talk about the stole restock matter on al jazeera. ah, al jazeera ah, with chapel, ah, fresh warnings from the united states security advisors suggest there is a credible prospect that russia could invade ukraine within days. but russia dismisses what it calls weston lies about its plans to invade while its troops carry out drills with that. a roof near the ukrainian border. ah,

hello, i'm mary. i'm no mozy in london. you're watching al jazeera also coming up on the program. the us release is frozen afghan assets, providing a 3 and a half $1000000000.00 boost for humanitarian aid. but warns that much more is needed on tony cheney heading in to the golden triangle, where methamphetamine smugly seems to have increased dramatically. no loss military . good. ah, welcome to the program. the white house says that you as president joe biden, will speak by phone with russia's lead him a person on saturday. that announcement came a short time after washington issued a blunt warning about the immediate threat of an invasion of ukraine. possibly within days, russia is repeatedly denied accusations of a planned incursion. u. s. national security advisor jake sullivan,

spoke earlier on and again urged us citizens to leave ukraine immediately. he said that while the kremlin may not have made a final decision, the build up and deployment of troops and equipment around ukraine means there could be further escalation, as early as next week. we have to think about the range of scenarios that we confront and it's our job to be ready for all of them. so what i will say is that the way that he has built up his forces and put them in place, along with the other indicators that we have collected through intelligence, makes it clear to us that there is a very distinct possibility that russia will choose to act militarily and there is reason to believe that that could happen on a reasonably swift timeframe. now we can't pinpoint the day at this point and we can pinpoint the hour. but what we can say is that there is a credible prospect that a russian military action would take place even before the end of the olympics. if

a russian attack on ukraine precedes it is likely to begin with aerial bombing and missile attacks that could obviously kill civilians without regard to their nationality. a subsequent ground invasion would involve the onslaught of a massive force with virtually no notice communications to arrange a departure could be severed and commercial transit halted. no one would be able to count on air or rail or road departures once military action got underway. and out here as party call heinous and following developments in washington. we've also just now heard from the pentagon that an additional $3000.00 troops from the 2nd airborne are going to be sent to poland. and briefing with press secretary john kirby. he said, what those forces would possibly do. they haven't started doing that. we don't believe, but they set up tents and processing facilities on the border of poland to help with any evacuees who might come. so more concrete steps that the us thing. so

something is potentially going to happen. and really the starkest warning yet, we heard the secretary state anthony blink and say, we don't think that innovation isn't going to happen if the olympics are under way . it could happen. but then we out heard the national security adviser come out and say americans, you need to get out within 24 to 48 hours and you heard him explain why. so he's really putting that in a compressed times line. now he said that they didn't believe that the president putin had made an inter determination to invade, but that they are want to take every precaution on the off chance that he in fact takes a step. so with their words and with their actions, had nato call with the allies in nato. that really wasn't on the agenda. we saw it, jake sullivan, in the briefing room, which is somewhat unusual with that warning with this troop deployment. it really seems to us as giving every indication that they think an invasion is possible. meanwhile, piece talks between ukraine and russia failed to reach

a breakthrough on friday, moscow's insisting that key of talk directly to the so called breakaway republics and ukraine's east. charles stratford reports on this now from the city of car keys . joint russian embellish and military exercises near the ukrainian border, up to 30000 russian soldiers. and most of the better rouge an army taking part in the 10 days of drills including missile defense systems, tanks and fighter jets. moscow has around a $100000.00 troops station, close the grains borders. ukraine invoked to cause from the so called 2011 vienna document, which is an international agreements on military transparency which russia is a signal trail demanding moscow provide detailed information timeframes. the military maneuvers. several western countries, including france, launched fresh diplomatic efforts this week to persuade russia to back down. so far,

those efforts have failed to bear. significant fruit mosca says it's demand that they never be further. nato expansion east, including ukraine, is being ignored. ukraine's foreign minister told al jazeera roches concerns are illegitimate, and ukraine would not concede to moscow's demands. russia violated virtually every rule of international law related to securing into what year. so now it wants to impose on others, the discussion that you guys are expanding nato. are doing something else and that inflict damage my security. the last thing the west should do in response to that question using is actually to agreed to take this concert serious. instead, its us ukraine and other countries who are suffering from russia as actions should

ask them a question. well, how will you rush ensure your security without inflicting damage on the secure, on our security new satellite images published by a private u. s. company. show what it says is new russian military deployment, new ukraine's border. more nato troops and weapons are being sent to bolster the alliances eastern flank. in a rare press conference in the russian bank, separatist hill territory, the leader of the self declared the nets, people's republic accused ukraine of planning a military solution to the crisis. something ukraine denies me. i do not rule out that ukraine can attack at any time. they have everything ready, the concentration of forces and capabilities allows them to do it at any moment. as soon as there is a political decision,

russia says it has no intention of inviting ukraine, but it says it will be forced to take unspecified military technical action if it's demands and not med most goes main demo and is that ukraine never becomes a nato member and that's something that the us and it's nato allies say, is a non starter diplomatic efforts to defuse the crisis. continue to fail. charles stopped, but al jazeera, called cave eastern ukraine. ah, now the u. s. government plans to free up frozen afghan central bank assets on its soil using half of it for aid for the afghan people while keeping the other half in the us to find power from rules suits brought by victims of terrorism. last month, george gave the bind and administration until friday to come up with a plan for $7000000000.00 frozen after the taliban takeover in august. the u. s.

government refuses to recognize that countries, new leaders who say they need the money to of, to growing humanitarian disaster in the country. the united nation is wanting that 22800000 people in afghanistan face acute foods insecurity. this is more than half of the country's population. the plan emphasizes the 3 and a half $1000000000.00 will benefit to the afghan people. but it, it does not include details on how the funds are going to be distributed. i've got histone has another to be in dollars in reserves, helping countries including person germany, switzerland on the way. most of those funds are also frozen. so joining me now from arlington in the u. s. is sean the her i'll be professor of economics at montgomery college and member of the supreme council of the central bank of afghanistan. he played a key role in petitioning president joe biden for these extra funds. so could you perhaps stop by explaining how this u. s. executive order will affect afghan central bank funds in the

us. thank you very much for the time to this very important and critical nice issue regarding the central bank as well as a medical liquidity that central bank is confronted with that i think poor people, i want to make sure that one of the needs to be brought up that all of them and all of the money belongs to people. that is an important point to keep in mind. the money that has both in the united states in europe now the decision to release only part of the funds. it will continue to heard millions of against children. it will continue to her woman and will continue to her families who are suffering one of the worst humanitarian and economic prices across the world. and i think the move

by, by the administration is an important 1st step. but it is not adequate that to be able to address the issue of lack of liquidity in the banking system. it is very important to keep in mind that the central bank was a separate, independent entity. what full autonomy was established to be able to make sure that, that these funds that was used, the gang is, are available. but us deep for the purpose of making sure that, that the central bank is able to move prior to, to make sure that the prices remain stable. that is, that there we know inflation in the economy so that the poor people can go ahead and buy the basic necessities that they can be for food they can pay for, for cooking, they can pay for sugar and they can pay for other fuel. and so on, and that they cannot do right now because prices are double digit. and also the

value of the currency has depreciated significantly versus euro as well as, or says, you, united donors. so the disposition of all, again, yes, that is on money that i said here that belongs to again, people that disposition of all of these asset, both of in europe as well as in the united state which is total is not was 7 point one. can i, can i ask you just to help us? i mean, you are speaking, they are describing the economic paralysis, the economic collapse in the country, the freezing of the banking system. and how does that have complete lack of control of the economy is having a terrible effect on inflation. but just also it means that basic food stuff and other things can't be imported. is it? is it possible to avoid recognition of the taliban government or take any kind of punitive measures against them without punishing the afghan people by denying them

a that seems to be the sort of competing pressures facing the us. i have suggested menu, please. good. because mission of the, of the regime would have to be the link. what provision of these are release of these particular assets. and i think that could be done because central bank is a separate entity. it is run by the board. the board has the full economy in the board, the size overall based on the deb law in banking law. they have the authority to be able to take action when you got to allocation of everything and anything, and different assets, they have the authority to be able to acquire assets. they have the authority to be able to, to dispose these assets promotional. these are buses for the authorities really lies what independent body, which is that is more which of the highest policy making in decision making body at,

in, in the canister. and that is why that the linking makes sense. you're a government says you're dealing with the supper. i ask you for giving me. can i ask you, can i just ask you one question briefly? what if these funds, if these afghan assets are not released, what do you fear will happen already? half the country is a need of humanitarian assistance. we've been talking about 20000000 people. on the brink of famine before the taliban take over, the financial system was very fragile and poverty rates were higher and, and so on. if, if something doesn't change soon, what he or fears for the country, these assets are not frozen in they are not released. or some bank people will suffer from higher prices. they will not be able to buy. basically, this is, it is of life. commercial banks will not have an adequate money to be able to allow

the arden, the guns in businesses to have access to their own deposit. businesses will not be able to pay for imports and you will have a continuous suffering of the people as a result. and freezing of these assets, which should be allowed to be given to the want to some bank, which the central bank that is to make sure that liquidity could be pumped in into the gun economy. that cannot, that is if this was such are given for the purpose for which is designed, you want to have, it cannot make the economy that could easily collapse. humanitarian is a stop gap measure. it's not a solution for getting the economy moving in, bringing about the increase in spending by people. people have no income. people who have me, their income be, cannot be for basic and the city. so they can amik says could come into being if immediate actions are not taken over all in the leasing these fund that rightfully

they can on the viability is the most important thing. not just to you monitoring aid, but that thank you so much professor. i do appreciate it, but we'll leave it for now. but i do appreciate your time on the program professor shot that i'll be joining us that. thank you very much. i actually just, just one of the story to bring you to journalist working for united nations. united italian agency in afghanistan has been released along with 2 african nationals after being briefly detained by the taliban. the 4 prisoners were held for several hours after being seized in the capital campbell. watching al jazeera ly from london, stella head on the program. protest is risk jail and fines after a state of emergency is declared in canada's ontario province. we'll have more on that. ah

hello, then use nieland's been dealing with some very wet weather i'm. there's more of that to come after a dryer than average january thanks to fly, clone derby. but before we hop across the tasman, let's have a look at the weather in australia. we've got a cold front sweeping across the west, bringing some showers to perth. it's going to move pretty quickly. we will see the temperature come down in perth, but the warmth will be back in by the time we get to sunday. if we have a look at the 3 day, we'll be touching the mid thirties. now of course, central and eastern areas, we've got high pressure in charge, so it's looking rather fine and drives large areas of sunshine, a few showers popping off across the top. and we've got showers in sydney as well, but a lot of warms coming through in that southeast corner looking rather settled here . but as we hope across the tasman, it's very unsettled for the north island in particular of new zealand. we've got severe weather warnings out heavy rain, very strong winds and that's thanks to fly control that turns into low pressure.

bringing with it some really wet and windy weather on sunday. quite sure. it's going to see the temperature come down by about 4 degrees. it is a little bit dry in the south, but some very weather to come. we could see rain of up to 300 millimeters this weekend with the warnings continuing. ah, on counting the cost to europe is divided over the nuclear energy. but is it green enough that you wouldn't accuse as north korea funding it's missile program would stolen crypto currency. how can digital wallace be protected and africans stops on the rise? what makes them right? counting the cost on al jazeera. what's most important to me is talking to people understanding what they're going through here. it does uter. we believe everyone has a story where fury ah

ah ah, welcome back. look at the main stories. now. you as president joe biden assigned an executive order to release $7000000000.00 in frozen afghan reserves off of that will go towards humanitarian efforts in afghanistan, the other half to relatives, the victims of the september 11th attacks. the us now says that the troops are in place for a major minute tree incursion of ukraine and the an attack could come within days. it's warning all it citizens to leave in the next 24 to 48 hours. now russia has repeatedly rejected accusations. it plans to invade president joe biden and

vladimir putin are going to discuss the situation by phone on saturday. all the crisis on the ukrainian border was top of the gender at the meeting of the quad security alliance. foreign ministers from the u. s. india, japan and australia met melbourne, where they also discuss china's expanding influence in the indo pacific region. sarah clark has more now for nations for democracy, all with the united message on the indo pacific region. what brings us together, what is an affirmative vision for what? the future can bring about, but also a commitment to defend the, the rules based systems that we have spent tremendous time and effort building. that's the overriding focus of the quote grids of foreign ministers from the united states, india, japan, and australia. the security alliance says it supports an open and inclusive vision

and offers an alternative to a china lead order in the region. and it came to push back on china's expansion. origin easing a period of rising strategic uncertainty. the rules and norms that have provided a foundation for us to ability, and hence our prosperity are under pressure. in particular, from authoritarian regimes, full of increasing concern to the quad is beijing and moscow's announcement last week of a strengthening relationship with presidents shading ping vladimir putin declaring uno limits partnership with mutual protection of each country's core interests. as tensions between russia and nato countries escalate over ukraine, the us secretary of state told the quote, the same principles in the indo pacific apply to russia. one of the reasons we're working so intensely to defend the core principles threatened by russia aggression toward ukraine is because those very same principles are crucial to enduring

stability in this region. and every other part of the world, the u. a secretary of state flies to fiji on saturday with this joint statement, his aiming to reassure pacific leaders that washington and its allies are committed to providing security. and distributing covered 19 vaccines as was bursting investment in infrastructure across the region. and all of this fall, china is ramping up. it's aid and influence. aging has labeled the court lance, as an inflammatory initiative designed to undermine 3rd parties like china. these foreign ministers have pledged increased humanitarian relief, terrorism and cyber and marine security for endo pacific nations. the court members are expected to make further commitments when they made in japan in the middle of the year. sarah clark out 0 brisbin australia when our drug smuggling is on the rise across southeast asia, ty authorities a confiscating millions of pills every week allows is reported in a 100 percent rise in seizures. in iso nations has occurred in may and mom is

driving there such out there as tony chang explains in the hills on the border with me and mom, an army patrol and thailand emerges from the mist. in this visibility, they can barely see 10 meters ahead. but this is one of the busiest smuggling roots on the border. in recent months, they've seen several 1000000 methamphetamine pills and shot dead sick smugglers from myanmar. and their commander knows why they're so busy. yet how i think is to politics and a conflict between the people in chart and ethnic groups in the provincial capital, cheng ry. the authorities are showing off their latest bust seized the night before . more than 6 and a half 1000000 methamphetamine pills. in the last 6 months, the amount of crystal meth a meth pill seized, has exploded. the produces, often linked to ethnic tom groups inside myanmar appear to be raising funds. these

groups need money at the moment, no money in general that they can generate through this trade can buy them arms. i can buy them other supplies, which they may or may not need to support themselves that populations are well. sam is a drug smuggler and a police informant. he wants his identity. hidden would have been milan, the he says that a low, the amount of drugs being intercepted has increased sharply, far more is getting through. and even more than that is waiting to come across the border cut nova, i cannot even guess the amount of drugs that are waiting to be delivered. but i know that there are tons of them so that the produces can produce whatever amount of drug that the client woods and the cost of production is. so cheap. can the tie authorities stem the flow of drugs? they say they know where the drugs are coming from. but with fighting between mere mas army and ethnic term groups. no one over,

there is thinking about stopping smugglers. the tie army try, make regular patrols down this river, heading towards the golden triangle. this is miramar! this is tyler. they say often during the dry season and so little water that boats can get down. but the smugglers just walked straight across. 12 hours after this patrol nearly $9000000.00 mess pills were seized just down river. a brief interruption in the flow of illegal drugs into the country. tony chang al jazeera on the time. yeah, ma border. canada's entire province has declared a state emergency in response to a truck driver's blockade in protest over the countries covey restrictions is found off on the ambassador bridge, which connects canada to the u. s. as cause parts shortages and major automakers. like for general motors in toyota, carmakers had already been struggling to deal with a global shortage of semiconductors. it is illegal and punishment ball to block

in impede the movement of goods, people, and services along critical infrastructure. this will include protecting international border crossings. 400 series highways, airports, ports, bridges, and railways. now school hurry, opening on monday and his date of car not to car off today were closed because of violence, standoff between pupils. some female students have been protesting against a band on religious headscarf, so the her job in class karnataka is governed by prime minister to render modi's party be accused. the fostering discrimination of any mental reports from monday was gone. con has become a local hero. people from across india have come to take photos of themselves with her, and some give her gifts and money was con, shot to fame. after this, we deal with virus. she seen resisting a group of men demanding she removable car. i am not scared of anyone except the

almighty. i thought of him, he was the one who gave me the strength and now all this respect. i am very grateful. i experience has highlighted a control the senior over a ban on religious clothing in the southern states. nautica that has led to a national debate about constitution, freedoms. women started protesting after they were banned from entering class, one ready headscarf, bis parked, counter protest by him. the groups the marsh wedding, saffron colored gulf, to assert their identity. the color is considered sacred by many hindu. but after riding clashes, schools and colleges were close for 3 days. the state government has backed the ban in india dumb way. now the bunch of them is going on. yes, a bit. induce us up as me saw what you had just completed on was did acting like yourself. protest have spread to other regions.

authorities in new delhi have detain students demonstrating in solidarity with the women. a court in could not go has allowed schools to reopen, but all students not to wear any religious clothing until a final decision is made. many people are getting anxious in this muslim dominated neighbourhood in mando. they say they only send their daughters to schools that allow head scarves and activists say that the band could lead to must been gods. 2 becoming for the marginalized and segregated from others in schools. some teachers are worried about the long term impact on students. the once you have stood poison into this, otherwise a loving gum earlier. well, it might job many people may use it for different reasons at the, in different stages, but that would be one of the i'm in all most unfortunate thing that might happen. head often must gone, says she's grateful for the support she's received and is confident. the court will

rule in favor of those objecting the ban. she plans to go to university next year to fulfill her father's dream of becoming a lawyer. poverty mythology sierra could not. gov southern india and more than a 100000 people in madagascar awaiting for emergency aid almost a week after a powerful cycle. and hit was righty. made land for last saturday, destroying thousands of homes over a 100 people and known to have died. this was the 2nd most destructive storm debt, madagascar, and his face of just 2 weeks. before that cycling anna had killed 55 people in displaced thousands. the island nation was already struggling with food shortages because of severe and prolonged drought. now, a delegation from the world health organization and belgium is in south africa, or is it looks at setting up an m r in a vaccine technology hop in the country. a week ago, a south african pharmaceutical company announced it was releasing a new vaccine to help poor nations spokesperson for boris johnson says,

the british prime ministers received a questionnaire from police investigating allegations of parties held at downing street during corona virus locked downs. it follows scotland yard announcing on wednesday that offices we're contacting dozens of people believe to have attended the gatherings and that they could be fined. johnson has previously denied that he broke the law and attending any of the events and has refused calls to resign. ah, a quick look at our top stories this our now in the white house says you as president joe biden will speak by phone with russia's vladimir putin on saturday. that announcement came a short time after washington issued a blunt warning.