Good Morning, it’s Thursday, March 17th. And You’re listening to Ausum’s Morning News Briefing, where we round up the top latest articles that everyone is talking about.

Let’s start by looking at the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The Guardian updates us that the United Nations international court of justice has ordered Russia to stop its invasion. The court did not find any evidence to support the Kremlin’s justification for the war, that Ukraine was committing genocide against Russian-speakers in the east of the country. The Washington Post informs us that yesterday President Biden explicitly called the Russian President a “war criminal.” Meanwhile, Biden’s administration is still determining whether that label officially applies. The US President’s accusation appeared to have been made spontaneously. This publication further noted that Ukrainian officials have accused Russia of bombing a theatre where hundreds of displaced families have sought refuge. Despite these intense attacks, diplomats still believe progress is being made in peace talks.

Next, let’s take a look at the earthquake which occurred yesterday in Japan. The Guardian states that this powerful 7.4 earthquake struck the coast off Fukushima and left four people dead. More than 2 million homes in the Tokyo area have lost power. The government is on high alert for the possibility of further strong tremors over the next two to three days.

Regarding the Covid-19 pandemic, Reuters tells us that The World Health Organization has said that the global rise in Covid-19 cases could indicate much bigger issues as some countries also report a drop in testing rates. Furthermore, Forbes states that The WHO is unlikely to approve Medicago’s Covid Vaccine. This is because the organization has very strict rules regarding policies on partnering with tobacco and arms companies and Medicago is partially owned by cigarette manufacturer Philip Morris International.

Finally, The Federal Reserve raised its key interest rate by a quarter of a percentage point yesterday. This is the first step toward trying to reduce rapid inflation by raising borrowing costs.

That’s all for today. For the full Ausum experience, make sure to download the Ausum app. Catch us, every weekday, morning and afternoon.

Good Morning, it’s Wednesday, March 16th. And You’re listening to Ausum’s Morning News Briefing, where we round up the top latest articles that everyone is talking about.

Let’s start by looking at the war in Ukraine. Forbes updated us that yesterday Biden signed a $1.5 trillion omnibus spending bill which allocates $13.6 billion in emergency aid for Ukraine. Axios reports that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that today’s peace talks are beginning to "sound more realistic." However, a Ukrainian member of the peace talks delegation, tweeted that "fundamental contradictions" with Russian officials remained. The New York Times states that Zelensky has urged more leaders to visit Kyiv after leaders of three NATO member countries came to the war-torn capital yesterday. This meeting led the Ukrainian president to say, “I am sure that with such friends, with such countries, with such neighbours and partners, we will be able to win.” The Guardian informs us that Canada and the US have announced military drills in the arctic in response to Russian aggression. The North American Aerospace Defense Command said that these drills were to “respond to both aircraft and cruise missiles” threatening the continent. Within the Middle East, The Washington Post states that panic buying is taking place as the invasion of Ukraine raises concern over access to food and fuel.

Next, Reuters reports that North Korea launched a suspected missile that appeared to explode shortly after liftoff. Meanwhile, it was reported that nuclear-armed North Korea was seeking to test-fire its largest missile yet.

Regarding the Syrian civil war, The New York Times states that mass graves have been discovered near Damascus. These graves could hold evidence of the war crimes that occurred during this time.

Finally, The Guardian informs us that a U.S. secret service report has found that ‘incels’ are a rising threat to the country.

That’s all for today. For the full Ausum experience, make sure to download the Ausum app. Catch us, every weekday, morning and afternoon.

Good Morning, it’s Tuesday, March 15th. And You’re listening to Ausum’s Morning News Briefing, where we round up the top latest articles that everyone is talking about.

Let’s kick off by looking at updates on the war in Ukraine. The Guardian tells us that Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelenskiy has urged Russia to surrender over the “shame” of continuing with the war. Furthermore, one of Zelenskiy’s advisors estimated that the war would be over by May. The Guardian also stated that US officials claim that China has already decided to send economic aid to Russia. It is feared that the country will send military equipment like armed drones. The New York Times reports that Kyiv's streets are once again empty after Russian shelling kills civilians. This publication adds that American intelligence officials have discovered that a fired barrage of Russian ballistic missiles contains decoys that trick air-defence radars and fool heat-seeking missiles. People fleeing Ukraine have reached 2.8 million. Reuters states that this exodus has become Europe's fastest-growing refugee crisis since World War Two. European Union officials have said 5 million may end up fleeing. Forbes updates us that amid growing concerns over Beijing’s ties to Russia and potential delistings, shares of Chinese heavyweights trading in the United States dropped.

The Washington Post reports that detectives in Washington D.C. are seeking a suspect in three shootings that took place between March 3 and March 9. These shootings have been linked.

This publication also tells us that as the U.S. public health emergency ends, an estimated 16 million low-income Americans, including millions of children, are destined to fall off Medicaid.

That’s all for today. For the full Ausum experience, make sure to download the Ausum app. Catch us, every weekday, morning and afternoon.

Good Morning, it’s Monday, March 14th. And You’re listening to Ausum’s Morning News Briefing, where we round up the top latest articles that everyone is talking about.

Firstly, let’s look at the war in Ukraine. The Washington Post reports that a Russian missile strike has killed over 35 people. The missiles struck a Ukrainian military base close to Poland. This publication also told us that the Ukrainian president has asked President Biden to broaden America’s economic campaign against Russia. Zelensky told Biden that more should be done to cut Russia off from international trade. Nonetheless, the Ukrainian president did express his gratitude towards the White House. Forbes further told us that Volodymyr Zelensky called on Microsoft, Oracle and SAP to take further action against Russia. The BBC updates us that the United States has warned China against supporting Russia. Meanwhile, officials have claimed that Russia asked China to provide military assistance. The New York Times states that, since the invasion began, tens of thousands of Russians have escaped the country into Istanbul.

Next, Taiwan has lost another fighter jet after it fell into the sea. Reuters reports that the Taiwanese Mirage 2000 fighter jet crashed because of mechanical issues but the pilot was rescued. This is the second combat aircraft loss in the space of three months.

Finally, let’s look at news regarding the Covid-19 pandemic. The Guardian informs us that China has shut down a city of 17.5 million people, as it attempts to contain its worst-ever Covid-19 outbreak across multiple provinces. No one can leave the city without special circumstances and with a negative test result obtained within 24 hours before exit. Furthermore, The Guardian states that the former US president Barack Obama has announced a positive Covid-19 test.

That’s all for today. For the full Ausum experience, make sure to download the Ausum app. Catch us, every weekday, morning and afternoon.

Good Morning, it’s Thursday, March 10th. And You’re listening to Ausum’s Morning News Briefing, where we round up the top latest articles that everyone is talking about.

Let’s start by looking at the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Axios reports that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that the recent bombing of children's hospital and maternity ward is a "war crime" and "proof that the genocide of Ukrainians is taking place." The United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken said previously that there are "very credible reports of deliberate attacks on civilians, which would constitute a war crime." Within the US, The Washington Post states that yesterday, House lawmakers approved new humanitarian, economic and military assistance to Ukraine. This assistance amounts to approximately $14 billion. The bill still requires a vote in the senate. The Guardian informs us that the UK and US fear that Russia may be planning to use chemical weapons. The White House press secretary believes that Russia could use “false claims about alleged US biological weapons labs and chemical weapons development in Ukraine” as the pretext for their own biological weapons programme. Furthermore, Reuters explains that, since the war in Ukraine started, around 1.43 million Ukrainians have fled their country into Poland.

Within South Korea, The Guardian reports that the conservative candidate, Yoon Suk-yeol, narrowly won in their recent elections. The White House has congratulated Yoon. This candidate is an avowed “anti-feminist” who has pledged to abolish the ministry for gender equality.

The New York Times updates us that the patient who received a genetically altered pig heart transplant has died. This comes two months after the groundbreaking operation. It was unclear whether his body had rejected the foreign organ.

Finally, The Washington Post has discovered that the US taxpayers have spent over $1.5 billion settling claims of police misconduct involving thousands of officers repeatedly.

That’s all for today. For the full Ausum experience, make sure to download the Ausum app. Catch us, every weekday, morning and afternoon.

Good Morning, it’s Wednesday, March 9th. And You’re listening to Ausum’s Morning News Briefing, where we round up the top latest articles that everyone is talking about.

Let’s kick off by looking at the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The Wall Street Journal updates us that The United States is planning to ban imports of oil and natural gas from Russia. The geopolitical consequences of this action are expected to be far reaching. To soften the blow on the U.S. economy, The Biden administration is looking at clean energy alternatives. The Guardian further informs us that a think tank has said Europe’s dependence on Russian oil points out the necessity of moving to renewable energy. This new analysis found that Putin’s war is bolstered by the $285m in oil payments made every day by European countries. Axios reports that Russian forces are facing resistance in key areas of Ukraine. On Wednesday, The U.K. Ministry of Defense said that Ukrainian air defenses "appear to have enjoyed considerable success against Russia's modern combat aircraft, probably preventing them achieving any degree of control of the air." A poll has shown that more Americans and Europeans support military intervention in Ukraine than oppose it. However, Forbes notes that this poll discovered that providing financial and weapons aid to Ukraine was still more popular. The Guardian further reports that McDonald’s, Starbucks, Coca-Cola and Pepsi have suspended their Russian operations. These companies are joining the growing list of Western brands pulling out of Russia.

Next, Forbes explains that Prince Andrew’s sexual assult trail was dismissed. The dismissal comes after the royal paid a settlement to the accuser.

Within Venezuela, Reuters states that two Americans have been released from jail. After talks with Biden, in what appears to be a gesture of goodwill, two American prisoners were freed. President Biden said in response, "Tonight, two Americans who were wrongfully detained in Venezuela will be able to hug their families once more."

Finally, Hawaii has become the last U.S. state to remove their mask mandate as the amount of Covid-19 infections fall.

That’s all for today. For the full Ausum experience, make sure to download the Ausum app. Catch us, every weekday, morning and afternoon.

Good Morning, it’s Tuesday, March 8th. And You’re listening to Ausum’s Morning News Briefing, where we round up the top latest articles that everyone is talking about.

Let’s start by looking at the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The Washington Post updates us that the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky, has declared that the Russian forces are “all war criminals.” He further talked of the schools that had been bombed since this conflict began. Reuters further informs us that Ukrainian military and intelligence has said that Russia’s offensive is slowing and a second senior Russian commander has been killed. Meanwhile, terrified Ukrainians are fleeing the cities. Forbes reports that the invasion has resulted in the average U.S. gas prices rising to an all-time high yesterday.

After 20 years imprisoned, The Guardian tells us that a Guantanamo Bay detainee has been allowed to return back to Saudi Arabia. This occurred after military and intelligence officials concluded he no longer represented a significant threat to US national security. After he was captured by US forces he likely experienced brutal interrogations that have been said to amount to torture.

Forbes reports that a study has found that large swaths of the Amazon rainforest could be on the edge of dying off. The Amazon could be pushed past its tipping point as it loses its ability to recover from drought and man-made disruptions. The event could likely cause a large disruption in the carbon cycle.

For the first time in the United States’ history, Axios states that the Senate voted by unanimous consent to pass anti-lynching legislation. This means that lynching would now be seen as a federal hate crime.

Meanwhile, The U.S. Supreme Court has denied a bid to overturn electoral maps. The Guardian informed us that Republicans in both North Carolina and Pennsylvania were attempting to overturn electoral maps imposed by the state supreme court in both places that make elections more competitive.

Finally, The New York Times updates us on the Covid-19 pandemic. A new study has found that catching Covid-19 could cause changes to the brain. The implications of this research are unclear. This publication further reported that Puerto Rico has removed its mask mandate.

That’s all for today. For the full Ausum experience, make sure to download the Ausum app. Catch us, every weekday, morning and afternoon.

Good Morning, it’s Monday, March 7th. And You’re listening to Ausum’s Morning News Briefing, where we round up the top latest articles that everyone is talking about.

Let’s kick off by looking at the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The Guardian tells us that the president of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, gave an impassioned speech where he said, 'We will not forgive. We will not forget.' Furthermore, Zelenskiy warned Russian forces that they would have ‘a day of judgment’. Forbes reports that the United States has said that there is “credible” evidence of Russia committing war crimes. Meanwhile, the International Criminal Court is launching an investigation into these war crime allegations. However, it is unclear how Putin would be prosecuted. Despite concerns of raising gas prices even higher, The Washington Post states that a growing number of US officials are calling for a ban on Russian oil and gas imports. Russia has been accused of trying to take the Iran nuclear deal hostage. The Guardian updates us that diplomatic efforts have been sent into chaos after Russia decided to demand written guarantees that its economic trade with Iran will be exempted from US sanctions.

Regarding the Washington trucker anti-vaccine protests, The New York Times tells us that the convoy of vehicles has created congestion around the nation’s capital.

Within Syria, Reuters reports Syrian State Media has said that an Israeli attack over the Syrian capital Damascus today has killed two citizens.

Finally, The New York Times informs us that, within The United States, Asian Americans are grappling with the violence against their community. Views differ in terms of a solution, some Asian Americans want to rely less on traditional policing methods, whilst others want the opposite.

That’s all for today. For the full Ausum experience, make sure to download the Ausum app. Catch us, every weekday, morning and afternoon.

Good Morning, it’s Friday, March 4th. And You’re listening to Ausum’s Morning News Briefing, where we round up the top latest articles that everyone is talking about.

Let’s start by looking at the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The BBC updates us that, after the Russian shelling of a Ukrainian nuclear power plant, a fire broke out. Ukraine's Emergency Services put out the fire, however, Russian forces have now seized the site. The British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, has declared that the attack could, “directly threaten the safety of all of Europe." The Washington Post adds that Zelensky has accused Russia of using “nuclear terror” and said that the attack on the nuclear power plant was deliberate. After the fire, Reuters states that Asian stocks fell to a 16-month low. Investors likely feared escalating conflict. The Guardian reports that growing numbers of Russians are leaving their country. Fear of martial laws and the war’s consequences are pushing citizens to flee.

Within Florida, The New York Times informs us that lawmakers have voted to ban abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy. This move could significantly restrict access to the procedure in the South of the United States.

Regarding the January 6th Capitol Riot, The Washington Post announced that new evidence shows that Trump was told multiple times there was no voter fraud. Despite having this knowledge, the former president chose to continue saying there was. Allegedly, over 11 aides and close confidants told Trump directly in the weeks after the election that there was no fraud and no legal way to overturn the result.

Finally, Forbes reports that an Arthritis drug has been found to reduce Covid-19 deaths by 13% among severe cases. This research has given hospitals a new affordable way to reduce coronavirus mortality.

That’s all for today. For the full Ausum experience, make sure to download the Ausum app. Catch us, every weekday, morning and afternoon.

Good Morning, it’s Thursday, March 3rd. And You’re listening to Ausum’s Morning News Briefing, where we round up the top latest articles that everyone is talking about.

Let’s start by looking at updates on the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The Washington Post informs us that over one million refugees have left Ukraine. This exodus is likely to be the worst European humanitarian crisis within this century. More than half of these refugees have gone to Poland. This publication also stated that in Kyiv, in the early hours of this morning, a large blast occurred in the city’s outskirts as Russian strikes rained down. The New York Times reports that a Western Intelligence Report exposed China telling Russian officials not to invade Ukraine until after the Beijing Olympics. This report implies that China must have been somewhat aware of Russia’s plans to invade. Reuters tells us that, in the Ukrainian Black Sea port of Olvia, a missile or bomb hit a Bangladeshi owned cargo ship killing one of its crew members.

Next, let’s look at Coronavirus news. Forbes tells us that a new study has found that Johnson & Johnson’s Covid-19 vaccine was far less effective at reducing hospitalisations than the Pfizer-BioNTech shot. This research found that the risk of hospitalization with severe Covid-19 after the Johnson & Johnson is five times more likely than with Pfizers.

Regarding the January 6th Capitol Riot, The New York Times announced that the House committee investigating the January 6th attack has said that there is enough evidence to conclude that former President Donald J. Trump and some of his allies might have attempted to overturn the 2020 election by committing fraud and misleading Americans of the election outcome.

Finally, Reuters reports that half a million Australians are faced with flood evacuation orders. This occurred after severe weather triggered flash floods in Sydney.

That’s all for today. For the full Ausum experience, make sure to download the Ausum app. Catch us, every weekday, morning and afternoon.