January 25, Tuesday, 2022 (1:30 p.m.) Newsline

1.Diplomatic efforts are continuing as tensions surrounding Ukraine rise amid growing fears of a
possible Russian invasion. About 100,000 Russian troops have massed near Russia’s border with Ukraine. The US and its allies are demanding their withdrawal.
2.A member of the Japan Self-Defense Force unit that was dispatched to provide assistance to disaster-hit Tonga has tested positive for the coronavirus. Japan’s Defense Ministry says a member of the Air Self-Defense Force had a fever on Monday and an antigen test came back positive. The unit is based in Australia, and the person took the test there.
3.Iran’s foreign minister said on Monday that his country was prepared to consider direct nuclear talks with the United States. Iranian foreign minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian told local media in Tehran that indirect talks between Iran and the US would soon reach saturation point. He added that Iran would be prepared to hold direct talks with the US, if it felt this could lead to a good deal with strong guarantees.