Monday, April 12, 2021

Daily News Brief

*) Iran blames Israel for Natanz incident Iran has vowed to exact revenge against regional arch-foe Israel which it blames for Sunday's incident at Natanz nuclear site. Iranian authorities described the incident as an act of "nuclear terrorism". Israeli public radio and other media outlets quoted intelligence sources as saying Mossad was behind a cyber attack on Iran's Natanz facility. The sabotage comes a day after the launch of new centrifuges at the site. *) Arauz admits defeat to Lasso in Ecuador presidential election In Ecuador, socialist economist Andres Arauz has conceded defeat to conservative former banker Guillermo Lasso after a presidential election run-off. Lasso received more than 52 percent of the vote and defeated Arauz. His victory comes as Ecuador grapples with a health and economic crisis due to the coronavirus pandemic. *) US: There will be consequences if Russia acts aggressively US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has warned Russia there would be consequences if Moscow acts aggressively towards Ukraine. Blinken's statement comes as the Kremlin says certain conditions of the Minsk Protocol must be met before peace talks can go ahead with Kiev. Fighting has intensified in recent weeks between Ukraine's army and pro-Russia separatists, with Russian troop build-up raising concerns of major escalation. *) Myanmar security forces killed more than 700 since February 1 European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borell says China and Russia are blocking attempts to implement an arms embargo in Myanmar. More than 700 people have been killed by security forces since the military snatched power from the government in February. China and Russia are the largest suppliers of weapons to Myanmar where the junta continues to crack down on anti-coup protesters. And finally … *) Hideki becomes first Japanese man to win a major tournament Hideki Matsuyama has become the first Japanese man to win a major golf championship with a one-shot Masters victory. He overpowered Will Zalatoris, his closest challenger, at Augusta National in his 33rd major championship appearance. Matsuyama held off the field that included Xander Schauffele and debutant Zalatoris to win the Masters by one stroke.