The three countries joined the United States, European Union, and United Kingdom in announcing sanctions against Russia (Hill) after it sent troops to two Ukrainian regions and recognized them as independent states.
 
U.S. President Joe Biden called Russia’s actions the beginning of an invasion of Ukraine (NYT) and warned of harsher penalties if Moscow escalates. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken canceled a meeting planned for tomorrow (NYT) with his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, but said the United States would continue to pursue diplomacy if Russia de-escalates. Meanwhile, Ukraine announced a nationwide emergency (Moscow Times) and called on its citizens to leave Russia and military reservists to report for active duty.

The measures, which include cash handouts (Nikkei) for individuals and tax breaks for businesses, are expected to push Hong Kong’s budget into a deficit after a surplus last year.
 
North Korea: The UN human rights envoy for North Korea said the country’s “draconian” COVID-19 control measures are worsening its food crisis and called for foreign governments (AFP) to provide it with sixty million vaccine doses.

Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan is in Moscow for two days, during which he will meet with Russian President Putin (Dawn) to discuss strengthening bilateral ties. It is the first visit by a Pakistani leader to Russia in more than two decades.
 
India: The country sent the first shipment (PTI) of the fifty thousand metric tons of wheat it plans to deliver to Afghanistan as humanitarian aid. Pakistan issued rare permission (Reuters) for Indian goods to cross its territory.

The Security Council voted to end the requirement (AP) after Iraq paid a total of more than $50 billion to 1.5 million claimants.
 
Qatar: If Russia cuts off gas supplies to Europe, Qatar can only redirect 10–15 percent (Reuters) of its liquefied natural gas exports to the continent, Qatar’s energy minister said. The United States has pressed Qatar and Japan to be reserve suppliers.
 
This In Brief discusses Russia’s energy role in Europe.

Cyclone Emnati battered the island (Reuters) with winds reaching more than eighty miles per hour. Less than three weeks ago, Cyclone Batsirai killed more than one hundred people and displaced thousands.
 
Somalia: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) could freeze its lending program (AFP) to Somalia in three months if there are new delays for the country’s elections, a senior IMF official said.

France dropped Australia from the list (Bloomberg, AFP) as tensions linger since Canberra canceled a submarine contract with Paris in September.

Authorities said they will end a freeze (NYT) on the bank accounts of protesters who blockaded the city’s streets with their vehicles. The streets are now clear after three weeks of demonstrations.
 
CFR’s Edward Alden lays out what to know about Canada’s “Freedom Convoy” protests.
 
U.S./Mexico: In a tweet, U.S. Secretary of State Blinken called for increased protections (DW) for Mexican journalists in light of a string of killings of journalists this year.

A jury ruled that the three white Georgia men who murdered Ahmaud Arbery, a Black man, in February 2020 were motivated by racism (NYT). They now face up to life in prison for the charges of committing a hate crime, attempted kidnapping, and wielding a firearm during a violent crime.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) said countries’ underreporting of methane emissions to the United Nations is “alarming” (FT).
 
This In Brief explains how cutting methane emissions can move the needle on climate change.