Six In The Morning Wednesday 23 February 2022

 

Russia moving some forces and tanks into eastern Ukraine, Latvian PM says

By Katie Bo Lillis, Jim Sciutto and Jeremy Herb, CNN

Updated 1626 GMT (0026 HKT) February 23, 2022

Russian troops have moved into the eastern region of Ukraine that Russia has now recognized as "independent," according to the Prime Minister of NATO member Latvia and sources familiar with the latest US intelligence assessments.

"According to the information at my disposal, Putin is moving additional forces and tanks into the occupied Donbas territories," Latvian Prime Minister Arturs Krišjānis Kariņš told CNN's Jim Sciutto on Wednesday. "By any definition that's a crossing of a sovereign territory into a neighboring country."

Pressed specifically on whether he was referring to the entry of additional Russian troops since Moscow recognized the two separatist regions earlier this week, Kariņš replied: "Yes, according to the information at my disposal, this is exactly what we're seeing."

Japan court awards damages to victims of forced sterilisation for first time

Three plaintiffs who suffered under eugenics law to get payouts after judge overturns lower court decision

Justin McCurry in Tokyo

Wed 23 Feb 2022 12.05 GMT

A court in Japan has awarded damages for the first time to people who were forcibly sterilised under a now-defunct eugenics law designed to prevent the births of “inferior children”.

The Osaka high court overturned a lower court decision and ordered the government to pay a combined ¥27.5m (£175,600) to the three plaintiffs, who are in their 70s and 80s. It described the law, which was abolished in 1996, as “inhumane”.

Courts hearing similar cases have declared that the practice was unconstitutional, but rejected damages claims, saying the 20-year statute of limitations had expired.

‘Stop Mad Vlad!’: How the papers covered the threat of war in Ukraine

Front pages dominated by war tensions as sanctions are rolled out on Russia

Thomas Kingsley

As Western nations and Japan announced their first tranche of sanctions against Russia, this morning’s front pages have been dominated by the prospect of a full-blown invasion.

The Daily Mail and The Sun were both critical of Russian president Vladimir Putin, warning that the leader was ready to go to war.

The Sun’s front page read “Stop Mad Vlad” carrying an image of president Putin and highlighting Boris Johnson’s comments calling him “irrational and illogical.”

Wildfires to increase up to 30% by 2050, experts warn

The intense, destructive fires that have dominated headlines in recent years are expected to become more frequent, even in places like the Arctic. Experts warn our response must shift toward planning and preparedness.

Exhausted firefighters have been battling blazes in northern Argentina for weeks. Fueled by strong winds, little rain and dry conditions brought on by an unusually long drought, wildfires have already destroyed nearly 8,000 square kilometers (3,000 square miles) of forest, swamp and farmland, an area slightly smaller than the island of Puerto Rico.

"It never happened to us, we never lived something like this, we were really overcome," one resident, Jorge Ayala, told The Associated Press news agency over the weekend. But wildfires like this are expected to become more prevalent, and more destructive, in the coming years and decades.

Ugandan writer arrives in Germany after fleeing ‘torture’ in custody

Award-winning Ugandan author Kakwenza Rukirabashaija, who fled the country after being charged with insulting President Yoweri Museveni, arrived in Germany to seek medical treatment after being "tortured" in jail, his lawyer said Wednesday.

Rukirabashaija's lawyer, Eron Kiiza, confirmed his client's arrival in Germany, describing the news as "a big relief".

The Ugandan writer's arrival was also welcomed by Deniz Yucel, a Turkish-German journalist and director of PEN Germany. Speaking on behalf of PEN International, Yucel said he was "very happy" Rukirabashaija was able to flee "from the clutches of his tormentors".

Beijing says Taiwan is 'not Ukraine,' has always been part of China

China's foreign ministry on Wednesday said Taiwan is "not Ukraine" and has always been a part of China amid Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen's calls to ramp up vigilance on military activities in response to the crisis in Ukraine.

Foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying dismissed the concerns of British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who said there might be worldwide consequences, including for Taiwan, if Western nations failed to support Ukraine's independence, according to Reuters.

"Taiwan is not Ukraine," Hua said while speaking in Beijing. "Taiwan has always been an inalienable part of China. This is an indisputable legal and historical fact."