December 10, 2021

*) Mexico trailer accident kills dozens of migrants At least 53 migrants were killed after the truck they were hiding in hit a wall and overturned in southern Mexico. Another 58 people were hurt and rushed to nearby hospitals. According to survivors, a majority of those in the truck were from Guatemala, and were trying to reach the US. *) Biden gives Ukraine reassurances over tension with Russia US President Joe Biden has told Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy that Washington will impose severe economic sanctions against Moscow if Russia attacks Ukraine. Biden assured Zelenskyy that Washington will provide military resources in the form of training and funds, as well as full political support in the face of a potential Russian invasion. Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the conflict in eastern Ukraine between Kiev's army and pro-Russian separatists, "looks like genocide". *) Pakistani Taliban refuses to extend ceasefire with government The Tehreek-e-Taliban in Pakistan has declared an end to a month-long ceasefire agreement it had with the government. They accuse Islamabad of breaching terms including a prisoner release agreement and the formation of negotiating committees. It also said security forces had carried out raids while the ceasefire was in force. *) Nicaragua cuts ties with Taiwan Nicaragua has broken diplomatic ties with Taiwan and recognised "only one China.” The statement leaves the island nation with just 14 formal diplomatic allies, but its president says it will not dent determination to defend its freedom. Beijing has welcomed the move, with officials from both countries due to meet in China soon. And finally… *) US actor found guilty in staged racist hate crime case A Chicago jury has found actor Jussie Smollett guilty of staging a fake hate crime. Prosecutors said Smollett, who is Black and gay, lied to police when he told them that he was assaulted by two masked strangers in January 2019. The actor faces a maximum sentence of three years in pri