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World News Briefs -- February 9, 2022 (Evening Edition)

Vehicles block the route leading from the Ambassador Bridge, linking Detroit and Windsor, as truckers and their supporters continue to protest against the COVID-19 vaccine mandates, in Windsor, Ontario, Canada February 8, 2022. REUTERS/Carlos Osorio 

Daily Mail: Trucker tide turns against Trudeau: Growing list of Canadian provinces LIFT their COVID restrictions as Freedom Convoy blocks vital border crossing between Canada and the US, and GM cancels second shift at Michigan plant because of supply chain issues 

* Ambassador Bridge, the busiest international land border crossing, which links Canada and the US, is blocked by protesters for a third day in a row 

* The bridge blockade is now causing problems in the US, and the General Motors plant in Delta Township, Michigan has canceled their second production shift due to supply chain issues 

* The protests at the bridge stem from ongoing demonstrations in Ottawa which started on January 29, with truckers and their supporters calling for an end to COVID-19 restrictions 

* Protesters have slammed PM Justin Trudeau for smearing them as 'swastika wavers' during his remarks on Monday about 'Nazi symbolism' and 'racist imagery' being used by some protesters 

* He appeared to shift tone on Tuesday, saying he understood 'how frustrated everyone is' by the restrictions 

* Trudeau has been accused of politicizing the pandemic, and on Wednesday he doubled down saying that he would not listen to 'people who illegally block borders' 

* Freedom Convoy organizers and supporters have said they are being portrayed in a negative light through the media's coverage and are tired of being labeled as a 'cult' and as 'villains' 

* Police in Ottawa have arrested 23 protesters and more than 1,300 fines have been issued 

* This week, police arrested a 78-year-old great-grandfather for honking his horn a day before a judge banned honking in response to a lawsuit from a disgruntled resident 

* Protesters have said they will not leave until all vaccine mandates and COVID-19 restrictions are lifted 

* Canadian provinces Alberta, Quebec and Saskatchewan have signaled plans to ease pandemic restrictions 

Freedom Convoy truckers protesting the Canadian government's vaccine mandate continue to block the busiest border crossing with the US - which carries 25 percent of trade between the countries - for a third day in a row as a growing list of provinces start to lift COVID restrictions and the General Motors plant in Delta Township, Michigan is forced to cancel a second shift due to lack of supply for production. 

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has smeared the truckers as 'swastika-wavers' and refused to budge on his mandate, saying he 'doesn't listen to people who illegally block borders'. 

For a third day in a row, trucks and vehicles lined the main trade route leading to Ambassador Bridge, which links Windsor, Ontario and Detroit, Michigan, which typically sees about 8,000 trucks pass through daily and accounts for 25 percent of trade between the two countries.  

Read more .... 

MIDDLE EAST

Iran nuclear talks resume amid pressure for results. 

'Sobering and shocking': Senators raise red flags after Iran briefing. 

As Iran nuclear talks enter final stretch, opposition grows in US. 

Syria shoots down Israeli missiles – Russia. 

Israel hits Syria, killing soldier after anti-aircraft fire. 

Israeli forces kill 3 suspected militants in West Bank city. 

Saudi-backed Iran spies found guilty in Denmark. 

Biden pledges US support against Houthi attacks to Saudi king

Iraq pays last chunk of $52.4 billion Gulf War reparations - UN. 

ASIA 

Afghanistan: Evidence mounts of Taliban reprisal arrests and killings. 

Abductions, beatings cause Afghan women’s rights activists to go quiet. 

Blinken lands in Australia ahead of Indo-Pacific meeting. 

US to remind China of Pacific interests amid Ukraine tension. 

School hijab ban targets India’s Muslims as Hindu hardliners eye key vote. 

New COVID surge batters Afghanistan’s crumbling health care. 

New Zealand police clash with anti-vaccine protesters at parliament, 50 arrested. 

U.S., 20 nations condemn press freedom suppression in Hong Kong

AFRICA 

WHO says crucial supplies not reaching embattled northern Ethiopia. 

Fighting in Ethiopia's Afar region displaces 300000, aid blocked to Tigray. 

Libyan PM survives assassination attempt unharmed -source.  

Libya PM defiant as lawmakers set to name new leader. 

Congo warns of security threat amid coup plot reports. 

UN court orders Uganda to pay Congo $325M for violence. 

EU pushes for COVID jabs in Africa as supply ‘no longer’ an issue. 

Tunisian judges on strike as fears grow over authoritarian rule

Somalia's worst drought crisis in a decade leaves millions hungry with lives at risk. 

American general in Egypt for talks after U.S. cuts military aid. 

Madagascar’s death toll from Cyclone Batsirai rises to 92. 

EUROPE 

Ukraine tensions: Russia sees room for diplomacy. 

Macron: Putin told him Russia won’t escalate Ukraine crisis. 

Zelensky responds to Putin. 

White House says no evacuation of US citizens being planned for Ukraine. 

Russia not obliged to solve EU’s gas problem – Moscow. 

Ukraine-Russia crisis: Olaf Scholz calls for peace and patience. 

Russia talks: Macron, Scholz seeking to reduce US interference in EU affairs, French politician says. 

Sweden ends COVID-19 testing as pandemic restrictions lifted. 

UK’s Johnson signals early end to COVID isolation rules. 

Czechs ditch COVID-19 pass rules, ease limits on crowds. 

AMERICAS 

Trudeau defends COVID restrictions amid truck blockades. 

US-Canada bridge blockade risks huge economic damage, governments warn. 

Under pressure to ease up, Biden weighs new virus response. 

DHS warns police of US trucker protests around Super Bowl, State of Union. 

Biden faces possible trucker threat. 

Fauci: US exiting 'full-blown' pandemic phase of coronavirus crisis. 

U.S. declassifies ex-Honduran president's inclusion on entry ban list. 

Mexican President Obrador suggests 'pausing' diplomatic relations with Spain. 

Nicaragua sentences journalist to 13 years for ‘conspiracy’. 

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR 

Police arrest 13 in Belgium after anti-terror raids. 

UN experts: 'terrorist groups' enjoy Freedom in Afghanistan. 

What future awaits 'Islamic State' after its leader's death?  

Germany: Suspected IS wife charged with war crimes. 

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS 

Global stocks follow Wall St higher after rebound. 

Closing prices for crude oil, gold and other commodities. 

Samsung unveils new phones as premium market share shrinks. 

SpaceX loses 40 satellites to geomagnetic storm a day after launch. 

COVID-19 protests threaten border trade between Canada, US.



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