A daily five minute news wrap for English learners.
This is SBS News in Easy English. I'm Claire Slattery.
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The United States says it expects Russia to invade Ukraine as early as tonight.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has told NBC News Russian troops are in a final point of readiness at Ukraine's borders.
The United Nations Security Council has held an emergency meeting shortly at the request of Ukraine, calling again for a diplomatic solution.
Mr Blinken says there is still a chance to "avert a major aggression" through diplomacy.
"Everything seems to be in place for Russia to engage in a major aggression against Ukraine// To be clear you think tonight that could happen? or will happen?// Look I cant put a date or an exact time on it but everything is in place for Russia to move forward."
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The Australian government has formally signed off on sanctions announced against Russia, over its aggression towards Ukraine.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison met with Governor General David Hurley this morning to sign off on the sanctions.
Mr Morrison says the sanctions will become law from Friday, but are not due to take effect until the end of March.
But Mr Morrison has conceded he does not expect the sanctions to lead to Russia pulling back.
"The reason we're doing this is there must be a price for the unprovoked, unlawful, unwarranted, unjustified attacks and threats and intimidation that has been imposed by Russia on Ukraine."
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Hundreds of Australian jobs could be at risk after one of the country's biggest construction companies ProBuild was placed into administration.
Deloitte has been appointed as administrator after Probuild's South African parent company Wilson Bayly Holmes-Ovcon withdrew its financial support
W-B-H-O is blaming the Australian government's management of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the damage it's done to the Australian construction market.
The company employs more than 1000 people, as well as contract trade workers, and holds a five-billion-dollar portfolio.
The company is currently managing at least a dozen major projects across Victoria, NSW, Queensland and WA.
The union representing construction workers, the CFMEU, says it's trying to establish the company's situation and the likely impact on workers.
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The search is continuing for a 54-year-old man missing in floodwaters on Queensland's Sunshine Coast.
There are fears the man was swept away, after his motorcycle, helmet and bag were found abandoned near Gympie on Wednesday morning.
A 63-year-old woman was killed yesterday in the floods affecting the state's southeast.
More intense rainfall and damaging winds are expected over the coming days.
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In sport,
Athletes participating at this year's Commonwealth Games in Birmingham will be allowed to protest at the podium.
Event organisers have released a set of 'guiding principles' for athlete advocacy.
The new guidelines allow competitors to carry an Indigenous or Pride flag during a victory lap, take a knee or raise a fist on the podium, and speak out in favour of other social justice causes.
Hate messages and protests aimed at a specific organisation, person or country, will not be allowed.
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You've been listening to SBS News in Easy English. I'm Claire Slattery.
