar count deaths, damage by storm

EUROPE 

Russia, Ukraine agree to keep ceasefire, new talks next month. 

As US troop readiness increases, war on Ukraine’s front lines drags on. 

Russia will not let West brush its security proposals under the carpet — Lavrov. 

NATO head has lost touch with reality, it’s hard to take his words seriously — Lavrov. 

Biden says a Russian invasion of Ukraine ‘would change the world’. 

UK and Nato allies consider US request to send more troops to eastern Europe. 

Acting U.S. ambassador to Ukraine: Embassy families evacuated out of 'abundance of caution'. 

Boris Johnson refuses calls to resign after Downing Street party investigation. 

Denmark ends most virus restrictions, as Sweden extends them

Covid: Netherlands to ease restrictions despite rising case numbers. 

Germany: Lawmakers debate introducing COVID vaccine mandate

Greek PM faces blizzard of anger as thousands stranded in Athens snow. 

AMERICAS

Fed plans to raise rates as soon as March to cool inflation

Breyer to retire from US Supreme Court

Venezuela recall faces ‘impossible’ conditions; turnout low. 

Cuba says more than 700 charged over anti-government protests. 

Peru demands compensation for oil-affected businesses. 

Journalists throughout Mexico say enough to killings and crimes against press. 

US Coast Guard searching for 39 people after migrant boat capsizes off Florida coast. 

Virginia Giuffre: Prince Andrew demands jury trial in US. 

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR 

US-backed Kurdish forces seize Syrian prison from Islamic State after week-long assault. 

In Syria and Iraq IS is still capable, but no global threat. 

As the Islamic State resurges, the US is drawn back into the fray. 

Jihadist threat stirs anti-Fulani hostility in Ivory Coast. 

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS 

Stocks fall, yields rise after Fed signals rate hike ‘soon’

EU court annuls €1 billion Intel antitrust fine. 

Global chip shortage: US says firms' stocks have plunged. 

Spotify sides with Joe Rogan after Neil Young ultimatum. 

‘Crypto winter’ is coming – analysts.

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