First Thing: Europe ‘closer to war’ than at any point in 70 years

Good morning.

Europe is nearer to conflict than at any level over the previous 70 years, a UK authorities minister has warned, as Russian troops amass on the borders of Ukraine and western leaders warn that an invasion might happen early this week.

The armed forces minister James Heappey informed the BBC Radio 4 Right now programme he feared “we're nearer than we’ve been on this continent” to conflict “for 70 years”.

Western leaders are mounting a remaining effort to barter diplomatic options after US intelligence stated an assault might be imminent. The German chancellor, Olaf Scholz, will journey to Kyiv for talks with Ukrainian officers and British prime minister Boris Johnson stated he would maintain additional talks with world leaders to deliver Russia “again from the brink” of conflict.

  • Is Joe Biden concerned within the final minute negotiations? Sure however yesterday, the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky, urged Joe Biden to go to Kyiv “within the coming days” in a present of ethical help. Nonetheless, the White Home has made no point out of the invitation so it’s unclear if Biden intends to go.

  • Is time working out to discover a diplomatic resolution to the disaster? US intelligence over the weekend claimed that Russia had accelerated plans for an invasion and will transfer troops throughout the border as quickly as Wednesday, earlier than the tip of the Winter Olympics on 20 February.

Key US-Canada border bridge reopens after police clear blockade

Police remove all truckers and supporters after protesters blocked Ambassador bridge.
Police take away all truckers and supporters after protesters blocked Ambassador Bridge. Photograph: Nathan Denette/AP

The important thing Ambassador Bridge commerce hyperlink between Canada and the US has reopened after police cleared the final Covid restriction protesters, ending a six-day blockade.

Police moved in to clear and arrest the remaining protesters on the border bridge yesterday, attempting to finish one of many most important demonstrations which have damaged out throughout Canada in opposition to Covid-19 vaccine mandates and different restrictions to deliver the pandemic below management.

After issuing warnings, police stated arrests could be made and automobiles towed simply after daybreak close to the bridge linking Detroit and the town of Windsor, Ontario.

By Sunday afternoon, most protesters had gone and automobiles that had been blocking the way in which had been eliminated, and the bridge reopened simply earlier than midnight on Sunday.

  • What in regards to the protests in Ottawa? Small-scale protests there swelled to what police stated had been 4,000 demonstrators. The town has seen that on previous weekends, and loud music performed as folks milled about downtown the place anti-vaccine demonstrators have been encamped since late January.

Kamila Valieva cleared to skate at Winter Olympics

Kamila Valieva
Kamila Valieva had examined optimistic for a banned angina drug. Photograph: Anne-Christine Poujoulat/AFP/Getty Pictures

Kamila Valieva, the 15-year-old Russian skater who charmed these Winter Olympics earlier than her optimistic medicine take a look at despatched shockwaves internationally, has sensationally been cleared to compete within the particular person occasion as a result of “distinctive circumstances” of her case.

The court docket of arbitration for sport, which delivered its verdict yesterday, stated that banning Valieva whereas her doping case was ongoing “would trigger her irreparable hurt”.

The three-person panel additionally dominated that the World Anti-Doping Code was unclear when it got here to suspended “protected individuals” below 16 years of age and stated that a 44-day delay in reporting Valieva’s optimistic take a look at for the banned angina drug trimetazidine had affected her capability to mount a defence.

“The panel thought-about that stopping the athlete from competing on the Olympic Video games would trigger her irreparable hurt in these circumstances,” Matthieu Reeb, secretary basic for the court docket of arbitration for sport, informed the world’s press.

  • Does everybody agree with the choice? No. Sarah Hirshland, the president of the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee stated she was “upset” by the choice. “This seems to be one other chapter within the systemic and pervasive disregard for clear sport by Russia,” she added.

In different information …

Super Bowl: Rams v Bengals, Sofi Stadium, Inglewood, California, United States on 13 February
Los Angeles Rams offensive deal with Andrew Whitworth celebrates his crew’s victory with Matthew Stafford’s daughter. Photograph: Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Occasions/REX/Shutterstock

  • Six years after the Los Angeles Rams returned to California – after a 20-year sojourn in St Louis – the Rams are Tremendous Bowl champions for the second time of their historical past. They've been accused of buying and selling away their future to construct a crew of superstars, however their followers are unlikely to care now. And right here Sam Wolfson opinions the half-time present by Dr Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar and Mary J Blige.

  • Hong Kong’s chief, Carrie Lam, has stated an “onslaught” of Covid-19 infections has dealt a heavy blow and overwhelmed capability as day by day instances surge to file highs.Each day infections have multiplied by an element of 13 over the previous two weeks, with authorities scrambling to manage the deepening outbreak.

  • Donald Trump has endorsed rightwing Republican candidates who help his baseless claims of a stolen election for key posts in Michigan, elevating the prospect of a Trumpist take over of how the important thing battleground state would possibly run its elections.

  • Some gamers of the viral phrase recreation Wordle have complained that it has turn into tougher because it was purchased by the New York Occasions late final month. The New York Occasions has denied any modifications have been made to Wordle for the reason that acquisition. “Nothing has modified in regards to the recreation play,” they stated.

Don’t miss this: classes for lifelong lovers

Heart graphic
Coronary heart of the matter: ‘By no means increase a criticism with a criticism. It at all times makes folks defensive’ and different ideas for maintaining the love alive. Illustration: Danae Diaz

After that preliminary attraction, what retains a pair collectively? And as we alter and develop through the years, how can we be certain we transfer in the identical path? Six relationship consultants on the right way to preserve that loving feeling. Philippa Perry suggests remembering your accomplice just isn't liable for your happiness, you're. “I don’t advocate coming into a relationship believing love will conquer your private demons and, then, when it doesn’t, blaming your accomplice for you not feeling happier.”

Local weather examine: small pets liable to heatstroke as temperatures rise, research finds

Guinea pigs
Cats, guinea pigs, rabbits and ferrets are being taken to vets with heatstroke. Photograph: USPCA/PA

Canine will not be the one pets susceptible to heatstroke, and consultants are saying that folks ought to pay attention to the threat to smaller animals corresponding to guinea pigs and rabbits, particularly as world temperatures rise. Researchers say their findings spotlight the necessity for higher public consciousness of heatstroke and the danger to all animals, and that instances will proceed to rise with hotter climate due to the local weather emergency.

Final Factor: how a mountain lion grew to become Los Angeles’ wildest movie star

Mountain lion P22
Griffith Park’s well-known feline has been dubbed the ‘Brad Pitt of mountain lions’. Photograph: Alamy

The mountain lion often known as P22 has turn into one thing of a celeb within the metropolis of Los Angeles. The massive cat resides in Griffith Park, a 4,000-acre park tucked within the Hollywood hills, and has impressed murals, songs and even an exhibit about his life. Beth Pratt, California director for the Nationwide Wildlife Federation, has a tattoo of P22 and dubbed him the “Brad Pitt of mountain lions” – enticing, enigmatic and unfortunate in love. He has loads of deer to eat, no male rivals in his territory, but additionally no hope of discovering a mate.

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