Japan&nbsp;on Tuesday said it stood&nbsp;ready&nbsp;to&nbsp;join&nbsp;the United States and other G7 industrialized nations in slapping&nbsp;sanctions&nbsp;on Russia, should President Vladimir Putin order an invasion of Ukraine.&nbsp;

The confirmation by the world's No. 3 economy comes as the crisis in Europe deepens, with the Russian leader on Monday ordering troops into two breakaway regions in Eastern Ukraine that Russia now recognizes as independent states.

That action was "unacceptable and a violation of international law," Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who called&nbsp;Putin on Thursday to urge restraint, told reporters.&nbsp;Japan&nbsp;was&nbsp;ready&nbsp;for a strong response that could include&nbsp;sanctions, he added.

Also read&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-city-pop-the-soundtrack-to-japans-boom-years-goes-viral-455195">&nbsp;|&nbsp;City Pop: the soundtrack to Japan's boom years goes viral</a>

The White House said late on Monday it would announce new&nbsp;sanctions&nbsp;on Russia on Monday "in response to Moscow’s decisions and actions today."

"We are coordinating with allies and partners on that announcement," a White House spokesperson said.

New&nbsp;sanctions&nbsp;by&nbsp;Japan, which would add to those imposed on Russia in 2014 after it occupied the Crimea, would include a ban on semiconductor chips and other key technology exports and tighter restrictions on Russian banks, the Yomiuri newspaper reported earlier.

Although&nbsp;Japan&nbsp;is no longer a major exporter of semiconductors, with only a 10% share of the global chip market, it is a key manufacturer of specialised electronic components, such as automotive chips and image sensors, and dominates in other industrial fields, such as high tech manufacturing equipment.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-imposes-sanctions-on-two-russian-backed-areas-in-eastern-ukraine-455190">US imposes sanctions on two Russian-backed areas in eastern Ukraine</a>

Kishida and other government officials who spoke on Tuesday did not say what&nbsp;sanctions&nbsp;Japan&nbsp;was mulling.

Japan's toughening stance against Russia contrasts with the softer diplomatic approach to Moscow taken by&nbsp;Japanese administrations in the past. They have courted Putin in an attempt to secure the return of islands occupied by Russian forces at the end of World War Two.

Japan's delicate diplomacy has also been shaped by&nbsp;its&nbsp;reliance on Russia for some of&nbsp;its&nbsp;energy needs. In 2021, Russia provided more than 12% of&nbsp;Japan's thermal coal, and almost a tenth of&nbsp;its&nbsp;liquefied natural gas.

That economic anguish, however, has been overtaken in recent years by growing concern about a revival in Russian military activity in East Asia and Moscow's deepening security cooperation with neighbouring China.

“Ukraine is facing a tense situation now, so we must firmly watch how it could affect&nbsp;Japan’s economy,” Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki said at a briefing on Tuesday.

Watch |&nbsp;'No access to financial markets of Russia plans to invade Ukraine,' warns EU

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/no-access-to-financial-markets-of-russia-plans-to-invade-ukraine-warns-eu-455237/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

&nbsp;

Japan on Tuesday said it stood ready to join the United States and other G7 industrialized nations in slapping sanctions on Russia, should President Vladimir Putin order an invasion of Ukraine.

Japan on Tuesday said it stood ready to join the United States and other G7 industrialized nations in slapping sanctions on Russia, should President Vladimir Putin order an invasion of Ukraine. The confirmation by the world's No. 3 economy comes as the crisis in Europe deepens, with the Russian leader on Monday ordering troops into two breakaway regions in Eastern Ukraine that Russia now recognizes as independent states. That action was "unacceptable and a violation of international law," Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who called Putin on Thursday to urge restraint, told reporters. Japan was ready for a strong response that could include sanctions, he added. Also read | City Pop: the soundtrack to Japan's boom years goes viral The White House said late on Monday it would announce new sanctions on Russia on Monday "in response to Moscow’s decisions and actions today." "We are coordinating with allies and partners on that announcement," a White House spokesperson said. New sanctions by Japan, which would add to those imposed on Russia in 2014 after it occupied the Crimea, would include a ban on semiconductor chips and other key technology exports and tighter restrictions on Russian banks, the Yomiuri newspaper reported earlier. Although Japan is no longer a major exporter of semiconductors, with only a 10% share of the global chip market, it is a key manufacturer of specialised electronic components, such as automotive chips and image sensors, and dominates in other industrial fields, such as high tech manufacturing equipment. Also read | US imposes sanctions on two Russian-backed areas in eastern Ukraine Kishida and other government officials who spoke on Tuesday did not say what sanctions Japan was mulling. Japan's toughening stance against Russia contrasts with the softer diplomatic approach to Moscow taken by Japanese administrations in the past. They have courted Putin in an attempt to secure the return of islands occupied by Russian forces at the end of World War Two. Japan's delicate diplomacy has also been shaped by its reliance on Russia for some of its energy needs. In 2021, Russia provided more than 12% of Japan's thermal coal, and almost a tenth of its liquefied natural gas. That economic anguish, however, has been overtaken in recent years by growing concern about a revival in Russian military activity in East Asia and Moscow's deepening security cooperation with neighbouring China. “Ukraine is facing a tense situation now, so we must firmly watch how it could affect Japan’s economy,” Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki said at a briefing on Tuesday. Watch | 'No access to financial markets of Russia plans to invade Ukraine,' warns EU

Russia-Ukraine crisis: Japan ready to join US-led sanctions on Moscow

The Russia-Ukraine crisis escalated further after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the deployment of troops to two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine. He recognised the two regions as independent on Monday (February 21) during a crucial televised address.

The Russia-Ukraine crisis escalated further after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the deployment of troops to two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine. He recognised the two regions as independent on Monday (February 21) during a crucial televised address. In his seminal speech, Putin ordered his defence ministry to despatch Russian peacekeepers to Ukraine's two breakaway regions - the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic and the Lugansk People's Republic. Putin earlier signed decrees to recognise the two regions as independent statelets. The move by Russia can be countered by sanctions from Western allies as the step could hamper the recent diplomatic attempts to defuse the crisis situation. ALSO READ | Explainer: What will Russian recognition of breakaway Ukraine regions mean? Here are some of the crucial points from Putin's address: 1) Putin described Ukraine as an integral part of Russia's history and said eastern Ukraine was ancient Russian land. He said, "I would like to emphasise again that Ukraine is not just a neighbouring country for us. It is an inalienable part of our own history, culture and spiritual space." "These are our comrades, those dearest to us – not only colleagues, friends and people who once served together, but also relatives, people bound by blood, by family ties," he added. ALSO READ | US imposes sanctions on two Russian-backed areas in eastern Ukraine 2) Putin had announced his decision in phone calls to the leaders of Germany and France. 3) On recognition of pro-Russian separatists, Putin said that he deems it "necessary to make a decision that should have been made a long time ago". The decision to "immediately recognise the independence and sovereignty of the Donetsk People's Republic and the Lugansk People's Republic". 4) While talking about the responsibility for the bloodshed, the Russian leader said that "those who seized power and keep power in Kyiv, we demand they stop the hostilities immediately". He warned, "Otherwise, all the responsibility for the possible continuation of the bloodbath will be on the conscience of the regime that is ruling in Kiev." 5) Putin also mentioned the talks around Ukraine's membership of NATO. He said, "If Ukraine was to join NATO it would serve as a direct threat to the security of Russia." 6) Putin also talked about the origins of modern Ukraine. He said, "Modern Ukraine was entirely created by Russia, more precisely, Bolshevik, communist Russia. This process began immediately after the revolution of 1917." 7) While speaking about the sanctions, Putin said, "We are being blackmailed, they are threatening us with sanctions. But I think they will impose those sanctions." 8) Calling out the Western stance, Putin said that the "so-called civilized world, the representatives of the self-proclaimed western colleagues, they act as if they do not notice anything". He added, "As if nothing is happening, as if this nightmare did not exist." ×

Vladimir Putin orders troops into eastern Ukraine: Key points from his crucial address

Monitors from the&nbsp;OSCE&nbsp;European security body on Monday reported more than 3,000 new ceasefire violations in eastern&nbsp;Ukraine, a high for the year.

The&nbsp;report&nbsp;reflects a sharp spike in violence that preceded President Vladimir Putin's decision to order Russian troops into two Moscow-backed rebel regions he recognised as independent earlier in the day.

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-ukraine-crisis-japan-ready-to-join-us-led-sanctions-on-moscow-455236">&nbsp;Russia-Ukraine crisis: Japan ready to join US-led sanctions on Moscow</a>

"It is of crucial importance that today's decision will not lead to new military action and bloodshed," Mikko Kinnunen, the&nbsp;OSCE's chairman-in-office in&nbsp;Ukraine, said in a statement.

In a daily&nbsp;report&nbsp;based on information received by Sunday evening, the pan-European security body reported 2,158 new&nbsp;violations&nbsp;in the Donetsk region and another 1,073 in neighbouring Lugansk.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-imposes-sanctions-on-two-russian-backed-areas-in-eastern-ukraine-455190">US imposes sanctions on two Russian-backed areas in eastern Ukraine</a>

The monitors reported heavy clashes spreading across the frontline separating rebel forces from government troops in the eastern Donetsk and Lugansk regions.

The eight-year conflict across the largely Russian-speaking industrial region has claimed&nbsp;more&nbsp;than&nbsp;14,000&nbsp;lives, breaking out after two regions rebelled over a 2014 pro-EU revolution in Kyiv.

Monitors from the OSCE European security body on Monday reported more than 3,000 new ceasefire violations in eastern Ukraine, a high for the year. The report reflects a sharp spike in violence that preceded President Vladimir Putin's decision to order Russian troops into two Moscow-backed rebel regions he recognised as independent earlier in the day.

Monitors from the OSCE European security body on Monday reported more than 3,000 new ceasefire violations in eastern Ukraine, a high for the year. The report reflects a sharp spike in violence that preceded President Vladimir Putin's decision to order Russian troops into two Moscow-backed rebel regions he recognised as independent earlier in the day. Also read | Russia-Ukraine crisis: Japan ready to join US-led sanctions on Moscow "It is of crucial importance that today's decision will not lead to new military action and bloodshed," Mikko Kinnunen, the OSCE's chairman-in-office in Ukraine, said in a statement. In a daily report based on information received by Sunday evening, the pan-European security body reported 2,158 new violations in the Donetsk region and another 1,073 in neighbouring Lugansk. Also read | US imposes sanctions on two Russian-backed areas in eastern Ukraine The monitors reported heavy clashes spreading across the frontline separating rebel forces from government troops in the eastern Donetsk and Lugansk regions. The eight-year conflict across the largely Russian-speaking industrial region has claimed more than 14,000 lives, breaking out after two regions rebelled over a 2014 pro-EU revolution in Kyiv.

Amid rising tensions, OSCE reports more than 3,000 new ceasefires violations in eastern Ukraine

New&nbsp;Zealand&nbsp;anti-vaccine&nbsp;protesters&nbsp;pelted&nbsp;police&nbsp;with a "stinging substance" sending three to hospital with injuries Tuesday, as tensions spilled over in an angry weeks-long protest.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern decried "absolutely disgraceful" scenes after the suspected acid attack, and a startling incident that saw one protester speed a car toward&nbsp;police&nbsp;lines before coming to a quick halt just centimetres away.&nbsp;

The brief but intense confrontations erupted near&nbsp;New&nbsp;Zealand's parliament early Tuesday, as&nbsp;police&nbsp;moved roadblocks used to contain a protest camp that has clogged downtown Wellington for two weeks.

The Wellington protest began as a movement against vaccine mandates -- inspired by similar protests in the Canadian capital Ottawa.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/covid-19-new-zealand-pm-jacinda-ardern-signals-mandates-will-ease-after-omicron-peaks-454979">COVID-19: New Zealand PM Jacinda&nbsp;Ardern signals mandates will ease after Omicron peaks</a>

It has since grown to around 1,500 people and encompasses a range of grievances, with some far-right messaging among the anti-government and anti-media slogans on display.&nbsp;

Assistant Commission Richard Chambers said three officers who were taken to hospital were "recovering well".

He blamed a "certain group within the protest" for the "appalling" attack.

"Police&nbsp;officers are going about their work as best they can to bring peace to the situation... there's a group (of&nbsp;protesters) determined to bring violence and aggression -- we can't tolerate that."

On Monday&nbsp;police&nbsp;reported demonstrators hurled human faeces at them, prompting officers to protect themselves with&nbsp;riot&nbsp;shields during the latest clashes.

Ardern said she was concerned the protest was becoming increasingly violent.

"The attacks on&nbsp;the police&nbsp;have been absolutely disgraceful," she said.

"To anyone down there who thinks they're part of a peaceful protest, that's not what we've seen today -- I would encourage them to leave."

Authorities had been taking a largely hands-off approach to the demonstration, trying to persuade&nbsp;protesters&nbsp;to voluntarily move on.

But Chambers said recent events showed "genuine&nbsp;protesters&nbsp;are no longer in control of the behaviour in and around parliament".

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/jacinda-ardern-calls-new-zealand-stabbing-terrorist-attack-suspect-shot-dead-410375">Jacinda Ardern calls New Zealand stabbing 'terrorist attack'; suspect shot dead</a>

'Leave now'

The&nbsp;protesters, inspired by Canada's "Freedom Convoy", have jammed roads with around 900 cars, trucks and campervans, then set up camp on the lawns of parliament.

They have erected tents and shelters, and organised portable toilets, food distribution points and childcare facilities.&nbsp;

Wellington residents have complained about being abused by&nbsp;protesters&nbsp;for wearing masks, while schools and businesses close to the camp have closed.

"Wellingtonians have had enough of this," Deputy Prime Minister Grant Robertson said.&nbsp;

"Our streets have been blocked, our people have been harassed, our environment has been trashed."

Robertson said those involved in the protest had crossed the line into illegal activity.

"This is a protest that has gone well beyond what I think most&nbsp;New&nbsp;Zealanders would see as a peaceful protest -- you've made your point, please leave now," he said.

Chambers said some moderate&nbsp;protesters&nbsp;had left because they were concerned about the behaviour of more extreme elements and&nbsp;police&nbsp;still hoped for a negotiated end to the demonstration.

"We continue to work really hard with leaders among the group to de-escalate the situation and ensure everyone is safe," he said.

Watch |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/new-zealand-police-arrests-8-people-as-covid-19-vaccine-mandate-protest-escalates-455192">&nbsp;New Zealand police arrests 8 people as covid-19 vaccine mandate protest escalates</a>

New&nbsp;Zealand&nbsp;authorities have also been in contact with their counterparts in Ottawa, where&nbsp;police&nbsp;in&nbsp;riot&nbsp;gear dislodged the trucker protest over the weekend after more than three weeks.

Chambers said&nbsp;police, who have received criticism from locals for not doing enough to stop disruption, would have a "highly visible" presence around the protest.

"Police&nbsp;do not wish to interfere with lawful protest, but the behaviours we are seeing are unlawful and will result in enforcement action," he said.

New Zealand anti-vaccine protesters pelted police with a "stinging substance" sending three to hospital with injuries Tuesday, as tensions spilled over in an angry weeks-long protest.

New Zealand anti-vaccine protesters pelted police with a "stinging substance" sending three to hospital with injuries Tuesday, as tensions spilled over in an angry weeks-long protest. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern decried "absolutely disgraceful" scenes after the suspected acid attack, and a startling incident that saw one protester speed a car toward police lines before coming to a quick halt just centimetres away. The brief but intense confrontations erupted near New Zealand's parliament early Tuesday, as police moved roadblocks used to contain a protest camp that has clogged downtown Wellington for two weeks. The Wellington protest began as a movement against vaccine mandates -- inspired by similar protests in the Canadian capital Ottawa. Also read | COVID-19: New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern signals mandates will ease after Omicron peaks It has since grown to around 1,500 people and encompasses a range of grievances, with some far-right messaging among the anti-government and anti-media slogans on display. Assistant Commission Richard Chambers said three officers who were taken to hospital were "recovering well". He blamed a "certain group within the protest" for the "appalling" attack. "Police officers are going about their work as best they can to bring peace to the situation... there's a group (of protesters) determined to bring violence and aggression -- we can't tolerate that." On Monday police reported demonstrators hurled human faeces at them, prompting officers to protect themselves with riot shields during the latest clashes. Ardern said she was concerned the protest was becoming increasingly violent. "The attacks on the police have been absolutely disgraceful," she said. "To anyone down there who thinks they're part of a peaceful protest, that's not what we've seen today -- I would encourage them to leave." Authorities had been taking a largely hands-off approach to the demonstration, trying to persuade protesters to voluntarily move on. But Chambers said recent events showed "genuine protesters are no longer in control of the behaviour in and around parliament". Also read | Jacinda Ardern calls New Zealand stabbing 'terrorist attack'; suspect shot dead 'Leave now' The protesters, inspired by Canada's "Freedom Convoy", have jammed roads with around 900 cars, trucks and campervans, then set up camp on the lawns of parliament. They have erected tents and shelters, and organised portable toilets, food distribution points and childcare facilities. Wellington residents have complained about being abused by protesters for wearing masks, while schools and businesses close to the camp have closed. "Wellingtonians have had enough of this," Deputy Prime Minister Grant Robertson said. "Our streets have been blocked, our people have been harassed, our environment has been trashed." Robertson said those involved in the protest had crossed the line into illegal activity. "This is a protest that has gone well beyond what I think most New Zealanders would see as a peaceful protest -- you've made your point, please leave now," he said. Chambers said some moderate protesters had left because they were concerned about the behaviour of more extreme elements and police still hoped for a negotiated end to the demonstration. "We continue to work really hard with leaders among the group to de-escalate the situation and ensure everyone is safe," he said. Watch | New Zealand police arrests 8 people as covid-19 vaccine mandate protest escalates New Zealand authorities have also been in contact with their counterparts in Ottawa, where police in riot gear dislodged the trucker protest over the weekend after more than three weeks. Chambers said police, who have received criticism from locals for not doing enough to stop disruption, would have a "highly visible" presence around the protest. "Police do not wish to interfere with lawful protest, but the behaviours we are seeing are unlawful and will result in enforcement action," he said.

COVID-19: New Zealand police clash with anti-vaccine demonstrators

Judges on&nbsp;Colombia's constitutional court voted on Monday to decriminalize abortion until 24 weeks of gestation, the court said in a statement, in a victory for abortion rights groups that sued to have the procedure removed from the penal code.&nbsp;

The decision adds&nbsp;Colombia&nbsp;to a list of Latin American countries which have recently liberalized abortion access, including Mexico and Ecuador.&nbsp;

Abortion was partially legalized in&nbsp;Colombia&nbsp;under a 2006 court decision which allowed it only in cases of rape, fatal fetal deformity and health of the woman, without any time limits.&nbsp;

Under Monday's ruling, backed by five of nine judges, women will not be prosecuted for seeking abortions up to 24 weeks of gestation, after which the procedure will only be allowed under the original three conditions.&nbsp;

"The practice of abortion will only be punishable when it is conducted after the twenty-fourth week of gestation and, in all cases, this time limit will not apply to the three conditions laid out in Ruling C-355 of 2006," the court said in a statement.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/end-of-the-road-in-colombia-for-escobars-cocaine-hippos-451184">End of the road in Colombia for Escobar's 'cocaine' hippos?</a>

Congress and the national government must urgently implement policies to protect the rights of pregnant women, the court's statement added, including family planning services, eliminating obstacles to abortion care and help with adoptions.&nbsp;

The Causa Justa coalition, which sued for decriminalization in September 2020, estimates around 90% of abortions in the country take place clandestinely, putting women's lives at risk as they seek dangerous alternatives to seeing a doctor. "We did it!" the coalition, which is made up of more than 90 feminist organizations, said on its Twitter account.&nbsp;

Its supporters, many sporting green to represent the abortion rights movement and some crying, celebrated outside the court.&nbsp;

CHANGE ACROSS THE REGION

Mexico's Supreme Court decriminalized abortion last year, while Ecuador's National Assembly last week approved regulations to allow access to abortion in cases of rape.&nbsp;

Incoming Chilean President Gabriel Boric has vowed to make the procedure freely available, as it is in Argentina and Uruguay under certain time limits.&nbsp;

Abortion rights advocates said the decision was not the end of their fight for full legalization.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/amazon-fires-colombia-issues-environmental-alert-over-bad-air-quality-451004">Amazon fires: Colombia issues environmental alert over bad air quality</a>

"We hope that the next step for&nbsp;Colombia&nbsp;will be the total decriminalization of abortion, in order to protect women's reproductive autonomy at all times," Nancy Northup, president of the New York City-based Center for Reproductive Rights, said in a statement.&nbsp;

The coalition argued in its suit that prosecutions of women and girls who sought or obtained abortions have worsened stigma and scared doctors and patients, even in cases when one of the three legal conditions has applied.&nbsp;

Some 350 women were convicted or sanctioned for abortions between the original 2006 ruling and mid-2019, including at least 80 girls under the age of 18, according to Causa Justa.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;Farmers in Colombia expect flower exports to surge this year

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/farmers-in-colombia-expect-flower-exports-to-surge-this-year-452799/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Decriminalization will reduce deaths from clandestine procedures, save the under-funded health system money, end expensive prosecutions and guarantee women's bodily autonomy, the group said.&nbsp;

A ruling had originally been expected late last year, but the decision has been repeatedly delayed amid a recusal request from a judge and other procedural debates.&nbsp;

Dozens of protesters opposed to abortion were also outside the court on Monday.&nbsp;

"We don't want either legal or clandestine abortion," said Daniela Clavijo, who was protesting before the ruling. "We are asking the court to totally penalize abortion, so there's never any condition for abortion."&nbsp;

Judges on Colombia's constitutional court voted on Monday to decriminalize abortion until 24 weeks of gestation, the court said in a statement, in a victory for abortion rights groups that sued to have the procedure removed from the penal code.

Judges on Colombia's constitutional court voted on Monday to decriminalize abortion until 24 weeks of gestation, the court said in a statement, in a victory for abortion rights groups that sued to have the procedure removed from the penal code. The decision adds Colombia to a list of Latin American countries which have recently liberalized abortion access, including Mexico and Ecuador. Abortion was partially legalized in Colombia under a 2006 court decision which allowed it only in cases of rape, fatal fetal deformity and health of the woman, without any time limits. Under Monday's ruling, backed by five of nine judges, women will not be prosecuted for seeking abortions up to 24 weeks of gestation, after which the procedure will only be allowed under the original three conditions. "The practice of abortion will only be punishable when it is conducted after the twenty-fourth week of gestation and, in all cases, this time limit will not apply to the three conditions laid out in Ruling C-355 of 2006," the court said in a statement. Also read | End of the road in Colombia for Escobar's 'cocaine' hippos? Congress and the national government must urgently implement policies to protect the rights of pregnant women, the court's statement added, including family planning services, eliminating obstacles to abortion care and help with adoptions. The Causa Justa coalition, which sued for decriminalization in September 2020, estimates around 90% of abortions in the country take place clandestinely, putting women's lives at risk as they seek dangerous alternatives to seeing a doctor. "We did it!" the coalition, which is made up of more than 90 feminist organizations, said on its Twitter account. Its supporters, many sporting green to represent the abortion rights movement and some crying, celebrated outside the court. CHANGE ACROSS THE REGION Mexico's Supreme Court decriminalized abortion last year, while Ecuador's National Assembly last week approved regulations to allow access to abortion in cases of rape. Incoming Chilean President Gabriel Boric has vowed to make the procedure freely available, as it is in Argentina and Uruguay under certain time limits. Abortion rights advocates said the decision was not the end of their fight for full legalization. Also read | Amazon fires: Colombia issues environmental alert over bad air quality "We hope that the next step for Colombia will be the total decriminalization of abortion, in order to protect women's reproductive autonomy at all times," Nancy Northup, president of the New York City-based Center for Reproductive Rights, said in a statement. The coalition argued in its suit that prosecutions of women and girls who sought or obtained abortions have worsened stigma and scared doctors and patients, even in cases when one of the three legal conditions has applied. Some 350 women were convicted or sanctioned for abortions between the original 2006 ruling and mid-2019, including at least 80 girls under the age of 18, according to Causa Justa. Watch | Farmers in Colombia expect flower exports to surge this year Decriminalization will reduce deaths from clandestine procedures, save the under-funded health system money, end expensive prosecutions and guarantee women's bodily autonomy, the group said. A ruling had originally been expected late last year, but the decision has been repeatedly delayed amid a recusal request from a judge and other procedural debates. Dozens of protesters opposed to abortion were also outside the court on Monday. "We don't want either legal or clandestine abortion," said Daniela Clavijo, who was protesting before the ruling. "We are asking the court to totally penalize abortion, so there's never any condition for abortion."

Colombian court decriminalises abortion up to 24 weeks of gestation

Here are some of the top stories to start your day:&nbsp;Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the deployment of troops to two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has raised concerns over the decision, stating that it is a 'violation' of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine.&nbsp; &nbsp;

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<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-imposes-sanctions-on-two-russian-backed-areas-in-eastern-ukraine-455190">US imposes sanctions on two Russian-backed areas in eastern Ukraine</a> 
After Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered Russian troops to be deployed inside separatist areas of Ukraine, US officials said they would continue to follow diplomacy "until the tanks roll". <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/live-updates-russia-ukraine-crisis-us-says-russian-troops-in-east-ukraine-not-peacekeepers-455211">Click Here</a> to get live updates on Russia-Ukraine crisis.&nbsp;

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<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukrainian-president-volodymyr-zelenskiy-addresses-nation-rejects-making-any-territorial-concessions-455197">Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy addresses nation, rejects making any territorial concessions</a> 
In an address to the nation, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy accused Russia of hampering peace efforts and rejected making any territorial concessions.&nbsp;

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<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/major-win-for-pm-justin-trudeau-canadas-parliament-approves-emergencies-act-455220">Major win for PM Justin Trudeau: Canada's parliament approves Emergencies Act</a>

In a major win for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Canada's parliament has approved Emergencies Act. It grants broader powers to authorities. &nbsp;

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&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/trumps-truth-social-app-tops-download-chart-on-apples-app-store-455141">Trump's Truth Social app tops download chart on Apple's App Store</a> 
Former US President Donald Trump's now social media app, Truth Social was launched on Apple store late on Sunday (ET). The app may mark Trump's return to social media after he was banned from popular platforms like Facebook, Twitter etc last year. The platforms had taken action against Trump over January 6, 2021 attack on US Capitol.

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WATCH | England ends COVID-19 restrictions, Boris Johnson announces details of 'living with Covid' plan&nbsp;

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Here are some of the top stories to start your day: Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the deployment of troops to two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine.

Here are some of the top stories to start your day: Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the deployment of troops to two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has raised concerns over the decision, stating that it is a 'violation' of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine. Click on headlines to read the full report: US imposes sanctions on two Russian-backed areas in eastern Ukraine After Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered Russian troops to be deployed inside separatist areas of Ukraine, US officials said they would continue to follow diplomacy "until the tanks roll". Click Here to get live updates on Russia-Ukraine crisis. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy addresses nation, rejects making any territorial concessions In an address to the nation, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy accused Russia of hampering peace efforts and rejected making any territorial concessions. Major win for PM Justin Trudeau: Canada's parliament approves Emergencies Act In a major win for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Canada's parliament has approved Emergencies Act. It grants broader powers to authorities. Trump's Truth Social app tops download chart on Apple's App Store Former US President Donald Trump's now social media app, Truth Social was launched on Apple store late on Sunday (ET). The app may mark Trump's return to social media after he was banned from popular platforms like Facebook, Twitter etc last year. The platforms had taken action against Trump over January 6, 2021 attack on US Capitol. WATCH | England ends COVID-19 restrictions, Boris Johnson announces details of 'living with Covid' plan ×

Morning news brief: Putin orders troops into eastern Ukraine, Zelenskiy rejects making territorial concessions

Russian President Vladimir Putin told the French and German leaders on Monday that he planned to sign a decree recognising two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine as independent.

Here's a look at the implications for the wider crisis, in which the United States says Russia may be poised to invade Ukraine with a force of up to 190,000 troops it has massed near its neighbour's borders.

What are the breakaway regions?

Russian-backed separatists in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions - collectively known as the Donbass - broke away from Ukrainian government control in 2014 and proclaimed themselves independent "people's republics", until now unrecognised. Since then, Ukraine says about 15,000 people have been killed in fighting. Russia denies being a party to the conflict but has backed the separatists in numerous ways, including through covert military support, financial aid, supplies of COVID-19 vaccines and the issue of at least 800,000 Russian passports to residents. Moscow has always denied planning to invade Ukraine.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-imposes-sanctions-on-two-russian-backed-areas-in-eastern-ukraine-455190">US imposes sanctions on two Russian-backed areas in eastern Ukraine</a>

What does Russian recognition mean?

For the first time, Russia is saying it does not regard the Donbass as part of Ukraine. That could pave the way for Moscow to send military forces into the separatist regions openly, using the argument that it is intervening as an ally to protect them against Ukraine. A Russian parliament member and former Donetsk political leader, Alexander Borodai, told Reuters last month that the separatists would then look to Russia to help them wrest control of parts of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions still under the control of Ukrainian forces. If that happened, it could lead to open military conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

What about the Minsk peace process?

Russian recognition effectively kills off the 2014-15 Minsk peace agreements that, although still unimplemented, have until now been seen by all sides, including Moscow, as the best chance for a solution. The accords call for a large degree of autonomy for the two regions inside Ukraine.

How will the West respond?

Western governments have been lining up for months to warn Moscow that any movement of military forces across the Ukrainian border would draw a strong response, including stringent financial sanctions.

US&nbsp;Secretary of State Antony Blinken said last week that recognition "would further undermine Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, constitute a gross violation of international law, (and) call into further question Russia’s stated commitment to continue to engage in diplomacy to achieve a peaceful resolution of this crisis".

He said it would necessitate a "swift and firm" response from the United States and its allies.

Has Russia recognised breakaway statelets before?

Yes - it recognised the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, two Georgian breakaway regions, after fighting a short war with Georgia in 2008. It has provided them with extensive budget support, extended Russian citizenship to their populations and stationed thousands of troops there.

What are the pros and cons for Moscow?

In the Georgia case, Russia used recognition of the breakaway regions to justify an open-ended military presence in a neighbouring former Soviet republic in an attempt to indefinitely thwart Georgia's NATO aspirations by denying it full control of its own territory. The same considerations would apply to Ukraine.

On the downside, Moscow faces sanctions and international condemnation for abandoning the Minsk process after long maintaining that it was committed to it. It will also be saddled indefinitely with responsibility for two territories ravaged by eight years of war and in need of massive economic support.

Russian President Vladimir Putin told the French and German leaders on Monday that he planned to sign a decree recognising two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine as independent.

Russian President Vladimir Putin told the French and German leaders on Monday that he planned to sign a decree recognising two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine as independent. Here's a look at the implications for the wider crisis, in which the United States says Russia may be poised to invade Ukraine with a force of up to 190,000 troops it has massed near its neighbour's borders. What are the breakaway regions? Russian-backed separatists in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions - collectively known as the Donbass - broke away from Ukrainian government control in 2014 and proclaimed themselves independent "people's republics", until now unrecognised. Since then, Ukraine says about 15,000 people have been killed in fighting. Russia denies being a party to the conflict but has backed the separatists in numerous ways, including through covert military support, financial aid, supplies of COVID-19 vaccines and the issue of at least 800,000 Russian passports to residents. Moscow has always denied planning to invade Ukraine. ALSO READ | US imposes sanctions on two Russian-backed areas in eastern Ukraine What does Russian recognition mean? For the first time, Russia is saying it does not regard the Donbass as part of Ukraine. That could pave the way for Moscow to send military forces into the separatist regions openly, using the argument that it is intervening as an ally to protect them against Ukraine. A Russian parliament member and former Donetsk political leader, Alexander Borodai, told Reuters last month that the separatists would then look to Russia to help them wrest control of parts of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions still under the control of Ukrainian forces. If that happened, it could lead to open military conflict between Russia and Ukraine. What about the Minsk peace process? Russian recognition effectively kills off the 2014-15 Minsk peace agreements that, although still unimplemented, have until now been seen by all sides, including Moscow, as the best chance for a solution. The accords call for a large degree of autonomy for the two regions inside Ukraine. How will the West respond? Western governments have been lining up for months to warn Moscow that any movement of military forces across the Ukrainian border would draw a strong response, including stringent financial sanctions. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said last week that recognition "would further undermine Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, constitute a gross violation of international law, (and) call into further question Russia’s stated commitment to continue to engage in diplomacy to achieve a peaceful resolution of this crisis". He said it would necessitate a "swift and firm" response from the United States and its allies. Has Russia recognised breakaway statelets before? Yes - it recognised the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, two Georgian breakaway regions, after fighting a short war with Georgia in 2008. It has provided them with extensive budget support, extended Russian citizenship to their populations and stationed thousands of troops there. What are the pros and cons for Moscow? In the Georgia case, Russia used recognition of the breakaway regions to justify an open-ended military presence in a neighbouring former Soviet republic in an attempt to indefinitely thwart Georgia's NATO aspirations by denying it full control of its own territory. The same considerations would apply to Ukraine. On the downside, Moscow faces sanctions and international condemnation for abandoning the Minsk process after long maintaining that it was committed to it. It will also be saddled indefinitely with responsibility for two territories ravaged by eight years of war and in need of massive economic support.

Explainer: What will Russian recognition of breakaway Ukraine regions mean?

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/government-has-become-dictatorship-hong-kong-protestors-call-on-supporters-to-rally-outside-parliament-225932">Hong Kong</a> is gearing up for an annual pro-democracy march on Monday, the anniversary of its handover to Beijing, that could draw large crowds amid widespread anger over an extradition bill that has already seen <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/mass-protests-protect-hong-kongs-legal-autonomy-from-china-for-now-228567">millions take to the streets</a>.

In recent years, the anniversary of the handover of the former British colony in 1997 has been marked by deepening despondency about what many residents see as increasing meddling by the mainland and the erosion of freedoms.

Beijing denies interfering but for many Hong Kong residents a proposed extradition law, that would allow people to be sent to mainland China for trial, is the latest step in a relentless march towards mainland control.

Chief Secretary Matthew Cheung, writing in his blog on Sunday, appealed for calm ahead of Monday`s rally and said the government has learned from its mistakes.&nbsp;

"It is imperative to restore social order and tranquillity as soon as possible, stabilize the business environment and bring Hong Kong back on track," he said.

Embattled Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam, who has apologised for the upheaval, has not been seen in public since June 18.

The turmoil comes at a delicate time for Beijing, which is already grappling with a trade war with Washington, a faltering economy and tensions in the South China Sea.&nbsp;

"If Hong Kong is no longer an international city, Hong Kong will perish," former opposition lawmaker Margaret Ng said at a rally late on Friday. 
"It`s our responsibility to let the world know."

Lam, who is backed by Beijing, promoted and then suspended the extradition bill after some of the biggest and most violent protests in the city in decades against it.

While Lam, in her decision to suspend the bill, said she had heard the people "loud and clear", she stopped short of activists` demands to scrap it and rejected calls to step down.

Activists are also demanding the government drop all charges against those arrested during the latest protests, charge police with what they describe as excessive use of force and stop referring to the demonstrations as a riot, a term than can bring a heavier jail sentence.

In scenes that grabbed global headlines on June 12, police fired rubber bullets and tear gas on protesters near the heart of the financial centre, sending plumes of smoke billowing among some of the world`s tallest skyscrapers.

In heavy rain and sweltering heat of around 33 Celsius (91.4 Fahrenheit) on Sunday, thousands rallied in a show of support for the police, with some waving the Chinese national flag.

Former police chief Tang King-shing said he felt hurt when he saw protesters besiege police headquarters earlier in the week, adding it was as if "all the police`s contributions had been forgotten."

Organisers of Monday`s anniversary march say they are confident that anger over the city government`s failure to withdraw the extradition bill will fuel numbers.

The extradition bill has reignited a protest movement that had lost steam after pro-democracy demonstrations in 2014 failed to wrestle concessions from Beijing and led to the arrests of hundreds of activists.&nbsp;

More than a million people have taken to the streets at times over the past three weeks to vent their anger and frustration at Lam, posing the greatest popular challenge to Chinese leader Xi Jinping since he came to power in 2012.

Local media reported that a 21-year-old Hong Kong student who fell to her death from an apartment building on Saturday had left behind a note opposing the extradition law.

Threat and fear

Hong Kong returned to Chinese rule on July 1, 1997, under a "one country, two systems" formula that allows freedoms not enjoyed in mainland China, including freedom of protest and a much-cherished independent judiciary.

Opponents of the extradition bill see it as a threat to the rule of law and fear it would put them at the mercy of China`s justice system where human rights are not guaranteed.

After promises that post-handover Hong Kong would enjoy autonomy, Beijing`s squeeze has fuelled resentment and in 2014 sparked pro-democracy protests that paralysed parts of the city for 79 days.&nbsp;

The failure of those protests to wrestle concessions on democracy, coupled with prosecutions of at least 100 protesters, most of them young, had discouraged many activists from going back to the streets - until recent weeks.

The turnout at the handover protest in 2018 was one of the lowest ever after Hong Kong`s opposition lost steam following the disqualification of pro-democracy legislators and the jailing of some of the most prominent activists.

Hong Kong is gearing up for an annual pro-democracy march on Monday, the anniversary of its handover to Beijing, that could draw large crowds amid widespread anger over an extradition bill that has already seen millions take to the streets.

Hong Kong is gearing up for an annual pro-democracy march on Monday, the anniversary of its handover to Beijing, that could draw large crowds amid widespread anger over an extradition bill that has already seen millions take to the streets. In recent years, the anniversary of the handover of the former British colony in 1997 has been marked by deepening despondency about what many residents see as increasing meddling by the mainland and the erosion of freedoms. Beijing denies interfering but for many Hong Kong residents a proposed extradition law, that would allow people to be sent to mainland China for trial, is the latest step in a relentless march towards mainland control. Chief Secretary Matthew Cheung, writing in his blog on Sunday, appealed for calm ahead of Monday`s rally and said the government has learned from its mistakes. "It is imperative to restore social order and tranquillity as soon as possible, stabilize the business environment and bring Hong Kong back on track," he said. Embattled Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam, who has apologised for the upheaval, has not been seen in public since June 18. The turmoil comes at a delicate time for Beijing, which is already grappling with a trade war with Washington, a faltering economy and tensions in the South China Sea. "If Hong Kong is no longer an international city, Hong Kong will perish," former opposition lawmaker Margaret Ng said at a rally late on Friday. "It`s our responsibility to let the world know." Lam, who is backed by Beijing, promoted and then suspended the extradition bill after some of the biggest and most violent protests in the city in decades against it. While Lam, in her decision to suspend the bill, said she had heard the people "loud and clear", she stopped short of activists` demands to scrap it and rejected calls to step down. Activists are also demanding the government drop all charges against those arrested during the latest protests, charge police with what they describe as excessive use of force and stop referring to the demonstrations as a riot, a term than can bring a heavier jail sentence. In scenes that grabbed global headlines on June 12, police fired rubber bullets and tear gas on protesters near the heart of the financial centre, sending plumes of smoke billowing among some of the world`s tallest skyscrapers. In heavy rain and sweltering heat of around 33 Celsius (91.4 Fahrenheit) on Sunday, thousands rallied in a show of support for the police, with some waving the Chinese national flag. Former police chief Tang King-shing said he felt hurt when he saw protesters besiege police headquarters earlier in the week, adding it was as if "all the police`s contributions had been forgotten." Organisers of Monday`s anniversary march say they are confident that anger over the city government`s failure to withdraw the extradition bill will fuel numbers. The extradition bill has reignited a protest movement that had lost steam after pro-democracy demonstrations in 2014 failed to wrestle concessions from Beijing and led to the arrests of hundreds of activists. More than a million people have taken to the streets at times over the past three weeks to vent their anger and frustration at Lam, posing the greatest popular challenge to Chinese leader Xi Jinping since he came to power in 2012. Local media reported that a 21-year-old Hong Kong student who fell to her death from an apartment building on Saturday had left behind a note opposing the extradition law. Threat and fear Hong Kong returned to Chinese rule on July 1, 1997, under a "one country, two systems" formula that allows freedoms not enjoyed in mainland China, including freedom of protest and a much-cherished independent judiciary. Opponents of the extradition bill see it as a threat to the rule of law and fear it would put them at the mercy of China`s justice system where human rights are not guaranteed. After promises that post-handover Hong Kong would enjoy autonomy, Beijing`s squeeze has fuelled resentment and in 2014 sparked pro-democracy protests that paralysed parts of the city for 79 days. The failure of those protests to wrestle concessions on democracy, coupled with prosecutions of at least 100 protesters, most of them young, had discouraged many activists from going back to the streets - until recent weeks. The turnout at the handover protest in 2018 was one of the lowest ever after Hong Kong`s opposition lost steam following the disqualification of pro-democracy legislators and the jailing of some of the most prominent activists.

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After getting battered by the pandemic, supply chain chokeholds and leaps in prices, the global economy is poised to be sent on yet another unpredictable course by an armed clash on Europe’s border.

Even before the Kremlin ordered Russian troops into separatist territories of Ukraine on Monday, the tension had taken a toll. The promise of punishing sanctions in return by President Joe Biden and the potential for Russian retaliation had already pushed down stock returns and driven up gas prices.

An outright attack by Russian troops could cause dizzying spikes in energy and food prices, fuel inflation fears and spook investors, a combination that threatens investment and growth in economies around the world.

However harsh the effects, the immediate impact will be nowhere near as devastating as the sudden economic shutdowns first caused by the coronavirus in 2020. Russia is a transcontinental behemoth with 146 million people and a huge nuclear arsenal, as well as a key supplier of the oil, gas and raw materials that keep the world’s factories running. But unlike China, which is a manufacturing powerhouse and intimately woven into intricate supply chains, Russia is a minor player in the global economy.

Italy, with half the people and fewer natural resources, has an economy that is twice the size. Poland exports more goods to the European Union than Russia.

“Russia is incredibly unimportant in the global economy except for oil and gas,” said Jason Furman, a Harvard economist who was an adviser to President Barack Obama. “It’s basically a big gas station.”

Of course, a closed gas station can be crippling for those who depend on it. The result is that any economic damage will be unevenly spread, intense in some countries and industries and unnoticed in others.

Europe gets nearly 40% of its natural gas and 25% of its oil from Russia, and is likely to be walloped with spikes in heating and gas bills, which are already soaring. Natural gas reserves are at less than one-third of capacity, with weeks of cold weather ahead, and European leaders have already accused Russia’s president, Vladimir Putin, of reducing supplies to gain a political edge.

And then there are food prices, which have climbed to their highest level in more than a decade largely because of the pandemic’s supply chain mess, according to a recent United Nations report. Russia is the world’s largest supplier of wheat, and with Ukraine, accounts for nearly one-quarter of total global exports. For some countries, the dependence is much greater. That flow of grain makes up more than 70% of Egypt and Turkey’s total wheat imports.

This will put further strain on Turkey, which is already in the middle of an economic crisis and struggling with inflation that is running close to 50%, with skyrocketing food, fuel and electricity prices.

And as usual, the burden falls heaviest on the most vulnerable. “Poorer people spend a higher share of incomes on food and heating,” said Ian Goldin, a professor of globalization and development at Oxford University.

Ukraine, long known as the “breadbasket of Europe,” actually sends more than 40% of its wheat and corn exports to the Middle East or Africa, where there are worries that further food shortages and price increases could stoke social unrest.

Lebanon, for example, which is experiencing one of the most devastating economic crises in more than a century, gets more than half of its wheat from Ukraine, which is also the world’s largest exporter of seed oils like sunflower and rapeseed.

On Monday, the White House responded to Putin’s decision to recognize the independence of two Russian-backed territories in the country’s east by saying it would begin imposing limited sanctions on the so-called Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics. Jen Psaki, the White House press secretary, said Biden would soon issue an executive order prohibiting investment, trade and financing with people in those regions.

Analysts watching the unfolding conflict have mapped out a range of scenarios from mild to severe. The fallout on working-class families and Wall Street traders depends on how an invasion plays out: whether Russian troops stay near the border or attack the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv; whether the fighting lasts for days or months; what kind of Western sanctions are imposed; and whether Putin responds by withholding critical gas supplies from Europe or launching insidious cyberattacks.

“Think about it rolling out in stages,” said Julia Friedlander, director of the economic statecraft initiative at the Atlantic Council. “This is likely to play out as a slow motion drama.”

As became clear from the pandemic, minor interruptions in one region can generate major disruptions far away. Isolated shortages and price surges — whether of gas, wheat, aluminum or nickel — can snowball in a world still struggling to recover from the pandemic.

“You have to look at the backdrop against which this is coming,” said Gregory Daco, chief economist for EY-Parthenon. “There is high inflation, strained supply chains and uncertainty about what central banks are going to do and how insistent price rises are.”

The additional stresses may be relatively small in isolation, but they are piling on economies that are still recovering from the economic body blows inflicted by the pandemic.

What’s also clear, Daco added, is that “political uncertainty and volatility weigh on economic activity.”

That means an invasion could have a dual effect — slowing economic activity and raising prices.

In the United States, the Federal Reserve is already confronting the highest inflation in 40 years, at 7.5% in January, and is expected to start raising interest rates next month. Higher energy prices set off by a conflict in Europe may be transitory but they could feed worries about a wage-price spiral.

“We could see a new burst of inflation,” said Christopher Miller, a visiting fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and an assistant professor at Tufts University.

Also fueling inflation fears are possible shortages of essential metals like palladium, aluminum and nickel, creating another disruption to global supply chains already suffering from the pandemic, trucker blockades in Canada and shortages of semiconductors.

The price of palladium, for example, used in automotive exhaust systems, mobile phones and even dental fillings, has soared in recent weeks because of fears that Russia, the world’s largest exporter of the metal, could be cut off from global markets. The price of nickel, used to make steel and electric car batteries, has also been jumping.

It’s too early to gauge the precise impact of an armed conflict, said Lars Stenqvist, chief technology officer of Volvo, the Swedish truck maker. But he added, “It is a very, very serious thing.”

“We have a number of scenarios on the table and we are following the developments of the situation day by day,” Stenqvist said Monday.

The West has taken steps to blunt the impact on Europe if Putin decides to retaliate. The U.S. has ramped up delivery of liquefied natural gas and asked other suppliers like Qatar to do the same.

The demand for oil might add momentum to negotiations to revive a deal to curb Iran’s nuclear program. Iran, which is estimated to have as many as 80 million barrels of oil in storage, has been locked out of much of the world’s markets since 2018, when President Donald Trump withdrew from the nuclear accord and reimposed sanctions.

Some of the sanctions against Russia that the Biden administration is considering, such as cutting off access to the system of international payments known as SWIFT or blocking companies from selling anything to Russia that contains American-made components, would hurt anyone who does business with Russia. But across the board, the U.S. is much less vulnerable than the European Union, which is Russia’s largest trading partner.

Americans, as Biden has already warned, are likely to see higher gasoline prices. But because the U.S. is a large producer of natural gas, those price increases are not nearly as steep and as broad as elsewhere. And Europe has many more links to Russia and engages in more financial transactions — including paying for the Russian gas.

Oil companies like Shell and Total have joint ventures in Russia, while BP boasts that it “is one of the biggest foreign investors in Europe,” with ties to the Russian oil company Rosneft. Airbus, the European aviation giant, gets titanium from Russia. And European banks, particularly those in Germany, France and Italy, have lent billions of dollars to Russian borrowers.

“Severe sanctions that hurt Russia painfully and comprehensively have potential to do huge damage to European customers,” said Adam Tooze, director of the European Institute at Columbia University.

Depending on what happens, the most significant effects on the global economy may manifest themselves only over the long run.

One result would be to push Russia to have closer economic ties to China. The two nations recently negotiated a 30-year contract for Russia to supply gas to China through a new pipeline.

“Russia is likely to pivot all energy and commodity exports to China,” said Carl Weinberg, chief economist at High Frequency Economics.

The crisis is also contributing to a reassessment of the global economy’s structure and concerns about self-sufficiency. The pandemic has already highlighted the downsides of far-flung supply chains that rely on lean production.

Now Europe’s dependence on Russian gas is spurring discussions about expanding energy sources, which could further sideline Russia’s presence in the global economy.

“In the longer term, it’s going to push Europe to diversify,” said Jeffrey Schott, a senior fellow working on international trade policy at the Peterson Institute for International Economics. As for Russia, the real cost “would be corrosive over time and really making it much more difficult to do business with Russian entities and deterring investment.”

After getting battered by the pandemic, supply chain chokeholds and leaps in prices, the global economy is poised to be sent on yet another unpredictable course by an armed clash on Europe’s border.

After getting battered by the pandemic, supply chain chokeholds and leaps in prices, the global economy is poised to be sent on yet another unpredictable course by an armed clash on Europe’s border. Even before the Kremlin ordered Russian troops into separatist territories of Ukraine on Monday, the tension had taken a toll. The promise of punishing sanctions in return by President Joe Biden and the potential for Russian retaliation had already pushed down stock returns and driven up gas prices. An outright attack by Russian troops could cause dizzying spikes in energy and food prices, fuel inflation fears and spook investors, a combination that threatens investment and growth in economies around the world. However harsh the effects, the immediate impact will be nowhere near as devastating as the sudden economic shutdowns first caused by the coronavirus in 2020. Russia is a transcontinental behemoth with 146 million people and a huge nuclear arsenal, as well as a key supplier of the oil, gas and raw materials that keep the world’s factories running. But unlike China, which is a manufacturing powerhouse and intimately woven into intricate supply chains, Russia is a minor player in the global economy. Italy, with half the people and fewer natural resources, has an economy that is twice the size. Poland exports more goods to the European Union than Russia. “Russia is incredibly unimportant in the global economy except for oil and gas,” said Jason Furman, a Harvard economist who was an adviser to President Barack Obama. “It’s basically a big gas station.” Of course, a closed gas station can be crippling for those who depend on it. The result is that any economic damage will be unevenly spread, intense in some countries and industries and unnoticed in others. Europe gets nearly 40% of its natural gas and 25% of its oil from Russia, and is likely to be walloped with spikes in heating and gas bills, which are already soaring. Natural gas reserves are at less than one-third of capacity, with weeks of cold weather ahead, and European leaders have already accused Russia’s president, Vladimir Putin, of reducing supplies to gain a political edge. And then there are food prices, which have climbed to their highest level in more than a decade largely because of the pandemic’s supply chain mess, according to a recent United Nations report. Russia is the world’s largest supplier of wheat, and with Ukraine, accounts for nearly one-quarter of total global exports. For some countries, the dependence is much greater. That flow of grain makes up more than 70% of Egypt and Turkey’s total wheat imports. This will put further strain on Turkey, which is already in the middle of an economic crisis and struggling with inflation that is running close to 50%, with skyrocketing food, fuel and electricity prices. And as usual, the burden falls heaviest on the most vulnerable. “Poorer people spend a higher share of incomes on food and heating,” said Ian Goldin, a professor of globalization and development at Oxford University. Ukraine, long known as the “breadbasket of Europe,” actually sends more than 40% of its wheat and corn exports to the Middle East or Africa, where there are worries that further food shortages and price increases could stoke social unrest. Lebanon, for example, which is experiencing one of the most devastating economic crises in more than a century, gets more than half of its wheat from Ukraine, which is also the world’s largest exporter of seed oils like sunflower and rapeseed. On Monday, the White House responded to Putin’s decision to recognize the independence of two Russian-backed territories in the country’s east by saying it would begin imposing limited sanctions on the so-called Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics. Jen Psaki, the White House press secretary, said Biden would soon issue an executive order prohibiting investment, trade and financing with people in those regions. Analysts watching the unfolding conflict have mapped out a range of scenarios from mild to severe. The fallout on working-class families and Wall Street traders depends on how an invasion plays out: whether Russian troops stay near the border or attack the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv; whether the fighting lasts for days or months; what kind of Western sanctions are imposed; and whether Putin responds by withholding critical gas supplies from Europe or launching insidious cyberattacks. “Think about it rolling out in stages,” said Julia Friedlander, director of the economic statecraft initiative at the Atlantic Council. “This is likely to play out as a slow motion drama.” As became clear from the pandemic, minor interruptions in one region can generate major disruptions far away. Isolated shortages and price surges — whether of gas, wheat, aluminum or nickel — can snowball in a world still struggling to recover from the pandemic. “You have to look at the backdrop against which this is coming,” said Gregory Daco, chief economist for EY-Parthenon. “There is high inflation, strained supply chains and uncertainty about what central banks are going to do and how insistent price rises are.” The additional stresses may be relatively small in isolation, but they are piling on economies that are still recovering from the economic body blows inflicted by the pandemic. What’s also clear, Daco added, is that “political uncertainty and volatility weigh on economic activity.” That means an invasion could have a dual effect — slowing economic activity and raising prices. In the United States, the Federal Reserve is already confronting the highest inflation in 40 years, at 7.5% in January, and is expected to start raising interest rates next month. Higher energy prices set off by a conflict in Europe may be transitory but they could feed worries about a wage-price spiral. “We could see a new burst of inflation,” said Christopher Miller, a visiting fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and an assistant professor at Tufts University. Also fueling inflation fears are possible shortages of essential metals like palladium, aluminum and nickel, creating another disruption to global supply chains already suffering from the pandemic, trucker blockades in Canada and shortages of semiconductors. The price of palladium, for example, used in automotive exhaust systems, mobile phones and even dental fillings, has soared in recent weeks because of fears that Russia, the world’s largest exporter of the metal, could be cut off from global markets. The price of nickel, used to make steel and electric car batteries, has also been jumping. It’s too early to gauge the precise impact of an armed conflict, said Lars Stenqvist, chief technology officer of Volvo, the Swedish truck maker. But he added, “It is a very, very serious thing.” “We have a number of scenarios on the table and we are following the developments of the situation day by day,” Stenqvist said Monday. The West has taken steps to blunt the impact on Europe if Putin decides to retaliate. The U.S. has ramped up delivery of liquefied natural gas and asked other suppliers like Qatar to do the same. The demand for oil might add momentum to negotiations to revive a deal to curb Iran’s nuclear program. Iran, which is estimated to have as many as 80 million barrels of oil in storage, has been locked out of much of the world’s markets since 2018, when President Donald Trump withdrew from the nuclear accord and reimposed sanctions. Some of the sanctions against Russia that the Biden administration is considering, such as cutting off access to the system of international payments known as SWIFT or blocking companies from selling anything to Russia that contains American-made components, would hurt anyone who does business with Russia. But across the board, the U.S. is much less vulnerable than the European Union, which is Russia’s largest trading partner. Americans, as Biden has already warned, are likely to see higher gasoline prices. But because the U.S. is a large producer of natural gas, those price increases are not nearly as steep and as broad as elsewhere. And Europe has many more links to Russia and engages in more financial transactions — including paying for the Russian gas. Oil companies like Shell and Total have joint ventures in Russia, while BP boasts that it “is one of the biggest foreign investors in Europe,” with ties to the Russian oil company Rosneft. Airbus, the European aviation giant, gets titanium from Russia. And European banks, particularly those in Germany, France and Italy, have lent billions of dollars to Russian borrowers. “Severe sanctions that hurt Russia painfully and comprehensively have potential to do huge damage to European customers,” said Adam Tooze, director of the European Institute at Columbia University. Depending on what happens, the most significant effects on the global economy may manifest themselves only over the long run. One result would be to push Russia to have closer economic ties to China. The two nations recently negotiated a 30-year contract for Russia to supply gas to China through a new pipeline. “Russia is likely to pivot all energy and commodity exports to China,” said Carl Weinberg, chief economist at High Frequency Economics. The crisis is also contributing to a reassessment of the global economy’s structure and concerns about self-sufficiency. The pandemic has already highlighted the downsides of far-flung supply chains that rely on lean production. Now Europe’s dependence on Russian gas is spurring discussions about expanding energy sources, which could further sideline Russia’s presence in the global economy. “In the longer term, it’s going to push Europe to diversify,” said Jeffrey Schott, a senior fellow working on international trade policy at the Peterson Institute for International Economics. As for Russia, the real cost “would be corrosive over time and really making it much more difficult to do business with Russian entities and deterring investment.”

What’s at stake for the global economy if Russia invades Ukraine

Internet&nbsp;connection was restored in&nbsp;Tonga&nbsp;on Tuesday, five weeks after a massive volcanic eruption shredded the&nbsp;undersea&nbsp;cable&nbsp;that connects the Pacific nation with the rest of the world.

Telecom providers Digicel and TCC said data connectivity had been restored to two main islands, after breaks in an 80-kilometre (50-mile) stretch of the&nbsp;cable&nbsp;were finally fixed.

Residents reported services were quickly coming&nbsp;back&nbsp;online, email seemed blazingly fast after 38 days in the&nbsp;internet&nbsp;doldrums and a slew of calls from family overseas were coming in -- their voices now heard loud and clear.

"YES! TCC is restoring fibre&nbsp;cable&nbsp;internet&nbsp;services," the company said in a message to customers.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/musk-donates-satellite-gear-to-reconnect-tonga-454490">Musk donates satellite gear to reconnect Tonga</a>

The January 15 eruption was so powerful it was heard as far away as Alaska and caused a tsunami that flooded coastlines around the Pacific.

It covered&nbsp;Tonga&nbsp;with ash and mangled an 80-kilometre stretch of the&nbsp;undersea&nbsp;cable&nbsp;that proved more difficult than expected to fix.

Immediately after the disaster, contact with&nbsp;Tonga&nbsp;was only possible via a handful of satellite links. Although some connectivity was later restored, connections were limited.

Digicel said "data connectivity had been restored" to two islands, after "multiple faults and breaks" were&nbsp;repaired.

"We are delighted to see that our customers are connected to the outside world again," said Digicel&nbsp;Tonga&nbsp;chief executive Anthony Seuseu.

Earlier this month&nbsp;Tonga&nbsp;Cable&nbsp;Limited chief executive James Panuve said a repair ship had located the severed ends of the 840 kilometre-long&nbsp;cable&nbsp;linking&nbsp;Tonga&nbsp;to Fiji that was cut in the blast.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tonga-virus-cases-surge-in-wake-of-volcano-eruption-451998">Tonga virus cases surge in wake of volcano eruption</a>

Major havoc

But rather than a clean break, Panuve said the ship found the eruption tore an 80-kilometre section of&nbsp;cable&nbsp;into numerous pieces as it pummelled the seabed with the explosive force of a nuclear bomb.

"It is obvious that the eruption, shockwaves, (and) tsunami caused major havoc underwater," he said.

Panuve said that after contending with poor weather, the&nbsp;cable&nbsp;repair ship "Reliance" had to retrieve sections of&nbsp;cable&nbsp;in waters up to 2.5 kilometres deep.

He said one section had been moved five kilometres by the&nbsp;undersea&nbsp;blast and another was buried under 30 centimetres (a foot) of silt.

The eruption of the Hunga&nbsp;Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano, which lies about&nbsp;65 kilometres north of the capital Nuku'alofa, killed three people.

According to UN agencies, the dual disaster also damaged 293 houses and displaced 1,525 people.

About&nbsp;85 per cent of the total population were affected by the disaster, with freshwater difficult to come by and arable land covered with six centimetres (two inches) of ash in some places.

Despite&nbsp;Tonga&nbsp;receiving aid under strict "no-contact" protocols, the international relief effort prompted a Covid-19 outbreak in the previously virus-free nation.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Internet connection was restored in Tonga on Tuesday, five weeks after a massive volcanic eruption shredded the undersea cable that connects the Pacific nation with the rest of the world.

Internet connection was restored in Tonga on Tuesday, five weeks after a massive volcanic eruption shredded the undersea cable that connects the Pacific nation with the rest of the world. Telecom providers Digicel and TCC said data connectivity had been restored to two main islands, after breaks in an 80-kilometre (50-mile) stretch of the cable were finally fixed. Residents reported services were quickly coming back online, email seemed blazingly fast after 38 days in the internet doldrums and a slew of calls from family overseas were coming in -- their voices now heard loud and clear. "YES! TCC is restoring fibre cable internet services," the company said in a message to customers. Also read | Musk donates satellite gear to reconnect Tonga The January 15 eruption was so powerful it was heard as far away as Alaska and caused a tsunami that flooded coastlines around the Pacific. It covered Tonga with ash and mangled an 80-kilometre stretch of the undersea cable that proved more difficult than expected to fix. Immediately after the disaster, contact with Tonga was only possible via a handful of satellite links. Although some connectivity was later restored, connections were limited. Digicel said "data connectivity had been restored" to two islands, after "multiple faults and breaks" were repaired. "We are delighted to see that our customers are connected to the outside world again," said Digicel Tonga chief executive Anthony Seuseu. Earlier this month Tonga Cable Limited chief executive James Panuve said a repair ship had located the severed ends of the 840 kilometre-long cable linking Tonga to Fiji that was cut in the blast. Also read | Tonga virus cases surge in wake of volcano eruption Major havoc But rather than a clean break, Panuve said the ship found the eruption tore an 80-kilometre section of cable into numerous pieces as it pummelled the seabed with the explosive force of a nuclear bomb. "It is obvious that the eruption, shockwaves, (and) tsunami caused major havoc underwater," he said. Panuve said that after contending with poor weather, the cable repair ship "Reliance" had to retrieve sections of cable in waters up to 2.5 kilometres deep. He said one section had been moved five kilometres by the undersea blast and another was buried under 30 centimetres (a foot) of silt. The eruption of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano, which lies about 65 kilometres north of the capital Nuku'alofa, killed three people. According to UN agencies, the dual disaster also damaged 293 houses and displaced 1,525 people. About 85 per cent of the total population were affected by the disaster, with freshwater difficult to come by and arable land covered with six centimetres (two inches) of ash in some places. Despite Tonga receiving aid under strict "no-contact" protocols, the international relief effort prompted a Covid-19 outbreak in the previously virus-free nation.

Tonga back online as undersea cable repaired

UN&nbsp;Security Council members&nbsp;China&nbsp;and&nbsp;Russia, as well as Serbia have continued supplying Myanmar's junta with weapons used to attack civilians since last year's coup, a&nbsp;UN&nbsp;rights&nbsp;expert&nbsp;said Tuesday.

United Nations Special Rapporteur on the&nbsp;rights&nbsp;situation in&nbsp;Myanmar, Tom Andrews, urged the Security Council to convene an emergency session "to debate and vote on a resolution to, at a minimum, ban those arms transfers that the&nbsp;Myanmar&nbsp;military are known to use to attack and kill&nbsp;Myanmar&nbsp;civilians."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/myanmar-army-defector-recounts-heavy-losses-inflicted-by-chin-rebels-452562">Myanmar army defector recounts heavy losses inflicted by Chin rebels</a>

He released a long-awaited report Tuesday detailing where the&nbsp;junta&nbsp;is getting its weapons from, highlighting that two permanent members of the Security Council itself, who hold veto power over its decisions, remain among the main suppliers.

"Despite the evidence of the military&nbsp;junta's atrocity crimes being committed with impunity since launching a coup last year,&nbsp;UN&nbsp;Security Council members&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;and&nbsp;China&nbsp;continue to provide the Myanmar military junta with numerous fighter jets, armoured vehicles, and in the case of&nbsp;Russia, the promise of further arms," Andrews said in a statement.

"During this same period, Serbia has authorised rockets and artillery for export to the&nbsp;Myanmar&nbsp;military," said Andrews, who is an independent&nbsp;expert&nbsp;appointed by the&nbsp;UN&nbsp;Human Rights&nbsp;Council, but who does not speak on behalf of the world body.

'Crimes against humanity'

In his report, he maintained that the arms transfers by the three countries had "occurred with the full knowledge that they would be used to attack civilians, in probable violation of international law."

Myanmar&nbsp;has been in chaos, its economy paralysed, and more than 1,500 civilians have been killed in a military crackdown since the putsch in February 2021, according to the&nbsp;UN.

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-asean-myanmar-envoy-says-wants-to-meet-junta-opponents-454056">&nbsp;New ASEAN Myanmar envoy says wants to meet junta opponents</a>

Since the February 1, 2021 coup, at least 12,000 people have been detained, including the de facto head of the civilian government, Aung San Suu Kyi, while more than 440,000 people have been forcibly displaced.

Andrews reiterated in his report that "there is strong evidence the&nbsp;junta&nbsp;has committed war crimes and crimes against humanity," including murder, sexual violence and torture.&nbsp;

"The situation of&nbsp;human rights&nbsp;in&nbsp;Myanmar&nbsp;is dire and deteriorating," it said.&nbsp;

The report provides an overview of countries that have authorised the transfer of weapons to&nbsp;Myanmar&nbsp;since 2018, when the military's attacks on the Rohingya ethnic minority were widely documented and after a&nbsp;UN&nbsp;fact-finding mission had urged an arms embargo.

Israel, India, Pakistan, South Korea, Belarus and Ukraine also figure on that list, although only&nbsp;China,&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;and Serbia have continued their transfers since the coup.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/myanmar-junta-accused-of-burning-hundreds-of-homes-451051">Myanmar junta accused of burning hundreds of homes</a>

'Imperative'

The&nbsp;UN&nbsp;General Assembly adopted a resolution last June calling for countries to prevent the flow of arms to&nbsp;Myanmar, but Andrews said that it had failed to have "any discernible impact on the crisis and the capacity of the&nbsp;junta&nbsp;to launch attacks on civilians."

He pointed out that while none of the Security Council members had voted against that resolution, the council had also not even considered voting to make the text binding for member states.

"It is imperative that member states and the Security Council act urgently to stop weapons sales to the military&nbsp;junta. Human lives, and Security Council credibility, are on the line," he said.

The report acknowledges that&nbsp;China&nbsp;and&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;might very well use their veto power to block any such text, but stressed that this "should not deter other members from placing a resolution before the Council for consideration, debate and a vote."&nbsp;

"The people of&nbsp;Myanmar&nbsp;deserve to have a strong resolution."

"The Security Council should consider, at the very least, a resolution to ban weapons that are being used by the&nbsp;Myanmar&nbsp;military to kill innocent people," Andrews said.

Watch |&nbsp;Myanmar junta driving drug trade | Narcotics

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/myanmar-junta-driving-drug-trade-narcotics-441027/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

&nbsp;

UN Security Council members China and Russia, as well as Serbia have continued supplying Myanmar's junta with weapons used to attack civilians since last year's coup, a UN rights expert said Tuesday.

UN Security Council members China and Russia, as well as Serbia have continued supplying Myanmar's junta with weapons used to attack civilians since last year's coup, a UN rights expert said Tuesday. United Nations Special Rapporteur on the rights situation in Myanmar, Tom Andrews, urged the Security Council to convene an emergency session "to debate and vote on a resolution to, at a minimum, ban those arms transfers that the Myanmar military are known to use to attack and kill Myanmar civilians." Also read | Myanmar army defector recounts heavy losses inflicted by Chin rebels He released a long-awaited report Tuesday detailing where the junta is getting its weapons from, highlighting that two permanent members of the Security Council itself, who hold veto power over its decisions, remain among the main suppliers. "Despite the evidence of the military junta's atrocity crimes being committed with impunity since launching a coup last year, UN Security Council members Russia and China continue to provide the Myanmar military junta with numerous fighter jets, armoured vehicles, and in the case of Russia, the promise of further arms," Andrews said in a statement. "During this same period, Serbia has authorised rockets and artillery for export to the Myanmar military," said Andrews, who is an independent expert appointed by the UN Human Rights Council, but who does not speak on behalf of the world body. 'Crimes against humanity' In his report, he maintained that the arms transfers by the three countries had "occurred with the full knowledge that they would be used to attack civilians, in probable violation of international law." Myanmar has been in chaos, its economy paralysed, and more than 1,500 civilians have been killed in a military crackdown since the putsch in February 2021, according to the UN. Also read | New ASEAN Myanmar envoy says wants to meet junta opponents Since the February 1, 2021 coup, at least 12,000 people have been detained, including the de facto head of the civilian government, Aung San Suu Kyi, while more than 440,000 people have been forcibly displaced. Andrews reiterated in his report that "there is strong evidence the junta has committed war crimes and crimes against humanity," including murder, sexual violence and torture. "The situation of human rights in Myanmar is dire and deteriorating," it said. The report provides an overview of countries that have authorised the transfer of weapons to Myanmar since 2018, when the military's attacks on the Rohingya ethnic minority were widely documented and after a UN fact-finding mission had urged an arms embargo. Israel, India, Pakistan, South Korea, Belarus and Ukraine also figure on that list, although only China, Russia and Serbia have continued their transfers since the coup. Also read | Myanmar junta accused of burning hundreds of homes 'Imperative' The UN General Assembly adopted a resolution last June calling for countries to prevent the flow of arms to Myanmar, but Andrews said that it had failed to have "any discernible impact on the crisis and the capacity of the junta to launch attacks on civilians." He pointed out that while none of the Security Council members had voted against that resolution, the council had also not even considered voting to make the text binding for member states. "It is imperative that member states and the Security Council act urgently to stop weapons sales to the military junta. Human lives, and Security Council credibility, are on the line," he said. The report acknowledges that China and Russia might very well use their veto power to block any such text, but stressed that this "should not deter other members from placing a resolution before the Council for consideration, debate and a vote." "The people of Myanmar deserve to have a strong resolution." "The Security Council should consider, at the very least, a resolution to ban weapons that are being used by the Myanmar military to kill innocent people," Andrews said. Watch | Myanmar junta driving drug trade | Narcotics

UN rights expert says China and Russia arming Myanmar junta

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) informed that Cygnus spacecraft installation on the International Space Station (ISS) is now complete. The live stream of the same was also available.&nbsp;

The US-based space agency NASA informed that the Cygnus spacecraft, built by Northrop Grumman, was launched atop an Antares rocket at 12:40 pm EST on Saturday (February 19) from its Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia.&nbsp;

Around 4:44 am, NASA astronauts Raja Chari and Kayla Barron captured Cygnus, which carried over 3.7 tonnes of research, hardware and science experiments to the ISS.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/breakthrough-in-physics-artificial-intelligence-successfully-controls-plasma-in-nuclear-fusion-experiment-455165">'Breakthrough in Physics': Artificial Intelligence successfully controls plasma in nuclear fusion experiment</a>

NASA mentioned the key areas of space station research which is facilitated by this mission as a study will pe performed that will examine the effects of a drug on breast and prostate cancer cells.&nbsp;

One of the most highlighted aspects of the mission is to test hydroponic and aeroponic techniques for plant growth. It will allow scientists to observe root growth through video and still images.

Apart from that, an investigation from Colgate-Palmolive will also be done to understand the acceleration of skin ageing in microgravity.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/raw-vegetables-alone-may-not-protect-you-from-heart-diseases-455152">Raw vegetables alone may not protect you from heart diseases</a>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Success! The S.S. Piers Sellers is now attached to the <a href="https://twitter.com/Space_Station?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Space_Station</a>. Astronauts will unload <a href="https://twitter.com/ISS_Research?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ISS_Research</a>, snacks, and supplies from <a href="https://twitter.com/northropgrumman?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NorthropGrumman</a>'s <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cygnus?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cygnus</a> spacecraft. Here's what's on board: <a href="https://t.co/aChAP8QWox">https://t.co/aChAP8QWox</a> <a href="https://t.co/MZ0mLv79u2">pic.twitter.com/MZ0mLv79u2</a>
— NASA (@NASA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NASA/status/1495733441542995972?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 21, 2022</a></blockquote>
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The mission also includes a new combustion facility, testing of new hydrogen sensors for the space station’s oxygen generation system.&nbsp;

Astronauts will also analyse whether the demonstration of a lithium-ion secondary battery is capable of safe, stable operation under extreme temperatures and in a vacuum environment.&nbsp;

NASA stated that Cygnus will remain at the space station until May before it deploys CubeSats.&nbsp;

After that, it will dispose of several thousand pounds of trash during its re-entry into Earth's atmosphere, which will result in its destruction.&nbsp;

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) informed that Cygnus spacecraft installation on the International Space Station (ISS) is now complete. The live stream of the same was also available.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) informed that Cygnus spacecraft installation on the International Space Station (ISS) is now complete. The live stream of the same was also available. The US-based space agency NASA informed that the Cygnus spacecraft, built by Northrop Grumman, was launched atop an Antares rocket at 12:40 pm EST on Saturday (February 19) from its Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia. Around 4:44 am, NASA astronauts Raja Chari and Kayla Barron captured Cygnus, which carried over 3.7 tonnes of research, hardware and science experiments to the ISS. ALSO READ | 'Breakthrough in Physics': Artificial Intelligence successfully controls plasma in nuclear fusion experiment NASA mentioned the key areas of space station research which is facilitated by this mission as a study will pe performed that will examine the effects of a drug on breast and prostate cancer cells. One of the most highlighted aspects of the mission is to test hydroponic and aeroponic techniques for plant growth. It will allow scientists to observe root growth through video and still images. Apart from that, an investigation from Colgate-Palmolive will also be done to understand the acceleration of skin ageing in microgravity. ALSO READ | Raw vegetables alone may not protect you from heart diseases Success! The S.S. Piers Sellers is now attached to the @Space_Station. Astronauts will unload @ISS_Research, snacks, and supplies from @NorthropGrumman's #Cygnus spacecraft. Here's what's on board: https://t.co/aChAP8QWox pic.twitter.com/MZ0mLv79u2 — NASA (@NASA) February 21, 2022 × The mission also includes a new combustion facility, testing of new hydrogen sensors for the space station’s oxygen generation system. Astronauts will also analyse whether the demonstration of a lithium-ion secondary battery is capable of safe, stable operation under extreme temperatures and in a vacuum environment. NASA stated that Cygnus will remain at the space station until May before it deploys CubeSats. After that, it will dispose of several thousand pounds of trash during its re-entry into Earth's atmosphere, which will result in its destruction.

Watch: Growing plants without soil and other experiments astronauts will do in space

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