A quick catch up on today’s top stories…
1) Russia masses more troops near Ukraine as invasion set to hit anytime
Russia is massing yet more troops near Ukraine and an invasion could come at any time, perhaps before the end of this month’s Winter Olympics, Washington said on Friday.
Commercial satellite images published by a private U.S. company showed new Russian military deployments at several locations near Ukraine.
In his starkest warning yet to Americans in Ukraine to get out now, President Joe Biden said he would not send troops to rescue U.S. citizens in the event of a Russian assault.
2) President Akufo-Addo to address the nation on March 3
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, is expected to deliver his first State of the Nation on Address on Thursday March 3, 2022.
The address will be given before Parliament House, in accordance with Article 67 of the current 1992 Constitution of Ghana, which mandates the President to present same at the beginning of each session of Parliament.
Akufo-Addo will be expected to present his plans for the next 3 years of his governance.
3) Philippines welcomes back foreign tourists for first time in two years
The Philippines welcomed back more than 200 foreign tourists on Thursday, becoming the latest Southeast Asian nation to reopen in a bid to revive a battered tourism sector after its borders shut to visitors nearly two years ago due to the pandemic.
“I think it will be a good boost for tourism and the Filipino economy,” said Shawn James Stickney, 31, a Malaysian social media influencer living in Australia who flew in to surprise his girlfriend.
4) Woman accuses U.S. rapper Snoop Dogg of sexual assault and battery
An unidentified woman has filed a civil lawsuit that accuses American rapper Snoop Dogg of sexual assault and battery after she attended one of his concerts in 2013.
The lawsuit was filed on Wednesday, days before Snoop Dogg is set to perform at the Super Bowl halftime show with other hip-hop artists near Los Angeles.
The woman was identified as Jane Doe and described as a dancer, model, host and actress who had worked with Snoop Dogg.
5) Zouma to play against Leicester on Sunday despite his ‘terrible and diabolical’ action
Kurt Zouma is available to play for West Ham against Leicester on Sunday despite a disturbing video of him kicking his cat across his kitchen floor, David Moyes has confirmed.
The 27-year-old West Ham defender issued an apology and has been fined two weeks’ wages – understood to be £250,000 – which will be donated to animal welfare charities, while Adidas have dropped the player as a client.
